Chapter 7: Why Must It Be You

In the Eternal Night, where darkness reigned, Black Current City was ablaze with lights.

Perhaps due to the concentration of both factions’ forces on the Floating Land battle, the dark races facing Black Current City had long since withdrawn their lines. There were no large-scale forces, and even small reconnaissance and hunting teams were becoming a rarity.

The rare months of peace had made Black Current City flourish, its streets bustling with people.

A high-speed airship pierced through the void, descending directly into Black Current City. This airship moved at an extraordinary speed, like a swift bird, and in a blink, it landed in the center of the airship landing field, too fast for the guards to react.

The officer in charge of the landing field sprinted over, his knowledge vast enough to recognize that such a performance was rare across the entire empire. Only those of considerable power and status could possess such an airship.

By the time he arrived, the airship’s hatch had already opened, and Song Zining stepped out calmly.

This officer was also from Song Zining’s faction and hurriedly greeted him, “Young Master Seven, you’ve returned?”

Song Zining asked, “Any unusual occurrences recently?”

“Everything is normal.”

Song Zining nodded and walked towards Black Current City. His steps were calm, but within a few strides, he had left the landing field and vanished in the direction of Black Current City.

The officer, unable to catch up, stopped in surprise, puzzled by why the usually composed Young Master Seven seemed so anxious.

In a secluded courtyard of Darkflame Headquarters, Ye Pupil sat quietly, as serene as ever. However, instead of a book and teacup, she held a short, thin blade. This was the top-tier vampiric dagger “Crimson,” of which there were only three in the Monroe Clan. As a former princess, Ye Pupil had been granted one of them.

Since coming to Black Current City, Ye Pupil had not used Crimson. This was the first time it had seen the light of day in months.

She gently wiped the blade with a white cloth. Under the glow of starlight and moonlight, the blade shimmered with a rippling red, like flowing blood.

At this moment, a soft, rhythmic knock sounded at the courtyard door, and then Song Zining entered. Seeing Ye Pupil wiping Crimson, Song Zining paused slightly.

Without lifting her head, Ye Pupil focused on cleaning the blade and asked softly, “Who hurt Qian Ye?”

This question rendered Song Zining’s prepared long explanation futile. After a moment of silence, he said, “The sorceress of the Mesfield.”

Upon hearing the name, Ye Pupil’s hand trembled imperceptibly. She then asked nonchalantly, “The sorceress has awakened? But why Qian Ye?”

Song Zining smiled bitterly and briefly recounted the events of that day. After finishing, he added, “As far as I know, Qian Ye was not originally part of the plan. No one expected this to happen.”

Ye Pupil did not respond. She put down the cloth and ran her finger along the blade. The blade silently sliced her skin, leaving a fine red line and drawing a drop of crystalline blood.

In that moment, the courtyard fell into a suffocating silence. Song Zining took a deep breath, but the feeling of suffocation did not lessen. He finally could not help but ask, “Don’t you want to know how Qian Ye is doing?”

Ye Pupil replied, “If it was the sorceress, there’s no need to ask.”

“I…” Song Zining tried to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.

“I know, those who plot and scheme always have their moments of failure.”

“Indeed, but…” Song Zining couldn’t continue.

“But what?” Ye Pupil asked.

Taking a deep breath, Song Zining said, “I wanted to say that while we can plan, success is in the hands of fate. If we don’t make plans, we won’t achieve anything. But can we just stand by and do nothing because we might fail? Planning carries the risk of mistakes…”

“So, mistakes are acceptable. You are never wrong.”

Song Zining didn’t know how to respond. After a moment, he sighed heavily, “What are you blaming us for?”

“Did you really think it wise to let Zhao Jundu face the sorceress without knowing anything about her?” Ye Pupil did not finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear: if not for this arrangement, Qian Ye would not have faced the sorceress.

Song Zining was speechless.

He wanted to say it wasn’t his idea, but as one of Zhang Boqian’s advisors, he had some knowledge of the battle. Perhaps because his voice carried little weight, or perhaps due to his confidence in Zhao Jundu, he did not choose to intervene. In truth, he knew little of the specific arrangements and even less about the behind-the-scenes agreements.

Ye Pupil sheathed “Crimson” and placed it in her chest, finally looking up at Song Zining. “What do you want to say? You can say it now.”

Under her clear gaze, Song Zining felt more challenged than ever before. The words churned in his chest but wouldn’t come out.

A smile of indeterminate meaning appeared on Ye Pupil’s face, beautiful yet with a hidden intensity. She said slowly, “Qian Ye’s recovery may require an ancient blood pool. What have you prepared for me?”

“Some intelligence and… arrangements for assistance.” Song Zining’s voice was low and heavy.

“Intelligence is enough. Assistance? Huh. When can I get the intelligence?”

Song Zining pulled out a piece of paper with several locations and names listed, saying, “In the Duskland, these people will help you. The contact methods are listed here.”

Then, Song Zining took out a map, tracing a winding route and marking key points. This was the retreat route he had planned, including positions for reinforcements.

From this escape route, it was clear that Song Zining was determined, mobilizing numerous secret agents, layering obstacles, and sparing no effort to ensure Ye Pupil escaped pursuit.

Looking at Ye Pupil, Song Zining’s expression was complex. “I hope you understand. I cannot accompany you…”

“Understood.” Ye Pupil interrupted, “When should I leave?”

“Within two days, reach the Duskland landing point. Someone will provide you with necessary intelligence. The airship is ready, the one I came in.”

“So, I should leave now.”

“…Yes.” The word was like a stone, forced out of Song Zining’s mouth.

Ye Pupil went back to her room and soon emerged with a backpack. It seemed she had long prepared, everything already packed. Song Zining noticed that she was not wearing her usual loose dress but had changed into combat attire.

There was no need for further words. Silently, Song Zining accompanied Ye Pupil out, boarded the vehicle, and then sent her off on the airship.

The airship ascended rapidly, disappearing into the night sky in an instant.

Song Zining stood motionless on the landing field, likely making the hardest decision of his life.

Over the next few days, Song Zining traveled between continents, spending most of his time on the airship. At each stop, he met people, mobilized resources, and made arrangements. As his footsteps spread, the ripples they created gradually merged into waves. By the time these waves reached the Eternal Night camp, they had become a storm.

In the Eternal Night world, some families suddenly found their surroundings no longer peaceful. Weaknesses were exposed, secret actions revealed, and old conspiracies leaked. These events, while not devastating, were troublesome.

If connected, these isolated incidents pointed to the heart of the Duskland.

Song Zining’s frenzied activities did not go unnoticed. Almost as soon as he left, reports of his movements and arrangements reached the desks of powerful individuals watching closely.

These matters were complex, seemingly random, and unrelated. Yet, these seasoned leaders saw through the subterfuge. Clearly, some events were deliberately misleading.

Understanding this, however, did not make untangling the web any easier.

Seven days later, Song Zining returned to Black Current City. This time, he did nothing, sitting alone by the window, gazing at the massive shadows in the night sky. The deeds were done, and now all that remained was to await the outcome.

But he knew, no matter how meticulously he planned, no matter how perfect the escape, one crucial fact remained: in the final, critical step, he was powerless. The depths of the Duskland were a bottomless abyss, untouched by humans.

It was the holy land of the Bloodline, the domain of Queen Lilith, the origin of the thirteen clans. Legend held that the deepest part of the Duskland concealed the secrets of the ancient River of Blood and the First Drop. Even Zhang Boqian, with his ability to traverse the void, had never ventured into the Queen’s territory.

Not even Lin Xitang, despite his meticulous planning, could breach that darkest region.

In that unknown territory, countless ancient vampires lay dormant. Even with the abilities of the Three Thousand Leaf Sutra, Song Zining knew that once entering, there would be no return.

This mission was not to die, but to awaken Qian Ye. So, Song Zining could only place all his hopes on Ye Pupil. As she departed for the Duskland, all he could do was pray.

This sense of helplessness was unbearable. Now, Song Zining envied Wei Potian. The Grand Prince laughed when he should, raged when he should, and rarely questioned his emotions. Such simplicity was so freeing.

At that moment, the door opened, and Nan Hua entered, carrying a tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

Song Zining frowned slightly but spoke gently, “So late, why aren’t you resting?”

Unexpectedly, Nan Hua said, “I know you’re troubled, so I wanted to share a drink with you.”

Song Zining was surprised. But at this moment, wine was the best balm for sorrow.

So, he picked up the glass.