Chapter 8: Still in Love

To everyone’s surprise, the wine that evening was exceptionally pleasing. Though Young Master Nan Hua never lacked for fine clothes and exquisite wines, what he truly favored was not the expensive, rare varieties, but rather a cheap, potent liquor. This particular drink reminded him of the one he had savored long ago in the Yellow Springs Training Camp, when he had gotten utterly drunk.

That night, Nan Hua had brought the same kind of wine, and it wasn’t clear how she had known of Song Zining’s taste. As he lifted his glass, Song Zining pondered this question, and then, with his remarkable memory, he recalled mentioning it to her vaguely once before. He hadn’t expected her to remember and still have it in mind even now.

This touched Song Zining deeply, and as an exception, he did not let Nan Hua leave but instead asked her to stay. They drank in silent companionship. At such times, weighed down by weariness and immense pressure, Song Zining found himself yearning for company, for someone to be with him.

A bottle of wine was quickly drained, and without a word, Nan Hua silently fetched another, placing it on the table. She said nothing, asked no questions, merely kept Song Zining company in his drinking. As they drank, a clear tear suddenly fell into the glass. She rubbed her eyes, said it was nothing, and continued to smile, accompanying him in their drinking.

Soon, several empty bottles had accumulated beside them. Despite their considerable strength, neither could resist the wine’s effects, and their eyes became somewhat hazy and lost.

Song Zining finally spoke, his voice low and deep: “Do you know, I’ve known Qian Ye for a very long time. Back then, he was just a fool, a stubborn fool. But in the Yellow Springs Training Camp, I would only dare to entrust my back to such a fool…”

“Qian Ye was never smart, never.”

“He was foolish enough to take a bullet for me, almost dying in the process, ha ha!”

“But if that bullet had hit me, I’d have died twice over.”

“In this war, it was the second time he nearly perished. No, perhaps he already has. So, maybe there won’t be such foolishness anymore.”

“If the world were left with only the clever ones, how terrible would that be?”

…

Song Zining didn’t know how long he had been speaking or what he had said. Sleep overcame him, and he dozed off in his chair, having not closed his eyes since the moment he began to deduce the will of fate on the floating land.

Nan Hua stumbled as well, barely managing to drag Song Zining to the bed and lay him down. Then, she curled up in his arms, lying there quietly, waiting for dawn.

Daybreak came, and the first rays of sunlight illuminated the mainland of the Empire. However, the Evernight realm remained shrouded in darkness. But according to the Empire’s custom, when the capital greeted the dawn, the entire Empire considered it daybreak.

In the darkness, Nan Hua, who had lain quietly through the night, finally rose and looked at the person beside her. Song Zining was still sound asleep, utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Before returning to Blackstream, he had completed all his preparations, merely awaiting the outcome and the return of Nighteye.

Nan Hua leaned down, gently kissing Song Zining’s forehead, her eyes filled with reluctant parting. Resolutely, she stood up, pushed open the door, and softly closed it behind her.

At this hour, Blackstream City was already bustling. Early-morning traders had opened their shops, and gas lamps illuminated the busy streets as bright as daylight. Dressed in ordinary clothing, Nan Hua blended in like any other female hunter in the city, walking along the commercial street. She was drawn by the aroma from a small breakfast shop and entered.

At a corner table, a man was already seated, also dressed as a hunter. His leather coat was unbuttoned, revealing numerous pockets inside, stuffed with various weapons and ammunition. His coat was heavily worn, suggesting he hadn’t fared well. But most hunters struggled, which was why they chose this path. This inexpensive breakfast place was frequented by those who had fallen on hard times.

With the development of the mining industry pioneered by Song Zining, Blackstream City had become increasingly prosperous. Now, a guard at Ning Yuan Heavy Industries earned more than a regular hunter, a significant draw for the lower echelons of hunters. Guards had standard equipment and were safe most of the time, a stark contrast to the precarious lives of hunters. Consequently, many hunters from nearby counties had flocked to Blackstream, hoping to try their luck.

The gathering of so many hunters, in turn, made Blackstream City safer, creating a virtuous cycle.

As Nan Hua entered, she was greeted by several whistles. Although she had masked much of her beauty, her figure and demeanor still stood out, easily outshining ordinary female hunters. However, when she sat down at the corner table, many hunters shrugged and turned away, recognizing the man as a formidable character.

The hunter sitting alone finally raised his head, revealing a handsome face with strikingly clear eyes. A large scar marred his good looks, giving him a somewhat ferocious appearance.

Seeing Nan Hua sit down, he pushed a steaming bowl of soup towards her, saying, “You finally came.”

It was a thick, meaty broth, accompanied by small pieces of flatbread. One bowl could satisfy a ravenous man and keep hunger at bay for a good while, making it popular among lower-rank hunters and adventurers.

Such food, Nan Hua would normally not deign to look at, but now she picked up a piece of bread and dipped it into the soup, eating with relish.

The scarred hunter said, “It’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to meet you here. Is this fate?”

Nan Hua paused, smiling wryly, and said, “Fate? Maybe.”

After saying this, she bit into the bread with renewed vigor, as if venting her frustrations. As she ate, tears began to fall.

The scarred hunter smiled bitterly and said softly, “Looks like you still love him.”

Nan Hua nodded, saying, “Yes, only him. The more time passes, the more my heart aches.”

The scarred hunter sighed, reaching out to pat her hand. Nan Hua’s hand trembled but did not pull away. Seeing this, the scarred hunter did not make any further moves. Instead, he picked up a water jug and poured himself a cup, his hand noticeably trembling as he did so.

Nan Hua’s gaze lingered on his left hand, asking, “Still not healed?”

“How could it? A cultivatable, growing arm is too costly. You know that. I’m just a minor figure in the military, how could I afford it? Let it be. After so long, I’ve come to terms with it.” The scarred hunter appeared very casual.

Nan Hua looked away, asking, “What would you do if you were in my place?”

The scarred hunter smiled, saying, “I’m not very ambitious, just getting by. If I were you, I’d stay by his side, one day at a time. He still treats you well, doesn’t he? But Young Master Nan Hua has high aspirations, something I can’t compare to. Honestly, a mere county state is probably insignificant to this future military god.”

Nan Hua’s face paled, and she sighed, “Yes, his ambitions extend far beyond a county state, perhaps even a continent. To him, I am nothing. He has many women around him now.”

“Those women are fleeting, perhaps forgotten by morning. Why should you care? Young Master Nan Hua would never be interested in ordinary women, you can rest assured.” The scarred hunter comforted her.

But Nan Hua’s face grew paler, her fingertips trembling slightly as she said, “You don’t understand. Each woman he has cuts a knife into my heart. It’s been so long, my heart is shattered, beyond repair. And if a county state means nothing to him, what does a princess of a county state mean? There are many princesses in a single county. In his heart, I’m just an ordinary woman, not the type he would ever favor.”

The scarred hunter sighed, saying, “You think too much. I can’t imagine a woman more outstanding than you.”

“I used to think so too. But now, I’ve seen someone, a woman who shouldn’t exist in this world.”

“Is she beautiful?”

“No, not at all. But seeing her, I realized, she doesn’t need to be beautiful.”

“Really, such a woman exists?” The scarred hunter seemed surprised.

Nan Hua remained silent, tears streaming down her face. The scarred hunter seemed to understand and did not ask further.

Nan Hua wiped her tears, saying, “I’ll agree to it. But I have a condition.”

“What condition?”

“Kill that woman as well!”

The scarred hunter was surprised, asking, “Has Young Master Nan Hua succeeded?”

“Of course not, and he never will.”

“Why?”

“Because he would never harm her. She’s Qian Ye’s woman.”

“Qian Ye… no wonder.” Mentioning Qian Ye, the scarred hunter’s expression changed.

Nan Hua didn’t notice, gritting her teeth, “If I can’t have him, no one will. I’ll destroy him, and before I do, I’ll destroy everything he cares about, everything he loves, everything he has!”

Nan Hua’s voice had risen, and the scarred hunter casually waved his right hand, forming an elemental barrier that contained all sounds. Many hunters who had glanced over shivered and quickly averted their eyes, ceasing even their conversations.

The scarred hunter told Nan Hua, “It’s not impossible. You know our power; we can accomplish anything in the Empire. But you must tell me everything you know.”

“Alright!” Nan Hua agreed readily.

Around midday, Song Zining groaned and slowly opened his eyes. The previous night was a complete blank, and he couldn’t recall anything. Alarmed, he sat up, but his head felt heavy as a stone, making him groan again.

Looking around, he saw he was in his bedroom, which gave him a small measure of relief. Yet, the unexplained drunkenness left him with an unsettling feeling.

Just then, the door opened, and Nan Hua walked in, carrying a tray with a freshly prepared breakfast.

“You’re awake? Just in time, I’ve made you some breakfast,” Nan Hua said with a smile.