The Frost Thunder Temple, though not among the most powerful factions in the Neutral Lands, was nonetheless one who could never be lightly ignored, mainly because of its unique method of inheritance that produced a divine general in every generation. And within this era alone, they had produced even two divine generals. The weakest among these divine generals was still a true divine general. Therefore even someone as aloof as Luo BingFeng would not hastily act with impropriety without clearly understanding the nature of an individual or his intentions.
Carole, cultivating the power of lightning, was a decisive individual of straightforward demeanor. “I have heard that your subordinates captured a person by the name of Song ZiNing,” she spoke bluntly, “I would ask of you merely to hand him over to me and I vow to meet any conditions you set, whatever they might be.”
“Yet another plea for Song ZiNing,” Luo BingFeng murmured with glimmerings of intense anger in his eyes. Immediately, the very atmosphere within the audience chamber began to distort, while the surface of the box that contained his lightning-snap whip flared ominously with streaks of electricity, revealing the whip reacting violently within.
It could not be helped. Ever since those chaotic recent days when Tingchao City had been turned upside down by Song ZiNings’ actions, the city patrol armies had suffered grievous losses. Commanders fell one by one, while even the deputy commander had been caught in death or injury. Yu KanG had survived indeed, but his courage was shattered beyond recovery thus compromising his promising potential.
And so with Carole now visiting to request freedom for the same Song ZiNing again, how might anyone stay calm amid such circumstances and not feel intense rage?
Unfazed by BingFeng’s murderous aura resting heavily on her person, Carole remained calm and steadfast.
Suddenly the silhouette of an enigmatic woman materialized inside the reception hall, spreading with elegant, soft radiance, akin to gentle spring rain washing over the area. As it radiated outward, the palpably tense atmosphere vanished in mere moments.
She seated beside Luo BingFeng and spoke with sincere, apologetic tones, “I do sincerely extend a formal acknowledgment for BingFeng’s present poor mood that reflects poorly on our hospitality. I do beg Carole Esteemed Lady forgive our indiscretions.” she glanced toward Carole again, “Yet might you indulge me with a request for knowledge—what binds young Master Song so closely to oneself as to warrant an extraordinary journey across the lands here?”
Remaining silent throughout, Luo BingFeng nonetheless directed to Carole one unrelenting glare filled yet unwavering hostility.
Certainly Carole would find herself overwhelmed even were this battle outside these precincts of the city let alone inside its core, as she could not hope to oppose him under current conditions.
Fully conscious of its gravity, Carole responded, “To be truthful, I did not originally come for Song ZiNing, but rather in search of QianYe. Nevertheless, so long as Song remains detained, the same QianYe will also remain. Allow me then to question directly, What terms or conditions might be necessary to earn our Song release?”
Luo BingFeng’s eyebrows rose ominously and began visibly to inflame with anger.
The lady gently patted his arm. With an effective soothing tenderness calming again and continued to ask gently this pressing question to Carole, “Carole Esteemed Lady, might you enlighten us further upon your precise relation or nature of commitments towards QianYe such that you expend so highly significant personal investment?”
Carole met it squarely when replying. “There is between our relations something of an agreement. The matter involved pertains though to dreams cherished dearly by my lineage across years—such private details can remain undisclosed even to you.”
Acknowledging with a slight nod, she offered this counter, “Though release Song ZiNing might well extend beyond merely what our hands grasp, should QianYe wish otherwise, let him indeed visit for our negotiation in personal. After the multitude of actions set against this City by his design, he himself must eventually accept responsibility in settlement.”
Carole responded by knitting her brows, questioning, “So then shall we infer, both City Sovereign, alongside his Honorable Lady, are disinclined toward discussion at all?”
The woman smiled in calm, serene tone replied: “Far from infeasible discussions. However our condition stands firm in preference — negotiation occurs exclusively with QianZe present.”
“As to terms desired themselves?” She continued with almost mystical prescience.”We might just spontaneously conceive just exactly what might seem fitting when he himself appears before our vision.”
With her expression darkening and her voice dropping like stone. Caroe leveled her own final offer. “If it shall be so, then let us not hide behind euphemism or ambiguity. Should QianYe fall slain by hand of you Sovereign pair, understand fully thereafter Tingchoa itself becomes enemy unto Lady Carole! Admittedly formidable opponent though you remain, you yet can’t forsake or abandon this domain you inhabit. Mark my words – others venturing beyond this city gates in days hence had better beware.”
His brows rose ominously. Luo BingFeng smashed downward fiercely upon arm of throne, ice-crispened whisper spitting venom,”Hahhh! Audaciously presumptious. Were not the respect afforded in your formal entry, you already would be no more!”
Carole flinched not an iota and replied directly: “Endanger my life—yet my younger brother will assuredly visit vengeance upon me death with full retaliation upon thyself. When the time arrives, I’d eagerly watch indeed and observe who precisely among entirety here survives alongside thee—City Lord. Indeed, even thy spouse may discover fate not spared.”
The lady gently sighed then firmly took hold of BingFengs’ fingers to counsel. “Please BingFeng, though perhaps driven sincerity in manner, must these tensions still be pursued so strenuously. Ultimately recall—such troubles originated indeed primarily from personal initiative of certain subordinates—why must one persist in carrying their burdens?”
“But…”
“This shall be no ‘but’.”She countered gently firm. “Go now, retreat toward the courtyard. Immediately thereafter, I too shall soon follow.”
Nodding once, BingFeng cast final piercing stare towards Carole then rose departing. Soon only woman and noble visitor remained within this assembly hall.
Silent but composed beneath those penetrating eyes that somehow bore wisdom beyond the usual, for reason unknowenst, oddly unsettles a hardened heart within this Lady Knight.
“You exhibit indeed an uncommon strength in resolve,” she observed in one utterance alone caused the heartbeat of one hardened warrior quicken as a strange unfamiliar trepidation crept upon Carole’s shoulders, half fearing further revelations within her next breath.
Luckily, a simple knowingly smile followed with change of subject instead.
“Nevertheless your intention has fully reached us. Regarding means toward settlement, matters yet require our own deliberation—not simply within immediate domain of just you & us alone. Yet we ourselves shall engage in conversation & deliberation—I suspect we may soon indeed arrive toward some proposed terms soon enough ourselves.”
Unanticipated this unexpectedly amicable tone, Carole responded with slight softening own stance before responding. “Then for now, farewell. I’ll certainly stand waiting for further word from you.”
The woman stood as well rising with elegant gesture and led noble out toward mansion gates. Only following her departure did mistress finally turn again indoors.
Now inside chambers within, BingFeng sat deeply engaged amidst his innermost thoughts in his study while the ever watchful younger Luoyon waited nearby, eyes cast downward in silent submission.
Arriving at threshold, she glimpsed his ponders etched in furrow brow & softly amused said, “Already seeing her off. Seems likely no direct relation with the Song family. Might instead just remain simply tied to QianZe exclusively.”
He snorted in brief acknowledgment: “Too prolonged, all affairs long since escalated uncontainable. Resolve swiftly required – soon else TingChoas dignity shall entirely dissolve beyond recovery. Such trivial presence as mere Carole hardly worth acknowledging with thought.”
Yet amusement returned, “Might also not forget—the younger one yet stands beyond horizon’s veil”
He dismissed that lightly. “Yet again, even so, hardly formidable enough for my attention.”
She exhaled: “Ever so long spent confined in cultivation retreat yet stubborness unchanged—so stubborn still. Might well assess—her request modest indeed… only safeguarding against possible fatality upon that youth’s part. No severe maims required; likely peaceful terms still feasible between us.”
Yet a cold whisper followed: “Beware; in warfare, steel flies without mercy. Tragic casualties are inevitable. Even if he meet thus, how might such fate matter at all?”
“You speak so lofty with words of comfort for grand figures. Yet how much true weight lies beneath these utterings?” Her tone sharpens again. “Indeed—who but you and I can actually claim to truly wound him so? Look to all your subordinates—who among can claim any power against QianZe except to be trounced in contest? Even with all you boast yourself so mighty. Yet if even your hands falter just briefly, how could he have then fled already once from under watch of yours?!”
Still, moments tick past quietly. Bingfeng finally eased into relaxed composure.
“That young prodigy certainly stands among greatest I have even beheld.” Then added after a pause, voice resolute with promise. “Do not presume escape a single time grants same feat achievable thrice or more though. Deluding one’s self with arrogance.”
“You,” came the woman’s gentle teasing with half a smile as she spoke again while rolling eyes with mock irritation,”still insistant upon rivalries with generation young. Time long past, our absence prolonged already beyond acceptable measure.” Turning she made for departing. “This matter of yours — surely may entrusted now to assistants below rather then ourselves to resolve personally.”
For once no opposition came from him this day and BingFeng stood in readiness. Gesturing Luoyun who waited closely nearby. “As per that certain request earlier, proceed ahead. Utilize the item entrusted upon thee.”
Affirming with solemn word, he bowed and turned toward immediate exit.
“You’ve yet disclosed not — what hidden matter?” The woman gently pried with curiosity in question form.
Yet he returned cryptic response. “But mere trifle details. Too negligible mention even.”
Sensing disinclination towards elaboration, she simply desisted further inquiry.
Even now amidst endless stretches within distant mountain chains, Ji TianQing carried with haste Qiane at back, moving swiftly until reaching a beautifully tranquil valley brimming with verdant green life and spring’s eternal promise where finally she slowed step.
Unceremoniously she deposited him carelessly ground-side before immediately collapsing to nearby crystal streams. Drinking with wild thirsty abandon until contentment settled upon a satiated gut with heavy breath of exhaustion followed by reclining pose of total limp weariness.
“Exhausted utterly this young lady!”
Yet through gasps and panting struggles did the young one Qianne raise himself again slightly while responding, face bearing wry amusement. “Yet not without struggle myself neither.”
“Hmph,” narrowing eyes in mock annoyance. “All you done merely supported me. Still dare complain like so? ”
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