The meeting concluded, and Qian Ye had just returned to his study when Song Hui followed him in. Without any preamble, she said, “Are you planning to fight the Great Chieftain Sosa?”
Qian Ye was taken aback but then replied, “You’re very perceptive.”
“The supplies you’ve been mobilizing are not for common use. After much thought, it seems that in the New World, only Sosa would need such resources.”
Qian Ye looked at her and asked, “Do you have any suggestions?”
“What else could I suggest? Of course, it’s for you not to go!”
“Why?”
Song Hui looked into Qian Ye’s eyes and earnestly said, “You can’t win! Do you need more reasons? Besides, how much have you done for the Empire all these years, and how have they treated you? Why should you still risk your life for them?”
“I am doing this for myself.”
“Is that really possible?” Perhaps realizing her tone was too harsh, Song Hui softened a bit, “If you truly have your best interests at heart, then don’t face Sosa alone. It’s the Emperor’s duty to handle the Great Chieftains. There’s no reason they should send you to your death if they can’t step up!”
“The Emperors are busy with significant matters and probably can’t make it,” Qian Ye said.
Song Hui sneered, “It’s not that they can’t make it; they simply don’t want to! These people want to use Sosa’s hands to kill you. How long has it been since you sent out your plea for help? Even the Imperial Emperor should have arrived by now. This kind of trick, even I can see through. Can’t you?”
Qian Ye fell silent for a moment before saying, “So what if I can? I didn’t hold out much hope anyway. But if I ignore it, the Morserl werewolves will advance unchecked. Once they secure a few forests and establish a foothold, it will be even harder to drive them out. Moreover, in that cursed place, who knows when they might encroach on the Empire’s settlements. Although I have many grievances with the Great Qin, my family and brothers are still there. I don’t want my personal grudges to bring them another powerful enemy on the battlefield.”
“But what about Yeye? Isn’t she in the Evernight?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Song Hui regretted them. She stamped her foot and said, “Do as you please. I can’t control you!”
With that, she turned and ran out without looking back.
Qian Ye shook his head, not chasing after her. Instead, he opened the window and said, “Old sir, why did you not inform me of your arrival? I could have arranged for a proper reception.”
“There’s no time for formalities,” said Liu Gong, standing in the air outside the window. His back was slightly hunched, like an old man, and he slowly walked in, standing in front of Qian Ye as if he were on solid ground rather than thin air.
Qian Ye invited Liu Gong to sit down and said, “I still haven’t thanked you for saving my life in the Neutral Zone. What important matter brings you here? If it is something I can do, I will do my utmost.”
Liu Gong scrutinized Qian Ye from head to toe, and suddenly, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. In an instant, it felt as though a bolt of lightning lit up the room. In a split second, Qian Ye felt as if every inch of his body had been seen through, leaving no secrets. Instinctively, he rose into the air, spreading his light wings around himself, cutting off Liu Gong’s gaze.
It was a momentary instinctive reaction. Afterward, Qian Ye realized something was amiss and did not retract his wings. “What does this mean, Old sir?”
Liu Gong remained seated, his eyes’ gleam gradually fading. “This old servant is entrusted with a task to help you. To do it well, I needed to assess your current strength.”
Qian Ye’s suspicion subsided somewhat, and he retracted his wings, sitting back down. However, this time, while he appeared calm, the blood of the burning gold surged within him, ready to strike at any moment.
Liu Gong, seemingly unaware, sighed, “Indeed, a rare talent! Alas, we are old in this era.”
He fixed his gaze on Qian Ye and said, “The Finger Peak King left behind a gun barrel named ‘Heartburial.’ Is it still with you?”
Heartburial had once been returned to the Empire by Song Zining for modification, fitted with other components, and later used by Zhao Jundu in the White City battle, where it cut down all the attacking apostles’ swords, earning it great fame. With the Hall of Heroes also widely known, the fact that Qian Ye had inherited the Finger Peak King’s legacy was no secret.
Qian Ye nodded, retrieved Heartburial, and handed it to Liu Gong.
Liu Gong caressed the long gun, now beyond the ninth grade, and his cloudy eyes cleared slightly. “This gun barrel has a story of its own. I never imagined it would fall into your hands, and you would have so many stories. Looking at you, I see the young Prince.”
Qian Ye said, “How can I compare to the old Prince?”
Liu Gong snorted, “At your age, he didn’t have such achievements. Ah, in times of chaos, heroes rise. You are indeed far stronger than us old-timers.”
Before Qian Ye could respond, Liu Gong’s hands moved, and Heartburial crumbled to pieces!
Staring at the scattered parts, Qian Ye was stunned. Although he rarely used Heartburial, it was one of his top weapons, more lethal than the Eastern Peak. Now, Liu Gong had destroyed it without warning, and Qian Ye could not fathom the reason. But judging from his composed demeanor, it did not seem malicious.
Liu Gong swept the gun parts away, leaving only the bare barrel. He then seemed satisfied. “A pearl covered in dust, now this is better.”
He produced a new gun barrel, and Qian Ye instantly felt a heavy, simple, and profound pressure, coupled with an indescribable aura of slaughter, as if it looked down upon all living beings.
Just the aura alone was extraordinary!
Liu Gong spoke slowly, “This gun is named Dragon Spring and was once wielded by the Martial Ancestor. Though damaged, it remains a weapon of the highest caliber.”
“Do you mean…?”
“Dragon Spring paired with Heartburial, they are perfectly matched.”
“But this gun, surely it is a treasure. What price must I pay to obtain it?”
Liu Gong said, “You mentioned earlier that your family and brothers are still in the Empire. That sentiment is enough. However, to install Heartburial on Dragon Spring, we need some materials. I heard you have some goldstone from the holy tree pools. Bring some over.”
Qian Ye took several pieces from Anduia’s space. The ones he kept close were the best, mostly from the Six-armed General’s throne. Liu Gong’s eyes lit up when he saw them. “Truly, treasures of the world, treasures of the world!”
“If you like, take these,” Qian Ye offered. There were still plenty of similar goldstones in Anduia’s space. The Six-armed General was massive, so his throne was equally large.
Liu Gong hesitated, then said, “I have some family in the mortal world. These goldstones are unique and can be used to create heirlooms. I appreciate your kindness, Sir Qian Ye.”
Qian Ye hurriedly said, “Please, don’t say that. I will never forget the debt I owe you for saving my life in the Neutral Zone. These are just trivial things and cannot repay you.”
Liu Gong sighed, “One always has some ties. The older one gets, the more one feels guilty. When I was young, following the late Emperor, I had no thoughts of family. Now, as I grow old, I feel guilty. I don’t expect much from my descendants; I’m content if they can maintain the status of a lower-tier aristocratic family.”
At this, Qian Ye remembered something and asked, “Old sir, my foster father never mentioned his family. Now that he’s gone, how are they?”
“The Lin family is a military lineage, but they have always been a lower-tier family. Xitang was a rare genius, and their status rose with him. Even if Xitang never sought special treatment for his family, others would still give them some favor. However, Xitang passed away too soon, and the Lin family’s foundation is not yet stable. They are a high-tier family in name only. I predict they will drop to a mid-tier family within three years.”
“What does the Lin family lack? Territory or achievements?”
“Xitang’s legacy provides enough military achievements, at least for ten years. He was the Emperor’s teacher, and the Emperor values him highly, so he won’t let the Lin family decline. However, the territories that should have been bestowed on the Lin family during Xitang’s ennoblement were withheld under various excuses. Thus, the Lin family has the name of a high-tier family but the foundation of a lower-tier one.”
Liu Gong mused, “The late Emperor ennobled him too early, without matching territories to pacify the masses. He thought it would happen eventually. But with the court’s situation, it became difficult, and Xitang didn’t argue.”
A cold light flashed in Qian Ye’s eyes. “Who dared to do this? Shall I confront them?”
Liu Gong looked at Qian Ye and said, “You are already so domineering at such a young age. But with your abilities, there are few in the Empire who can match you. In a few years, even I may not be your match. But you are not a citizen of the Empire, strictly speaking, not even human. Confronting them openly would be inappropriate. Moreover, those who withheld the territories had reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“The territories intended for the Lin family were four, two in Yu Land and two in Xi Land. Yu Land was once fertile, but it now suffers from beast infestations. Every family in Yu Land has lost land to the beasts, and the Lin family’s territories were devastated. As for Xi Land, the territories were on the border, facing the dark races’ attacks. Currently, no one in the Lin family is willing to go to Xi Land and bear the responsibility of defending the land. Thus, the territories are out of the question.”
Qian Ye was taken aback. “No one is willing to go?”
Liu Gong looked at Qian Ye and said, “Naturally. Not everyone is like you, accustomed to killing from a young age. For most, a peaceful life without worrying their families is the best. Fighting on the border means constant danger of death.”
After a moment of thought, Qian Ye said, “If no one in the Lin family is willing to go to Xi Land, then I will defend the two territories for the Lin family.”
Liu Gong shook his head. “You can help for a while, but not forever.”
Qian Ye frowned, finding no argument.
As Liu Gong had said, the Lin family had never received territories and resources befitting their rank, and no young geniuses had emerged. In such circumstances, the Lin family might not only be unwilling but also unable to defend the land. This wasn’t a problem that one or two strong individuals could solve.
Like the Song family of Gao Ling, their decline was like a snowball. Even with a genius like Song Zining, it made little difference.
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