William led Qian Ye into the large camp and returned to his office.
He went into the inner room for a moment, having already transformed back into human form. He came out with a stack of documents, placing them in front of Qian Ye. “Take a look yourself.”
Qian Ye took the documents and began to read through them, his expression gradually becoming serious.
After a short while, Qian Ye suddenly looked up and said, “Why didn’t you tell me she became the commander of the Eternal Night’s front line? Don’t tell me you didn’t know about my relationship with her.”
The many past events between Qian Ye and Yeting were not secrets, and as their respective statuses rose, these stories gradually spread. Now, Qian Ye had almost become a pillar of support on Yong Continent, while Yeting had risen to become the commander of the Eternal Night Coalition Army, even standing undefeated against the Determined Xuan King. The story of how Qian Ye once fought his way out of the Empire for Yeting had become a legend, widely circulated between the two factions.
Many young girls from both human and dark races unexpectedly became Qian Ye’s followers, an unforeseen development.
Hearing Qian Ye’s question, William sighed and said, “You two are no longer related, right?”
“That’s between us.”
William shrugged and said, “Recently, anyone who dared mention the past between you and her, if it reached her ears, would be executed on the spot. After she killed a dozen or so gossips, everyone knew she didn’t want to hear about the past anymore, at least not in front of her.”
Qian Ye listened quietly.
William continued, “You know, in the early stages of the new world’s exploration, we werewolves were excluded. We have no idea how the gates were opened, what the real gates to the new world are, or what lies beyond them. As for why she became the coalition commander, I don’t know the reason, nor can I interfere. And I think you wouldn’t want to know about this.”
Qian Ye sighed and continued to flip through the documents, asking, “Are these casualty figures accurate?”
“Of course, they are. If the other three races hadn’t been struggling, they wouldn’t have come to us. But the way the council deployed troops was simply unacceptable, which is why I came here. In just the past week, our werewolves lost over a hundred thousand soldiers. Hey, Song Zining and Zhao Jundu are really ruthless!”
Qian Ye was at a loss for words and sighed, then his eyes suddenly sharpened. “These battle achievements…”
William glanced at the documents in Qian Ye’s hand and said, “Naturally, these battle achievements are all true and should be attributed to her. By the way, she is truly impressive. She forced the Determined Xuan King to retreat with a single move, completely reversing the situation and driving the humans back to their fortresses…”
Seeing Qian Ye’s expression, he immediately stopped.
Qian Ye rubbed his forehead and said, “So, in the past week, at least a hundred thousand Imperial soldiers died at her hands?”
“You can’t say that; they died at the hands of the coalition. She’s just the commander, how many could she have personally killed?” William defended Yeting, then added, “Of course, that Duke was killed by her. The other two Dukes, though they escaped, will probably be crippled for a long time. You humans have such awkward names, I can never remember them.”
Qian Ye remained silent for a long time, setting down the battle report and muttering, “How… could she be so merciless?”
William patted Qian Ye on the shoulder and sighed, “That’s where you’re wrong. Our two factions have been fighting for a thousand years, accumulating countless grudges. There’s no room for mercy. Her people and friends also died at your hands, how do you account for that? Honestly, if it weren’t for your dark origin power and your identity as a Son of Darkness, we wouldn’t be able to coexist peacefully. We might have already fought to the death. Mercy on the battlefield is cruelty to one’s own kin.”
Qian Ye said, “I understand the principles, but… I still can’t accept it. You don’t understand, we used to live together, and she loved a peaceful life. Later, after that incident, when we came to the neutral ground, we didn’t seek revenge. Sigh, now everything has changed.”
“If you’re talking about those Dukes, I think they brought it on themselves. They left the fortress and came to the battlefield, so it’s only natural they’d be killed. Who else would they kill?”
William’s comfort did little to ease Qian Ye, who slowly said, “I don’t know what to do now.”
William sighed deeply and said, “I understand. Though I can’t help much, if you need someone to drink with, I’m here for you.”
“Alright.”
Werewolves generally enjoyed drinking, and William immediately ordered several crates of liquor to be brought in. They started drinking in the office. Qian Ye, troubled, accepted every drink offered, and soon, many empty bottles littered the floor around them.
“Qian Ye, do you know, from the first time I met you…”
“Drink!”
“Qian Ye, don’t think too much. After all, we’re not Great Princes. Even if we become Great Princes, it won’t change anything; we’ll still be bullied.”
“Cheers!”
No matter what the slurring William said, Qian Ye responded with a large gulp of alcohol.
A short while later, Qian Ye staggered out of the office, his figure vanishing in a flash. In the office, William lay among a pile of empty bottles, snoring loudly, dead drunk.
When Qian Ye returned to the Bibo City Grand Duke’s Mansion, he was sober. He immediately gathered his troops, boarded a warship, and headed back to the new world.
Only in the new world, dealing with the Sacred Tree and exotic beast legions, could he escape these troubles. William was right; even if Qian Ye became a Great Prince, he couldn’t resolve the conflict between the two factions or the current deadlock.
The idyllic state of Yong Continent was an exception. Qian Ye was always aware that such a condition was only possible at this time, in this place, and with him. Any slip-up could bring a new storm to the tranquil land.
He could only hope faintly that Yeting, Song Zining, and Zhao Jundu would show some restraint and not go for the kill.
But Qian Ye couldn’t fool himself. The heavy casualty figures and the list of fallen, once renowned, all hinted that the war had reached a point of no return, with no more room for compromise.
Whether Yeting or Song Zining and Zhao Jundu, regardless of who won, Qian Ye didn’t know how to face the living or the dead.
He could only escape.
In the Imperial Central Fortress, the command room’s large map was filled with many new markers. What was once a simple area around the Central Fortress now showed dozens of symbols representing steel fortresses. These fortresses seemed to have sprung up overnight, increasing in number as the battles raged on.
Standing before the map, Song Zining, with sunken eyes, even his general-level origin power couldn’t hide his fatigue. He rubbed his face, trying to perk up, and hesitated where to place the symbols representing new fortresses. Each symbol placed meant a new fortress would be built within days.
The Empire’s mobile fortresses, after a brief practical test, could now be mass-produced, and some could be built in a single night.
Outside, the sound of gunfire and explosions, which never ceased, had become familiar to all.
At this moment, the door opened, and Zhao Jundu walked in.
Seeing him, Song Zining perked up, saying, “You’re here. Looks like the battle is going well.”
“It’s okay. Today, the casualty rate is only one-fourth.”
“That’s good news.”
Zhao Jundu said, “I came to discuss something with you. I assume you know about it.”
Song Zining paused, then nodded, “We should indeed discuss it.”
Zhao Jundu said, “We’ll soon face her on the battlefield. My plan is to hold back the killing blow and see how she reacts first.”
Song Zining was silent for a moment, then said, “You’re risking your life.”
“She’s Xiaowu’s woman, I can’t bring myself to strike. If she goes for the kill, I’ll fight back.” Zhao Jundu said candidly.
Song Zining said, “With her current strength, if she goes all out, you… may not be able to handle it.”
Zhao Jundu replied calmly, “It’s no big deal. If I die, tell Xiaowu not to avenge me.”
“You…”
“I’m just telling you my decision, not asking for your approval.”
Song Zining smiled bitterly and said, “Do you think she’ll still remember the old feelings?”
“If there’s no interference, she will.”
“Fine…”
Suddenly, the sounds of guns and cannons grew louder, and even the central base’s turret began to roar, launching glowing shells towards a floating warship in the distance.
A staff officer rushed in, shouting, “Sir, the Dark Race’s main force is here!”
Song Zining frowned, “What’s the panic! The Dark Race has been here for days, who else have we been fighting?”
The staff officer calmed down and said, “This time, it’s different. It’s the true main force, at least 200,000, no, 300,000. All races are here!”
Zhao Jundu and Song Zining exchanged a glance, and Zhao Jundu said, “They finally arrived. A thunderous strike, truly worthy of Xiaowu’s chosen woman.”
Song Zining’s brows furrowed with worry, “Don’t you want to reconsider?”
Zhao Jundu said, “I trust my judgment. If I’m wrong, I’ll take the blame.”
Watching Zhao Jundu leave, Song Zining’s brows almost knitted together, and he let out a long sigh.
In the Black Sun Valley, the Dark Race’s army surged like a tide, flooding the land, advancing towards the Imperial fortresses.
In the sky, countless airships crisscrossed, deploying countless soldiers and heavy equipment to the front lines. From the sheer number of airships, it was clear the Dark Race was all-in, determined to win the battle.
On the ground, the four major Dark Races had gathered, their forces like four sharp blades, cutting towards the cluster of Imperial fortresses. In the sky, many figures hovered, each a household name.
Above the Demon Clan’s army, Anwen stood on the deck of an airship, staring at the fortresses ahead. Around him, countless numbers flickered, reflecting every move of the Demon Clan’s troops.
Anwen’s eyes overflowed with data, and he was clearly serious, his worry deepening.
“Can you really command like this?” The Succubus’ voice suddenly sounded in Anwen’s ear.
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