Chapter 163: Resolute Determination

Just as everyone thought Qian Ye would agree, he unexpectedly shook his head and said, “I cannot accept it right now.”

Zhao Xuanji did not seem surprised, but the generals from the military were in a state of panic.

A middle-aged general stepped forward earnestly and said, “Lord Qian Ye, this matter concerns the rise and fall of the empire. It is by no means something to be trifled with out of emotion. If there is anything Lord requires, feel free to ask; whatever the military has, we will do our utmost to provide. From my perspective, Lord has already carved out a realm in Yung Land and must be in dire need of various technological equipment for processing resources. I am currently in charge of the production of military equipment and can make decisions on the spot. Lord can specify five types of resources, and I will deliver all the processing equipment and technical data tomorrow.”

Seeing that Qian Ye did not respond, another elderly general chimed in, “This old man may not be capable, but I am responsible for the organization and staffing of the army. When expanding one’s territory, what one needs are people. And what people need are recognition, treatment, and a sense of belonging. If Lord is willing to take on this important task, then, given Lord’s position and prestige, it is natural for Lord to command a legion. If Lord does not fancy any of the existing legions, then creating a new one is also an option.”

When these words were spoken, many generals were startled, their gazes falling upon the old general. His expression remained unchanged, clearly indicating that he had received orders from above to offer such conditions.

With Qian Ye’s foundation in Yung Land, if he could recruit another regular legion from the empire, it would be like gaining an additional hundred thousand troops. Such strength was beyond even some of the finest aristocratic families. Most importantly, this armed force would possess the equipment of an imperial regular legion, and since Qian Ye’s foundation was not in the empire’s mainland, he would actually be completely unrestrained, not unlike the border princes.

Such terms were incredibly generous, far more substantial than any military merit rewards.

However, everything hinged on the outcome of the current battle.

And this was a fight that Qian Ye did not want to engage in.

“I need to see Jun Du and Zi Ning first,” Qian Ye finally put forth his condition.

Zhao Xuanji sighed and said, “If you wish to see them, there’s no problem. However… you will understand once you see them.”

At this moment, Zhao Jun Du and Song Zi Ning were recuperating in the capital. As Zhao Jun Du was closer, the first stop was set at his residence.

Zhao Jun Du’s dwelling was a tranquil courtyard, staffed with fixed medical personnel, and every day, the best doctors in the empire would personally come to check on him. When Qian Ye entered, Zhao Jun Du was sitting in the courtyard, reading a book.

Upon seeing Qian Ye, he sighed, put down the book, and said, “Xiao Wu, you have come after all.”

It had been a long time since Qian Ye had heard this name.

Zhao Xuanji said, “You young folks chat. I’ll go out for some fresh air.”

Once Zhao Xuanji and the other high-ranking military officials left, Zhao Jun Du dismissed the attendants and, looking at Qian Ye, sighed, “I knew they would come to you, and I also knew you would come.”

Qian Ye did not respond but asked, “How is your injury?”

“A stab to the chest, leaving me powerless to retaliate. To save me, the Duke of Qingyang also took a blow. That strike was truly heavy,” Zhao Jun Du replied with a wry smile.

“Let me see your wound.”

“There’s no need. It’s nothing serious. She was very measured, not injuring my heart or disturbing my core. In the end, it’s just a flesh wound.”

After a pause, Zhao Jun Du continued, “She once said that this blade was to repay a past debt. Many believed she was referring to the strike against the Duke of Qingyang, but I think she was talking about me. This strike, where she showed mercy, was to repay my favor from those days in the city that never falls. The next time we meet on the battlefield, it will be a true fight to the death.”

“Why is this so?”

Zhao Jun Du furrowed his brow in thought and eventually shook his head, saying, “I don’t know either.” In truth, the question of why was too vast, with countless possibilities, but who could definitively say which one was the answer?

Qian Ye did not press further, staying with Zhao Jun Du for a while before leaving to visit Song Zi Ning. Song Zi Ning was still in the central imperial hospital, placed in a solitary medical building, under extremely tight security.

Even with the escort from the military, Qian Ye was checked three times before being allowed to enter.

In the small building, countless doctors and nurses rushed back and forth, each with a solemn expression.

An elderly doctor greeted them, and the military general introduced, “This is Doctor Lu, the most skilled in treating complex illnesses. He is one of the top three healers in the empire and is specifically in charge of Marshal Song’s treatment.”

As they ascended the stairs, Qian Ye asked, “How is Zi Ning now?”

Doctor Lu said, “Marshal Song suffered from a backlash of the Heavenly Machine, to put it bluntly, he calculated someone he shouldn’t have. This kind of injury is the hardest to treat, but luckily Marshal Song’s extraordinary talent has given him a slim chance. Right now, Marshal Song can stay awake for a short while each day, but he cannot become too tired. Keep your conversation brief, or better yet, avoid it altogether.”

Qian Ye nodded in agreement.

They walked up to the third floor, entering a sealed area, and finally reached Song Zi Ning’s room.

Song Zi Ning lay quietly, as if in a deep sleep, his face pale and almost transparent, his long lashes trembling slightly, dreaming of unknown things.

Seeing him, Qian Ye involuntarily quickened his pace, but Doctor Lu stopped him.

“At this moment, you must not disturb Marshal Song. Wait until he wakes up on his own,” Doctor Lu said.

Qian Ye nodded, inwardly admiring Doctor Lu. It took considerable skill to hold him back.

Doctor Lu approached the bed, observed for a while, and said, “Marshal Song might need to rest a bit more. This…”

“I’ll wait here for him,” Qian Ye said.

Doctor Lu wanted to object, but the military generals signaled him, and he fell silent, retreating with the others.

Now, only Qian Ye and Song Zi Ning were in the room.

Qian Ye sat beside Song Zi Ning, holding his hand, and watched him in silence.

At this moment, Song Zi Ning looked like a delicate crystal doll, almost transparent, as if he would shatter at the slightest touch. His vitality was like crystal, seemingly clear and radiant, but in reality, it was fragile and could break at any moment.

In Qian Ye’s palm, Song Zi Ning’s hand alternated between cold and hot, and his body felt empty, as if only a shell remained. All of his vitality was engaged in a fierce struggle with an unknown force somewhere in the void.

Qian Ye had learned a little about the Heavenly Machine arts, and he deeply understood that this was a realm exclusive to that art. Even now, he could not interfere. But for a Heavenly King, wherever the mind reaches, so does the power, and there are no forbidden zones.

Doctor Lu said that Song Zi Ning had calculated someone he shouldn’t have, and this was the result. The force trying to extinguish Song Zi Ning’s life came from that person.

Qian Ye knew who that person was.

Qian Ye’s hand trembled slightly. He could see that Song Zi Ning’s life was hanging by a thread, and at any moment, he could cease to exist. She was not yet a Great Sovereign, but to push Song Zi Ning to this point, she must have acted with intent and used her full strength, leaving no room for error.

Like a desperate person slashing themselves, which hurts more, the hand that holds the blade, or the heart pierced?

Qian Ye’s breathing grew slightly rapid, and it took great effort to calm himself. But the pain, like countless snakes, continued to gnaw at his heart.

The sun gradually set, and the room filled with soft light. Doctors and nurses came and went, each holding their breath, recording data, and not daring to disturb the two.

Unnoticed, the moon rose to the zenith.

Song Zi Ning suddenly exhaled, muttered, “So tired,” and slowly opened his eyes.

“You’re awake,” Qian Ye said.

Song Zi Ning was slightly taken aback, then relaxed, saying, “I knew you would come.”

“How could I not come when you’re in this state?”

Song Zi Ning was calmer than expected and said, “Since you’ve come, I presume you’ve made up your mind.”

Qian Ye nodded slowly.

Song Zi Ning sighed, saying, “I know you are troubled. But you must be careful. I suspect she is a different person now. On the battlefield, she will not show mercy again. If you cannot find peace, then don’t go…”

Song Zi Ning’s voice grew fainter, and his consciousness, having just returned, once again left his body, rushing to the critical battlefield of the Heavenly Machine. After a day of intense fighting, Song Zi Ning had only a few minutes of clarity.

Watching his increasingly vacant body, Qian Ye slowly stood up, walked out, and gently closed the door.

“Go to the military headquarters,” Qian Ye told the waiting generals outside.

Moments later, the Hall of Heavenly Merit, though not large, was filled with generals. Almost all the high-ranking generals in the military gathered to witness what might be a historical moment.

Zhao Xuanji sat in the front row, his expression grave and reflective, his lips moving without sound. But if one could read his lips, it would be clear he was saying, “It would be even better if Weihuang were here.”

As the time drew near, all conversations ceased, and everyone’s gaze turned to the side door. When the clock struck, the side door opened, and a young, vigorous imperial officer emerged.

He was incredibly handsome, yet exuded an aura of authority and severity. As soon as he appeared, the overwhelming presence nearly stole everyone’s breath. Yet, the generals did not complain; their eyes lit up.

Only such an invincible presence could match the uniform of a marshal.

An old general stepped forward and loudly announced, “Receive the imperial edict!”

Qian Ye stepped forward, bowed, and waited silently.

In the empire, receiving an edict required kneeling. The heads of noble families or grand elders, and the dukes and marshals, could receive it on one knee. Qian Ye, however, was performing a salute reserved for Heavenly Kings. A human Heavenly King is a pillar of the heavens, and there is no one they need to kneel to.

Qian Ye performed this courtesy not because he was seen as a Heavenly King, but as a recognition of his independent status in Yung Land. At this moment, he was viewed as an allied vassal rather than a subject, thus not required to kneel.

The old general looked at Qian Ye’s youthful face, sighed inwardly, and quickly composed himself. Taking a deep breath, he declared in a resonant voice, “By imperial decree, from this day forth, Zhao Qianye is appointed as the Imperial Sceptre Marshal, granted the title of Duke of Weiyuan, and given command over the three armies of the empire. He is also entrusted with full authority over all military matters in the New World. All departments shall cooperate. Thus it is decreed.”