Chapter 168: Is This Really Alright?

Qian Ye gazed steadily at Margaux and said coolly, “What’s with the Duke? Let him run. He won’t be able to show his face for at least thirty to fifty years. But you, I remember you. You ran so fast earlier, why aren’t you running now? Do you want to fight me to the death?”

Margaux’s breathing suddenly became a bit labored.

He noticed that Qian Ye’s aura was also unstable, a clear sign of weakness. It wasn’t surprising, though. Qian Ye had slain many Eternight powerhouses before, and then severely injured a Demon noble Duke. How could he not have expended a great deal of energy? Now, he must be exhausted, just putting on a brave front.

If that were the case, wasn’t this an opportunity?

In an instant, he seemed to see immense merit and prestige descending from the heavens, along with countless resources being bestowed upon him. Numerous beauties would throw themselves at him, and even the lofty Night Pupil, it seemed, would look at him differently.

The more Margaux looked at Qian Ye, the more he liked what he saw, as if a huge treasure chest was right in front of him.

Noticing his strange expression, Qian Ye turned the thought over in his mind and guessed what Margaux was thinking. Looking around, he saw a group of Counts and Viscounts also creeping towards them, clearly with the same intention to take advantage.

Qian Ye chuckled and said, “I didn’t expect there to be so many bold ones.”

With a flicker, he appeared among the Eternight powerhouses, his domain opening abruptly, crushing them with its might. Immediately, he used Life Drain, instantly sapping the vitality from more than half of the powerhouses. The two remaining powerful Counts teetered on the brink, and Qian Ye swiftly dispatched them with a single sword each.

Absorbing the blood essence of these powerhouses, Qian Ye’s Blood Core throbbed, plunging him into a state of boiling blood. Under Margaux’s stunned gaze, Qian Ye’s aura soared.

“How about it?” Qian Ye asked.

“I surrender!” Margaux replied, as decisive as ever.

The Dark Army was thus defeated.

Because there were simply too many routed soldiers, and the Empire’s forces were limited and unable to accommodate more captives, they could only watch helplessly as most of the enemies scattered and fled.

Having endured a long and brutal war with the Empire, and now temporarily unified under Night Pupil’s command, the Dark Races had learned their lesson. They scattered in all directions, not giving the Empire any chance to pursue and annihilate them.

Qian Ye stood at the center of the battlefield, watching his soldiers clear the field. This victory was unprecedented since the days of Song Zining, and everyone was elated. The looks they cast at Qian Ye were now filled with complete adoration. In the army, strength was always respected, and Qian Ye’s direct advance, the slaying of numerous powerhouses, and the severe injury of the Duke were undeniably awe-inspiring.

Everyone could see that, including the Three Gods, the majority of the battle achievements and military honors belonged to Qian Ye alone.

The Three Gods, of course, did not have to do the menial task of cleaning up the battlefield. They stood beside Qian Ye, each with an odd expression.

Margaux followed closely behind Qian Ye, completely ignoring the three Gods who, in his eyes, were mere fodder. His entire attention was on Qian Ye, praising, “Your appearance and demeanor are truly the best I have ever seen! I’m sure the Council has already reserved a place for you. At the very least, you should be a senior member.”

Qian Ye shook his head. “I will not go.”

The Three Gods all let out a sigh of relief.

“Of course, you shouldn’t go. To be honest, the Council is filled with old farts who serve no purpose. You would be unhappy there. Only your talent and appearance deserve to be by Her side.”

Hearing the last sentence, Qian Ye finally reacted, turning to look at Margaux and saying, “You are from one of the Twelve Ancient Clans. Is this really appropriate?”

Margaux wore a look of utter certainty. “What’s inappropriate? Before a true king, dignity is but a fleeting cloud. I’ve heard of many of your deeds, and even the Peak of Clusters submits to you. What am I, a mere Marquis of Honor, compared to that?”

“Peak of Clusters and I are just allies, and the one they sent is only at William’s level,” Qian Ye clarified.

“William! The one who, after two Soul Enlightenments, became a Duke even before reaching full adulthood? Even he follows you?!” Margaux clutched his chest, on the verge of another bout of exclamation.

Qian Ye frowned and had to stop him. “William and I are… old friends. We are just allies, understand?”

“I understand. Whatever you say, goes.”

Qianye looked at Margaux and asked calmly, “What do you plan to do next? Like Tatton?”

“If possible, I hope to pay a ransom and regain my freedom. My family is very influential and wealthy, and I’m sure they can meet your conditions.”

At this point, Duke Wen Yuan couldn’t help but say, “Sir, don’t you want to place some restrictions on this man?”

Qian Ye was taken aback. “What kind of restrictions?”

“He might try to ambush you…”

Qian Ye chuckled. “I doubt he would dare.”

Margaux responded honestly, “I am a Long Lived, and I want to live a few hundred years more!”

“But he might escape…”

Qian Ye glanced at Margaux and said, “Last time, it was to catch Tatton, but now, it’s just him. Let’s see if he runs?”

Margaux smiled bitterly. “Your Void Flash is famous in the Evernight. I’m not stupid; why would I run? Last time, I ran because someone had my back.”

Qian Ye stood with his hands behind his back and suddenly said, “She should know I’m here, right?”

Margaux replied, “By now, the report should have reached the rear. If Her Majesty is still handling military affairs, she should have seen it.”

“Should have?”

“Recently, Her Majesty hasn’t been keen on handling military affairs. I don’t know when she’ll be interested in reading the reports.”

Qian Ye frowned. “So, you’ve been fighting on your own recently?”

“We’ve been following Her previous orders.” Margaux spoke artfully.

Qian Ye glanced at the three Gods, all of whom looked somewhat ashamed. Among them, Duke Minghai, the most experienced, even blushed, which impressed Qian Ye.

For a God, controlling their body parts was instinctive. To remain composed was easy, but to blush was rare. Even a lesser general could do it, but would Duke Minghai be unable to? He was showing his embarrassment to Qian Ye, to convey his shame.

This left Qian Ye somewhat embarrassed to press further. The three Gods had been intimidated and had lost their courage before the fight. How could they not have lost?

They thought they were facing Night Pupil, only to find out that she had long neglected military affairs and sent some subordinates who easily defeated them.

“What does she do instead of handling military affairs?”

“Ah… how would I know?”

Margaux’s thick skin drew the attention of the three old Gods. He had just surrendered and was already calling himself a subordinate.

Night Pupil was indeed not handling military affairs. Although she passed by the office, she didn’t even glance at the pile of documents. A young Baron rushed in, catching sight of Night Pupil, and nearly dropped the documents in shock.

“Your Majesty, this is the latest battle report. The urgency is… at the highest level,” the nervous young Baron stammered.

“I know. Put it there.”

“Your Majesty, but…”

“I said, put it there!” Night Pupil repeated.

The Baron’s face paled, and he trembled uncontrollably. He barely managed to place the documents on the desk and then scrambled out, only to hear a loud thud as he fell just outside the door.

Night Pupil didn’t even glance at the documents. She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, pushed the door open, and stepped onto the terrace.

In front of her was a large, fortified city. High walls protected a vast area. The city was neatly divided into sections, with workshops, camps, warehouses, and landing fields. There were nine Power Towers, supplying all the energy needed for the massive fortress.

In the distance, a pillar of black flame could be faintly seen. Most powerhouses felt like ants before such a majestic sight, but Night Pupil met it with equal gaze. Compared to before, the black flame had diminished significantly.

Although Night Pupil’s eyesight far surpassed that of ordinary powerhouses, allowing her to see the black flame, the fortress was already quite close to the Pit, and it controlled multiple paths leading to it.

There was a solitary peak in the distance, a better location to control the Pit. However, the black flame was still too fierce, and only a few powerhouses could stand on the peak, making it unsuitable for a military encampment.

Night Pupil’s gaze lingered on the peak for a moment before returning to the present.

Outside the office, at the end of the corridor, a Vampire Duke rushed in. He grabbed the Baron and asked, “Did you deliver today’s battle report to Her Majesty?”

“Yes, I did,” the Baron began to tremble again. After all, he was young, and the bloodline suppression among Vampires was particularly strong. Being able to stand firm in front of a Duke was already commendable.

“Did Her Majesty read it?” the Duke asked.

“No,” the Baron hastily added, seeing the Duke’s grim expression. “I left it there and came out, so I don’t know if she read it later.”

The Duke’s expression softened, and he went to the door of Night Pupil’s office and knocked.

“Come in.”

The Duke entered but found no one inside.

Night Pupil’s voice came from the terrace. “Just talk there. I’m enjoying the view.”

The description “rugged mountains and treacherous waters” was too light for the Black Sun Valley. What scenery could there be? However, the Duke, of course, didn’t say this. He stood respectfully at the door and said, “Your Majesty, the latest report from the front. Duke Largos was defeated and returned alone. He is badly injured and needs to be sent back to the Continent of the Demons for recuperation.”

“Send him back and have a replacement step in.”

“Your Majesty, regarding the reason for Duke Largos’s defeat, I think…”

“I’m enjoying the view. I don’t want to hear it now,” Night Pupil said coldly.

“You should listen. He was defeated too quickly and too badly. The person who could defeat Largos in such a way, you would definitely want to know.”

“Speak.”

“Qian Ye.”