In the Imperial Capital, Song Zining returned from the convalescent facility to the temporary residence. After having dinner in his room, he began to read through documents under the lamp.
In the silence of the night, a sudden knock on the door broke the tranquility. Without waiting for Song Zining’s response, the person pushed the door open and entered.
Carefully closing the door behind him, the man approached Song Zining’s table and sat down, asking, “General Song sent me here secretly. What are your orders?”
Sitting before Song Zining was none other than Duke Wen Yuan. During this time, he had been staying in the Imperial Capital, awaiting the process of redeeming his crimes with military merit.
Song Zining said, “Duke Chen has recently accomplished some significant feats.”
Chen Tongqi replied, “It was all due to Sir Qian Ye leading by example. We merely followed and picked up the scraps. Hardly anything praiseworthy.”
Song Zining nodded and said, “Duke Chen originally committed a grave offense, warranting the extermination of his entire clan. But after his exploits in the Black Sun Valley, he has earned enough merit to nearly erase his crimes.”
Duke Wen Yuan, startled, asked, “But there might be some changes, then?”
Song Zining replied, “Changes are always possible; it depends on how you handle things. I wonder what your opinion is of Sir Qian Ye.”
Chen Tongqi said, “Sir Qian Ye is truly a genius and a man of great sentiment. After you and Marshal Jun Du were severely injured, it was only thanks to Sir Qian Ye that the Empire could achieve consecutive victories. Although I am also a divine general, I am far inferior to Sir Qian Ye, and I would not be able to withstand even three of his moves.”
Pausing, Chen Tongqi continued, “To be honest, Sir Qian Ye single-handedly breached countless lines of the dark races, advancing straight into their central region. With only two thousand men, he forced a hundredfold enemy to remain within their fortresses. Such an unparalleled feat—why should it be erased? Doing so would only chill the hearts of the three thousand soldiers who died in the Black Sun Valley.”
Song Zining tapped the table, saying, “Duke Chen, I must speak frankly. Your crimes have not yet been fully expunged. If you continue to speak out, it could lead to significant trouble.”
Chen Tongqi sneered, “Don’t I already have enough trouble? Afraid of a little more? Besides, if fear of trouble means not speaking of Sir Qian Ye’s achievements, where is the spirit of us warriors?”
Song Zining, instead of answering, asked, “Back then, Qian Ye had sent Liu Chengyun back home and wanted to revoke his military merit. But when you and Duke Minghai returned, he issued a personal order giving you both a portion of his own military merit. Why is that?”
“Are you interrogating me, General Song?”
“This question is indeed related to your future. I hope you will tell me the truth.”
Chen Tongqi pondered for a moment and then said, “Sir Qian Ye was recruiting brave soldiers, but Liu Chengyun was the first to retreat. He had previously disobeyed orders multiple times and deserved severe punishment. Both I and Duke Minghai fought to the end without any sign of cowardice. When Sir Qian Ye wanted to reward us with military merit, we dared not refuse. And when he ordered us to return, we dared not disobey. If we stayed, we might become a burden to Sir Qian Ye.”
Song Zining nodded and said, “This is the reason for your current predicament.”
Chen Tongqi, confused, asked, “What crime am I guilty of?”
Song Zining placed a document in front of Chen Tongqi. Upon opening it, Chen Tongqi exclaimed, “Colluding with the enemy and falsifying military merit?!”
Furious, he slammed the document on the table, shouting, “Who is the enemy? Who did I collude with?”
The surroundings subtly changed as Song Zining activated his domain, isolating them from external contact. Once secure, he said, “The enemy is… Qian Ye.”
Chen Tongqi was stunned, his face changing several times. He then slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Song Zining, exclaiming, “This is absurd! Sir Qian Ye has made immeasurable contributions to the Empire. Now, with his passing, you treat him like this! Do you still have any conscience? Without Sir Qian Ye, the Black Sun Valley would not be a place for you to stand!”
Song Zining remained calm, saying, “This document was written by Liu Chengyun and has already been rejected.”
Chen Tongqi’s expression turned grim, and he coldly said, “Old Liu is getting impatient. Thanks to Sir Qian Ye, he could have lived a few more years. Now, I don’t mind sending him to his grave myself!”
“Why go to such lengths?”
“A despicable person like him, not only ruins me but also slanders Sir Qian Ye. Letting him live another day is a disservice to Sir Qian Ye.”
Song Zining said slowly, “Duke Wen, although you have the determination, you must also consider your approach. If you hadn’t acted rashly in the past, you wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation. As far as I know, you did not participate in the core plots of the Everlife King.”
Duke Wen Yuan’s expression fluctuated, and he sighed, “I’ve been plagued by a bad temper these years. The Everlife King showed me great favor, how could I betray him? No matter how much they tried to force or lure me, I refused to say a word, and that’s why I’m in this state today.”
Song Zining took back the document, saying, “There is someone pulling the strings behind this. Liu Chengyun is just a pawn. However, in your case, the best you can hope for is a reduction in your sentence. Full exoneration is difficult.”
Duke Wen Yuan asked, “General Song, I’m sure you have a plan. Can you give me some guidance?”
Song Zining suggested, “My advice is to fully admit to the charges.”
Duke Wen Yuan was shocked, “But… what about my family?” Treason was no small charge to admit to.
“Your family is actually small, with only a hundred or so core members. While the charge remains, the new military merits should be sufficient to modify the punishment. Forced labor in the military can be changed to exile, and you can continue to serve in the military to atone for your sins.”
“Exile? Where to?”
“The Neutral Lands.”
Duke Wen Yuan understood and, after a moment of thought, said, “Very well, I will rely on General Song’s care.”
He realized that the Neutral Lands were still Song Zining’s territory. His family would be safe there, though effectively under Song Zining’s control. Song Zining needed leverage to ensure cooperation.
As expected, Song Zining said, “You are very familiar with the Black Sun Valley. I will soon transfer you there. There will be additional assignments for you, which you will learn about later.”
“I shall comply.” Duke Wen Yuan bowed and left.
Song Zining took out a piece of paper, on which were several names, including Duke Wen Yuan Chen Tongqi. Almost everyone on the list now had a mark, leaving only two.
He looked at the list and crossed off Ji Tianqing’s name, muttering, “Let the old king tell her what he wants. Whatever he says, it will be.”
He burned the list to ashes and then lay down to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, a water-blue sword blade appeared at his neck.
Unperturbed, Song Zining said, “I was wondering when to find you. You came first.”
Li Kuanglan, her face cold, said, “I should have killed you first, but I still have questions. I’ll spare you for now. Answer me, and if I’m unsatisfied, you won’t see the next sunrise!”
Song Zining pushed the blade away and sat up, saying, “Ask away.”
“Qian Ye… is really gone?”
Song Zining, thoughtful, said, “No one saw it directly, but there were Celestial Kings present. According to them, Qian Ye should have left.”
“I don’t want to hear ‘should,’ I want to know if he really…”
Song Zining said, “Shouldn’t you ask Her Majesty about this?”
Li Kuanglan’s hand trembled slightly, and she said, “I don’t know if she truly cares for me and my child. I don’t know anything! I heard you were back, so I came to find you.”
Song Zining sighed, “I don’t know much either, perhaps no more than you. But as soon as Qian Ye left, some people started to covet his legacy.”
A cold light flashed in Li Kuanglan’s eyes, “Who?”
“I can’t tell you yet. I need to handle it first. I will let you know when I need help.”
“Fine, I trust you.”
She, always straightforward, left after realizing she couldn’t get more from Song Zining.
Song Zining, unable to sleep, stood by the window, gazing at the full moon, lost in thought.
A clear, ethereal voice sounded behind him, “You handled that well, not saying too much.”
Song Zining turned, smiling wryly, “Majesty, this is the Imperial Capital. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to be out at this hour?”
Behind him stood Empress Li, dressed in plain clothes, her beauty still radiant.
She said, “As long as I avoid a few old fogies, where can I not go in this capital?”
Song Zining respectfully said, “Congratulations, Majesty, on mastering the Heavenly Fate Technique!”
Empress Li sighed, “With all that’s happened, if I hadn’t made some progress in my Heavenly Fate Technique, I shouldn’t be sitting on the throne. I’ve seen your recent plans. Just don’t cause too much trouble, or I won’t be able to help you.”
Song Zining said, “I didn’t notice a thing. It seems I am still far from you in the art of Heavenly Fate.”
Empress Li smiled, “Three thousand drifting leaves, three thousand paths. Your cultivation is not inferior to ours. Exceeding me in the future is not impossible. But if you choose this path, there will be no successor for the Great Derivative Heavenly Fate Technique in this generation.”
Song Zining said, “The Great Derivative Heavenly Fate Technique is truly a divine art. Only a few have mastered it in the Empire’s history, likely only a peerless genius like Commander Lin. My aptitude falls short, making it hard to reach the peak.”
Empress Li sighed, “Your aptitude is not inferior to Chancellor Lin’s. But if you don’t want to walk this path, no one can force you.”
“Perhaps one day, if I think it through, it might be possible.”
“Hopefully.”
Song Zining said, “Your Majesty, you must have come for something important. What do you require? I will not refuse if it is within my power.”
Empress Li said, “There is indeed something, and you cannot refuse. Our Li family has a child with exceptional talent. I believe it would be better to find a teacher for him. Our Li family’s teachings are somewhat limited. Are you willing to take this position?”
Song Zining, surprised, asked, “Is it that child?”
Empress Li said directly, “It is Qian Ye and Kuanglan’s child.”
Song Zining, serious, said, “Both Qian Ye and Kuanglan have extraordinary martial talent. This child must have exceptional potential as well. Why come to me?”
“Your martial arts are not inferior,” Empress Li glared at him and continued, “The Ji family’s child will start cultivating from birth, focused solely on martial arts. In this, we may not match the old king. But I hope this child will live a smart and peaceful life, not doing foolish things like his father.”
Song Zining bowed deeply, saying, “If Your Majesty entrusts this task to me, I will do my utmost and not disappoint you!”
“The Black Sun Valley is still dangerous. Be careful, and make sure you return alive. I don’t want a qualified teacher to become a dead man.”
Song Zining said, “Rest assured, Majesty. If I don’t wish to die, there are few who can kill me.”
Empress Li sighed, “You are sly as a fox, and few can trick you. If Qian Ye had half your cunning, it would be better. Well, I’ve said my piece, and I should go.”
Song Zining stopped her, asking, “Majesty, did Qian Ye… really die?”
Empress Li’s face paled, her breath weakening, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth. She sighed, “I tried to verify it, and this is the result.”
Song Zining, smiling bitterly, said, “I thought I hadn’t underestimated Yexin, but I didn’t expect her to be this powerful. Who was she in her past life?”
“Her existence predates the Empire. There are few records from that era, and we can’t trace it.”
Before the Empire was founded, the dark races seemed to be in a strange, slow developmental state. Society saw little change over centuries, and historical records were incomplete, often more like myths than history.
When the founding Emperor rose, establishing the Empire and forming the Night and Dawn camps, human technology spread to the Night, causing a sudden surge in advancements and societal changes.
The division between the Blood Clans’ New Party and Ancestor Factions began then, as did the Wolf Clan’s Peak Council, while the Spider Demons remained unchanged.
Overall, the wars between the camps, even on a national scale, became less intense. The Empire referred to the pre-Empire era as the Dark Ages, not as a derogatory term, but because it was accurate. The Night’s history was veiled in a black curtain.
The Empire’s view of the dark races’ history was strange. Their long lives might have caused memory errors, with oral histories being problematic.
The Blood Clans forgot entire clans and ancestors. If Yexin awoke a figure from the Dark Ages, it would be impossible to verify.
Empress Li left, and Song Zining, unable to sleep, read battle reports until dawn.
The next morning, a special envoy came to take him to the airship landing field, returning to the Black Sun Valley. On the way, his adjutant discreetly handed him an envelope. Seeing the seal of the Tranquil King, Song Zining knew its contents.
Opening the letter, he quickly read it, then crushed it, turning it to ashes. The adjutant watched silently.
Soon, the airship soared into the sky, flying toward the distance. At the window, Song Zining smirked, “They really dare to send people. Excellent, excellent! They think the world is full of fools like Wei Ye!”
In a corner of the Imperial Capital, “Generals’ Lane,” rows of identical villas stood like military barracks.
This area was under military jurisdiction, with no civilians. All generals who had the right to stay were either in the New World or various war zones, leaving the streets empty.
A standard military jeep stopped in front of one of the villas. The passenger, wearing the uniform of the Capital Guard, with a field cloak, stepped out.
Entering the villa, he removed the cloak, revealing Emperor Qin. Inside, in a simple room, the Green Yang King, Zhang Boqian, was boiling tea.
This villa was Zhang Boqian’s dormitory during his early days, which he kept even after becoming a Duke, living in the capital.
Emperor Qin sat down casually. Zhang Boqian, silent, poured a cup of tea and pushed it to him.
“How are you, King Zhang?”
“Nothing serious.” Zhang Boqian tossed a gray energy ball to Emperor Qin, who caught it, enveloped it in a black aura, and examined it, saying, “The rules of the New World are indeed peculiar.”
The gray energy ball shrank, but felt more condensed. Emperor Qin stored it and asked, “Did you gain anything from this trip?”
Zhang Boqian said, “Blood Clans again.”
“As expected.” Emperor Qin summarized the report from Fang Qingkong and mentioned the situation at the Heavenly Fate Academy.
Zhang Boqian frowned, “The Demon Emperor?”
The dark holy mountain was elusive even in the Night, and the rules in the New World made it even harder to detect.
Zhang Boqian quickly dismissed it, asking, “Full mobilization?”
Emperor Qin said, “Yes, and a reassignment of Celestial Kings. I want to switch positions with King Zhang.”
“Why?”
“Teacher’s ‘Azure Bird’ is with me, and I’ve summoned my uncle, the Riverbank King, to control the ‘King’s Domain.’”
Zhang Boqian, scrutinizing Emperor Qin, said, “Anything else?”
“Ancestor once said, ‘The Path of Dawn, led by the Ji Clan.’”
Zhang Boqian, silent, said, “Is it the end?”
With a hint of mockery, “You’re a good student of Lin Xitan, both preferring to court death.”
Emperor Qin said, “In the ancient records, there were semi-realm weapons, now beyond comprehension. If I can see one, it would be worth it. So, King Zhang, please guard the capital.”
Zhang Boqian, eyes narrowing, observed Emperor Qin, saying, “Fine, I agree to the switch.” He handed over two folded documents, “What about these from the Military Department?”
Emperor Qin, unfazed, read them.
Zhang Boqian said, “That rumor from the West Continent, even if Lin Xitan is involved, it shouldn’t start from there. And the speed of the rumor, from the South Province to the capital in just two days, if the rebels had such efficiency, they would control more than two provinces.”
“The Zhao Clan, with four Dukes and a Marshal, is vying for the heir position.”
“What does Lin Xitan have to do with it? He never interfered in succession matters!”
Emperor Qin said, “During the Unnamed Palace incident, Teacher exiled himself to the West Continent to suppress the rebellion, expanding the war zone. The Zhao Clan believed Teacher was suppressing them. When I said no heir in ten years, they blamed Teacher.”
Zhang Boqian, coldly, “I warned him not to meddle in such affairs!” He suddenly looked sharply at Emperor Qin, “The Red Scorpion incident, what happened? Why did he refuse to enter the capital for half a year?”
Emperor Qin, calm, said, “The child’s identity was exposed in the Netherworld, and some believed Teacher adopted him to interfere in the succession. So, an incident occurred, one that could frame Teacher with collaborating with the Blood Duke.”
“A junior general, a member of the royal family, used Teacher’s military orders and seal. Teacher found out when he saw the Military Department’s copy. By then, it was too late, and I couldn’t let him go. I kept him in the Unnamed Palace for five days.”
Zhang Boqian, knowing the rest, said, “You erased all public records.”
Emperor Qin, “Correct. Without testimony from the Night, all evidence was ready. I admire the Zhao and Li Clans; both with daughters in the palace, yet they united to frame Teacher. Fortunately, they distrusted each other, and with the Ancestral King watching, I managed to suppress it.”
“I executed the junior general, called the Red Scorpion Commander, and destroyed all documents. He was reassigned after three months. The Military Department’s copy was not returned, and the records became irrelevant. But the factions in the Military Department spread rumors, and soon, there were talks of the Imperial Party wanting to weaken the feudal lords.”
Emperor Qin, thinking, smiled gently, “Teacher must have suspected me, right?”
Zhang Boqian, focusing on his breakthrough, learned that Lin Xitan’s time away from the capital was due to the succession issue.
Some rumors even positioned him as the opposing banner of the feudal lords against Lin Xitan.
Realizing something, Zhang Boqian, frowning, said, “You called the Riverbank King to supervise, but didn’t name an heir?” Zhang Boqian, a feudal lord, understood the implications.
Emperor Qin said, “The Imperial House is merely a collective leader of the noble families. So, let them govern themselves. Is that not better?”
Zhang Boqian, after a long silence, said, “You know, Lin Xitan and I had significant differences in politics.”
Emperor Qin, nodding, waited.
Zhang Boqian said, “But if he were here, he wouldn’t do this.”
Emperor Qin, silent.
Zhang Boqian, shaking his head, said, “Never mind, it’s a family matter. You and the Riverbank King will manage.”
Emperor Qin, “The Riverbank King arrives in two days. I will explain clearly.”
Zhang Boqian, writing on a document, handed it to Emperor Qin, “Your Majesty, farewell.”
Before Emperor Qin could rise, Zhang Boqian vanished.
Emperor Qin, sitting, drank the cooled tea, then read the document. Under the request to engrave new names in the Hall of Merit, it said, “If not under the feudal names, write it under the noble families.”
Emperor Qin smiled, put the document away, and, cloaked, left as quietly as he came.
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