Wandering through the forest, Qian Ye constantly received information from the Mother Tree. This meant that, without him realizing, his authority in the inner world had been elevated, and he had gained deep recognition. Now, he was no longer just able to receive information from the Mother Tree; through any of the connected foreign trees, Qian Ye could receive the messages from the Mother Tree.
In the information conveyed by the Mother Tree, everything was transparent, but in the valley ahead, there was a dense blackness where nothing could be seen.
This indicated that in that area, the connection between the foreign trees and the Mother Tree had been severed. Similar situations were not uncommon, and the high tower base that Eternight was constructing was also one of them.
While this could indeed prevent the leakage of information, the resulting informational black hole also exposed its location. The ability to form another informational black hole, coupled with the fact that no powerful Eternight figure had ever been seen around it, made the identity of the hidden figure within the black hole quite evident.
Qian Ye’s figure flickered, moving at an incredible speed, but he did not deliberately control his aura.
In the blink of an eye, he had reached the edge of the informational black hole.
With a cough, a middle-aged, refined man emerged from behind a tree, blocking Qian Ye’s path.
He looked at Qian Ye, momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile. “It really is you.”
Qian Ye recognized the refined middle-aged man as well. It was Duke Weiguo, and they had even had some past interactions.
Duke Weiguo gazed at Qian Ye, his expression complex. “Back during the Heavenly Spring Hunt, you were still a young boy. At that time, Zi Ning was actively trying to arrange a marriage between you and my granddaughter. I never imagined that in such a short time, you would become a person who could stand alone. Ah, it can only be said that she lacked the good fortune.”
Qian Ye replied, “Duke, don’t think like that. If that marriage had happened back then, it would have been a problem. After all, I have vampire blood, and it might not have integrated well with the human race. The Founding Emperor’s will is still hanging in the court!”
Duke Weiguo sighed deeply. “Considering what you’ve done for the empire and the contributions you’ve made to the human race, if you can’t be considered a human, then what about those hypocrites who preach righteousness but act out of selfish motives? Can they be called humans just because they have human hearts and human blood?”
Qian Ye calmly responded, “Having a human heart and human blood indeed makes one a part of the human race.”
“What about their actions?”
“History will have its fair judgment. I remember an elder once said that as long as your heart is with the human race, that is enough.”
Duke Weiguo gave a snort. “Even the most resolute heart, if doused with cold water, will eventually grow cold.”
Qian Ye smiled. “Perhaps.”
Duke Weiguo’s expression changed slightly as he scrutinized Qian Ye for a moment before saying, “Both dukes are inside. You may enter.”
Qian Ye nodded and slowly walked into the valley. He knew that Duke Weiguo’s words were a test, and everything he had said was likely already overheard by the two dukes in the valley.
But apart from Duke Dingxuan, who was the other duke?
As Qian Ye entered the valley, it felt as though he had stepped into a celestial paradise, and he felt a sense of tranquility. By a small pond, amid the mist, green trees overshadowed, and strange rocks stood like peaks. The two dukes were still engaged in a game of chess, and it was unclear how long this game had been going on.
Qian Ye stood by the table, hands behind his back, quietly observing the chessboard.
Duke Dingxuan and Duke Zhiji were infinitely patient. Duke Dingxuan pondered over his next move, seemingly unaware of Qian Ye’s presence, as if the only thing in the world was the chessboard before him.
It was unclear when he would make his move, or how long he had been thinking. Duke Zhiji, on the other hand, closed his eyes, showing no signs of impatience, as if he could wait until the end of time.
Finally, Qian Ye could not hold back and sneered, “For whom are the two of you playing this game of chess?”
Duke Dingxuan, without raising his eyes, replied coolly, “Young people are always so hasty. You’ll learn the value of patience in time.”
“If I weren’t in a hurry, I wouldn’t be standing here watching this game. Age is a good thing, but it’s not always better the older you get.”
Duke Zhiji raised an eyebrow, as if amused.
Duke Dingxuan seemed a bit annoyed, but his anger quickly vanished. He continued to gaze at the chessboard, saying calmly, “The game has already begun. Whether you like it or not, you must play. Since I am in the game, I decide how and when to play. You are an observer, and you must continue to watch. Therefore, patience is not a bad thing.”
“Such words from a long-lived being are fitting,” Qian Ye sneered.
Duke Dingxuan stroked the chess piece with his fingertip, saying indifferently, “Are you ready to fall, young friend, and join the Eternight?”
“Let me ask, Duke, where does your patience come from? If this game continues for three to five decades, won’t you be long gone by then?”
Duke Dingxuan retracted his piece. “The old saying goes, ‘A true gentleman observes the game without speaking.’ Right now, you are an observer, not a player. When the time comes for you to enter the game, you can play as you wish.”
Qian Ye replied, “Although I cannot enter the game right now, I don’t have to be an observer. Perhaps it would be better to kick your chessboard away.”
“Why force your way in when the time is not right?”
“By the time the right time comes, the ten thousand tribes of Altav will likely be reduced to bones.”
“They are just barbarians, fit to be the vanguard for the king, and thus die in a meaningful place.”
“Even if they are the vanguard, they are not dying in a meaningful place. There are better ways to utilize their fighting power. Why not use them?”
“This is a matter of the court…”
The debate between Duke Dingxuan and Qian Ye grew more intense, but Qian Ye was the one showing more passion, while Duke Dingxuan remained calm and unhurried. The more agitated Qian Ye became, the calmer and more composed Duke Dingxuan appeared.
Qian Ye suddenly glanced at the idyllic little valley and raised his voice, saying coldly, “If it weren’t for the Black Wing King desperately holding off the Holy Mountain, do you think you could stop the combined Eternight Council?!”
These words were extremely rude, and Duke Dingxuan, despite his composure, could not help but change color. Even the hidden generals and dukes emerged, angrily scolding Qian Ye for his arrogance.
Amidst the surrounding shouts, Qian Ye laughed and said coldly, “It’s always the Eternight who fear me, yet in the empire, anyone dares to criticize me. Have I not killed enough people?”
At that moment, a veteran general, incensed, pointed at Qian Ye and shouted, “How dare you! How dare you say such treacherous words! Do you not fear the dire consequences? The empire uses you because it honors you. When did it become your turn, a mere pup, to speak such nonsense?”
“Honors me, huh?” Qian Ye looked at the old general and said softly, “What exactly are you, old man, to talk like this? Or perhaps this: let’s have a sparring match. If you can survive one hit from me, I’ll take your surname. How about that?”
The old general trembled with rage, pointing at Qian Ye, unable to speak, and only managed to say, “Arrogant! Truly arrogant!” But he refused to step forward.
Qian Ye smiled and looked around. “If you’re too afraid to fight, then shut up.”
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