After letting the werewolf experience it, Qian Ye withdrew his origin power. At such a close distance, even a moment longer and the Dawn’s First Light could have blinded this werewolf count.
The sniper had yet to recover, “You, you can use the Dawn’s origin power? What you displayed just now was blood aura, one that is extremely close to the dark origin.”
“I…” Qian Ye thought for a moment, then said frankly, “Half blood race, half human.”
The sniper found it hard to believe. He wasn’t unfamiliar with mixed-bloods between dark races and humans. In the lower continent, the number of such hybrids was much greater than in the middle and upper continents. But they either struggled to reach high ranks due to their mixed origin power or, during the process of strengthening, one bloodline would completely devour the other. In most cases, the dark bloodline was more dominant.
But this was a fact seen with his own eyes. After the shock, the sniper finally spoke, “I understand. But since you are so powerful, why do you choose to stand on the side of the human race? They are weak, greedy, and love to fight among themselves.”
Qian Ye said calmly, “That’s not something you need to worry about. If there’s nothing else, prepare to set out.”
The sniper’s face showed struggle, then he suddenly said, “Sir, I noticed that your subordinates are not only human, but some should be descendants of the ancient demon kin, right?”
Qian Ye was somewhat surprised and praised, “Good observation.”
During the battle, Carol’s subordinates also participated. The Frost Thunder Temple belonged to the ancient demon kin, exiled to the neutral zone. He hadn’t expected that a werewolf count here in Yon Lu would have such discerning eyes.
The sniper said, “Sir, your strength does not belong to Yon Lu. So, when you step into this continent, you must have a goal more important than merely killing and plundering us.”
Qian Ye was intrigued by the sniper’s acuity and insight, “What do you think my goal is? More important than obtaining resources?”
“Your strength and your unique bloodline, you should establish your own kingdom.” The werewolf count said, “And mere slaughter is not the most efficient. Myself and my kind, perhaps individually we are not as strong as those demon kin, but we were born and raised here. In the direction your troops aim, we will be more useful.”
By this point, Qian Ye already understood the other’s meaning and didn’t speak, only gestured for him to continue.
“In your future kingdom, can you give my tribe and the humans equal status and living space? If so, I am willing to swear an oath to the dark source, to serve you forever. If not, then kill me.”
It was indeed so. Qian Ye fell into deep thought. If this were happening on the battlefield between the Great Qin Empire and the Eternal Night Council, the conversation would be absurd. And if it weren’t for the experience in the neutral zone, Qian Ye would never have the patience to listen to such words from a dark count. But now, he was considering whether there might be better and faster ways to achieve his plan for Yon Lu.
Qian Ye came to Yon Lu to establish a sphere of influence, to prepare for the new world. Currently, the secrets of the new world were all in the hands of the Eternal Night Council, but the secret would eventually be revealed.
Originally, what he wanted to build was naturally a human kingdom. However, even while considering the future of humanity, he still despised the methods of some people in the Empire. Zhang Boqian had pointed out a clear path for Qian Ye: protecting humanity doesn’t require rigid forms, meaning that if Qian Ye believed some of the Empire’s methods were wrong, he could do things his way within his territory.
However, he had never considered how much space to reserve for the dark races in this kingdom. For a thousand years, the main war between the two camps has been between humans and dark races. How to reconcile them?
From another perspective, can humans and dark races really coexist? In the gray areas at the borders of the two camps’ territories, the coexistence of various races is a fact. And on large and small neutral lands, the concept of race and camp seems to become more blurred.
Take the neutral zone as an example; coexistence has long been achieved in big and small city-states, though often one camp dominates. In mercenary groups, it is common to see humans and dark races fighting side by side.
Even Darkflame, although mainly human, now has a demonic component with the addition of the Frost Thunder Temple. And because of Ye Muyan, Qian Ye couldn’t possibly exterminate the vampires. Occasionally, he dreams of escorting her to the Holy Mountain, surrounded by worshippers—all dark races.
This werewolf count, wishing to surrender, clearly aims at Qian Ye’s ancient vampire identity. Dark races worship power and respect the strong, and in difficult environments, survival becomes the first choice, overriding bloodline differences.
Just building a kingdom that integrates dark and human races? The idea still seemed too crazy. But a thought that Qian Ye couldn’t yet put into words made him not only refrain from rejecting it but also contemplate it for a long time.
Politics wasn’t Qian Ye’s forte, and just thinking about the countless problems made him headache. During this time, more and more people gathered around.
Song Lun, Song Hui, and an increasing number of mercenary generals, even several ship captains, appeared. The fortress gradually quieted, the gunfire became sparse, and many dark warriors had already escaped. The rest chose to surrender.
Song Zining enforced strict military discipline for Darkflame, prohibiting the killing of prisoners after surrender, regardless of race. So once the dark warriors realized this, more and more surrendered, and finally, entire areas submitted.
As the battle gradually ended, the high-ranking officials of Darkflame quickly grasped the situation and all looked at Qian Ye, awaiting his decision.
This seemed like a small decision, but in a certain sense, it was a very significant one. Qian Ye’s choice on whether to accept the werewolf tribe indicated the future direction of Darkflame.
Is it possible for dark and human races to coexist? And as the werewolf count proposed, on completely equal terms?
All those from the Great Qin Empire were silent. This matter exceeded their understanding. In the traditional view of the Empire, all dark races deserved to die, and no reason was needed to kill them. The mercenary generals who grew up in the neutral zone were much more relaxed, considering more practical issues like future divisions and coordinated operations.
Faint sounds of battle came from afar, the last werewolf warriors still holding out. With a few mournful cries, the entire fortress fell silent.
The sudden silence roused Qian Ye from his thoughts. He looked at the high-ranking officials of Darkflame but did not ask for their opinions, only fixed his gaze on the werewolf count before him.
“I can accept your surrender, but for status, you must earn it on the battlefield. Whether you can gain the same space as the humans depends on yourselves, understand?”
The werewolf count knelt on one knee, performing the highest salute to Qian Ye, “I, Ascar, swear by the souls of my ancestors and the dark source, to dedicate my life to you, sir, and never betray!”
For a werewolf, swearing by the name of the ancestors was the most solemn oath.
Seeing Qian Ye accepting the surrender of a werewolf count, the high-ranking officials of Darkflame found it unbelievable, but no one objected. Over these days, they had become familiar with Qian Ye’s style. When he sought opinions, they could speak freely, but when he made a decision, they only needed to execute it.
Qian Ye did not disarm Ascar, allowing him to keep his equipment. He assigned Song Lun to follow him and organize all the captives.
Ascar was originally the deputy commander of the Fangtooth Fortress and had considerable prestige. Many core officers in the fortress were from his tribe. With his reassurance, the captured and surrendered werewolves calmed down, no longer planning to attack or escape.
As all strategic points fell into the hands of the mercenaries and the fortress stabilized, Ascar led a team to check the buildings, making hidden soldiers come out and surrender.
After the cleanup, Xu Jingxuan’s new army took over the fortress defense, and Ascar returned. He was summoned to the main hall of the fortress, directly participating in the high-level meeting of Darkflame.
This arrangement made Ascar surprised, pleased, but also under pressure. Even when merging with the same race, a period of adjustment was needed. Being given a prominent role immediately was good, but how to perform well to secure a place under Qian Ye was up to Ascar.
Qian Ye didn’t care much about the werewolf count’s thoughts. To him, having Ascar meant progress in intelligence. The meeting started, and Qian Ye went straight to the point, having Ascar introduce the distribution and defenses of the dark races in the surrounding area, comparing it with the information at hand, while listening to the werewolf count’s perspective on the Emerald Sea.
The Fangtooth Fortress was actually composed of three major tribes, as was the smaller Fort Two. Ascar’s tribe was one of them, ranking among the top three at the exit of the Great Corridor.
The werewolves usually hunted and farmed in the Great Corridor, and also lived by raiding Zheng Country. Another source of their livelihood was being mercenaries. Accustomed to fighting for anyone who paid, the most important thing to these werewolves was the continuation of their tribe.
No wonder Ascar, as a powerful werewolf, had no psychological resistance to submitting to Qian Ye, who carried the ancient vampire’s aura. In a sense, the racial ecology of Yon Lu was closer to the neutral zone than the traditional territory of the Eternal Night Camp.
Beyond the Great Corridor, the Emerald Sea had three dark race nations, each slightly stronger than Zheng Country. However, the werewolves had a strong sense of territoriality, and the Emerald Sea werewolves found it difficult to cross the corridor to attack Zheng Country. Moreover, Zheng Country had been pressured by the Great Corridor werewolves in recent years. Leaders like Ascar felt that with a little more effort, they could swallow Zheng Country, and did not want Emerald Sea werewolf tribes to intervene.
In the southwest of the Emerald Sea, there were four human nations, each slightly weaker than Zheng Country, but comparable to each other. When faced with werewolf oppression, the four countries could unite, but once the external threat was repelled, they would check each other, fearing that one would grow too powerful and annex the others.
As a werewolf, this was all Ascar knew. Beyond that, he knew nothing.
Song Hui whispered beside him, “How primitive!”
Ascar heard it and felt awkward. Qian Ye glanced at Song Hui, and although he didn’t show much displeasure, she stuck out her tongue, not daring to say more.
In fact, since Ascar’s appearance, the atmosphere in the meeting room had been somewhat awkward. Although no one opposed Qian Ye’s decision, everyone was geared up to fight and make a name, and now, having the enemy sit among them felt incredibly strange.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage