Chapter 49: A Request

The matter that could make Empress Li express such gratitude was undoubtedly of great importance, yet Qian Ye couldn’t recall what he had done to deserve such solemn acknowledgment. After much thought, it seemed that the only act worthy of her gratitude was bringing Li Kuanglan back from the Great Vortex.

On the other hand, whatever the Empress needed help with from an outsider must be extremely difficult, and Qian Ye certainly wouldn’t agree readily.

Empress Li spoke slowly, “Kuanglan’s matter, I truly must thank you for it. This matter concerns the future of our entire Jing Tang Li Clan, and its significance cannot be overstated. What I did for you before was merely trivial, but in the future, within the Empire, my Li family will be your support.”

These words, spoken by the Empress herself, carried a different weight. Qian Ye rose to express his thanks, then said, “However, I have heard that the Li family has always been on bad terms with the Zhao Clan. If there is a conflict in the future, I fear I might stand on the side of the Zhao Clan. Please forgive me.”

Empress Li’s expression remained unchanged, and she even smiled slightly, “I know about your background, and I would not make things difficult for you. If there is any conflict between my family and the Zhao Clan, it would mostly be a political struggle. There is no right or wrong in such matters; it is all about stance. Anyone involved is bound by their circumstances, and you will understand this in the future.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding,” Qian Ye’s expression remained unchanged, but he felt a subtle hint of meaning in her words.

“Now, let us discuss the matter I need your help with.”

“I am all ears.”

“I haven’t quite decided yet.”

Qian Ye almost faceplanted into the tea table.

Seeing that Qian Ye’s composed and indifferent expression finally cracked, revealing a bit of confusion, Empress Li covered her mouth and laughed softly, “I haven’t decided yet, but perhaps I will think of something in a couple of days. For now, just promise me. Anyway, I won’t ask you to oppose the Zhao Clan, nor will I make you turn against your comrades.”

After serious consideration, Qian Ye nodded in agreement. Regardless of the situation, he could not afford to decline Empress Li’s request. He might as well agree and give her a significant favor, which would make life easier for those related to him in the Empire.

With this, the main points were addressed. Empress Li said, “Since you’re back, stay in the Empire for a few more days. I will send someone to take you to the Li family, and guide some of the younger members. Let them know there are always people and powers greater than they can imagine. Also, you should visit the Zhao Clan; I have already arranged it. After that, you may move around freely.”

She lightly clapped her hands, and an attendant brought in a tray with a jade identity token, engraved with a graceful ‘Li’ character. The character, though beautiful, was a bit too neat and lacked the grandeur and strength of a top-tier work.

“This is the identity token I used when I was young, and the character was written by me. Now, it looks like a little girl’s scribble. Keep it, and if you encounter any insurmountable trouble, you can show it. Those who recognize it will not cause you any difficulty, and those who don’t, need not be of concern. I will deal with the fools who fail to recognize it in due time.”

This was essentially a symbol of Empress Li’s authority. Qian Ye did not refuse and respectfully accepted it. The jade token was still warm, exuding a faint, lingering fragrance.

“I am also tired. If there is nothing else, I will have someone take you to your next destination.”

Qian Ye said, “There is one more thing I wish to inquire about, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“The Dark Race has been planning to open a new world recently, but they’ve suddenly gone silent. I wonder how far they have progressed and what preparations I need to make?”

Empress Li replied, “You are quite well-informed. This matter is rather complex and has never been discussed openly. The Evernight side has been mobilizing troops and strengthening defenses on several major continents. The activities and numbers of the Evernight Councilors have far exceeded the usual, and their movements are concentrated on those continents. We have very little intelligence on the higher continents, but at least we know that Twilight, Deep Shadow, and Peak are concentrating their forces. The new world is likely related to these places. It seems the Dark Race is gathering forces to compensate for the void left by the strong entering the new world.”

“The Empire doesn’t have a good strategy to deal with this. We know nothing about the new world except its name, and we are unsure how or when it will appear or connect. Moreover, the Empire is far from idle. The Floating Continent campaign just ended, and the frontline troops are returning. Temporary forces are being disbanded, and we have to deal with pensions, returning soldiers, and rebuilding the Floating Continent. Each of these tasks will keep us busy for a while.”

Qian Ye raised his eyebrows, “Isn’t the new world a top priority?”

“Of course, the new world is important, but that is for the powerful. The Empire is dealing with the succession of Heavenly Kings and the aftermath of a war. All of these are matters of national importance. The Floating Continent campaign used many private troops from the noble families, and now we must return them and calculate their merits. The military merit alone will consume all of this year’s military budget. Speaking of individual merit rewards, you received the most!”

Qian Ye’s voice turned somber, “Over ninety percent of the brothers I took to White City died there. If I had known the outcome, I might not have accepted the mission.”

Empress Li said, “You still would have. White City was crucial to the entire Floating Continent battle. If you hadn’t held it for an unimaginably long time, the Evernight forces wouldn’t have suffered such a defeat. They would not have lost, and they might have even won before the Empire could turn the tide. Moreover, the Floating Continent campaign was the last effort of Imperial Grand Tutor Lin. You wouldn’t let his dream go unfulfilled.”

Qian Ye suddenly looked up, staring directly at Empress Li, “Whose war was the Floating Continent? Since it was his effort and his wish, why didn’t you let him lead the battle, and why let him risk everything in a critical moment?”

Empress Li was momentarily speechless, uncertain of how much to reveal.

In fact, the covert struggle between the Longevity King and Emperor Su’s lineage was not unknown to the upper echelons of the Empire. After the Heavenly King transition, the Longevity King’s faction was purged beyond a normal power shift, confirming many people’s suspicions. However, no one dared to claim they knew the whole story. Even Empress Li was not entirely clear on every detail.

In Qian Ye’s obsidian eyes, there was now a deep abyss. Zhang Boqian had brought him the news of Lin Xitang’s death after the war, revealing the Longevity King’s plot to overthrow the imperial bloodline. Stunned by the news, Qian Ye had not inquired further, but he still harbored many unresolved questions, unable to let go.

Since Empress Li had brought it up, he could no longer hold back, wanting to hear the explanation of the Empress herself.

Empress Li sighed, “The fall of a Heavenly King, a pain for the Empire.”

The assassination of the Right Minister by Lin Xitang was no longer a secret, but a third of the military forces could not set up such a large-scale operation, let alone push Lin Xitang out of pre-battle preparations. Using the Right Minister to handle ordinary nobles was enough, but not for Qian Ye. Though Empress Li did not know how much Qian Ye had heard, there was no need to hide the Longevity King’s actions.

Looking at Qian Ye’s darkened eyes, Empress Li said solemnly, “The mastermind has been executed. Neither His Majesty, the Heavenly Kings, nor the noble families would tolerate anyone who threatens the foundation of the Empire.”

This was consistent with what the Duke of Qingyang had said, but it did not answer Qian Ye’s questions. “My adoptive father was in his prime. Why did he choose to die in battle to save the situation? There were… other ways.” Qian Ye did not say that those ways would have resulted in more deaths.

But as a commander himself, Qian Ye now understood that sacrifices were inevitable. Lin Xitang, alive, would benefit the Empire far more than winning a single battle. And if Lin Xitang were so willing to die, he would not have become the Empire’s first Marshal, let alone the top strategist.

Empress Li was clearly stunned. Both were intelligent, and she could not pretend to misunderstand. Whether Qian Ye had heard the news or not, he would eventually learn of the unresolved doubts surrounding Lin Xitang’s death.

Empress Li thought for a moment, “I do not know Grand Tutor Lin’s thoughts, but I have some guesses. However, it involves the Empire’s highest secrets, and I am bound by the Heaven’s Mandate oath. If you truly want to know, ask the Duke of Qingyang.”

Qian Ye frowned slightly. He knew getting a definitive answer from Empress Li was unlikely, but he did not expect her to direct him back to Zhang Boqian.

He nodded, “Alright, I will ask the Duke of Qingyang if I get the chance.”

Empress Li said, “The Duke of Qingyang values talent greatly. He may seem cold but is warm-hearted. If you ask, you will surely gain something.” She then added, “By the way, why are you so interested in the rumors of the new world?”

Qian Ye did not mention Nighteye, simply saying, “If the new world opens, I want to go inside.”

“Want to go inside? In Evernight, there are rumors that only Councilors can enter the new world when the gates first open. Here, only Divine Generals are preparing for it.”

Qian Ye said mildly, “If it’s only for Divine Generals, then I can go inside and take a look.”

He released a bit of origin power, and Empress Li’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Qian Ye’s hand, “You are a Divine General?!”

Her hand was soft and cold, and even Qian Ye’s firm resolve wavered. He remained composed, his hand as solid as a rock, and said, “Just a stroke of luck, I accidentally advanced.”

Realizing her lapse, Empress Li slowly withdrew her hand, “It’s truly enviable that the Duke of Cheng’en has such fine sons and daughters. By the way, you probably don’t know that Zhao Jundu advanced to Divine General shortly after returning from the Floating Continent. Among the younger generation, he is indeed the first.”

“Jundu is already a Divine General?” Qian Ye had received news of Zhao Jundu’s recovery upon returning to the Neutral Zone, but this was a huge surprise. Why had this news not spread?

“When did this happen? Why was there no celebration?”

Advancing to Divine General was a major event for any noble family, even for the aristocracy. Especially for someone as young as Zhao Jundu, it should have been a cause for celebration.

“There was no celebration. As for the reason, you will know when you go to the Zhao Clan.”

At this point, a maid escorted Qian Ye out, and Liu Gonggong personally accompanied him to the airship. As they boarded, someone rushed over with a note. Liu Gonggong read it and laughed, “News travels fast!”

“What’s the matter?”

Liu Gonggong crumpled the note and tossed it away, “We might have to make a slight change to the itinerary. General Song Zining somehow found out you were here and sent a message, requesting to meet you somewhere on Qin Continent. I recently owed him a favor, and I can’t refuse. Given your relationship with General Song, I assume you wouldn’t mind meeting him, right?”

Qian Ye, of course, agreed. The airship lifted off, changed direction, and headed for a location on Qin Continent.

A day later, the airship arrived. Stepping out, Qian Ye saw a completely unfamiliar place. In the distance stood a majestic manor, rivaling the Zhao and Song Clans in grandeur. The estate covered a vast area, resembling a small city with its numerous courtyards.

In the distance, at the entrance of a courtyard, two gilded characters read: Níng Yù.

Níng Yù Manor was the headquarters of the Bai Clan, with whom Qian Ye had a contentious history, almost enemies. Why would Song Zining arrange to meet him here?

As he wondered, a figure rushed towards him, swift and dust-free, arriving in an instant. “You came quickly!”

It was Song Zining. When he reached Qian Ye, Qian Ye asked, “Why meet here? No one is trying to harm you, right?”

“Of course not. Besides, even if someone wanted to, they would think twice about their capabilities.”

Indeed, Song Zining was a Level 17, a step away from becoming a Divine General. With his worldly resources, even a Divine General would find it hard to kill him, despite the ease of defeating him.

Song Zining said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see someone.”

“Where’s your car?”

Song Zining smacked his forehead, remembering he had hurriedly run here, leaving his car kilometers away.

Qian Ye didn’t mind walking, and they chatted as they walked to the SUV. They got in and drove towards Níng Yù Manor.

In the main residence of a noble family, driving was often more convenient than walking, especially for vehicles with special markers that could bypass security checks.

The SUV passed through many courtyards, passing checkpoints without hindrance. Soon, they arrived at a quiet courtyard surrounded by ancient trees, shading it.

Song Zining got out, knocked on the door, and, without waiting for a response, led Qian Ye inside.

In the courtyard, a woman sat with her back to the door, her long hair casually falling over her shoulders.

She wore no adornments, matching the simplicity of the courtyard.