News of Song Zining’s breakthrough to Divine General rank swept through the empire like a storm, stirring far more commotion than when Zhao Jiandu achieved the same. It even surpassed the uproar caused by Qian Ye’s unscathed retreat from the Níng Yù Fǔ.
In recent years, as the empire revived, young prodigies had emerged, far surpassing their forefathers. In the great clans and aristocratic families, several offspring who were initially kept as hidden reserves had advanced to levels where they could be displayed proudly. Yet no one anticipated that following the empire’s twin stars, the first among the younger generation to break through the Divine General threshold would be Song Zining.
On that day, the dazzling phenomena witnessed by thousands of imperial soldiers heralded a boundless future for him.
The responses in the empire varied—some cheered with joy, others praised the flourishing national fortune, while some were filled with deep concerns. However, when people thought of the former Song Clan, now the Song Family, a rare consensus emerged: schadenfreude.
At the Wen Dao Manor of the Gāo Líng Sòng, the old residence of the Duchess An Guo, which had just been meticulously cleaned, Song Zhongnian was patrolling the grounds. Busy family retainers hurried back and forth, moving objects around.
This was the favorite dwelling of the Duchess An Guo in her lifetime. After her passing, the council of elders passed a resolution to seal this place, in perpetuity, to honor the memory of the late duchess.
Beside Song Zhongnian stood a graceful beauty, exuding serenity and elegance, gentle and fresh. A hint of sorrow lingered on her brow, as she frequently looked around, seemingly wanting to etch everything into her heart.
“Zǐyān, what are you thinking about?”
Hearing Song Zhongnian’s question, Sòng Zǐyān murmured softly, “I’m just recalling how kind our ancestor was to me. After today, I fear I may never return here.”
Song Zhongnian’s face was etched with worry, his wrinkles deeper, making him look ten years older. He sighed, “We have no choice. The descendants have shamed us, and it’s hard to face the ancestors. The elders probably don’t wish to come here either, so they made this decision. Even I, do I really want to set foot here again? The Song Clan, after all, was demoted under my leadership. I wonder what history will say about me; it probably won’t be good.”
Song Zhongnian chuckled self-mockingly, then added, “It’s a pity for you. Our Song Clan, or rather, the Song Family, is in a time of turmoil, and it has delayed your marriage. The Kong Family has also rejected the betrothal.”
Sòng Zǐyān shook her head, whispering, “I didn’t want to marry anyway!”
“How can you say that? A girl must eventually get married. Don’t worry, I’ll find someone suitable for you.”
Sòng Zǐyān lifted her head and said, “My marriage isn’t important, but why won’t you call back Seventh Brother even now?”
“Why would he come back?”
“Seventh Brother will surely return, especially now that the family is in trouble.”
Song Zhongnian sighed, “You don’t know, Zining has allied with Qian Ye, and they’ve apparently made quite a name for themselves in the Yōng Continent. Qian Ye seems poised to become a king, and Zining, being close to him, won’t be far behind. How could he care for the small fortune of the Song Family? Besides, when Zining left, he severed ties. How could he face these elders now if he returns?”
Sòng Zǐyān said, “Grandfather, are you still thinking about those elders? Each only cares for himself, none thinks of the big picture. If Seventh Brother comes back, why should we listen to them? Why not disband the council of elders?”
“Nonsense! The council of elders is a tradition left by our ancestors. Which clan doesn’t have such a system? This is no laughing matter!”
“If we must keep it, let’s at least replace the elders.”
“What do you know? This would only create more division.”
“Better than letting them slowly dismantle the Song Family!”
Song Zhongnian’s face turned ashen, and he snorted, “This is not a matter for a woman to discuss.”
Sòng Zǐyān sighed, softening her tone, “Seventh Brother is capable enough to handle those elders.”
“Capable? With what? He’s not even a Divine General. How can he make people listen to him?”
“Seventh Brother will achieve Divine General status soon. And even if he isn’t, who in the family is his match? Plus, Qian Ye will support him.” At the mention of Qian Ye, a shadow of sadness passed over Sòng Zǐyān’s eyes, quickly dissipating.
Song Zhongnian frowned, “Family affairs are not for you to meddle in. Achieving Divine General status is not easy. If it were, our family wouldn’t have been without a Divine General since the old days. We’ll talk about it when he achieves it.”
Just then, a servant rushed in, shouting, “Master, urgent news!”
“What’s the rush? You’re making a scene! If you’re not careful, I’ll send you to the Yuè Continent!” Song Zhongnian, already in a bad mood, scolded harshly before slowly opening the envelope and reading the message.
After a quick glance, Song Zhongnian froze, the urgent report falling to the ground, unnoticed.
Sòng Zǐyān, curious, picked it up and exclaimed joyfully, “Seventh Brother has become a Divine General?! Great, the Song Family finally has a Divine General! Grandfather…”
She looked up, seeing Song Zhongnian’s expression, her voice trailing off. In that moment, she realized that if Zining hadn’t become a Divine General, he might still return. Now, having broken through, he would never come back.
In the Imperial Palace, Jiaofang Hall, Empress Li reclined on her couch, stroking her cat. Despite the warmth, she was wrapped in thick fur, her face pale.
An elderly eunuch entered, holding a scroll, and began reciting the day’s imperial news. The first item was Song Zining’s battlefield breakthrough to Divine General rank.
Empress Li was stunned, squeezing the cat in her lap, which yelped and scurried away, hiding in a corner.
“He’s a Divine General, truly unexpected.”
The eunuch stopped, saying, “Indeed, perhaps the Song Family can regain its noble status.”
Empress Li said calmly, “If he hadn’t become a Divine General, he might return. Now, he cannot, unless he can rid the family of the elders.”
“Seventh Master can easily do that. No one in the Song Clan is his match, even all the elders together. His power is unparalleled in group battles.”
“Killing and being ruthless are two different things.” Empress Li smiled, adding, “Besides, his future is bright. Why should he taint himself with such bloodshed?”
“Empress is wise,” the eunuch nodded.
Empress Li shifted, her brows furrowing in thought.
“A new strongman for the empire, that’s a good thing. Why is the Empress unhappy?”
Empress Li sighed, “I’m troubled. Should Zining learn the Celestial Art or not?”
The eunuch paused, “This is difficult. With the Celestial Art, Zining might aim for Overlord. But Lord Jiandu has no chance, and Qian Ye, though powerful, is not of our race. Zining is the only hope. But if he learns the Celestial Art, he might rival Lin Shuai. Which is more important, Lin Shuai or an Overlord? I can’t say.”
“That’s why I’m troubled.”
She got up, summoning the cat, and said, “Let him figure it out. Why should we worry?”
The eunuch hesitated, then agreed, “Empress is right.”
He left, and outside, two eunuchs were whispering:
“Did you hear? Seventh Master is a Divine General!”
“Which Seventh Master?”
“Who else but the former Song Clan’s Seventh Master?”
“The Song Family must regret it!”
“I’ve never seen such folly. To drive out Seventh Master… the Song Clan deserves to fall!”
The elderly eunuch appeared, frowning, “Stop gossiping, or I’ll cut your tongues out!”
They paled, and one stammered, “It’s no big secret. The whole country will know soon.”
The eunuch, agreeing, left, heading to a side room. He wrote a note, dressed in civilian clothes, and left the palace.
Wandering the city, he arrived at a specialty shop after half an hour.
The manager greeted him, “Chief Eunuch, what do you need?”
The eunuch picked up a vase, asked about new items, and inspected a few boxes, shaking his head, “Nothing good. Next time.”
“Thank you!” The manager watched him leave, then returned the boxes, examining the one the eunuch had inspected. Inside was a note.
Two days later, the note reached the Dusk Continent, delivered to a mysterious armored figure with exposed eyes.
The figure read the note, then stored it, handing a crystal source blood to the messenger, saying in a raspy voice, “Good job, this is your reward.”
The messenger knelt, “Thank you, sir!”
The figure left, each step igniting dark purple flames.
In the Thebes Castle, under major expansion, the figure entered a side chamber. A white-haired, pale-eyed vampire awaited.
“Did you get it?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“It confirms our suspicions, even exceeds them.”
“Excellent.”
The white-haired vampire left. The figure sat, gazing at the dim light, lost in thought.
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