Chapter 74: Minor Troubles

Zhaoyuying shrugged at Qian Ye, giving him a helpless look, and then she darted to Song Zining’s side, patting him on the shoulder. “Turn into two leaves and play with them!”

Song Zining arrogantly said, “Do you think I am some kind of street performer?”

With a snap, Zhaoyuying had already pinched his ear.

Song Zining, with a poker face, smoothly continued, “But if Miss Yuying commands, I shall go wherever the water flows and follow wherever the fire burns!” Saying that, he released two balls of original force light, condensing them into leaf shapes. However, it wouldn’t be so easy for Zhaoyuying to counter him with these two leaves now.

Zhaoyuying noticed this immediately and boredly waved her hand, causing the leaves to dissipate into specks of light.

Weipo Tian, unable to contain himself, harrumphed and moved his chair away, feeling deeply ashamed to have such a friend.

Qian Ye couldn’t be bothered with these three individuals. In comparison, Nangong Xiaoniao was the biggest trouble. If something were to happen to the little guy within his territory, the Red Scorpion elders might personally come to the Evernight Realm to exact revenge.

After a moment of silence, Qian Ye finally spoke, “Xiaoniao…”

“Eh?!” Startled, Nangong Xiaoniao jumped up, making the table in front bounce, and all the tea and snacks spilled over toward Qian Ye.

Qian Ye, with no choice, grabbed the Dongyue sword by his side. With a slight tremble, an invisible force blocked the incoming snacks and tea, allowing him to stand up and retreat calmly.

However, Nangong Xiaoniao, in an attempt to correct her mistake, leaped along with the flying cups and saucers but stumbled, kicking the just-stabilized teacup and sending the entire table crashing toward Qian Ye.

Qian Ye instinctively swung his hand to block, shattering the teacart with a splat. But the splash of clear tea lost control, drenching him from head to toe.

“Eh?!” Nangong Xiaoniao froze mid-air, still reaching out, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Qian Ye, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, went inside to change clothes and called A Qi and A Jiu to clean the room. He then sat back down in front of Nangong Xiaoniao.

Seeing this, Weipo Tian and Song Zining remembered they had other matters to attend to and quickly excused themselves, leaving Qian Ye to deal with the mess. Zhaoyuying didn’t stay long either, but before leaving, she made a suggestive gesture, pointed at Nangong Xiaoniao’s chest, cackled, and left.

Nangong Xiaoniao’s face turned red as if blood was about to drip from it, and her head drooped lower and lower, almost burying herself in her chest.

Qian Ye inwardly cursed the three several times, but what good would it do?

Now alone, Qian Ye tried to explain seriously, “Xiaoniao, battles are fought here every day.”

“I know.”

“And I need to go to the frontlines. Plus, my city is on the border, often frequented by dark races.”

“I know.”

Qian Ye, feeling helpless, decided to be direct, “It’s very dangerous here.”

“I’m not afraid of danger,” Nangong Xiaoniao finally responded with a fresh line.

Qian Ye sighed, “But I am. If something happens to you, I’ll be torn apart by the Red Scorpions.”

“At that point, I wouldn’t know anything, so what does it matter?”

Nangong Xiaoniao’s words choked Qian Ye. He finally understood that she was determined to stay. Qian Ye thought ruefully that if the situation hadn’t changed, and he hadn’t abandoned the plan to assault the werewolf viscount’s territory, he wouldn’t have returned early and wouldn’t have met Nangong Xiaoniao.

But then, if he hadn’t been in Blackflow City, Nangong Xiaoniao, a special person from the Red Scorpions, would have gone around searching for him near Darkblood City, and who knew what other issues might have arisen. Zhaoyuying had already quietly warned Qian Ye that though this little rookie seemed gentle, she was extremely stubborn, and once she set her mind on something, she would see it through to the end.

Now, Qian Ye finally understood the pain of Weipo Tian and Song Zining, burdened with important girls around, unable to do anything. His only hope was that Nangong Xiaoniao wouldn’t insist on going to the frontlines with him.

“Alright… You’re staying at the Seventh Division headquarters? I’ll have someone arrange your lodging at Darkflame Base. You can move around freely, but you must have a guard with you. If you want to leave the city, you must tell me in advance, understood?”

Nangong Xiaoniao’s big eyes filled with joy, and she nodded vigorously.

“Let’s leave it at that for now,” Qian Ye stood up and saw Nangong Xiaoniao out.

The group of Red Scorpion warriors waiting at the door turned their gazes sharply towards Qian Ye, making him feel immense pressure. It was clear to everyone that the little one’s so-called research in Darkblood City was just a ruse; she was there to find Qian Ye. The Red Scorpion warriors wanted to know what made Qian Ye so special that their leader’s precious charge would travel far to seek him out.

For the rest of the afternoon, Qian Ye dealt with official business. The officers of Darkflame and those who returned with him continuously entered and exited his office. The Third Legion was about to withdraw, and reorganizing the city’s defenses was the top priority. Blackflow City was his foundation, and with the delicate situation involving the little one, he couldn’t afford any mistakes.

By dinnertime, Weipo Tian came over, preparing to leave the next morning. Soon after, Song Zining and Zhaoyuying joined them. Qian Ye simply ordered the kitchen to prepare a lavish meal, also serving as a farewell for Weipo Tian.

As everyone settled, Zhaoyuying, with great interest, asked, “How about it, did you get a feel? Are they big enough?”

Qian Ye glared at her, “With such a big trouble, what’s there to feel?”

“What does it matter? Given her attitude, she’ll be yours sooner or later. Why not just sleep with her first? Zining, don’t you agree?”

Song Zining smiled faintly, ignoring Zhaoyuying, and said, “Qian Ye, have you thought this through? Do you really want to keep Nangong Xiaoniao? I suggest sending her back.”

Zhaoyuying instantly became displeased, “I like this little girl. Why send her back?”

Song Zining responded coolly, “Keeping her means opposing the Nangong family. You, with the backing of the Zhao clan, naturally fear nothing. But what does Qian Ye have?”

Zhaoyuying, even more displeased, snapped, “Do I need to rely on my family?”

But under Song Zining’s sharp gaze, Zhaoyuying felt a twinge of unease. She knew that it wasn’t her, but the Duke of Youguo, Zhao Xuanji, who had forced Nangong Ling to retreat in humiliation.

Qian Ye asked, “What’s the deal between her and the Nangong family?”

Weipo Tian and Song Zining had heard some of it, but Zhaoyuying, being closer to Nangong Xiaoniao, knew more. She waved her hand forcefully, “So much trouble!”

“Her branch was originally the main house, but later, they committed a major offense, nearly causing the Nangong family to be demoted. They were expelled from the main line, although still part of the clan, they declined rapidly. By her grandfather’s generation, a clan elder took a liking to their property and found a reason to expel the entire branch, seizing their assets.”

This sort of thing happened in every family, but when it involved someone close, it felt different. Qian Ye suddenly thought of his childhood in the garbage dump; in a way, he too was a victim of family strife.

Zhaoyuying continued, “If that was all, it would be bearable. Her family struggled to live a normal life. But then, when Xiaoniao grew up, an elder took a fancy to her. One night, he snuck into her room, intending to take her. Damn, Xiaoniao was only twelve!”

“Who was that old bastard?” Weipo Tian roared. Such despicable behavior was contemptible.

Zhaoyuying said, “That old bastard was Nangong Ling’s father, Nangong Yuanbo. Xiaoniao’s father was a martial genius, with considerable original force cultivation, but always kept it hidden. That night, enraged, he killed all of Nangong Yuanbo’s guards, severely injured Nangong Yuanbo, and saved Xiaoniao. But he too was mortally wounded and died soon after.”

At this point, Song Zining chimed in, “Back then, Nangong Yuanbo suddenly fell ill, nearly losing his position as the heir. It took him years to recover. Now we know why.”

Weipo Tian glared at Song Zining, “I also heard that Nangong Yuanbo relied on the Song clan’s power to keep his position as clan leader.”

Song Zining, unperturbed, said, “He paid a high enough price. For the Song clan, maintaining a relationship with the Nangong family for three or four generations, having Nangong Yuanbo as the clan leader, is better than having a powerful stranger. In your place, would the Wei clan have done any differently?”

Weipo Tian was speechless.

Zhaoyuying sighed, “Before her father died, he entrusted Xiaoniao to a close friend, a retired Red Scorpion general. Thus, Xiaoniao entered the Red Scorpions.”

Song Zining said, “Nangong Yuanbo is narrow-minded and vengeful. In the current situation, he dares not openly harm Xiaoniao, but Qian Ye, if he learns of your connection to her, he will take it out on you. Is it worth offending a noble family for a woman you barely know? The Nangongs are not the same as the Dongs of Sishui. Think carefully, Qian Ye.”

Zhaoyuying stood up, furious, “Xiaoniao is my friend. If you dare not offend the Nangongs, I will!”

Song Zining, unfazed, met Zhaoyuying’s murderous glare, “If you aren’t afraid of the Nangongs, neither am I nor Po Tian. But Qian Ye cannot afford to.”

Qian Ye shook his head, calmly saying, “Zining, stop. I’ve made up my mind. Let her stay.”

Song Zining’s face changed, “Qian Ye…”

Qian Ye raised his hand, stopping Song Zining, “Don’t worry. I won’t force it. If it becomes impossible, I’ll have the Red Scorpions take her back. After all, they have people with her. If Nangong Yuanbo really blames me, let him come. We are young; there will be a time when he regrets it.”

Weipo Tian’s blood boiled, and he stood up, shouting, “Well said! When I take charge of the Wei clan, the first thing I’ll do is lead an army against that old bastard!”

Song Zining glared at him, coldly, “Your Wei clan and the Nangongs are on different continents. How will you lead an army?”

The Empire had its share of internal conflicts, mostly due to border disputes. Weipo Tian, wanting to cross continents, would face insurmountable challenges, including opposition from the imperial court and the military.

Weipo Tian roared, “I’ll go myself, alright?”

“That’s just a one-way trip, idiot!”

“Shut up!” Qian Ye, unable to take it anymore, roared, finally silencing the two.