General Li turned over the Sky Cloud Pearl and promptly departed. Although none could discern its specific purpose, the pearl obviously was considered priceless. Since then, Qian Ye simply entrusted this item to Zhao Junkai for safekeeping. After all, Qian Ye hadn’t the time or inclination to watch over this treasure daily. Surely no one would dare sneak into Zhao Junzhi’s residence—the core stronghold of Zhao House—to steal from its fourth young master.
After settling matters about the pearl, a Major approached and guided Qian Ye towards his new residence. The assigned house sat within the inner district, close to prime real estate where powerful aristocratic families established their headquarters. Surrounded by serene tranquility entirely unlike a battlefield, when Qian Ye entered the yard doors and discovered it was a private residence with a separate training chamber of very high rank, he paused in astonishment. During these wartime periods where every bit of堕之城 was devoted to military use only, being awarded treatment surpassing even that fitting a Brigadier, nearly on par with that offered Major Generals was certainly noteworthy.
Wandering the house compound briefly, Qian Ye then asked carefully, *”Certainly, this is the correct place assigned only to me?”*
“Indeed,” responded the escorting officer, “As you have achieved great merit for this city’s protection, such treatment is perfectly suitable. Soon enough an aide shall come to recalbrate the mana configuration in the inner chambers and by sundown, it should stand at full readiness. Also available inside the rooms is a set documentations mapping this citadel as well as descriptions concerning key operational sections of its infrastructure. Around outside awaits specialized personnel for your specific commands—please ask them anything you see fit. With no further questions shall I proceed?”
Once Major left, Qian Ye took his seat besides the pane-window gazing silently before him, feign sleep. Though cultivation was critical in normal circumstances, right now it didn’t weigh as heavily, being superseded instead by integrating those inheritances harvested from traversing the Blood River as well reviewing crucial experieces gained throughout the campaign’s final confrontation.
In heart however remained an nagging mystery — upon glimpsing the nascent flickering of the Blood River appearing from space itself, Duke Jaed’s reaction—being none other than a nobleborn vampire-hybrid had exceeded all expectations dramatically so even faltering briefly under the oppressive essence radiated by the Blood Stream thereby affording Qian Ye an immediate opportunity to land a killing strike swiftly ending the fight instantly. Failing that, due to this aristocratic vampire enemy’s immense combat standing Qian Ye would’ve needed to play absolutely every card in hand—particularly if calling upon Primordial Pike, just managing to end that battle victoriously indeed.
His uncertainty only grew further—considering what the Blood Stream seemingly displayed: such powerful intimidating pressure over those of vampire-hybrid descent; then under such odds, where vampires had neither demographic numerical supremacy nor overwhelming dominance at absolute apex levels of power yet emerged undisputed atop the Eternal Night world?
Judged across both his contacts from previous encounters: so long as the Blood River exists — it would be improbable for pure line vampires like nightkin ever vanishing from existence completely. Even so arises deeper questions indeed! What in essence comprised the fabled blood stream’s true identity itself? Precisely were it might reside concealed in all these millennia? By which methods does it pass vampire-hybrids their ancestral inheritance? And most confouding—why has vampire ranking system shifted so vastly different to its primordial inheritance pathways as passed by ancient Blood Rivers?
This endless stream of inquiries possessed absolutely no immediate responses known throughout anyone he personally knew. Perhaps only Nightpearl could illuminate answers, however Qian Ye right now preferred refraining awaken even a fragment of her fading ancestral nightkin blood memory past—hoping always Nightpearl instead continues living peacefully as a serene gentle woman comfortably established under Imperial shelter.
Why Qian Ye fights with reckless tenacity was not for acclaim, rank or riches—but rather forge with each sacrifice an fortress of enduring strength capable supporting everything she might wish sheltered beneath. Influence, status and commissions held essentially little significance for Qian Ye personally however if required for establishing safety—then naturally he will strive to acquire such means regardless.
Even imagining thinking nightpearl brought involuntary acceleration into one’s chest. Fetching forth blank sheets from stationer’s desk, he resolved compose a letter—but when grasping his brush pen in hand suddenly no words seemed sufficient to start. Though modestly sized, that single parchment suddenly felt unable hold everything which rushed his inner self, so overwhelming he paused again and again.
He gripped then released his pen, back and fro—repetition becoming countless as not even a solitary glyph dared materialize throughout that silence upon virgin paper. At this moment even finest delicate calligraph’s pen suddenly seemed heavier than all Yandu battle arms combined, barely lifting without internal tremble.
Finally after endless hesitation he clenched determination, silenced restless thought—writing anywhere whenever the whim struck wherever his consciousness wandered……
“Finally the gunfire ceases momentarily. Here life remains largely unchanging though accommodations recently improved. Present residence offers lovely central court pond waters—clear clean shimmering beautifully under sunlight. It would delight showing you these surroundings someday……’
Once words flowed upon page no further halting possible. In fact he filled pages so completely unnoticed—only ceased when out entirely of documents. Surprised only now noticing just how wordy he’d ran without limit; entire scroll made no war mention but rather described ordinary scenes he chanced witnessing in daily observations.
He folded these writings together carefully, the collected several sheaves stacking into significant bundle; barely squeezing fully inside prepared envelope. Then Qian Ye activated desk mounted chime signaling orderly to enter. Entrust post this letter he’d written.
A trim and poised Lieutenant came through the doorway. Graceful height blended martial professionalism beneath a charming facade. Spotting how abnormally thick the letter turned out first astonished, she couldn’t help but giggle softly, surprised at it literally bulging threateningly at envelope’s seams.
Qian Ye offered mildly self-depractating grin, merely saying: “Ah, sorry—please accept as urgent and rather weighty.”
Despite attempting to hide her mirthfulness she ultimately burst outward: smiling broadly at Qiane Ye’s awkward expression saying:
”Excuse me General!”
“Hn,” Qian Ye raised eyes puzzled responding naturally, “What trouble again?”
“Would you loosen grip, General?”
Only then he suddenly caught sight realizing still holding fast to that envelope tight in both his fists unconsciously without notice. Without him relinquishing the package—regardless how powerful any individual officer maybe—even if she brought four top ranked war masters to pry from his hands, he might hold unshaken.
Realization came quickly prompting loosening his grip—immediately she silently chuckled once more observing this momentary fluster so humanlike upon famed general.
The Lieutenant shook letter now freely in her possession, confidently proclaiming: “You General, need not worried one moment: guarantee this reaches addressee intact.”
He acknowledged with slow nods; watching as she withdrew respectfully, exhaled heavily as the courtyard shut behind her.
For it this remains being actually first length letter composed for her: From beginning brush strokes until final sealing it—proceeded far greater challenge than slaying even Count Jaed himself let alone any normal battle challenges.
As pulse calmed inside him, an observation surfaced. Her power sensing struck something abnormal. Despite simple rank Lieutenant—perhaps she actually harbored cultivation much further ahead than expected. Pondered further, he realized even recalling details—her precise combat capacity eluded grasp entirely. Possibly Tier 3–4—just maybe Tier’s 5, perhaps even above.
Realization then hit abruptly—surprise! How unusual he was absolutely incapable detecting such presence at will. Qian Ye normally possessed the Vision Eye—a rare sight technique which normally automatically assessed others’ power level automatically. Unless a particular cultivational concealment or bloodline power obscured presence he usually perceived all around him effortlessly and immediately. That the female officer somehow managed concealment so absolute implied technique on par—if not surpass—that held in imperial upper tier house heirlooms.
However further analysis yielded logic: Infall this city constitutes Zhao family’s core, being Empire’s last bastion on this floating plateau, naturally requiring hidden operatives scattered strategically placed throughout the region. Chances therefore this lovely female courier being transferred in recently from hidden division—made perfect logic.
Leaving the villa grounds the junior lady then encountered waiting at shadow’s edge of path, a figure attired purely in imperial High Rank officer’s regalia however lacking all crests denoting clan allegiance or legion identification. The stranger stepped forth, bowing formally.
Handing the sealed package, she instructed plainly:
“Dispatch this personally directly to recipient written clearly upon the front. Delay is not acceptable—see that you take personal responsibility.”
He accepted respectfully with single gesture:
“Confirmed; Mission will succeed.”
Then with swift departure, barely lingering long enough to observe as she nodded her satisfaction watching messenger vanish through courtyard shadows. Even one of his obvious skill and authority remained silent beneath her gaze, departing not daring face her openly while withdrawing still backward respectfully.
While this general was no minor talent—within her eyes barely a passing after-thought barely registering consciousness. Lost momentarily in private thought, suddenly smiled gently. Like sunlight dissolving wintry chill—the rare glimpse of tenderness escaping usually frost-queen mask, murmuring softly as though amusement overtaking self restraint:
“Now, this one appears actually a little…cute, not at all like those overly dry intelligence profile documents.”
Although the first great shock wave of the Dark Legion’s fury subsided momentarily, its entire massive host remaining very much operational, the lack of pursuit after the Pivotal Conflict had allowed what remained of Zhang House remnants to safely reach Zhao House territories at distance where continuing any further pursuit futile.
Another factor in the retreat was simple logistics fatigue—the Dark Legion, after long, unrelenting pursuit deep through wastelands had exhausted resources and forces completely drained. With Fiefstronghold defenses deeply entrenched against such unprepared frontal assaults, even amongst the more robust tribes such as theirs, exhaustion dictated temporary withdrawal from this arid region; requiring extensive recovery period.
During next phase of the campaign, this brief respite would be but fleeting stillness; the calm preceding stormfront.
With that in mind Fiefland enters one of the rare calm periods observed amidst otherwise all consuming conflicts engulfing this entire Floating Region; war briefly paused, hostilities hushed.
In this moment Imperial allied houses retained only fully operational defensive front: held by Zhao Family stronghold—while half of Song House’s Moonfield Province already fallen enemy lines. As for Li Family—now clinging desperately from within perpetual gloom enveloped Mistforest.
Now emerging as every family’s recurring darkest nightmare was Eiden — now claiming hunting record accounting for nearly fifty percent of all allied casualties within these shadow veiled hunting grounds alone. Hardly any elite teams dare even mention the name Eiden openly, since no unit meeting him ever returned with even a chance at survival ensured.
Given imperial noble houses ability recruiting private warrior units—it only follows that someone from prestigious vampire-hybrid noble such as himself possessed abundant followers.
Leading personal retinue totaling nearly an hundred veteran elites deep through Mistforest—his personal domination not only depended vision surpassing all normal nightkin’s under thick mist coverage—but also pure strength alone allowing annihilation even the most competent single noble house战队. Exceptional personal might matched only through his vast noble patron network and backing: Eiden remains perhaps singular threat against which practically no viable counters currently emerged throughout the whole of the region’s nobility, placing all including Li Family and even greater houses against dead loss.
Now at family’s command center everyone bitterly regrets losing him—recalling QianYe’s fierce duel which forced Eiden locked down long enough for coordinated hunting team annihilation strikes to proceed unchallenged.
Now at very moment entire central warcommand, most burdened and overwhelmed within this desperate hour remains Elder Li Tianquan, top ranking strategist with access all family’s most guarded intelligence.
Fleetingly mounting losses suffered amongst our private house战队, some now even openly suggesting full withdraw appears no longer a unthinkable.
Regardless heavy bounties offered by elders, unless willing lose completely our core elite retainers and future inheritants to battlefield attrition, how does one even justify payment gained?
Certainly the rare treasures like Sky cloud pearl do tempt yet remain but mere singleton rewards per tournament, reserved only to reach by those perched highest in the elite tier. There was only ever Qian Ye himself to achieve that, and now confirmed possessing Zhao family support openly.
Many families consequently begin discussing strategy revision including total disengagement—a development sending shocking reverberations straight to him through command lines.
He being someone having been privy into core house’s inner-circle intelligence understands more than the mere surface of these implications. He realizes well the extent reliance the Li family placed on these external战队’s continued cooperation for their strategic position to maintain stability on the Mistforest warfront—if their forces were to withdraw completely then all would fall back upon what little remaining resources the Li house retains, leaving the family unable to stand and hold such a massive territory alone.
If Mistforest front collapsed, like Zhang & Bai, Li would retreat under Zhao’s protection and inevitably find themselves at a disadvantage, forced to acknowledge Zhao’s dominance.
While other families can perhaps manage this shift gracefully, for Li family whose relations became embittered with Zhao House during power contest surrounding Zhao Clan princess issue—it would amount betrayal walking willingly into their adversary’s jaws willingly.
What even further raised the stakes for entire Li bloodline hinged on controlling this strategic zone. Success securing Mistforest ensured Li House’s future survival and dominance, securing equal standing with Zhao in territorial holding by time truce re-ascertainments commence—possibly even ranking second only after Zhao by contribution tally at very minimum.
Failure however, besides costing the clan their future standing entirely, would see his rank and prestige as Eldership—permanently erased without possibility of recovery whatsoever.
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