“Why not?” Feng Lei Zhao asked.
Jun Hong Zhao shot a glance at Feng Lei Zhao before turning to Zhuo Yan Zhao, saying, “As everyone knows, Qian Ye is currently at the top of the Li family’s military merit list. This period is about to end, and now is a critical moment. If Qian Ye can continue to focus on hunting, he might be able to claim the top spot alone, which means a Celestial Cloud and Mist Pearl and a Mirror Water Cleansing Life!”
The generals in the room almost all gasped, even without considering the unknown uses, just the known benefits were enough to drive them mad for the Celestial Cloud and Mist Pearl. Not to mention Divine Generals, how many could confidently say they could reach the seventeenth level of cultivation?
A complex expression flashed in Feng Lei Zhao’s eyes as he said loudly, “No matter how good these things are, they are only Qian Ye’s personal gains. What do they have to do with our Zhao clan? What benefit does it bring to the overall situation? For the sake of the greater good and the entire Zhao clan, why can’t Qian Ye make a small sacrifice?”
Jun Hong Zhao’s chest rose and fell slightly, maintaining his composure with difficulty, and coldly replied, “General Zhuo Yan has already stated that Qian Ye is not a member of the Zhao clan. We have no right to command or mobilize him. What reason do we have to demand his sacrifice?”
Feng Lei Zhao laughed ambiguously, looking at Jun Hong Zhao, and drawled, “Is this Qian Ye truly not a member of the Zhao clan? Haha, it seems the En Ci Gong manor indeed cares deeply for each other, as the rumors suggest. But what makes Qian Ye so special that your manor values him so much?”
Jun Hong Zhao’s face gradually turned icy, his gaze on Feng Lei Zhao becoming increasingly sharp, waiting for the key phrase. It seemed Feng Lei Zhao had heard something, and who knew how much he knew about Qian Ye’s true identity. If he spoke out recklessly, Jun Hong Zhao would have an excuse to strike, and arrest him immediately.
However, at this point, a sly look flashed in Feng Lei Zhao’s eyes, and he stopped, not delving deeper into the topic, instead saying lightly, “Besides, it’s just a mere Celestial Cloud and Mist Pearl…”
Jun Hong Zhao could no longer contain himself, slamming the table forcefully, and standing up, he shouted, “A mere Celestial Cloud and Mist Pearl? Even if it is now priceless, have you, Feng Lei Zhao, ever earned one in your thirty years? You don’t even have the ability to get one, yet you have the nerve to sit here and boast?”
This stern rebuke left the meeting room in silence, as everyone was surprised that usually mild-mannered Jun Hong Zhao would be so unyielding, especially towards Feng Lei Zhao, who the Duke of Yan had always favored and was expected to inherit the title.
Feng Lei Zhao was stunned, blood rushing to his face, unable to believe his ears for a moment.
The two Imperial Generals exchanged a quick glance, then sat ramrod straight, their eyes fixed on the table in front of them, as if there was a peerless beauty or unique weapon. This was the Zhao clan’s internal affair, and it involved two influential young members; they did not want to get involved and risk unnecessary trouble.
After a while, Feng Lei Zhao finally recovered, pointing at Jun Hong Zhao, almost stuttering, “You! You, how dare you speak to me like that! Do you still hold any respect for the Duke of Yan’s manor in your heart? Do you have any regard for its honor?!”
Even Zhuo Yan Zhao, sitting beside, had a darkened expression. After all, he was the son of the Duke of Yan and the commander of the floating land battlefield. Jun Hong Zhao’s words also made him lose face.
Jun Hong Zhao just sneered, “Did you consider the En Ci Gong manor’s honor just now? Besides, with your abilities, even if you become the Duke of Yan, I have no need to give you any face!”
These words were decisive, and Feng Lei Zhao’s face alternated between green and red, so angry he could barely speak, only repeatedly saying, “Good, good! Remember what you said today!”
If it were anyone else, Feng Lei Zhao would have long challenged them, striking them down in a duel. Even if his methods were harsh or underhanded, his status and power could suppress any backlash. But Jun Hong Zhao was no ordinary person. Although his position in the Zhao clan was not as high as Feng Lei Zhao’s a few years ago, in recent years, he had shown military talent and his personal combat strength had greatly improved, his status now surpassing Feng Lei Zhao.
This was what made Feng Lei Zhao most resentful, as many of his usual tactics were useless.
Zhuo Yan Zhao coughed, and sternly said, “Enough, what kind of conduct is this! Are you trying to further disgrace the Zhao clan?”
Jun Hong Zhao huffed and slowly sat down. Feng Lei Zhao returned to his seat, sulking, but secretly relieved, as it was difficult to back down otherwise.
Zhuo Yan Zhao looked at Jun Hong Zhao and said, “Jun Hong, this battle is indeed significant. Putting aside past grievances, do you think it’s possible to have Qian Ye return to assist? If he comes back, our chances of successfully defending would increase by at least twenty percent.”
No matter what, as the overall commander, Zhuo Yan Zhao found Feng Lei Zhao’s proposal tempting. He was nominally the main general of the Zhao clan in this battle, but in reality, he was only responsible for specific battles, and his position was not secure. The Duke of Yu, Xuan Ji Zhao, was also present, and if the battle went poorly, Zhuo Yan Zhao could be replaced at any time.
Jun Hong Zhao sneered, “I will say it again: if you want to summon Qian Ye, produce a Celestial Cloud and Mist Pearl. Otherwise, I will not lift a finger, and don’t even think about me passing any messages. As for forcing him, hehe, go ahead and try!”
Zhuo Yan Zhao’s face darkened, and he remained silent. Feng Lei Zhao, furious, slammed the table and shouted, “Your En Ci Gong lineage is full of selfish people who disregard the big picture! It was like this with Princess Gao Yi, and now it’s the same with the younger generation. If the battle goes wrong, can you take the responsibility?”
As soon as the words were out, Zhuo Yan Zhao shouted, “Shut up! How dare you talk about the princess like that!”
Feng Lei Zhao nodded repeatedly, then added, “I am just expressing my dissatisfaction.”
In the past, the Zhao clan and the imperial family had a marriage alliance, and the eldest son of the Duke of Yan, Zhuo Feng Zhao, had also pursued Princess Gao Yi. The result was well-known: Wei Huang Zhao married the princess and from there, established the En Ci Gong lineage.
Due to this, there had always been some tension between the Duke of Yan’s manor and the En Ci Gong manor.
Jun Hong Zhao’s face was as calm as water. Though young, he had led armies for some time, and when he was stern, he exuded a formidable aura. He said coldly, “Regarding the battle, hmm! As long as everyone here has the determination to fight to the death, without any thoughts of fleeing midway, how could the battle possibly collapse? As for how the En Ci Gong lineage conducts itself, it’s none of your business, Feng Lei Zhao.”
Seeing Jun Hong Zhao’s firm stance, Zhuo Yan Zhao sighed and decided to drop the matter. The other generals also fell silent. Many thought of Jun Du Zhao and Ruo Xi Zhao, siblings who were so dazzling that they were often unconsciously excluded from the younger generation.
Feng Lei Zhao, unwilling to let it go, suddenly said, “Since Jun Hong is so confident about the battle, then the forced conscription is off the table, as if I never mentioned it. But for the sake of the greater good, I suggest sending a letter to Qian Ye, explaining the situation, and seeing if he would come back voluntarily. Would that be acceptable?”
A glint of killing intent flashed in Jun Hong Zhao’s eyes, as if he wanted to stand up, but he eventually sat down slowly.
Feng Lei Zhao’s suggestion seemed reasonable, without any hint of coercion. However, Jun Hong Zhao knew Qian Ye’s character well. Once he received such a letter, he would certainly set aside his current affairs and return to aid the Zhao clan. This plan by Feng Lei Zhao was extremely cunning, hitting Qian Ye’s weak spot and making it difficult for Jun Hong Zhao to object. If he opposed this, it might seem too unreasonable.
“Let’s proceed with this,” Zhuo Yan Zhao decided, ending the meeting.
As they left the meeting room, Jun Su Zhao and Jun Hong Zhao walked together. Jun Su Zhao was still indignant, being the most hot-tempered among the Four Young Masters. His anger was still evident as he said, “Second Brother, Feng Lei Zhao is truly too outrageous! But, it seems he knows Qian Ye quite well. Something is off!”
Jun Hong Zhao was startled and grew suspicious. Feng Lei Zhao, by all accounts, did not know Qian Ye well, and they had only clashed once. How could he grasp Qian Ye’s character so accurately? Was someone behind the scenes guiding him?
Once suspicion arose, it was hard to dispel.
At this moment, Qian Ye was running at a steady pace. As he ran, he suddenly felt a sense of openness, his vision extending rapidly to the vast sky and sea. Unconsciously, he had emerged from the Misty Forest.
Qian Ye looked around and saw layers of undulating mountains, but he couldn’t tell where he was. He had crossed nearly half the Misty Forest in two days and nights, and some deviation was inevitable. But once out of the Misty Forest, it was easier, with a wide-open view, and he was likely to find the Zhang or Zhao forces soon.
When Qian Ye left, the Li family base was in chaos. There was no chance for him to seize a floating craft, not even a jet pipe. All the floating ships had taken off, with some of the noble squadrons bringing their own, ferrying important figures to the rear. The Li family’s own warships had also taken off in haste to prevent being seized.
While other noble families might not dare to seize Li family warships on their territory, the Li family had some unruly scions who, to save their lives, might do anything. To prevent the warships from being commandeered by their own scions, Tian Quan Li ordered them to take off and guard the airspace.
The chaos was temporary, and once the important figures and the pampered young masters retreated, the base would return to normal, with those remaining either going to battle or hunting. After all, the side branches and mercenaries were destined to live by fighting, and even if they wanted to leave, they had no floating craft available.
Qian Ye sought out the familiar Lu family, but upon hearing he was heading to the Zhao clan’s war zone, Zhong You Lu refused. With no other options, Qian Ye left the base and traversed the Misty Forest on his own, heading to the war zone.
As he exited the Misty Forest and was trying to determine his direction, Qian Ye suddenly heard a distant, shrill scream, followed by a familiar slender figure leaping and landing among the rocky ravines, each jump accompanied by a scream, from what sounded like both werewolves and vampires.
Qian Ye’s pupils contracted, instantly recognizing the girl who was wildly reaping lives: Bai Kong Zhao!
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