Chapter 151: The Calm After the Storm

The colonel took a step, intending to leave. Continuing this conversation would only bring him more humiliation. He glared at Qian Ye with venom in his eyes. However, he was taken aback when he realized that Qian Ye was also looking at him, and doing so with a serious scrutiny.

“What are you staring at?” the colonel roared in anger and embarrassment.

Qian Ye smiled and said, “Nothing, just remembering your face.”

Though spoken casually, everyone present understood the underlying meaning. Naturally, there could be no infighting within the Li family base, but if they met again in some desolate wilderness or on the battlefield, Li Ji’s fate would surely be grim.

The colonel turned pale, gripping his sidearm tightly as he hurried away. From his direction, it was clear he was heading straight for the main camp, obviously to seek out the second elder.

Li Weishi narrowed his eyes, casting a murderous glance at the departing colonel before turning and asking, “Has General Qian Ye’s military merit been fully tallied and verified?”

The surrounding quartermasters were dumbstruck, stammering, “Yes, it’s all done! Just waiting for General Qian Ye to confirm!”

After verifying the military insignias, Qian Ye had no objections to the tally and signed the record book without hesitation.

Only now did Li Weishi have a chance to look at the tally, and the number left him stunned, almost dizzy.

Qian Ye’s recent expedition had accumulated enough merit to reach the second-highest rank, which corresponded to killing a Marquis of the Evernight realm. Of course, Qian Ye couldn’t possibly slay such a high-ranking figure, but it was precisely because the merit came from the sheer number of kills that Li Weishi was even more shocked.

For someone like Qian Ye, Li Weishi had, of course, reviewed the records. He vividly remembered that during the Iron Curtain Blood War, Qian Ye had amassed enough merit for a Second-Class Rank. That was already a staggering number, and now, in less than a month, he had reached the second-highest rank!

Li Weishi knew exactly what this meant. It indicated a one-sided massacre. While the Iron Curtain Blood War might have been due to the limitations of their ranks, the Misty Forest was a true battlefield, where no such luck existed.

Thinking of this, Li Weishi broke into a cold sweat, feeling very fortunate that he had acted quickly and decisively, avoiding a total rupture with Qian Ye. Even without considering Qian Ye’s complex background, the base’s defensive force probably couldn’t capture him. If they had engaged in combat, and he managed to break out, the situation would be completely uncontrollable.

Having a direct understanding of Qian Ye’s combat prowess, Li Weishi became even more courteous. Under his supervision, the entire process of recording the military merit was completed smoothly. The onlookers from the noble clans, seeing no more excitement, gradually dispersed. However, many still lingered, attempting to recruit Qian Ye into their teams.

That box of items not only proved Qian Ye’s military merit but also showed how ruthless he was in accumulating achievements. Such a person, if recruited, would almost guarantee victory in the competition for the military merit board.

At that moment, a man pushed through the crowd and said, “General Qian Ye, would you be interested in joining our Yuan Yin Lu Family? Although we are a lower-rank noble clan, if you come, we will spare no effort to serve you. As long as you can help us win the top spot on the military merit board, all conditions are negotiable! Additionally, our Lu Family has a pair of twin sisters, just sixteen years old, who are at their prime. We can give them to you… Eh? General, don’t go!”

Li Weishi made a quick decision, pulling Qian Ye and forcing their way through the crowd.

This experience made Qian Ye realize he had underestimated Li Weishi. Though a seemingly ordinary member of the Li family, with no apparent room for growth in his original power, his purity of original force was exceptional.

Even at the same level, a light nudge from Li Weishi would push others aside. In terms of the purity of original force, Qian Ye had seen few who could match those of Zhao Junhong’s caliber.

Li Weishi, holding onto Qian Ye, maneuvered through the crowd, finally escaping the trailing noble clan members and reaching a secluded area. He then gasped for breath, chuckling bitterly, “Brother Qian Ye, my Li family has indeed wronged you this time. I hope you can forgive us. Here’s the deal: you go rest, and I’ll personally deliver the items tonight. Also, I’ll treat you to dinner as an apology.”

Qian Ye smiled and said, “It’s no big deal. The Second Elder probably ordered them to cause me trouble.”

Li Weishi sighed, somewhat annoyed, “The Li Tianquan branch is desperate for power, using any means necessary! Don’t worry, I won’t let this go easily. This incident has greatly damaged our family’s reputation. If handled well, it might even send Li Tianquan back to the main family!”

Qian Ye shook his head, “There’s no need to rush to oust the Second Elder. I have a wager with him. If I take the top spot on the military merit board, both the Mirror Water Cleansing and the Sky Cloud Smoke Pearl will be mine.”

Li Weishi nodded, “I’ve heard about it. Li Tianquan seems determined to drive you away, spreading this story to prove your arrogance and ignorance. Qian Ye, such a wager made in anger needn’t be taken seriously… uh!” He suddenly remembered something, looking at Qian Ye hesitantly, “You, you’re not really going for the top spot on the military merit board, are you?”

Qian Ye smiled but did not answer.

Li Weishi wanted to brush it off with a laugh, but he froze mid-laugh. Despite losing many of his rights since Li Tianquan’s arrival, he couldn’t be kept in the dark about the military merit rankings.

It seemed… Qian Ye’s accumulated military merit this time was extraordinarily high, far surpassing others. Although several teams were still in the Misty Forest, more than half had returned for supplies. The two teams under the Li family’s name had already returned, and their contributions paled in comparison to Qian Ye’s, barely making Second-Class Rank.

But those were complete teams, with at least dozens of members each. How could their collective efforts be less than Qian Ye’s alone?

Although there were still over forty days until the three-month deadline, Qian Ye could embark on another mission. If he returned with similar results…

Li Weishi shivered, unable to think further, but the thought still surfaced.

Could Qian Ye really claim the top spot on the military merit board?

The idea was absurd, but even the slightest possibility was shocking. After all, Qian Ye was just one person.

Li Weishi maintained a smile, escorting Qian Ye to his quarters, then left with a heavy heart.

Later that evening, Li Weishi arrived at Qian Ye’s quarters as promised, carrying a heavy ammunition box, accompanied by several noble clan members.

Li Weishi’s expression showed his reluctance to bring them, but he couldn’t refuse outright. These people were there to buy dark race equipment from Qian Ye. They had seen the commotion at the military merit exchange, knowing Qian Ye had submitted mostly military merit certificates, with little equipment.

With so many military insignias, he must have a few high-tier items, even if most were inconvenient to carry.

Upon hearing their intentions, Qian Ye brought out several short blades. Two were Shadow Blades, and there were also three Blood-Draining Blades and one dagger, all of similar quality.

The group, though small, was satisfied with the high-grade weapons, all good items from the blood and demon races. They didn’t dally, as Qian Ye could only bring back a limited amount. They arranged for future purchases and left.

Selling these items, Qian Ye found himself with a considerable sum, suddenly feeling wealthy. When he agreed to sell any future dark race equipment to them first, Li Weishi wanted to speak up but, thinking of the two Shadow Blades, chose to remain silent.

Li Weishi knew his limits, and Qian Ye was pleased. After a brief chat, he escorted him out.

Qian Ye didn’t stay long, leaving the base and disappearing into the Misty Forest around midnight.

Though it was late, Li Tianquan’s office remained lit. He paced back and forth, the floor littered with broken porcelain. In his rage, he had shattered several cherished pieces.

But this did nothing to quell his anger; instead, the loss only fueled it.

Colonel Li Ji’s maternal family was also Li Tianquan’s wife’s family, making them closely related. Normally, he was quite useful, but this time, he had botched things badly, causing a major mess.

The Li family’s military merit board was linked to the Sky Cloud Smoke Pearl and the Mirror Water Cleansing. With everyone watching, who would dare to tamper with it? The previous arrangement between Li Tianquan and Qian Ye was already pushing the boundaries.

Now, Li Ji had tried to cancel Qian Ye’s military merit in public. Though he was acting on Li Tianquan’s wishes, if he had handled it cleverly, it might have been a success. But the public spectacle made it impossible to salvage.

In essence, Qian Ye’s achievements were too shocking. If the Li family dared to bully such a strong individual, they might soon target other noble clans. Even if the Li family didn’t regard most of them, they couldn’t be so blatant.

The noble clans often intermarried, creating a web of complex relationships. News traveled fast. Soon, countless rumors would reach the patriarch’s ears.

Li Tianquan felt a mix of relief and anger. Thank goodness Li Weishi had handled it well. If the situation had escalated, and they had fought, even if they captured Qian Ye, the Li family’s reputation would be ruined, and he, the Second Elder, would be finished.

Both relieved and furious, Li Tianquan growled, “That little brat again!”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. How could Qian Ye be so audacious, daring to make such a scene? Did he think Li Tianquan was easy to provoke?

“Bring someone in.”

When the secretary timidly entered, Li Tianquan was sitting calmly behind his desk, ordering, “Clean this up and call those people for me.”

The young female secretary, her face slightly pale, confirmed, “Yes, sir, those people?”