Chapter 109: The Covenant

The colonel’s face lit up with joy as he hurriedly said, “If you are willing to go, I can guarantee that the Li family will offer an additional reward, ensuring your satisfaction. Furthermore, your daily treatment and supplies can be on par with a general!”

“General?” Qian Ye laughed and said, “They really do value me highly. I am just a brigadier general right now.”

As he spoke, Qian Ye had a vague understanding that this colonel was tasked with persuasion, and he probably had a list of key names, those being the independent powerhouses the Li family of Jing Tang wished to recruit. The rank of general, whether honorary or actual, required at least level fourteen, while Qian Ye’s current prime force level was only ten. The treatment offered by the Li family indeed gave him plenty of respect.

Upon hearing this, the colonel immediately retorted, “Who doesn’t know that sometimes, levels don’t count for much? Only the Song clan’s fools would pay based on rank.”

“But the Song clan’s battle zone is quite good,” Qian Ye looked at the map and asked, “Where have the dark races reached now?”

“According to the latest intelligence, they could appear anywhere. The fleet battle in outer space has been won, but…” The colonel hesitated before continuing, “The empire’s fleet suffered heavy losses, which can only be described as a bitter victory. As far as I know, the imperial fleet is no longer capable of blocking outer space. It can only protect our subsequent landing fleets and harass the enemy’s landing fleets, weakening them as much as possible before they land. But that’s about it.”

Qian Ye nodded; this outcome was within expectations, even better than most people had anticipated.

After all, although the empire’s floating fleet was supposedly stronger than the Eternal Night overall, the advantage was not significant. Even with the battlefield distance advantage, it was merely a slight upper hand. Now, the Eternal Night council had reacted, and yesterday’s fierce battle in outer space merely opened the curtain to the war. More armies would continue to arrive.

“Now that the war has begun, what is your decision?” the colonel asked cautiously.

Qian Ye pondered for a moment and said, “What more can the Li family offer me?”

The colonel was overjoyed and quickly replied, “Please wait a moment! I will immediately find a family elder to come and discuss with you in person.”

Qian Ye narrowed his eyes, realizing that this colonel was a member of the Jing Tang Li family. As the colonel turned to leave the tent, he suddenly shrank his neck, feeling a chill at the nape. Qian Ye, however, did not pursue it at this moment. He sat down in a chair, flipping through the latest battle reports while waiting quietly.

Soon, a gray-haired brigadier general entered the tent and saluted Qian Ye, saying, “I am Li Yanshou, serving as an elder of the Li family and also working at the Imperial Military Supply Headquarters. General Qian Ye, you are young and accomplished, already famous in this region. If you are willing to hunt in the Misty Forest, it would truly be a blessing for the Li family.”

Qian Ye smiled faintly and said, “The Misty Forest is not a good place. It suits the dark races better.”

Li Yanshou admitted, “Indeed so. That is why the Li family has shown great sincerity. Besides the general bounty for everyone, we will provide you with a monthly salary of two thousand gold coins or equivalent goods.”

Similar to the Song clan’s offer, the purpose was to attract strong individuals to stay long-term in the battle zone. Looking at the price, the Jing Tang Li family indeed treated Qian Ye as a power three levels higher, showing impeccable courtesy. However, considering the relationship between the Zhao clan and the Lis, Qian Ye couldn’t shake off a subtle feeling.

Perhaps his thoughts were reflected on his face, Li Yanshou added, “Additionally, every time you accumulate the military merit of a marquis, you will also receive the extra military merit of a viscount. Lastly, our family has some unique potions and equipment that are not usually open to the public. If you have any needs, you can certainly propose them. I think, except for one thing, there should be nothing that cannot be negotiated.”

Qian Ye smiled and asked, “What about ‘Mirror Water Cleansing Life’?”

Li Yanshou’s eyebrows twitched, and after a pause, he said, “That is exactly what I meant. However, if you really want it, accumulating the military merit of a marquis or more is not out of the question for discussion.”

Qian Ye nodded. If Li Yanshou had agreed outright, it might have raised suspicions, but his hesitation made it more believable. “With these conditions, you won’t make much profit, will you?”

Li Yanshou stroked his beard and smiled, “As long as we hold the Misty Forest, the Li family will have profited. These small benefits are insignificant. You know that after the war, during the distribution of merits and territories, the amount of territory each family receives on the floating continent will be decided by their military achievements, which is real territorial expansion.”

Qian Ye smiled and said, “In that case, I have a condition as well.”

Li Yanshou’s expression became serious as he listened intently.

“Half of my military achievements in the Misty Forest, including the rewards from the Li family, should be paid in the form of imperial military merit and recorded under my name, not under the Li family’s name.”

The smile vanished from Li Yanshou’s face as he stared at Qian Ye, saying word by word, “General Qian Ye, if these military achievements cannot be recorded under the Li family’s name, it means the Li family will suffer a significant loss in the post-war evaluation of merits. This will be very detrimental to the division of territories.”

Qian Ye showed no intention of giving in, saying calmly, “Holding the Misty Forest is the greatest achievement. Everything else is unimportant.”

Li Yanshou stared at Qian Ye, who met his gaze without backing down.

After a moment, Li Yanshou said, “The Jing Tang Li family is not a shortsighted, dishonest lot. Regardless of your background, once you join our battle zone, you will earn the respect of the family’s guest elders. Even if the military achievements are under the Li family’s name, all the benefits will still belong to you. This is something we can absolutely guarantee. So, you need not worry. If we didn’t have such credibility, how could the Li family stand in the empire!”

Qian Ye’s expression remained calm, not pretending to misunderstand the underlying meaning of Li Yanshou’s words, he just smiled and said, “If I accept the monthly salary provided by the Li family, I will, of course, not leave your battle zone without reason.”

Li Yanshou’s cheek muscles twitched awkwardly, and after a while, he finally said, “We can only record the portion you personally achieve under your name, otherwise, our loss in military achievements will be too great.”

Qian Ye said indifferently, “Then, add the extra viscount military achievement when I accumulate the military merit of a marquis.”

Li Yanshou fell silent for a while, then said, “General Qian Ye, since the Li family has made such concessions, you must show some sincerity, right?”

Qian Ye replied, “Of course. I can promise to achieve at least the military merit of a marquis in the Misty Forest.”

Li Yanshou’s expression changed slightly, pausing before saying, “General Qian Ye, you truly live up to your reputation. Since you are so confident, it’s not a problem for me to agree to these two conditions on behalf of the Li family.”

With that, the terms were roughly settled. A few moments later, the colonel brought out a contract and placed it in front of Qian Ye, apparently prepared. Qian Ye carefully read through the terms and then signed his name on the contract with a brush.

Seeing Qian Ye sign the contract, Li Yanshou’s expression returned to normal, slowly revealing a sense of satisfaction. He immediately ordered the colonel to fetch a supply of special ammunition and give it to Qian Ye as an advance. This was not standard ammunition, but real demon-slaying mithril bullets, thirty in total, indicating that the Li family had indeed provided Qian Ye with resources equivalent to those of a guest elder.

Next, both sides discussed some details. The situation was not yet urgent, and Qian Ye planned to rest for a day or two, adjusting to his best state before boarding the Li family’s floating battleship to the Misty Forest battle zone.

After the meeting, Qian Ye returned to his tent. He still had some doubts about the extraordinary hospitality of the Li family, but he did not dwell on it. The Misty Forest was the battle zone he had long chosen, and this contract maximized his interests. As for anything else, whatever should come would come.

The scenery on the void floating continent was vastly different from the Eternal Night. The climate here was similar to the empire’s homeland, though slightly colder. However, the sky here was exceptionally clear. The sun in the sky poured its bright light over the entire floating continent, bringing vitality to every corner.

The floating continent, free from the giant beast’s will, seemed particularly vibrant.

Qian Ye had no heart to appreciate the beautiful scenery, focusing entirely on his cultivation inside the tent. Before the big battle, every bit of strength gained was crucial.

However, just past noon, a clear bell rang outside the tent, causing Qian Ye’s blood to surge, and he withdrew from his cultivation state.

Outside the tent stood a major from the Li family, who, upon seeing Qian Ye, urgently said, “Just an hour ago, the dark races launched a surprise attack on the Misty Forest. The current situation and the enemy’s strength are unclear. Please head to the forward base immediately, and if necessary, please consider engaging in combat.”

Qian Ye was already prepared, and he did not hesitate. Picking up his luggage, he followed the major to the floating ship.

On the way, Qian Ye saw many floating ships taking off urgently, flying in all directions.

Noticing Qian Ye’s gaze, the major explained, “The dark races launched surprise attacks not just in one place, but in almost all seven battle zones, with landing ships dropping in each. Additionally, in their controlled forward bases, reinforcements should have arrived.”

“What about our floating fleet?”

“Still fighting the Eternal Night fleet in outer space. We don’t know the situation.”

In fact, it was clear from the dark races’ massive landings on the void floating continent that the recent aerial battle was not going smoothly for the empire.

The floating ship was nearby, and Qian Ye quickened his pace, swiftly boarding the gangway. Inside the high-speed floating ship, five or six people were already seated. Qian Ye glanced around, and from their attire, he could tell they were, like him, strong individuals recruited by the Li family.

When Qian Ye appeared at the cabin door, several gazes simultaneously fell on him, some inquiring, some observing, and some challenging and intimidating, with one even carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Qian Ye frowned slightly and returned the gaze unflinchingly, spotting a lean, sallow-faced man sitting in a corner of the cabin. He wore a camouflaged combat uniform, but without any rank or unit insignia.

The man’s appearance was unremarkable, but his eyes, like snake pupils, were striking. When he saw Qian Ye looking, he bared his teeth and silently mouthed an expletive at him.

Qian Ye’s expression turned cold, and his eyes instantly flashed a deep blue. In his true vision, the man’s prime force fluctuations were clearly visible. His level was as high as thirteen, equivalent to a viscount in the Eternal Night, no wonder he was so arrogant.

But Qian Ye did not recognize this face, nor did he know where the hostility came from.