Chapter 64: Epilogue

Qian Ye stepped into the Zhao camp and immediately sensed the thick scent of gunpowder. Everywhere, he saw soldiers drilling or changing shifts, and various war machines with traces of recent battles. Countless craftsmen and technicians were busy climbing up and down, working tirelessly.

However, Qian Ye suddenly noticed a detail—half of the barracks in the camp were actually mobile, armored barracks. The engineering corps was still busy replacing the remaining field tents with these mobile structures. He turned to glance at the encampments of other noble families’ private armies nearby, and the situation was similar.

Warfare was inherently expensive, and semi-permanent fortifications cost much more than temporary ones. This setup suggested not only a prolonged conflict but also a possible long-term garrison, indicating that the Empire might have changed its previous strategy of not stationing regular troops in the Evernight.

Filled with questions, Qian Ye followed the guiding Zhao soldier into the heart of the camp. A circle of tents lay ahead, serving as the offices and residences for Duke Zhaoye and the high-ranking officers of the Zhao clan. From the outside, they appeared plain and no different from the ordinary soldiers’ quarters.

As Qian Ye knocked and entered, Duke Zhaoye was engrossed in reviewing documents. A tall stack of already approved papers lay on his right, while two entire stacks of unread documents were on his left.

Duke Zhaoye put down his pen, glanced at Qian Ye, and a hint of joy flickered in his eyes. Standing up, he said, “It’s good to see you back safe. It seems your mission went well.”

Qian Ye bowed and replied, “I did manage some gains, fortunate enough to complete the task, though I was injured. At that point, I had run out of supplies and hadn’t encountered the First and Fourth Princes. I had no choice but to return.”

Duke Zhaoye walked out from behind his desk, gestured for Qian Ye to sit, and asked in surprise, “Completed the task?”

“Killed an avatar of the Heavenly Ghost,” Qian Ye replied, a pre-prepared answer.

Even the seasoned Duke Zhaoye, who had seen countless storms in his life, was taken aback.

The Empire recruited strong warriors to enter the Great Beast’s Slumber, primarily to explore the terrain and eliminate the elite of the Evernight. As long as they brought back relevant information, they would receive assured military merit. So, Duke Zhaoye was pleased to see Qian Ye return safely. The tasks of capturing fragments of ancient essence or dealing with the Heavenly Ghost avatar were expected to be handled by the last batch of marquis-level powerhouses.

Duke Zhaoye looked serious. “This is no small matter. Are you sure?”

Qian Ye remained calm. “Why would I lie about something so significant?”

Duke Zhaoye’s expression relaxed, and he nodded. “I don’t doubt you, but killing a Heavenly Ghost avatar is a bit too much for you. Just wanted to be sure. Do you have proof?”

“The avatar left a searing crystal after its death. I didn’t know what it was and inadvertently absorbed it.”

Duke Zhaoye raised an eyebrow, concerned. “Absorbed? How did it feel? Any issues?”

“During the absorption, I felt some discomfort, but afterward, my perception of void origin power became much sharper. I also saw some memory fragments, probably related to the Heavenly Ghost.”

Hearing this, even the composed Duke Zhaoye was moved. “You obtained the memories of the Heavenly Ghost? That’s perfect absorption! Very good!”

Qian Ye focused inward, searching for the residual will of the Heavenly Ghost avatar. A mysterious fluctuation emanated from him, carrying a sense of sorrow akin to reaching the end of a long era.

Suddenly, Duke Zhaoye waved his hand, and sharp strands of origin power shot from each fingertip, targeting Qian Ye’s vital points. The five strands varied in attributes: three were pure Dawn origin power, one was a dark-purple hue, and the last was true void origin power, formless yet most powerful, surpassing the combined force of the other four.

The strands flew like lightning, and Duke Zhaoye struck without warning. Qian Ye barely had time to react. Instinctively, he blocked the void origin power with his elbow, while relying on his body to withstand the other four.

A muffled thunder echoed in the room as Qian Ye and the sofa crashed backward. His face flushed red, and his battle uniform was torn in four places, revealing skin with red blotches.

Though Qian Ye looked disheveled, he had neutralized the lethal void origin power, and surprisingly, the four other strands failed to pierce his skin, which was truly shocking.

Duke Zhaoye smiled, nodding. “Good, very good! You could see through my true attack, showing your keen perception of void origin power. This will make it easier for you to advance to the rank of divine general. The aura you mimicked earlier was from the Heavenly Ghost avatar, right?”

Qian Ye nodded.

“Then there’s no problem. Everyone who completes a task in the Great Beast’s Slumber must report to Marshal Zhang Boqian for final confirmation. He participated in the battle against the Heavenly Ghost, so he can verify it.”

Meeting Marshal Zhang Boqian? Qian Ye’s heart skipped a beat, but he tried to remain calm. Could his dormant bloodline escape the scrutiny of the Emperor’s Eye? Furthermore, he now had more than just blood qi; he had condensed a blood core, which couldn’t be explained away by mixing it with dark origin power.

As Qian Ye pondered, Duke Zhaoye continued, “Whether you independently killed the Heavenly Ghost or just happened upon a severely injured avatar, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is the insight you gained from the battle and the perfect absorption of the Heavenly Ghost’s essence—opportunities that a hundred battles wouldn’t provide.”

Qian Ye remained silent, knowing Duke Zhaoye had more to say.

Indeed, Duke Zhaoye spoke earnestly, “Qian Ye, since you have this opportunity, the Zhao clan will not hesitate to cultivate you. As long as you serve the family wholeheartedly, all resources up to the rank of divine general will be provided!”

Qian Ye looked at Duke Zhaoye and said solemnly, “I will do my best.”

This wasn’t the answer Duke Zhaoyei expected. He sighed. “Qian Ye, I know you may still harbor grievances over past events. It’s Wei Huang’s family matter, and I shouldn’t interfere. But given your character and talent, I’ll add this: no matter what, blood ties are unbreakable. And Wei Huang was not wrong.”

Qian Ye remained silent. Duke Zhaoye’s thoughts were common, but he knew differently. After learning the reasons for the origin power theft from Wei Huang, he had let go of his resentment. In his short, difficult life, he had found more important things than blood relatives—comrades, brothers, and loved ones who shared life and death.

Qian Ye didn’t want to explain further. “Duke, I understand, but it takes time. Regardless, I will do my best. Please trust me.”

Duke Zhaoye smiled. “True, no need to rush. Let it happen naturally. Oh, and Wei Huang is a bit careless, often forgetting everything in battle. If you need anything and can’t reach him, come to me. I can handle some small matters.”

Hearing this, Qian Ye sighed. “Thank you, Duke.”

Duke Zhaoye waved. “No need to thank me. You earned it with your own blood.”

Duke Zhaoye didn’t detain Qian Ye further, ordering someone to take him to rest.

Qian Ye was assigned a private barrack in the officer’s quarters. He requested food and writing materials to prepare a battlefield report. The suppressed region, its terrain, indigenous species, weather, and their impact on outsiders—all were crucial information for the Empire.

After writing a few pages, Qian Ye felt restless, thinking about the upcoming meeting with Marshal Zhang Boqian. Nighteye, alone outside Blackflow City, worried him. What if she waited too long? What would she think, do?

But Qian Ye couldn’t send a message through others. Even if he could, what would he say? He couldn’t predict what tomorrow held.

In his distraction, a guard called out, “Sir Qian Ye, General Song Zining requests an audience!”

“Zining?!” Qian Ye stood up. Recalling Li Kuanglan’s words in the cave world, had Song Zining really come to the Great Beast’s Slumber to fight? And when did he become a general?

Opening the door, Qian Ye saw Song Zining, dressed in a black and gold general’s uniform, adding a heroic air to his handsome face. His rank was that of a brigadier general. Behind him stood two stunning female officers, both majors, with impressive figures.

Seventh Young Master was still Seventh Young Master, even in the Imperial camp, surrounded by beauties.

Qian Ye stared, then said, “You’re wearing the Imperial Army’s uniform!”

Song Zining smiled. “I’m temporarily attached to the army, so I wear their uniform.”

“But when did you join the Imperial Army?”

Song Zining laughed. “Temporary attachment, just helping Marshal Zhang Boqian with odd jobs. Needed a title, so the Marshal gave me this uniform.”

Getting a title and a brigadier general’s uniform so easily? Qian Ye was speechless.

Glancing at the two female officers, Qian Ye said, “Zining, you came at the right time. I need to talk to you.”

Song Zining smiled. “I also need to talk to you.” He patted the buttocks of the two female officers. “You two, find a place to rest. I need to chat with my brother.”

The two female officers glared at Song Zining and then at Qian Ye, their looks filled with desire before reluctantly following the Zhao soldier to leave.

Qian Ye was baffled by their bold behavior. Even if Song Zining was always charming, he wasn’t oblivious to the situation. This was a real battlefield under Marshal Zhang Boqian. How could such people be here?

Seeing Qian Ye’s look, Song Zining shrugged. “Not my doing. They were already in the army, and I met them after arriving. Both are from prestigious families, here to meet young heroes and solve their lifelong affairs. Interested?”

Qian Ye sighed. “Thank you, Duke.”