Chapter 18: Early Childhood Education

The air was thick with the fragrance of wine, and over the crackling fires, racks of sizzling meat were roasting. Nearby, people were engaged in wrestling matches, and the spectators would occasionally burst into cheers. It seemed that no matter where in the military, a celebratory scene would always be rough and boisterous.

Qian Ye lay flat on his back in the canopy of a lush tree, his hands behind his head, his eyes reflecting the deep blue night sky and the twin Alpha stars that dominated half the heavens.

After living under the Iron Curtain for so long, even the sight of the crimson moon felt familiar.

Zhao Jundu suddenly appeared among the branches, sitting down beside Qian Ye and asking, “Are you here to avoid drinking or to avoid fighting?”

“Both,” Qian Ye answered honestly, a hint of helplessness crossing his face. He had just learned about the loud reputation he had earned in the Zhao army.

The Zhao clan valued martial prowess, and their private troops were fierce and wild. Those who could survive months of bloody battles were all seasoned veterans. In such an environment, there was no real distinction between ranks, so Qian Ye truly experienced the enthusiasm of the Yan Yun Iron Cavalry. After he flipped at least a company of men in the wrestling matches and drank with more than half of the soldiers present, he finally couldn’t hold out any longer and retreated to this tree.

“The team will rest for five days, then we’ll see how the Iron Curtain changes and follow the imperial command,” Zhao Jundu said. “What do you plan to do?”

“I need to return to Blackflow City. The Iron Curtain could open at any moment, and the Nan Gong family, having suffered a great loss last time, won’t let it go easily.”

“If you’re worried about Song Zining, you don’t have to. The Nan Gong family may be arrogant, but they’re not stupid. Song Zining is now highly visible, and the Nan Gong family would risk their status as a noble family if they openly targeted him. Besides, with Song Zining’s status, all he did was kill some vassals of their minor branches, which can be settled with money.”

Qian Ye shook his head. “The grudge with the Nan Gong family is mine.”

Zhao Jundu frowned. “Regarding Nan Gong Xiaofeng injuring Yu Ying, the Duke of Yu hasn’t eased up on the possibility of reconciliation with the Nan Gong family. If they dare come after you again, I will make them understand that even without the Iron Curtain, they won’t get away with disrespecting the Zhao clan.”

Qian Ye realized that Zhao Jundu only knew part of the story about his feud with the Nan Gong family. Zhao Yu Ying hadn’t mentioned anything about Nan Gong Xiao Niao, but Qian Ye didn’t intend to ask the Zhao clan for help. “I can handle this myself.”

Zhao Jundu’s frown didn’t dissipate. “In the Empire, matters of blood are resolved with blood. On the surface, everyone follows the rules, but while arrows are easy to block, hidden ones are hard to guard against. Since this started because of Yu Ying, it’s natural for the Zhao clan to step in.”

Qian Ye thought for a moment and said, “I have my own score to settle with them. Some things can’t be measured by mere benefits.”

Zhao Jundu, being astute, immediately understood the deeper meaning. Negotiations among noble families were all about weighing advantages. Even someone like Zhao Yu Ying, with her high status, was merely a bargaining chip on the negotiation table, though of varying value.

But in the Battle of Blackflow, if not for Song Zining’s miraculous efforts, what might have happened? Though they ultimately won a great victory, Qian Ye wasn’t ready to forget the actions of the Nan Gong family, and he intended to resolve this grudge in his own way.

They fell silent for a moment.

The atmosphere on the large training field remained as lively as ever, but through the dense foliage, only a few joyful notes drifted, making this small space seem particularly peaceful.

Zhao Jundu suddenly said, “Actually, when I was young, I hated you the most.”

Qian Ye was taken aback and turned to look at him. In the sparse shadows of the treetop, Zhao Jundu’s flawless face still shone with an almost otherworldly light.

“The first time I saw Mother cry, she did it secretly, hiding from everyone. I knew it was because of you.”

“You sat by the window, so small, not much taller than a flower vase.”

“I pushed you onto the bed, and you struggled for a long time before managing to sit up, then fall again, and sit up again. You were very clumsy, and you didn’t even know how to cry.”

“Until you were two years old, you couldn’t speak.”

“Father thought I liked you too because I often went to your courtyard.”

“The wet nurse who took care of you was rather lazy. She often left your hair damp after bathing you. Once, you caught a cold, and your face was burning hot, but you didn’t cry. You just said, ‘It hurts.'”

Zhao Jundu’s words were disjointed, not forming a complete narrative, as if he were speaking more to himself. His expression was calm, his eyes fixed on a point in the void, as if he could see the river of time flowing backwards.

Qian Ye listened patiently, for that was also his life, though he remembered none of it.

The wind from the endless night swept across the ground, rustling the leaves, and Zhao Jundu’s somewhat chilly voice became even more fragmented, until it stopped altogether.

In the early morning, Qian Ye quietly left, returning to Blackflow City.

When Qian Ye returned to Blackflow City, he almost didn’t recognize the bustling and lively city. It was already ten o’clock at night, but the city gates were still open, with a long line of wagons and people waiting to pay and enter.

The city was brightly lit, and the sound of excited chatter and even music could be heard.

Qian Ye squeezed through the crowd, and a Dark Flame officer recognized him, immediately saluting, “Lord Qian Ye, you’ve returned!” Then he desperately cleared a path through the crowd.

As Qian Ye stepped into the city, he was stunned by the sight before him, almost forgetting to ask the officer.

The main road leading to the western gate was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder. On both sides of the road, numerous stalls were set up, selling all kinds of goods, and even dancers were performing in the street.

Qian Ye was speechless, looking up at the sky, where the gray Iron Curtain hung like a heavy curtain. If not for that, he might have forgotten that Blackflow City was still within the range of the Blood War.

“What’s going on?”

“The Hidden Springs Merchant Group is here! They’ll stay for three days!” The Dark Flame officer’s voice was tinged with barely concealed excitement.

Life on the Evernight Continent was usually monotonous and dull. Blackflow City had always been a third-rate city, and its location on the border made it a place where practicality ruled. Luxury goods were rarely seen, let alone something from the top-ranked Hidden Springs Merchant Group.

Hidden Springs? A Qi, A Jiu, and the late No. Seventeen came from there. Something in Qian Ye’s heart twinged slightly.

Then Qian Ye remembered that Song Zining had repeatedly tried to convince him to visit the big cities to watch the performances of the Hidden Springs Merchant Group and buy some good items, but he had always refused. He never imagined that Song Zining would have the ability to bring the Hidden Springs to Blackflow City.

The Blood War was not over yet!

Qian Ye’s face darkened, looking at the noisy street ahead, and asked, “Why are there so many people in the city?”

It turned out that after Song Zining began accepting the support of noble family teams, more and more people came to Blackflow City. These were true nobles from the upper continent, and even in wartime, the supplies in Blackflow City were far too crude and scanty.

Of course, these noble children were not short of money, and Song Zining had his methods, so various merchant groups gradually came to trade in Blackflow City, and the number of people increased. When the touring Hidden Springs Merchant Group announced a three-day performance in Blackflow City, the excitement reached its peak.

Even though Blackflow City was under the Iron Curtain, a steady stream of people from other parts of Three Rivers County and neighboring regions continued to arrive.

Thinking of the dark army gathering in the 87th Mountain Range hundreds of kilometers away, and looking at the incredibly lively street in front of him, Qian Ye didn’t know what to say. This place didn’t resemble a frontline at all.

When Qian Ye entered the Dark Flame base, he sighed inwardly in relief. Everything here was normal and orderly. The watchtowers and observation posts were strictly guarded, and the occasional glint of guns could be seen from various high points. The long bugle call from the large training field indicated that the evening drill had just ended.

At the entrance of the main building, Qian Ye met Song Hu, who had just finished a day’s worth of military duties. He asked where Song Zining was and found out he was in the small training field next to the armory, so he went there directly.

However, as Qian Ye walked, he felt a bit strange. It was rare to see Song Zining practicing seriously. His martial arts were said to be derived from calligraphy and painting, and he seldom went for virtual combat, let alone training with firearms this late at night.

The small training field was the furthest north area of the armory, a clearing in front of a spare floating boat warehouse, used exclusively for outdoor practice by senior Dark Flame officers.

The field was well-lit with origin power lamps. The rusted doors of the warehouse were open, and a small cart was placed by the door, loaded with various close combat weapons and firearms.

On the cart, a lounge chair was set up, made of a rare type of wood, exquisitely crafted with smooth lines, looking very comfortable.

From a distance, Qian Ye recognized Song Zining, who was dozing in the lounge chair. He was completely speechless.

The person doing the firearm training was, of course, someone else. In the small training field, a white light was swirling, a long-handled saber-like weapon, ideal for cavalry charges.

Qian Ye watched as the white light swirled, slashed horizontally, and cut diagonally. Although the moves were somewhat simple, they were executed with grace and fluidity, clearly suited for someone skilled with heavy weapons.

But why was the white light so low?

At that moment, the white light dissipated, revealing a small figure. The long saber flew up, drawing an arc before landing in the cart of weapons without a sound.

Qian Ye stared, dumbfounded, at the small figure. A strange thought crossed his mind: Was there something wrong with Joo Ji’s child-rearing?

Joo Ji stood in place, touched her curly hair, adjusted her traditional dress, and then, like a cannonball, rushed toward Song Zining, climbing onto his lap and sitting gracefully.

Song Zining moved, slowly opening his eyes to look at the elegant Joo Ji sitting on his lap, as if at a banquet. He gave a faint, enigmatic smile, then turned to Qian Ye, smiling, “You’re back?”