Chapter 3: The Harvest (Part I)

Qian Ye felt a deep sense of regret. Given Gu Liyu’s resolute and cautious nature, such a perfect opportunity might never come again.

Originally, even if he had the intention, he wouldn’t have been able to find Gu Liyu’s whereabouts. But unexpectedly, perhaps due to being suppressed for too long, or maybe because he was up to some sinister plot, Gu Liyu appeared right in front of him. However, in the future, without absolute certainty of killing Qian Ye, Gu Liyu would surely not reveal himself as brazenly as he did today.

But Qian Ye also gave Gu Liyu a big surprise.

Gu Liyu never expected that Qian Ye would show no interest in his intentions and completely disregard his identity, actually firing a gun in the city! The cost of losing an arm was quite severe.

Gazing at the vast mountains, Qian Ye suddenly raised his Twin Blossoms and fired a shot into the air!

The dark red origin bullet soared straight up, piercing through the deep night, making it especially conspicuous. The loud gunshot echoed through the valley, traveling far and wide.

Qian Ye believed that Gu Liyu could hear it and understand its meaning.

Your death, my survival.

After giving up on the pursuit, Qian Ye did not rush back to the city. Instead, he carefully observed his surroundings and found a hidden spot to begin his recovery.

Having run at his maximum speed until now, Qian Ye’s origin power was almost depleted. He hadn’t used any stimulants, partly because he hoped that Gu Liyu, relying on his higher level of origin power, would turn around and counterattack. At that point, Qian Ye would give him a memorable surprise. However, Gu Liyu’s overly cautious nature ruined this small trap.

At this moment, dozens of kilometers away, the pale-faced Gu Liyu appeared in a well-disguised cave. Inside, it was set up as a small supply station, with bedding, some food, and necessary medicines. Gu Liyu found two long-lasting blood packs and replenished his blood loss, finally regaining some color in his face.

Footsteps sounded outside, and Gu Liyu immediately leaped up, drew his dagger, and quietly approached the entrance, holding his breath.

The person outside did not rashly enter but called out, “Liyu, are you there? It’s me!”

It was Ye Muwei’s voice. Gu Liyu lowered his dagger and said weakly, “Come in!”

Ye Muwei entered the cave, her eyes immediately falling on Gu Liyu’s limp left arm. Though he had made a simple brace for it, the color of the exposed back of his hand and its lifeless movement suggested a complete severance.

Ye Muwei’s voice trembled, “Liyu! Your arm…”

Gu Liyu regained his usual composure, “It’s fine. I don’t rely on brute strength. After returning, I’ll just use some military merit to get my arm reattached.”

Ye Muwei’s face turned even paler. So, Gu Liyu’s left arm was truly useless. Still, she nodded and forced a smile. Both knew that such a fundamental injury, even if eventually repaired, would cause a significant blow to his personal combat ability.

In the highly martial empire, even those in advisory roles, which tended more towards civilian positions, needed formidable personal combat skills. Otherwise, how could those proud and fierce soldiers obey them?

Ye Muwei helped Gu Liyu treat his wound. After a while, seeing his condition stabilize, she felt a little more at ease.

Remembering the instigator, she gritted her teeth in anger, saying, “Liyu! When we return, we’ll issue a warrant for his arrest! How dare he harm an advisor of the Imperial Military Command? No one can protect him from this charge!”

Gu Liyu’s face was extremely grim, but he did not immediately respond. After a long pause, he said, “No, don’t report this. Say… we encountered a patrol of the dark race and were injured in the ensuing battle.”

Ye Muwei was shocked, “Why?! Isn’t this too lenient for that kid?”

Gu Liyu stared at the flickering campfire, speaking slowly, “Reporting the conflict means explaining the process, and if we fabricate the entire reason, it will leave too many loose ends for others to criticize. With my current status, the law enforcement marines sent after us would be no more than warriors. If Yin Qiqi and the Wei family can’t protect him, they can still warn him. Have you thought about what would happen if he escapes into the wilderness, once we fail to kill him?”

Ye Muwei pondered, shivering suddenly.

Qian Ye was a wolf, the most dangerous hunter in the wilderness. He had already demonstrated his perseverance and patience during the Spring Hunt and proved that status and influence had no deterrent effect on him when dealing with Zhao Junhong. Such a person, if free of all constraints and bindings, would become the most terrifying killer. He could lie in wait for ten, twenty, or even thirty years, as long as he could ultimately kill his target.

During this time, Yin Qiqi and the Wei family would likely be very happy to provide him with whatever he needed, whether intelligence or weapons, only sharpening his fangs.

Gu Liyu gloomily stated, “Qian Ye has just formed a mercenary group. That’s the leash holding him back. With this rope, at least we know where to find him. Once he breaks free, how can we sleep soundly in the future?”

Ye Muwei nodded.

Leaning against the stone wall, Gu Liyu closed his eyes and said softly, “This time, I was careless, but next time, I won’t be. Let that kid live a few more days. If he survives the dark race after this war, I’ll send someone to find him again.”

Finally, a genuine smile appeared on Ye Muwei’s face, “I believe in you. Time is always on your side!”

A faint sense of pride appeared on Gu Liyu’s face. Indeed, he had always left his peers far behind, widening the gap. Apart from a few geniuses from the great noble families, Gu Liyu held no one else in high regard. While strength was indeed crucial, at higher levels, it wasn’t everything.

Thinking of this, Gu Liyu said, “It’s getting late. Rest. Tomorrow we return to our unit. The major war is imminent, and the old man from the Yin family wants to make a show in this battle. I need to perfect my plan for him. Hmph, Qian Ye, if it weren’t for this war…”

As Gu Liyu and Ye Muwei began to rest, Qian Ye had just completed his training. He slowly stood up, and as soon as he took a step, he stumbled, his legs feeling both sore and numb, as if countless ants were crawling within his bones.

Instead of being alarmed, Qian Ye was delighted. The sixth origin node he had lit was in his left knee. Lighting the origin nodes in both knees would strengthen various parts of his body, especially his legs. This soreness and itching meant that his leg bones and muscles were regrowing, and the intensity indicated a thorough transformation. Once stabilized, his leg strength and speed would significantly increase.

The only pity was that such a change required time, and the more thorough the change, the more time it needed. If this enhancement had come a few days earlier, Gu Liyu might not have escaped so easily.

Thinking of this, Qian Ye shook his head inwardly. No wonder Ji Yuanjia, with his explosive sword technique, claimed there was only a 30% chance of killing him. Before achieving overwhelming speed, Qian Ye’s chances were slim. In battles between strong fighters, the higher the level, the easier it was to win but harder to finish off the opponent.

Qian Ye slowed his pace, jogging back to Blackstream City to avoid further strain on his legs. As dawn approached, he returned to the city.

Blackstream City now exuded a tense atmosphere, with many more expeditionary guards patrolling the walls. Seeing these slow-to-react expeditionary forces, Qian Ye only hoped they would act more quickly when the war with the dark races began.

It was not yet time for the city gates to open, but the duty officer, a captain from the Wei family, greeted Qian Ye. He leaped over the wall and entered the city.

Qian Ye first went to the place where he met Gu Liyu. The abandoned lot was empty and silent, as if nothing had happened. He turned into a side path, which was close to the mercenary base. After a couple of turns, he saw the newly installed gate.

From a distance, the entire base seemed to be sleeping, except for Song Hu’s room, which was still lit. Qian Ye entered quietly without disturbing the guards.

Song Hu was standing in front of a map, deep in thought.

Qian Ye approached and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Almost simultaneously, Song Hu noticed the additional presence in the room and instinctively swung his hand, a cold blade flashing toward Qian Ye’s throat.

Qian Ye deftly blocked and grasped Song Hu’s wrist. Song Hu felt like his wrist was encased in a metal ring, immovable no matter how hard he tried, and his surging origin power hit a solid wall, unable to budge.

Recognizing Qian Ye, Song Hu relaxed.

Qian Ye smiled and released his grip.

Song Hu moved his stiff wrist, which bore clear finger marks and was swelling rapidly. He didn’t show it, but he was secretly shocked. In that brief exchange, Song Hu didn’t feel a significant difference in their origin power.

Both were at the sixth level, though Song Hu had dropped down. His understanding of the levels was much deeper than most. He knew Qian Ye had just reached the sixth level and felt his origin power was slightly above standard. Yet, their clash was like a wave hitting a dam, and Song Hu was thoroughly defeated. If ordinary origin power was like a shield, Qian Ye’s was like a wall.

“So, this is the power of Dawn Enlightenment? Truly deserving of its reputation!” Song Hu’s tone held a newfound respect.

Qian Ye remained noncommittal and asked, “How has the situation in the city been since I left?”

Song Hu shrugged, “Very peaceful, just like this. With the Wei family’s people in charge of the city’s small units, they wouldn’t bother us. But don’t expect them to provoke the strong ones either.”

Qian Ye gave him a look. Hadn’t Song Hu complained about the defensive distribution given by the Wei family just a few days ago? Was it settled now?

“However, we did have a small gain. I brought back that off-road vehicle. Tsk, tsk, the Hound Motorcycle. Even in Qin Lu, it’s top-notch. You should sell it and use the money to solve our urgent needs.”

Qian Ye raised an eyebrow, then laughed, praising, “Not bad, quick work.”