Noble guests from all corners gathered around, most of them with the same spectator’s mindset as the aforementioned duo. Among them, many who were both powerful and impatient simply flew into the air, looking down from above, to take in the full view of the elders of the Song Clan in their miserable state. Whether they flew at a moderate height with graceful poise to subtly show off their prowess, no one could be certain.
Almost every gaze was now fixed upon Qian Ye. After all, he had already become a legendary figure, radiating brilliance in the battle of the Unfallen City. Even within the higher echelons of the Empire, there was a considerable debate: considering Qian Ye’s remarkable contributions to the Empire and the human race, should his vampire identity be overlooked?
This viewpoint gained quite some momentum, mainly because no one had known that Qian Ye was a vampire before, and he himself had shown no signs of losing control. This was clearly different from being infected, assimilated, or inheriting vampiric bloodlines. Given the existence of the racially mixed neutral territories, it could perhaps be explained by the activation of latent vampiric blood in a naturally born half-blood, which, in reality, did not involve issues of factional principles or inherent enmities.
However, standing irreconcilably against the dark races and executing any who set foot on Imperial lands was a rule established by the founding ancestor, and no exceptions could change it. Besides, without such an iron-clad rule to instill fear, there would likely be more defectors within the human race, lured by power, longevity, and profit.
Setting aside matters of state, the legendary Qian Ye was now right before them, alive and well, and everyone naturally saw this as a golden opportunity. The more daring among the noblewomen fixated on him, wishing to ensnare him with their eyes and drag him over for a closer look.
Qian Ye, in a fit of rage, subdued Lǐ Fēngshuǐ for Night Pupil and then fled the Unfallen City, leaving the Empire and forsaking a promising future. To men, this seemed utterly foolish. In fact, he and Night Pupil together essentially implicated him with the vampires, making him the first to err. Had he been more conciliatory, a solution might have been found. Up to now, apart from some faction within the military kicking up a fuss, the rest of the nobility either turned a blind eye or took an ambiguous stance, indicating room for maneuver. Such drastic measures hardly seemed necessary.
But in the eyes of the young maidens, it was a completely different story. They saw only Qian Ye, willing to risk everything for his beloved. Now that they finally had the chance, they were eager to get a good look. Not only did they watch, but a few of the maidens also huddled together, whispering and commenting on Qian Ye, much like men evaluating courtesans in a brothel.
Not far away, Sòng Huì, still dressed as a handmaiden, looked disgusted and muttered, “Hmph! A bunch of shameless things, not even bothering to pretend anymore.”
Perhaps feeling that numbers made them invincible, or genuinely disregarding the Song Clan, the guests spoke quite loudly. At least some of their words reached the ears of the Song elders. The phrase, “As stupid as the Song Clan elders,” immediately turned their faces green.
Yet, despite their anger, the first thing the elders did was hastily climb out of the rubble and straighten their appearances. While they could play dead in front of Qian Ye, how could they possibly feign death before so many guests?
In an instant, the Song Clan elders scrambled to their feet, dusting themselves off, and soon stood energetically. Some who were still in the ruins even flew out. Apart from the former patriarch Sòng Zhòngchéng, who was severely injured, most of the other elders appeared unharmed, at least on the surface.
Qian Ye and Sòng Zǐníng exchanged glances, and Qian Ye said, “I told you I went too easy on them. If I had known, I shouldn’t have held back to three parts.”
Sòng Zǐníng’s smile was awkward, his expression helpless, but his eyes gradually became deep and distant.
The Song Clan elders, true to their merchant nature, read the situation perfectly. They had heard Sòng Zǐníng say, “Don’t kill them,” and since there was no real threat to their lives, serious resistance would only invite more punishment. Once down, what could Qian Ye do, even if he were as mighty as a war god?
There were always people who played possum in the common streets, and high-ranking clans had the Song Clan elders. Sòng Zǐníng wished he had never understood the hearts of others. But of the myriad paths, he chose the most unconventional, traversing all methods and reaching the realm of transcendence, tempering the multitude, and ultimately achieving worldly splendor. Blood relations and kinship were thus trivial.
At this moment, the elder who had risen first pointed at the guards and shouted angrily, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and apprehend the two villains who attacked the council!”
Some of the guards had already taken Sòng Zhòngchéng to the medics, while the rest glanced at each other, unmoving. Though lowly in status, they had basic judgment. During the mourning period, it was clear who truly grieved for the old lady’s passing and who was already scheming to divide the estate before the forty-nine days were over.
The guard captain, under pressure, forced a smile, “Elder, isn’t that the seventh young master?”
“What seventh young master! He’s no longer part of the Song family! He’s an outsider now, take him down, are you deaf?”
Though this elder was one of those who fell without a fight, did he truly lack temper after rolling in the dirt? No, certainly not. His hysterical roar was directed entirely at the guard captain. But to face Qian Ye and Sòng Zǐníng himself, he would never dare.
As he vented his fury, he failed to notice the strange expressions on the spectators’ faces. Many began to frown and ponder, their gazes shifting between the Song elders and Sòng Zǐníng, lost in thought.
Qian Ye’s expression changed for the first time. He looked at Sòng Zǐníng and said slowly, “I really want to kill someone. You don’t need to worry about me, I can fight my way out.”
Sòng Zǐníng shook his head, “No, it’s not worth it.”
Hearing this, the elder’s bravado increased. He turned to Qian Ye and roared, “You, a filthy vampire, will soon be torn to pieces… Ah!!”
Qian Ye’s figure flashed, a blood glow appearing in his hand, and in an instant, he severed the elder’s limbs!
The elder, in excruciating pain and fear, rolled and screamed in the rubble, soon falling unconscious. Not a single elder moved a step during the entire process.
Sòng Zǐníng’s gaze swept the crowd, but he still couldn’t spot Sòng Zhōnnián, near or far. Disappointment did not reflect in his indifferent eyes, only the flickering flames of anger.
He said solemnly, “There are no vampires here. Master Yè Qiān is a purebred human. Defamation, according to the Great Qin law, is also punishable. Moreover, if there were indeed vampires present, few of you would survive.”
This was a naked threat, particularly effective when paired with the mutilated body of the elder.
After speaking, Sòng Zǐníng smiled faintly, “Since I’m no longer part of the Song Clan, allow me to kill one person first!”
His figure moved, creating several afterimages, each with a different posture, and instantly appeared before a young man, gently tapping his forehead, then returning to his original position.
Sòng Zǐníng said sternly, “Sòng Zǐ’ān, when you traveled to the neutral territory and sold my whereabouts to the Wolf King, causing my capture and near-death, did you ever think there would be today?”
The young man was Sòng Zǐ’ān, who had betrayed him. Now, clutching his neck, he made a choking sound, pointing at Sòng Zǐníng, unable to speak.
An elder, a senior in Sòng Zǐ’ān’s household, jumped out, shocked and enraged, shouting, “Sòng Zǐníng, what have you done to him? He is your cousin, how could you be so cruel?”
Sòng Zǐníng sneered, “When we were in the ancient circle of the Teng War Fortress, did he ever recognize me as his cousin? Sòng Zǐ’ān, go in peace.”
Sòng Zǐ’ān made a few more choking sounds, and suddenly, leaves floated above his head. His face turned pale, and he fell backward, lifeless.
Silence fell.
No one expected that the usually gentle and suave Sòng Zǐníng would publicly kill his own blood relative!
It wasn’t until Sòng Zǐ’ān died and two Song elders were severely injured that the crowd put away their frivolous attitudes, feeling a chill of fear.
Despite their handsome appearances, both Qian Ye and Sòng Zǐníng were ruthless killers.
Sòng Zǐníng surveyed the crowd and proclaimed, “I originally came back with hope, thinking that as a member of the Gāolíng Sòng lineage, I could perhaps save the day and prop up the crumbling edifice. With my years in the military and countless battles under my belt, why couldn’t I use my own strength to bring peace to my homeland?”
He paused, then said bitterly, “But it is easier to support a collapsing building than to change hearts. When even blood relatives and bone kin are so divided, what can I do? Only now do I understand the feelings of our ancestors. What can one do with such people? Should I really slaughter the entire council?”
The elders’ faces turned green, but none dared to speak. Since Sòng Zǐníng had already started killing, what difference did it make whether it was one or a few? The Empire wouldn’t intervene in clan affairs, and their secret allies were too far to help.
The guests, however, were moved and sighed. Most of them were from the main branches of noble families, and seeing the plight of the Song Clan, even Sòng Zǐníng could not turn the tide. For a moment, those with ideals and aspirations felt disheartened.
Sòng Zǐníng’s voice echoed, “I, Sòng Zǐníng, have been to the underworld and joined the military, walking through battlefields. My reputation is built on the bones of my enemies, so anyone who thinks I won’t kill is mistaken.”
With Sòng Zǐ’ān’s body still warm, no one doubted Sòng Zǐníng’s words.
Pausing briefly, Sòng Zǐníng’s tone turned icy, “If the elders believe I am no longer part of the Song Clan, so be it. But let me leave this here. The public property of the Gāolíng Sòng, the foundation of the livelihood of tens of thousands, whether from inside or outside the clan, anyone who dares to plot or buy it at a low price is my lifelong enemy! Whoever wants to swallow what the ancestors built must be prepared for destruction. I, Sòng Zǐníng, will stop at nothing.”
These words, coming from the future military god of the Empire, carried a special weight, leaving many with complex expressions, lost in thought.
Turning to the Song elders, Sòng Zǐníng said calmly, “My final advice: prepare for what is to come. It won’t be long before the envoy of the Qingyang King arrives.”
This news was more shocking than Sòng Zǐníng’s speech, and the Song elders erupted in chaos, losing all composure.
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