Chapter 285: A Master Unfit for Allegiance

“First, I swear on my life that the Zhang family will not pursue this matter any further. This is the end of it.” This was the first condition proposed by Zhang Xuanche.

Qian Ye did not speak, wearing an enigmatic smile.

Zhang Xuanche’s face turned from red to white, then from white to pale. Finally, he could no longer bear it and cleared his throat, saying, “That matter concerning City Lord Luo of Chao City can also be dropped.”

Qian Ye said nonchalantly, “Luo Bingfeng’s death had Zhang Buzhou’s involvement as well. He should be grateful to me, so why would he pursue it?”

“Lord Qian Ye, that’s not how it works…”

Qian Ye interrupted him directly, “No other conditions?”

Zhang Xuanche’s heart trembled, and he immediately forgot all the arguments he had prepared. His voice rose slightly, and he said hastily, “Of course! We can talk, there are still many things to discuss!”

This time, Zhang Xuanche, after letting go of his last shred of hope, seriously laid out many conditions, including land, rare resources, and even a large mercenary group. If it weren’t for him saying it, no one would have imagined that the master behind the mercenary group was actually Zhang Buzhou.

Qian Ye, this time, was very patient. Even when Zhang Xuanche, due to either nervousness or forgetfulness, mixed up the conditions several times, he showed no sign of impatience. Only when Zhang Xuanche stopped, did he ask, “Are you done?”

“… Done.” Zhang Xuanche’s expression changed slightly. Could such generous conditions still not satisfy Qian Ye’s appetite? Just as he was feeling uneasy, Qian Ye asked, “Do you really think you are worth so much?” Zhang Xuanche felt a lump in his throat, unsure whether to swallow it in relief or sigh in resignation.

From Qian Ye’s perspective, the value of the conditions offered by Zhang Xuanche was more than ten times that of Zhang Xuanche himself. Unless Zhang Xuanche could one day truly cross the Heavenly Pass, there would be no way to recoup the losses. But who could guarantee with absolute certainty that the Heavenly Pass could be crossed?

Zhang Xuanche, thinking that Qian Ye doubted the fulfillment of these conditions, hurriedly said, “Rest assured, these things can be delivered first. Once you confirm their accuracy, you can release me. That way, you won’t have to worry about being deceived.”

This guy was indeed considerate. After some thought, Qian Ye smiled and said, “I don’t seem to have any reason to object.”

Zhang Xuanche let out a long breath and said, “It’s good that you agree.”

“Is that so? When did I agree?”

With one sentence, Qian Ye brought Zhang Xuanche back down to earth. Zhang Xuanche, flustered, didn’t know what expression to make and stuttered, “You, you…”

Qian Ye extended a finger and said, “I only have one condition. If Tian Wang Zhang agrees, I will release you immediately. If not, prepare for your own funeral.”

Zhang Xuanche’s body trembled slightly, and he asked, “What condition, please tell me.”

“I want Chao City.”

“What?!” Zhang Xuanche’s whole body shook, hardly believing his ears.

“I want Chao City,” Qian Ye repeated.

Zhang Xuanche felt a chill run through his body, his fingertips numb. He finally managed to suppress his shock and fear and said, “Tian Wang will never agree to this!”

“Alright, I understand,” Qian Ye nodded without any further indication.

Zhang Xuanche steeled himself and gritted his teeth, “My lord! Even if Tian Wang pretends to agree and gives you the position of Chao City Lord, it’s just a title! The Wolf King is right next to Chao City. Do you think you can hold it? When I return to the mansion, once Tian Wang changes his mind, Chao City will still be under his control!”

Qian Ye looked at him with interest and said, “You really do think a lot for me, don’t you?”

“I don’t want to die,” Zhang Xuanche gritted his teeth, his expression almost tearful.

“Fine, then let’s do this. You get the things you mentioned, plus the title of Chao City Lord.”

“Th-this…” Zhang Xuanche didn’t know what else to say.

The position of Chao City Lord sounded good, but in reality, it was like sitting on a volcano. Not everyone could handle it. For instance, Luo Bingfeng’s rule was as stable as Mount Tai, and no one dared to have second thoughts. But if Qian Ye were to take over, he might be ousted from the position by the internal forces of the city alone, without Zhang Buzhou even needing to intervene.

Just like in Nan Qing City, where the official City Lord was Ji Rui, but everyone knew the real master was Qian Ye. The City Lord Ji Rui could only manage the City Lord’s Mansion and his personal assets.

So, without additional measures such as troop replacement or redistribution of benefits, the mere title of Chao City Lord meant nothing to Zhang Xuanche. But since Qian Ye insisted, he wouldn’t strongly oppose it.

“I need Tian Wang to personally announce and acknowledge my position as Chao City Lord.”

This condition seemed acceptable. Zhang Xuanche thought for a while and agreed.

Since both sides had reached an agreement, Zhang Xuanche then revealed the existence of a mole in Nan Qing City who could pass messages to Tian Wang’s residence.

Qian Ye was not surprised. Nan Qing City had always been a commercial hub, home to various kinds of people, and every faction would place a few moles there. Even if they had no ambitions, collecting intelligence and passing messages was common practice.

Qian Ye let Zhang Xuanche go, and his subordinates took care of the details, which Qian Ye didn’t need to worry about.

After Zhang Xuanche left, Qian Ye stood by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky, motionless for a long time.

He stood there for three days and three nights.

During this time, attendants came and went, and subordinates tried to persuade him, but Qian Ye simply waved them away and continued standing. It was only when an attendant informed him that the people from Tian Wang’s residence had arrived that Qian Ye finally moved, leaving his spot and heading to the reception hall.

In the reception hall, several people were already seated, with Zhang Xuanche accompanying them. When Qian Ye entered, everyone stood up to greet him.

Qian Ye scanned the room and asked, “Is the old man who was with Xuanche not here?”

The people from Tian Wang’s residence looked awkwardly at each other. Finally, an elder said, “Mr. Weidao’s identity is unique, and his whereabouts are uncertain. It’s not something we can know.”

Qian Ye was referring to the Divine General who was responsible for protecting Zhang Xuanche.

Sitting in the main seat, Qian Ye casually asked, “What position does Mr. Weidao hold in Tian Wang’s residence?”

The elder replied, “Mr. Weidao’s surname is Su, and he is a guest minister of Tian Wang’s residence, as well as a longtime friend of Tian Wang. His name is not easy to get wrong.”

Qian Ye smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

From the reactions of the people, Qian Ye knew that Su Weidao’s injuries had not yet healed. Otherwise, he would have shown up to regain his face. Being severely injured and fleeing from a young man who was not even a Divine General, and losing Tian Wang’s most cherished grandnephew, his face was left with nothing.

However, the enhanced Primordial Gun, after its advancement, specialized in cutting off vitality. Being hit by it was not easy to recover from. The Wolf King, who had been hit by a regular Primordial Gun, needed the power of his ancestors to quickly suppress the injury.

Qian Ye swept his gaze over the room and said, “Since you have come from afar, I won’t waste any more time. Have you brought the items?”

“They have been transported to the warehouse, and your people are currently checking them in.”

“And the matter of the Chao City Lord?”

“Tian Wang has approved it and has issued a document to inform the major cities.”

“Let me see the document.”

Qian Ye’s attitude was quite rude, but with Zhang Xuanche’s life in his hands, the people from Tian Wang’s residence had no choice but to comply. The elder in charge seemed to be prepared, and immediately produced a document, presenting it with both hands.

Qian Ye read it briefly. The document confirmed that after Luo Bingfeng, Qian Ye would be the new Chao City Lord. The wording was concise and straightforward, though it subtly suggested that Qian Ye was subordinate to Tian Wang. Qian Ye, however, paid little attention to this detail.

He put the document aside and looked at Zhang Xuanche, saying, “It seems Tian Wang really values you. Since the promised conditions have been met, you are free to go from this moment on.”

Zhang Xuanche, however, did not move, looking at Qian Ye expectantly, and said, “My lord, what about the poison in my body?”

“I just had her blow on you. You are not poisoned.”

Zhang Xuanche immediately clutched his chest, looking relieved, and said, “I knew it, but how could I take the risk?”

Qian Ye smiled. Zhang Xuanche’s character was indeed interesting.

Eager to leave, Zhang Xuanche, however, remembered to bow and bid farewell to Qian Ye. The elder from Tian Wang’s residence, with a meaningful look, said, “Lord Qian Ye, take care of yourself.”

Qian Ye, as if not noticing the hidden meaning, replied, “I will.”

After sending off Zhang Xuanche and the people from Tian Wang’s residence, Qian Ye gathered the heads of the workshops and the mercenary groups, announcing that he would be leaving for a while and instructing them to follow the established plan.

The others looked at each other, surprised that Qian Ye was leaving again so soon after returning. However, since Qian Ye had returned from the Great Vortex, his presence alone was a deterrent. It was unlikely there would be another Zhang Xuanche. Moreover, without the support of someone like Zhang Buzhou, taking over a major neutral city would be difficult.

As for where Qian Ye was going and what he was doing, no one dared to ask.

For Qian Ye, this was sufficient. He left the reception hall, took Xiao Zhuji, and ascended from the Darkflame headquarters, flying into the sky, disappearing beyond the clouds in an instant.

The heads of the Darkflame mercenaries, busy with their tasks, marveled at how unfathomable Lord Qian Ye was. His speed alone was not inferior to a Divine General. However, after their admiration, they felt uneasy. Now that Lord Qian Ye was gone again, wasn’t Nan Qing City left without a leader?

Recalling the period when Darkflame was flourishing, with Song Zining overseeing the big picture and laying the foundation for the entire workshop system in Nan Qing City, and with Jin Tianqing everywhere, eliminating those with ulterior motives. Despite her gentle exterior, most of the people she dealt with disappeared silently. Thinking carefully, it was indeed chilling.

As for Lord Qian Ye…

Apart from being the leader of Darkflame, it seemed he hadn’t done much else.

This time, he handled Zhang Xuanche decisively, with a king’s aura. But just as things were stabilizing, why did he suddenly leave?

Thinking carefully, this Lord Qian Ye, it seemed, was not a wise ruler.