Chapter 133: A Matter Most Improper

Qian Ye sighed inwardly, perhaps this was the price of war.

After a half-day of calm, Guanlan City descended into chaos at nightfall. Fires erupted throughout the city, and the sounds of slaughter and combat rose and fell, with defensive cannons firing desperately. Some fired aimlessly into the sky, while others targeted specific points with precision, systematically clearing their targets. Even more bizarrely, some cannons were firing at adjacent towers, causing them to crumble in no time.

The streets were teeming with private family troops, with the Xue family’s forces being the most numerous and conspicuous. These warriors, filled with a murderous aura, stormed several family compounds, slaughtering everyone they encountered without mercy. Even a small family that had been on good terms with the Xues could not escape the carnage.

At some point, several floating ships appeared in the night sky. They looked like ordinary cargo ships, but their firepower was astonishing. Any area on the ground that resisted fiercely was immediately suppressed by aerial strikes, and then overwhelmed by the Xue family’s troops.

The intense battle raged through the night, only gradually ceasing as dawn approached, though sporadic gunfire could still be heard.

Qian Ye stood on a floating ship, gazing down at the burning city. The ship circled in the air, occasionally shuddering violently as it unleashed a barrage of shells onto the city below.

The artillery fire was extraordinarily accurate; Qian Ye saw almost no collateral damage. This indicated that the gunners were formidable, at least at the level of a war general.

On the ground, the resistance from the various families was gradually crumbling. Occasionally, a shadow would leap from the battlefield, only to be pursued and killed by several others. These were the hidden demonkin within the families, who had failed to escape when the chaos erupted.

There were few demonkin casualties, and none of them were particularly strong. No one of Aiden’s caliber was seen, leaving Qian Ye and Ji Tianqing no opportunity to intervene. This was not surprising; the demonkin were adept at concealment and evasion, and the true powerhouses had likely fled at the first sign of trouble. The remaining ones were merely small fry.

However, this conflict dealt a severe blow to the demonkin’s influence. Their vassal families were uprooted, stripping them of their eyes and ears, making it difficult for them to organize effective operations. Although they still had powerful figures like Aiden, the presence of Qian Ye on the Empire’s side made Aiden hesitant to act rashly.

With this reprieve, Song Zining had the upper hand and could lay out his plans calmly. Even if he did not have full command, Qian Ye knew that the former Song family prodigy would work tirelessly, holding nothing back.

The price for this advantage was the burning Guanlan City and the destroyed families within. The hatred sown tonight might last for a century.

Such is the nature of war.

Silently observing the battlefield, Qian Ye suddenly asked, “How many people did you send?”

Ji Tianqing countered with a question, “Did you notice?”

Qian Ye pointed casually, “Aren’t those the fallen angels? Their techniques are too distinctive.”

“Less than a hundred.”

Although fewer than a hundred people were sent to Guanlan City, each was a top-notch warrior. They moved in small teams, sometimes infiltrating alone and other times coordinating to take down larger targets. Watching these elite warriors on the ground, Qian Ye felt as if he were back in his early days as a novice.

From start to finish, Aiden and other demonkin elites never appeared, making the outcome of the battle a foregone conclusion. Finally, Ji Tianqing said, “Let’s go back.” The floating ship slowly turned and headed towards Nandu City.

In Nandu City, the headquarters of Dark Flame did not bask in victory and joy but instead was tense with an undercurrent of hostility.

In the meeting room, Song Zining sat calmly, gently fanning himself. However, his trusted subordinates behind him were far from relaxed; some looked very nervous, while others glared angrily. This was because all the accusations in the room were directed at Song Zining.

Yan Ding stood, nearly pointing at Song Zining’s nose, “Song Zining! How dare you seize the military’s warships! This is a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire family!”

Song Zining didn’t answer but used his fan to push away the finger nearing his nose, smiling lightly, “General Yan, stay calm.”

Yan Ding, shaking with rage, shouted, “Song Zining! Fine, very fine! Aren’t you afraid of bringing calamity to your family?”

“Oh, I’m…afraid.”

The room was filled with laughter. Everyone knew that even if Song Zining committed a grave crime, no one could really bring down the Song family. The standard practice was for the Song family to disown him, thus washing their hands of the matter. This was a privilege of the aristocratic families, which lesser clans did not enjoy.

Yan Ding, knowing this well, was even more furious. If not for his self-awareness that he was no match for Song Zining, he might have already attacked.

Seeing that he couldn’t win in a verbal or physical confrontation, Yan Ding, feeling humiliated, raged, “Your aristocratic families are the empire’s cancer. Only by uprooting you can the empire hope for revival!”

Many in the room changed their expressions. Most of those present were from aristocratic families or closely related.

Li Kuanglan, also present, raised his sword-like eyebrows, ready to lash out. An elder beside him could not hold back, coldly saying, “Our families have bled and sweated for a thousand years to establish the empire. How dare you, ignorant little rat, speak such nonsense?”

Another elder chimed in, “The military serves the empire. What right do its lapdogs have to be so arrogant, forgetting their place?”

A third added sinisterly, “Does the military intend to uproot our aristocratic families? And after we fall, who will be next?”

“The answer is obvious: whoever is above the military.”

Yan Ding, initially seething, was now drenched in cold sweat. These aristocrats, with their cunning, did not mention Yan Ding directly but pinned the blame on the military. If these words spread, the military leaders would not let Yan Ding off, even without the aristocrats’ involvement.

Song Zining said, “I merely borrowed a few cargo ships. General Yan, why the urgency? They will be back soon. If there’s any damage, I will compensate you. And if there are any merits, you will get your share.”

Yan Ding, caught between a rock and a hard place, found an out and grunted, “If there are any merits, it’s because of your skillful planning. I wouldn’t dream of taking credit.”

Though he was still furious, he quickly returned to his seat. The room was divided into four factions: Song Zining, Yan Ding, Li Kuanglan and the other aristocratic families, and the imperial faction. These few represented the entirety of the empire’s forces in the neutral territory.

An elderly, clean-shaven man from the imperial faction cleared his throat and spoke slowly, “Young Master Seven’s decisive action is indeed commendable. But this operation has only cleaned up the surrounding areas, barely touching the lurking demonkin. What’s the next step?”

Song Zining replied without hesitation, “Launch a direct assault on Listening Tide City and take the Great Vortex!”

The room was shocked.

The clean-shaven elder was also taken aback, “Is Young Master Seven joking? With our current strength, how can we take Listening Tide City?”

Song Zining explained, “While we are slightly inferior, we are not incapable of a fight. By restraining the City Lord, Bingfeng Luo, and concentrating our forces, using feints and striking weak points, we can break the defenses. When Bingfeng Luo is isolated, he will retreat.”

The elder frowned, “This is too risky. We know nothing about Bingfeng Luo. Restraint against such a master is not easy. Also, who will command this operation?”

Song Zining calmly replied, “Naturally, me.”

The elder remained silent, while Yan Ding sneered, “How do I know you won’t intentionally send my men to their deaths? I’ve already deeply offended you, haven’t I?”

Ignoring Yan Ding, Song Zining looked at Li Kuanglan, “What does the Young Master think?”

Li Kuanglan, indifferent, said flatly, “This plan is not appropriate.”

Song Zining, genuinely surprised, pressed, “What’s inappropriate about it?”

“Just inappropriate!”

Song Zining, at a loss for words, looked at the elders, who also seemed puzzled by Li Kuanglan’s behavior.

“Young Master, this is a crucial matter. Haven’t we already discussed it?” Song Zining said. Yan Ding immediately huffed in displeasure, while the imperial elder appeared thoughtful. Clearly, there was a secret agreement between Song Zining and the Li family, but Li Kuanglan did not seem inclined to honor it.

The Li family elder coughed, “Young Master, what’s the issue? Speak up. Young Master Seven and our Li family have always been close, and he has been very helpful recently. The Empress Dowager speaks highly of him.”

Li Kuanglan, however, stood up and declared, “It’s just inappropriate! If you want to continue discussing, do so. Don’t involve me!”

He left the room, sword in hand.

Song Zining was stunned, as were the elders. The Li family elder, experienced, smoothed things over, “Young Master Li has urgent matters. Let’s continue our discussion.”

Though Li Kuanglan held a high position, his interest lay in martial arts, and he had no interest in other affairs. His presence was largely symbolic. The actual decision-maker was the Li family elder. So, despite Li Kuanglan’s abrupt departure, the discussion continued.

Everyone, smart enough, refrained from asking about Li Kuanglan’s sudden anger.

Yan Ding snarled, “You can discuss. I’ll leave first.”

Song Zining smiled, “Why rush, General Yan? If we win, the rewards will be substantial, and you will not be left out.”

Yan Ding, still disdainful, found it hard to move.

The aristocratic and imperial factions were indifferent. Everyone knew that Song Zining had seized Yan Ding’s warships, and they were unlikely to return. Thus, whether Yan Ding participated in the battle for Listening Tide City mattered little; he was just another sixteenth-level expert. The key was restraining Bingfeng Luo, a near-emperor-level fighter. Whether Yan Ding joined or not, it wouldn’t affect the final outcome.

Yet, Song Zining’s willingness to share the glory with Yan Ding earned him nods from some elders, who saw potential in the young man. Unconsciously, their esteem for him grew.

Only those who truly knew Song Zining understood that when he smiled, no one could guess his true thoughts.