Chapter 40: Laying the Foundations of a New Legacy

“Robbery?” The Ice Wolf, clearly not comprehending the situation, was taken aback.

This was South Azure City, where the Ice Wolf Mercenary Group reigned as the largest mercenary group and had a close relationship with the city lord and major merchants. Even in such circumstances, someone dared to rob them? He was already being lenient by not bullying others.

“Yes, it’s robbery,” Ji Tianqing said, appearing behind the Ice Wolf and casually patting his shoulder.

Even Qian Ye and Song Zining couldn’t avoid her slap, so how could the Ice Wolf dodge it? As Ji Tianqing’s palm fell, the Ice Wolf’s body suddenly shrank, his body piercing through the floor, half of him descending to the lower level.

At that moment, the protective origin power around the Ice Wolf finally erupted. He unleashed his full strength, and with a loud boom, the entire small building crumbled into rubble, smoke and debris flying everywhere.

Ji Tianqing continued to pat the Ice Wolf’s shoulder, as if everything around her was irrelevant. A second pat sent him into the basement. Now there was no further to go, but Miss Tianqing still gave a third pat, embedding the Ice Wolf’s body halfway into the foundation.

A warrior’s body is robust, even if it’s a human, it exceeds the foundation in strength. Therefore, the Ice Wolf wouldn’t die, but he couldn’t avoid injury.

After three pats, even the slowest of beings, the Ice Wolf, realized that this lady was an absolute person not to be provoked. He immediately suppressed his aura, only using his origin power to protect his internal organs, closing his eyes and feigning death.

At that point, the whole small building had vanished, leaving only a large pit. Ji Tianqing crouched in the pit, repeatedly fiddling with the Ice Wolf’s head, like a kitten playing with a new toy.

The commotion roused all the mercenaries in the base, over a hundred of them running out of their barracks, many still bleary-eyed, unsure of what had happened.

Song Zining suddenly patted Qian Ye, saying, “Aura.”

Qian Ye, somewhat puzzled, released a fine, dark golden bloodline, soaring straight up into the sky.

The mercenaries indeed felt nothing, and the Ice Wolf, busy faking death, was oblivious. However, Ji Tianqing suddenly shivered, turning to look at Qian Ye, her gaze growing complex.

In the distance, above the City Lord’s Mansion, Ji Rui and Guan Zhongliu stood in the air under the cover of night, watching the three young raiders.

As Qian Ye’s dark golden bloodline surged, Ji Rui and Guan Zhongliu instantly sensed it. Guan Zhongliu felt a slight sting between his eyebrows, frowning. Ji Rui’s aura dipped and then slowly rose. In the darkness, no one noticed Ji Rui’s pale face.

Ji Rui and Guan Zhongliu did not hide, even deliberately releasing their auras as a warning. Yet, in this scenario, Qian Ye’s bloodline pierced the sky, a blatant provocation. Guan Zhongliu, used to having his way, could not tolerate this.

He roared, “I’ll teach these little brats a lesson!”

He made a move to pounce, but Ji Rui stopped him. Surprised, Guan Zhongliu asked, “City Lord, why stop me? They’re insulting us right at our doorstep!”

Ji Rui sighed, “They want to insult us here. What good would it do for you to go?”

“Even if I, Guan Zhongliu, am no match for them, there’s still you. These little brats, how can they be your match?”

Ji Rui sighed, “What if we win this time, so what?”

“Of course, we drive them away!”

“What about the next time they come?”

Guan Zhongliu was speechless.

Even Guan Zhongliu knew that Qian Ye alone was a force to be reckoned with. The other two young men were also enigmatic, certainly no ordinary youths.

With Ji Rui intervening, at best, they would drive the trio away, unlikely to inflict any serious injuries. If, as Ji Rui suggested, these three came every day, the troubles would be endless.

Guan Zhongliu was no fool. Seeing their youth, he felt a chill. At their age, they already achieved such feats, indicating powerful support or a great family behind them. He was still struggling to become a warrior at their age.

“Let’s go back,” Ji Rui said.

Guan Zhongliu nodded silently.

When Qian Ye released his bloodline, he and Ji Rui exchanged a clash of auras. While Guan Zhongliu didn’t feel much, Ji Rui took a small hit. This exchange made Ji Rui realize the unimaginable tier of Qian Ye’s bloodline.

Though Ji Rui wanted to retreat, Song Zining wouldn’t let him. Pulling Qian Ye, he said, “Let Tianqing handle this. Since we’re here, we must see the City Lord.”

Qian Ye, resigned, followed. Normally, Qian Ye would have stopped after Ji Rui’s retreat, but Song Zining, with other plans, pressed on.

At the City Lord’s Mansion, they didn’t hide their auras. Seeing this, Ji Rui, unable to de-escalate, flew out, standing before Qian Ye and Song Zining, sighing, “What do the two generals want?”

Song Zining bowed, “City Lord Ji?”

“It’s me. How should I address this general?” Ji Rui, very polite.

“Song Zining. If the City Lord knows Qian Ye’s background, then surely you’ve heard of me.”

Ji Rui’s heart leaped, bowing, “So it’s the Seventh Young Master of the Song Clan, my apologies!”

Unlike Qian Ye, Song Zining was a direct descendant of the Song Clan, his status extraordinary. Additionally, Song Zining served in the Imperial military, especially under Zhang Boqian, a significant experience. Anyone who thought to harm him would have to think of Zhang Boqian.

If such a person fell outside, the Song Clan would never let it rest, pursuing it for the sake of their reputation.

Ji Rui, well-versed in both the Evernight and the Empire, understood the mindset of these noble families. His attitude toward Song Zining became even more respectful, feeling uneasy about the Song Clan’s intentions in the neutral zone.

In the isolated neutral zone, Ji Rui didn’t know that Song Zining had severed ties with the Song Clan, developing independently. The Song Clan, with Song Zining’s meteoric rise, maintained a friendly stance, often stating they were still a family.

Ji Rui’s reaction was as Song Zining expected. Smiling, he tapped his fan, “From what Qian Ye says, the City Lord’s past actions weren’t very honorable, right?”

Ji Rui, startled, found no room for evasion. Any disagreement would lead to conflict. Coughing, he said, “Seventh Young Master, you don’t know; in the neutral zone, might makes right. When the Wolf King comes, how can I say no?”

Song Zining, coldly, “Is that so? Then now that I, Song Zining, am here, can the City Lord say no?”

Ji Rui, inwardly angry, smiled, “Seventh Young Master, that’s too formal. The Song Clan’s name is known to all. What brings you here, and how can I assist?”

Song Zining, “Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. I’m here to start something with my brothers. I see South Azure City as a prosperous base. I hope the City Lord will provide much assistance.”

Ji Rui, “Of course, if I can, I won’t refuse, but the Wolf King…”

Song Zining, smirking, “We have our ways to deal with the Wolf King. But City Lord, not to threaten, if you fear the Wolf King, you should fear us more. My methods are harsher.”

Ji Rui, embarrassed, “Seventh Young Master, you jest.”

Song Zining, sternly, “I’m not joking. Do you think running a city is hard for me? So, South Azure City isn’t indispensable.”

Ji Rui, his face alternating between pallor and flush, finally, without a word, turned and left.

Song Zining, smiling, told Qian Ye, “Let’s go, it’s handled. No one will resist.”

Back at the Ice Wolf’s base, Qian Ye was shocked. In the few moments, the mercenary base was in disarray, mercenaries lying everywhere, with only a dozen standing, pale-faced.

Song Zining was right; Ji Tianqing had subdued all the disobedient ones. Outside, the stench of blood filled the air, mercenaries and hunters in pools of blood. Allies of the Ice Wolf, hoping to gain favor, met their end instead.

Miss Tianqing, establishing her authority, showed no mercy, causing heavy casualties with each casual swipe.

Seeing Song Zining and Qian Ye return, she asked, “How did it go?”

“Very cooperative,” Song Zining smiled.

“Good. This mercenary group is too small. There are many more around, let’s take them all!”

Song Zining agreed, “Indeed.”

That night, South Azure City was in chaos, mercenaries suffering great losses. Fires lit up half the city, set by the indignant Ji Tianqing. Those who dared to oppose her ended up as corpses.

Faced with this, the mercenaries sought help from the City Lord, but Ji Rui refused to see anyone. Realizing they couldn’t challenge the City Lord, they either fled or surrendered.

By dawn, South Azure City was transformed.