Chapter 15: Treasures to Spend on the Journey Ahead

“You have mistaken me for someone else,” the warrior said without lifting his head, then slowly rose and looked towards the tent entrance. Seeing Zhao Jiandu, he was clearly startled, exclaiming, “How could it be you?”

Zhao Jiandu stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, replying, “Why not me? Since the day you disappeared, I have been waiting for you to use the Three Thousand Drifting Leaves Technique on me. All roads lead to the same destination; if you can calculate me, then I can know where you are.”

The warrior was stunned, frowning, “How is that possible?”

“How is it impossible? Your Three Thousand Drifting Leaves Technique is far from perfect!”

The warrior sighed, straightened his body, and although he looked ordinary, a natural aura emanated from him. He scanned Zhao Jiandu up and down, saying, “I never imagined that Young Master Zhao would have such skills. You truly hide your talents well.”

Zhao Jiandu smiled faintly, “There’s no other way. I am not very cunning, but I need some tricks to deal with those who like to calculate the fates of others.”

Song Zining no longer concealed himself, removing his mask, and sighed, “I never thought that what you showed us was not your limit. The Empire’s first genius, indeed, lives up to his reputation.”

“In front of you, Young Master Qi, I dare not claim to be the first. But, Qi, where are you going?” Zhao Jiandu stared at Song Zining, smiling enigmatically.

Song Zining forced a smile, “Young Master Si, just say what you mean directly.”

Zhao Jiandu did not beat around the bush, “Alright, I’m short-handed right now. Don’t go, come help me fight.”

Song Zining was taken aback, “The Zhao Clan has many soldiers and generals. How can they lack for one more?”

“We didn’t lack before, but we do now.”

Song Zining sighed, “What if I refuse?”

Zhao Jiandu sneered, “Then I might have to use force. In this place, you have no choice, even if you shout to the heavens, it won’t help.”

Song Zining’s expression changed, and after a moment, he gritted his teeth, “I must go. If Young Master Si insists on keeping me, then let’s have a fight!”

Zhao Jiandu laughed heartily, “You hesitated for so long, your momentum is already gone. Even if you try, you will surely lose. Why waste effort? Just follow me, I won’t make it too hard for you, ha ha!”

Song Zining shook his head.

This time, Zhao Jiandu was somewhat surprised. He glanced at the nearly packed luggage and asked, “If Young Master Qi must leave, could you tell me where you’re going?”

“…To the Neutral Grounds.”

“The Neutral Grounds?!” This answer surprised Zhao Jiandu greatly. After a moment of thought, he probed, “Why go there?”

“To make money.” Song Zining answered promptly.

Zhao Jiandu felt a surge of anger, “…Does the Song Clan still need money?”

“The Song Clan is the Song Clan, and I am I. The fact that the Song Clan is rich doesn’t mean I, Song Zining, am. Besides, I am no longer much associated with the Song Clan. Ningyuan Heavy Industries is my future foundation, and I must do my best for it!” His words were spoken with a sense of righteousness and conviction.

Zhao Jiandu’s reaction was straightforward, a faint green aura rising from the top of his head, “I can’t argue with you, but I can beat you.”

Being weaker in strength, he was always at a disadvantage, especially when Young Master Si wasn’t willing to reason. Even if it was anyone else, Song Zining might have escaped. But Zhao Jiandu’s Eight-Direction Sealing Technique was best at preventing escapes. Anyone who couldn’t defeat Zhao Jiandu couldn’t escape either. Young Master Si, however, could come and go as he pleased.

Even if Song Zining used his full power to create a domain, temporarily confusing Zhao Jiandu and escaping the Eight-Direction Sealing Technique’s range, Young Master Si still had a move called “Sure Strike” waiting for him.

After much thought, Song Zining could not find a way out. The only solution was to defeat Zhao Jiandu directly. But even if he defeated Zhao Jiandu, under the influence of the Eight-Direction Sealing Technique, anyone’s speed would decrease, making it almost impossible to catch up with Zhao Jiandu unless one was much stronger.

Song Zining became increasingly angry, losing his usual composure, and mocked, “Young Master Si is indeed the Empire’s first genius! Only today did I realize that all your abilities are so unscrupulous, putting you in an unbeatable position, giving us no chance to live!”

Zhao Jiandu laughed heartily, “Young Master Qi, you flatter me!”

Seeing Zhao Jiandu openly admit it and not offer a fair fight, Song Zining knew he couldn’t get away. He sighed, “I need to go to the Neutral Grounds to see Qian Ye.”

Zhao Jiandu stopped laughing, asking seriously, “Qian Ye is in the Neutral Grounds?”

“Yes.”

Zhao Jiandu walked around the tent, then said, “You knew Qian Ye was in the Neutral Grounds, didn’t you? Why go now?”

“Leaving Zhang Shuai was not easy. I waited a long time for this opportunity. Also, everyone knows that Qian Ye and I are close. The military department has been watching my every move, so I had to be careful.”

“Why go now, then?”

Song Zining sighed, “Recently, Qian Ye has become unusually noticeable, fighting several tough battles in the Neutral Grounds, even revealing his real name. That’s not like him. There must be some change. I need to check on him. You know, he tends to be impulsive. Like with the Demoness, he completely disregarded his life.”

Zhao Jiandu gave Song Zining a cold look, “He also shielded someone with his body on the battlefield. This guy is indeed too stupid.”

The atmosphere in the tent instantly turned icy, their gazes clashing, almost sparking thunder. They found each other increasingly displeasing.

But both were capable men, knowing how to restrain themselves. After each giving a cold snort, they put their emotions aside.

Zhao Jiandu suddenly smiled, “Since Young Master Qi is going to the Neutral Grounds, I won’t stop you. I have a few subordinates who also need to go there. Why don’t you take them with you? Let them see the future Military God of the Empire.”

Song Zining was taken aback, “You want to send people to the Neutral Grounds now? What about the current battle situation? If your line collapses, it will be a big problem.”

Zhao Jiandu said lightly, “No need to worry about the battle. I have some unused means. As for the Neutral Grounds, there’s a good reason to send people. If Young Master Qi has time, help me kill someone.”

“Who?”

Instead of answering, Zhao Jiandu handed him a military report. Song Zining took it, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. He produced a flame, burning the report completely, leaving no trace.

“There’s another identical report, sent to the Imperial Capital, which I intercepted.”

Song Zining was silent for a moment, then said, “Lu Saobei, I’ve heard of him. A schemer. Young Master Si, I’m afraid you miscalculated. These reports are likely a trap, meant to be intercepted. He must have a hidden strategy, the real path. The military reports are probably already on the desks of the military officials.”

Zhao Jiandu said lightly, “I don’t care about his hidden strategies. This time, I’m sending people to kill Lu Saobei and take out the military personnel sent over. With Young Master Qi in charge, I’m even more at ease. You people scheme too much and kill too little.”

Song Zining, lost in thought, sighed and shook his head, “If that’s the case, Young Master Si doesn’t object to me going to the Neutral Grounds?”

“Of course not, and I will support you fully!” Saying this, Zhao Jiandu took out a delicate and elegant wallet, weighed it in his hand, and tossed it into Song Zining’s backpack, “Young Master Qi, spend it slowly on your journey!”

With that, Zhao Jiandu laughed and left the tent, disappearing in an instant.

Song Zining stared at the wallet, finally unable to hold back a curse. The wallet was made of high-quality material, impeccably crafted, but the problem was its size. Even full, it could hardly hold a few gold coins. Such a small wallet was meant for the rich and noble, for carrying pocket change, and thus, it was not large.

The money in the wallet wasn’t enough to buy the cheapest ticket to the Neutral Grounds. If he relied on this money for travel, he wouldn’t even reach the Neutral Grounds, even if he slept in the cargo hold.

“Spend it slowly? It’s enough to bribe a beggar!”

But seeing the handwritten rusted gold letter ‘Zhao’ on the wallet, Song Zining suddenly smiled, thinking, “This is Young Master Si’s personal item. I bet the noble ladies would pay a good price for it! When I return, I’ll make sure Young Master Si makes a grand appearance, hmm!”

It was already late, and Song Zining, shouldering his backpack, quietly left the tent. At this hour, a small soldier like him went unnoticed. Even if someone saw him, they wouldn’t ask questions. Soon, Song Zining blended into the night, vanishing.

At a small port in the Neutral Grounds, another airship arrived. The place was dilapidated, a picture of decay, with no building higher than three stories. The people moving through the streets had fierce, murderous eyes, looking at everything around them like prey.

This was not a regular port but a gray area within a gray area. Those who couldn’t be seen in the Neutral Grounds often chose to settle here, starting a new, precarious life.

Each airship brought a shipload of resources. Many people disappeared soon after disembarking, as if they had never existed. No one cared about their fate.

The arrival of the airship, as usual, excited the entire town. People of all kinds gathered around the landing field, eyeing the passengers with bloodthirsty gazes.

Some passengers, terrified, clung to their luggage, nervously stepping off the ship, avoiding eye contact. Others met the gaze with equally cold, murderous stares. As the last passengers disembarked, a girl in a white dress appeared, causing a stir among the crowd!