Chapter 16: Such an Empire

Zhaoyuying’s face showed a peculiar expression as she said, “There is indeed something you need to know. But don’t panic after hearing it.”

She then recounted how Qian Ye’s spot in the Great Maelstrom had been revoked, and that the military had also sent people to demand the Sky Wind Cloud Smoke Pearl.

Qian Ye, slowing down his movements of straightening his clothes, said, “Since I am in a deep slumber, that spot would be useless anyway. However, the Sky Wind Cloud Smoke Pearl was what I exchanged for with my military merit. According to your words, this item would turn into a primeval force crystal when brought to the Great Maelstrom. If used by someone with a foundation, it would be equivalent to gaining an ability at the level of a divine general. The military wants to take this away? What do they plan to exchange for it?”

Zhaoyuying, not knowing how to respond, eventually said after a moment, “There’s no exchange. The military’s idea is… requisitioning.”

“Requisitioning?!” Song Zining, hearing about this for the first time, was quite astonished.

However, being astute in political strategy, Song Zining, unlike Qian Ye, became more and more perplexed as he thought through it, soon sinking into deep contemplation.

Qian Ye, not entirely ignorant, furrowed his brows and asked, “Requisitioning? How has the clan reacted to this?”

“For the slot, there’s nothing we can do for now. But regarding the Sky Wind Cloud Smoke Pearl, Xiao Si has already rebuffed them.” Zhaoyuying patted Qian Ye on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry too much about the slot. We’re already investigating who will get it. Whoever gets it, they’ll have to give us an explanation! Besides, in your current… state, whether you go to the Great Maelstrom or not doesn’t make much difference.”

Zhaoyuying’s words implied that Qian Ye’s primeval force of Dawn Awakening could easily cross the Divine General Threshold. Qian Ye, however, did not share Zhaoyuying’s optimism. He glanced at Song Zining and saw the same seriousness in the latter’s eyes.

“What’s wrong with you two? Why are you both like this?” Zhaoyuying asked, puzzled.

Song Zining replied, “Yuying, this matter isn’t so simple. It’s hard to understand why the military chose to probe at this time. However, the military is a complex entity, not dominated by a single faction. Who is behind this test needs further investigation. Yuying, if you go out to fight, be careful. Aim for safety, not for success.”

Zhaoyuying, not expecting such a serious warning from Song Zining, nodded reluctantly. Although she didn’t want to admit it, Song Zining’s reputation had been rising in recent years, and he was gradually becoming the next generation’s military genius. In terms of strategy, Zhaoyuying was indeed a step behind.

Song Zining then smiled, “But there’s no need to worry too much. The elders of the Zhao clan must have a countermeasure. From my perspective, Chéngēn Gong dispatching the Wolf Smoke Army to the Floating Land is a brilliant move.”

Feeling more at ease, Zhaoyuying noticed Song Zining looking increasingly uncomfortable, as if another pair of eyes were constantly staring at him. Finally, unable to ignore it, Song Zining turned to look at Qian Ye.

“Zining, where did the ancient source blood come from?” Qian Ye asked.

“I got it by chance…” Song Zining trailed off, realizing he couldn’t deceive Qian Ye, who had a mysterious lineage of the blood race.

Indeed, Qian Ye pressed on, fixing his gaze on Song Zining, “The ancient source blood is the core of an ancient blood pool. From which clan’s blood pool did you get this source blood?”

Song Zining’s smile became unnatural, and he struggled to find the right words.

After years of friendship, Qian Ye rarely saw Song Zining like this. What kind of news could make the usually calm Song Zining react so?

Suddenly, Qian Ye felt a chilling coldness in his heart, an inexplicable fear almost overwhelming his will. He swayed, feeling weak and almost losing his balance.

Zhaoyuying stepped forward, shielding Song Zining, and said, “Qian Ye, let me tell you.”

Song Zining reached out, gently but firmly moving Zhaoyuying aside, and said, “No, I’ll do it.”

“Wait!” Qian Ye stopped Song Zining, then tightened his cloak, waiting for the coldness to subside before saying, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“This ancient source blood comes from the twelfth ancient clan, Caidun. Indeed, the stronghold of the Caidun clan, the Frost Copper Ancient Castle, is located in the central area of the Twilight Continent, and no human has ever entered. So, the one who retrieved this source blood was… Nighteye.”

Finally, hearing the name he least wanted to hear, Song Zining’s voice wavered, as if coming from afar. Qian Ye’s mind became hazy, and he listened, lost in thought.

“… My people were nearly wiped out. Only one person escaped. He brought back the source blood but couldn’t bring Nighteye back.”

“… Now, Nighteye is reportedly in the hands of the military.”

After a moment, Qian Ye, as if waking from a dream, murmured, “Nighteye is in the hands of the military…”

Qian Ye’s eyes widened, “The military?! You just said Nighteye is in the hands of the military?!”

Song Zining nodded silently.

Qian Ye stepped forward, grabbing Song Zining’s collar, and asked shakily, “Nighteye, in the hands of the military?”

Song Zining nodded again.

“You know, Nighteye, she…”

“I know.”

“Why is this happening?”

Song Zining replied blankly, “Somehow, there was a leak in my plans, and the military got the information. They ambushed at the last moment… and captured Nighteye.”

Qian Ye’s eyes suddenly glinted with a sharp light, grabbing Song Zining’s throat and lifting him off the ground. He said coldly, “Who ordered Nighteye to retrieve the ancient source blood?”

Song Zining managed a bitter smile and said, “… It was me.”

“You sent Nighteye alone to the Twilight Continent to steal the ancient source blood? Let her attack the Frost Copper Ancient Castle alone? Even without the military’s ambush, what were her chances of surviving?”

“Less than thirty percent,” Song Zining admitted.

“Less than thirty percent, and you still dared to plan this?”

Song Zining remained silent, not answering. Qian Ye’s grip tightened, and Song Zining’s face turned red, then purple.

Zhaoyuying finally intervened, grabbing Qian Ye’s hand, and shouted, “Zining did it to save you!”

Qian Ye’s hand trembled, slowly releasing Song Zining, who fell to the ground. “Save me? With Nighteye’s life for mine?” Qian Ye’s voice carried a deep gloom.

Qian Ye’s hand continued to tremble, even several deep breaths couldn’t steady it. “Why did the military do this? Who are they targeting? Me, you, or the Zhao clan?”

“Maybe the Zhao clan, maybe all of us.”

“Where is Nighteye?” Qian Ye suddenly roared, a jet of dark golden blood energy aimed at Song Zining.

Dizzy, Song Zining answered involuntarily, “She’s in No Fall…”

Realizing his mistake, Song Zining leaped in front of Qian Ye, shouting, “What are you planning to do?”

Qian Ye walked past, saying, “Nothing, move aside!”

“No, you can’t go!!” Song Zining blocked the way, almost yelling.

“You can’t stop me.”

“You’re crazy! Nighteye is a blood race, a princess of the blood race!”

“I know, and so do you!”

Song Zining was pushed aside, stumbling back, then leaping up and grabbing Qian Ye from behind, screaming, “But now it’s different, her identity is exposed, and she’s in the hands of the military! If you go, you won’t save her, you’ll only endanger her!”

Qian Ye finally stopped, asking, “Then how can we save her?”

Song Zining hurriedly said, “Exchange! Use interests to exchange! With enough benefits, anything can be obtained from the military. I’ve already started arranging it; there will be results soon! Trust me!”

“What about a pardon? Why didn’t you mention that?”

Song Zining hesitated, then said, “Nighteye… her identity is special. There are big figures from the Evernight side who specifically want her. A pardon… might not work.”

Qian Ye slowly raised his hand, gripping where his blood core was. A tearing pain radiated from there, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Song Zining, I can’t wait that long. Also, I don’t believe in your method.”

Qian Ye continued forward, his strength, after being enhanced by the ancient source blood, was incredibly powerful. Despite Song Zining’s efforts, he dragged Song Zining along. Zhaoyuying, seeing the danger, rushed over and grabbed Qian Ye.

“Qian Ye! If you go and snatch her, it will be treason! No one will be able to save you!” Song Zining shouted.

Qian Ye finally halted, silent for a moment, then laughed and shouted, “I’ve achieved great feats for the Empire, but how has the Empire treated me? Such an Empire, I may as well betray it!”

A surge of power emanated from within him, pushing Song Zining and Zhaoyuying away. With a wave of his hand, the Twin Flowers and Dongyue flew into his grasp. In a flash, he left the side hall, vanishing.

Song Zining, stunned, dashed out, yelling, “Find a way to stop him!”

Zhaoyuying followed, suddenly seeing Zhao Jiandu around the corner.

“What happened?” Zhao Jiandu asked.

Zhaoyuying, hesitating, shouted, “It’s none of your business. It’s best you don’t know or interfere.”

With that, she ran, quickly disappearing into the night. Zhao Jiandu, looking at the empty gate, summoned a subordinate, ordering, “Follow Yuying and report any developments immediately.”

The subordinate swiftly departed, and a chair appeared beneath Zhao Jiandu. Sitting facing the gate, he placed his azure spear across his knees, waiting for news.

Under the night sky, Qian Ye kept walking. His steps were smooth, not particularly fast. But with each step, his figure flickered, reappearing dozens of meters away, making him unbelievably fast. Zhaoyuying lost sight of Qian Ye after only two blocks.

Stopping, at a loss, Song Zining appeared beside her, whispering, “To the military.”

Zhaoyuying understood. To save Nighteye, Qian Ye would inevitably head to the military’s base in No Fall, which wasn’t a secret in the city.

But that made the situation even more complicated.