Aboard the flagship, Song Zining suddenly screamed as if he had gone mad: “Attack! Full attack! I want to slaughter all these black-blooded scum!”
Several accompanying generals quickly embraced Song Zining and shouted, “Marshal, you can’t! The fleet is still behind, and your body has not fully recovered. Going there now would be like sending yourself to death!”
Song Zining struggled fiercely, roaring, “Get off me, give me the command, I must attack!”
The generals held him down, pressing their hands on his limbs. The flagship’s speed slowed, waiting for the rest of the fleet to catch up.
Seeing the speed decrease, Song Zining became even more frantic, struggling and roaring, “How dare you disobey my orders? If you delay my mission, I will annihilate your entire clans!”
The officers paid no heed, merely exerting more force to hold him down. It was clear that Song Zining had not yet fully recovered; despite being a renowned general, he couldn’t break free from the grip of a few battle commanders.
As the flagship gradually halted, Song Zining grew increasingly anxious and said, “Fine, if you won’t go, release me. Bring me my battle armor and dragon spear, I’ll go myself, alright?”
One of the generals replied, “You are the pillar of the Empire, and its future prosperity depends on you for the next thirty years. Marshal, please don’t act rashly; the welfare of the nation is paramount!”
“My brother is out there, his fate unknown! He fought against the entire Evernight for four days, all alone! Where were your concerns about the nation then?!”
The general only said, “Please calm down, we are only following orders and cannot help it. Please do not make things difficult for us.”
Song Zining’s struggles grew weaker, and he suddenly stopped, laughing coldly, “I understand, let me up.”
The generals looked at each other, unsure whether to release him.
Song Zining said calmly, “Don’t worry, I will live. Since you want to entrust the next thirty years of the Empire’s fortune to me, you shouldn’t offend me, right? The only thing wrong with me is that I never forget a grudge.”
The generals, startled, released him but still surrounded him, afraid he might do something reckless.
Song Zining patted his clothes, “This outer robe is dirty, get me a new one. Also, prepare tea!”
One general went to fetch the robe, another prepared the tea, while the remaining four stayed close by, not leaving his side.
Song Zining changed his clothes and drank tea, sitting quietly as if nothing had happened. The generals secretly breathed a sigh of relief, yet a chill ran down their spines.
Finally, the flagship met with the Imperial Guard Fleet. Over a hundred warships gathered, advancing with overwhelming force towards the dark races.
In this campaign, the Empire’s elite fleet was fully deployed. Though the Evernight forces were numerous, they had been severely weakened by Qian Ye, with morale plummeting. Moreover, they were ground troops, never expecting an aerial assault from the entire Empire.
After the battle, the dark races predictably retreated to the fortress. The Imperial fleet, however, was not satisfied. They repositioned in the air, preparing to launch another attack, aiming to destroy the Evernight core fortress with their superior aerial firepower.
At that moment, everyone felt as if they had been yanked out of water, unable to breathe. They clutched their throats, gasping for air, but could not draw a breath.
Chaos erupted in the Imperial fleet. Several warships began to spin in the air, some collided, and others slowly fell to the ground.
Fortunately, the Imperial Guard Fleet was filled with talented commanders who immediately used their origin power to convey their orders, “This is suppression! Use your origin power to protect your minds! All battle commanders, protect your subordinates!”
The order proved effective, and the fleet gradually regained order. However, many crew members needed protection from higher-ups, clearly unable to sustain themselves for long, let alone fight.
The situation on the dark races’ side was no better. The fortress was silent, with the previously intense anti-aircraft fire now ceased, leaving them defenseless. Yet, the attackers could only barely defend themselves, no longer capable of invasion.
Song Zining, unaffected, sat at the bow, smirking.
A burly man with a commanding presence walked onto the deck, bowing, “Marshal Song, I’m sure you have a plan. Could you provide some guidance?”
Song Zining, without rising, sipped his tea and said, “Commander Fang, it’s normal for you to be unfamiliar with the New World. The suppression we just felt is what we call the malice of the New World. If we continue fighting, we’d be like pulling a tiger’s whiskers.”
Commander Fang, uncertain, asked, “What should we do now?”
“Wait.”
“For how long?”
“Usually, it leaves in a day or two.”
“A day or two!” Commander Fang gritted his teeth, “The fleet can only last half a day more. Any longer, and all the ships will be scrapped here!”
“I can’t say for sure. Even if it doesn’t act, just by observing, can you fight?”
Commander Fang was agitated, “It’s just observing?”
“What else?”
Commander Fang’s face shifted, “If so, we may have to retreat.”
Song Zining finally stood, pointing upward, “No rush, they are probably negotiating now. It won’t take long for a result.”
“Negotiating?” Commander Fang was visibly surprised.
Song Zining did not explain, walking to the ship’s edge, “I need to see where my brother met his end, not to seek death. No need to follow me, Commander.”
With that, Song Zining leaped off the deck, his wide sleeves fluttering like a willow catkin, floating towards the remaining half-peak.
“Good skills!” Commander Fang admired silently. Though weak, Song Zining managed to fly, using minimal origin power, and even harnessing the New World’s origin power, soaring like a bird, moving freely.
Commander Fang was envious of such control. Reflecting, he was astonished. With such skills, Song Zining was heavily injured in a clash with Nighteye, only recovering recently. How formidable must Nighteye be?
He felt relieved that the Guard Fleet had never entered the New World before; otherwise, he too might have faced Nighteye with dire consequences.
Song Zining, with his wide sleeves, flew to the peak, pacing back and forth. Visions of the battlefield appeared, mostly showing fallen dark race corpses, with some bodies falling from the sky. Other visions were chaotic light points.
Song Zining continued walking, silently observing, and eventually stopped at a high point.
This was the place where Qian Ye fought his final battle. Song Zining gazed at the spot where the flag once stood, as if seeing it flutter again.
When Qian Ye, alone with his sword, planted the flag atop the peak, declaring war on the entire dark race, what must he have felt?
The flag, like the peak, had turned to dust.
Song Zining knelt, whispering, “I came too late. Qian Ye, let me live for thirty more years. In that time, I will settle all debts and vendettas. I will avenge all you’re owed. Thirty years later, our debts will be settled, and we will meet again.”
He rose, brushing his sleeve, laughing coldly, “From now on, no rules will bind me. Who dares to match me in strategy, Song Zining?!”
Returning to the flagship, Song Zining acted as if nothing had happened. Commander Fang, who had been observing, remained puzzled, but relieved to see him return unharmed.
“Marshal Song, when will the negotiations conclude? My men can’t hold on much longer.”
“If you can’t, the dark races can even less. A resolution will come soon.”
Commander Fang, doubtful, asked, “How do you know they can’t hold on?”
“Because they have more powerful beings, attracting more of the world’s malice.”
Relieved, Commander Fang then realized something, “Are you saying we might lose if we fight?”
“Very likely.”
“But Qian Ye killed ten thousand dark races. Their bodies are still there.”
Song Zining turned, facing the Evernight fortress, concealing his thoughts. Softly, he said, “Even if Qian Ye killed half the dark races, the Demon and Bloodline races still have most of their strong ones. Combined, they would have the upper hand.”
Understanding, Commander Fang bowed, “Thank you for the lesson.”
Song Zining, now smiling, said, “There’s no need to be so formal. If you ever need anything, just ask.”
Commander Fang, hurriedly, “Of course, I look forward to Marshal Song’s guidance in the future.”
Song Zining’s military genius was well-recognized. His injury and the subsequent collapse of the warfront highlighted his significance.
After the harsh times, many in the Empire realized how difficult it was for Song Zining to achieve such victories with limited forces.
Now, as Song Zining recovered, he would soon regain his strength and inevitably claim the Empire’s military power.
Commander Fang, recognizing this, sought to build a relationship with Song Zining. Even a bit of advice during complex times would be invaluable.
Song Zining, having his own ideas, changed his initial demeanor, becoming warm and friendly, fostering a close bond.
Suddenly, a voice resounded, “Order! Unload the supplies and troops at the following location, establish a base, then the Guard Fleet returns to the Empire.”
In the center of the fleet, a massive map formed, showing a crater and a marker indicating the new base’s location.
The new base was several hundred kilometers from the Evernight central base, forming a strategic triangle with the crater.
Clearly, a deal was struck with the Evernight. Commander Fang, awed, admired Song Zining deeply.
Song Zinedrained his cup, revealing a cold smile beneath his sleeve.
On the Evernight fortress side, similar orders were given, and a high-ranking Evernight council member took over the command.
The confusion and anger of the remaining dark warriors and strong ones in the fortress were insignificant.
Several power fluctuations spread across the sky, one passing through the Demon-controlled New World gate, revealing figures in the void.
The Demon Emperor, shrouded in dark mist, asked, “How is Lord Habus doing?”
“The Fire Crown remains closed,” replied the hooded figure, the current Evernight council leader.
The Demon Emperor chuckled, “Lord Habus has taken a long time to recover, almost as if he went to the New World for a round?”
The council leader pondered, “He was hesitant about the Floating Land War and refused to report to the council. He had a disagreement with Medanzo. Your Majesty, should we consult Queen Lilith?”
The Demon Emperor said, “The war is over. Why report now? And why disturb Lilith? The bloodline clan’s internal conflicts are none of our concern. Markel, you misunderstood. I only want a trophy from Habus, a personal transaction.”
The council leader bowed, “My apologies, Your Majesty. I will send someone with a generous gift to see Lord Habus.”
The Demon Emperor turned to a tall, young man, “Prittick, it’s been a while since you saw Habus, hasn’t it?”
The young man, in a Grand Wizard’s robe, with golden hair and a haughty expression, more warrior-like than a prophet, was known in the upper echelons. He was the last treasure of the Dreamless Nightmare, the “Prophet’s Bane,” and likely to become the foremost prophet.
Prittick blinked, bowing, “We met before adulthood, decades ago. I haven’t left my traditional territory since awakening.”
The Demon Emperor said, “Join the visit.”
“Yes.”
“If, uh, if Lord Habus still hesitates, I will visit him.” Nodding, the Demon Emperor vanished.
Once the dark mist dissipated, Prittick looked at the council leader, “What’s going on?”
Despite the polite tone, the Demon Emperor’s authority was unquestionable. Prittick, due to his background, knew the Emperor’s decisive nature.
The recent tension between the Demon and Bloodline clans was evident, even in the New World. If the Emperor did not get what he wanted, his visit to Habus could be dangerous.
High-ranking figures in the council were uneasy, fearing a conflict between the young Demon Emperor and the millennia-old Night Queen.
The council leader, concerned, said, “Lord Prittick, I’m not entirely clear either. The Emperor offered a substantial reward for a trophy, but Habus keeps saying he doesn’t have it.”
Prittick slapped his forehead, “Oh, my…” but said no more.
The council leader, suspicious, waited, then gave tasks to his subordinates.
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