Chapter 162: The Merits of History

Moments later, Qian Ye stood silently upon the balcony, gazing upon Jadewave City and the endless Verdant Sea below.

Behind him stood Wei Potian, his left sleeve blowing in the wind.

At this moment, Wei had ceased from speaking. He had already relayed to Qian Ye, in full detail and from every angle, words that addressed the past war and present circumstances. Now, his only role was to await Qian Ye’s choice.

Honestly, Wei found within his own heart that, even if their positions were reversed, he too would not be certain how to decide.

Unknown how much time had passed, before Qian Ye softly sighed, murmured, “Was Father ever so resolute, knowing that it would finally reach this?”

A strange bitterness filled Wei’s eyes as he remembered Lin Xitang, whose loss affected Qian Ye deeply. Though he never regarded Lin with quite the same profound sentiment, the connection between Weishi and the North Government had been strengthened significantly around the event of the Great Vortex. Ever since, he had known well of the character of Lin as Supreme Commander.

Now, inexplicably, Wei Potian felt deeply, beneath Qian Ye’s composed words, the grief and sorrow buried there within.

After yet again some silence, Qian Ye turned his head a little and asked, “Does the Empire—still has soldiers?”

“We still have our army! They’re merely leaderless.”

Qian finally turned, “Very well then… I shall return to the Empire with you!”

At this, strangely enough, joy did not stir in Wei, he sighed again and said, “Qian… truly, I could stand it no longer and shamelessly came to find you. She is not all wrong either—afterall, I did ask for these injuries myself. Yet if you are not to rise up, there shall be nobility worthy of leadership nowhere left! How could we ever yield this new world before others, oh!”

“What does the new world contain?”

“As to that even I am unaware—I only have heard vague rumors, once, from Zining, concerning possible hidden secrets of monumental scale inside. The world races must by no means claim it for themselves nor, at worst, monopolize control! Else, Humankind, undoubtedly, stands condemned without redemption!”

“And what are the Heavenly Lords doing at current times?”

“And what more might they accomplish indeed! Holding up of four realms consumes their every ounce of effort these days.” Wei Potian, experienced in military strategy nowadays himself, needed only to hear minimal details to discern general truths.

Qian Ye nodded as well.

Amid present circumstances, the darkblood clans demonstrated the rare phenomenon of an unprecedented unity and joint aspiration toward controlling that new world. While High Lords could not set foot within this newfound frontier, their power could still be exploited elsewhere, and in such a scenario, Qian Ye himself would not remain indifferent or refrain from waging raids elsewhere across enemy lines.

Thus had the darkbloods chosen warfare.

In terms of number alone amongst Eternal Night’s mighty, those ancient sovereign High Lords greatly dwarfed humankind from onset, creating an advantageous disparity multiplied as they consolidated into coordinated assaults—there in several battleground clusters where they stood in pairs challenging a lone opposition.

The four Lords of Humankind had been locked down so tightly already trying to protect native dominions and territory. Even they now struggled to achieve balance.

Therefore now with all fronts under fire simultaneously, Imperial War effort had become strained in its defense of the Eternal Night territories; more tragically still, losses kept occurring in the new battlefield itself—utter collapses happening again and again upon the other side of that threshold!

Weaving together the consequences, the empire had fallen on harder times, in all its recent glory, it had never encountered hardship like this.

Hastely come, Wei Potian carried no belongings to arrange; he needed not time and was ready immediately. Qian Ye’s resolute heart had made him decisive. He ordered the immediate requisition of a high-speed frigate to speed directly for territory deep in the Empire’s capital territory at all best speeds possible.

Their immediate destination—Military Council.

Military Council occupied Westside District within Imperial Capital—spanning enormous lands that themselves seemed city domains upon a metropolis, walled in, isolated—a city within city phenomenon itself!

It unified supreme authority commanding military establishments of countless regions—including Four Great Continents, lower Eternal Night areas, and a floating land beneath; controlling and regulating all offplanetary fleets outside the elite Royal Guards; overseeing deployments and strategic command responsibilities for over ten officially recognized legions and countless front-line battle regiments—including every elite formation known to be within Humankind.

And in this current state of all-out conflict, this center of military authority enjoyed extended command responsibilities that granted it powers over calling upon and employing noble households’ paramilitary forces during wartime.

With significance of utmost rank, no surprise existed then within walls and defensive bulwark unmatched in fortification. Excluding solely Emperor’s Royal Castle, Military HQ stood the number two tallest building within the entire empire’s majestic Capital City.

Equipped with standalone defense system, among that dense sprawl of ancient fortress structures, hid over dozens of anti-aircraft high-rate-of-fire guns tower defense batteries—alongside countless short-range automatic cluster turrets designed to target all forms and directions terrestrial threats arriving on foot and aerial alike—ensured no weakness remained at all within that fortress domain’s borders at any axis. The numerous turrets were each powered continuously via the output energy sustained in seven underground power plant monolith structures buried deep, hidden out of sight, and guarded relentlessly.

Protected under an appearance like nothing more than an ancient retro-styled cityscape on the surface, to the undiscerning eye alone would Military HQ have shown no clues revealing the hidden dangers hidden beneath their unassuming exterior—its defensive might cloaked.

With guidance frigate escort, their shuttle descended onto the exclusive airdock and floating skydock zone assigned outside Council walls

As Qian Ye set foot on the gangway outside, more waiting figures appeared. Though in total number they counted barely three dozen in that crowd, each bore a general-level rank of great prestige in their own right—an unusually impressive turnout.

From the moment Qian looked up, surprise flashed across his expression—the leading figure, none other than the esteemed General Zhao Xuanji!

In response, he advanced without delay, approaching quickly and performing a courteous kowtow. He harbored great reverence, both privately and in affairs of governance, toward Lord Zhang.

As protector of Zhao lineage since ages past as guardian of honor and duty passed down generation upon generation. His title: Guardian Duke of the Distant Horizon stood as symbol, unyieldingly holding up Zhao prestige all these years.

The later Duke by royal merit, while his glory had grown from his outstanding children (namely, the formidable three sons) and beloved princess, himself remained an oft underestimated and lesser appreciated figure despite his numerous military deeds in the Western Continents.

This made the consensus that Zhao Xuanji was rightly and indisputedly held in place still the true senior of the Zhao.

A man known widely for righteous judgment as much as for his generosity within shadow plays that subtly benefited Qian’s advancement over years.

Before this elder, undeniably one worthy of honor, there could be no aloof posture assumed.

Smiling gently, General Zhao reached forward a hand—lifting up the younger figure—and exhaled, “So quickly… Time passed swiftly. And suddenly, here you are standing, nearly as grown as I once stood myself!”

“Surely,” countered Qian in kind, “Sovereign State Your Grace still stands in full prime of greatness?”

Still smiling, yet with an aura of bitterness in his tone: “If not for my aging bones, why would the Supreme Emperor restrain my steps here—denied even stepping within the valley gates at Black Sun Ravine?”

An officer with grey-streaked hair spoke beside him: “The Empire teems richly with brilliant talent, as well as mighty individuals aplenty. Only during truly critical moments shall our elder generals rise! Now, with the arrival of Lord Captain Qian—we need not concern our minds in war anymore.”

Xuanji spoke again: “The Emperor shows every commendable virtue except on some matters of heart, where too soft a touch may surface in judgment, but Qian, follow me please. Many final transitions lie ahead which will need explaining.”

Together they began crossing toward headquarters. Though the stretch ahead long, their pace remained brisk and agile—no small feat when all assembled officers stood at high ranks bearing martial prowess. They seemingly merely strolled with casual air—but in motion, their speed rivalled offroad vehicles. Still though, having this grand collection of veteran generals all moving ahead with hurried grace felt oddly… surreal.

A venerable officer observed as a historical tidbit: “Since the age of our Great Grandmaster himself—only Emperor himself can ride within Headquarters. No one—not even aerial transports nor ground conveyances—shall enter. The walking of the land must carry those present.”

Outer fences surrounding this military headquarters held mostly ornamentation rather than serving actual defensive function per se. Entrance leading to landing dock stood more than dozens of man-height high, majestic and dread-inspiring. Opening fully just one half side entrance for Qian showed a great honor of rare occasion indeed.

For such military headquarters of the Empire, usually kept tightly shut with gates rarely opened—save perhaps once in a rare event like royal appearances. Typically even His Supreme Radiance, when making visit himself, would prefer side entrances.

Having the front gates split half wide open in this manner—just to welcome a single guest of Qian Ye was, by itself alone, a singular event.

Still, even in front of this honor, outwardly Qian remained unmoved; only briefly paused by the towering presence overhead as his line-of-sight ascended that threshold briefly, and then stepping across the threshold—firm footfall echoing on stone ground, crossing beyond threshold into halls of the ultimate fortress—command center for humankind’s greatest martial organization.

From just one step past doorway’s line—into the inner domain where reality shifted instantly between two distinct existences.

The very moment he crossed the line—within his mind, something suddenly stirred as though piercing cold blades, sharp and invisible, cutting into his senses and aura space—landing with heavy intent upon Qian himself.

These were presences—emanating solely from those whose power could be called absolute. Among these were many beings capable of overwhelming his current frame to death! From the midst of it, one ancient aura surged forth like the stagnant stench of death, a corrupted decay of sea depths long rotting and festering under time’s merciless passage.

And yet—it emanated terrifying magnitude beyond even that—great power still! Despite feeling only on the brink of dissolution itself—this aura carried the latent force of titanic scale—a dying behemoth, on the verge of final exhalations but one movement was sufficient to erase entire mountain ridges entirely.

Instinctively halting, wariness flashed visibly behind vigilant gaze, Qian Ye voiced, “Changshan Wang?! Could it be… Long-lived monarch?”

He knew what he had done—he had learned of that Long King’s treachery being the key factor which caused Xitang’s untimely fall. Without those plots: The rebellion of the imperial blood, traps in floating lands and a hidden nemesis among ruling T’ien Kings—all could have been avoided, and Lin might never have resorted to risking death in an ultimate sacrifice to turn the tide.

And yet Changsai was long pronounced dead across every front! So from where did this aura emerge?

Cunning suspicion flared at that revelation—should Longevity King still breathew and persist in existence, then—standing still among the eldest of human Tian King ranks—Qian would still hold no illusions of being able to match that dying being on equal footing.

Could it be this a plot? A treacherous ambush laying in wait for him?

His wary gaze swept around, while Zhao noticed his pause—the unspoken question clear in Qian’s gaze. Yet with calm assurance, he explained: “The Old King has already passed beyond. This residual echo of ancient might still resides, as part of the building’s defenses—no need to worry. Consider it merely another ancient precautionary safeguard of the past.

Comprehending, Qian loosened a shade as his head tilted slightly in nodding agreement and resumed walking beside Zhao inward once more.

Central Command stood—comprising massive main headquarters tower with four auxiliary subordinate towers encircling it in cruciform formation. The four outer towers stretched upward in slim, elongated forms—the central core was designed in grand domed circle construction unlike other structures—distinctly circular at the very heart of the arrangement.

As a younger looking Commander noted while walking beside, “Here sits Military Headquarters’ Center: Main tower with Four Auxiliary Structures as Four Sacred Beast Towers—Central Tower represents Earth itself.”

“ Sacred Bests you imply?” Questioned Qian in mild curiosity.

Affirming, he answered, “Precisely! Sacred creatures of old. Historical records indicate this structure originally modeled based upon Four Legendary Creatures’ representation.

“You mean to tell… these four exist within official documentation of Empire?”

Smirking, this young commander replied, “Technically, yes… but perhaps more in metaphor or poetic interpretation. In ancient times, it seems the metaphor involved the T’eng-she as symbolic imperial totem, an avian of flames, plus tiger strength and giant turtle armor… in truth we ourselves aren’t exactly sure from what source these symbols came, maybe from long forgotten legends—perhaps even the distant memories of titanic Void-beasts once known to dwell in deepest cosmic void?

Passing together deeper, ascending ever upward through layers until reaching finally a small chamber hall.

Modest-sized but exuded the heavy solemn gravity of timeless dignity.

Crossing within felt the sudden rise of countless invisible auras. Although minute, each carried a heavy presence unique to its source. These spirits filled spaces between like peaks striving heavenward in rivalry.

Within that array, some auras he instantly recognized: like none other than—Lin Xitang!

Instant movement—a turn toward source! Upon a side wall within that ceremonial hall—completely embedded black jade stone panels. Panels lined up—left and right; filled densely engraved names of honored legends. Xitang’s lay within far depths of right-side wall’s array of inscribed titles.

Across from them, another panel had only handful upon names upon left half. The famed Azure Khan King Zhang Baiqian ended the list upon far rightmost end.

Explained General Zhao: “These walls are Imperial Honor Register. Records preserved eternally within stone—preserved in memory of all who ever stood for glory for Empire across endless time! When I am but a whisper of the past, if given place here upon walls would satisfy even my own heart’s final desires.”

Another commander interjected: “Your Grace State Duke for the strategy during the Great Battle over Floating Isles set the foundation which led finally upon our Empire achieving final victory that great day—when your era comes to memory, Your Name is set surely to be added onto these right wall panels.

Suddenly, the eye caught a name upon the left side, a question followed in inquiry.

“This, may I asked— is Long King?”

All other officers in the gathering kept silence, yet Xuanji voiced freely.

“In flesh yes—he was indeed Changshen Wang once known as Long-lived Sage King.”

With a pause, Zhao added, “Yes—a grave sin did fall heavily from him in life’s twilight… though his deeds across countless days of youth, had once brought Empire vast achievements in countless victories—thus comparing transgression past and service rendered, history’s balance finds still more in favor on record’s ledger page. This place—the honor recorded… exists for the sake of history. Regardless how grave misdeeds later—records shall persist so long merit had once stood undeniable.”

Silence lingered. Long seconds passed, before at last—Qian’s expression showed small gesture—nod—of tacit acknowledgment in reply.

Finally, solemnity returned upon countenance, Zhao spoke formally, reverent.

“Within this sacred hall of heavenly martial honors—we conduct investiture most suitable. Qian, shall you then willingly accept such mantle bearing weight of such duty, as this day upon Council shall bestow?”

**end_translation**