Wei Po Tian’s expression darkened slightly. “Qian Ye is my brother; there’s nothing we can’t discuss in his presence.”
The elder then said, “This matter now seems to be quite extensive. It might not just be an issue with a few regiments, but could also involve high-ranking figures who are mediating and negotiating. This has already become an internal affair of the Expeditionary Army. Although our Wei family of the Far East do not fear anything, on the Evernight Continent, we must still show respect to General Xiao Ling Shi. Disposing of one or two offending regiments is one thing, but engaging in large-scale conflict would be entirely inappropriate.”
After speaking, without waiting for Wei Po Tian’s response, the elder bowed slightly to Qian Ye and respectfully asked, “May I ask what Master Qian’s thoughts are on this?”
Qian Ye hadn’t expected the elder to suddenly turn to him, bypassing Wei Po Tian. But after a moment’s thought, he understood. This situation was largely due to him. While the Wei family could benefit from it, compared to the resources invested, it was at best a marginal gain.
To engage in a major conflict on the Evernight Continent would definitely exceed the Wei family’s limits. This wasn’t a contest of power between the Wei family and the Expeditionary Army, but rather a deeper issue of whether a Marquis could interfere in the military affairs of the Evernight Continent. The elder’s words were clear: to prevent the Crown Prince from escalating the situation for Qian Ye, which could lead to an uncontrollable outcome.
Qian Ye immediately replied, “Po Tian, my grievances with Wu Zheng Nan are personal. I don’t want to cause more complications. Since everything started with him and he played a central role in the forbidden transactions with the dark races, I believe holding the main culprit accountable should suffice.”
Wei Po Tian glanced at him and said, “Good.” Then, turning around, he noticed they were near the tall wall close to the town gates where the captured officers of the Expeditionary Army were gathered. His anger flared again. “But when I see these guys, I can’t help but get angry. I really want to kill them all!”
At that moment, the elder spoke again, “Young Master, they were just following orders. If they had already been captured, killing them wouldn’t be wrong, but there are many outsiders here…”
His voice was low, audible only to Wei Po Tian and Qian Ye. The elder’s meaning was clear: without outsiders, the killing would have proceeded. But having such a deed witnessed would harm the Wei family and the Crown Prince’s reputation. Qian Ye wasn’t considered an outsider, but the Bloodline seeds and the guards of the Far East Heavy Industry were.
Wei Po Tian let out a heavy breath, “Fine! Let’s deal with the important matters first.”
Apart from organizing the town and treating the wounded, there were many other matters to attend to. Security, however, was not a concern. Wei Po Tian had already sent a message to the Tenth Regiment in Broken River City, informing them of the incident. Whether as the Marquis’ son, the acting Lieutenant Colonel of the Fallen Angel Corps, or in any other capacity, being attacked in the local defense zone would implicate the Tenth Regiment, so there would be no further attempts to ignore the situation. The captured officers of the Fifteenth Regiment were sent back to their headquarters, awaiting a satisfactory resolution from the Fifteenth Regiment to the Wei family.
The next day, Wei Po Tian and Qian Ye boarded an airship, heading straight for Black Current City. The Crown Prince moved swiftly, without delay. After landing outside Black Current City in the afternoon, he immediately gathered the Fallen Angel Corps and Wei family warriors, then rushed into the city without a moment’s rest.
The defending soldiers of the Expeditionary Army, possibly already ordered not to resist, didn’t dare to stop the ferocious intruders. A convoy of heavy trucks drove straight into the Seventh Regiment’s headquarters, blocking the entrance.
Wei Po Tian jumped out of the vehicle and looked at the unremarkable buildings, asking incredulously, “Is this the headquarters of the Seventh Regiment? It doesn’t look like it!”
A retainer replied, “Young Master, this is indeed the place. At least, that’s how it’s marked on the map. Look, there’s the sign over there!”
Wei Po Tian finally found the sign that read “Seventh Regiment of the Expeditionary Army.” After staring at it for a while, he was still somewhat skeptical. The headquarters of the Seventh Regiment looked like a large, old courtyard with several ordinary office buildings. The building had a long history and hadn’t changed in the past decade.
Accustomed to the grand and imposing headquarters of the Empire’s main forces, Wei Po Tian initially thought he was in a rural militia camp. But then he realized that the Expeditionary Army was essentially a scattered force.
Wei Po Tian strode towards the headquarters’ entrance. The guards reflexively raised their guns and shouted, “Who dares to enter the regimental headquarters? You’re seeking death!”
The Wei family members didn’t move, but the Fallen Angel Corps weren’t so patient. Many reached for their weapons. A single command, and they could wipe out the guards in an instant.
Qian Ye, standing among the Wei family guards, sighed softly. He knew the “casualty quotas” of elite units like the Fallen Angel Corps. Killing these ordinary soldiers wouldn’t even count towards the quota, which was reserved for commissioned officers and those with noble status.
At that moment, a lieutenant colonel sprinted towards them, shouting, “Put down your guns, all of you!” The guards reluctantly complied, but they glared fiercely at the group.
The lieutenant colonel approached Wei Po Tian, recognizing him at once. “Are you the Marquis’ son, Young Master Qi Yang? Marquis’ Son, I’m sure you know where the Expeditionary Army stands. You blocked the city gates, and now you’ve blocked our Seventh Regiment’s headquarters! As an imperial officer, blocking a military path is tantamount to disrupting military operations. Do I need to remind you of the imperial military law?”
Wei Po Tian remained silent, as did the Fallen Angel Corps’ colonel behind him. Neither showed any intention of conversing with the lieutenant colonel.
The lieutenant colonel gritted his teeth, “What do you mean by this? We, the Expeditionary Army, guard the frontier, bleeding and sweating for the Empire, and we often go without pay! Is that not enough? Our brothers risk their lives fighting the dark races, and now they face this humiliation? We are also imperial soldiers, with imperial spirit. No matter how powerful you are, we will appeal to the military court! We won’t accept unfair treatment!”
His passionate speech resonated with the already angry guards.
Wei Po Tian, expressionless, said coldly after the lieutenant colonel finished, “Only you and the dark races have fought and bled? I saw you fighting each other pretty hard.”
The Fallen Angel Corps’ colonel then spoke, slowly, “Do you want to take this to the military court? Good! Brother Zhang, it’s your turn!”
A man in his thirties stepped forward. He and a few others had joined the group quietly after Wei Po Tian arrived. This man, surnamed Zhang, looked like a regular civil servant, slightly thin.
He walked up to the lieutenant colonel, flashing a badge briefly before putting it away, and said calmly, “Tell Wu Zheng Nan I’ll wait five minutes. If he doesn’t come out, we’ll leave. Also, if you repeat what you just said, everyone here will be coming with me.”
The lieutenant colonel’s eyes widened, and he trembled uncontrollably at the sight of the badge. He turned and ran full speed back into the headquarters. The man surnamed Zhang calmly took out a small orrery, set the time, and waited with closed eyes, completely at ease.
In that brief moment, Qian Ye glimpsed the badge. Although he didn’t see the whole thing, the unique shape and colors would be recognized by any imperial soldier. It was the badge of the Imperial Military Police.
Given that even the Imperial Military Police were involved, it was clear that the matter had entered the formal impeachment process at the highest levels. It seemed the Wei family had done their homework well.
At four minutes and fifty seconds, Wu Zheng Nan appeared from the headquarters building. He moved quickly, crossing the square in moments to stand before the group.
Wu Zheng Nan glanced at the crowd, his gaze lingering on Wei Po Tian and the Fallen Angel Corps’ colonel. Calmly, he said, “Even the Military Police are here. It seems I, a mere regimental commander, have indeed stirred up the higher-ups. Since you’re here, please follow me inside. But you should also control your subordinates. If blood is shed, my men may not be as restrained as I am.”
The Fallen Angel Corps’ colonel sneered, “If you had come out earlier, none of this would have happened. You don’t care about their lives, so why should we?”
Wu Zheng Nan glanced at the colonel and smiled, “You’re young. In six or seven years, I won’t be your match.”
The colonel was taken aback, his face turning grim.
The group fell silent, following Wu Zheng Nan to the tallest office building in the courtyard. More and more soldiers emerged from the barracks, glaring at Wei Po Tian and his group, ready to attack.
The atmosphere was tense, like a pack of wolves waiting to pounce. Some of the outer Wei family guards were visibly uneasy, a sign of fear. The Fallen Angel Corps, however, showed exceptional discipline, remaining calm and composed despite their youth.
They reached the meeting room floor without incident, suggesting that Wu Zheng Nan had only brought out the soldiers to intimidate them.
Hearing the whispers of the Wei family guards, Qian Ye frowned slightly. He didn’t believe Wu Zheng Nan would act so trivially. If he had the chance, he would have ordered an attack to trap them in the headquarters.
The journey was fraught with tension, but the presence of the strong Military Police and a full company of the Fallen Angel Corps made Wu Zheng Nan realize he had no chance.
All the officers entered the meeting room, and Qian Ye followed the Wei family’s head guard, sitting silently in the corner. Suddenly, he felt a sharp gaze on him and looked up to see Wu Zheng Nan staring. Among the officers and senior guards, Qian Ye stood out due to his age and rank.
“I am Zhang You Heng, currently a Colonel in the Imperial Military Police, and here are the relevant documents for this investigation,” Zhang You Heng said, sliding a document across the table to Wu Zheng Nan.
Wu Zheng Nan examined the document, verified the dual seals of the Imperial Military and the Military Police, and signed it, handing it to his adjutant.
This action slightly eased the tension in the room. Taking the document meant Wu Zheng Nan was willing to abide by the Imperial Military’s constraints, not considering rebellion. There had been precedents of a far-off regimental commander killing the investigating team and defecting to the dark races.
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