After Song Zining left Chen’s mansion, he arrived at a courtyard residence in the southern district of the city. This place served as his base residence downtown, previously owned by a distant branch family of the Song clan’s vassal lineage. The courtyard estate was not especially large, but was very practical in layout, displaying the typical architectural style of Evernight Continent dwellings, characterized by high walls, deep moats, and defensive characteristics befitting a small fortress during emergencies.
Upon entering the side hall, Song Zining found the two War-Generals-level experts quietly waiting in attendance. He summoned two origin power sealed boxes and personally presented one to each of them; stating:”Had it not been for the presence of honorable两位 warriors here present, this endeavor might not have achieved such smooth results today. This is intended as a small token of appreciation: Upon your return, please offer my best regards to venerable Lord Jiǔ.”
The two martial experts rose hurriedly. The slightly older one voiced,”We are naturally delighted to occasionally contribute some small service under lord young Master Seven’s guidance. Prior to departure, Lord Jiǔ specifically exhorted us to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to your assignments. Surely being both Song clan people of our House, Lord Seven why the formality now?”
Both individuals attempted to defer and respectfully refuse the offered items.
Yet Song Zining’s expression turned solemn.”Such trifling tokens do not exist between gentlemen to cultivate alooftiness from one another; rather, they are due respects to honored seniors. It has thus proven a necessity—a ceremonial protocol without which how could Song’s noble retainers maintain dignity of due position? Despite my birth within the direct bloodline, how might I dare casually command battle-adepts possessing true strength such as yourselves? That Uncle Jiǔ bestows me kindness and nurturance, it equally awaits upon mutual companionship and understanding from esteemed persons such as yourselves towards successfully concluding our endeavors!”
Upon hearing these sentiments, the two veterans found themselves immensely heartened, relinquishing further reluctance. Later upon their quarters reopening containers—both finding meticulously arranged origin-power-tierred black grade crystals lying in wait—their inner sentiments heightened in satisfaction.
In Evernight Continent both veterans harboured legitimate Song-faction postings. Their visit to Shanyin Province proved no more than a trifling detour on ongoing duties. That such effortless side profits—an exquisite black crystal secured following mere three-day temporary diversion under young lord Qī’s orders. Even for cultivators reaching War-Generals’ strength, encounters bearing such casual earnings bore exceptional rarity! Prior mutual acquaintances with young Prince Qī having remained limited, yet upon three consecutive daily observations, they discovered this seventh grandson possessed unexpectedly amiable personality: sincere in attitude and congenially approachant—an admirable improvement versus their previous impression of those comparatively stingier Song scions.
All-day long throughout these days, Qian Ye concentrated fully upon training his gathered seedlings—select talents having undergone rigorous screening, demonstrating exceptional gift in origin-endowments, physical constitution, and perceptual understanding. Within merely several days’ training, the cohort already projected the initial image of effective battle-worthiness, moreover with numerous young female members exhibiting warrior potentials.
Expecting this advancement beforehand though Qian Ye did still experience some surprise upon firsthand witnessing: At maintaining their ongoing drill intensities, after couple-three months, he would already field a battle-organization comprising circa four hundred personnel—a sizeable force equatable to an average infantry cohort. Provided adequate arms and equipments, their overall fighting strength would rival imperial field divisions no different; furthermore with further time passage gradually enabling them ignite inner origin nodes becoming true battle infantry units. With that eventuality, potentially even superior to imperial-standard military formations.
At break-of-dawn hours the training grounds’ regimen already commenced under dim glows of origin-energy torches—rows upon rows of youths, male and female, jogging repeatedly undergoing basic conditioning, while advanced battle-walkers gathered opposite side engaging physical training with multiple weight implements.
Right when Wei Cheng entered into courtyard’s peripherary view with urgent strides, at first sight Qian Yan’s countenance slightly stirred—it marked unusually early time for this individual’s visit.
Arriving before Qian Ye, lowering his voice, Wei Cheng whispered,”Master Qian these two recent nights numerous suspicious presences hovered vicinity—Last eve we even caught an intruder handily.”
Qian’s Ye’s dark brows arched slightly, questioning,”Was his identity confirmed yet?”
”Precisely where difficulties lie here. Turns he belongs to 7thDivision army personnel bearing official military status,”Weicheng responded with concern laced voice.
Gazing into Wei’s anxiety-laden expression Qian Ye remained silent. Wei had already acquired knowledge during prior arrangements regarding these trainees’ classification as seed-personnels, and been entrusted with duties covering the prisoners and dealing with the赤crystal mining matters—While precise origins had never explicitly conveyed. Nevertheless mutual understandings had established long enough through Wei’s cleverness for Qian Ye understanding the current concern timing slightly tardied compared with normal.
Qian Ya however dispensed formalities and directly questioned：“Shalt these elements target our Eastern Industry holdings for offensive strikes?”
With expression fluctuation, Wei answered：“Certainly not openly, but countless underground sabotage techniques available. Suppose suddenly nomadic raid band conveniently strikes our iron mines—one that absolutely leaves no accountability!”
Qian Ye simply nodded,”Then armaments will be required—an abundant volume of weapons.”
At this reply, Wei Cheng face turned pale.”Admittedly difficult. While 7thDivision territory maintains moderate distance from Rivercity, inter-division relationships spanning bordering operational warzones remain extremely cordial. Really should one act timely before rumors spread too extensively…”
Qian Ye narrowed his gaze towards this hesitant remark, instantly comprehending Wei’s hidden meaning—unlike previous arrangements with willingly receiving ore shipments or accepting communication from Wei Father previously regarding dispatched runners. That previous willingness having entailed no obstacles at receiving suspiciously-valuable goods. If not prior such commitments now showing hesitancy and reluctance towards full support might be understandable.
Today however with Wei knowing full well Wei’s Elder Son arrival approaching soon—His sudden indecision became suspicious in light of prior willingness having committed potential betrayals.
Already awakening cautious suspicions now within Qiane’s Ye psyche—he did not intend allowing this wily fox to escape obligations so easily. Maintaining indifferent tone he spoke coldly.”If those overdue weapons equipments could not directly come forthright away, definitely do not think no sufficient reserves exist within your warehouses!”
Helplessly forcing a stiffed chuckling laughter upon Wei:”Respected young master, must you always burdening me so?”
But the latter’s glared icily: “If you aren’t creating deliberate trouble today then tomorrow when Crown Prince Wei arrive inevitably you also find yourself cornered! Transporting all my seed warriors away without equipment proves akin equivalent to condemning them outright. As of this dusknight hour tonight—I must observe actual equipments arriving. All paid-for goods now rightfully owed me—You absolutely must deliver forthwith!” With these final chilling remarks Qian Ye turned abruptly aside dismissing Wei’s presence while returning focus into monitoring trainee regimen.
Helpessly bowing hurried thanks and excuses, Wei Cheng turned around taking immediate departure footsteps.
Watching Wei’s retreating shadow, Qian Ye summoned forth one recruit—a former hunter possessing remarkable tracking abilities, issuing quiet orders for this soldier to tail Wei at distance—Determinating accurately whether he directly returns downtown or detours elsewhere.
Looking back, during Wei initially retrieving the赤crystal mining ores he displayed remarkable hospitality attitude—but now procrastinators dragged deliveries, hesitating delays. Then proposing suddenly relocating all these valuable seed units from their established defensive bastioned encampents made no sense at all—Such contradictory conduct increasingly suspicious amidst emerging threats.
Meanwhile at Headquarters of the Seventh Division, gathering clouds heavily gathered across rooftops promising storm torrents shortly. Inside the strategy chamber stood Wu Zhengnan standing with arms clasped behind back scrutinizing military maps displayed across the opposing wall—utterly absorbed in deep concentration maintaining an oppressive quietness.
The conference chamber occupied roughly seven-eight people total—every attendee his most trusted and intimate confidants; core decision-makers of Seventh Division entirely gathered at here.
Inside remained oppressively silent; an absolute still, so hushed one might almost have heard their neighboring comrades’ heartbeats echoing.
After enduring several drawn-out eternities, the division head Wu Zhengnan finally intoned,”Report—no updates arrived yet from mineral processing plant front?”
A sitting Colonel参谋 spoke,”Exactly so. Latest consignment shipments delayed persistently using increasingly strange excuse fabrications from counterpart. Even with our multiple催促, utterly no effect. And as for old Chen Guanyu his whereabouts whereabouts disappeared mysteriously, hasn’t appeared at all recently.”
Then abruptly Wu questioned,”As for family members of elder Chen have they been located at all in these days, you mentioned meeting?”
Startled reaction flashed from officer’s eyes who instantly faltered, face souring,”No sightings. None at all… Only his cousin oversees next mine but even that individual seems clueless about any whereabouts.”
Nodding slowly Wu Zhengnan remarked,”Meaning thus—the Chen mining operation’s already fallen into calamity. Old Chen either captured OR disappeared already.”
Unwilling to comprehend entirely, Qi Sicheng responded hesitantly:”Unlikely this would really be true right? That aged fox holds minor official connection closely with general army command’s陆 general from the Imperial Army high command. Without those networks, how could he maintain three mine ownership licenses across Shanyin provinces alone?”
Wu Zhengnan stated dourly,”Just because that, makes this exactly how serious situation unfolding now. Someone had deliberately targeted against us! This might imply something larger than petty local conflicts.”
Shake shaking head slightly Qis Cheng queried further confusion,”Even with Evernight continent terrain in their advantage—who dared to confront bold direct military opposition against our Expedition Force? Even those Noble clans within high ranks could never act with complete unrestraint—Military head honchos in central would surely stop such misconduct wouldn’t it? If they truly condoned this chaos, how would Empire maintain soldier morale afterwards?”
Wu Zhengnan half-sardonically smiled at Qi—extending pointing one hand gesture above them. Instantly Qis Cheng silenced himself at meaning understood
Meanwhile adjacent Colonel voiced some不服s气,”Sure enough even the noble houses above dare challenging expedition forces’ dominance? It cannot possibly so simple that anyone can destroy or subjugate a imperial field army, would they truly dare? Commanding officers high-command must definitely resist these intrusions!”
Wu continued tonelessly,”It is entirely futile at this point speaking in what-ifs anyway! The Fifteenth Division report—what says their latest findings exactly?”
The Fifteenth constituted one battlefield front unit strategically situated in neutral inter-district corridor separating both Hei Liu City and the Duancheng fortress regions. Seventh Division having been robbed—obviously could scarcely deploy army forces to directly invade adjacent theater zones with flags ablazing, intelligence officer previously delegated small scouting forces meanwhile confidential communiques distributed among allied units—Of those who answered the Fifteenth remained chief channel through which feedback arrived.
Now the updated information presented was:
”Confirmed our targeted individuals are concealed temporarily inside a Eastern Heavy Industry blackiron mining compound—the youth named Qian having led the looting now also confirmed currently resides inside location. Our internal intel source confirms this intel passed through Fifteenth connections directly within Eastern industry, General Zhang affirms willingness to dispatch an infantry battalion in handling the matter. Although located within territory governed by tenth military division under Duancheng City jurisdiction. He demanded toll compensation for passage through controlled territory. Furthermore involving魏氏 family influence within Eastern regions so henceforth he requests a tenpercent raise in our future profit share dealings.”
At hearing such negotiation proposal conditions, Wu’s face expression darken visibly; certainly not an insignificant small value represented by proposed raise percentage.
Still after pacing for some time around his study Wu commanded finally resound:”Accept! Inform the Zhang regarding handling the situation decisively—we will require everything completed within one single operation-day. In addition: leave zero survivors!”
”My lord,”exclaimed Qis Cheng horrified— “Yet the seedling group possess substantial valuation already—”
”Losing our profits remains less disastrous than facing annihilation leaving no remains to bury, do you still require clarification of greater consequences?” He then added decisively.”Proceed!”
Silenced Qis Cheng no longer argued further albeit visibly bitter—he privately calculated at least fifty among these trainee groups had originated from his own secret investment portfolios, potentially wiping nearly all his past gains entirely clean. Others within conference gathering chamber shared likewise darkened expressions mirroring personal losses.
Wu Zhengnan paused once more before ordering further,”However… that fellow Zhang never particularly reliable. Better we simultaneously dispatch our own regiment as additional measures of guarantee: assign 1stDivision!”
This 1st Battle-formation being Wu’s premier strike force, technically one battalion-sized unit fielding more than two thousand fully armared veterans—each equipped superior to imperial-standard legions at minimum. Deploying such an unit signified Wu already reaching resolute decision—willing prepared to oblivate completely not merely the seeds target group but also completely erase any trace connecting back toward the underlying criminal transaction web.
Amidst this fresh directive, even meticulous Qi had begun connecting disparate dots regarding suspicious timing—Old Elder Chen family’s unexpected sudden vanish; all coalecing into dark ominous clouds coiling his psyche.
No longer than brief duration before the Colonel who had earlier departed to transmit division order rushed right back panting—stumbling directly in front doors crying out:
“General bad news! Outskirts city gates, large number of intruders already arrived identifying themselves under Wei氏 surname claiming official clan identification! Not only seizing control entire urban entranceways—furthermore forbidding exit for any within City! Several company soldiers already ambushed sustaining injuries numbering more than a dozen men!”
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