Chapter 55: The Reluctant Newborn

The Seventh Young Master of the illustrious Song Clan, known for his brilliant strategies and divine calculations, was hailed as the next Lin Xitang. Yet, in this desolate land, he had been duped not once, but twice, by Bai Kongzhao and a group of lowly mercenaries.

Bai Kongzhao's tactics, when exposed, were worthless—a simple street trick: one person distracts while another snatches the bag and runs. Such a scene is common in every city and town across the empire.

But this time, the victim was the Seventh Young Master of the Song Clan, and the loot was a backpack full of precious minerals, which he had earned at the cost of broken ribs.

As he watched the rowdy mercenaries dividing their spoils, Song Zining clenched his fists and forced himself to turn and leave.

After calming down, Song Zining suddenly felt something was amiss. Could it be that Bai Kongzhao had gone to such lengths just to rob him? Even a child wouldn't believe that, and the Seventh Young Master certainly didn't.

However, no matter how much he pondered, he found no answer. And with more pressing matters at hand, particularly the task of finding Bai Kongzhao, he hastened his steps towards Southgreen City.

Upon entering Southgreen, Song Zining was startled by the progress of the construction. The Seventh Young Master was well-versed in planning and knew exactly what kind of progress to expect. Yet, in just a few days, the construction was already more than halfway complete, equivalent to a month’s worth of work. How was this possible?

Song Zining urgently sought out Qianye to inquire about the situation, but both his office and residence were empty. After questioning several soldiers, he finally located Qianye at a new construction site. The ground was still being excavated, and the pit was filled with knee-deep mud.

Even with his keen eyesight, it took Song Zining some effort to find Qianye among the muddy figures.

Qianye, dressed in tattered armor indistinguishable from any other mercenary, was working hard in the pit, covered in mud and grime.

"Qianye!"

At the sound of Song Zining's call, Qianye raised his head and looked at the elegantly-dressed Seventh Young Master standing at the edge of the pit.

Qianye laughed heartily and leaped to Song Zining's side, reaching out for a hug. Song Zining quickly used his fan to keep him at bay, sternly saying, "Stay back!"

Qianye then remembered he was still caked in mud and stinking water. Song Zining, who loved cleanliness, would likely turn on him if he got too close.

"I'll go wash up."

"No need!" With a flick of his fan, a fine mist appeared around Qianye, cleaning him from head to toe in moments, leaving not a speck of dirt behind.

Once Qianye was clean, Song Zining asked in disbelief, "Why are you doing this kind of work?"

Qianye replied lightly, "Someone has to do it. I might as well, since I have nothing better to do. Look, they're all working with me."

Song Zining followed Qianye's gaze and saw Ice Wolf and several other notable figures. Their leading by example explained the rapid progress.

Back in the study, Song Zining asked, "Are you alright?"

Qianye smiled brightly, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Song Zining sighed, "Seeing you like this, how can you say you're fine? Never mind, I know I can't change your mind. Just stay strong."

Qianye's radiant smile faded, replaced by a calm and gentle expression. "It's not so bad. I've adapted. And I must do this; at least I will have a clear conscience."

Song Zining snorted, "Really, a clear conscience?"

Qianye pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I've thought about it for a long time. This is the best way."

Song Zining frowned, "How long do you plan to drag this out?"

"There's no dragging," Qianye chuckled, trying to change the subject.

But Song Zining persisted, "I mean, how long do you plan to keep this relationship with her?"

Qianye fell silent for a moment, then said, "I promised her I would help her ascend the Holy Mountain."

Song Zining exploded, jumping to his feet and pointing at Qianye. "That's not a dream, it's a delusion! One day, she'll get you killed. Do you think we'll stand idly by? We'll all be dragged down with you!"

Qianye smiled bitterly, "Is it really that serious?"

Song Zining's face turned cold, "Do you think I'm joking?"

Qianye stood up, grabbing Song Zining's shoulder, and dragged him out of the study, laughing, "Enough of that. Let's not talk about it now. I see you're injured and even broke a bone. Come, let's have a drink, and you can tell me about your miserable adventures and make me laugh!"

Song Zining was taken aback, "Qianye, you've become a scoundrel!"

But Qianye's arm was like an iron grip, lifting Song Zining off the ground. The Seventh Young Master was unceremoniously dragged to a tavern.

The tavern was empty, and the owner closed the door to prevent any disturbances. Both men were preoccupied, and soon, empty bottles piled up on the table.

Already dazed from the alcohol, Song Zining slurred, "Qianye, you've... changed. Who taught you this?"

Qianye smiled, "I spend my days with the mercenaries. I learned from them. Actually, they're quite interesting."

A waitress came to clear the table, and Qianye said, "Bring ten more bottles." He playfully slapped her on the bottom.

The waitress blushed, eager to sit on Qianye's lap. He gently pushed her away, "First, bring the wine."

She glared at him reproachfully before fetching the wine.

Qianye said to Song Zining, "See? Don't worry about me."

Song Zining snorted, "Please, you're just pretending. You'd run if a woman really tried to seduce you."

Qianye laughed, "I'm a married man."

Song Zining spat out his drink, furious, "Say that to Yelv Jing!"

"Such trivial matters, I won't bother her with." Having spent so much time with mercenaries, Qianye's face had grown thick.

There was no good way to deal with someone as thick-skinned as Qianye, not even for the clever Seventh Young Master. He glared at Qianye, then said, "Sigh, never mind. I know you're closing yourself off. When I faced my own troubles, I did the same..."

Qianye's eyes lit up, "Tell me! Make me laugh!"

Song Zining was livid, "I won't tell you. You, you... argh!"

Qianye stroked his chin, thoughtful, then said, "Do you like Zhang Jing?"

"Who?" Song Zining seemed confused.

"Zhang Jing, our instructor in the Netherworld."

Song Zining nearly spat out his drink, "Why her?"

Qianye mused, "Because she stripped you naked, beat you, and left you hanging there for a day. Given your noble character, if you can't retaliate, you'll be obsessed with her."

Song Zining couldn't hold back and spat out his drink, fuming, "Who told you that nonsense?"

"Tianqing."

"…Alright." The name silenced Song Zining's anger.

As they joked and drank, the empty bottles kept piling up. The waitress, disappointed, came and went without further interaction.

"Bai Kongzhao is also in the Neutral Grounds," Song Zining said.

"I know, I've dealt with her twice."

"Did you fight?" Song Zining was alarmed. Fighting Bai Kongzhao was extremely dangerous, regardless of the power difference.

"No, she handed over half her gains and left."

"Wait, you mean..." Song Zining could hardly believe his ears.

"Both times."

Song Zining felt like cursing. The girl had obediently given half her gains to Qianye but had set up a trap for him, stealing his hard-earned rewards. The loss was one thing, but the comparison highlighted her disdain for Song Zining.

If she had wanted to kill him, it would have been difficult. In terms of power, the Seventh Young Master was top-notch. But if her goal was just his money, he would have no way to sense it, and by the time he realized, it would be too late.

So, Song Zining had been brooding over this for days.

As they continued drinking, Qianye became dazed, and Song Zining was even worse, his eyes glazed over, nearly unconscious.

Song Zining suddenly placed his hand on Qianye's shoulder, saying meaningfully, "Qianye, if someone doesn't want something anymore, do you know how to make them keep pursuing it?"

"How?"

Song Zining smiled mysteriously, "Simple. Just have someone else compete for it."

"What are you talking about?" Qianye was bewildered.

"You'll understand in time."

The night passed quickly, and Song Zining woke to a blinding light.

He shielded his eyes, peering through his fingers, and saw a crowd pointing and whispering, their gazes lingering on his lower body. Standing nearby was a familiar, elegant figure, her ample chest impossible to ignore.

Netherworld, Zhang Jing!

Startled, Song Zining sat up, checking if he was naked and hanging from a pillar.

He realized he was in his bedroom, fully clothed, with sunlight streaming through the curtains, shining on his face.

Song Zining sighed in relief, drenched in sweat, feeling dizzy and weak. That dream had shaken him deeply.

Judging by the angle of the sun, it was noon. He couldn't remember anything after the tavern, his last memory being drinking with Qianye. How he got to bed was a blank.

For a powerful warrior like him, losing memory to alcohol was rare. He wondered how much he had drunk to end up like this.