Finally, Eunuch Liu said, “Okay, let’s conclude our meeting here as I should be moving. Old age has made me so talkative. Fortunately, my memory is still quite good, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to run errands for the empress.”

Li Kuanglan and Song Zining looked fairly bitter at this point, but fortunately, the old man was leaving. The duo hurried over to see him off, almost bumping into each other along the way. Li Kuanglan glared fiercely at the seventh young master, looking as though she would settle the scores with him soon afterward. The latter, however, simply ignored her.

Eunuch Liu didn’t linger. He shot up and flew straight into his airship, effectively stopping those who wanted to see him off. The vessel ascended gradually at first, and then all of a sudden, it accelerated rapidly and vanished over the horizon.

Li Kuanglan beckoned to Song Zining with a cold smile. “Zining, come here. I have something to discuss with you.”

Song Zining replied with a smile, “I also have something to say to you.”

Qianye wanted to join them but was duly stopped. “It’s none of your business!”

Ignoring Song Zining for now, Qianye was thoroughly baffled by Li Kuanglan’s nasty attitude. Since the day she brought news that Tidehark was willing to trade, her attitude toward him had been growing increasingly strange.

Li Kuanglan and Song Zining sat down in an isolated chamber, facing each other in silence. Only after a long while did Li Kuanglan speak, “You started this business, how do you intend to clean up?”

Song Zining laughed wryly, “How could I have known things would turn out this way? Isn’t the empress being too serious about this? She even mobilized Eunuch Liu, is it necessary to go so far?”

Li Kuanglan said expressionlessly, “She personally performed divination regarding this matter. Even the family heirloom was shattered, unable to withstand the backlash. You tell me if it’s necessary.”

Song Zining was shocked. “Family heirloom? Don’t tell me it’s the Heaventheft Jade Tokens?”

“What else can it be?”

Only at this point did Song Zining realize the gravity of the situation. “I was hoping to get through this by a fluke, but it looks like we have no choice but to get things done. Otherwise, the empress will never let me go.”

Li Kuanglan sneered, “Good that you know! You can’t even begin to imagine my sister’s methods.”

Song Zining sighed deeply. “There’s no need for the empress to do anything, just the stuff that goes on in the palace is enough. I would rather die than risk trying them out.”

“As long as you understand, what now?”

Song Zining said helplessly, “What else can I do? We can only make things happen. It’s just that I don’t know whether Qianye will agree, it’s going to be a headache.”

Li Kuanglan grabbed Song Zining by the collar and uttered through clenched teeth, “And I’m supposed to be all willing?”

Song Zining looked puzzled. “You’re not?”

Li Kuanglan was so angry that she nearly blacked out. She shook the seventh young master violently, roaring, “I am not willing! Absolutely not! Do I make myself clear?”

Song Zining looked at her with eyes full of sympathy. “I hear you loud and clear. But… what use is your unwillingness?”

Li Kuanglan was startled.

Song Zining continued, “Are you really going to go against your sister’s wishes?”

Li Kuanglan opened her mouth, but no words escaped her lips.

“That settles it, right?” Song Zining shot her a confident sideways glance. “Is there a difference whether or not I ask you? Besides, this is for your own good.”

Li Kuanglan could no longer stand this. She howled into Song Zining’s ears, “I don’t need anyone deciding what’s good for me!”

Song Zining, however, was already expecting this. Having sealed his ears with origin power, he simply looked on at Li Kuanglan with sympathetic eyes.

Qianye was locked out of the room, so all he could do was pace about nearby. Ji Rui jogged over at this point and, seeing no one around, whispered, “Sire Qianye, what exactly was Eunuch Liu referring to?”

Qianye shrugged. “Do I look like I know? You’ll have to ask those two.”

Ji Rui replied hurriedly, “The two young nobles aren’t easy to approach, how would I dare to ask? I feel a bit more familiar with you.”

Qianye snorted. “We’re indeed familiar with one another since you’ve already tried to harm me twice.”

Ji Rui laughed awkwardly. “It’s all a misunderstanding. You know that it's impossible to survive in the neutral lands otherwise!”

Qianye understood this point as well; otherwise, he wouldn’t have maintained a relationship with the city lord. It was just that he had no idea about what was going on, nor did he get the chance to ask Song Zining. “I really have no idea.”

Ji Rui shook his head. “If it’s as important as it sounds, then there’s really no difference whether or not we know. What will come will come. My current wish is to cede the city lord position to you, what do you think?”

Qianye shook his head. “Southern Blue is yours, and so is the city lord position. The only thing I want is Dark Flame. As long as you support its development, the city lord’s position will not change.”

Ji Rui pondered for a moment and then came to a realization. “Turns out Sire Qianye has great aspirations, you simply do not care for a meager city. I’m full of admiration! Rest assured, as long as you will it, this lowly one will do his best without excuses. I won’t complain even if you want me to pay out of my own pocket, as long as you leave me some retirement funds.”

Ji Rui was fairly practical and, as expected of a wily old fox, highly capable in the path of survival. He had lowered himself significantly since Eunuch Liu’s arrival, going so far as to address Qianye as sire instead of young noble.

Qianye started to cultivate after returning to his residence, but just as he had begun channeling the Glory Chapter, he heard Song Zining’s footsteps approaching. As such, he stopped the cultivation art and waited in silence.

Song Zining was all smiles as he walked in. “Qianye, thank you so much for saving me this time.”

“What exactly happened? How did you get caught? Why did the people from Tidehark attack you all of a sudden?” Qianye had a lot of questions but never got the chance to ask until now.

Song Zining sighed. “Of course it’s about my rotten familial matters.”

He then proceeded to explain the details. The main reason was because some people from the Song clan had noticed his resignation from the army and subsequent arrival in the neutral lands. The situation back in the clan was highly unstable, and everyone was restless. This made Song Zining’s movements even more evident to those who were watching him. Song Zining had indeed left the clan, but his outstanding achievements far surpassed the scions of the family, and everyone knew how Duchess An favored the seventh young noble. Hence, many people considered him as a powerful contender for the next generation clan lord’s position.

A group of people thus followed Song Zining to the neutral lands. Song Zian was fairly capable in this regard, it would seem. Who knew how he managed to get in touch with Rui Xiang, but the two ended up working together in the end. The old steward was offered an exorbitant price to capture Song Zining who, at the moment, had coincidentally lost his divination powers. The seventh young master was ultimately captured and suffered several days of prison life.

It was just that Luo Bingfeng decided to trade with Qianye just as Song Zian was about to act, effectively extracting the prisoner from the Wolf King’s grasp. In just a couple more days, Song Zining might very well have fallen into Song Zian’s hands and transported back to the empire.

During the imprisonment, the Wolf King had also tried to interrogate Song Zining about where his technology was stored. However, the latter understood that the key to this matter was to maintain his silence. Otherwise, he would’ve become a pile of bones by now.

Fortunately, the outcome was fairly good, and everyone got through the daunting experience without any mishaps.

Qianye’s eyes flashed with killing intent upon hearing Song Zining’s explanation. “And you let him go just like that? Shall I go and pick him back up?”

Song Zining shook his head. “He messed up this deal and lost the investment, so he’ll definitely be punished upon his return. His fate won’t be any better, so why should we trouble ourselves? Besides, we’re still brothers regardless of everything, I’ll be blamed for fratricide if I kill him now. This will be detrimental for our latter recruitment endeavors.”

Qianye said coldly, “They clearly want your life! And you’re still protecting him? If you had revealed Ningyuan Heavy Industry’s secrets, you’d be long dead by now! As for the future, that’s too far and I can’t think about that much. What I know is that we should make all those trying to harm you realize that they’ll have no good ending. If you let him go now, he might come again at a later date.”

Song Zining rolled his eyes. “How come you’ve never been so urgent about your own matters.”

“What matters?” Qianye was baffled.

“Your marriage.”

“I’ve told you before, I already have someone I love.”

“But she’s all but forgotten about you!”

“So what? It’s fine as long as I like her,” Qianye replied confidently.

Such conversations had been repeated countless times. At this point, Song Zining could only raise his hands in defeat. “Fine, fine... I know you have Nighteye in your heart, alright?”

Qianye sighed but didn’t say anything. He knew Song Zining was stating the truth, but he simply didn’t want to admit it.

The seventh young master quickly shifted the topic of conversation. Putting an arm around Qianye’s shoulder, he said with a smile, “Qianye, we’re brothers, right?”

Qianye instinctively sensed something bad from the sudden intimacy. He slapped away Song Zining’s hand and took a step back, saying, “Speak, what’s the matter?”

Song Zining laughed awkwardly. “What matter?”

Qianye’s voice was cold and cautious. “Leave if you have nothing to say, I’m going to cultivate.”

“But I just came back from death’s door, can you not be so cruel?”

Qianye was unmoved. He simply pointed at the door, seemingly to show the visitor out. Helpless, Song Zining said, “Qianye, you won’t sit by and watch if I’m in trouble, right?”

“Of course not, unless it’s something you brought upon yourself.” Qianye’s reply was swift.

Song Zining was dazed and he almost couldn’t catch his breath. “Does that mean you plan to watch with folded arms?”

Qianye said unceremoniously, “How can I even solve the problems you stir up? Besides, can you say you had nothing to do with Tianqing and Kuanglan running over to the neutral lands? I have no idea what you’re scheming, and I won’t ask about things I don’t want to know. It’s just like I told you, you reap what you sow. Don’t blame me for a lack of brotherly spirit.”

Song Zining sighed. “If I say that it concerns my life and death, will you help me?”

“Why should I believe you?” Qianye didn’t hold back.

“In any case, you just have to remember that everything I do is for your own good.”

For some reason, Qianye suddenly shivered when he heard those words.