Monarch of Evernight - Chapter 392

Chapter 392: 392

Chapter 392: Shade [V5C99 - A Distance Within Reach]

Qianye, who had just experienced the forty-ninth cycle of the Combatant Formula, had come to a deeper understanding of power . His heart was burdened by some other matters as he gazed at the almost eternal night sky, namely the rules of the Iron Curtain .

It was, in truth, quite understandable why the curtain prevented people above the level of count from entering .

Take Qianye himself, for instance . He wouldn’t bother to spare a second glance at a group ants passing near his feet whether they were fighting or moving food . Even stomping them to death would only happen if the ants were to appear where his foot would land . But if a number of giant bugs were strutting around or if dogs, cats, or mice were to appear, he would be annoyed and kill them off in passing .

This understanding made Qianye uncomfortable . He thought in self-mockery that no one would be happy about being an ignored ant .

A special guest arrived in Blackflow City soon after Qianye had exited isolated cultivation . It was an imperial envoy .

The envoy, a colonel from the imperial military, came with only a handful of attendants and requested a meeting with the Blackflow City Lord . The envoy didn’t say anything else after seeing Qianye and immediately passed him an official document envelope and a bestowment order . After asking briefly about Blackflow’s defensive matters, he soon excused himself and hurried toward his next destination .

There was nothing special about Blackflow City in the eyes of the envoy, so much so that there was even some pity in his gaze . This small city was at the border frontline and located beneath the Iron Curtain—its downfall was only a matter of time once the bloody battle began .

Qianye opened the documents after the envoy had left . The contents were similar to the previous rallying order from the expeditionary army . This document was a call for all powers to mobilize for this bloody battle . It stated that the rewards would be twice as high compared to normal standards, and that there were no limitations to identity . Everyone, regardless of social status, may obtain rewards .

Additionally, the empire had constructed many temporary bases in Evernight Continent . Participants could visit them anytime with proof of contribution to receive the rewards . This spared potential participants the complicated procedures usually involved in applying for rewards . Among them, the closest base was at the county capital of Trinity River County .

There was a map accompanying the document, and on it was the range within the Iron Curtain that was currently under imperial control . That was also the scope of the upcoming battlefield . Of course, there were no rules forbidding one from leaving the Iron Curtain to fight the dark races, but there was a risk of running into true experts .

Encountering experts under the Iron Curtain wasn’t impossible, either . Some with special abilities that could hide their auras or experts who had suppressed their rank could still move about under the Iron Curtain . For instance, Zhao clan’s Count Yuyang was able to directly enter Blackflow City .

It was just that they couldn’t drag too long once they had entered combat, lest they draw Sky Demon’s attention . At that point, they wouldn’t just be suppressed by the Iron Curtain—the higher their level, the greater the chance of being attacked by Sky Demon .

Qianye unfurled the map to observe in detail . The markings on the map this time were even more detailed compared to the military intelligence he had received last week . He was greatly astonished after seeing the borders of the Iron Curtain—it had surpassed a quarter of human territory, and judging from the curvature of the external borders, most of the unmapped parts should be within dark race territory .

There was no information from the dark race side . However, an extrapolation of the known borders, assuming that the curtain was round, showed that over 20% of Evernight Continent’s surface area had been shrouded by the Iron Curtain .

Just from the size of this Iron Curtain, it was obvious that Sky Demon’s power had exceeded the limits of imagination .

After seeing his map, Qianye ventured a guess regarding the imperial upper echelon’s intentions . It was the perfect timing to attack the dark race territory under the Iron Curtain’s protection .

Qianye put down the documents and proceeded to open the rewards list at the back . Listed upon it were different rewards corresponding to different levels of dark race soldiers .

Among them, the baseline was viscount—the reward for killing a third-rank viscount was a grade-five origin gun or other military supplies of equal value . Taking firm control of a viscount’s territory and incorporating it into human-controlled territory would raise the reward to a custom-made grade-five firearm .

Just from this list, it was obvious that the empire had invested a great deal for this battle . One had to know that there were only so many technicians in the empire capable of producing armaments above grade five . That was why, in general, only a set number of grade-five weapons were produced each year . Previous military rewards came in the form of gold coins—strategic supplies could be exchanged only under special situations . Ordinary people couldn’t afford even standard high-grade firearms, to speak nothing of the custom made ones .

Qianye was inevitably moved as he flipped through the entire two pages of firearms . He currently possessed the Wings of Inception and the Twin Flowers, so even grade-six firearms weren’t of any use to him . But there were many high-ranking officers in Dark Flame . In due time, the number of soldiers capable of using grade-four or even grade-five weapons would only increase . Their combat strength would undoubtedly soar if he could swap out all of their equipment .

There was only a short sentence on the last page, but it managed to firmly draw Qianye’s gaze . It was actually the highest purity black crystal!

Black crystal was a tightly controlled strategic resource . Both the low-purity, kinetic-grade black crystals that were used as fuel and the medium-purity, industrial-grade black crystals that served as the primary material in building origin guns were in short supply all year round . Additionally, the energy-grade black crystals that were usually converted to daybreak origin power for use in cultivation only had a price tag but no set market for it . For instance, the cultivation chambers in the Song clan used such high-purity black crystals .

The empire actually allowed for the exchange of energy-grade black crystals this time . It was clear that the importance they had attached to the bloody battle on Evernight Continent was on par with the large-scale wars of the upper continents .

Qianye had just put down the rewards list when Zhao Yuying approached in a hurry .

“How went your isolated cultivation?”

“No bad . At least, I’ve come to understand my future path . ”

“That’s good . How long until you break through to champion?”

Qianye laughed wryly, “At least two months . It’ll take even longer after factoring the time in battle . ”

Zhao Yuying breathed a sigh of relief instead . “Don’t rush with the breakthrough so as to avoid an unstable foundation . It’s best to advance at the Marrow Cleansing Pond . You don’t have to worry about the resources involved . I’ll find a way to settle it . At worst, this mommy won’t withdraw money from the clan anymore!”

An indescribable sensation emerged in Qianye’s heart . Zhao Yuying had lightly spoken of it, but this meant that she would have to exchange all her future resources from the clan for a chance to enter the Marrow Cleansing Pond . But, he only nodded without saying anything .

At this day and time, there was no longer a need for any polite conventions between Qianye and Zhao Yuying . Even though he had no intention to accept such a costly gift, he appreciated her kind intentions .

Zhao Yuying picked up and briefly looked through the official documents, map, and rewards list before putting them down . The contents therein weren’t too different from the dispatch they had received from the expeditionary army . It seemed as though she had something on her mind, but had no idea how to say it .

Zhao Yuying was rarely so hesitant . Qianye only waited in silence and didn’t rush her . This valiant beauty took a deep breath and said amidst a series of vulgarities, “This mommy still wants to take part in the bloody battle!”

“Why?” Qianye inquired .

With Zhao Yuying’s identity in the Zhao clan, she should have no shortage of military contributions to exchange for resources . Meanwhile, that previous matter with Zhao Fenglei had blown up to disagreeable proportions . As a result, the squad that was supposed to be assigned to her hadn’t even arrived . In truth, the state of Zhao Yuying’s injuries would require her to avoid intense battles for several months . It was only rational for her to make use of this fact to withdraw from this battle .

“For the Zhao clan . ”

This reply surprised Qianye somewhat .

Zhao Yuying felt unburdened after speaking her mind . “Correct, it’s for the Zhao clan . Even in my current state, I’m still a Zhao clan member at heart . Descendants like us are afforded its cool shade only because the great tree, that is the Zhao clan, remains tall . Although there are many people in the family I don’t see eye to eye with, I’m still surnamed Zhao with regards to important matters like this . ”

“I understand . ”

“The Imperial Party’s intentions in this bloody battle are clear . They’re forcing all the major clans to lay their cards on the table . It can be said that they’re using everything at their disposal to centralize power . The empire had been established for thousands of years, and the clans had also existed for just as long . Which centralization did not involve a storm of blood?”

Qianye was a bit confused since he wasn’t very knowledgeable about imperial politics . He said with a frown, “Centralization? What does it have to do with the Zhao clan? Even if the four clans were involved, shouldn’t the Song clan should be first?”

Zhao Yuying shook her head . “Our Zhao clan is closely related to the imperial family and our bloodlines are quite close . Many empresses of generations past were surnamed Zhao . The present emperor’s situation is… relatively special . The empresses’ family is the Jingtang Li Clan, but the imperial family married Princess Gaoyi to Duke Chengen . As such, the other clans see the Zhao as a part of the Imperial Party, but in the eyes of the Imperial Party, the Zhao clan is one hundred percent a clan . ”

Qianye was enlightened . “So, the Zhao clan will be weakened or suppressed no matter which side ends up winning? This…”

“My grandfather and a number of great-uncles share the same view . Most of the clan elders also believe this to be so . Hence, their attitude toward this bloody battle is very different . ”

“Mm, raise the bounty?”

Zhao Yuying was originally in a solemn mood, but she broke into an angry laughter after hearing this . She reached out to knock Qianye’s head and said, “You only know about rewards . Song Seven must’ve led you astray!”

Afterward, she resumed a serious expression and said, “The clan has received news that someone from the Imperial Party wants to single out the Zhao clan . It’s possible that they’ll secretly attack the Zhao clan descendants during this bloody battle . The elders wish to end violence using violence and use this to establish our might . We must not only gain military contributions but also kill anyone with hostility toward the Zhao clan, regardless of party and allegiance . ”

With that, Zhao Yuying reverted to her carefree personality . She landed a powerful slap on Qianye’s shoulder and said, “That’s why this sister has to return to the Western Continent to recuperate as quickly as possible before returning for battle . I’m still much stronger than ordinary people despite some inevitable reduction in combat strength . Little Qianye, you have to take care of yourself!”

Qianye smiled and extended his hand . “Give it to me . ”

“Give what?” Zhao Yuying was startled .

“Your war token . How else will I put my dark race kills on your head?” Qianye said a matter of factly .

“What did you say?” Zhao Yuying couldn’t believe her ears .

“I said, I’ll fight in your name . But the rewards from both the Zhao clan and the empire will go to me . ”

“That’s impossible . Half-half!” Zhao Yuying retorted mercilessly .

“Two-eight!”

“Three-seven!”

Zhao Yuying appeared much more relaxed after the flurry of ferocious haggling . She and Qianye looked at each other and broke into a hearty laughter .