Monarch of Evernight - Volume 3 - Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Volume 3 – The Place Where My Heart Feels At Peace, Chapter 85: A Storm Approaches

Li Yuanjia walked into the room and saw the various weapon parts scattered on the table . His gaze then fell on the strikingly long barrel . “It appears your Eagleshot is the latest custom-made version . ”

“Yes, I also had the Resounding Strike installed . ”

“Resounding Strike?” Li Yuanjia recalled what it was after some thought . He fished out the barrel from among the components and examined it closely before injecting some origin power into it . The arrays lit up in a sequence to form the outline of a small crystalline disc the size of a fingernail . “Great stuff!”

Li Yuanjia normally came across as a typical soldier . His secret technique focused on the sword, but he was quite fond of various firearms . Unfortunately, his talents didn’t encompass long range sniping .

Qianye was playing around with the half meter long ‘Radiant Edge’ . It was a unique looking grade 5 origin power weapon only slightly longer than the empire’s standard issue military daggers . Its sharp tip was decorated with a number of reverse serrations which brought out a hint of fierceness amidst its elegance . It was indeed the blood race’s style . Qianye tossed the dagger to Li Yuanjia after noticing the intense curiosity in the latter’s eyes .  

The sword sank slightly after landing in Li Yuanjia’s hand . This ordinary looking fella actually weighed over a dozen kilograms! A swing of such a heavy blade would surely display much more power than its size would suggest .  

Li Yuanjia smiled . “It really does suit your fighting style . ” He had experienced the extent of Qianye’s pure strength before . He retrieved the dark scabbard decorated with dark red patterns and sheathed the Radiant Edge before turning to Qianye . “Are you leaving?”

“Yes . ”

“Why don’t you stay? The Yin family can provide you with the resources to advance to the champion rank . You already possess sufficient talent and aptitude . ” Li Yuanjia’s eyes swept over the table full of Eagleshot parts and continued, “The most important point is that your strength and specialty can only be fully displayed within the army . One man’s strength is limited . Only the army can stand as the pillar of defense against the dark races . ”

Qianye raised his head to meet Li Yuanjia’s gaze and inwardly sighed . This man, with his insight, had already discovered that Qianye’s fighting style originated from the army . It wasn’t too difficult to see that his greatest wish was to kill off as many from the dark race as possible . They might have actually become true comrades had they made their acquaintance in another setting .

“I still feel that being a hunter is more suitable for me . It allows me ample freedom without the need to consider too many things . ”

Li Yuanjia’s expression dimmed . “If only I had been more attentive during the Earth Castle incident…”

Qianye shook his head and interrupted, “That’s not your fault . ”

“It isn’t Miss Qiqi’s fault either . ”

Qianye looked at Li Yuanjia with eyes like glistening obsidian and said coldly, “She’s indeed not to blame . This is all part of the Yin family’s general situation . But that’s really not my problem . ”

Li Yuanjia momentarily froze before laughing wryly . He understood this discussion had reached a dead end . He had already talked to Qianye about this matter several times, however, it was destined to be fruitless as their original standpoints were vastly different . No matter how contradictory Qiqi and Gu Liyu was in private, the Yin family was a unified entity with regards to external affairs . Gu Liyu’s value to the Yin Family was, of course, greater than a battle company . The status quo might be broken in the future, but for now, it was impossible .

Qianye eased his tone, “I’m sorry, Yuanjia . The Yin family doesn’t suit me . I hope to do the things that I’m certain about—things I truly want to do . ”

Li Yuanjia once again discerned the powerful determination from Qianye’s calm voice . He became silent for a moment and said, “Take care after leaving . Many people have noticed you during the spring hunt . The Song family’s seventh young master not only inquired about your background from us but also dispatched agents for further investigation . ”

This was something he couldn’t explain, so he could only nod in acknowledgement .

Li Yuanjia momentarily hesitated before saying, “Miss Qiqi’s relationship with the Song family’s seventh young master has reached quite an adverse state after the spring hunt . The two families sent people to mediate this matter . He proposed that the young miss gift you to him as an apology . ” 

Qianye almost dropped the components in his hand and was at a sudden loss for what kind of expression he should wear . He had already heard from Song Zining about how Qiqi had reported him to the Song Clan . Hence, he understood how ambiguously Li Yuanjia had worded the first half of the message to hide the fact that he had been used as a target once again . But this condition for making amends reminded him of something else . Could it be that Qiqi was trying to protect him when she stopped dragging him to social activities?

Li Yuanjia also felt it to be somewhat absurd . However, he had always felt that this Song Zining was an extremely dangerous person . Additionally, Ye Mulan had already formed a deep animosity towards Qianye . He gave it some thought and added, “You have to be careful . The combat power of Song family’s seventh young master is absolutely not how it seems on the surface . I’m not his match, and even the Zhao family’s second young master might not necessarily win against him .

Qianye nodded . “Thank you . ”

Li Yuanjia’s voice suddenly became gloomy . “Qianye, you’re pushing the young miss towards that man by leaving like this . ”

“You’re wrong . The only thing that can push her over is Song family’s benefit . ”

Li Yuanjia was stunned speechless for a while . “When do you plan to leave?”

“Tomorrow, after saying my farewells to Miss Qiqi . ”

“No need . The young miss has already left . ”

“Has she returned to the upper continent?” Qianye was somewhat surprised .

“Young miss has gone to the frontlines . Her desire is that you should seek her out if you intend to stay . Otherwise, there’s no need to say goodbye . ”

For a moment, Qianye was inflicted by a multitude of complex emotions . He had recently seen a completely different side of Qiqi . Her exceptional talents, influence, and resources allowed her to lead a generally smooth sailing life . As such, she also possessed all the quirks common to aristocratic families such as indolence and egocentricity . But the most adverse aspect of her life involved her blood relatives—she was as helpless as a child in the face of these problems . This stark contrast was likely the cause of her rather extreme temperament .

Perhaps Qianye wouldn’t have come to realize the darkest and most chaotic facet of the aristocracy if his job wasn’t to act as cannon fodder . He might have even followed his earlier notion of searching for a foothold under the protection of a major power—to develop there until he was strong enough to find his own past .

But there were no “ifs” in this world . Qianye could understand the things that had happened but that didn’t mean he could accept them .

Li Yuanjia produced a jade document box and placed it on the table . “The young miss asked me to give this to you . This is your final reward for completing this mission . ”

“Is this a secret art?” Qianye picked up the box . Three ancient words were carved upon the jade cover: Nurturing Rain Art .

“This is a secret art of the Yin family that can accelerate the body’s recovery and heal moderate injuries . It can also be used for the regular cultivation of origin power . What the Nurturing Rain Art lacks in cultivation rate, it makes up with the ability to heal internal injuries during cultivation . It’s a highly suitable replacement for the Combatant Formula . ”

Qianye sighed . “Please thank Miss Qiqi for me . ”

Li Yuanjia seemed as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he shook his head and left after saying farewell .

The next day . Dawn over the Evernight Continent almost seemed like dusk . A military truck left the Yin family courtyard with Qianye on board . The incomparably vast arch of the Darkblood City came into view after a long journey .

The city was still as bustling with activity just like before . Qianye arrived at noon to see the surging stream of people who had come out to enjoy a stroll in the clear weather . Qianye felt the city had become even more populated compared to when he left .

Old Two, who was sitting behind the counter, was somewhat startled when Qianye walked into the Home of Hunters . The book in his hand dropped to the floor with a flop .  

Qianye nonchalantly walked up to the counter and put down his giant backpack before knocking on the counter . “Old Two, I’m back . ”

Old Two slid over a small flask of liquor . “This is all that’s left, but it probably can’t compare to the good stuff you mix yourself . ”

Qianye opened the flask and finished the contents in a few large gulps before exhaling in satisfaction . “Not bad! This is true liquor . I don’t want to taste any more stimulants . I’ve used so much these days that even my tongue has gone numb . ”

“Have you finished your mission?” Old Two inquired .

“Of course!”

Qianye seemed quite relaxed but the experienced Old Two saw a tinge of melancholy in the depths of his eyes . The latter didn’t pursue this matter . The commissioning party would soon notify them since the mission had already been accomplished .

“Any good missions these days?” Qianye placed both elbows on the counter, his countenance tinged with a shade of pink . His alcohol tolerance had always been like this . His face would turn red no matter how little he drank .

Old Two shook his head . “Nothing interesting at the moment . It’s been quite chaotic outside the city . The dark race population in the area has increased abnormally while their whereabouts have been rather difficult to pinpoint . Nowadays, there’s no longer a safe zone to speak of, and many hunters have retreated back into the city . The wilderness is simply too dangerous . No one dares to stray too far from the city unless they possessed the ability to fight a small dark race squad . ”

“Why are there so many from the dark races here?”

“Do you mean…”

“I meant Xichang . The dark race forces have suddenly increased severalfold over there . We’ve already fought several battles against the dark races within the war zone . The military strength of several field divisions would be mobilized each time . ”

Old Two’s pupils lit up as he whispered, “This is quite unusual . ”

“How so?”

“It's rare for the dark races to mobilize on such a large scale . The battlefront between here and Xichang spans well over a few thousand kilometers . Similar activity has been reported in between and even further out . I’ve heard of such news more than once in my lifetime . Looking back at the history of Evernight Continent, this either signifies something big is about to happen or an all-out war is imminent . ”

Qianye, however, didn’t seem nervous at all . He smiled and said, “It sounds as if things won’t be boring for quite a while . ”

Old Two wryly laughed, “Boring? You’re indeed a madman!”

“Perhaps!” Qianye laughed, “Shouldn’t you increase my hunter rank by now?”

Old Two glared at him when Qianye spoke of his rank . “Young man, why are you so impatient? I’ve always been fair and impartial . I only look at accomplishments and rank . You certainly have enough accomplishments, but your rank is still far from sufficient . Wait, wait! You’re rank… rank…”

Old two was stunned . “You’re already rank five?!”

“Yes . ”

Old Two stared at him as if he was staring at a monster . He clearly remembered that Qianye had just reached rank four when he left . Soon afterwards, he spoke delightedly, “You’re a true monster! Very well, take this and don’t lose it!”

Saying this, Old Two brought over a hunter’s badge with five stars carved on it . However, the five-star hunter badge wasn’t any better than the four-star one—it was still crude and made of inferior materials . It was evident that this cheap item was quite a sloppy piece of work .  

Qianye said excitedly, “I want to buy some information . ”