Chapter 945: Command (1/2)

“Does the Evernight side know?” Qianye inquired.

“Since we’ve managed to calculate the location, it’s only a matter of time before the other side does the same. With the empire making such noticeable movements, how can we ever hide it? Linken was probably here for it, but fortunately, you managed to beat her back. This gives us the initiative.”

Qianye frowned. “A useless one at that.”

Whoever had the initiative would have to fight against Tidehark first. With the forces the Empire and Evernight could afford to dispatch, it was difficult to tell who would win. If the losses in Tidehark were too heavy, it would only give the opposing faction a free ticket into the passage. So, claiming the initiative wasn’t always a good thing. A three-party conflict was the most difficult kind to handle.

“This opportunity isn’t that useful, but it’s better than nothing.” Song Zining pointed at the map, saying, “For instance, if the demonkin in this area are cut off from reinforcements, we can use this timeframe to uproot all of the families supporting them. We’ll let them know that whoever supports Evernight will meet ugly fates.”

Seeing Song Zining pointing at Seagaze, Qianye said, “There are some families there who support us, the Xue for instance.”

“Then we should have them exert effort. Have them take the initiative to destroy the demonkin-supporting families.”

Qianye frowned. Song Zining’s plan would leave the Xue family with no room to maneuver, but it was a fact that the seventh young master was the better strategist. No matter how difficult to execute his decisions seemed, they would always result in an advantage later on.

Song Zining shot Qianye a glance. “We’ll go ahead with this plan if you have no objections. I’ll send someone to inform the Xue family.”

Seeing a nod from Qianye, Song Zining said, “Then let’s talk about something, this Yan Ding…”

He frowned with a difficult expression. “Qianye, if you meet Lu Junyi again, how sure are you of defeating him?”

“Lu Junyi? The man who tried to stop me at Indomitable?”

“Yes, that’s the man.”

Qianye said after a moment of pondering, “If he hasn’t made any improvements, I might have a good chance of killing him in the wilderness. The chances will be even higher with the help of Zhuji and the others. It’ll be difficult to say if he has broken through.”

Song Zining broke into a laugh. “It hasn’t been long since we last met him. Do you think everyone’s a monster like you who can level up when they’re bored?”

Qianye felt a bit embarrassed.

Song Zining’s smile disappeared as he continued, “No matter how weak Lu Junyi is, he’s still a divine champion. Are you confident about dealing with him?”

Qianye said in a serious manner, “His attacks are nothing to write home about, even Zhuji could block it back then. I can surely withstand it at my current level. As for his defenses, I’ve never heard of him possessing any special skills that can withstand my Shot of Inception. The odds will be even better if it’s a wilderness battle. After all, my blood energy is at the marquis level.”

Song Zining nodded. “That’s good then. This kind of battle isn’t my forte, you’re on your own.”

“You’re planning to do Lu Junyi in? Is it appropriate at such a time?”

Song Zining sighed. “It’s best if we don’t need to do it. Unfortunately…”

He didn’t say what was unfortunate, and neither did Qianye ask.

Next up, Song Zining explained to Qianye the details of the current situation. The vanguard fleet from the empire, made up of three squadrons, had already arrived in the neutral lands, with the main force coming in from behind. Apart from this squadron led by Yan Ding, the other two were made up of forces from the aristocracy and the imperial family. The clans were led by the Li family this time, mainly because their divination powers were necessary to pinpoint and enter the passage. It was only natural that they would oversee the situation while the four major clans put forth the manpower.

Qianye was a bit surprised about the direct involvement of the imperial family. Their direct forces would rarely be mobilized under normal circumstances—it would usually be the military or some aristocratic forces being sent in their name. The imperial family of this generation usually kept themselves well hidden and rarely showed off their martial prowess. They were basically in hibernation mode compared to the previous generations. They had only begun showing off their power along with the increased activity of the imperial party.

The Li family and the imperial family also made camp around Southern Blue. They had each found a place to set up a supply base and camouflage themselves among some major local trade companies. As for the many airships flying in and out, there was really no telling how many of them were real cargo ships.

The three vanguard fleets together might be a bit less powerful than Linken’s fleet, but they were enough to hold their own in battle. The demonkin’s presence in the neutral lands was evidently weakened, giving the humans a distinct advantage.

With Linken heavily injured, Qianye knew how much of an edge they held. Having lost the support of their fleet, the demonkin who had arrived earlier would be destroyed if they so much as dared to poke their heads out.

“Then what are you waiting for? Concentrate all available military power and explore the location of the passage.” As Qianye saw it, the situation at present was already quite clear.

“How can it be that easy?” Song Zining laughed ruefully. “Disregarding whether or not we can take down City Lord Luo Bingfeng, must we really fight him? None of the three vanguard squadrons will listen to me, except perhaps the imperial family’s.”

Qianye was startled. “You’re not the commander for this battle?”

“Of course not.”

This seemed inconceivable. Song Zining and Qianye had been operating in the neutral lands for some time, and had already gained a stable footing. As Qianye saw it, Song Zining was far above those so-called clan big-shots in terms of strategy and accomplishments. Not many in the Song clan could compete with him in military contributions. Many members of the elder assembly had never even killed a count, yet they were always blabbering about war and government.

The importance of this expedition to seize the Great Maelstrom passage was only second to the void continent war. It was only natural that Song Zining should be leading this war. The Evernight Faction understood full well just how terrifying the seventh young master could be with a hand of good cards.

However, the leading general wasn’t Song Zining.