Chapter 38

Although the problem remained unsolved, Shi Tan felt a sense of relief after receiving Feng Yi’s promise. She offered a soft word of thanks before taking her leave. With the dinner gathering fast approaching, she needed to return and prepare.

For Lu Chong, however, these were minor concerns, as the entrance to the village was already within sight.

Back in Jinhua, Qi Shen had spent the last two days nursing his injuries. Unable to do much else while confined to his room, he had grown bored and taken to playing with a set of wooden soldiers. He even began teaching Shou-ge the tactics of marching and warfare.

After a long day with nothing to show for it, a weary Shui Zhihan could only return home.

Ling Che stroked his chin and laughed, "You wouldn't be so fearless if you didn't know that I've never killed anyone and am incapable of doing so, would you? Fine, you win!" After venting his frustration with a few kicks to Qi Tianyou, Ling Che walked away.

"Scoundrel! Useless trash!" General Guo bellowed again, startling the physician so badly that he tumbled to the ground.

The man in white was surprised that he could be seen. With his signature dead-fish eyes, he turned his gaze toward Su Hang, staring at him in silence.

"Then I shall wait for Shopkeeper Su to join us." The old man stood up and extended his hand to shake Su Lü’s.

Thus, there is no absolute strength in martial arts; it all depends on the person wielding it. Simply put, it is the variation and application of every move and posture that determines the outcome of a duel.

If that were the case, this universe would be far too dull—a reality so bleak it makes one wish for death.

Otherwise, he would eventually suffer for it, or perhaps pay the price for his negligence, possibly even with his own life.

Fortunately, he dodged just in time. A second later, with a screech of tires, a pair of massive wheels and headlights stopped exactly where Harry had been lying.

"Drawing the firewood from under the cauldron? What does that mean?" Redshift asked. She had heard rumors that back in the day, Lou Pojun had been banished to the frontier for fifteen years after submitting a dissenting petition to the Emperor. He was forbidden from returning to the capital without royal decree. It was only when the General grew old that the Emperor finally ordered his return.

Xu Tingting’s reaction seemed less profound; she frowned, lost in some private worry. Chen Bin, on the other hand, had tears in the corners of his eyes. He reached out to grasp Xu Tingting’s hand, holding it firmly. Xu Tingting merely glanced at him but said nothing.

***

Jiang Chang’an did not bother to wonder where he was; after all, if even Jiang Qizhen wanted him dead, he might as well just accept his fate.

In truth, he was thinking: If they don't become my disciples, we can remain unrestrained and casual. If they do become my disciples, I can no longer laugh and talk freely with them, nor can I harbor any improper thoughts.

The man in the black robe had held so many mortals in Qingzhou hostage, yet he had boldly left the city.

Dozens of colossal shadows charged toward it, the howling wind tearing through the sky like the speeding chariots of the God of Thunder.

Even though Prince Wang Teng was boiling with stifled rage, he couldn't help but laugh out loud upon hearing this.

Master Zhong emerged, as did the shaman. The shaman still held his incense and candles, leaping back and forth atop the stone just as he had yesterday. It was a ridiculous sight, and Wu Song, arms folded, couldn't help but chuckle.

Upon hearing this, Yu Min silently withdrew the embroidery needle she had been aiming at the gap in the pouch.

Seeing the two high-ranking concubines depart, the rest of the consorts dared not linger and offered their excuses to leave.

Yinzhi opened his mouth to speak first, but was cut off by Kangxi’s command, "Let the Crown Prince speak first." Stifled, Yinzhi shot an angry glare at Yinreng before retreating to the side.

Eventually, they all reached the same conclusion: if they had a younger brother or sister, they would lose their parents' favor.

Once the Tong lady became Empress and gave birth to an imperial heir, surely with the support of their Tong clan, the position of Crown Prince would be within their grasp?

I must admit, it was a beautiful face, yet the curve of his lips filled me with a sudden dread. Another figure stood behind him; I looked closely and realized it was none other than Hu Yuyue.

Kangxi stared at her name on the roster for a long time, particularly at her grandfather’s official rank, before finally setting it aside.

It turned out the lobster soldiers had taken human form and, while their decoys entered the main hall, had secretly seized control of the pilot.

***

They were none other than the resurrected vanguard of the "Tears of the Angels" guild. With dull, vicious eyes and eerie, inhuman cries, they surged forward across the vast wilderness like a galloping torrent.

"Heh, the cruise ship is mine now. That foolish Arab billionaire asked me to treat his illness and just gave me this ship as a gift. It was purchased in France, and he’ll be handing over the transfer documents soon. Once that’s done, this ship will truly belong to me," Handsome said smugly.

"Brock, why are we still waiting? Why don't we just ascend Caoyao Ridge? Those people from Huaxia are no match for us," one of the South Korean masters said to a burly white man, who was among the strongest of their group.

With that, Uncle Guan picked up the candle holder, walked out, and closed the door, standing like a statue with his back to her.

"What did you... say? I don't think I understood. Could you say that again?" Cheng Lingzhi’s mouth twitched.

"It’s worth it! Anything is worth it for you!" Lü Bu’s resolute gaze allowed no one to shake his sincerity, not even Diaochan.

How could the sound of the zither be sorrowful? Naturally, it could not, but whenever Xiao Huan heard the melody, he couldn't help but think of Yi Mingyue.

Once Qu You’s words were out, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. But laughter aside, she wouldn't admit she was wrong. Her head was full of nonsensical reasons, and she could rattle off countless more without a second thought, regardless of whether they were logical or correct.

Tony tucked his gun into his waistband and opened the door. A stench of alcohol hit him, and he frowned; a good night's sleep had been ruined by two drunks.

Her expression was rather innocent. Li Xiu curved his lips into a smile and uttered an ambiguous remark.

"Don't worry too much. I’ve received very reliable information that a drunken He Feng will pass through here tonight. Then, we can do whatever we want." Seeing Xiao Gui’s worried face, Wu Zhihao offered his comfort.

Helping the old man to the seat of honor, Huangfu Li made a gesture of invitation before taking his own place at the head of the table on the left.