Chapter 42

But why were my arms being pressed against the tree by Xia Haoyu’s, and why had a rope appeared around my wrists? What… what was Xia Haoyu planning to do?

Countless questions buzzed in Li Zhishi’s mind like the sudden drone of cicadas at the onset of summer. He was completely unaware that his deathly pale expression was being observed by everyone around him.

As the man finished speaking, Su Yang instinctively turned his head, only to discover that the armies of various nations had landed at some point and were converging on the base from all directions.

The thought made him nearly burst out in excitement. To encounter these old friends during this mission, especially his third brother, Black Fox, was not only an unexpected turn of events but a source of immense joy.

He first utilized the concealment of the Fish-Gut Sword to strike the throat of the man in black—known as Shanwa’er—before he could even react. Immediately following, he vaulted into the trees, waiting for the other two to come investigating before launching a surprise attack from above.

He had to put on a performance for Li Fa; only then would he avoid arousing suspicion, cause Li Fa to lower his guard, and make it easier to conduct his secret investigations.

"You gave him the household register?" I looked at Xia Haoyu in astonishment, never expecting my mother to be so direct.

This scene sent a shockwave through everyone present, sparking a cacophony of discussion and gasps of surprise.

Li Shishi’s soft, supple body threw itself into Wu Song’s arms. Rising on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gently drew his head down. She pressed her delicate lips against his for a fleeting kiss, then, overcome with shyness, buried her face in his chest.

"Hahahaha… this is all destiny! Destiny has allowed me to escape my seal early, providing me the perfect chance for revenge!" The Cat Demon looked up at the sky and roared with laughter, appearing every bit a deranged beast.

"Goodbye, Captain. Goodbye, everyone." After saying this, Liu Ming bowed deeply to the group, took the Gun Girl’s hand, and quietly faded from view, departing their warship.

In truth, Nangong Linyi was furious at this moment, but he also knew that Qian Mo had always harbored feelings for Ouyang Yingqi. The best approach now was to pretend he knew nothing; with Qian Mo in such a state, there was nothing left to argue about, and besides, he trusted Ouyang Yingqi.

"I know what you’re thinking—come if you dare, what is there to fear!" Qian Ying immediately set off toward Haruhi Shobu, and the two began a fierce battle, neither yielding an inch.

***

Once they returned home, Chen Dongsheng closed the door and, after calling the children inside, pulled the silver from his robes and placed it on the table. He then watched with satisfaction as everyone else stood there stunned—he had worn that same expression himself once.

Suddenly, a bright idea struck her. "Look, what is that?" Shen Shiyi pointed in astonishment toward the sky above.

"Enough. Say no more." Ye Yuqing suddenly cut him off. "Let me think about this. I want to leave now. See you next time." With a heart full of complicated emotions, Ye Yuqing walked away from Ouyang Shanglie.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I only came because I wanted to hear you admit it yourself." Nuo Mingyu returned to the state Ouyang Yingqi had first known him in—cold, detached, and carrying an intangible sense of pressure.

Censor Hou Xun was restored to his original post. He wasn't lucky enough to rest at home until the Lantern Festival; without a temporary assignment, he was told to go home immediately to prepare, for he was to carry the imperial edict to Liaodong the very next day.

Yet, he was attempting to use an Envoy Crystal—a device thoroughly researched by Envoy Mages—against an Envoy Mage. By any logic, this made no sense.

"Don't worry, how could I possibly leave you behind?" Nangong Linyi spoke in a rare, cloying tone, causing Murong Di to break out in goosebumps.

The Martial Soul that Qin Tianjue crafted additionally was the Phantom Wind Feather Edge, infused with the Dao patterns of Wind, Agility, and Speed.

The man hurried to stand up. Seeing that Xu Xiuning’s tone was calm and that he did not seem to be a difficult person to deal with, he felt his heart ease.

Seeing that their son liked it here, Mo Jingyan and Luying were overjoyed. They had worried the child wouldn't adapt to a new place, but his smiling face was the greatest comfort they could ask for.

After Lin Fan and Xue Cai left the conference room, Li Yangxu poured tea for Shan Jing and Li Yu, slowly saying, "Composed in the face of danger, relying on no one—though your brow is dark, there is a hidden glimmer of opportunity. I thought that opportunity lay with me, but it seems that is not the case."

When Su Wan’niang heard the term "Sacred Land," she knew it was a secret of the clan and did not press further.

The viewers in the livestream were all laughing as they watched Lin Fan act, though no one yet knew who the girl was. Some felt she looked familiar, but due to the early hour, their minds were too groggy to place her.

***

"Don't worry! I will see you out of the Imperial City! Shall I send some men to escort you back?" Ye Yu asked as he saw the sisters off.

"You must stay here with your grandmother for now; only here will the Empress Mother feel at ease. Once I have finished all my affairs, I will come back to see you both." He Saifang tore herself away from the two children with great reluctance and returned to the palace.

The three opponents were all experts in Inner Energy, and the powerful suction had almost no effect on Valoren, merely deflecting the blades of Valoren and Xixiying by an inch or two.

After circling the cave, they found that the remnants of the ruins were still quite visible. Most things had decayed into ruin, but the murals they mentioned were remarkably intact. Though crude and not particularly aesthetic, they recorded a great deal of information.

He had not seen anything resembling a potion for far too long; he could hardly believe what was before his eyes.

Marshall, however, was quite vigilant, completely encased in knight’s armor like a tin can. In this weather, the armor was much colder than leather, but such temperatures meant nothing to a high-ranking knight.

From far away, he spotted Xu Feng, along with a Level 60 iron-armored, black-masked man at his side.

Of course, Xu Feng would not focus on these inexplicable details. He would separate from Xia Nuolan after entering the scroll, and as for whether to remain hidden or step into the spotlight, he would decide that when the time came.

This outburst was not just for Xu Feng, but for themselves, and for Qi Die as well.