Chapter 27: Gloating

When that old aunt shouted, even more people became aware of the situation, and everyone who heard was utterly astonished. What was going on? The central air conditioning in the hotel had been broken for ages; as far as they knew, almost all the units were out of order. Many were well aware of how scorching it was outside, and it seemed only natural that the outdoor compressors had failed. How could anyone possibly still have working air conditioning?

So, many refused to believe it.

...

"You may go now. Hand the Celestial Sphere over to the Immortal King outside for safekeeping. You must be exhausted after all your running about—get some rest," the Grandmaster of Tongtian said, closing his eyes once more.

He could hardly recall why he had rescued Xia Zixuan all those years ago; his memory was hazy, but he seemed to remember her pitiful expression had tugged at his heartstrings.

"You’re getting bolder by the day," Lan Qi chided her playfully, urging her to prepare a fragrant bath to wash away her fatigue. Her time at the Spring Garden was hardly the idyllic life the palace folk imagined. There was warmth and tenderness, to be sure, but in those first few days, tending the sick had worn her out—none more so than that particular master she served.

Besides, just yesterday he had promised her that when winter came, he would take her to the southern seaside to stay for two months.

On either side of the pond, willow trees were bursting with tender green buds. The vibrant catkins danced gracefully in the gentle spring breeze, their silhouettes weaving through the mild air.

She was determined to seize this opportunity and ask for as much as she could—there were still so many things she wanted to do, and money was indispensable.

She remained cold and distant toward strangers. Who could tell if, once more familiar, she would become as unpredictable as Feng Ruhuang?

In the golden fields, several sturdy men were busy harvesting the crops. Hua Fenglian, carrying a basket, spotted a group of village girls gathered on the ridgeline, clustered around Hua Xuyun, offering him water and wiping his brow, their admiration clear as day.

When it was Yun Jingchu’s turn, Yun Xiyao asked after her health as usual, then turned her attention to Yu Dan.

To remain inconspicuous, Simon had subsisted on dry, tasteless "nutritional biscuits" after leaving camp. Faced with the rare treat of rich broth, he gulped it down eagerly, then let out a deep, contented sigh as if cured.

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing all understood well enough what it meant to have soul and body utterly annihilated. The thought sent a shudder through each of them.

With only himself and Coulson left, the assassin had already changed into the security guard uniform Coulson had prepared. Now he only needed to play the part, follow Coulson out, and nothing more.

Since there was no one else around, the Warrior Lord sat with Ye Zhixing in his arms, the two of them eating together, lost in their affectionate bubble.

By now, Tang Monk had climbed down from the tree. Seeing a pig weeping over a monkey, he understood at once what had happened.

The ten supreme Celestial Immortals of Taiyi, the top ten warriors of the water clans, all had tangled, unbreakable ties to the Crystal Palace.

They firmly believed that if they waited long enough, like a hunter at a rabbit’s burrow, their quarry would eventually take the bait. Sure enough, one night, it finally happened.

In reality, Turing’s death only delayed the British in deciphering the German Enigma code—it did not stop them entirely.

"Of course, we must refine it, and according to the specifications provided," the man surnamed Zhu said to Ling Duyu.

Iphirina did not continue, but Baili Dengfeng understood the implications of her words.

Hu Liner knew full well how risky this was; if discovered, the Heavenly Court would flay her alive, and Lord Pagoda-Bearer would not escape grave responsibility either.

Li Damao was deeply frustrated. He had to face that bastard Jiang Zheyuan almost every day now, and still had no good way to avoid him. Living in the same apartment block, it was impossible not to cross paths—whether coming or going, there he was.