Chapter 71

Liu Shengli was worried that someone might object to having Chen Tao report at the meeting, so he hadn’t informed anyone beforehand. Now, when he brought it up, everyone felt it was too sudden, and the room fell silent. The attendees all turned their eyes toward Tang Ping.

Bian Jianjun’s expression darkened, and he interrupted again, “Don’t be so absolute, and don’t rush to make decisions.”

“You fool, even if the sun rose in the west, that simpleton could never become Commander of the Imperial Guards.”

Would you be tempted by century-old polygonum, century-old ganoderma, and snow lotus from Tianshan, treasures that can prolong life and cure poisons?

Because of the undeniable existence of those twenty-eight gold bars, Liu Cunyi became ever more suspicious that Sun Chengwei was a Nationalist spy.

Over twenty people rescued from the underground chamber emerged, squinting as they adjusted to the bright light. Their bodies felt the warmth of the sun they had missed for so long, and the last bit of unease in their hearts faded away.

“Doctor, have you found out what’s wrong?” Zhang Yibo’s driver hurriedly asked.

The old master Xiang took out his pipe, preparing to light some incense. Fubao smiled; whenever Grandpa was happy or displeased, he would take a puff.

The steward booked him a first-class ticket. He couldn’t help but complain inwardly—such waste! It would be better to cash it out for him.

Just before Xiao Rui’er lost consciousness, someone appeared in the firelight, walking toward them. The figure was short, wearing a bamboo hat, with white cloth wrapped around the chin. Water dripped from the hat, and a few strands of long hair were wet and stuck to the frail collarbone.

“Hmph!” Luo Nian, watching the Empress distort the truth, let out a cold snort, full of disdain and contempt.

Indeed, the life of an imperial guard could not compare to that of the third young master of the Zhu family. After killing Zhu Mian’s third son, it was even more impossible for him to return to court. Such decisiveness made Li Xuan secretly admire him.

Zhang Xiao did not act immediately. Frightening someone is a skill; relying only on crude and simple “scaring” is the mark of the lower ranks.

Yan Ruojiu felt it—her heart was filled with a sense of loss and guilt, but now she was so anxious and nervous she didn’t know what else to say.

A postcard without a signature, with such vulgar words—Mariko Kawano’s first reaction was disgust.

“So, do you hope he’s unlucky or lucky?” Mu Qianqiu tilted her head, tugged at a strand of Wan’s hair, and asked with a sidelong glance.

Of course, none of this could compare to the hatred the Divine Aberrations bore toward the gods. Born of distortion, raised in pain, nourished only by pure hatred, they were filled with a desire to destroy everything. The gods were their natural opposites—their most coveted prey.

He didn’t hide his concern for Yang Di, but his tone was cold as ice, leaving even the twisted robber uncertain of Zhang Xiao’s attitude.

Even stranger was the fact that the Light Chant Sword Sect hadn’t sent anyone here lately; only Zhou Que, who hadn’t returned, stayed behind. It was clear the sword sect had sensed that interfering in Imperial affairs had provoked the wrath of heaven and earth. The rest was now left to those still in Chang’an Empire to resolve themselves.

On the mountaintop, martial artists gathered, waiting for a chance to snatch the spiritual vein. Now, they all rushed toward the soul orb in front of Lin Xiu. In times like these, joining the crowd might net them a soul orb. Such opportunities were rare, and they told themselves to seize them well.

After returning home and cleaning up, the old master complained that Hu Xixi’s cooking was bad and decided to cook himself. Yet he wasn’t much better—he fried an egg and it turned black.

“But what if those ghosts or ghost messengers discover us?” Zhang Jianhao worried aloud.

A palace lady came to escort the Emperor to the East Hall to change. Another dragged Shen Wan to the inner chambers, quickly removing her phoenix crown and ceremonial robe, seating her on the dragon bed.

“Great King, do you have a surprise to share? Has the day when the Dark Kingdom will rule the world come early?” This specter thrust its shining finger into its stomach, kneading it relentlessly.

Shen Wan was horrified. She grabbed the tea bowl on the table and hurled it. Ye Cangqiong let go in panic, stepped back several paces, narrowly avoiding being hit.

This spell array formed an enormous swastika, countless Buddhist seals and chants condensing above it into a giant Dharma image of the Buddha, like a massive Buddhist podium confronting the Gate of Evil from afar.

Li Zicheng bowed respectfully to the crowd and said, “Please take care of me.” His voice was weak, as if he were ill.

Huicai greeted them with a smile, surprised that Han Zaicheng, who seldom visited China, had friends here as well.

Su Ming set down his chess manual and gazed at the pieces on the board, sighing. This son resembled him, yet on closer inspection, was somehow different.

“How did you get here?” Mother Li, seeing Gu Dachuan and Ye Xiulan, didn’t show any displeasure, only surprise.

Wu Xingze, still under surveillance, had just left the research institute when he suddenly received a message through the light-brain.

Wudu cared nothing for these matters. It summoned a black, twisted gate, and the mist drifting in the air surged madly into its portal.

Lu Kun knew that even if he tried to rescue the residents of the Red Feather, he might not only fail, but also risk the White Deer. Yet it was undeniable—the Red Feather was in dire straits, and his father had done nothing! Worse, he’d concealed the Red Feather’s plea for help. This made Lu Kun feel miserable.

The startled-horned deer lowered its head to drink after Loki showed weakness, but when Loki drew within seven or eight meters, it raised its head again. As Loki moved closer, the deer let out a low cry and lowered its head slightly, as if warning: come any nearer, and I’ll attack.

“Annie, I think I saw that bad guy.” Anna spoke slowly, as if in disbelief. Annie didn’t doubt her hearing, and likewise lifted herself up.