Volume One, Chapter 44: Qin Bao Claims First Place Again!

Kong Yingda made no attempt to conceal his admiration, moved because Qin Bao lamented not seeing the unity of the Nine Provinces. He believed this revealed Qin Bao’s ambition—an ambition that encompassed all under heaven, an ambition for universal harmony. The Great Zhou had endured for centuries, but now a child sat the throne, imperial power had slipped away, and the world had become a hunting ground for contenders. Such a display gave away more than intended; trying to hide it from an old hand like Chen Baichuan was laughable.

In that instant, he suddenly understood. He gave Zhang Fengqi another thumbs up, then fell silent. He remembered Lu Qing’s advice, so upon entering he maintained a calm and courteous smile, bowed slightly to the examiners, greeted them, and then seated himself on the single chair across from them.

Thus, before the banquet was to begin, he arrived early at Liu Ziyang’s residence.

“The king’s wife?” Koryakin mused. The King of the King System was Lobanov, undisputed. Was it possible Lobanov intended to marry a planet, to make it his queen?

Unlike Chen Songsheng, Chen Baichuan disliked meetings. That said, whenever he called one, it was always for an important matter.

They had been suspicious of Hu Yu ever since he left his room. They believed there must be some formidable figure in his quarters—otherwise, how could Hu Yu so boldly declare his whereabouts?

Now, his task was to find the Nightshade Undead Carriage and destroy it. Perhaps evidence remained at the site of its previous killings, clues that might help him in his search.

The Land of Corpses was constructed from tens of thousands of piled bodies. Though decayed, these corpses retained a measure of awareness under the protection of magic. The bodies forming the walls, floors, and ceilings could fill a hundred city cemeteries.

Meng Fei forced an awkward smile at these words, yet he understood Yang Yang’s point. In fact, he had specifically looked into Yang Yang’s grievances with the ancient martial clans.

There was little to fear from a handful of Russians. Against a pure armored unit, their Mi-28N helicopters were godlike.

However, Miao Xian, who had worked alongside him for decades, knew better. This was one of the Zhao royal family’s most trusted ministers. A word from him, even spoken casually, could carry more weight than all the other ministers combined. Who, then, could have convinced him to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager?

Thus, rather than journey to an uncertain future in Zhao, he preferred to remain in Yan, waiting in patient obscurity like an old horse chewing quietly at its trough, biding the time until it might gallop across the battlefield again.

When Chu Yanzhi’s cold gaze met his own, the emperor’s deep eyes flickered, but this time, he did not back down.

Nangong Tian looked at Heiqi. With so many present, the Emperor of Izumo was not someone he could provoke as he pleased.

“Boss, why are you here?” he blurted, stunned. He had never expected the proprietress to turn up in this place.

The prime minister’s wife closed the door and walked over to Mo Nishang’s side, studying her closely. Seeing the fatigue etched across Mo Nishang’s features, a look of pity appeared on her face.

Lin Xiaoxiao’s fitting room door opened. She poked her head out, checked that no other men were present, and then stepped out.

Jiang Xinyu’s words brimmed with authority as her brows arched, possessing a forcefulness rivaling any man.

What delighted Gou Tu even more was that Lord Chang’an had also saved his mother! That night, mother and son narrowly escaped death and embraced, weeping uncontrollably.

“Fine, I agree—but let’s wait until we cross this plain.” Mu Tianchen looked up at the thick clouds shrouding the expanse. In his observation, visibility was only five meters or so. Even with his soul’s power at the Celestial Master level, he could only see for several dozen meters.