Chapter 129: The Talented Maiden Enters the Palace

Time slipped by like a fleeting shadow. It had been over a month since leaving Swallow Cove and returning to the palace.

Because of his desire for Wang Yuyan, Zhu Yu paid special attention to this selection of maidens. Now, only ten days remained before the final review of the entrants into the palace.

Though reason dictated otherwise, analyzing the characters of Murong Fu and Wang Yuyan, as long as Murong Fu was earnest, Zhu Yu was certain that in ten days he would see Wang Yuyan among the palace maidens.

“Shut your mouth! Xuan Dian doesn’t seem to be faking it. Come and see his expression!” Gao Jun shouted angrily.

“Sect Leader, what happened? Don’t rush, tell me slowly,” Gongsun Jing said, helping her to a stone bench. He sat beside her, watching as she took out a brocade handkerchief to wipe her tears. Lin Hanxi, dressed in men’s clothing, dabbed at her own tears with a pink silk handkerchief. The sight was oddly unsettling.

After Li Daniu left, a gentle breeze swept through the bluebell sea. Every petal fell, turning into twinkling stars that dissipated into the sky.

“No need to guess, Xi’er. At that time, Ziyou was right around you. I saw Seventh Brother rushing anxiously back to the hall, but there was no sign of you. Worried, he sent Ziyou to find you and protect your safety,” Leng Wuchen said sincerely, his eyes full of earnestness that made it impossible not to believe him.

“Bah! What’s there to be afraid of? Didn’t you see the senior sisters from Qingmu Peak watching nearby? They usually boast loudly in front of others. Let me show you how to break through!” Li Ning swung her great sword, cleaving a beast in two.

Perhaps one or two cavalrymen could turn like that, but to have two thousand armored heavy cavalry turn simultaneously in perfect unison was simply impossible.

Duke Hanmo squinted at me. I smiled faintly and looked down without replying. Vampires fear sunlight—Hanmo Duke surely knew this. The northern pasture was a place where the blood clan would never appear; this was a well-known fact.

“Could you hold me one last time?” Zhao Shuixian said earnestly, tears shimmering and spilling over her eyes. The sight was heart-wrenching.

Further inside, there was an inner chamber draped with gossamer silk curtains in a shade of green, like the misty willows of Jiangnan in early spring—instantly calming and serene.

As the emperor of the Great Zhou, Yu Ming was clad entirely in white armor, gripping his treasured Liquan spear. He led the charge, galloping and thrusting into the enemy ranks.

“Damn it, does he think the police station is his own home?” Lin Feng couldn’t help but curse, his voice laced with resentment.

At the second-floor stairway, Wang Hongran’s men were already gathering intelligence on the third floor. Within minutes of the ghost’s agonized screams, the men reported their findings back to Wang Hongran.

But his arm was grabbed forcefully by the Demon Prison, which let out a cold laugh, chilling as the bitter winter wind.

That poor soul who lost five marks was indeed unlucky. He should have been fine, but he panicked and ended up being dragged away to feed the blood wolves.

“Public task?” Wu Yong examined the green scroll and frowned. Public tasks were those any mercenary could accept; they were not exclusive and could be undertaken by many simultaneously. Such tasks were either extremely important or very ordinary.

Waves rippled across the Iceberg Hill, spreading outwards. The ice trembled with cracking sounds.

Fireballs, ice blades, stones—all ranged attacks were summoned in a frenzy. The pool of oil ignited with a roar, flames soaring into the air, instantly turning the area into a sea of fire. The intense heat was felt even by those atop the city walls.

This was a habit Lin Lao had cultivated in Old Wang for decades—not to waste time, not even the few seconds it took to warm the vehicle on a cold day, or the moments after boarding when asking where to go, for Lin Lao would naturally tell him once the carriage started.