Day 33

In Yancheng, because he was so young, some of the guards in the group were unconvinced by his position as team leader. They believed he had only risen to this rank because he happened to be from the same village as the proprietor.

As waves of savory aroma drifted through the air, the snow-white turtle meat slowly turned a golden hue, and the rendering fat made the golden flesh shine with even more luster.

Uncle Yang said, "I'm going to cut some bamboo." He grabbed his machete and headed out, returning shortly with several large stalks of bamboo, which he began splitting by the light of the moon.

Ye Jinyang’s initial irritation and impatience gradually shifted into a barely perceptible focus and intrigue.

Yet, he felt not the slightest resistance as the yellow-haired corpse was consumed; it dissolved and was devoured with unnatural ease.

"Is the pain gone? We shall continue tonight... You were screaming so miserably yesterday that I didn't get to fully enjoy myself. Have pity on me, I’ve been holding back for over thirty years, and you don't even know how to show your husband some sympathy!" Ling Juechen feigned a complaint.

Although simple and seemingly based entirely on luck, the game was essentially a test of one's powers of observation, where one could also use verbal guidance and psychological suggestion to secure victory.

Seeing Jiang Yueming’s bicycle about to crash into the stall, it seemed certain that the flimsy setup would be overturned on the spot.

Su Xin’s personality was exactly as Mu Chen had described: she was prone to being taken advantage of. She generally responded to kindness but bristled at aggression; the more others provoked her, the less she would show weakness, choosing instead to resist stubbornly, determined to make those who bullied her pay the price.

"The system automatically blocks questions involving such personal privacy..." A slight flush appeared on Mu Chen’s face.

Back home, they sounded the gongs to signal the end of the day. Mingfei gave a few instructions, reminding the night-duty matron to be vigilant, and sent the others off to sleep. She let down her hair and retired to bed with Jin Zan attending her.

Fat Dragon was fortunate enough to witness his second uncle pulling out precious items, and, intending to brag about it later, he watched without blinking.

Mingfei ignored him, smiling as she took her leave. She had twenty taels of silver sent over and told Concubine Li to call for her if she needed anything, urging her not to be shy. She then instructed Xue Minggui that the items previously prepared need not be sent, but rather to take the Winter Solstice gifts and deliver them to friends and relatives on the eve of the solstice.

Jiao Xing stood by the well, hesitantly sorting through the clothes Mingfei had changed out of, separating the light colors from the dark. Even though the sky had cleared, the air remained bone-chillingly cold. She thought to herself that by the time she finished washing such a large tub of laundry, her hands and feet would likely be frozen stiff.

Li Ming felt another jolt of shock. He had been counting on seizing the command tower to disrupt the control system, but he hadn't expected the tower to be built inside the military camp. His plan was completely ruined. Losing his last shred of hope, Li Ming felt his body go limp and he slumped into his chair.

Ye Yunshui thanked him with a smile and sat beside Qin Murong to dine. Xicui and Yingxu hurried forward to serve them, while the expressions of the three women from the Shen family grew increasingly unpleasant.

Wang Qiong felt as though his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer. Zhengde’s words were truly severe, signaling that his patience had reached its limit. One had to realize that Duan Fei was a man appointed by the Emperor; Duan Fei’s actions were as good as the Emperor’s own. The constant obstruction from Wang Qiong and the others had become intolerable to Zhengde.

Shortly after, Gong Zhongsu entered with a dark expression, followed only by Gong Yuanhe; Gong Yuanzhi, Gong Yuanji, Guo Huai, and Xiao Dan did not follow.

I held Peter’s hand, took a deep breath, and chose the location closest to me that might be a spatial gate, stepping onto it as soon as I lifted my foot.

It was clear that this letter came from Li Song’s subordinate. Perhaps due to his serious illness, the writing was very sloppy and the characters were crooked, yet between the lines, one could still see the unique style of calligraphy Li Song had possessed in his prime.

Some might say it was all due to Bai Qi’s merit. Bai Qi was known to the world by titles like "The Human Butcher" and "God of Killing" because of his achievements and his methods of slaughter. However, how many could his sword really kill? Why was his sword considered a cursed weapon?

Xu Tong was not the least bit modest when ordering food, choosing not the best, but the most expensive items, clearly intent on bleeding Liu Wei dry.

Although Han Zixuan had awakened, her condition had not improved much; she remained very weak, but she was out of the danger zone, and the next step was a slow recovery.

The two stepped out of the main gate, and a cold wind blew against their faces, carrying a few white snowflakes. The weather forecast was truly accurate; they had predicted snow the day before yesterday, and sure enough, it had begun.

Dr. Li suddenly sensed a warning sign. Before he could turn around, he felt a violent jolt in his body. A wooden staff tip protruded from his chest, and blood began to gush out. Another Luo Mingjun appeared behind him, holding that dark wood staff and stabbing it fiercely into his back.

"I’ve come to find you. The mission has been assigned, and we depart in two days. I came to tell you so you could prepare in advance!" Nangong Yiqiu said.

Qin Yun’er caught her breath and walked over slowly. Fearing she might strike again, Ximen Jing hurriedly took a few steps back.

Just then, in a nearby isolation ward, someone in a hazmat suit suddenly collapsed, nearly crushing the isolation tape.

Everyone finally realized they had truly been betrayed by the two sword-spirit sentries. It sounded like this wasn’t the first time they had done such a thing; they were quite practiced at it. Everyone couldn’t help but curse inwardly; they never imagined that even under the protection of a prestigious name like the Daque Sword Academy, such an abduction could occur—and that they would be the ones to fall victim to it.

A swordsman of this caliber was at the pinnacle of the Great Profound Realm, and his status within the Hidden Sect could be imagined. Yet, he had been sent to follow Chen Dugu, which showed just how much Sect Master Yi valued him.

In Room No. 3 of the Heaven Tier, an old man furrowed his brows, contemplating whether to place a bid. Although this Profound Spirit Grass was very precious, with his current abilities, he could not refine it into a good elixir.

Ye Xuan took it, read it carefully, and then signed his name and pressed his fingerprint on it.

"It’s best to come when you are resting. In truth, the entertainment here is secondary; more importantly, it helps us build our circle and expand our network," Xu Dong explained to him in detail.