Volume 1, Chapter 46: Life is Merely a Dream

After drinking some water and being carried to the bed, Lin Che muddled through a feigned awakening, murmuring, "Who am I? Where is this...?"

"Lord Lin! Wonderful, Lord Lin has regained consciousness!"

Shortly after, Yang Huaiman received the news and rushed over hurriedly.

Seeing that Lin Che was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief, and then began to curse the coachman vehemently.

"How did you bungle this so thoroughly? Lord Lin is a person of supreme importance; if he had even suffered the slightest scratch, the price would be more than you could ever bear!"

The coachman knelt on the ground, trembling with fear and trepidation: "My lord, I am sorry, my lord, it was all my fault..."

He felt deeply aggrieved as well, having no idea why Lord Lin, perfectly fine as he was, had suddenly attempted to hang himself.

"Lord Lin, why did you seek to hang yourself?" Yang Huaiman asked...

The three Central Plains kingdoms all inherited the traditional ceremonies of Hua-Xia, with each nation regarding itself as the sole orthodox regime. This was especially true of Northern Qi; during its heyday in earlier years, it denounced Western Chu as the Xiang bandits and Southern Qi as the Zhao bandits, refusing to recognize the regimes of the other two nations and claiming legitimacy exclusively for itself.

For two full months, the White Wolf spent his days in the wilderness, taking shelter in mountain caves when it rained, slowing his pace when mist rolled in, and pressing forward continuously except for brief intervals of rest and hunting. The White Wolf felt he had traveled at least thousands of miles.

Suddenly, Qiu Hen’s hand held an additional crimson medicinal pill, which immediately emitted a powerful fragrance the moment it appeared. One could tell at a glance that this was undoubtedly a pill of exceptionally high grade and immense value.

That day, his furious father had dragged him into the ancestral family hall, grasping a disciplinary rattan whip, and ordered him—a delinquent wasting his time in idle amusements—to kneel before the memorial tablets above and repent.

Yet there were benefits to be found; at least after every vanquished ghoul, Yang Yi would feed them certain substances they could not comprehend, and afterward Lu Jia felt his vitality and spirit growing increasingly robust.

As for why he failed to recognize the voice of this fellow Chu Ran, Nangong Ritian could hardly be blamed, for today Chu Ran had not only meticulously styled himself to look like an peerless expert of the martial world, but had also deliberately altered his vocal tone into that of a cold, aloof, and austere male protagonist.

***

As Yu Liuqing and Shui Roubing stepped out of the breeding farm, noticing that the day was still young, they decided to stroll a bit longer through the streets and alleys of Yuanjing City. Shui Roubing led Yu Liuqing along, from time to time explaining the various sights and local customs they encountered, while Yu Liuqing listened with an appreciative smile, thoroughly engrossed.

Not until the newcomer was dragged before Bai Tianxing did many realize that the reinforcements had surrendered and knelt down first.

Ding Zuyi’s eyes were slightly red as he whipped his mount frantically, charging desperately toward the West City Gate.

Following the decline of Portuguese influence, the Arabs hailing from the Oman region of the Arabian Peninsula pushed south into the East African coast during the seventeenth century to reclaim control.

"It seems they are not looking for me, but for the young lady," the man said with a slight smile.

Chu Zhaoran himself did not understand why he felt no urge to press further with Yan Biliu; he merely embraced her gently and closed his eyes in quiet peace.

As Gu Hong unleashed his two ultimate fatal techniques, hundreds of cultivators in the sky simultaneously directed their flying swords to launch a direct and lethal assault.

Unbidden, the image of Inuyasha flashed through his mind—that exceptionally handsome half-demon with a cascading mane of long white hair. Li Huan's hair was short, but if he were to grow it out, would he too transform into Inuyasha?

Feng Yaoyu looked at him with a gaze of uncomprehending wonder. He had always held a lingering sense of adoration for his senior brother—someone young yet accomplished, clever, capable, open-hearted, and chivalrous—much like the reverent pursuit he had harbored for Feng Lianyi back in the day.

Huang Beiyue drew a deep breath, fighting hard to swallow back her tears. In truth, she was not someone prone to weeping; having grown up, she had shed tears on only a handful of occasions. How could she not be utterly heartbroken now upon seeing him lying here so coldly and lifelessly?

The fact that a royal prince knelt before Tang Wan'er sent an unmistakable warning to the imperial consorts and concubines. It signified that Tang Wan'er enjoyed the backing of the Prince of Yongyu from the Shibang Kingdom, and what did the Prince of Yongyu represent?

At the corner of the staircase, a glass pane shattered with a sharp crash, and a man lunged in almost horizontally, sweeping his leg out to kick the armed bodyguard.

Beixuening unleashed several streams of profound energy in succession, forcing Yan Feng and the others to dodge and retreat off the platform—a clear acknowledgment of their defeat.

A glint of craftiness flickered in the depths of Beixuening's eyes. She had made preparations long ago; she was no fool and certainly would not pin all her hopes on Ling Yi coming to her rescue.

***

The trees shook incessantly, sending down showers of falling leaves that transformed into countless sharp blades, surging outward in all directions.

Why on earth did any friction between her and Lin Mu imply her doom? What kind of logic was that? It was enough to infuriate anyone.

Su Yu looked at Ji Ruxue with sudden realization. No wonder she had achieved such heights despite lacking any background whatsoever.

Ordinary people needed to painstakingly comprehend the realms of heaven and earth, advancing their cultivation step by step only as their comprehension deepened. How could anyone compare to Lu Mudong, whose insights into the heaven and earth realms advanced by leaps and bounds all at once?

Gazing at Lin Mu in sheer disbelief, Lin Jinghao tentatively shook her arm, confirming that the piercing, bone-deep agony from moments before was indeed gone.

She walked up softly behind him, intending to give him a fright, but she had underestimated his sharp vigilance, for he spun around instantly.

"Is saving people a crime? Besides, wasn't I just trying to infiltrate the enemy camp to gather more intelligence?" Lin Hao argued.

Four people and a dog walked down the main avenue, looking every bit like bumpkins entering the city for the first time, drawing sideways glances from all around.

"Do you know the skill description for this?" Heng Dao Yi Jian rubbed his bruised arm and asked briskly.

Ye Jinzhi took out his phone and sent a message to Si Ming:
Si Ming tapped it open to read: *Guess whether Nancheng will kick her out?*

Ye Zitong glared at him indignantly and turned her face away, her cheeks flushing hot. She had never expected herself to blurt out such words in a fit of anger. As it turned out, this truly was her innermost voice and her ultimate choice.