Chapter 34: Strike While the Iron Is Hot

The letter contained nothing more than a brief, final word: "Unsuccessful." With the lingering bitterness of the Jiangnan affair already rooted in her heart, how could Gu Zirou not be incensed by such a perfunctory reply?

Empress Xia ordered the Western Palace set ablaze, consigning Imperial Concubine Xu and her entourage to the inferno. During the body count, it was discovered that the corpse of an infant was missing. Coupled with the disappearance of General Chu Xiang, the Empress and the Prime Minister concluded that the Crown Prince had likely been spirited away by him. Consequently, the Empress secretly dispatched agents to hunt down the general.

It was only after this incident that the Valley Master learned of Pan Feng’s hidden identity: she was the Daoist companion of Xiao Dingtian, and she had exposed herself prematurely for the sake of an innate magical artifact.

By now, the surrounding area was shrouded in vast quantities of ominous grey matter, as if guided by some monstrous force.

Watching him, the child crawled forward a few paces, tugged at Sheli’s kasaya, climbed unsteadily onto his knees, and curled up in his arms to sleep.

Just as the Empress had anticipated, Feng Nanyang set off to find the Emperor, but returned empty-handed. The Great Xi Kingdom was so vast that searching for them was akin to looking for a needle in the ocean.

Her face drained of color; she dared not let her thoughts continue. Losing her footing, she nearly collapsed to the ground, then stumbled as she gave chase.

Shen Mubei nodded distractedly, nervously keeping a watchful eye on the princess's every move.

Standing to the side, Scholar Xu observed their interactions, his gaze dimming with a flicker of disappointment and dejection.

Hua Yan quietly leafed through the layout map that Ye Xiao had just produced from his robes; the courtyard featured camphor trees and the swing she loved.

Despite it being the dead of winter, where nothing could truly be smelled, she theatrically pinched her nose in feigned disgust. The oppressive atmosphere from moments ago instantly lightened.

Though only twenty-one, he possessed such an overwhelming aura that "powerful" was an insufficient descriptor.

Gu Feng suddenly broke into a violent fit of coughing. Only after blood began to trickle from the corner of his mouth did he nod and say, "That’s right. I failed my brothers. I was the one who leaked that intelligence to the Red Blood Mercenary Group." With that, Gu Feng closed his eyes and fell silent.

Shi Liyang was covered in wounds, his face swollen into a mass of bruises; it was evident he had been taught a lesson by Hua Quanlun’s men.

Sitting nearby, Naoko Asano seemed to sense the heaviness in Lin Tian’s words, and for a time, she too fell silent.

Xue Yihuai sat beside her and placed a glass of orange juice nearby. "If you want to cry, then cry. No one will know." His expression was earnest, and after a moment of hesitation, she understood.

After all, the Royal Wine Castle was the largest entertainment club in T-City. With its many venues, it had brought great prosperity to the surrounding outer businesses.

Most people there were around one meter sixty in height; looking at his stature, they had to tilt their heads to see him.

This was the man who had rescued Annabelle. The first time was the night Annabelle killed Chen Kai; this was the second.

"Zhao Xu, you..." Zhang Ji, incensed by Zhao Xu’s words, initially intended to lash out, but then realized that he had indeed been the one to break his word first. To resort to insults now would be too shameless, and he was at a loss for how to respond.

After spitting, he finally felt more comfortable. He then rolled up the car window and spoke to Tang Dun and the others.

Just as Zhang Liao pulled slightly on the reins to the left, he was suddenly struck by a premonition, and his internal alarm bells rang out.

In any case, Pei Yuanzheng was paying her; if she only had to cook and wash a few clothes, Wu Xinghua felt that five yuan a month was money she hadn't earned.

Her peripheral vision remained fixed on Jiang Lianghuan: tall and slender, with skin so fair it seemed to glow, and features of impeccable delicacy. Those eyes, filled with deep affection, could make anyone drown in her tenderness.

Seven days later, Wu Zhao selected her personal retinue and awaited the descent of the Heavenly Canopy.

The three men raised their longswords in unison. They took a deep breath, and a sinister fire ignited in their eyes. The red hue deepened abruptly, spreading from their pupils until, in an instant, their entire eyes were dyed crimson.

The official response was: Private armies are prohibited. You are raising troops; I suspect you of treason. What?

Right now, Yuan Shu was like a giant riding atop Jing Province. He appeared brawny and powerful, but if Liu Biao were to shift his hips and thrust upward, he could make Yuan Shu’s life a living hell.

They all smiled after inspecting the cars—the kind of smiles that didn't reach their eyes. Even Song Lingyin felt that these emperors were acting strangely.

"Hehe, this is a good thing for you. Long Hua was the most likely to contend for power with you. Now that he is dead, your grandfather will surely be enraged, and that will mark the end for Zhuo Yu," Sikong Chang also chuckled.

Having already reached an eight-tenths level of intoxication at the bar, further drinking left them with blurred consciousness. They could no longer tell who was who; no matter where they looked, countless shadows sprang up in their minds.

Several streams of water silently coiled around Guan Zuici’s right arm. After an unusual shimmering of light, the water merged into his limb.

After a long while, Xie Yan sat up slowly from the couch, her three thousand strands of dark hair cascading down, adding a touch of languid beauty to her carefully painted face.

Young Master Gao hurriedly produced a stack of money and threw it down. "Hehe," he said, "I’ll match that. I’m in." He didn't really care about the money; the point was that he couldn't lose face. If he won this hand, he could turn his losses into profit.

Hua Xiyan took a look, and it was true! An incredible thought instantly flashed through her mind.

Yan Shufen made no attempt to hide her fury. The moment she regained her freedom, she walked up and slapped Tang Yu hard across the face.

Su Chunyan was quite reasonable; after a night of deep conversation with Qi Yu, he felt much more at ease. An Chuchen had also made a special trip back from the United States to visit Su Junge, and incidentally brought back word of Lin Yan’s concern for her.

Shen Huan naturally knew that he was the target of the "Spirit of the Earth." Since the Heart-Questioning Stone had recognized him as its master, the only way for it to be freed from his control was for the Spirit of the Earth to kill him.

Shui Xinyou tossed and turned under the covers, her teeth grinding together. She felt an urge to erupt.

The massive spirit beast narrowed its eyes, looking down at the flood dragon struggling beneath its claws. A scarlet tongue flicked from its mouth, greedily licking its lips.

Since that day of parting, Jun Wuxie had not seen this man again. She had not expected to encounter him here.

Fatty Yan nodded and bowed with a sycophantic smile, holding a screwdriver. His only remaining intact lackey also stood by, head bowed, working away.