Volume 1, Chapter 40: An Unconcealable, Peerless Beauty

This is to be expected; courtesy calls for reciprocity. When Sixth Uncle visited, the old master had also sent gifts in return. Although Xu Zhengmu did not know what they were, seeing the abundance of gifts brought by the other party, he figured the old master’s offerings were likely of significant value.

Xin Shi took a spoon and scooped up a generous portion. Just as it was about to reach Feng Wu’s bowl, her hand trembled, and it all spilled.

The Economic Investigation Brigade had seized control of all ports in Mingzhu. All incoming and outgoing goods were subject to their inspection.

Upon entering, Ye Xiang released Feng Wu’s hand, leaned against the door with his arms crossed, and stared at her with an expressionless face.

It looked utterly miserable; five of its eight spear-like legs were gone, and its body was covered in wounds, clinging to the final flicker of life.

Because of this conversation, Jian Yu’s plan to take Lan Qingxuan south was fully settled, and her journey became perfectly justified.

With a flash, the big cat appeared in Xu Zhengmu’s arms. He checked it over; most of its injuries had healed, no longer hindering its movement, and its fur was soft and smooth once more.

The agents planted by the Military Bureau’s Second Division within the police station reported the events that had transpired in the prison and the station to Shawn.

A Buddhist cultivator of this caliber must be rare within the Buddhist sect; otherwise, the world would have long since been under their dominion.

For some reason, Xia Fangyuan felt a strange sensation in her heart. She could not quite describe it, but it certainly was not a pleasant feeling.

Perhaps because they were gathering herbs in the mountains, their progress was naturally much slower. As the caravan traversed the outer perimeter of the Zangling Mountain Range, they encountered wild beasts and even demonic beasts, but these were swiftly dispatched by the caravan’s guards. Clearly, the escort team was well-equipped to handle any emergencies within the Zangling mountains.

The next morning, Xuan Yi escorted Huang Rangyu out of the city via a secret path. On his way back, he encountered a patrol of forest soldiers.

Seeing that he had made his decision, Chu Yuan felt a surge of boldness. He chided himself for having lived two lifetimes, yet still hesitating and overthinking over such trifles, lacking the decisiveness of a novice.

Tuoba Yun, curious, parted his fingers slightly and peered at Chu Hui’s palm.

If he truly wanted to establish his own power in the Sea Market, it would be an effortless task under these circumstances; there was no need to sneakily collaborate with the Wulong Gang behind the scenes.

Xiao Wa exclaimed, "A Phantom Person!" This concept was too vague. The only one familiar with the deeper secrets of the forest was that fool of a lumberjack; it seemed necessary to summon him back for questioning.

Just as Zess was marveling at the sight, fires suddenly ignited all around him. Instinctively, he extinguished the ball of light in his hand.

By the evening of the following day, he invited Chu Yuan to the auction island in the center of the Sea Market to seek his advice.

Chu Yuan nodded, then sent Aya and Apu to prepare dinner. He asked Wan Qingchun to host Hu Cicheng while he excused himself and left.

Their fists collided again. This time, there was no thunderous roar of clashing energy; the lamps in the Ghost Palace simply dimmed, only brightening again after several moments.

The Lord of Black Wind City stared in horror at the thirty-zhang-tall mountain held within the cyan mana palm. At that moment, he finally understood the chasm between his own Golden Core stage and that of Zhang Li.

"So, the reason you brought us here today wasn’t to help you, but to use us?"

"Could it have been said by this scoundrel?" Son Ye-jin bit her lip, shooting a playful, reproving glare at Liu Daofei, who was currently on a call.

"It’s all my fault." Hucha Dongchan struck her knee in frustration, her regret and self-reproach only intensifying.

Ma Lin, Commander of the Anling Left Guard, had acted improperly during the initial stages of the rebellion, but later fought bloody battles and rendered meritorious service in quelling the unrest along the East River. His deeds offset his faults; though he could not be rewarded, he would not be punished either. He was to retain his original post, and his future promotion would be decided based on his subsequent performance.

At this moment, the leader of the men in white was also shocked, never expecting Tang Shaoxiang’s martial prowess to be so formidable that he could turn an entire mountain into a fist.

After the old man finished speaking, he sat down. The pressure that had stifled the entire room dissipated rapidly, yet the shock remained etched on the faces of those present for a long time.

"This image..." Looking at it, Xiao Qingfeng felt a sense of familiarity, but upon closer inspection, he realized he had never seen it before.

Suddenly, his eyes brightened as the view opened up. A vast expanse of emerald water appeared before him, with round, green leaves floating on the deep cyan surface, dotted with pink and crimson lotus flowers.

Although his sister-in-law was a bit devious, she was still better than the man-eating demon boss. If he didn't ask his sister-in-law, who else could he turn to?

Although they were all displaced rioters, Wang Ping sensed something different as they approached Fu County. First, they discovered many rioters patrolling outside once they came within a ten-mile radius of the county.

"Send them to the officials! This King thinks the idea of sending them to the officials is quite good." Nalan Heng withdrew his gaze and curled his lips faintly. His amber, peach-blossom eyes were like frozen ice, chillingly cold.

The indignant words died in the man’s throat the moment he saw the man before him.

"Azure Emperor, do you know what it feels like to have the same wound torn open repeatedly?" Naihe asked the man sitting before her.

The reflection in the mirror showed eyes lightly shadowed, enhancing their liveliness, a fair face that required little powder, and thin, pink lips. Her bangs were swept back, tied with the rest of her hair into a loose ponytail, revealing a smooth forehead and an exquisite face.

Zhang Liang did not know how to refute this reasoning, but with this item, he felt he had gained one more means to fight his enemies.

Because this power of faith was too heavy, it was the key to the four ancestors and the City Lord ascending to Ancient Gods, and for the Asura, the key to ascending to a Main God. If this were discovered, the Asura would never show mercy, even to his own offspring.

A cold drop of sweat rolled down Cai Mao’s forehead. This was the first time he had ever seen someone so fierce.

Only then did the people disperse. Even Wang Chuan and Huang Quan did not stay, helping Madam Yao back to her room.

Some might ask, since Xiao Hen helped Hong San, why did Hong San still harbor thoughts of eliminating him? In truth, Hong San’s thinking was no different from that of the other major gangs. Since you do not belong to my faction and are not at my disposal, I must naturally eliminate you to prevent you from becoming my enemy and hindering my grand plans.

Gu Feng nodded heavily. Only when they were alone had he asked about the characteristics of the old Taoist Qingxu, and finally shared this news with Wang Yang—news that made even Wang Yang’s eyes widen in astonishment.