Chapter 57: The Schemes Within the Inner Residence

“They’ve gone back to visit their family?” Madam Gu Zhou’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How dare they disregard me, their mother-in-law?” As she spoke, Yun He gently massaged her shoulders. “That’s right. They went with great pomp—carrying bundles and parcels, even buying a new carriage. Quite the spectacle.”

Yun Que spoke softly, “I went to have a look, Madam. Everything was prepared by Fourth Young Master—just some lamb, tea cakes, things like that. The most expensive were Eight Treasures Pavilion’s pastries.”

Yun He snorted coldly, “Even so, they should have reported to Madam first. If word were to get out…”

Yan Xishan and Liu Xiang had both come to the same conclusion: if the future proved irresistible and that path had to be taken, then joining the Heaven Sealing faction was preferable.

Countless sorcerers draped in black robes were slaughtering each other here. Green, black, and red lights flashed; poisonous mist and vines spread everywhere. Black demon beasts battled savagely in the sky.

Europe, the powder keg, could erupt at any moment. The turmoil at its doorstep kept Moscow on edge. At the same time, the outbreak of war in Europe would also bring opportunities—Big Beard would not let such a chance slip by.

But it was of little use; the enemy’s artillery squad rushed into action, firing shells that exploded harmlessly against the mountainside.

This was an individual competition, so one had to give their all. Not only was Li Qiang much stronger than Victor and Zi Dan, but Ji Feng had already warned the others—they now faced Li Qiang going all out.

“So, Tsuchimikado, did you always think I was lying?” Kamijou Touma, having clearly heard Tsuchimikado’s earlier words, shouted at him with obvious irritation.

Because Zhang Ling’er had run away from home without telling anyone, her family searched for several days without news before giving up. It was common then for children to go missing; the government would not go out of its way to post notices for a single family.

Fang Xingbao’s words filled the two serpent-tailed demon men with immense relief. If a high-ranking demon lord had saved them, they would not poison them afterward.

But after hearing his disciple’s complaints, he truly couldn’t move his feet. He had warned himself beforehand not to listen, because history had taught him that if he did, his heart would soften and he’d side with her. And so, helplessly, he was persuaded by her “reasons” once again.

It was a choice made out of necessity—whether Heaven Sealer wished it or not, he had to act; otherwise, years of effort would be wasted.

His breathing grew more rapid, the air in his mouth grew thinner, and death drew ever closer. Just as the man thought his end had come, Ye Jingcheng abruptly let go; air surged back into his lungs. He collapsed to the ground, gasping, realizing how close he’d come to death.

More than ten days later, as the first wave of noble youths settled in Khorasan, the Tang Dynasty planted its first stake there, and everything began to move onto the proper track.

After Ji Rongke finished speaking, he stepped past Lina and reached out his hand to me. I felt bewildered; though they neither argued nor fought, there was a fierce energy between them. I placed my hand in his palm, and just as he started to lead me away, Lina suddenly swept her arm up and struck me in the armpit. Instinctively, my hand slipped from his grasp.

Rumor had it that the Demon Sect had produced a prodigious princess who, at a young age, had achieved strength unattainable for most.

“Don’t think you’re something special just because you’re pregnant!” Jing Zhiqi was fuming, her makeup smudged so badly that she now looked more like a dragon fruit split open.

Ye Jingcheng kept his back turned, gazing into the distance. Wang Qi, unable to guess his mood, continued his report.

No one expected that, after passing through all the earlier wards, there would still be restrictions within the Celestial Palace.

Seeing that matters here were settled and the hour was late, I decided it was best to catch the train early and head to the Hebei mines to find Uncle Jiu and the others.

He glanced left at the physics PhD, then right at Zhou Bingbing, constantly monitoring the shifting situation.