Volume One, Chapter 44: The Food Factory

Prologue: The end of an era calls for a grand finale; the grand events of peacetime are but one part of it.

"Isn't this beneficial to our empire? What advantage would we gain by exchanging?" Zhang Debiao heard this and asked.

Hearing Zhang Zhidong’s words, Shi Lei’s left eyelid twitched slightly, as if something had occurred, yet he felt no unease—perhaps from being tense for too long.

Zhang Debiao kept his eyes fixed on Yang Xiaoqian, not blinking once. Yang Xiaoqian returned his gaze unwaveringly.

Tian Dao Song Que looked at Zhang Liang in surprise. The latter had only sparred with him once but had already uncovered flaws in the Eight Styles of the Heavenly Blade—truly, heroes emerge young.

“Don’t panic, we’re coming right away,” Huang Fu comforted Shen Yanran, who was terrified.

The group, carrying the wounded, moved outside. The spider-tribe’s vehicles left in the clearing were enough to transport them, and Xu Yingdong came to join them.

The space within that room had just been cleverly sealed off; if one hadn’t broken through the Spiritual Sovereign level, they likely wouldn’t notice it. Naturally, she wouldn’t be stopped when walking straight through, but by then, the test had already failed.

Su Huan watched Chen Tianyi’s retreating figure and sighed. Poor An Mo—how did she end up attracted to such a cold hearted man? Chen Tianyi was the epitome of manliness: aloof, ruthless, with a physique honed by years of martial training, powerful beyond words.

Faced with Jiang Xiaomei’s question, Ohtake Heichiro remained silent, unable to answer. After sipping his tea, he said, “I’m sorry. I came hoping to learn about your late grandfather, Mr. Teng Chuan, through your grandmother.” His words had just fallen.

In recent days, the capital’s right precinct was filled with anxiety. Everyone had heard of a young Qianhu official who had arrived, sparking speculation about his noble lineage, but no one could get any information. Since his arrival, he had disappeared without a trace—no one had seen or dealt with him.

Since leaving the Song family that day, Li Li had climbed the mountain alone. After hitching a ride on a coal truck for a stretch, she continued on foot and suddenly encountered a mysterious elderly woman.

***

Confident Wang Yun paid no heed to Peng Tuo and Huang Shao. Upon reaching Pingyu, he learned they were rampaging through Xihua, Zhengqiang, and Ruyang. He resolved to lead over ten thousand Yuzhou soldiers and more than fifty thousand militia to intercept them, preventing their escape to southern Runan.

Ohtake Heichiro was momentarily stunned when the doctor said, “What a fortunate man.” Looking again at the wooden-like white-haired elder, he wondered if that message really came from him.

A piercing scream finally roused everyone from their daze. Someone shouted, and the crowd at last saw who the ruthless group really was.

“I am an inspector from Zhejiang’s judicial office. If any official disobeys orders and abuses power, according to Ming law, I have the authority to detain!” He Jinxian was nearly hysterical, banging the table and ordering the bewildered soldiers to seize Yu Xinwu.

Yan Zheng led all the Yellow Turban commanders to respectfully prostrate themselves, bowing three times to Zhang Ling, who sat in the main tent seat. For a moment, Zhang Banxian felt dizzy—being revered truly felt extraordinary.

“Can’t we send an official with no background who’s not aligned with them?” Gao Qihua asked Shen Yiguan.

Everyone saw this faint consciousness, shy and timid, like a snail emerging from its shell, or a clam revealing its soft flesh—eliciting both pity and affection.

“Doctor Zhong, are you regressing as you age? Even if you find a charlatan, at least dress them up properly!” Luo Shenyi shook her head, showing utter disdain for Zhong Wantang.

The movement was simple, yet when landed on Su Peisheng’s shoulder, it felt real—never like a miss.

Of course, the clan chief who raised the ambitious, ungrateful, and ruthless white wolves Bi Jiufang and Bi Lingque was no saint himself.

Only when she loved Yi, and Yi was willing to give up everything, steadfastly choosing to be with her, did his affection for her grow steadily.

But Hou Yi, to prevent future generations from opening the ring, chose to set a barrier that would automatically disintegrate if forced open by brute strength—a decision that left many speechless.

***

Jiang Beiqiao had been somewhat drowsy throughout the journey, his spirits not particularly high.

It must be said, this was a sad state for the Star Emperor’s Hall—so much so that even a mere watcher despised it.

Wounds that refused to heal, no matter how skilled the divine healer, could not save those that continuously festered and rotted.

As for Gu Yu, Gu Lu vowed to remain by their side for life, supporting and guarding them well, so both might find a good resting place.

The two shopkeepers were furious, grimacing and entwining their pudgy hands tightly, wanting to tear those two useless men apart. Yet they were not fools—they knew none of this was within their control.

Cheng Weiliang finished reading three scripts. Calmly pointing to the first, he said, “I’ll take this role.” Then he tossed the remaining two scripts back onto the transparent tea table.

At two in the afternoon, Qiu Shuzhen, Wang Zuxian, and their guardians, Mrs. Qiu and Mrs. Wang, all arrived punctually at Mango Film’s office building.

Watching the scenes on screen, apocalyptic in nature, the audience finally understood the battle’s pivotal moment. Beneath the raging tide of the city lay a vast tomb—not only burying the pirates’ lives but also their courage and will.