Volume 1, Chapter 24: Miss Meng’s Change of Face

He did not believe that while everyone else was taking action, Sun Quan would sit quietly in Jiangdong without moving a muscle. Such out-of-place behavior only proved that something was deeply amiss.

More than fifty riders lingered there—the four men, including Zhang Ren, who had arrived from Luo City. Since the two locations were not far apart, it had not taken them long to reach this spot.

However, Qin Yang had mentioned the Asian Chopin International Piano Competition held in Japan. As a piano enthusiast, she was naturally aware of it. Put that way, it suddenly seemed to carry a shred of credibility.

Leaving Qingyunzi’s dwelling, Ji Lingsheng bowed his head in contemplation. To clear the mind, to be still—but how exactly does one achieve such stillness? He suddenly recalled the side hall where Ji Changfeng had made him spend long hours every day. Was that not intended as a path to tranquility? It was a pity that for so many years, he had treated those lessons as mere wind passing by his ears.

As Lin Yuan’s gaze fell upon the character, it shimmered as if it were an illusion.

For his current self, this was a divine ability he urgently needed to uphold the dignity of a master.

Damn it, the subtle expressions and words revealed that things were not at all what he had just imagined.

In front of him and Long Zhen, thin cracks appeared in the void. Before long, the tip of a sword emerged within their line of sight.

"I’ve decided to take a few months off to travel. We’ll talk when I get back," Yun Feng said, leaving Zhan Hongying no choice but to comply.

Xiling nodded, and the next moment she vanished from Yun Xi’s side, reappearing next to Shen Yu.

Taking advantage of the moment, Hong Mirou’s lithe form surged toward Liu Qian, reaching the space above her. With a soft laugh, she swung her deep blue longsword downward, unleashing an incomparable dragon-shaped sword aura that descended like a bolt of lightning.

This was the busiest, most prosperous district in Jiangcheng, favored by middle-class shoppers and equally known as the most chaotic place where all walks of life converged.

"My lady, do not act rashly. I shall return shortly!" Having said this, Hua Weiyu vanished from the eaves before Su Yixian could even speak.

***

The setting sun began to dip, and the fiery crimson sunset painted the sky, making the horizon appear as if it had been stained with blood.

"You lot in the Xiongbing Company really do give us confidence!" Chu Yunlong laughed happily. Ever since the Taotie invasion and the outbreak of war in Beizhixing, he had rarely felt such joy.

Meng Xuantong nodded. Seeing the look of confidence in Lin Shang’s eyes, he no longer stood in his way.

Suddenly, as the deep purple flames incinerated Xue Ming and the four or five people beside him, they had no choice but to grit their teeth, frantically channeling their profound energy to dodge. During those moments, it felt as though their hearts had stopped beating entirely.

"Though we special operators may not be as strong as you in the Xiongbing Company, we are soldiers of Huaxia!" Wei Laoqi, Zhao Qiang, and the others declared with clanging conviction.

"I told you, you’ve mistaken me for someone else." Beigong Lingyun gently tapped her head with his closed fan.

This was, in reality, an extreme ability that traded defense for speed. With the right technique, one could easily secure victory.

Li Yunyi’s voice echoed faintly, causing both the Heavenly Vine Ancestor and Wu Ba, trapped within the Heavenly Mystery Pot, to tremble as flickering thoughts crossed their eyes.

The limitations of the Earth Escape technique were severe; if one tunneled too shallowly, their presence would be exposed and they would be dug out, but if they went too deep and exhausted their spiritual power, they would simply be buried alive.

"Don't you pride yourself on being the most sociable person in the Heavenly Realm? So, it was only natural that I would find you. Hehe, by the way, the tea you have here actually tastes quite good." The young man took another sip from the cup and offered his praise.

There were strict limits on the number of guards a feudal lord could bring into the Chu capital. Lords of third-tier states could bring at most three hundred soldiers. Although Li Yunyi was not a lord, he represented the Jing State and was its de facto ruler, so the guards at the gate were unlikely to say much about him bringing three hundred men.

Jiang Tingliu had already figured out how to befriend this martial arts expert. She had just secretly sent Qingguo to fetch a servant.

Tu Yixin agreed readily. Jiang Tingliu reminded him not to get so excited that he forgot what she needed, and only after receiving his guarantee that it would be finished within two days did she depart in her carriage.

***

The next moment, a heavy frame pressed down upon her. Jiang Tingliu stiffened for an instant, and only when she felt that Tan Zhiyuan remained completely still did her body regain its composure.

Although Gu Xing knew nothing of creatures like the "Tiger-turned-Ghost" or the "Mysterious Serpent," he could not say for certain that these fierce beasts were not real. Furthermore, the villagers and "shadow ghosts" that appeared out of thin air were filled with an indescribable eeriness, as if someone had deliberately placed them there, waiting for them.

On the massive color page, occupying a full half-spread, were two all-too-familiar faces: Father Zhao and Zhao Lang.

Gu Qiqi frowned, still pondering what Xi Jinyan had just said. After a long while, she suddenly realized that what he had spoken of must have been that contract—not just the one with her, but the one with the Gu family as well.

Upon hearing John’s words, the mayors looked as if their parents had just died. Personal income tax accounted for a large portion of local government revenue; now that it was gone, they would have to tighten their belts to survive.

Wei Yunqi was a man who had contributed to the nation; the fragmentation of the Tujue had been his doing, and he could be considered to have reaped a good harvest from his own good deeds.

Su Junhua knew that what had to come would come eventually. He offered no explanation—what use would it be now? After all, he and Natasha had once lost control and done wrong by Dong Dali. Because of that lapse in judgment, Su Junhua had lived in deep remorse, and whenever Natasha tried to cling to him, he would find various excuses to push her away.

After Yang Qianyi understood with a solemn nod, Gu Xing did not say another word. His figure slowly rose, his mind controlling his body as he began to levitate.

At that moment, the Salamander Sphinx waved its claws, and the two men opposite it instantly felt the danger.