Chapter 39: Taking Action

With a calm expression, she glanced at the small basket in her hand, which was already filled with medicinal herbs.

Unwilling to be entangled any further, she made a cool-headed decision, rose, and prepared to leave.

"You've stolen something, and you think you can just walk away?" The woman, seeing her ready to depart, grew increasingly incensed and asked indignantly.

Sheng Xiayan did not want to waste any more time arguing with her, merely replying softly: ...

Blood Tiger’s face was etched with shock and unspeakable pain. After several exchanges, his arms, having endured the force transmitted through the dagger, were covered in fine cracks, as if they might shatter at any moment.

For the first time, Liu Tuo was so startled that his heart pounded frantically. In the blink of an eye, he swiftly raised his left foot, tilted his right, and with a spinning landing, leaned back to evade the blow.

Logan was trying these 21st-century foods, seasoned with various spices, for the first time, and he nearly swallowed his own tongue in delight. The Shancheng beer, also from the 21st century, tasted far better than anything of this era. After one sip, he didn't stop, draining the entire 500ml bottle in one go.

As a member of the clergy, it seemed highly inappropriate for Zhao Weiqing to speak such words. Yet, he still kept his secular name, which seemed to suggest that he was not a pure Taoist after all.

"Hmph, what is your relationship that you would defend her like this? Don't forget, she was just about to strike you!" Chen Qiuying remarked.

Liu Yi had never expected that upon hearing of his and Liu Tuo's plight, Shangguan Feng would react with such thunderous rage, as if he felt the pain himself. Deeply moved, Liu Yi realized their brotherhood remained intact; though Shangguan Feng possessed a jade-like face, his temper had not changed in the slightest.

Furthermore, the three low-grade officers possessed multiple talismans. Even in close quarters, it was not certain they could hold their ground. Even if they could withstand the attacks of the fifty low-grade officers, there were still several high-ranking ones circling and pinning them down. "We can't win, we can't win," the three old men thought to themselves.

The Vow of Sacrifice: All villagers pledge to offer their life’s harvest of grade-fruit to the Divine Lord of Wandering Winds and Patrols; those who break this vow shall suffer the punishment of the Order.

Back at the barracks, the group sat down to discuss the recent confrontation. The "Old Impudent" and "Six Disrespects" rarely looked so troubled; the two great pranksters could not even manage a smile, only sighing and shaking their heads. They had not imagined Tuo Xuanzhong’s martial arts to be so formidable.

Wei Changqin heard this and said nothing, pulling Gu Jueqing closer and planting a light kiss on her forehead.

"You refused the marriage arranged for you by Lady Yu before any engagement was finalized. If word got out, those with ulterior motives would surely criticize you. That is why I had Mother arrange a match for you in the capital. I had already agreed with that family that it would be set for one month after your departure for the campaign, but since you and your father were away, it was never spoken of."

For instance, after so much had happened, did she have any regrets? If she could do it all over again, back at Nanshan or in the dungeon, would she choose to intentionally draw Long Tianxing's attention?

Seeing his resolve, Shen Mo did not intend to argue; she walked to the edge of the bed and sat down.

If he had never appeared in her life, would she have continued to deceive herself, living as a man from beginning to end?

The surrounding people, seeing the two locked in confrontation, quickly fled the scene, leaving a large empty space in the middle.

The two were Su Zi and Yuan Xian'er. When all this had transpired, they were burning incense in a separate meditation room. Upon hearing the commotion, they stepped out and saw that it was Xu Chi, Su Bao’s maternal grandfather, attempting to abduct a nun who practiced while keeping her hair.

An empress must possess a dignified and elegant demeanor; Shen Fei-shuang was naturally far more qualified than Lady Liu. Perhaps the late emperor’s dislike for Lady Liu stemmed from his disdain for her temperament.

When Canrobert arrived in Cairo, the entire city was already under high alert. Everywhere there were patrolling soldiers, bunkers piled high with sandbags, and armies rushing from the Cairo region to the front lines, preparing to engage in war against the British.