Volume One, Chapter 26: If You Plot Against Me, Prepare to Taste Ruin and Disgrace

"Go!" The short man hurled the fat man out, smashing the glass before he landed on the ground outside with a wail of pain.

"It's cold at night, wear something warm." Xia Yu draped a coat over Lin Rui's shoulders, then stood quietly behind him.

At first, Ye Xuan also sensed that this sea beast was somehow different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly set it apart.

Although Xu Feng was extremely powerful, his actions were risky; if those around sensed anything, all would be for naught. Besides, his strength was formidable. Who knew if the power of the Fourth Prince's Fifth Layer of the Demon Arts would be enough to withstand his energy?

He had considered many possibilities and even steeled himself for the chance that Zhou Shiqing might pry into his secret. Who would have thought she would ask something like that?

Xu Feng let out a sinister laugh. "Wait here for me, all of you. I'll go spread the news." Without waiting for Pan Zong and the others to respond, he donned his bamboo hat and strode out.

Zhang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, a blade-like glint flashing and vanishing in an instant. A beam of golden sword light shot from the center of his brow—none other than the Purple Sky Sword, nurtured within his mind palace.

In the minds of Xing Thirty-Six and his companions, whether in the past or now, never had they felt that peculiar aura. They were certain it was an aura no strong person could ever possess.

It was hard for people to imagine what monumental event could have caused such dramatic upheaval overnight between these two great powers.

Chen Hao said indifferently, "Isn't that what makes it more exciting? Isn't that what we come here for?" He was insistent, unusually enthusiastic, which puzzled me, for he had been so quiet and taciturn along the way—how had he become so proactive now?

"Mother, Mother... please save my little sister." Ten-year-old Su Yihua knelt at the door, desperately bowing her head to the ground, each thud leaving a bloody mark.

Tian Jihong nodded as well. His master had once mentioned the arduous path of promotion within the Mercenary Guild. Although Li Ming was only considered half a professional mercenary, his strength at a young age rivaled those at the Heavenly Realm. Even so, it took him decades within the guild to barely attain the rank of Gold Medallion Mercenary.

Yet to Zhao the Short, this was cowardice—an excuse for intimidation and bullying.

At this moment, Xu Jingyu and Tang Huaiding sat face to face, heads lowered, almost touching, kneading and rubbing each other's hands in playful delight.

Jiang Zhiming's gaze flickered as he watched Fang Xian's calm figure walk away, his previously bold demeanor beginning to subside.

The same princess, the same absent emperor, yet the outcomes were worlds apart.

After returning home, Grandpa was in high spirits, which seemed to lift Grandma's mood as well; she seemed a bit more lucid and smiled at Grandpa as he prepared the medicinal decoction. When the medicine was ready, Grandpa filled a bowl and handed it to Grandma, who sat in the courtyard. She muttered about unfinished chores as she sipped the brew.

Thinking of the power of those cards, the system cub excitedly rubbed its chubby little paws together.

"Before surgery, you can have your name attached—it's a wonderful thing, something many professors are after," Fang Xian's heart pounded in his chest.

Qu Ninghao watched her departing figure, a swirl of emotions—anger, jealousy, vexation, pain—all tangled together in his heart.

The interior design of the Milky Way was breathtakingly cool; sitting on a swaying, water-filled couch felt like drifting alone in a little boat through the cosmic sea, aimless and ethereal.

There was silence at the barbecue stall. Neither Li Feng nor Boss Li, nor any of the diners, could close their gaping mouths in shock.

"Alright, everyone's here, and the timing is perfect," Manager Zhao stepped forward, glanced at his watch, and announced.

Lady Kongtong neither objected nor agreed, thus leaving the final decision to Kongtong Shuang herself.

Lin Yiwan's heart skipped a beat. Luo Ying waved excitedly at Ji Qingli, while Lu Sheng's lips curled up slightly; it seemed things were about to get lively.

Yet the man knew this was only the beginning—no one could guess what crisis or change lurked behind this unexpected episode.

You must understand, what I am most proud of is my waterfall of jet-black hair. I usually tie it in a casual ponytail, sometimes let it flow freely over my shoulders, giving off a romantic air, and when needed, I can twist it into an elegant, noble "cloud bun" that has turned many heads.

"This is just perfect," the man laughed heartily, a profound and majestic aura surging from him, vast as the very space around them.

Si Qian'ai pursed her lips, thinking: Now he's anxious, after acting like he didn't care about Di'er at all. Otherwise, why would they have been like strangers for so long?

No matter how they felt about this powerful chief minister in their hearts, outward respect was a must.

Chu Xiyue wasn't buying this excuse. Last year, she had skipped coming in because it was too crowded. Now, with the same timing, why were there suddenly fewer people for Gu Tingjun? Was it because he didn't think she was attractive enough?

Having reached the pinnacle of Emperor Rank and mastered such power, what was there to fear now? Let whatever may come, come.

Of course, even if Sakurai Yayoi was no longer the same, Lu Shu had no way to change it.

Coming from a humble background is already hard enough; without the support of one's clan, every step becomes a struggle.

Seeing he had no intention of getting up, Ye Li couldn't help but regret her earlier actions. She must have been possessed to yearn for that forbidden feeling.

"Stop looking so grim, I'm fine," Ye Li said, noticing his unusually stern expression. Thinking he was just overly worried, she forced herself to sound lighthearted, hoping to ease his concern despite her own weakness.

"You—!" Zhuo Zhaoyun had barely spoken when the door opened again, and Gu Tingjun's cold, frosty face appeared before them.

The air filled with the crackling sound of flames, as Chen Xuan's body shot forward in an instant.

Time ticked by. Several hundred meters from the villa, in a room, Ma Lei's eldest brother, Ma Xiaotian, lounged lazily in a large round chair. Several meters away, a computer screen was frozen on an image of a piece of green cloth.