Chapter 20

Leaving Tangshan, the group continued northeastward. The area from the Liaoxi Corridor to Houcheng was densely populated, with many places under construction. Several stretches of cement roads were already underway, and factories could occasionally be seen.

He had long been mentally prepared; this journey would undoubtedly be fraught with danger and hardship. He could not afford to become a burden to everyone else.

Just as Xiao Shuyi thought he was about to apologize, the young man fixed a deep gaze upon her.

Later, he suddenly remembered Xin Qiji. He had heard from Lu Xiufu that Xin Qiji lived in seclusion in the Chun’an mountains. Such a formidable figure could prove useful. So he wrote Xin Qiji a letter, entrusting Lu Xiufu to deliver it, promising fine wine and poetry. The roughness of his words made even Lu Xiufu shake his head.

“Of course, if they are willing,” Lv Ziqi said. He thought that if Wan Feng wished to be with ‘Yu’’er, there might be no need for ‘Chun’cao to meddle to bring them together. Yet, after probing Wan Feng’s stance today, he still did not know his true thoughts.

Cha Shi descended the wooden ladder, wanting to see how the prey in the kitchen was being handled. Upon entering, she found Mr. Shan Mingni and the old woman absent, while the sika deer lay motionless on the floor.

Seeing how much she cared about me made me uneasy; it seemed she valued work more than me. But on reflection, it made sense. Even if I helped her succeed in the game, could there really be a future for us?

The Poison Saint Kingdom was small in territory but centrally located on the continent, neighboring five nations: to the north lay the Beggar Saint and Northern Saint Kingdoms; east extended to the Eastern Saint Kingdom; west bordered the Western Saint Kingdom; south connected to the Imperial Saint Kingdom, making it a hub of connectivity.

Lately, he had seemed off, occasionally appearing beside him to utter trivial words.

Hangzhou’s prosperity began in the early Northern Song. After generations of merchants and travelers, by the Southern Song period, it had reached its zenith. Every household possessed abundant wealth, and doors remained unlocked at night. Shops and taverns were bustling yet orderly. Merchants all adhered strictly to longstanding trade principles.

“This bowl of noodles still isn’t enough to silence you, never satisfied!” Shen Qingwu’s slender fingers lightly tapped Gu Jingfeng’s forehead as she hummed softly.

Long Muxing coldly scrutinized those gathered by the stone pillar, a trace of impatience flickering in his eyes.

Gu Jingfeng knew Su Ge and Su Xin were two kind-hearted girls. Grateful for their goodwill, he spoke to them sincerely and humbly before returning to his kneeling position, beginning to carve wooden plaques once more.

Opening the mountain gate revealed San Chong San, an ancient complex cleverly built amidst three overlapping peaks, layered with clear structure. It was where Qingyi’s father worked, though today it was open to welcome distinguished guests. Yet, the wealthy Qingyi family resided in a thatched hut on the mountain’s opposite side.

At that moment, a red snake slowly slithered through a crack, crawling along an iron chain connected to a cage toward Dao Zhi.

After a few stirs with the wooden spatula, the chicken pieces were half-cooked by the hot oil on the surface, the aroma of meat mingling with spices, forming an enticing fragrance.

These four formed one team, but upon reaching here, they were pursued by cultivators from the Eternal Wasteland. Had they not met Zheng Zhong, they would have surely perished.

Huo Cun paused, then his expression twisted into a grimace. If any organization had deeply infiltrated the Lava Team, it was not the Fangyuan Alliance but the Water Fleet. Similarly, the Water Fleet was most deeply infiltrated by the Lava Team.

“What on earth is Ying Zheng up to?” Qingwu frowned, puzzled, then tilted her head toward Xing Hun.

“I was just saying, not really planning to do any damn paternity test!” Upon hearing Peter’s words, Liu Lingshan softened her tone. She was to marry into the Fei family and would rely on her son in the future, so she couldn’t afford any risks with him.

Wang Xuanlong and Liu Xiaoling exchanged glances, hastily rising and parting ways. Liu Xiaoling stepped behind Wang Xuanlong, her cheeks flushing shyly once again.

“Wang Xuanlong!” A cold reply came. Meng Hu was startled; he hadn’t expected Wang Xuanlong to remain so calm in front of so many. He assumed Wang Xuanlong was simply stunned by his own people.

“Who are you, and why are you trespassing at Tang Family Fort at night?” The question came from an elderly man, gaunt and clad in a purple-red robe, evidently a person of high status within the Tang Family Fort.

Han Lai felt all her strength drain away. Her breathing was faint; she could no longer be considered alive, only not yet dead.

---

The Matchmaker Elder transmitted an image through the Peach Blossom Mirror: a lavish bridal chamber, grand and adorned with vivid red decorations everywhere.

The usually pompous eunuch trembled, his face smeared with blood, unable to lift his eyes to the person gripping his arm.

A loud bang echoed. Wang Sheng and the other’s eyes widened, mouths agape in astonishment.

Zhao Xin fixed his gaze on Yun Feng. The death of Zhao Xin only intensified his killing intent! The Zhao family had been nearly wiped out; aside from him and Zhao Si, no one remained alive. This was why Zhao Si’s death pushed his murderous rage to its peak.

“Commander, I also agree with Minister Cai’s opinion that it is time to clear out these discordant voices,” Deputy Commander Chen Tingjia, just returned from Guangxi, added his support.

The latter clearly knew Jin Nian had come down from the start, showing no special reaction, continuing to wield the kitchen knife.

First, they arrived before a government office building, hanging a banner that read “Seeking Justice” in four characters, then unfurled a white cloth detailing the incident of Hong Daihai hitting someone, essentially staging a sit-in protest.

But I wasn’t at a loss either; taking advantage of the chaos, I pillaged several items from Liu Qin, almost ending up tangled with her on the bed.

Since the last duel with Er Xu, Zhang Cheng had developed a visceral fear of this smiling man with glasses. Nodding, he gestured, leading the student faction of seventy or eighty to storm various shops in the old city streets, screaming wildly.

Seeing the stunning sea of roses, layered in a multitude of colors, Jin Nian couldn’t help but marvel.