Chapter 118: A Dilemma of Choice, The Bitter Almond’s Divine Revelation

Guo Yi watched the guard’s retreating figure and let out a soft, melancholic sigh.

In the imperial court, the officials were like withered wood, and in the halls of power, beasts feasted on state salaries. Nowadays, the heretical Wusheng Taoist occupied the high position of Imperial Preceptor, forcibly conscripting laborers and squandering the wealth of the people in a vain attempt to reconstruct the Ascension Terrace of the previous dynasty. Furthermore, in the dozen years since this man became Imperial Preceptor, every province and prefecture had suffered endless natural disasters—floods, droughts, and locust plagues—making the lives of the common people increasingly dire. Now, even a figure like Master Yuchen...

However, despite Jiang Yang’s fierce and relentless attacks, Zhou Yue remained like a light skiff in a raging sea; though constantly in peril, she refused to capsize.

Not to mention Master Shaoyang gradually losing hope, the members of the demon race were even more stifled. They were naturally restless beings, and being forced to wait here with a group of boring humans for the Black Bear King to wake up was maddening.

Qin Hongjun squinted at Li Xiang, signaling him to return to his seat. These people were not to be trifled with; it was best not to act rashly.

Zhu Pingjin discussed the lathe bed rails and then brought up the issue of the lead screw, asking his skilled craftsmen if they could manufacture one.

What should have been a grand and solemn ceremony for receiving the imperial edict turned into a chaotic vegetable market. As the sun reached its zenith, the matter finally came to a conclusion.

"I merely heard it from the Prince," Ding Yuan said, keeping his words brief. He only added that once this year’s maintenance was complete, he intended to visit the old course of the official canal weir.

However, dealing with a bandit force of seventy or eighty thousand was no simple feat; it required strategy, not brute force.

Yet, under normal circumstances, over ten thousand heavy cavalry led by a historical commander could easily slaughter a caravan of a mere three thousand. Why, then, would the Kunlun Firm incite a beast tide?

"Idiot! What else can we do? Cross the river!" the burly man cursed in a low voice, though his heart was filled with helplessness. They had no choice but to obey, as that might be their only sliver of a chance to survive.

He knew his own strength well. Though that kick had sent the man flying, it was not enough to cause any lasting injury.

***

Xiao Sheng gently wiped the slightly yellowed photograph and slowly placed it back into the drawer.

Emiya Shirou hurriedly grabbed Feng Jie by the shoulders, pulling him down, his face flushed red.

"There's nothing to chat about. I'll just accompany you to pick out some clothes," Yang Xiruo muttered.

Liu Ke, part of the "soy sauce" bystanders, sat with his legs crossed, chatting and laughing. Upon seeing this, Chen Gong and Xu Shu immediately lost interest in the matter, sitting there with cold faces and refusing to speak, leaving the entire atmosphere stiff and frigid.

"Wait a moment, I can walk on my own. Don't pull my clothes, you're too violent!" A slightly frustrated complaint came from Wu Ai not far away.

As for what Cui'er had said, since someone had already stood up for her, she had nothing left to be angry about. For a jealous person, the best response was indifference—ignoring them until they were so frustrated they would be left scratching at walls.

Saito Hideki also smiled bitterly. He dared not voice his suspicions yet, lest he cause unnecessary panic.

"Cold-mixed, hot-mixed, mix it however tastes best!" the old man Wuji said with a grin.

It was the hour of dawn, and the sky was pitch black, with not a finger to be seen. Even the bustling Hong Kong, usually filled with nightly revelry, was mostly dark, with only sparse, flickering lights remaining. Beyond the neon signs, the entire world seemed to have plunged back into darkness.

"Understood," the pilot nodded immediately, struggling to keep the helicopter hovering in place without ascending further.

When he first entered the hundred-fold time dilation opened by the Flame Emperor Shennong, Jiang Yuan had experienced twenty-five years in just three short months. He had meticulously refined his Dao, and though he had not yet grasped the laws of heaven and earth, his Dao heart was steadfast, sufficient to perfect the patterns of his Dao.

In the few minutes before stepping into the venue, Mu Lingxi’s mind was filled with fantasies: what kind of villain would eventually reap what they had sown? What was the mood of "her" within the role? Was it joy? Or sorrow? Could a person so sinister and vicious ever laugh? How should the character be defined and shaped?

Of course, Qingyang also took the opportunity to stroll through the place where he had stayed before leaving, pretending to search for the Blood Spirit Pearl to round out his previous claims and avoid any wild suspicion.

With a mere flick of his hand, the hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards he had brought with him would surely surround and protect him instantly, but he dared not.

In these chaotic times, she had nowhere to go. Even if she returned to her gambler father, she would only be sold off once again.

***

"Did you hit him?" Lu Jinyu looked at Huo Shengxuan, her expression displeased.

"Damn it, what does that old man want? He won't be satisfied until he tears everyone's families apart, will he?" Mi Duoduo’s temper flared the moment she heard the news.

Cao Zhi and the others exchanged glances; that guy was doomed, and they wondered what he would rely on to scheme against his brothers in the future.

Just at that moment, Gao Xuan suddenly saw a vast, open space appear before him.

The mature beauty Oriental Coco had long golden hair dancing in the breeze, looking so beautiful that the surrounding flowers paled in comparison.

"Twenty percent at most. Our Church of Light has never allowed other factions to settle here; you are the first!" Xia Li looked at Lei Yu, refusing to back down.

The two who were crying and laughing quickly lit incense and handed it over. Ling Siye took it, but then knelt down. Tang Meng was immediately shocked—given his status, how could he kneel and bow so casually?

"How did you get it? I... I begged for so long back then and had no way. You said you didn't have to pay money. Do you mean he just gave it to you without taking a single cent? I don't understand, how on earth did you get it?" Yang Shimin asked, holding the bracelet in curiosity.

"But your leg..." Ming Lie frowned. Although the imperial physician's attitude had been annoying, in this day and age, only those with real skill had the right to be temperamental. Moreover, since that physician had been specifically requested by Liuguang, Ming Lie knew his words must be accurate.

When Fu Xuejiao had said it, he didn't even bother to listen, but now, hearing it from Rose’s lips, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

The carpet was strewn with fallen blossoms. Petals fluttered everywhere as the beauty danced, her body and hair covered in flowers, looking ethereal and filled with the passion of spring.

Yang Shuhuang pursed his lips and said nothing, while Li Xiao leaned toward Pan Dao, staring fixedly into his eyes.

Ling Dongwu, the plaintiff, was immediately turned into the defendant under Mu Zicheng’s aggressive questioning, and she lowered her head, speechless.