Chapter 20: I Only Trust Myself

After accepting the reward, Shen Qiuning sat down beside Shen Munian. Meeting Gu Yan’s probing gaze, she turned her head away to avoid him.

Shen Munian shifted closer to her. "Ning'er, what has gotten into you today?"

"Father, are you aware that the Empress is making moves against the Shen family? The Emperor intends to name an heir soon, and the Empress is forcing our family to choose a side," Shen Qiuning whispered to him.

Shen Munian paused, struck by the depth of her insight.

Finally, Xu Yan drank until he collapsed, leaning against the sofa in a daze, mumbling words that no one could decipher.

The hairpin was crafted from pure gold, its body engraved with exquisite and intricate patterns. At the end, a hibiscus flower bloomed with lifelike detail, its petals inlaid with pearls that shimmered like morning dew, casting a dazzling and brilliant radiance.

"Go on. I was just too frightened earlier; I don't truly blame you. She is in a much worse state, and even if you came home with me, your heart would not be here." Su Ling’s emotions had stabilized, and seeing that Li Tianjue would not step out of the car, she pushed him out.

As soon as they entered, Shao Yi produced a VIP card, and the waiter respectfully led them to a private suite.

Yet, every time she thought of her honest, hardworking father who had always cherished her, how could she possibly bring herself to say it?

"Zhang Heming, how exactly are you making this money? Can you teach me?" Ji Xuemei asked.

Feeling the fiery intensity of the other's gaze, Ximen Ye instinctively pulled his hand back in a hurry.

The leader’s face twisted into a look of malice, as if he were acting under someone else's orders. His words immediately drew the attention of Magistrate Lin.

For the first time, a thought—or perhaps a premonition—took root in Yun Feng’s mind: this was not merely a game world, but perhaps a reality, and every NPC within it was a living, breathing human being. This explained the emotions within the game and the autonomous shifts in the world itself.

Wu Jinchuan narrowed his eyes, and as his stature slowly grew, a sharp, piercing gaze appeared in his eyes.

"What kind of grudge, Lin Ao? What grudge?" As a major celebrity, Xia Yuhan naturally knew nothing of Lin Ao's background.

Before the words had faded, Chen Fei struck with his fist. The Dragon Demon Heavenly Fire transformed into a blazing divine dragon; with a single blow, Guan Jue’s massive demonic dragon body was utterly incinerated. In an instant, everything turned to ash, ground into dust, and vanished.

The so-called Onmyoji were known for methods that were bizarre, unpredictable, insidious, and ever-changing. Thus, even on a global scale, Japanese Onmyoji held a certain reputation, and few were willing to provoke them lightly.

The men of Xiliang were rugged and possessed an innate love for wine. Therefore, within the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, aside from during wartime, there was no explicit prohibition against drinking.

Orders were issued immediately: Zhang Yan was to escort the provisions to Hukou Pass, change into the armor of the imperial army, and head toward Yecheng. Zhang Fei also led his cavalry, racing at top speed toward the city.

"Commander, what do you make of the strange tales of the Wicked Dragon Pool that Commander Zhao of the Eighth Route Army spoke of?" Liu Laoda led us to the commander to warn him not to take the matter lightly.

Seeing this, Chen Fei felt a sense of unease. Yet, at that moment, Ming Daochuan spoke again, "Enough. Since everything is prepared… let us depart." As he spoke, a deep chill surfaced in his aged eyes. It was clear that he was, at this moment, feeling somewhat 'impatient.'

Lin Ao swept his hand, holding the immortal-grade Violet Flower Purple Light Flute to his lips, and played a single note.

No longer using robots as attendants, Chen Baliang led the five men of Chen Yi, giving instructions as they walked forward.

Yet those two ancient artifacts, hailed as the supreme treasures of the Wu family—whether it was the ghost soldiers or the water monsters—had always recoiled and bowed before them. Why, then, did they fail when faced with this old miser today?