47

Only Han Shu and Xuan Chi, who knew part of the inside story, remained as calm and composed as usual. This slightly reassured most of the people, who tried their best to calm their racing hearts.

On the morning of the seventh day, outside the city of Chang'an, Yuchi Jingde first had the main army and the craftsmen camp outside the city, and then led Wang Xingxin and the others to an audience with Li Er.

Under Li Er's piercing gaze, Cheng咬金 (Cheng Yaojin) had no choice but to begrudgingly give up this immensely satisfying action.

Wanying looked blankly at the enthusiastic man who had suddenly appeared before her, at a loss for how to react for a moment. The rising steam from the rice porridge curled in the air, and its faint aroma stimulated Wanying's delicate sense of smell. Swallowing hard, and before she could even sit up straight with Ah Gui's assistance, she took the bowl and began to eat ravenously.

She hadn't expected to run into such a formidable character today. No wonder his bodyguards were so fierce.

"Dad... I didn't mean it that way. Why are you hitting people? How old am I even?" Lu Ping, stung with pain from the old man's slap, suppressed the anger about to burst from his heart and replied in a somewhat heavy tone.

Previously, he had worried that the generals might feel nervous or cowed by the impending battle—after all, this was undoubtedly a tough fight. Seeing their current demeanor, not only were they devoid of fear, but they were even overly confident, he finally felt relieved.

The time for the opening of the Spirit Realm was drawing closer and closer. Once Lian Haiping arranged everything, he would enter the Spirit Realm unburdened, seeking the path of "bringing the dead back to life."

Regardless of how perilous it might prove to be, he had to go in and find out whether the inheritance behind the Star Guidance lay within.

"Notify Citong that the operation will take place on the fifteenth of next month. Tomorrow I will go outside the city to make contacts; you stay here and wait for my return so we can act together." Hu Tianming issued the order without even glancing at A Cheng.

Facing such immense temptation, Chu Yang sent all three of them back to their respective rooms to rest.

"Can you all stop ignoring my existence? Otherwise, I'll be very angry, and if I'm angry, the consequences will be severe." Li Xiaoting crossed her arms, her expression indifferent.

"Ah, how I wish I could take Rongrong to study in the big city. You have no idea how dangerous this mountain path is. The path is only a meter wide, with a roaring, turbulent river on one side and a nearly vertical cliff on the other. Every time we traverse it, my heart is in my throat," Ningbo said, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

What had just happened to him? Why, the moment that voice impersonating his grandfather sounded, did he lose his most basic judgment?

Under Chu Yang's rapid-fire questioning, he had almost exposed the fact that this fellow was not a fan of Xinran at all. As a fan, not knowing the idol's song titles, albums, or even remembering the lyrics, yet claiming to be a fan—wasn't that a joke?

"Alright, it's a settlement then. When I figure out what I want to eat, I'll give you a call. It's getting late, I should be going," Miao Lili said with a smile.

Swish—like a tangible wave of sound, magnified by the superposition of over one hundred thousand people, it instantly delivered a frontal shockwave that made everyone's eardrums buzz.

Li Xiaoting wanted Ma Yuanjie to introduce her to the county high school as a transfer student so she could take the college entrance examination next year.

Calling the waiter, she was moved to a room adjacent to Ji Xuefeng's other side. Entering the room, Qin Lin sat blankly on the edge of the bed, her face full of dejection.

Who would have thought that sitting in front of the computer, from being on high alert to starting a movie, and then frequently going out to smoke, she would have nothing to do at all.

Though extremely reluctant to let go, the instant he saw Ye Zhong's photograph, Chu Didi understood. If Ye Xiangwan were given a choice between being saved by him or dying, she would choose death without a moment's hesitation.

If everyone present were cultivators at this moment, he might have endured and hidden away, but reduced to mortals, he felt not the slightest bit of fear.

That plaintive singing was filled with boundless desolation and sorrow, coupled with its strong sense of rhythm and melody, moving every college student present. Especially some of the scholars on Chen Dong's side, who already knew the whole story and could not hold back their tears.

"Is this Bianliang, hailed as the Number One City in the World? It truly lives up to its reputation!" The leader could not help but exclaim in praise.

Moor also stated that the people on this roster all needed to manage the list of secret agents. The public agents were waiting in the conference room. How to govern Peshawar in the future would be addressed next.

However, many present today were innocent people; some even differed from the likes of Xiang Jin and Xiang Yuan. Even if they came from prestigious and powerful clans, they still retained their kind natures. Just think—Ling Yumo actually also came from a prominent aristocratic family, yet she possessed an equally kind heart.

"Alright, I'll stay and accompany you," Yan Luoxi agreed without a second thought. Last year when she fell ill and was helpless and alone, Ran Xu had stayed by her side. Both in terms of reason and sentiment, she ought to repay him this once.

Only, what deeply frustrated him was that even though "Pleasure Paradise" had been open for a full half month, not only had Zhao Ji not visited his brothel, but he rarely even came to Yanglou Street, save for an occasional military escort delivering a carriage that secretly smuggled Mistress Shishi into the palace.

Except for the occasional sound of rolling waves, there was no other movement around. Zhang Siwei's previous words might as well have been spoken to the air. Fortunately, there were no other players nearby; otherwise, they would have thought they had run into a lunatic.

Therefore, Qin Shuang wanted to treat Xue Xi to dinner straight from her heart; she didn't know how else to thank Sister Xi for saving her.

The world was very quiet, with snowflakes drifting and cold winds blowing. Xiang Lian's tattered clothes were very thin, yet she didn't feel particularly cold; whereas Han Lai wore coarse summer linen clothes, and when the cold wind blew, the chill truly pierced straight to the heart.

Before she could finish speaking, her mother reached out to snatch the card. Her mother dodged instinctively, but failed, and watched helplessly as that card full of hope was placed back into the bosom of her second aunt's husband.

Compared to themselves and the White Lotus Cult, which had run rampant across various provinces for a time, actually achieving a stalemate when facing the main Qing forces was already quite an accomplishment. Most of the time, they only gained the upper hand through sheer numbers and ambush tactics.

A crisp and clear voice rang out. Following the sound, Lan Xin'er looked up and was startled to see the person standing at the doorway.

"Thanks can be spared; I have my own motives as well." With that, Ying Yi stepped out of the hospital room.

At this moment, An Ye also released his soul rings: two yellows, two purples, and one black. The soul power fluctuations of a Soul King rank were unleashed, but An Ye's martial soul was nowhere to be seen.

This was both within expectations and beyond them. Matsumoto from the professional circuit, an existence infinitely close to Tezuka, had actually lost to the obscure Edogawa. Even though he had prepared himself beforehand, Sakaki still felt a bit sorrowful and helpless.

"Alright, Senior Brother! Don't worry, I'll take good care of Teacher. We'll meet in Shrek." Tang Shan nodded. This senior brother could be considered the third closest person to him in this academy, and had taken good care of him. Now that he was leaving, Tang Shan truly felt a pang of reluctance.