Volume 1, Chapter 28: Choosing None of Them!

Even though the act was brazen, Cheng Yang carried it out with the grace of a humble gentleman.

Shang Yinqiong was about to turn around when his words halted her: "It is Cheng Xu."

So that was it.

She always felt as though she were being seen through completely; even when she said nothing, Cheng Yang could read her thoughts.

Cheng Yang’s thin lips parted slightly. "In the past, the way the Third Miss looked at Cheng Xu was so fiery and intense, as if no one else existed. If Cheng Xu spoke to other women, the Third Miss could not bear it. But today, it is quite different. Since arriving at this banquet, the Third Miss’s gaze has not once lingered on Cheng Xu. Therefore..."

"There is an emergency. A distress signal has been sent from Ye Lan’s side, and I have already dispatched the Shadow Guards to provide support," Ye Xuan reported hurriedly.

After rattling off a string of words, Zhao Yubai’s expression turned unsightly; he was constantly being forced to lie to Chu Zili.

Siling Chenyan picked up the blood-stained silk left beneath Yu Wanning, a faint smile playing on his lips, and placed it inside a brocade box at the foot of the bed.

Mo Zijian rose slowly, his wicked eyes shimmering with moisture. He locked his gaze onto hers, his throat tightening with excitement.

"My, who provoked you to be so angry?" Du Zhong shrank back, looking at Ban Xia with a puzzled expression.

"When you got into the car just now, the call I took was from Sima Mo," Zeng Yuexi said after Ouyang Can had finished eating.

"Last night, when I escorted Dr. Yuan out of the estate, I saw her hiding in the shadows. Young Master, you must not tell her. If she knew that she had been a thief for so many years and that her reputation had been ruined by me, heaven knows how she might tear me limb from limb," Shi An said with a shameless grin.

"Alright, I know you are going to say I am partial to Wanning again! She is about to be married; can I not be a little more partial? Go on, quickly!" Lady Lan laughed helplessly, urging Mo Lan.

She heard Zhou Shen sobbing. She had never seen him like this before. Even when he had suffered severe injuries in the past, he had never been this way.

***

However, Chen Feng personally cooked a sumptuous dinner, leaving everyone thoroughly satisfied.

The hardest part was the mooncake mold. Lacking chocolate, she had to substitute with syrup and milk, making the ice cream mooncakes less perfect than those of the modern era.

Yet, the events of a few years ago were truly beyond his expectations. He had not wanted them to happen, but he could not prevent them. After returning to the capital, he pondered much and hesitated for a long time, but ultimately, duty prevailed. Since he had committed the error, he had to bear the consequences.

Ling'er walked all the way back to the outskirts of the Hundred Poison Forest without seeing a single soul. She searched the area around the forest once more, her heart growing increasingly anxious.

Regardless of whether Uncle Ji and Brother Yang were headed to the same place, she could not let Uncle Ji change his mind about bringing her along. As for whether she would follow him or not, that was another matter entirely.

After casting a glance at Mount Buzhou, the Cult Leader fled toward the Eastern Sea of the Primordial World, intending to find a mountain gate to serve as the foundation for establishing his sect. However, he had not traveled far before he sensed something amiss. The further he moved from Mount Buzhou, the thicker the aura of slaughter became, and traces of battle were everywhere.

The entire forest region was instantly shrouded by a "mushroom cloud," and the surrounding area was leveled into a barren plain in the blink of an eye. The resulting tremors affected the entire western region; buildings that had luckily remained standing during the previous disaster finally collapsed.

After a long while, the First Prince finally steadied his churning emotions, sat back down, and asked, "Since Mu Jinxi intends to use these to compete for the position of Imperial Merchant, what is her specific plan? Have you heard anything?" Asking this meant he trusted Ling Muhua’s words.

Looked down upon?! With such a heavy label slapped on her, she had no choice but to accept it! Never mind, this jade pendant is a fine thing; accepting it might help solve a great difficulty in the future.

Qi Yang’s complexion was somewhat pale, though no different from before. This could be considered his normal state.

A brief explanation here: Jue Lin and the Emperor were about twenty years apart in age; the Empress could be said to have given birth late in life. Furthermore, the Empress and the Princess Mu were not sisters of a similar age, so... you all understand now, right?

Seeing the awe others held for him, the man grew even more pleased. He strode forward, red light flickering faintly around his body.

The emergence of a peak ninth-rank Dharma God caused the world's power to become highly centralized and opinions to be strictly unified, making it impossible to replicate the infiltration tactics of the technological world.

As expected, one must have a thick enough skin to take advantage of everything. When would she ever master such a skill?

***

Too many things happened during the Lotus Feast. When Mu Jin left, she kept Su Qibai at the Hundred Flowers Manor. Later, Su Qibai sent word to Mu Jin that she missed her sister and father, and thus followed Su Qingyan back to the Su estate.

There would be no afternoon nap today. As it was early summer, the task of washing rice and grinding it into a slurry could not be done too early, lest it go sour if left too long.

Even Xue Lang, who was by his side, could not help but brace himself against the heavy, oppressive atmosphere he exuded, let alone anyone else.

It was all too late. Even if he were to abandon the horse-chopping saber in his hand to dodge now, it would be too late. He could only close his eyes and await the arrival of the Grim Reaper.

Madame Zhao sat in the carriage, feeling exceptionally pleased, all previous gloom having dissipated. If this matter succeeded, she would never again face the awkward dilemma of being caught between a rock and a hard place. She would not need to beg the Qi family for refuge, and she could not only guarantee her former life of wealth and dignity but also ascend even further.

The deeper they looked, the more the crowd grew covetous. They had seen high-quality items before, but those had not belonged to them. These items, once purchased, would be entirely their own.

Then he heard his Majesty say those words, causing Prime Minister Xu to lower his head even further, not daring to look at the light in the Emperor’s eyes.

"Do not be nervous. I am here on the orders of Mr. Nelson to wait for you. Please answer the phone!" The man handed a cell phone to Wang Xi.

The group nodded. They were well aware of the situation; after all, their mission was fraught with danger from the start. Suddenly, Lin Ying closed the window and retreated several steps, startling everyone, who all began to ask what happened.

Exhausted from the journey—first traveling without pause, then fleeing the pursuit of the Demon God Sect—every disciple had reached their limit. Once settled, they collapsed onto their beds. Lin Tian was no different, but after lying down for a while, he forced himself up, sat cross-legged, and began to meditate to regain his focus.

Yu Die asked in great alarm, staring fearfully at the double-sided embroidered screen on the shelf, as if the face on the screen was no longer that of the Empress, but a ghostly visage.