Volume 1, Chapter 32: The Gift of the Brocade Pouch

"Old gentleman, this money is more than enough for you to have your fill for the next few days."

Shang Yinqiong hoped to dismiss the man with money, but he gave her no such opportunity.

"I traveled all this way just because I was craving a roasted chicken from the alley on the west side of the capital, which is why I’ve been so worn out from my journey these past few days." As he spoke, the old man rubbed his stomach pitifully. "I am truly starving to death."

"Sir, this money is more than enough to buy five roasted chickens."

"No, no."

Shang Yinqiong realized his implication in an instant. "Are you suggesting that I take you there myself?"

"This young lady is quick-witted indeed. The sun is about to set, and if we wait any longer..."

Her teeth chattered with anger, and her heart pounded wildly. Had she not maintained her composure, she would have been overwhelmed by the shock of this news. For the sake of everyone’s safety, the best course of action was to follow the lead of Han Fei and the others, waiting for official personnel to arrive and organize a search.

Liu Chuanfeng channeled his inner energy into his throat, altering the natural timbre of his voice. However, he was in such a rush that he choked on a sip of tea, breaking into a violent fit of coughing.

"Brother Huo, how do you think Bai Xinxin found out our whereabouts?" Song Baobao asked thoughtfully.

She felt helpless; after running around, she had found nothing. These were properties under Huo Mingchuan’s name, and she had no way to intervene.

My tone was deeply melancholy as I gazed at the setting sun in the distance. A streak of crimson clouds merged with the horizon, bathing the entire earth in an orange glow. Though it was the fading light of sunset, it remained dazzling and eye-catching.

***

Liu Chuanfeng watched the changing expressions on Xing Zai’s face, knowing that the man was "once bitten, twice shy." It seemed he would have to drop some heavier bombshells.

In the cockpit, Liu Yuanshan seemed to be having a grand time, pulling the control stick through a series of maneuvers.

"That's right. Because Mother treats me so well, even our facial features have grown to look more alike. This is the destiny of a family," Su Bei'er realized, offering a sweet smile.

Still, it was understandable; the contrast between Zhao Lei’s current performance and the sensational display he put on when he first entered the arena was simply too vast. It was no wonder the laypeople were left stunned.

Although Xi Yi asked me gently, given what he had said yesterday, there was no way I would tell him.

He had no other methods left. He had already tested them on that starving ghost earlier; ordinary elemental spells could not harm such creatures, let alone this Nine-Nether starving ghost.

"Fang Haotian, you actually brought Huang Rong to help you!" Lu Hengxing roared in anger. With bullets so powerful and aim so precise, who else could be hiding in the distance firing shots but Fang Haotian? He was both shocked and furious, knowing that the Liuren Hall disciples surrounding the village were likely all dead, and perhaps even Lu Zhanxun would not be spared.

The officers over there began to deliberate, and individual soldiers started whispering to one another, confirming that Zhou Lin was indeed from the Ministry of National Defense. They had seen him at the military district and were deeply impressed by him.

Since he had made an enemy of the White Lotus Sect, it would likely be a fight to the death. Against the core disciples of the sect, the starving ghosts were inherently at a disadvantage, which made him wonder if he should find new underlings to do his bidding.

This time, Ling Yun and Jester did not drive. They went to Dragon Coil Mountain and found a dark, secluded place far from human tracks. Jester transformed into a giant humanoid bird, Ling Yun leaped onto his back, and the two flew straight toward Immortal Ridge.

"Woo... woo..." The Silver Wolf King nodded repeatedly, daring not to delay for a second. He was truly terrified of this hateful human. If he ever had the chance... he would never dare to raise a claw against this human again; he would run as far as he could.

The two chatted like ordinary friends. Lin Tingting did not mention the incident at Wolong Villa; there was no need to constantly harp on a life-saving debt—as long as it was kept in one's heart, one would eventually find a way to repay it. Fang Haotian, meanwhile, did not care about the matter at all. If it had been anyone else, they would have certainly used the opportunity to flirt.

This left Chen Changsheng unsure whether to be happy or depressed. Because of this "tag-along" and with Huoding lurking nearby, he couldn't even enter the Landscape Scroll. He could only chat with Su Su through his thoughts during meditation to soothe his longing.

Song Jiujiu couldn't fall asleep, kicking her feet and playing with her hands, utterly bored.

Shen Hong was not reconciled. He had caused a scene at the Shen manor today, not only injuring the old matriarch but also crippling her concubine. He was determined to demand an explanation from Chief Jiang.

***

Old Qiu, who was sprawled on the ground, turned ashen-faced upon hearing Chen Qiaoyun's words, looking as if he had lost his entire family.

In the spacious, cold hallway, Assistant Lin looked at Mr. Bo’s dejected back. It was the first time he had seen Mr. Bo wear such an expression.

Lu Li did not hide anything, relaying the details of his ambush truthfully and urging Tang Fei to maintain a moral bottom line when faced with matters of great right and wrong.

Seeing him suffer a setback in his career while she deliberately brought up topics that alienated him—reflecting on this, Shen Jingrou felt she had been truly excessive. However, she was accustomed to being stubborn in front of Lin Yue.

"Young Master Shen, Shen Zhiyun is my only brother. My ties with you are completely severed; I ask that you stop pestering me," Zhiyi replied coldly. She did not want any further entanglement with Shen Hezhi.

"I will write a prescription, Your Ladyship. Drink it for a few days and avoid contact with those two types of incense, and you will be fine."

Fortunately, the magic array was strong enough. With the Asura who could break the array gone, as long as they remained inside, everything would be fine.

Shen Zhiyi covered her mouth and nose, not daring to make a sound. She curled up in the corner, ignoring the faint pain of the abrasions on her body, and prayed that the person would not discover her.

Amidst the finger-pointing between Captain Song and Elder Kong and the others, a sudden, thunderous boom erupted from within the tomb chamber. After the sound, everyone discovered in horror that the temperature inside was rising rapidly. Not only that, the surrounding walls were beginning to glow red.

In short, not every practitioner can adhere strictly to the laws of their path. Thus, almost no one has a completely smooth journey. This is likely the work of the Heavenly Dao, which is inherently heartless. The more one defies the heavens, the more deeply hidden the resulting calamities become.

Murong Qingwan carefully traced her brows and eyes. It was her first time applying makeup on herself, and although she wasn't very skilled, she painted with extraordinary care.

"Hey, Leng Haoxuan, stop pretending. If you don't get up, I’m going to throw you out," Tang Nian called out, threatening him. Seeing him so severely injured, she assumed he must have been targeted by enemies. It was poetic justice—letting him reap the consequences for all the evil deeds he usually committed.

She poured herself a glass of red wine and crossed her legs, revealing a stretch of pale, alluring skin. As she swayed the glass back and forth, if one could ignore the facial mask on her face, the scene possessed an indescribable charm.