Chapter 33: The Plan

Yet her hearing was exceptionally keen; there was no way she could have mistaken Shen Liangyan’s deep, resonant voice.

Shen Yue also furrowed his brow, glancing at Shen Liangyan. “Uncle, you’re here too—what a coincidence today.”

“Dad, Liangyan made a special effort to come see you,” Wen Han chimed in as she slipped her arm around Wen Zhongnian’s, nudging the fruit plate toward Shen Liangyan.

...

The unkempt Taoist, seeing this, unfastened a wooden leaf from his belt and tossed it casually into the air. In a flash of green light, the leaf grew as it caught the wind.

Such is life; it always needs a tacit, unspoken step down, so that the awkwardness within one’s temperament can be soothed.

Su Ruoyao thought: perhaps, once I’ve given birth, I’ll seldom see their sincere harmony again, that warmth and tranquility.

Strangely, what should have been a chilling voice, a bizarre scene, didn’t frighten me at all. Instead, my belly began to twitch with the urge to laugh.

“Aunt, you’ve always cared for Yan Yuan and me, and I’m grateful,” Cheng Yanyuan replied. “But truly, you worry too much. When Sister Huaisu marries, with both you and Father here, who would dare bully her?” His meaning was clear—he would not be moving into Zhu Zhao Hall.

Mather could not stand being called a vampire, always correcting people: “We are the noble bloodline, guardians of the night, not vampires.”

The next morning, Zhang Yunze booked an early flight back to Chongqing. As usual, he wore casual sportswear, basketball shoes, a backpack, and his signature baseball cap.

“Don’t be nervous, Meimei! I’m not blaming you for anything,” Mizukage’s face softened again into that kindly expression.

Once inside the bathroom, Buhe could begin his work. Since the corpse hadn’t been dead long, cutting immediately would release a large amount of fresh blood. Turning on the shower was not only to wash blood from the body, but also to rinse himself clean.

This method had several advantages: first, Mizukage would have ample time to gather intelligence and could use the negotiations to estimate Konoha’s top combat strength.

“Instant Neutralization!” Starry Night Watch aimed his divine art at the fireball, but it vanished and reformed instantly, leaving them trapped inside. Yet, for a moment, their health didn’t drop. His soul orb ring did not react at all, as if unable to absorb damage from this kind of barrier.

He immediately grabbed Uzuki Sayaka’s hand, pulling her along as they tumbled to the ground together.

After entering through the main gate, they did not proceed straight ahead. Instead, he led her through a bamboo-shaded corridor, past the main hall, and into the rear courtyard.

Finding herself with no other option, Sayaka used her legs, springing up from the ground. Since her hands were held, she was pulled up together with him, but her kick failed to land.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, set aside the scroll in his hand. His brow relaxed, the corners of his lips lifting in a broad, heartfelt smile. Since the battle began, it was the first time he had smiled like this.

Murong Ying’s hand rested on his sword hilt, but he quickly let go, letting out a cold laugh. Who knew what he was planning?

Qin Wan thought for a moment and realized when it must have happened—right around Su Rui’s funeral. With her silent permission, An Sheng had been helping all along, while Ye Ling, as the direct disciple, broke the pot and wailed for Su Rui.

He thought that, having shared life and death, their feelings must be different. But in the end, he was merely deluding himself. No, he’d always known it was wishful thinking, yet he could never rest easy letting her go.

With this in mind, Wen Xin angrily relayed Zhang Cheng’s demands to Yang Annie.

After all, just moments before, Qin Ke had activated the God-Smiting Stone and sent the God-Slaying Cauldron flying. How could such a feat be accomplished by a mere novice of the Emperor Vein stage?