Chapter 54

Even so, Hou Mi and Yu Xi dared not let their guard down, though the situation before their eyes was somewhat difficult for them to grasp.

At his words, the trainees erupted into an uproar. Bell was just about to scold them when Julien raised a hand to stop him.

This was the final moment of the Northern Expedition; clearly, His Majesty, the Grand Commandant's Office, and the General of Cavalry all prioritized stability above all else.

But this world was a magical realm. The strongest member of the Storm Guard, Zhang Duor, was only as powerful as a high-level swordsman. Ordinary assassins were manageable, but if a magical assassin appeared, the entire Storm Guard would have no effective means of defense.

Despite the setback of their allies and the exposure of their flank, the three Chinese game zone legions remained unmoved, steadfastly holding their positions.

First and foremost, one cannot simply hoard all the wealth for oneself. No matter how much he amassed, he could spend only so much. It was vital for his subjects to prosper, for only then would purchasing power rise and the Ming economy enter a virtuous cycle.

“The Covenant Knights would do the same if they could, but right now, they’re scattered across various illusory labyrinths and cannot muster any fighting strength,” Julien shook his head.

Ji Jian, who had long since ordered his warriors to withdraw, felt his brows twitch uncontrollably, as if his worldview had been shattered by his own actions.

As for those chieftains, there was no mercy for them. They could not rely on imperial grain or build railways; to eliminate future troubles, Zhu Cijiong had resolved to execute them all, by the cruelest means of slow slicing.

After completing the on-site investigation, Nie Feng and the others transported the bodies back to the substation, then delivered them to the morgue beside the criminal police building, placing them directly onto the autopsy table.

According to her analysis, Du Haoran must have revealed his identity to the Nie family, otherwise they would not have so readily withdrawn and gone quiet; moreover, Du Haoran would not have assured her that the Nie family would never trouble her again.

At Ye Yuqi’s gesture, Qiu Yue descended the steps, carrying the brocade box as she slowly circled the hall, allowing everyone to see the jade carving within. Those who saw it gasped in astonishment.

By the fifth day, Xiang Yan could endure no longer and dispatched a thousand men for a night raid on the Qin camp. Unexpectedly, as soon as they approached the Qin encampment, they were decimated by a hail of crossbow bolts and forced to retreat.

So it went, time and again, as Gu Sheng emerged from each great sect leader’s chamber, sending one message jade after another back to the major sects—extorting treasures from those with production, and immortal jade from those without. In the end, he went over every sect. Though everyone felt the sting, none could do anything about it.

Yan Shitian, his mind made up, watched as the mighty body of the Black Dragon coiled around the dying Yan Si, lifting him away as they soared into the sky together.

Qin Yiren had played countless tricks, aiming for limited cooperation and hoping to secure more benefits during negotiations with Lü Buwei, just to survive this period. But Lü Buwei's appetite was insatiable; he wanted Qin Yiren’s total submission, to make him a complete puppet—something Qin Yiren would never accept.

He gently caressed the jade token with his fingertip, falling silent as his gaze drifted into the distance. Unconsciously, he flipped the token over; on the reverse side, intricately incised, was the profile of an empty-faced Buddha, whose slender hand held an unopened lotus bud.

In the face of power, even those with celebrity status dared not overstep. They might mock the local Duke of Downton behind his back, but when he appeared, most would greet him first, though those feigning arrogance were never in short supply.

Kutsu Doyuki silently recited the name of Amitabha. Years ago, he had followed Otomo Yoshimasa, and after suffering defeat and due to his family’s faith, he became a monk, taking the title “Rinpakuken Doyuki,” and was thereafter generally known as Kutsu Doyuki.

“Who knows? It’s always the same—no one knows a thing! Not even their own name or where their home is!” Sun Wanru found it equally baffling.

“Go with Lily, then! I haven’t seen anything I want to buy anyway, just give me the church’s bank draft,” Clematis, the affected “big dog,” replied indifferently.

“These creatures are truly detestable. Every time I see them, they’re involved with corpses,” Spider-Man muttered, glancing up at the vultures circling in the sky, his expression growing somber.

From the depths of the magma, a crimson shadow shot out at an indescribable speed and coiled itself around a segment of the Spiritflame Python’s body. Then, a fiery red needle pierced fiercely into the serpent’s head.

Rin Tohsaka gently patted her chest, feeling the hard, cold object there, and couldn’t help but smile.

Early the next morning, many executives of the Brothers Group had barely woken when they were roused by the incessant ringing of their phones. Those responsible for marketing, and several Zhejiang TV executives, were especially bombarded, unable to enjoy a peaceful rest.

Homer counted up and reported the total. Though there were fewer than a thousand sets, their value was a staggering ten billion gold coins.

This floor alone spanned six hundred square meters; with three floors, the total area was eighteen hundred square meters. For twenty-five people to live and work here, it was more than spacious.

Last night, the curtains had not been drawn, and sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, bathing Wen Lu in its warmth and comfort. She luxuriated in the sun’s embrace, greedily enjoying the blissful moment, unwilling to wake.