Chapter 90

Life and death, solitude, and old affections, spring dreams entwined as flowers fall in the cold. Able to dance with the clear breeze, casting jade shadows, yet unable to retain the old moonlight shining on the railing. Heartache stems from foolish grievances; why hide sorrow in secret? Vows sworn by the sea and mountains are but empty promises; where true feelings end, they vanish like smoke.

“Daisy, sister, I just want to make one as a family heirloom for the villa. Don’t take it the wrong way.” This single sentence startled Guan Jiahui into silence. Although somewhat naive, she understood that item represented Diana’s status in the household; Daisy must have been somewhat upset.

Xuan Shao smiled faintly as he watched the dancers twirl gracefully to the music, no trace of displeasure upon his face.

In truth, he held no fond impressions of Kangxi, but that was irrelevant now. His mother had yet to be ennobled as a consort; she was still just a concubine.

Lin Jiayao and Xin Rui both looked at her in astonishment. They had known Luo Yuwei for some time but had never heard her speak to a man in such a tone.

The old man opened the bundle: stewed chicken, roast duck, braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, fish-flavored shredded pork—ordinary dishes that now seemed like celestial delicacies to Zhao Zixian.

Old Tang seemed reluctant to speak of the matter. After a few brief words, he packed away the Japanese model airplane.

“Heh! You’re quite clever, but it’s already too late.” Yu Lei kicked fiercely, sending half of Philip’s body tumbling into the sea.

“Su Yinzhen, drive the car to the roadside and crash into the guardrail; it will stop it.” Qiao Song pondered, realizing this was the only way—they could not just wait to die here.

Outside, the noise rose to a clamor, signaling the danger had passed. Then came the low voices of Lu Junqing, Wang Liben, and Zhong Kui inside the shop, debating quietly. Wang Liben insisted on waiting for the security team before leaving, while Zhong Kui worried the police’s arrival might drag them into trouble.

“Truly worthy of my dear Yue, she has so many friends.” Arthur suddenly remarked with a smile, quickly falling silent after receiving a cold glance from Feng Jize.

Cloud waves stirred intermittently, revealing the plains, mountains, rivers, and villages below, eliciting surprised gasps from passengers on the observation deck.

***

The entire night was spent in dreams. At dawn, the scene of his elder brother’s death replayed once more. Luo Yu rubbed his eyes and sat up.

Liu Yong’s words essentially outlined his strategic approach toward the Tatars. Chen An and Wu Qing listened intently, understanding clearly.

He had told a long, thrilling story, yet it contained many suspicious points.

Both sides had supporters, none yielding nor convincing the other; the great hall plunged into endless debate.

That night, Maige developed a powerful immunity to all tactile and dense objects. He even felt his mental strength, already enhanced by the thunder tribulation, further elevated.

Lin Qi treated Fei Lei, the Dou Huang, with great respect, primarily because Fei Lei was an elder who had followed Zhou Chen—his senior in rank and experience.

Night deepened slowly. The myriad lights in the city gradually extinguished, and twinkling stars peeked from behind dark clouds, surveying a humanity that had returned to quiet repose.

“Brother?” The noise caught Zeng Ziguo’s attention; he had not expected to see his elder brother here.

She could only stay in the hotel, neither working nor scheming to escape to some remote place. Each day was spent wandering and dining—a life of decay.

A faint, cold smile curved Luo Qian’er’s lips; her voice was devoid of emotion. “I don’t care.” With that, she opened the door and stepped out.

A terrifying murderous aura surged into the sky, faintly forming a blood-red cloud—an ominous phenomenon only produced when killing intent condenses to an exceptionally high level.

Thousands of years ago, all Celestial-level martial lords of the Eastern Continent perished defending it, protecting a secret realm that would bring earth-shaking change to its people. They transformed into a gigantic barrier, shielding the Eastern Continent within.

***

Wang Qiang was momentarily stunned, then pointed at himself, as if to ask, “Are you talking to me?”

“You’ll know once you arrive.” Gui Ao focused on driving, showing no interest in idle chatter with Lin Yi.

That day, in Hualing Temple, the man’s back was whipped by the youth. Had it not been for his strong internal force, the strike might have shattered his bones. Nearly a month later, the wounds had yet to fully heal.

“It’s late; we should rest here tonight and scout the surroundings.” Mo Siyou suggested.

Now Ma Yuan’s fury burned hotter than ever, no longer conserving his internal force as before. With a swift flash of sword light, over thirty heads flew.

Hua Shao curled his lips. “Why be so formal? Since you’re clever enough to guess I approached you deliberately, you should also guess I want to gain some benefits from you…” Hua Shao leaned closer to Li Luoluo, speaking teasingly.

My body lives, yet I wish not to return. I long to sever ties, but my heart feels gripped by an invisible force, unable to depart.

Gao Mingliang knew trouble had struck Jin Xiong Hotel, and hastened to meet Li Jin Xiong at their agreed location.

Having captured a cluster of spiritual fire, Long Tian did not rush to seek the next but remained suspended, legs crossed in meditation within the sea of energy. The consumption needed to capture child spiritual fire exceeded his expectations. He could only sustain this once at most with his current essence energy.

Asking his son to consider the Imperial Household Department’s affairs was not a whim of Ouyang’s but driven by the serious late Qing reality—where the department’s eunuchs controlled the emperor’s harem and could even decide royal heirs. He thought it best to warn his son early.