Chapter 22: Even the Fish Have Gone Home

"Four against two—let’s be clear, this is a sparring match, not a gang-up." Gazing at the four before him, the God of Darkness couldn't help but let a trace of mockery flicker across his eyes.

Liu Minghui, Song Annan’s eldest son, was visiting Shengyuan for the first time. Unlike those who frequented the grand estate, he found himself full of curiosity about its opulent halls. Before the banquet began, he’d joined everyone for a brief tour. Though they hadn’t seen it all, he was already in awe.

Xu Junyu remained silent for a long while before speaking. Yet what he finally said took Huoyan completely by surprise.

Zhao Hongshan cast a glance at Huoyan, then looked again at Xu Junyu’s retreating figure, a flicker of doubt passing through his deep eyes.

The doctor reminded them with a word, then, seeing Xu Junyu nod, led the nurse out of the ward.

A flash of red suddenly appeared. In an instant, a terrifying chill froze a large crowd where they stood. Yan San stared in shock at the person before him.

Han Xinru seized the chance to hand over the gift she had prepared in advance, inwardly grateful for her foresight.

“Hey, Chief Gu, what are you up to?” Chu Luo shook the hand that was holding hers and asked with a bright, mischievous smile.

After leaving the administration building, Chu Luo kicked a flowerpot on the ground with force. It toppled over and shattered.

You could say that in all of Shending City, any cultivator without a powerful background owed Tang Sutong a debt of gratitude.

It was hard for them to believe—after all, in their hearts, Ling’er’s troubles with Zhiyao were nothing but minor quarrels, nothing so grave as to cause real worry.

She plucked some lotus leaves and dug up a bit of sticky mud by the lakeshore. First, she wrapped the duck eggs in the lotus leaves, then encased them in mud.

Turning her head inadvertently, Hua Yueyue met Yu Haichen’s deep, loving gaze. Her heart began to race as she looked away. Not this tactic again! If this kept up, she wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

Such a handsome, considerate man with an air of otherworldliness—even if she couldn’t win his heart, having his body would be enough.

It turned out that, while the magistrate of Yihe County didn’t turn refugees away, he had no relief measures in place and even charged each one half a tael of silver as an entry fee.

The leader could tell the princess cared only about learning what had transpired between them. She’d even made up a random story about the rock across from them. But he himself wasn’t so easily convinced.

When the shopping was done, Xu Ping hurried back toward Qinannan County with the goods he’d bought.

Jiang Tangtang shamelessly ran her hand along the man’s waist before she picked up the disliked bundle of green herbs and began dressing the hero’s wound.

At midnight, memories of Lady Zhang would surface—her unborn child, her true identity as a secret agent from the Xuelian Sect’s Hall of Heavenly Sound.

“What are your plans now, Mister Xu San?” Seeing Xu Wen accept the magic crystal, Yi Juman asked at once.

“Let’s see whether you can still feel pain,” Sushaman said, and without hesitation, pinched the man’s cheek.

“What business is it of yours what I’m filming?” the burly man with a thick beard replied expressionlessly.

“To prove our relationship to the officer, give me a kiss!” Jin Faguang leaned in, presenting his cheek to Song Ling’er.

At this moment, the aura surrounding Xia Hu looked like a suit of armor, as if his body had become even more impenetrable.

“You really are stubborn!” Despite the words, his face was clouded with gloom, clearly harboring resentment toward Night Burial.

A military vehicle approached, and an officer with a stern face and three deep lines etched between his brows asked a question.

How could he let go now? If he lost her, he’d never be free—not in this life or any other. Otherwise, the pill he’d given her would be a complete loss.

“That’s impossible. In the entire history of the ancient martial world, no one has ever cultivated a second-level true energy field at such a young age,” Shang Tianying said, dismissing his earlier thoughts.

Having temporarily transcended the river of fate, Zhang Qian could now discern Di Qingyang’s killing intent—dodging it was no longer difficult.

The newcomer was a member of the Emperor’s Imperial Guard, the newly appointed commander of the Thousand Oxen Battalion. Dressed all in black, he wore a fitted martial outfit, his long hair tied high, a long blade at his waist, and his gaze exuded an uncommon calm.

“Qingge said that once the great array is destroyed, it cannot be repaired. But I want to try anyway,” Jiang Li pressed her lips together, determination shining in her eyes.

If one could master the patterns, then what could not be grasped, foreseen, or commanded?

The machete sliced through the car roof once more. Adams turned his head, but the blade struck his shoulder, sending the Range Rover careening off the highway.

“...” Restrained and carried off like a chick, the man found himself speechless, unable to complain even if he wanted to.

He lay with his head on the threshold, back against the cold blue bricks, his old legs carelessly rubbing against the door.

But none of this mattered; she’d never intended to fall for Xiao Ziyang. Whatever tricks he tried on her were wasted efforts.

However, if they chose other transport networks, the Sonora Group would have to compete with other gangs and organizations, which would greatly increase their costs.

The moment the Martial God Realm exploded, the Celestial God suffered a devastating blow, spitting blood on the spot, only to be kicked back to the ground by Ye Fei.

Was it just his imagination, or did Jiang Ning detect a hint of jealousy in Shui Yanxi’s words? He glanced at her, but couldn’t see her expression behind the veil, so he shook his head and decided to remain the quiet, handsome gentleman.

Thanks to it, everyone suddenly seemed to awaken, realizing at last the real reason Yuan Lai had risen from obscure rogue cultivator to his current fame. Clearly, it was luck that had granted him such a divine artifact and enabled his meteoric rise.

Jiang Ning was disappointed by the answer, but not worried. Since that terrifyingly powerful figure had promised him, he knew it would be done.

Whispers spread from every corner, swirling like the maddening tide in an orphanage’s cave.

Xu Shu had been secretly watching her from the side the whole time. Earlier, everyone had urged her to go rest, assuring her that when Pang Tong and Gan Ning succeeded, they’d report to the princess’s residence tomorrow—there was no need to wait all night.

“Aunt, if you have something to say, out with it.” Zhao Qingru looked at her aunt’s fawning, superstitious expression and cut straight to the point.