Chapter 78: First Signs Emerge
The Palace of the Three Rivers.
Qin Xiaomo and her companions arrived at the palace where the guards were stationed. Their third senior brother, Liang Chuan, was cleaning the desk and arranging bouquets and fruits. When he turned and saw Qin Xiaomo and the others, he was somewhat surprised. “The trial isn’t over yet, why have you all returned?”
“Greetings, Third Senior Brother! We’ve come back because there’s something we wish to inquire about. Has Senior Brother been on duty here all day?” Chafeng clasped his hands and asked politely.
“I have,” he replied.
“If an outsider were to trespass into the Palace of the Three Rivers, would you be aware?” Chafeng continued.
“I have been on duty the whole time. If anyone tried to sneak in, I would definitely know. What’s happened?” Third Senior Brother asked, puzzled.
“We wanted to ask about something that happened at dusk…”
A single sword defeated Luo She, nearly claiming his life, and the shifting, elusive swordplay left everyone astonished.
Upon hearing Qiu Yue’s words, Shen Ying couldn’t help but laugh softly, thoroughly admiring her wild imagination. Her way of thinking was certainly not ordinary; she managed to conjure up so many possibilities out of thin air.
If Mu Yuhan hadn’t loved so deeply, many things would not have come to this. Yet what was meant to happen had already occurred, and there was no way to change it.
The scene shifted to the villa of the Dominant Consortium, now invaded by the avatar of the Cthulhu evil god through a nightmare.
Under Liu Shanxi’s whispers, Chu Cheng learned that when Xiong Sanli addressed Ma Tao, he would affectionately call him “brother,” and the two interacted like siblings, their bond noticeably close.
After finishing his words, his figure vanished. It was as if he dissolved into mist, yet there was no visible color to the vapor; if one paid close attention, even if the mind succumbed to madness, it would be impossible to comprehend how he left.
Murong Hui’s sole desire was to kill Beichen Jiughe. In his eyes, the old patriarch of the Beichen family had been poisoned and would not live much longer. If Beichen Jiughe died, the entire family would fall apart.
The Master of the Laughing Gate’s pupils contracted, a wave of unease sweeping over him. Now he was like an arrow loosed from the bow, with no turning back; he could only press on into darkness.
He could understand the second point raised by Shangguan Yuntian. Wubei City certainly faced some troubles, but none that couldn’t be resolved.
Even without looking up, just from the sound alone, Mu Yuhan could tell it was Shen Zimo.
Her voice was soft, yet Xu Zhihe felt as if his ears might burst. He took a deep breath and slowly placed his hand on her shoulder.
That night, after Lady Liu attended to the Empress Dowager’s rest, she returned to her own chambers by palanquin. The sky was devoid of stars and moon, with rain threatening to fall. Not a trace of wind stirred, and the air felt oppressively stuffy, making it hard to breathe. Along the way, cicadas chirped ceaselessly, their calls rising and falling in waves, lulling people into a drowsy state.
“Yes, I’ve been dealing with some matters these past few days. It was a last-minute decision, so I didn’t leave a note and made you worry,” said Yun Xi, nodding. Her arrival this time had been sudden, even for herself.
Perhaps regarding Yun Xi, she had started to feel regret, but this belated remorse was insignificant to others.
He liked her, so he was willing to spend money to take her out, attentive enough to know what she was thinking, just as she cared for him with a glance, and he reciprocated in turn.
To live a life worthy of a wealthy lady, Yun Jie needed Ji Changgeng to take her home. Yet, after all this talk, why hadn’t he brought up the matter?
Even though Tang Xinyi publicly exposed all that Mo Yiyi had done, Mo Yiyi remained utterly unflustered—indeed, she seemed more at ease than before.
The sun was truly warm, as if warmth came naturally from the depths of cold. The temperature could reach twenty-five degrees, yet the ice remained unchanged; when the sun set, the contrast in the body would intensify, the cold so fierce one might wish never to have been born.
It was easy to speak, but fear lingered that the young lady would act on her feelings and end up hurt in body and heart. Ah, better to think it over again.
Even before, after marrying Mo Shaosi, that man ignored her, but she never cared in the slightest.