Volume One, Chapter 39: Preparation

At the Jiangnan Base City Warrior Association Building, Jiang Buyue had just entered with Snowflake in his arms when he was immediately recognized by the receptionist from his previous visit.

"Mr. Jiang Buyue, is there anything I can help you with?" the receptionist asked. Jiang Buyue could sense that she was significantly more enthusiastic than before.

"Which floor is the section for armor and supplies?" he asked.

The receptionist smiled and replied, "Floors three through ten on the left elevator bank are dedicated to warrior equipment and supplies. I will arrange for a staff member to meet you at the elevator."

"Thank you." With that, Jiang Buyue took the elevator straight to the third floor.

As he walked away, the receptionist stared blankly at his fair, innocent face and those almost transparent eyes. Why did he seem so gentle, yet possess such a ruthless heart?

Over the next two days, Zhangsun Wuji and Pei Shiqing took their men out to observe. They saw for themselves the lives of the lower-class people in Hayato, the lives of ordinary nobles, and the high-ranking... well, there were no high-ranking nobles here. The so-called "great nobles" would be inferior to even a few of Liu Mu’s soldiers back in the Tang Dynasty.

"Do I look like that kind of person to you?" He followed him inside without taking offense, skillfully pouring himself a cup of tea.

Leng Xianning waited until she had left before slowly getting dressed, combing her hair, and strolling toward the door.

"Just get the pain over with, and let me go," Ye Jing murmured, his eyes vacant. In his mind, the image of Zhou Xuan slumped over him, covered in wounds, played on a loop, followed by the memory of Ye Zhiyuan gently playing the piano.

The door slammed shut, and the room fell silent once more. Zhou Xuan sat quietly for a moment, then suddenly scratched his head in frustration, wishing he could turn back time to before he had made the call.

Because the phone was in the hand of "Big Yellow Duck," it was only natural for the duck to glance at the caller ID.

Yan Zhengxi walked toward her, his earnest gaze never wavering. He reached out a hand with the elegance and nobility of a prince. Tang Ling slowly placed her hand in his, and he scooped her up. The sudden departure from the wheelchair that had accompanied her for three years left her feeling flustered and lost.

***

Zhou Xuan paused, sheepishly abandoning the pretense of laughing at the variety show, and rested his head on someone’s lap to play dead.

They had been through this routine many times; she had grown accustomed to her senior brother’s gentle, if somewhat clumsy, attempts at comfort.

Furuya Rei froze, his heart sinking. He said nothing more, simply changing direction in silence.

The battle of the Golden Cores was not yet over. Once the White family’s Golden Core masters were free, they would surely find clues leading to him and Si Mingyue. If they fell into the hands of the White family, the consequences would be dire.

In other words, even against enemies at a distance of 300 meters, muskets still held a powerful deterrent force.

Jiang Yanxi understood the subtext of Fu Yuchen’s words in an instant, and her heart ached terribly.

Being already weaker than Manchester United and now down a man, this match was going to be incredibly difficult for Sunderland.

Given the physical demands of being a head referee and the need for personnel development, the German Football Association’s unwritten rule was for referees to retire at 45. According to their written regulations, no matter how excellent one was, 47 was an insurmountable red line.

Additionally, Bremen’s Diego, Frings, Pizarro, and Rosenberg were also awarded the slightly lower-level Yellow Gem Warrior cards.

Chris Rock smiled bitterly backstage. If he didn't handle this well and provoked the collective anger of Asians, a boycott of his films by Asian audiences would effectively blacklist him.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Potian quickly took out a sound-transmission talisman to report that Zhou Hongyu was trapped, urging the other three to rescue him immediately.

Forget it. Going back to the hotel was better than returning to the game of "old ox eating tender grass," and perhaps testing the allure of a qipao uniform.

After a while, things slowly calmed down, and the journey proceeded without further obstruction.

Zhou Ying stared unblinkingly at the display of the thoracoscope, committing every movement and technique to memory.

It felt wonderful when he was spouting nonsense himself, but hearing it from someone else’s mouth made his entire body numb.

Mozi told Gongshu and the King of Chu that this was merely a wooden effigy he had crafted; the real Mozi was already thirty miles away, and killing the doll would be useless.

"Is the honored guest also a refugee, or perhaps a traveling craftsman?" Not long after departing, in a village tavern, an elderly farmer watching the resting Jin Yao asked him directly.

***

Could it be that the early-stage He Dao realm cultivator before them was actually a high monk at the level of an Immortal Venerable?

The Slytherin area was quite large, with many common rooms. Generally, it was two students per room, avoiding the cramped conditions of the five-to-a-room situation in Gryffindor.

Losing thirty-six pounds overnight on Meng Shiqing’s already fragile frame—by the next morning, she would likely be unrecognizable.

"Therefore, Ji Bu would never dare to cut off our grain and supplies!" Jin Yao analyzed.

Just now… was it an illusion? What a powerful mental shock. Even my ocular powers couldn't resist it. Is this the power of the Overlord’s Domain?

And so, Zhuang Sha recounted everything that had happened over the past few days involving the girl named Wang Ziqi and the one called Xiao Peibao.

Hearing this, Xu Chuan couldn't help but gasp. He hadn't expected that even after mastering the Heaven-Burning Art and perfectly integrating it into his own system, it was merely the first step on a long, arduous journey.

As he neared the ground, Xu Chuan didn't hesitate to strike toward the black shadow. A five-colored sword light pierced through the surface soil, striking the shadow with precision.

The third crime was forming cliques for personal gain. The Liu family monopolized the East, West, and Inner Secret Police agencies, seizing power for themselves and causing scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants alike to fear them, never daring to look up.

"Quickly contact Master and tell her this good news," Wu Jiayun said, brimming with joy. The Everlasting Sword meant more to her than her own life. With it about to appear before her, how could she not be happy?

After all, her relationship with Lin Yifeng was purely that of a friend. Hu Mei felt she shouldn't be so unprincipled as to use his money casually.

"The boss hasn't even called a price yet, so why are you shouting nonsense?" someone retorted, clearly annoyed.

Thinking of my second aunt's husband, I couldn't help but think of the man named Ji Kaishan whom the police mentioned when I left the station tonight. Since I didn't even know my uncle's name, it was highly likely that this Ji Kaishan was him.