Volume One, Chapter 29: A Different Kind of Beast of Burden

Gently disentangling himself from Portia’s arms to let her sleep more comfortably, Liu Mang admired her beautiful sleeping face by the dim morning light. The haggard look on her face had softened significantly, and the delicate flush on her cheeks was heart-stirring.

To embolden the rioters in Xinjiang, the Kuomintang government in Taiwan spared no effort in sending secret agents to deliver crates of appointment letters to Osman. Although Osman felt these paper-thin appointments were less practical than a few rifles and some ammunition, they were still quite effective for hoodwinking his followers.

Primitive communication methods made it impossible for information to reach Osman in a timely manner. The news of Ilier's defeat in Yiwu was only discovered by them after the People's Liberation Army had widely publicized it.

After Xiao Hongkun finished speaking, he left Zhang Hui’s office. As a subordinate, Zhang Hui dutifully stood up to escort him to the door. Only when Xiao Hongkun had vanished from his sight did Zhang Hui release a long, pent-up breath, feeling the relief of a heavy stone finally being lifted from his chest.

"No, I want to cling to you," Qiao Muxue said with a giggle, leaping onto Ye Zemin’s back and wrapping herself around him.

It was unclear what method he intended to use to resolve the situation. Could he really be planning to send Chen Hui and the others to prison?

Few cultivators knew that the supreme treasure was the Taiji Divine Map; after all, it was not something an ordinary person could guess.

"Really? That’s wonderful!" Xiao Lihua exclaimed, overcome with excitement as she threw herself into Liu Yihua’s embrace.

The fair-skinned student watched the thick club in Bin Zai’s hand with terror, pleading in a trembling, pitiful whisper.

The long sword disintegrated into ten thousand feet of thunder, completely detonating the Behemoth’s physical body. At that moment, his fragile soul was utterly shattered by the pure Yang energy contained within the strike. Blood splattered across the sky, leaving only the long spear stuck in the ground, reflecting a bloody hue.

The Zeus Divine Realm is located in the twenty-fifth heaven. On this level, there stands a mountain that spans the entire continent, known as Mount Olympus, where the gods of the Zeus Divine Realm reside.

After moving about a little to adapt to his new body, he rushed out of the hospital, impatient and desperate. He had only one thing on his mind: to see his mother.

In the final seconds, Ye Wudao successfully escaped the Blood Demon Barrier and returned to the exterior of the blood pool. He had barely landed for a second when he saw the whirlpool vanish, causing him to wipe away a cold sweat; had he been even a moment later, he would not have made it out.

With a swish, the ball Ye Wudao had just struck landed precisely in the hole once again, without even touching the rim—as if it were a programmed computer simulation. There was no other word to describe it but perfection.

Just then, a faint "Boom!" echoed through the hall, accompanied by a surge of energy vibrating from the distance.

One by one, the Chinese contestants cast respectful glances at Xiao Fei before slowly walking off the stage. The others followed suit, abandoning the fight. By stepping down from the ring, they were conceding defeat.

Zhang Shan stepped out the door to the side of the fish pond, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag before speaking to Li Detian, who was busy working.

The chaotic battlefield had shifted from an initial advantage to a disadvantage. Because there were so many monsters, sneak attacks were impossible to defend against. Although the monsters were not high-level, they were overwhelming in number, and the cultivation disciples had limited power, causing the situation on the battlefield to gradually deteriorate.

Therefore, aside from three or four sets of men’s clothing, the two large wooden crates were filled with ready-made garments that the Yang family had bought for Su Qingluan over the years, or clothes she had designed herself, along with various accessories.

Perhaps wanting to appear wealthy and luxurious, Shopkeeper Liang’s "collection" focused on being "gaudy and flamboyant," much in the style of the Qianlong-era "Famille Rose Vase with Eight Barbarians Offering Treasures."

Seeing the situation, Zhang Wei and Liu Weining exchanged a glance but remained silent, each nursing their own plans as they headed toward the project team’s quarters.

The topic was somewhat heavy. Fang Yuan saw a trace of desolation appear on Jane’s face for the first time.

The head of the Pei family and the genius pianist of the Shen family—such a pairing was supposed to be a match made in heaven. Yet, Pei Cheng’an, once famous for his image as a devoted husband, was now frequently embroiled in scandals, leaving people with much to imagine.

He wanted to send a message to Madam Du at that moment, but the man’s subordinates were watching him closely, offering him no opportunity.

This is why ordinary people cannot participate in the Great Hunt; without a certain degree of strength, one would never dare to step foot into Longyuan.

Numerous disciples from the Chuchen Academy, the Xinghui Academy, and even the Yaoshi and Xingyun Academies rushed over. They watched the scene helplessly, wanting to intervene but unable to do anything.

Zhao Yu did not practice his calligraphy on the ground as he usually did; instead, he took a woodcutter’s knife and headed toward the pile of bamboo stacked in the courtyard.

However, being able to guard a house does not necessarily mean one knows how to conduct an interrogation—after all, street thugs and rascals spend their lives cheating and lying; without special experience, they are easily fooled.

"What a pity. I only severed his four main tendons. I originally intended to torture him properly. If it weren't for the Prince’s orders, I would have made him pray for death today!" Sun Liang bragged to himself, eager to show off his authority in front of his subordinates.

Guo Xingyun watched Shen Feng in silence; the two stood on the stage, locking eyes. Shen Feng remained relaxed with a smile on his face, while Guo Xingyun’s expression grew increasingly grave.

How could he have arrived here before him, and how did he know to ask the Lord of Linshui City for a thousand soldiers to head into the mountains in advance?

I decided not to hold it against her. At that moment, the players from Paradise Lost followed their leader’s order and automatically cleared a path for the players from "People in the Jianghu" to leave.

I placed my hand on Zhang Tie’s shoulder and said, "Third Brother, surely you don't distrust your Fourth Brother? I said it would be fine, so it will be fine!" Zhang Tie looked at my stubbornness and, having no other choice, left me to my own devices.

I descended the mountain and walked to the side of the Sword and Rose camp. To my surprise, I found them roasting a wild goat they had hunted on the mountain. Its hide had been peeled off by a dagger and set aside, and the entire goat was skewered on a long tree branch supported by a frame made of four crossed spears.

I figured that since I was cultivating with my own innate Purple Energy, I shouldn't be struck by lightning. Besides, I wasn't practicing it fully—just drawing inspiration to refine my own techniques. And since I could already wield a bit of lightning myself, it should be fine! It ought to be fine.