Volume 1, Chapter 37: Passion Wrapped in Tenderness

Although Lu Zhi was already preparing to step down following the Han Emperor's decree, he had not yet left the Han army camp, and he remained the supreme commander of the forces.

This place, named "Heaven’s Gate Gorge" by the immortal cultivation world of the Five Nations, was clearly a location where the first batch of cultivators to discover the ruins ten millennia ago had gleaned much information; it was likely an herb garden of the Heavenly Gate from the medieval period.

"Back then, this guy was one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe," Lin Chong said with a touch of pride. After all, it wasn't as if he hadn't been the one to finish it off in the end.

"Hiss!" The Green-Flame Evil Snake let out a painful hiss as if it were a living creature, struggling to break free. However, the part that had been bitten disintegrated instantly into countless wisps of evil flame, and a surge of devouring power swept them up, drawing them into the maw of the blood-red skull.

"What? Another monster has appeared!" Aihara Ryu shouted. He had received the bad news before even reaching the research institute; they were now facing two monsters.

Oh no! Just as Chitian Xing launched his flying sword and was keeping a close watch, he suddenly felt a powerful thrust that disrupted his train of thought. Immediately following this, a barrage of attacks struck him in an instant, leaving him severely wounded before he could even react.

Guan Yunshan thought it made sense. These three basins were stained with blood; they could no longer be sold as merchandise, so they should indeed be smashed.

Fu Hongxue walked slowly over to a corner, sat down, back to the wall and facing the door.

He had been careful not to kill anyone during his earlier movements, so he hadn't drawn his long sword. Now, he drew it; the blade shone cold and bright. As he laid it against the man's neck, goosebumps erupted on the man's skin.

Duanmu Que loved her quiet and serene appearance; compared to her naive younger days, she now seemed even more elegant and otherworldly.

Talk of vegetarianism or whole grains being healthy—that’s just what people say when they’re too well-fed. If that were true, the common folk of ancient times would have been living a life of perfect wellness every single day.

Energy circulated and flowed into the empty sword in his hand, causing the originally clear blade to take on a hazy, grayish hue.

It didn't sound as glamorous as it seemed, but being the wife of a poacher could provide a comfortable life. Thus, her husband’s face remained very clear in Lucy’s mind at this moment.

The doctor droned on and on, lecturing them with a grave expression. Su Jin was stunned, thinking the doctor must have misunderstood, while Gu Xuanjin stood to the side, lips pursed in a faint smile, letting the doctor talk.

***

Taking advantage of the time the two were cleaning up, the Empress Dowager got to the bottom of what had happened.

Just then, six men in tight-fitting martial attire appeared in the distance. After exchanging glances with them, Bai Zhi’s instincts prompted her to turn and run.

Tuotuo had not yet had time to be surprised when a third piece of information arrived: there was indeed a gang of thieves hiding in a mansion within the county town. They were covering the windows at night, discussing how to leave the city the next morning after their accomplices successfully abducted their master, how to rendezvous with those outside the city, and how to split the spoils once the person was sold.

If such an important official hadn't already amassed enough power to remain indifferent to the power struggle between Oboi and Kangxi, Oboi would have had to expend much more effort to be as tyrannical as he was now.

Tuoba Lie radiated coldness, casting a frigid glare at the two maidservants. Suddenly, he found them particularly unpleasant—what was he to do?

Only when they had no other choice, or when they encountered a particularly delicious dish, would the elves choose to eat meat.

Qiu Shitian was startled. Why were they fighting so desperately? He hurriedly moved the mouse aside, lest it be crushed to death.

Meanwhile, Shengshi Binghuang received a system notification that the auction house had mailed the staff he purchased to his inbox. He felt a slight sense of relief, though he still felt that spending one hundred thousand gold coins was a bit excessive.

Qian Duoduo was well aware of this. He had only brought it out initially to warm up the crowd, but when no one responded, he had nearly faced an awkward silence.

The blade was thrown at the monster's back in an instant, piercing through without resistance. The monster tensed its body, and its head whipped around immediately.

It was only after Chang Qing had walked for about ten minutes that the four men felt their legs, which had felt as if they were nailed to the ground, finally regain their freedom. Third Master Ning moved a few steps, sat down on a nearby chair, and sighed.

The red sun was so large it seemed within arm’s reach, casting its orange-yellow light throughout the interior of the carriage.

How could he explain this to his younger sister without wounding her pride or creating a rift between them?

Zhang Feng nodded with satisfaction; after all, the more formidable "Nan Dingtian" appeared, the less likely anyone would dare to provoke him.

***

Opposite him, the two band members spread their hands in confusion, at a loss. On the staircase leading up, a figure sat curled up; judging by the back, it was Huang Peng.

At this distance, an ordinary person would certainly not have been able to hear what the three were saying, but Lu Ran focused his mind and was able to hear them clearly.

Tuoba Hong was filled with anxiety, his strides wider than usual, his robes billowing with his movements. Before he even reached them, he hurriedly opened his arms in a protective gesture. All the fear in Feng Miao’s heart vanished; in this moment of peril, she actually tugged at the corners of her mouth into a smile and reached out to him from afar.

He then carried Mu Jinxi to the bed. Mu Jinxi was gravely injured once again, yet her eyes were smiling.

"Then don't come back," Shengshi said indifferently. He thought to himself: This might not be a bad thing for that girl, Su Ningyue.

No matter how much she kicked or clawed, or how she grabbed his hair, Chu Chaoyang refused to let go, hoisting her up and carrying her upstairs.

Even knowing that Lu Ran was teasing her, she bit back her urge to spit out the fish, attempting to swallow it.

"Fine, I'll get out. I'll get out right now." Shi Ba endured the sharp pain, scrambled up from the ground, and fled in a panic.

Hoo! Taking a deep breath, Ling Xiao exhaled a puff of foul air and stepped forward, heading deeper into the Sea of Death.

"Master, the fish has taken the bait, but you must calm your mind. Wait until they have truly bitten down before you pull, otherwise they will escape," Zhaocai said.

Some said the Emperor’s decree of general amnesty was clearly a ritual held to celebrate the birth of the Crown Prince. But others argued that since the biological mother held no title, the second prince would never be able to surpass the eldest in status. Courtiers who had prepared lavish gifts to curry favor with the Gao clan, unable to fathom the Emperor’s true attitude, quietly trimmed their gift lists.