Volume One, Chapter 41: The Earthen Door Faces an Earthen Window

Before they had even finished breakfast, Xu Jie arrived. The two of them immediately lost any appetite to continue eating; after hurriedly shoveling down a few bites, they went upstairs to check their luggage, confirmed everything was in order, and then headed straight out. They didn't eat at home but chose a restaurant instead—mutton hotpot. After the meal, each had a bowl of fried flatbread and another of lamb soup. Having not tasted it for so long, every mouthful now was pure delight.

Fatty and I exchanged glances, a hint of relief in our eyes. Had they really started digging, they might well have discovered something suspicious about that painting. No matter how fierce the fire, it could never erase every trace.

Xin Hui High School had not led for even a single second; they remained under the domination of the home team throughout.

“Hey, don’t be so pessimistic…” I looked down at my hands, weighing the consequences of forcing everyone to break out of here.

Cai Yinong, on the other hand, seemed to value Lin Mu far too much, practically placing him on the same level—or even above others.

Han Shaoxun watched as Ye Yaotiao hurried away, his lips tightly pressed together. He did not follow her.

From the sky, Su Rong and Xing Yuying’s faces looked rather unpleasant. The grand centennial celebration of Xing Zhan had turned into an utter loss of face for them.

Inside the house, Han Shaoxun had just walked up to the bathroom mirror when he immediately saw a conspicuous bloody scratch on his right cheek—clearly made by fingernails.

“Xu provides us with a hundred million in funding every year,” Jack interjected before Xu Duan could speak, leaving Roosevelt momentarily at a loss for words.

Bai Yuxiang sat beneath a large tree in his backyard, his usually charming, almond-shaped eyes now staring blankly ahead.

Li Xiucai thought Qin Tian was mocking him; his face turned green as he pointed at Qin Tian, so angry he was speechless.

At the same time, Mo’er parted her red lips and spoke coolly; even someone as imposing as Qingyan Haotian was briefly taken aback by the chill in her voice.

Zhao Chengtai understood her meaning. Grinning, he began to ponder in earnest. No matter whether Zhang Qingtin wanted to separate from him or not, with such a large hutong and such a grand horse ranch in her hands, no matter how noble Zhao Chengtai tried to be, this could no longer be considered merely her dowry.

“Tongtian Gourd!” Yang Jiao could only shout, summoning the artifact and leaping inside just as enormous blades of wind fell. He was blasted several miles back, the entire mountainside collapsing, the gale sweeping through and dissolving it like a sand dune in an instant. The Sword of Stars thundered with earth-shaking might; Xing Xing’s cultivation was unrivaled, peerless in the world.

Madam Wang heard the sound of rustling clothes and hurried footsteps from inside, her face darkening as she returned to the room. She tore off her apron and flung it viciously into the corner, then climbed onto the heated brick bed and shook Chen Tiegui fiercely.

She looked up at Zhuang Xinyan, who was also watching her, lips pressed into a thin line, his face clouded and dark, as if she had committed some unforgivable crime.

Yet even a moment of peace was a luxury for Long Chen. In any world, the role of the fly was ever-present, impossible to escape.

The phantom formed of divine sense said nothing. No matter how Shui Mei wept and begged, he finally dissolved into the air, never to be seen again.

Qin Yu had courted many girls, and countless more had thrown themselves at him, all enchanted by his looks and charm. He had heard endless praise of his handsomeness and elegance, seen love-struck eyes brimming with adoration.

“Insolence! Does this Zi Po not know that the Great Disciple Competition is Mandala Palace’s grandest event? No wonder she’s missing—she’s gone out! What is she up to?” Bai Zhiyi exclaimed angrily.

Zhao Hongxue accepted Qin Yun’s jade pendant, her face blank with confusion. She had no idea why this young man would give it to her, nor what purpose it might serve, but she nodded instinctively.

Li Chengye had indeed received instructions from the old commander, but he had not considered this outcome. For a moment, a chill ran down his spine.

He was astonished to see Qi Tan had mastered three of the Five Great Poisons—this was a remarkable achievement.

“But it’s still a cage!” Fu Qian did not believe there was anything enviable about grand mansions and noble households; their intrigue was no less than that of the political world, breeding only more evil thoughts and corrupting the heart.

They did not have the ruthless expressions of Witch Tribe assassins, only a deathly silence—a silence saturated with the scent of death, as if every kiss in that moment was meant as mockery, a cold disdain that left one uneasy.

It wasn’t that he looked down on the experts of Miaoyin Mountain, but that swordsmanship was never their claim to fame.

In other words, if they wished to avenge the fallen Lord of the Black Spire, their enemies would be not one, but three god-demon level beings.

She had never imagined Fu Qian would still protect her at this moment. Everyone believed she had harmed Yu Zhen, and since Fu Qian cared so much for Yu Zhen, he should have hated her as well. Yet why… why would he save her?

If they wiped them all out, the newly consolidated three gangs would be severely weakened, and Lin Feiying would lose many of his restraints.

Park Chanyeol nodded. “I understand.” With that, he pushed a cart full of dirty laundry and prepared to leave.

After reading through more than thirty sheets of paper, nothing seemed amiss. Each person had witnesses to vouch for them; some had even listed nearly everyone present at the time to prove their innocence.

A bridge of synthetic diamonds had been built before the main gate, glittering under simulated daylight. This prismatic diamond bridge alone completely captivated Chen You.

Yet Yuan Aochi cared nothing for these things. As long as it happened on Hong Kong’s turf, there was nothing he dared not do.

Seeing the enemy’s blade so close, Luo Shuiqing did not dodge; instead, she flashed a chilling smile, and a faint mirror-wall appeared before her, reflecting the red glow of the blade entirely back at her attacker.

“Master Nalan, your reputation precedes you. I never expected to meet you here in Hong Kong,” Bai Kairui lowered his stance and smiled politely.

Naturally, Yin Jinda’s statements triggered another furious outpouring from netizens.