Volume One, Chapter 45: Choices and Decisions

Based on what she knew, the Dong family understood that the Zhuo family in Jiangnan was so poor they couldn’t even afford to buy servants. When Madam Wang returned, she even mentioned that Lady Xu personally cooked in the kitchen—clearly, the family had fallen to the point of working for others. Yet, they still dreamed of buying a house in the capital; what a colossal joke.

This match, aside from the quarterfinals, was the most anticipated event, and naturally, it was arranged to be held in the arena. What irked Darui was that today, the arena was packed to the brim—five thousand more spectators than at his last fight.

“Pretty Daddy, Pretty Daddy,” Qingling fumed, her eyes blazing with anger. She truly didn’t know where this child picked up such words. The boss’s status was beyond noble, far above the reach of people like them. Though he was usually kind to everyone, should such talk reach the ears of someone with malicious intent, both mother and child’s lives would be at risk.

As Ye Qinghun shouted these words, he still clung tightly to the fish, refusing to let go. Yet, he could sense the fish slowly slipping from his grasp.

Halfway through his bath, Wang Chaoyang suddenly realized he hadn’t brought his soap. Remembering that a comrade was next door, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to borrow some.

Just around the corner, a military fire truck was already approaching, apparently heading for the parking lot to put out a fire.

The moment Montage spoke, Momo Jie burst into delighted laughter, while Carlos’s face darkened. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Montage to challenge his authority time and again, and his dislike for Montage grew ever deeper.

When Li Rou forbade her younger sister Li Jing from seeing Binglan, it was at a time when Li Jing was pregnant, though it wasn’t yet visible, so her elder sister eventually let it go.

Burying her head, Wei Yang ran on, only to suddenly feel as if she’d collided with something. In an instant, her head spun and her vision blurred.

Once all the suspects were apprehended, the police boarded their vehicle, closed the doors, sounded the siren, and drove off into the distance.

Yunxi looked at me but still refused to speak. My anger flared, and with a grim face, I demanded, “Are you going to tell me or not?” It was the first time I’d lost my temper with her, and the tactic worked. She averted her eyes, not daring to meet my gaze.

In the end, Jinse decided to accompany Xuanming to the capital to see Shangguan Hong one last time. Though resentment lingered in her heart, she was willing to go for Xuanming’s sake. However, when she shared her intentions with Minglong and Qingyan, the two expressed strong opposition.

Li Lianying was known for never running errands for others or meddling in government affairs, hence his good reputation. But if you believe he truly never interfered, you’re too naïve. Sometimes, a few words before Empress Dowager Cixi carried more weight than a thousand spoken by others. Cixi was always generous to her own people.

“I doubt that day will ever come. But today’s grudge—I’ll remember it.” Yang Tianxin glared coldly at Ye Feng, uttered these words, and turned to leave.

“Thank you, Noble Lady.” Madam Fang accepted the teacup with a gentle smile, glanced up at Jiang Zhaoyi three times, finally set aside her worries, and took a sip of tea.

“Why are you sitting here? Why not go inside? It’s awfully cold at night now,” Lü Fangjun said.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Old Pig and Bayonet were seen from afar, sitting gloomily at the door, smoking.

“How could you?” Zhang Yuewan complained bitterly. “You’re this badly hurt and didn’t even inform me! Don’t you know I’m your lawfully wedded wife?” Her face was filled with anger and concern.

In such a tranquil place, one could finally relax and not dwell on stressful matters. The serenity was intoxicating. Minglong took a deep breath, even sensing a faint grassy fragrance in the air, which made him feel utterly at peace.

Thus, in front of a mere statue, Ruoshui could not fulfill her dream of becoming a knight.

Meanwhile, in the Yan family’s inn, Xiao Yang sat in the highest room, eyes fixed on a tall wall standing in the snowy field, his mood as cold and bleak as the falling snow.

What could be worse than encountering this infuriating, spoiled young woman?

Even after school in the afternoon, I had Wu Jiajia check on her while I waited downstairs at the hospital. After Wu Jiajia finished, she’d come down to report back, and we’d return to school together.

Later, when Fang Jing came to call Jin Fugui for dinner, Jin Fugui was still smiling to himself, savoring the memory.

Isabel smiled reservedly. “I am very grateful to Her Majesty the Queen for granting me the protection of the court. However, I have more pressing matters to attend to.” With that, she turned gracefully toward the southern end of the hall, wishing to admire the religious paintings and portraits of Tudor royalty adorning the walls.

Su Xing was about to pat him on the shoulder when suddenly a warm presence appeared behind her, casting a shadow over her head. A gentle arm cradled her neck, and her chin was softly lifted.

Everyone knew their queen was beautiful, and that she looked dashing in men’s attire, but each time she appeared, she managed to astonish them anew.

When this news broke, every warrior in the city derided and mocked the Thousand-faced Demon King; overnight, his reputation was utterly ruined.

As has always been the rule—if the first group of inspectors found nothing but the second group discovered an issue that had already existed during the first group’s watch, then the first group… was executed.

And yet the reports remained vague; no one truly knew what was happening in Jinchuan.

This nation’s military might, coupled with resources pouring in from outside like ants carrying grains, allowed for construction to begin on all fronts. Even if the entire divine oracle descended to protect it, breaching the defenses would be nearly impossible.

After their arrows and spells were destroyed, the archers and mages were only left drained and pale. But when a summoner’s beast or shikigami—linked to their very spirit—was utterly annihilated, the summoner would cough up blood, their energy instantly sapped.

Jian Hanyao’s gaze flashed like cold lightning, shooting sparks as she stared at Mu Xiao, an outsider, clearly seeing him as a potential adversary.

Before the confrontation in the main hall truly commenced, or rather, while Shui Bailan vanished before the eyes of Shadow One, Shadow Two, and Pang Xuejun, she had already teleported deep into the corridor, standing before the last room. A chilling surge of energy pierced the door’s barrier, and she slipped inside, cloaked in cold.