Volume 1, Chapter 33: It Should Have Been Mine All Along

A barrage of unfamiliar terms struck my heart with resounding force. Though I was consumed by a restless curiosity and longed to rush forward to demand an explanation, I weighed the situation and decided to listen on with patience.

"Oh, hush now, don't cry, we mustn't cry! Child, just being able to see you and know that you are living well is enough for us! Child, who is this?" Su Yun and Wang Tiangui hurriedly wiped away their tears, offering a strained smile to Xichen before turning their gaze toward the imposing Zheng Chenheng to ask.

"Discipline is a matter of course, but as for this morning assembly, I see no need for her to attend. There is no shortage of guides without her." The clan leader raised a hand, and two servants immediately pinned me down.

However, the green robes worn by Liu Qingyi suddenly erupted with a myriad of radiant lights, continuously dissolving the power of the Buddha’s wrath.

A moment later, a fist-sized indentation appeared on the smooth rock wall ahead. Gu Luo mimicked the action, punching out several more pits, and eventually felt his way along the path.

"Just like that, we became companions and continued our journey together until the Fu family found us and brought us back. Of course, when the old man couldn't find me back then, he nearly went insane with worry!" Speaking of this, Zheng Chenheng looked triumphant; the old man had treated him inhumanely, and he had finally managed to pull a fast one on him.

Tian Feng had long since noticed Guan Ning and Bing Yuan, two young men only three or four years older than Liu Fan. Furthermore, having heard Liu Fan utter such treasonous and blasphemous words as "seizing the world" right in front of them, Tian Feng knew that these two must be Liu Fan’s confidants.

Zi Xiang took the phone and looked at it, his brows instantly furrowing. "Someone has forcibly broken into the Kunlun Mountains and killed two soldiers!" The crowd was shocked—could it be that someone had already beaten them to it?

Though he had been immersed in his own inner world just moments before, Xue Qi still caught a glimpse of Gu Luo's movements.

Black, however, covered his mouth at the first opportunity to prevent a cry of pain from escaping. With his other hand, he gripped a golden crystal pillar—one of the supports for the golden crystal building—to steady himself.

Yun Wange never shed tears; she hadn't even when betrayed by Yun Ze and Yun Qing. Those were tears she could never force out, yet upon hearing Zimo Han’s words, they slid down her eyes and stained her cheeks.

Following Zhu Hongzhi through the gates of the White Cloud Villa, a vast courtyard came into view. It was immense, perhaps twice the size of a football field.

When Chu Nan spoke, he did so with a flourish of grandeur, as if displaying the breadth of a great nation's spirit.

Only then did Chu Nan notice that the White Cloud Villa was heavily guarded both inside and out, with security appearing extremely tight.

The common folk, upon hearing that there might be corpses beneath their feet, were so frightened that they immediately scrambled to the riverbank. Yet, despite their fear, the innate human instinct to gawk at a spectacle kept them crowded along the shore to watch the commotion unfold.

Chen Fengjian felt a pang of pity for him as he spoke. This wife of his provided no support; instead, she had become a burden, tethering him so he could never soar high. Having such a wife was worse than having none at all.

"Duan Xiyuan, are you even a man? You just stand there and watch others beat your wife?" Shen Mingyi was furious, glaring viciously at Duan Xiyuan.

As for the remaining pot, the Lady Bai took charge of the ladle. Xia Zhongchun tried to advise her twice, but was brushed aside by Lady Bai, so she had no choice but to let her be.

By the time he tried to resist, he had already been lifted from the water's surface, yet he remained entirely encased within the current, unable to breathe normally.

"So, does this mean that even if I hadn't said anything just now, you would have resolved it all yourselves?" Liu Mu asked, curious about Lin Wanyi and Shao Qingcheng.

Though he did not understand the intent, since Xue Nian had said so, Ji Jiu agreed and led his men away.

He had simple and brutal ways to teach someone like Yan Zhongfu a lesson, but all of that had to be weighed against the presence of Yan Youyi, so naturally, those methods could not be used.

The hedonistic princeling who had snatched away Zhou Mancang’s sister was a member of the Imperial Guard. As the saying goes, every force has its counter-force; no matter how arrogant these people were in private, they would never dare to stir up trouble in front of Xue Nian.

Yet, he felt no resistance in his heart. Since he had chosen this profession, he had to find a way to do the job well. If he only knew how to glare, puff out his cheeks, and count "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7," he wouldn't feel right taking his paycheck.

Ruan Xia stepped forward, pulled open the passenger door, placed her bag inside, and was about to lean in to sit when she was stopped by a cold voice from the man in the back seat.

Perhaps from the moment that old thief stepped into the inn, anything he did was destined to be in vain.

Listening to Jiang Huochou’s words, the surrounding crowd gasped in succession, their eyes filled with shock as they looked at Ye Tian.

At this moment, Leng Yu pulled out her phone, intending to find the number for a moving company to help Ye Tian transport this massive medicine cauldron to Beihai.

This was also an alluring aspect of Tianqi Lake; it was called the North of the South and the South of the North, perhaps a reflection of its untamed nature.

Everyone was instantly struck dumb, staring at Yang Shiyun with incredulous eyes, as if looking at someone they had never known before.

Since they were all on the same side, there was no need to cause trouble for their own people; when official tasks required the use of civilian vehicles, Liu Yong could help arrange them.

Yang Shiyun would never call home during work hours, so Yanzi naturally guessed the reason.

At this point, how could Luo Muzhi offer any opposition? She could only grit her teeth and agree.

Two domineering off-road vehicles drove onto the set, and three men jumped out. The leader immediately placed a phone call.

Division Commanders Lu Xiangting and Xie Hongxun were deploying troops to occupy key strongholds in Nanjing, but suddenly, the sound of a gunshot shattered the harmonious atmosphere.

Ruan Yijie’s silhouette was elegant, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders; from a distance, she appeared graceful, refined, and dignified.

This sword light was terrifyingly powerful. Had he rushed headlong into it, he would certainly have been cleaved in two. Xu Jinbo had no choice but to make a desperate attempt to fend off the Crimson Flame Chariot, but his strength was laughable before it; he was sent flying instantly, and a horrific, scorching heat surged into his body, ravaging it from within.

Qi Xieyuan knew that if only he could hold Shanghai for two days, Sun Chuanfang’s reinforcements would surely arrive, and the situation would take a significant turn for the better. Yet, whether he could hold out for those two days remained a daunting challenge.

Upon hearing Jing Ping’s words, Zhuozhuo stretched out its wings. The golden plumage shimmered in the sunlight, spanning a full ten feet in length. As it unfurled them, the daylight was blocked for everyone present, leaving the entire crowd beneath its shadow.

Shi Birou had called her twice, but her phone remained unanswered. Shi Birou felt a sense of foreboding, and Nini had already become anxious and restless, crying and calling for her mother.