27 Monster (27)

The bearded man seemed unafraid of death. No matter how sharp and fierce the young man’s sword was, he simply swung his massive axe, aiming straight for the youth’s head.

Moments later, the open ground outside the central command tent was packed with soldiers from the Western Pacification Army and the border troops of Lanzhou. All eyes were fixed, incredulous, on Cheng Wuting, who was bound to the central pillar. Shock and disbelief were written on every face.

After she finished speaking, Yue Xueyi turned away and ran, making it quite clear that she wanted to wander the streets alone and had no intention of accompanying Suge to any pharmacy. Her words left Suge rolling his eyes for quite some time.

In the days that followed, Richard’s cultivation grew even more intense. Every morning at court, every evening outside his bedchamber—whenever there was even a brief moment to circulate his Divine Youth Technique, he seized it without hesitation.

The two appeared evenly matched, but none could see that Chu Yunduan was distracted, his mind wandering even as he fenced with his opponent.

The reactions of several Evolvers made Xue Ning frown in secret. He wondered how people with such fragile nerves could have survived the apocalypse, let alone become Evolvers themselves.

I knew it! The agitation among these demons must have something to do with the telescope! Suge slapped his thigh, certain he had uncovered the truth.

How was it that Sixth Master could return from the dead? Even he did not know. Could the man in white have the answer?

“So, the whole sect now believes that you and I are intimately connected?” Chu Yunduan’s face turned awkward—he wished he could shout that he barely knew her.

Taking advantage of the chance to open inns and invest in businesses around the world, the Azure Pavilion had scattered its spies everywhere. Those in the martial world who disdained their ways had given the organization a nickname—Embroidered Guards.

Nangong Yuchao was deeply dissatisfied. In her heart, what was his place? Was he worth even less than her ungrateful younger sister?

Not long after news came that Cao Pi had declared himself emperor, word from Eastern Wu left Zhao Shu truly astonished: Grand Commander Lü Meng had passed away.

Right now, what Zhong Nan lacked most was power. Only if he became someone whose very footfall made the court tremble would he have a real chance to call the emperor “brother.”

In the first year of the Longqing era, Zhu Zaixu ascended the throne as the Ming Emperor Muzong. That same March, Muzong conferred the title of Noble Consort upon Lady Li, giving her a status second only to Empress Chen.

Compared to asking those from Mountainfire City, who would surely be guarded, the villagers here shouldn’t be so wary, should they?

By now, everyone understood: this monstrous prodigy had indeed fallen hopelessly in love with Zhao Chu.

Besides, even if Mo Qingyu wished to marry, who would dare? What family would take a mourning daughter-in-law into their home?

With a flick of Wang Long’s hand, a scroll flew out. Such feats were commonplace after reaching the Creation Realm.

A sudden spurt of blood escaped the old man’s lips, his forehead beading instantly with sweat like raindrops.

The newcomer was overjoyed—just for running an errand, he’d receive a Qi Condensation Pill. If only such luck would come every day.

Once Gongshu Yu finished speaking, a new expression came over Gongshu Mingmei’s face.

The Yellow Springs Sect was indeed in its prime, and their powers of persuasion surpassed the ordinary.

Ji Hanshao nodded. He had been careful just now; during his live broadcast, he neither showed his face nor revealed his body.

He quickly recalled the circumstances in Northern Liang, then concisely described the region.

He considered himself on good terms with Gu Wang, perhaps Gu Wang’s best friend in their circle, yet he suddenly realized he knew little of Gu Wang’s private affairs.

Just from a single meeting, she could paint him so vividly—such talent was extraordinary.

In the tribe, the shaman’s status was below that of the chief but nearly equal to that of the mightiest beast-warriors.

“All right, there is one more important matter to discuss at this morning’s assembly,” Yun Beiye cleared his throat, shifting the conversation.

What if it evolved a few more times and grew many times larger? If the villagers discovered it, wouldn’t they see it as a monster?

“Could this palace be an illusion? Or perhaps…” Gu Fan, a Shadow Pearl concealed in his mouth, suppressed his aura. Even across hundreds of miles, the two Star-ranked experts failed to notice this unknown innate-level warrior observing their fierce duel.

Shen Xinyi was unaware, but in the army, orders were law. If Gu Yi usually dragged his feet like this, he would have been disciplined.

“Are you all right, little brother?” With a sly grin at the ambushed victim, Zhang Jiaming called out with no small measure of pride.

But surrounded as they were, what strategy could be deployed? Could they really attempt a breakout?

Yet at that moment, Dantai Ao was thinking differently. Since Xing Aochen had declared Gu Fan’s sword to be a blood-refined artifact, as long as he accused Gu Fan of colluding with heretical outsiders, not only Gu Fan but the entire Marquis of the Plains household would face annihilation.

“Why?” Mo Kui’s body trembled uncontrollably, a wave of grievance welling up. She could already sense things she’d never imagined from Zhang Jiaming’s tone.

Whirlwind nodded and fell silent. As the drops of blood fell, the atmosphere in the room grew heavier. Just as the old man, losing hope, prepared to bandage Lord Mo and seek another antidote, the blood gradually turned red again. The sight brought relief to everyone present.

“No need. My house isn’t far. I like walking home. Thank you.” Chu Yao smiled as always—warm, yet tinged with a subtle, inexplicable detachment.

In a stilted house on the outskirts of County R, three shadowy figures eyed each other under the flickering light of the oil lamp.