49 Butterfly (13)

“Yes, Grand Elder.” With that reply, the man’s figure faded gradually into the Sword Mound.

“How does it feel to be the government’s lapdog?” Li Yulong stretched languidly as the sun rose slowly over the horizon, painting the land in gold.

Though she had always worn a cold expression and found it impossible to show happiness, her only response was a proud, dismissive snort.

In a timeline without Hu Zhen, they might have succeeded. But with Hu Zhen and the Huaxia Army’s overwhelming arrival, that dream would remain a mirage forever.

With this thought, David made up his mind: he would make Liverpool one last offer. If Liverpool agreed, Notts County would secure Gerrard; if not, Notts County would abandon their pursuit altogether.

Boom! Johnny braced himself to take the attack head-on, but found that Li Yulong’s strength had suddenly surged. Caught off guard, he was struck hard and sent flying by a single blow.

The divine hammer and ancient sword clashed with a deafening roar. Li Yulong’s hand dropped slightly, and his sword slid along the surface of the Thunder God’s Hammer, slashing at the armor around his wrist. With a sharp screech, another gash was torn into his battle armor.

Upon his arrival, Hu Zhen strode straight into the command center. Officers he passed stood at attention and saluted, but Hu Zhen simply nodded and waved them off from further formalities.

Japan’s coercion of the Ryukyu Kingdom into vassalage was always a disgraceful matter. In truth, Ryukyu was China’s vassal, and Japan only extracted additional tribute after pressuring Ryukyu in secret—at most, Ryukyu was a double vassal on paper.

Young Master Meng broke out in a sweat; when he’d first emerged into the world, he’d witnessed Xuan Hongtao being thrashed by Jingduo. Who would have thought that man would dare set foot on his turf again? Was Chonghou back safely from his penance in France?

He could sense that, no matter what she said, deep down she still harbored feelings for Mu Jingnan.

“Yes, Lord Huo, we will strictly follow the military orders and ensure the Ji family’s troops are cut down on the battlefield,” Chen Chong and the others replied.

The blade was thin as a cicada’s wing, narrower than a palm, crystal-clear as if forged from water—more a toy than a weapon at first glance. Yet nothing that emerged from Moti Zhun’s hands was ever as simple as it seemed.

Recently, Leng Feng had been exhausted. He hid it well, keeping up a calm façade, but Jiang Ying, who knew him somewhat, could see the fatigue beneath his placid expression.

By contrast, Long Tiegang was nothing like how he acted around others—he did not underestimate Li Yonghao in the slightest. On the contrary, he had prepared meticulously for Li Yonghao’s unique strengths.

Ruan Qi did not reject his siblings; it was just that the responsibility felt both alien and heavy, filling him with anticipation and dread in equal measure.

Then there were Yinxiang, the Fourteenth Prince, and others. The supply of divine medicine was limited, and what she and Yinzhen could provide was scant—so, while everyone was gathered, each person took a few petals for now, with the rest to be distributed when they returned to the capital.

At this point, Li Ping’an was almost certain—whatever was below them must be connected to those black beetles.

Qiao An couldn’t help but laugh aloud—it could only be that old fox Song Yunchi behind this.

Following orders, two guards pried open the slats covering the wooden crate. Immediately, its contents were revealed to all present.

Hearing the matriarch’s evasions, Mrs. Li trembled, fearing she would be abandoned yet again, and stammered out her words in broken fragments.

Chishui blinked—her nimble mind finally working as it ought.

The emperor’s reply gave little explanation. He wrote only that he had sent Tianlong to assist Wen Wan in suppressing the rebels. As for Tianlong’s unauthorized actions, the emperor admitted his anger, leaving any punishment at Wen Wan’s discretion.

Suddenly, two people launched a surprise attack, striking the last two elders of the Iron Family. As expected, both were killed instantly. No one could have foreseen that, in that fleeting moment, their own comrades would turn on them.

Wen Wan found it all terribly dull; she had never been one for the sheltered life. In that instant, she resolved never to join these people’s gatherings again—their so-called banquets would no longer see her presence.

Thinking of Shaun, Melanie’s eyes dimmed, though she quickly masked her feelings and focused on her work.

When Wu Caiyun returned home for dinner, she sensed something amiss the moment she entered the courtyard. The lively chatter abruptly ceased; everyone turned to stare at her with eyes full of disdain.

This was the outcome he had hoped for—a spear bearing insect flesh, the hunters’ symbol of surrender and defeat. Much like the white flag of old, it served as a necessary tool for communication between opposing sides.

“You’re still in your confinement! Anger harms the body, and no tonic can make up for it. Enough, don’t be upset. As long as Shangtang stands by you, there’s nothing to fear from those troublemakers.” Madam Su was inwardly furious as well.