Chapter 32: A Night Visit to Fossil Village

After hanging up the phone and quietly reading through all the materials, Shi Yi fell deep into thought. The documents contained every chat record involving the three girls from No. 1 High School and Shi Xiangxiang, spanning from the time Shi Xiangxiang dropped out of school up to the days before the recent disappearance of those three girls.

It was plain to see that the four of them shared a truly close bond. Though the three girls from No. 1 High School had a reputation for being a bit wild, their concern for Shi Xiangxiang was genuine and heartfelt. Shi Xiangxiang had been forced to leave school against her will.

After classes ended that morning, Ge Zhi sent someone to deliver a stack of tickets directly into Xing Luo’s hands—there were well over twenty in all. When Gong Jiaojiao saw those tickets, she was so overwhelmed with excitement that she nearly threw herself at Xing Luo right then and there.

She thought of how she had studied in the three great Holy Empires, and how she had conducted research in the Sacred Empire of Origin Fire. She remembered the unacknowledged merit that led to her imprisonment, and the ruthless talent cultivation plan of the Origin Fire Empire.

“You’re questioning my utmost sincerity! I must protest this in the strongest terms!” Piaowuzong deliberately put on an angry face.

Once Brother Lei had left his phone number and promised to send the money over soon, the four of them slipped away without a trace.

“Now that our contest of inner strength has come to an end, shouldn't we test our skills with weapons next?” Piaowuzong suggested nonchalantly.

Liu Yan turned and shot Gu Zhao a fierce glare, while Xing Haibin hastily lowered his head, pretending he had seen nothing.

Then there was Meng Changyun, the Minister of Armaments. He had been appointed from above and never involved himself in the local political struggles, but when it came to money, he agreed to speak on Xiang Jie’s behalf.

The heir to the Baron of the Left Bank was truly impressed; the man before him, Wuchang, was not only a prodigy of fire, but could also control the bio-warrior Blood Shadow. Most frightening of all, there seemed to be a vast and powerful force secretly supporting him. He was not someone to be trifled with.

This had happened many times before: every time, she would stay up with Gu Xiyu until dawn. No matter how she tried to comfort her, Gu Xiyu would always cry for hours. Yet unexpectedly, with just a few gentle words, Ye Qinglan was able to quiet her at once.

“Master, I’d like to stay at home for a few more years. Once Xiner has fully recovered, I’ll follow you and study medicine,” Ran Sui said, all the while twisting my arm with one hand.

Staring out the window at the pine needles and green cypress branches dusted with falling snow, Sheng Mingzhu found herself lost in thought. The biting wind of the twelfth lunar month made the scenery all the more enchanting; if it were the season of blossoming spring, how much more intoxicating would these sights be?

“Your Majesty, I beg you to spare Sister Wan’s life,” Weiyang pleaded before Li Yunhao.

Weiyang’s words were veiled, but An Ronghui, ever attentive, picked up on her intent. “Guards, begin the execution,” she commanded harshly to the eunuchs standing beside Weiyang and Lvzhu.

Ning Caichen retorted at Yan Chixia’s departing figure, and only after Yan had vanished did he turn back to Meng Changsheng, immediately putting on a smile. Though he had a poor impression of Yan Chixia, he held Meng Changsheng in high regard and began to explain.

True to its name, the mountain was renamed Yuan Ting after the legendary imperial mentor Jiang Ting retired there. The name evokes a sense of transcending the mundane, of one’s shadow never leaving the mountains—a dream of sovereigns and ministers, where all glory and fame are but empty illusions.

After speaking, she tugged at the tears in her clothing, making sure no skin showed, then clasped her hands over the gaps as if terrified Meng Changsheng might see. Realizing she might have overreacted, a rare flush crept onto her cheeks.

In a flash, the healer was kicked to the ground, and the hawk leapt upon him, delivering a savage beating.

He remembered that Sheng Mingzhu was not one to display her emotions. The fact that she was confiding in him now meant she must have her reasons or plans. He had never dared hope to experience her dance up close, though he had long heard of her unrivaled grace. The very thought was enchanting, let alone witnessing it with his own eyes.