Volume One, Chapter 41: The Machine Contract

“Come, sit down! I have no idea what children these days like to eat. I have some raisins and red dates that an old comrade from the frontier sent me from Xinjiang.”

The Snow Lion King had the air of a benevolent commander. After pinning “Wei Yan Returns Again” to the bottom of the basin for a moment, he released him, wearing the calm expression of a victor who had won without honor.

Madam Shen thought it over, then could only nod. “Go to the palace and take a look. If you have the chance, go see the Empress and help put her mind at ease. Even if... even if things do not turn out well, then it is that child’s fate. Fate cannot be begged from heaven.” Remembering that the Second Prince had not survived and that the Third Prince might now suffer the same fate, Madam Shen’s eyes reddened.

Moreover, “encountering” Yide had another great advantage: very few people knew of his relationship with Murong Ke. He was also one of their own, so no matter what kind of scheme they devised, his participation made it absolutely safe. More importantly, she felt that Master Yide could not possibly have come to Bright Mirror for no reason. He must have had something to attend to.

Frowning, Xuan Shao was thinking this over when he saw Third Madam take something from her sleeve. It was a dagger—a dagger Xuan Shao had once known intimately, one that had saved his life countless times. Seeing it emerge from Third Madam’s sleeve, Xuan Shao’s feelings became exceedingly complicated.

Liu Ruoxu frowned. “What use is it for you to practice this? This martial art surely cannot deal with Jingfeng!” Even Liu Ruoxu could see how powerless Flowing Wind, Returning Snow would be before a supreme expert like Jingfeng.

Since she had already vomited once, the palace attendants had been prepared. A spittoon was immediately brought over, and Second Madam rose and went aside to vomit.

After washing everything clean, Jin Xiaohan washed his outer garments and her underclothes as well, then built a fire beside them and hung the clothes nearby to dry.

Fifth Madam saw that Second Madam was about to bring up the subject again and knew she had another move in reserve. Yet she could not step forward and say anything, so a cold sweat gathered on her brow. In the end, she could only hope that Aunt Cui had already eliminated the trouble in secret.

Phantom God Transformation—Kalonandis—once again manifested upon Ye Tiansie. This was the fourth time Ye Tiansie had transformed into the Sacred Sword God of War! The power and pressure of the Saint-Annihilation realm poured forth from him without restraint, bearing down upon Huang Yuan and Green Wave, who remained stunned in the distance.

The statement was so utterly absurd that it completely altered the atmosphere, which had previously been tense and on the verge of violence. The sword strike Ryan had just displayed had been far too domineering, the scene far too terrifying. Thus, what should have been a laughable remark sounded from Ryan’s lips, yet not one of the onlookers could bring themselves to laugh.

“Have I become an evil man as well?” An Yu let out a long, melancholy sigh. He searched the clothing of the two dead men but found nothing useful, then buried their bodies as simply as possible.

That bastard had also emerged from the imperial mausoleum. His strength was terrifying beyond words. With a short spear, he had shattered my straight tachi in an instant, while my full-powered strike had done no more than leave a faint scuff on his armor—so faint it was difficult to make out even upon close inspection.

At that critical moment, a figure suddenly flashed into existence before Fang Youying. Before she could see who it was, the palm strike of the Half-Emperor powerhouse had already reached her.

A lancer battalion was the ultimate weapon for charging enemy lines and confronting hostile cavalry armed with cold steel. Its equipment was meticulously crafted: the soldiers were clad almost entirely in armor, iron from head to toe, while their lances were forged of steel. Once they charged, nothing could stand in their way.

At the same time, the Director of the Surveillance Office, who had gone sleepless all night, had eyes as red as blood. He was anxiously waiting for something when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside. He immediately rose and went out to meet them.