Volume One, Chapter 23: The Protector

The imperial edict arrived at Prince Ren’s residence, and Princess Na Ren was overjoyed. She immediately ordered that all the inner courtyard servants receive double wages this month. Her happiness spread to Prince Ren, and even the servants in the outer courtyard benefited from the good fortune.

Lou Fanbai sat quietly in a corner, lacking the anticipated excitement and without rushing over to embrace Shi Ying in tears. His calmness was eerie, his eyes glowing faintly in the shadows.

“Alright, this matter is entrusted to you. Go immediately to the rural guesthouse and report to Zhang Jin. Follow his orders directly,” Zhao Zilong nodded and called out to Zhao Tu.

“I’ll just rent some weapons for now; I don’t need anything else yet,” He Xi pondered before telling him.

“No, no, I was about to pack up,” He Xi replied irritably, feeling that her sore spot had been hit.

“I’ve long been captivated by the beauty before me; my gaze cannot stray. I truly wish time would stand still so I can forever admire this unparalleled grace,” Zhao Zilong’s voice carried a hint of intoxication.

Though the Xiaoyao Dao Sect was powerful, the Spirit Stone Mountain before them was irresistibly alluring. Imagine piles of spirit stones stacked like mountains—who wouldn’t be drawn to such a sight? Who wouldn’t go mad?

“That girl was so furious before, now why has she suddenly calmed down? Did she use two cucumbers at once?” Zhao Zilong mused whimsically as he followed her into the office.

“What does Master mean?” Nan Ke Rui guessed Xi Qiu’s implication and felt a flicker of anticipation.

Moreover, at that time, the late emperor had elevated Yin Rong to a high status. A prince already above all others—if he intended to usurp the throne at such a moment, his ambition was truly boundless.

“Obtaining the goods isn’t the goal. If you can’t deliver them, they’ll just bring in new recruits. It’s better if you and A Yuan come to Pingcheng with me to help find the exact location and expose this ‘first station.’ Afterwards, I might consider extracting your records from Master Xu’s files,” Zuo Xun proposed his terms.

This Ding Zheng was even more terrifying than he had imagined—an utterly dreadful man. At least that was how he felt in his heart. He lamented his own misfortune, thinking he might receive a large compensation, only to get an ordinary amount instead. It felt like a loss rather than a gain.

“Mingyue, what are you looking at?” Ouyang was surprised to see her so focused and couldn’t help but ask.

“Why get so angry? You can’t do it. Besides, you still have Ling Jiang behind you,” Qin Cang said with a look that said “you’re useless” as he listened to Zhang Chen.

“Heh, if we cooperate again, your reputation might even surpass mine,” Xiao Yuqi laughed, teasing.

“Aren’t you aiming to be promoted to senior disciple? Then defeat me!” the academy disciple said coolly.

Yun Jianfeng approached Zhang Yefan, looking at him as if seeing a glimmer of hope.

“Had enough to eat? Stretch a bit; let me see what you’re capable of,” Ah Hai said as he stood behind Ye Yang.

Since Xu Sheng said Qu He must give three moves, “giving three moves” meant Xu Sheng couldn’t retaliate within those three moves and could only dodge. Qu He’s strike was relentless and overwhelming.

Looking back over past years, since Sug first returned from Sibiwotes to Saint Landis City five years ago, Elias had entered his life. Through her strength, she gradually occupied the main place in Sug’s heart.

“Pain, pain! I want to hire a lawyer! I’m going to sue you for torture!” the prisoner’s hair was being yanked and pressed against the table as he shouted.

“What? How is that possible?” Brother Hu stared incredulously at the trembling hand, shocked to his core.

Step by step, he approached Lin Xiu, his right hand gripping tightly the broad battle blade.

If he became Ye Yingfan’s father-in-law, he would never allow Liu Shuang and Ye Yingfan to be together, the doctor thought bitterly to himself.

After all, Xue Hong wielded military power over the Dark Elf tribe. Although the elves were not as brazenly domineering as humans—“whoever holds military power is master”—all races still respected those who commanded armies. Since Ke Li remained silent, Xue Hong took the initiative to bring up the agenda for the upcoming elder council meeting.

Li Lin, still uneasy, attacked a few more times until seeing the fish show no sign of reaction, confirming it was truly dead. Yet, even in death, the fish’s mouth clung to Li Lin’s arm unwillingly, revealing deep resentment.

Desolate and extreme, the parched ground was covered in pale yellow fine sand, with no sign of life as far as the eye could see. A blazing sun hung overhead, radiating scorching heat, as if raising one’s sleeves even slightly would dry the skin of all moisture—marinating it in cumin and salt might just turn it into jerky.

At the next moment, Lin Xiu swung the black-glowing spear he held with both hands, knocking away Zhou Ba, who was still trying to resist Lin Xiu’s attack.

Kuang Shiqi and Qingxia were startled by these words and looked at Guo Dalu with renewed shock. Guo Dalu’s expression was distant and cold, exuding an aura that repelled others, making them deeply uncomfortable.

Shen Yun only turned on her phone at six o’clock in the evening, and immediately was greeted by over a dozen missed calls from Su Hangru.