Chapter 21: The Trump Card

The stabilization of political power allowed the martial law in Xinzheng to be significantly relaxed. Perhaps out of consideration for public opinion, the Qin state did not persecute the noble families of Han, merely stripping them of their privileges before gradually releasing them. Only the royal family remained imprisoned within the Han Palace.

Clad in white, with golden hair and a face as flawless as jade, he stood bathed in moonlight that draped him in a mysterious silver veil—noble and elegant. His eyes, as deep as the ocean, constantly emitted a cold gleam that held a deadly allure.

The body slid across the ground, as if its innards had been hollowed out; both eyes, once vibrant, now resembled lifeless fish, devoid of any breath.

Bai Qingci gasped weakly, struggling to breathe. She stumbled countless times over a mere few steps before finally reaching Chang’an, where a single palm strike severed the lifelines of two souls at their navels.

The early Han presence on the North American continent was likely a boon for the indigenous peoples, as the Han neither sought nor needed to pursue policies of ethnic extermination.

Liu Qingzhou’s robe hung half open; shedding his outer garment left only a loose inner shirt clinging precariously to his frame, revealing fair, healthy skin, a graceful waistline, and a slender stature.

“Get lost,” Chan Yinsa snapped sharply. Zhou Shuo shrank back, wisely choosing silence, allowing her to leave unchallenged.

“Ah Shuo.” Just as Zhou Shuo was fumbling for words to describe their relationship, a joyful call came from the long mountain path beyond the archway. Following the voice, a fragrant breeze swept through the dazed crowd and collided directly into Zhou Shuo’s embrace.

However, Bai Cunxiao had already noticed Tang Zhangwei’s exhaustion; bowing slightly, he took his leave.

“Help me take care of the horses. Nong Ying, your horse too—give it to him. Then come inside with me.” Zhou Shuo pressed the man’s palm onto the reins and beckoned with a glance into his wide eyes.

That day, Emperor Xuan of Han personally visited the Imperial Academy to discuss national policies with the esteemed scholars of Chang’an. The Crown Prince was also seated among them.

If he hadn’t been away handling the Lu Mu Bai affairs in the capital, the Lu clan would not have fallen so easily.

“Lord Liu, sorry to keep you waiting... Today my mission was unsuccessful! We were delayed for quite a while and lost dozens of men along the way...” Pei Caibao bowed hastily upon sitting down and spoke with urgency.

An hour later, it would be March 26th; by June 1st, only two months would remain. So, what must I do to prevent humanity from inching toward the brink of extinction?

After greeting them, Kim Taeyeon rattled off a long string of words in Korean before playfully patting Zheng Xiuyan.

Yu Linxi was pushed forward like a fragile paper doll. The dew on the playground dampened her sleeves, but she knelt unconcernedly, her pale, bloodless face streaked with tears, gazing up at Gu Li.

There was simply too much to dig through; after all, he wasn’t cut out for this.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean? Why would I need to know about the General’s residence?” Yuanyang tilted her head curiously toward Xia Yuan.

Suddenly, the talisman by the bedside fluttered into the air. Lin Guo finished bandaging the wound briefly and glanced at the talisman—it was a voice transmission charm, likely sent by mistake. Still, the charm kept ringing incessantly. Some mischievous apprentice must be playing tricks late at night. I’ll have to teach him a lesson.

And among them, the only one who didn’t go bother the corn but instead helped Ye Lan carry things into the bedroom was Xu Zhuxian.

This radiant light was information about alchemy that Xiao Yan had traded for with Zhao Qingshan using a drop of fiery spirit blood. During this time, Xiao Yan had occasionally studied it and gradually gained a rough understanding of the alchemical system in the greater world.

On Thursday morning, Zhang Jiaze arranged to meet Wang Zhonggang, who was free, again at a nearby café.

Ji Yining’s mood, originally heavy as pine, became uncertain upon seeing the sparkling tears still clinging to her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tongtian grinned broadly, a spark of delight flashing in his eyes. This meant Xiao Yan would provide enough Dragon Whisker Qingling Ginseng and numerous other precious pills painstakingly gathered, ensuring Yuan Liang’s smooth path to the imperial way.

After Huang Qiujü rinsed her mouth noisily, Song Yazhu took out wet wipes and gently cleaned the water and dirt from Huang Qiujü’s face.

Jiang Li tapped the wooden bucket with his fingers and found it was made of iron birch wood, fire-resistant, so he let them place it without worry.

Though the companion was somewhat odd and unfamiliar, and from the looks of Han Tan, not someone inclined to confide deeply.

In the end, the sturdy cage was finally formed; those imprisoned inside could only fight desperately with all their might.

Next, everyone fell into a long wait. Captain Song and Li Dong remained unconscious, and at this moment, neither had the mind to consider the condition of the tomb.

She still buried her face in Zhong Lingyu’s embrace as before. Feeling guilty for neglecting her the previous night and letting her return home with Yujin unattended, Zhong Lingyu wrapped his arms around her and spun her around a few times, making her laugh with delight.

With the college entrance exam approaching, Pei Wufu feared that Pei Donglai’s nutrition was insufficient. So these days, he refrained from driving his taxi afternoons, instead preparing meals for Pei Donglai and waiting for him to return to eat before escorting him to school.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to find doctors for you!” With that, Tiemu Yun pushed aside Tie Hao’s hand and strode out of the room.

The Medicine Sect could be considered an affiliated force of the Xiao family, with two-thirds of its members being alchemists. They silently supported the Xiao family from behind the scenes. The Xiao family valued this sect greatly, annually selecting outstanding disciples to join the core of the Xiao family.

How could Wang Zongbo not know this? Yet nowadays, heroes of the realm see the court as a declining sun, aspiring only to assist a wise ruler, conquer the world, and achieve glory. Wang Zongbo, proud of his loyalty and courage, spoke plainly in the Hu'an dialect, making matters difficult to handle.

Thus, June Fenfei and others returned to that nauseating room and handed over the heart to the one who sealed it.

“Then let it be war! I, Xiao, will accompany you to the end!” Xiao Yue swept his sleeves dramatically, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed into the distance with bright, profound eyes, his heart aflame with the spirit of battle.