Chapter 22

The sequence of events unfolded with lightning speed, as swift as a spark. Before Zhachin’s subordinates could react, he had already been taken captive by Zhu Xiangru.

The desert, which had felt scorching moments ago, began to reveal its ruthless side. Muscles tightened against the biting wind, and cheeks gradually grew stiff. He wanted to check the map to ensure he hadn't lost his way, yet he feared his numb hands might not be able to hold the fragile leaf.

"Why worry? It won't get lost just sitting in the car. Even if it did, I’d build you another one. You don't think I’d go back on my word, do you?" Tang Junqi laughed.

"I don’t like thinking about these things. Shouldn't you be the one to come up with a good idea and let me choose?" Bai Zezhi said with a touch of capriciousness.

It was rare for the old man to manage even once a month with her, and every time, he was lacking in strength. He would force himself onto her, only to collapse in exhaustion and end things hastily before they were truly finished.

Nan Tian unleashed a phantom-type secret technique, his figure overlapping in a display of "layered peaks." Afterimages flickered, and suddenly, many shadows of Nan Tian appeared.

"An'an." Gong Rui'ni had just picked out some earrings; naturally, she had to make a quick exit, lest lingering any longer would mean her wallet was doomed.

He wasn't particularly worried about Ye Zhi pining for the Mu brothers anymore. After all, she had wanted to leave before; he simply felt that Ye Zhi wasn't the type to follow his instructions.

"It seems our situations are exactly the same..." I pondered, grabbing the phones of the Dead Apostle and Li Zhisheng to check their call logs. While they sat on the sofa, not entirely understanding my intent, they didn't try to snatch them back, allowing me to examine the devices at will.

Zhao Xuran ended up dragging Gong Rui'ni along, keeping her busy and thoroughly excited.

The Demon Lord appeared visibly wounded by the words "defeated by my master," his demonic energy overflowing in his fury. A violent gale swept through the space, sending sand and stones flying; the Golden Core stage cultivators were completely unable to withstand the pressure, and many vomited blood before the battle had even begun.

When Molin went to the castle gate after breakfast, he encountered a resentful-looking Poke, who was in the midst of a final haggling session with Professor Kane.

"Does this Sun Xuewei like Baili Xin? So, is she in there to help her brother, or to help Baili Xin?" Xi Ze asked, sounding somewhat uncertain.

When the muscular man heard Lan Mi’s apparent intention to retreat, he could no longer afford to take his time.

An Ran still failed to understand Doyi’s abstract body language; let alone her, even Molin sometimes couldn't fathom what Doyi was saying.

"What are you doing coming in here! This has nothing to do with you!" Sweet also saw Molin, but with a "poof," Molin vanished before his eyes, reappearing a moment later in Adams' room on the second floor.

"Do as I say! Then I'll let him go!" Brother Rat put away his previous lecherous smirk, replacing it with a solemn expression as he stared at Xiaoxiao.

Don't mind it, don't be embarrassed, there's no need to be shy. Big sister, you did very well; you stood up to tyranny. Ignorance is fearless, and the ignorant are not to be blamed.

Just as he was filled with nowhere to vent his deep-seated resentment and rage, he stood there with grim eyes, his body radiating murderous intent, gathering and leading his band of rebels and mutinous troops toward the Chenghua Gate in the west to intercept the sieging army.

Within a few flashes, grass clippings flew and branches danced as seven Tiger-kin cultivators surrounded Cui Feng and the five Wing-kin. They bared their fangs and claws, a murderous aura surging from their bodies like a flood.

"Shi Yi, could you show a little self-respect? Look, you're already drooling like a river." Lu Tong looked at the wide-eyed, mesmerized Shi Yi with a mix of scolding and anger.

Stretching his limbs, Cui Feng scanned the empty bedroom, no longer feeling the sense of loss he had experienced shortly before. His feelings for Fang Jiuling seemed less intense than they had been.

Huang Wudie accepted the letter with great reverence, bowed to me, then to the others, and departed immediately.

"Good child, your Aunt Wu won't oppose you, will she?" Bai Jianyu asked, voicing his greatest concern. "I don't know." Dong Zhanyun felt empty inside and shook her head.

"Hahahaha! Die!" The wind snake spun incessantly, its voice steady without a tremor. Seeing the black needle, laced with deadly poison, about to pierce Wang Xuanlong’s throat, he finally moved.

"Now, will the newly enlisted combat officers please come to the front to receive their enlistment commemorative medals," the recruitment officer in front of the podium suddenly announced loudly.

The ministers and vice-ministers of the various departments of the Nanjing Provisional Government were not formally dismissed by any order; they were considered to have vacated their posts automatically upon the dissolution of the Nanjing Provisional Government.

As soon as the ink-black giant sword appeared, Wang Yue waved his hand, and it cleaved through the curtain of rain, striking the incoming sword of killing intent.

Peng Mo was filled with emotion, but what on earth had come over Yang Hua? Hadn't Jin Rui given her instructions before attending the palace banquet?

"This is coffee. If you find it bitter, you can add sugar, or maybe a little milk to mellow it out," Liu Jun said, holding a cup of coffee with sugar and milk, smiling at Zhang Guowei, who was coughing until his face turned red.

For a moment, cries of endless regret erupted from the crowd below.

However, Zheng Zhilong did not adopt this tactic. After all, Ava City was too far from the actual lines controlled by the Han army. If a land route could not be secured, it would be too risky. Should any accident occur, if Ava City could not be taken and the supply lines were cut, the situation would become dire.

Being an emperor lies in grasping this balance. Being an official lies in understanding this balance—as long as one does not overstep, that is enough.

"Great Khan, please order your men, along with those of your four brothers, the two Living Buddhas, and the Desi, to lay down their weapons and surrender immediately," Ileduqi said, stepping forward with his sword drawn.

The instructor had initially been skeptical, but upon seeing the calm and composed expression on Huo Sining’s face, she stopped asking questions.

Su Lan agreed wholeheartedly. Assuming the majesty of a head head-maid, she calmly directed the other maids to tidy Mingzhu's dress and jewelry. Seeing that the rouge on Mingzhu's lips had faded from sneaking snacks, she carefully applied more with precision.

Trailing behind, the noisy trio of Pipi, Baibai, and Ayu looked up at the sound and were instantly stunned into silence.

Footsteps sounded from behind as his cousin, Zu Zerun, came to his side. The sea breeze howled, but both were filled with excitement.

However, the ever-reliable Green Wood Heavenly Sword showed no response, as if the spiritual imprint previously established had been erased entirely.