Chapter 39: Tilting the Derriere

Song Tingran held An’an close, soothing him over and over with aching tenderness.

The images he had shown An’an were all scenes of children being abducted, sold into the mountains, or having their hands and feet broken before being sent onto the streets to beg. If they failed to bring in enough money, they would be beaten.

An’an was an exceptionally empathetic child to begin with, and after seeing those images, he was overcome with distress. He broke down completely in Song Tingran’s arms.

Afraid that An’an might faint if he continued crying, Song Tingran tried to find a way to divert his attention.

“That is the secret passage for escape. It is set beneath the imperial bed.” Duan Muheng withdrew his hand. He had not expected Duan Jinrong to know about it. He sighed inwardly. Nalan Mingxiu had truly disappointed him.

“Then that younger sister of yours—is she your biological sister?” Liu Yuan pressed, his tone somewhat anxious.

“Prefect Li, cough, cough, cough...” Yu Longhan had just opened his mouth when a flurry of snow blew into it. Covering his mouth, he did not dare to cough aloud. He said through his hand, “This is directly north of the Khitan camp, less than two miles away.”

The moment the empress finished speaking, the emperor waved his hand at her as well, indicating that she should leave with the others. The empress’s expression grew even uglier, but she still put on a smile, bowed to the emperor, and followed the others outside.

The arrival of the Sikong family’s heir naturally drew everyone’s attention. They had long heard that the Sikong family would take part in this auction, but no one had expected them actually to appear.

Following his instructions, Lei Yu climbed the mountain step by step. By the time he reached the checkpoint at the inner gate, all the outer disciples responsible for menial tasks had already gone inside, leaving Lei Yu at the very back.

When Wang Xiu saw the opposing side move into position, he knew they were about to make their move. The others from the Battle Sect adjusted their positions of their own accord, but Wang Xiu still could not help reminding Su Dong.

“An injury to the flesh brings pain, but I never imagined that an injury to the heart could turn one’s hair white.” Yun Xiao let out a deep sigh.

The sudden appearance of this young man aroused varying degrees of curiosity in everyone. One by one, they began asking their companions about him, hoping to learn something about the origins of this unexpected newcomer.

Because King Zhao had arrived incognito, Yang Fan and the others could not formally salute him. Even so, they bowed awkwardly and respectfully retreated several steps.

Liang Kun of the Hongxing took the money and indulged himself, while Boss Ran forcefully seized control of every territory in Tsuen Wan, rapidly bringing the situation under control.

She did not know that in the future, it would not be only these two waiting for her. Three more misshapen monsters would be lying in wait as well.

Sometimes, he did not even have time to make a phone call. Li Guo had mentioned several times that he wanted to visit Liu Family Village, but they had never managed to find the time.

Still, this was already quite good. Surely he was not really going to end up like in the movies—three years, then another three years, and another three years after that—serving as an undercover agent for a full decade before dying at the hands of a thug?

Unlike the shabby garment Wen Shu had found somewhere, this one was attractive, though no one knew what obscure off-brand it was.

“Murder demands a life in return. I will not let a vicious killer like you remain at large!” she retorted righteously.

And the person Wen Changfeng had brought back was pregnant? He was getting on in years, yet he still had that kind of enthusiasm.

“Cooperation? It seems you still haven’t understood the situation. You are my prisoner now, and everything you do must be according to my orders. If you prove yourself valuable enough and sufficiently loyal, I may consider granting you a respectable future one day.” Ye Zhenyu looked at the Winged Dragon Emperor with disdain.

“Oh! You got here before me. Are you in such a hurry to get married?” Yan Tianlun’s voice came from outside the door. A handsome, dashing, and rakish young man entered immediately afterward.

The money Zhang Xiong now paid in wages to all the laborers under him alone amounted to the entire sum.

Qin Wu was slightly astonished. Cao Baihan looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six, yet he had achieved so much?

With a cold expression, Zhou Qian turned toward the voice. The speaker was standing across from the stall, a young man with the look of a street tough.