Volume 1, Chapter 25: One Trap After Another

Liu Yi’s face was full of schadenfreude, his voice dripping with a roguish tone. Seeing the arch of Liu Yunyun’s eyebrows, he hurriedly put on a fawning smile and tried to coax her.

Lin Yi was somewhat puzzled. Which Consort Liang? Ever since she had entered the Yikun Palace, she had kept herself isolated from the outside world. She disdained, and was far too lazy, to inquire about the goings-on in Xi Muye’s harem. Yet, besides that none-too-bright Zhang Youlan, who else could be trying to pick a fight with her at such a critical juncture?

Chu Hemeng had originally been trailing at the very back, but now, unable to wait a moment longer, she shoved Bei Xi aside and rushed inside in a flurry.

This meant she could not return to work immediately. She figured that remaining at Jingxue Villa would only add to Mu Aoyun and the others' troubles, so she said she would return to the Health Center to recuperate.

Seeing that her grandson’s spirits had improved, Su Yuhua noticed the child shrinking into his father’s embrace. She knew that in her current state, she looked like a skeleton covered in flesh, and it was only natural for the child to be afraid.

"Actually, it’s not as exaggerated as you say. If you just put in a little more effort, there are plenty of girls out there—as long as you can speak up," I said with a cheerful laugh, trying to persuade Leizi not to be so despondent.

Lin Yi watched with a smile as Princess Linyang’s expression changed, secretly admiring her for being able to endure it without lashing out.

Chu Jueming was left speechless, and Xing Haodong fell into deep thought. What Chu Hemeng suggested made sense, and when combined with An Ya’s previous claims, there didn't seem to be any issues. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was fundamentally wrong.

She did not notice that as Guan Shouheng passed by her, a sharp glint flashed through his deep, dark eyes.

Then, a door slowly emerged from the wall. The gray metal gate seemed to have been silent for thousands of years, and the creaking sound of rusted iron echoed repeatedly through the cavernous hall, piercing everyone’s eardrums.

Ming Mei nodded and said, "That would be for the best." Since she and Uncle Liu were heading toward the Jade Gate Pass, she worried about encountering trouble on the road. Fang Qingfu had a caravan with bodyguards; traveling with them would naturally be safer.

The courtyard was busy from the early hours. Zhu Jintang had already headed out to attend to business, mentioning that he had to meet with several shopkeepers and would likely return quite late that night.

He sat cross-legged by the fire, gazing into the pitch-black void ahead, and let out a quiet sigh. A delicate, rosy face slowly materialized in his mind’s eye.

With the Imperial Seal in hand, the aura of the Ghost Emperor underwent a transformation, and a fierce, domineering presence began to coalesce.

"Bugs! There are bugs! There are so many bugs in the quilt!" Yun Jingchu pointed at the bedding on the floor, her face filled with terror.

The Qi family would never commit acts of slaughter, plunder, or rape. Even if Prime Minister Qin had arranged for the accusers, it was not impossible to find traces. Yu Feng was not afraid of failing to find the evidence needed to expose the malicious slanders of the villains. He surmised that the Emperor would not resort to such a riddled plan.

"Yes, my lady!" Qilianshan and Gegen complied readily. Neither of them had ever offended Da Ya, so they had no particular reservations. Since she had said so, they would follow her instructions.

"I understand, Master Mo. If you want to drink, just come find me. No matter what you want to drink, I'll have Yumi fetch it," I said.

In the past, he and Qu Qianxi had been quite close. Though their relationship wasn't of that nature, they had always shown that kind of thoughtful concern for each other. Perhaps it was just a habit of speech, and only after he had spoken did he realize it might have been inappropriate.

Huh?! The crowd was stunned once more, each left to their own conjectures. "That’s right, in all things, virtue must come first. This is especially true for entrepreneurs. Without social conscience and a strong sense of personal moral integrity, one cannot go far," Teacher Wang Lifang agreed.

"Luo Feng, you heard that too. What do you say?" Shen Nianbing looked at Luo Feng, intending to see how he would respond.

My situation was different from Qianxue’s: until now, I had never practiced anything related to incantations or talismans, nor could I summon fire or ice as Yao Sheng and the others could.

While discussing countermeasures again, Baili Wuxin noticed the strange behavior of his generals and felt a slight sense of awkwardness. As a leader, once you are doubted by your subordinates, who will ever listen to your orders again?

"This..." Lu Ziming appeared somewhat conflicted, unsure if he should reveal the truth to Long Ling.

If Luo Feng were to make a phone call to Lin Xinran now, wouldn't that just be humiliating her? And it would bring shame upon the criminal police team as well.

Throughout her entire sequence of movements, Qianxue did nothing, simply watching her continue to perform. Only after she began to attack Qianxue again did Qianxue begin to counterattack.

"I saw Lin Xinran order six cases of beer just now, so she should be able to drink six cases," Luo Feng said with an indifferent shrug.

That fellow Lu Ziming had such a weak will; if he couldn't hold his ground and ended up losing his integrity, the obstacles would only grow greater.

At the same time, a foul odor began to spread: it smelled like something rotting, mixed with the stench of human sweat.

"Ring-ring-ring!" I felt a wave of dizziness, and an extremely nauseating sensation surged into my heart. It wasn't just the discomfort itself, but the ear-piercing screech emitting from the zombie's mouth.

Xiao Bing was not angry; instead, he gradually calmed down. After so many years in the Silent Realm, he was no longer so impulsive.

The two demon children, exhausted from days of travel, slipped into their bedroom and fell asleep early. Being demonic beasts, they did not need to practice meditation or discipline like humans; even in sleep, the vital energy of heaven and earth would seep into their scales, strengthening their physiques. As long as they grew to adulthood, their bodies would naturally be formidable.

They thought they could escape this calamity, unaware of how insidious the Evil Curse Grimoire truly was. After a faint aura appeared, it split directly into two.

Zhu Rou-rong gave me no opportunity to resist; he raised his axe high and swung it down toward my head.

Song Zhang asked strangely, "Who are you?" A person who had consumed a vial of special potion designed to cause unconsciousness should not be awake.