Chapter 22: A Beauty Discovered During the House Raid

Xie Yun was just as surprised to see Pei Shijin in the Zong residence.

However, her current state was so dire that she had no energy to ponder what was happening outside, or how Pei Shijin could possibly have appeared here.

The man who had been pinning her down moments ago had been dragged away; she loosened her fingers, which had been dug deep into her palms, and her eyes turned hollow and vacant.

This entire scene of humiliation fell squarely into Pei Shijin’s gaze.

...

Jun Wuxie watched the father and son of the Jun family bickering and undermining each other, a faint arc of a smile lifting the corners of her lips. No matter the storms raging outside, she could always find the warmth of kinship within the walls of her home.

With all eight maps now in their possession, it meant the Mausoleum of the Evil Emperor would no longer be a secret to Jun Wuxie and her companions. She knew that once the mausoleum was opened, their destinies would be irrevocably altered.

It is said that in ancient times, the Central Continent was home to a divine bird called the Phoenix, which spent its entire life in the heavens. When thirsty, it drank the wind and dew; when weary, it rested among the clouds. They possessed wings like flowing mist, as distant and ethereal as the dust of the stars.

Thus, the elders, including Su Jingyan, dared not act, nor could they. They might not fear death, but they could not plunge the entire Nine Palaces into peril.

If Jiang Shaole were truly the head chef, why was his knife skill so poor? And if there were another head chef, why not have them step forward? Although there was no wager on this culinary contest, losing in front of so many people would do great damage to the shop’s reputation.

But to do so would mean that everything beyond the Central Royal City would fall under the iron hooves of the demon-kind.

Upon returning to the county office, they happened to run into Mu Chanjuan and Aunt Lei, who were carrying quite a few items. Mu Lingluo explained that Mu Liang would be living in the county from now on, and Mu Chanjuan agreed that it made sense.

If not for the fact that they were currently trapped within, they would have been delighted to see such formidable obstacles bury every unscrupulous soul coveting the Duke’s "tomb."

Yun Xiang was likely the calmest person on the field. She first smiled at the several figures rushing toward her, then, as if taking a casual stroll, stepped lightly to the right and turned her body slightly. The feathered arrow grazed her cheek and buried itself deep into a tree not far behind her.

His original intention had been for Lady Yan to portray herself as a victim, yet she had acted as if she were terrified that Su Zimo would not punish her.

The two were blasted away instantly, struck by heavenly lightning; as their bodies went briefly rigid and they struggled to regain control, they were slammed into the earth, creating two deep craters.

"Whether I am arrogant or not, you will find out once you try," Su Yan said with a soft laugh. Despite his words, he did not lower his guard. Given the difference in their cultivation realms, he held his body taut, heels anchored firmly into the ground, waiting for Nan Batian’s assault.

Yet, the two put forth their full strength in the end. The blood-red crescent moon descended with terrifying speed, the sheer force of it tearing through the air with a shrill whistle that made the eardrums of those on the city walls ache.

Upon impact, Wang Li exerted force with both hands and yanked Lan Yan toward him. With an airborne pivot, he brushed past Lan Yan and locked him in a tight hold from behind.

Zhang Hong is dead. I am attending his funeral, and I have asked Shi Ya to arrive early so that we, as a couple, may together escort Zhang Hong’s coffin on its final journey. Burdened by military duties, I can only command the officials in Yangzhou to attend the funeral on my behalf.

Xiu Zhe waited quietly as well, waiting for Zhao Yan to concede. Today’s battle had already satisfied him.

Watching the departing Taoists, the people at the altar wore varied expressions. The God-Recluse and the half-dead Carlo were filled with resentment, muttering curses under their breath.

"Shen Feng! Why are you like this?" Qian Ye Lian looked at Shen Feng, her angry eyes flickering with a trace of sorrow.