Chapter 32: Bandits? Master Zhang Duo's Revenge

Lin Gaoyuan spoke to Qin Feng with formal courtesy before seeing him out of the police station. As for the subsequent investigation into this suspicious murder case, it was left to the public security personnel to handle. Although Qin Feng harbored doubts, he decided to wait until he had consulted with Old Man Zhang Duo to clarify the truth. Upon returning to Panlong Village, Zhao Xicheng had already led the others in bringing back all the game. As they piled the catch in the village committee courtyard, everyone...

Beyond these preparations, what Lian Zhu focused on most—the endeavor into which she poured her greatest effort—was her business. When she was managing her affairs, she appeared somewhat different from her usual self.

Dan Zhi’s concerns were not lost on Gu Wanyin. But under the current circumstances, what else could be done? She only hoped the old madam would eat something, if only to set Zhou Ruijing’s mind at ease. Watching Zhou Ruijing grow visibly thinner over the past few days, she felt an indescribable ache in her heart.

Gu Wanyin immediately realized: the old madam intended for Lady Li and Lady Qi to check each other. In the absence of a primary wife to preside over the household, allowing them to contend and restrain one another was naturally the best strategy. This way, no single faction would grow too powerful and threaten the overall balance.

Gu Wanyin’s face flushed hot, and she gave Zhou Ruijing a bashful, sidelong glance: "Stop talking nonsense; you have no sense of decorum." Seeing his typically cold and detached demeanor, who would have expected him to say such things? If anyone else were to witness this, they would likely be too stunned to speak.

Ding! You have gained the favor of Yellow Turban commander Zhou Cang. Your relationship with Zhou Cang has increased to "Friendly."

Hearing this, Ruan Yu and Liu Feng opened their eyes simultaneously and looked toward Liu Wude. Their gazes met in mid-air; both stiffened, and they immediately looked away.

"Your Highness, wh-what is 'ten seconds'?" Ah Jiu was startled by Qing Yuan’s cold, biting tone, yet he had no choice but to ask for clarification.

He offered another bitter smile. In the past, he bore the mission of clearing his family's name, pinning all his hopes on vindication, convinced that only then could he be freed from his heavy burden. But today, he suddenly realized that even after vindication, even greater burdens would weigh upon his shoulders. When, he wondered, would he ever find true peace?

He had suffered much at the hands of Wen Hongqi and deeply wished for this savior to capture him and vent his frustration.

As the blood-mist continued to surge, scarlet patterns began to congeal behind the wolf’s head. More and more lines intertwined, eventually forming a massive blood-wolf, its head held high in a mournful howl.

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, his languid gaze filled with contentment. Many people gathered around the moment they heard the sound.

***

For some reason, John recalled the peaceful and comfortable life in the Forest of Grandis, where there was no plundering and no war.

"Flee? Where to? We came here to earn points, not to run for our lives," a warrior asked, feeling somewhat unreconciled.

In the center of the great plate, where many dragon-mouths converged, a black vortex appeared, radiating mystical fluctuations.

When Lin Chong looked again, the arrow was already upon him due to the short distance. He hurriedly rolled onto the ground to dodge. The arrow missed him but struck his warhorse, which stumbled back dozens of paces before crashing to the ground, dead.

The soldiers, whether they had picked up shields or not, scrambled forward in a frenzy.

Hearing the old steward’s meticulous arrangements, Tao Zhuohua smiled radiantly and praised: "With you here to look after things, I am always at ease. That day was truly unavoidable; I am sorry that Zhen Sanniang suffered for my sake."

Most importantly, Chu Chen never regarded her as a beloved, but rather as something akin to a younger sister, so he felt no pain or dissatisfaction in his heart.

Zhu Wu shook his head and was about to answer when a military cadet pushed Xue Can forward. Seeing this, Zhu Wu personally untied his bonds and spoke kindly to him. Xue Can, grateful for having his life spared, agreed to surrender and offered to recruit the rebel soldiers for Zhu Wu.

She had always believed she possessed a happy family, with parents who loved her and an older brother who cherished her. But when had this home actually begun to change?

Sun Xiang was completely finished, and Changsha Prefecture had become helpless prey. Huang Dongxuan, Ge Lingcha, and the Central Plains army did not immediately swallow Changsha due to limited troop numbers, and there were still some pockets of resistance in the city. Tao Bei did not kill Sun Xiang, hoping to keep him alive to win over some local Changsha factions.

"How does my father feel?" Yu Ran and Pang Ti were busy taking the empty bowl from Li Zhi, while Qing Qi had already begun to ask.

However, this position was by no means one of the Nine Ministers, nor did it hold the overwhelming power of a Prince or the Grand Minister of Justice; it merely oversaw the financial affairs of the Imperial Household Department.

"That shouldn't be the case. If the White Tiger had truly been corrupted, with its temperament, it would have already unleashed a bloody massacre across the continent," the Vermilion Bird said, shaking its head, though its eyes were filled with worry.

Just as the rage in Chu Ming’s heart became uncontrollable, Tong Xuan suddenly pulled him back as he was about to strike.

Su Yang, who arrived shortly after, froze—it seemed these guys from the Grim Seekers were truly beginning to act.

The enemy they encountered this time was too powerful, so powerful that Chu Ming had no way to cope.

***

Even in such a remote place, a power this formidable existed. At this moment, Chu Ming realized he had indeed been somewhat careless during this period.

"Aside from this matter, there is actually news regarding the Great General," Gu Fang said.

Liu Jingfeng intended to pursue, but after glancing at Xie Wuji, he hesitated for a moment and remained where he was.

Rong Qian watched the snowflakes falling onto his shoulders and the droplets from his hair, melted by the warmth, sliding down his temples.

"Ding Tiancheng, please state your duties," Huo Yixin said, looking at the three of them and giving a loud instruction.

After registering his identity information, Lu Chuan felt a temporary sense of relief. Although he wanted to earn more cultivation resources, he wasn't about to act without understanding the situation.

Rong Qian’s voice was light and weightless, yet to Mo Zun, it caused his heart to ache sharply for no reason.

If the opponent controlled the power of the entire nation to suppress them, the final outcome would be hard to predict.

"If it were in the past, I definitely would have jumped up and down a few times!" Wang Zhiyang stared at the ceiling for a long while by the dim light of the corridor lamp before finally closing his eyes.

Everything proceeded very smoothly without a single accident, which Li Si found hard to believe. He had only tried reciting a mundane spell for retrieving treasures, never expecting it to actually work.

Lin'an stood frozen in place. Seeing Gong Lingrui dragging the eighteenth girl away, he glanced at Yu Meier a few more times before following them.

Bai Hui felt ashamed of such convenient arrangements, as he had a mild obsessive-compulsive tendency and disliked eating in bed. However, he had already eaten in bed several times, and even brushed his teeth there, causing him to doubt his life and eventually become numb to it.