Volume One, Chapter 23: Farewell, My First Love

The prince consort shrugged helplessly. “At first, I didn’t believe it either. But…” That child had spoken. Never mind human blood—there was a chance that blood from people and chickens, pigs, or dogs could all be mixed together. Does that mean humans and these beasts are all relatives?

“Your sword is too slow to harm me,” Li Daoling said coldly. He understood it wasn’t that Han Ye was too weak, but that he himself had grown stronger! Perhaps Han Ye’s strength now was on par with his own back in the tombs of the Northern Wastes, but to his current self… it was nothing remarkable.

As host, Shaoyang arriving early was a matter of courtesy, but for the other party to be so inexplicably late?

“Cultivators do not value fame or fortune. When they live among mortals, they are extremely low-profile, often concealing their true appearances and remaining unknown. Common cultivators need certain herbs and food to supplement their daily practice, so it is not unusual for them to walk among ordinary people,” Gu Qingmei explained.

Though the work here was somewhat arduous and troublesome, the pay was quite generous—even Tang Ning’an and Yu Na’s salaries paled in comparison.

“Shu Yiqian,” the person closest to Li Wuge called out with difficulty, eyes reddening, tears streaming down their face.

Zhou Bayun was forming seals with both hands. The ring he summoned had grown enormous, floating above their heads. Whenever vines shot their way, Zhou Bayun would point, and the ring would swoop down with a howl, taking not just one vine but often the ones behind it as well.

She understood that, for now, she could not take part in the coming battle. All she could do was gaze at their departing figures.

Alas, not even a fortune could buy a glimpse of the lady’s true face, let alone win a smile from her.

Shaoyang could only laugh and explain repeatedly that he had stayed longer simply to search for certain materials.

Wu Kuang furrowed his brow. From the moment he entered the left corridor, an uneasy sense of danger had crept into his heart.

“Heh, it seems you’re all quite energetic!” Yue Lingshan laid down her backpack, unhurried and composed.

They had been waiting in Sea Breeze City ever since returning from the sea, aware the moment Wu Kuang set foot ashore that he would come here.

Lin Xi was no stranger to wit, but having once served as a censor, he knew when to speak plainly; after all, candor and courage were the essential virtues of a censor.

“No, I have to go and have a look! Xixi can be so stubborn—who knows what might happen if she gets riled up!” With that, Cancan gathered her skirt and hurried outside.

This was purely a difference between the natures of demons and humans; in truth, the aura of those ancient patriarchs was just as dark, scarcely different from that of a demon.

“Not now, but if you keep liking that old man, you’ll probably be able to attend his funeral soon enough.” Qiao Muchen never softened his words.

After some thought, Lan Zeng realized there was no way to keep it from Lan Jingjing any longer, so he confessed everything.

She has a terrible temper and dislikes me every day, always scolding me—even after my rebirth she’s constantly picking fights. If I hadn’t matured, I’d probably have cried countless times by now.

Shang Bing led the two men back with torches to where Lin Ke had just been, but found nothing. He glanced deeper into the woods but dared not venture further, hurrying his group back to the cave entrance.

Zhou Lingjie, of course, knew nothing of this, but as Heng Yanlin spoke, she instinctively looked up at him.

As Yan Yun finished speaking, the faint golden light in his hand slowly receded, revealing a dagger identical to the one laid before him.

He picked up the phone—the era already offered mobile phones lighter than the old bricks. For ease of contact, everyone had been given one the last time they went shopping. Lin Ke dialed, pressing for an explanation as to why they were so late coming home.

I looked at the patch on my padded jacket’s sleeve and smiled. “So, Dad, will you buy it for me? I don’t have a penny. My mother only cares about my younger brother—I haven’t had new clothes in years.” He was a man obsessed with appearances and would never tolerate me dressed like this.

He smiled at me with innocent eyes. I smiled back, but couldn’t stop the tears from falling. He was truly blameless, utterly unaware of what our family had become because of him.

The coach, the players—their faces were all twisted with rage. They pointed at Chang Yi, cursing him with words I couldn’t hear, but could sense were full of venom.

Even the mutant beasts had no choice; that German Shepherd had clearly gone mad—if it didn’t fight with all its might, it would be the one to die.

He knew that, with the destruction of the Yellow Turban Army’s supply convoy, their retreat was inevitable. The Liyang defense he had orchestrated would bring him both fame and fortune: Politically, he would be one of the few local officials to stand their ground and achieve victory. Militarily, he now commanded an army tested by fire.

“It’s all right. Next time, let me show you how to fry it a bit softer. It’ll taste even better.” Xiang Lichen didn’t say it was delicious—he didn’t want to lie, given the egg’s sorry appearance.

Before Ling Bei could finish, a trembling, uncertain voice came from behind the four of them.

Li Ping had just been helping Cao Meifeng, but now she threw her aside, rushing to confront Qin Gang.

After buying dinner for the three of them and finishing their meal