Volume 1, Chapter 51: Confession

"Good, good, good!" Three affirmative words spilled continuously from Li Xianggong's lips in a surge of excitement, while also conveying his boundless expectations for his son.

While she scurried back and forth between the various rooms, Shi Chuan proved to be exceptionally loyal to his duty. Having managed to procure a red-tasseled spear from somewhere, he stood the long weapon on the ground and remained stationed in the courtyard as a steadfast guard.

"Brother Li, I am truly sorry!" Sun Laosan said with a hint of remorse to the man who had just stepped inside. The man's gaze grew frosty. After casting a cold glance at the cowering Wang Er, he understood that everything was already beyond redemption. Needless to say, Sun Laosan had been betrayed by that spineless Wang Er, and in turn, he himself had likely been betrayed by Sun Laosan.

Xia Yulin swore to herself that she genuinely wanted to shake him off and walk away under her own power, but having been imprisoned and starved for a full three days, she truly lacked the strength to break free. Moreover, the endless stream of scolding she had directed at him along the way had drained the tiny bit of stamina she had managed to recover, leaving her without even the strength to offer an explanation.

"As long as the Crown Prince has that many people, I can provide the materials and initial capital. Opening restaurants like this all across the country shouldn't be too difficult a task. I only ask for a special VIP card that would allow me and my people to eat and drink for free at any such restaurant nationwide," Wang Caijun said with a smile.

However, that really was just friendship. A bright, sunny smile belonging to Qiao Jingxuan flashed across Mingmei's mind, causing a sudden flutter of panic in her heart. *Qiao Jingxuan, why did I suddenly think of you like this?*

As for Xia Fanlü, she had gone ahead and replaced every single door lock and chest lock once again, a testament to her rigorous precautions.

Once the group entered Mount Bi, guided by a general map meticulously charted out beforehand by the Prince of War, and using compasses, lodestones, and the stars to determine their bearings, they pushed deeper into the remote mountains.

Qian Shuyu's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Involuntary, he turned back to gaze fixedly at Cen Lu, a strange expression surfacing on his face.

"Rest assured, Miss, I will certainly not let you down. I will make sure both the inner and outer kitchens are managed with absolute efficiency," Xirong said hastily.

Hearing a centenarian medical immortal use slang so remarkably contemporary, Zhao Zilong was so astonished his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. He stared wide-eyed at the Immortal, trying to determine whether he had been possessed by some mischievous spirit.

"It happened about two hours ago, and right within a few steps of me. It couldn't have been done by anyone other than someone familiar," Shen Nianyi said as he strode forward.

As the disciple of the Ning family spoke, his previously genial smile twisted into a vicious sneer in the very next instant.

"That's just how it is. Well... if you're unwilling, that's fine too. You can simply walk out of this room, and I won't stop you."

Feng Yongcun was called over by an old friend, and the two immediately fell into an animated conversation. Upon learning this earth-shattering piece of news, Zhao Zilong inexplicably felt a trace of pride well up in his heart.

Holding the map in his hand and sweeping his spiritual sense over it, Xia Zhen observed that the spiritual imprint upon it had not weakened in the slightest. Nodding to himself, he set off directly toward the Chilian Demonic Sect.

This time, he could no longer maintain his usual demonic composure. If Ye Suman really were to force him to take on the role of a cleaner when the time came, what on earth was he supposed to do?

Sun Piaoyu was the very first to respond. She cared little for what rewards she might reap; she simply wished to offer her meager strength to relieve her adoptive father's worries. Even if it meant holding back Tie Xiong for just one more minute, it would still aid her father and the others in their rescue mission.

Early the next morning, with a throbbing head, Chen Fei donned his official robes as a county count, borrowed a two-horse carriage from Cheng Chumo's estate, and displayed his count's regalia as he returned to Yongle Village.

Sun Shining recalled the words of Eunuch Yang. At the time, they had sounded like a directive to distance herself from the Sixth Prince in the future. Yet, upon closer reflection, if that truly had been Eunuch Yang's intent, why would he have bothered to personally escort her? The subtext was clear: Lord Shen was perpetually occupied with official duties. If she truly intended to select a fine husband, how many chances did she have left? She might as well seize the opportunity while she could.

They were bewitching and exquisitely beautiful, radiating an intoxicating allure. Each adorned with armlets and ankle bells, they danced with swirling grace, their jade pendants chiming melodiously with every movement.

No matter how hard they racked their brains, Luo Ning and Lu Pianpian could never have imagined that a mortal realm could still produce a mighty figure capable of tearing through the void.

On a beautiful night many years ago—a night A-hui would remember for the rest of his life, a night of sheer terror that changed his destiny—every single sight and event remained as vivid in his mind as if it were happening all over again, playing out like a recurring tragedy.

"Hehehe." Before the gale had even settled, the Undead Demonic Envoy let out a sinister laugh. Spreading his razor-sharp claws wide, he leaped into the air and lunged fiercely toward Tian Xing. Taken aback, Tian Xing was seized by panic and tried to dodge, but because his body was tightly bound by the hurricane with nothing to leverage against, he could only watch helplessly as the lethal claws descended upon him.

*Clank, clank, clank.* Amidst these thoughts, bathed in the pale moonlight, he suddenly noticed countless dark figures shifting ceaselessly within the room, producing a continuous metallic clatter.

Wensheng used the moonlight to discern the man's expression, and to her surprise, she caught sight of his reddened eyes and a blatant, palpable grievance.

However, Zhu Yang possessed no magical power, meaning he could neither refine nor utilize it. Therefore, precious though this needle technique was, he could only keep it to bestow upon his subordinates in the future. It was far less practical than the two boxes of *mang'er* charms, which could be put to use immediately.

The spell binding Feng Ningsheng's legs had been lifted, but she had no time to spare words for Fu Tianji; she lunged straight toward Ah Yao.

"Would you be willing to apprentice under me at Mount Nangling and become my sixth disciples?" Chu Aotian asked.

*[Baby, you've lost your mind. You can't always blame yourself when something goes wrong.]* The system firmly disapproved of Wensheng's train of thought.

Seeing how supremely confident Zhao Linfeng was, Mo Jinzhong's eyes flashed with derision. Without ten-percent certainty, how could he possibly have allowed Zhao Linfeng to participate in the martial arts competition for marriage? What he valued most was the blood-sword hidden in Zhao Linfeng's index finger.

However, Zhang Chao and Gu Teng now appeared utterly exhausted; the range and speed of their movements had slowed down drastically compared to just moments before.

He had simply mistaken Jiang Zhe for a wealthy second-generation heir. After all, any random villa on Huanbin South Road could not be purchased for anything less than tens of millions.

Yet, despite his aloof disposition, he was not a cold-blooded person. If he encountered a matter that could be resolved with a mere wave of his hand, he would not mind ordering his accompanying guards to step in and assist.

Aided by his "Combat Mastery" skill, Yuan Mu instinctively executed a flawless "Wild Horse Trampling the Earth" flying kick. With mind and body united, he seemed to transform into a startled king of wild beasts. His two high-lifted feet, resembling the forehooves of a wild steed, carried the crushing momentum to shatter everything in their path as they unstoppably met the dreadlocked youth's palm strike head-on.