Chapter 35: Exposed

Lin Wanwan panicked for a moment, hurriedly and discreetly set her phone down, looking just like a child who had done something wrong.

During this time, Xue Jing investigated the homes of twenty-six council members in total, yet still found no clues related to the Heavenly Parasite Queen.

Just before dawn, the old chief hurried over to find him, saying that Tana hadn’t returned to the tent last night—someone had seen her heading up the mountain, and she still hadn’t come back.

The rumors about the Jian family investing their entire fortune to buy the barren land in Donglin Village spread wider and wider, becoming a running joke and topic of conversation among merchants and commoners in the provincial city.

Even Li Jing found it somewhat alarming, let alone the ministers of Nanyi. Everyone thought that, given Qin Fengyi’s usual indolence, once the regions of Guixin and Erdi were pacified, he would settle down and live peacefully. Unexpectedly, spurred on by the crown prince, Qin Fengyi seemed determined to keep forging ahead on his path of dazzling talent.

Qin Fengyi wrote again, explaining why the first step was to build roads—not only to connect with other provinces and facilitate the movement of merchants to Nanyi, but also to lay the groundwork for future commerce. Moreover, when he first arrived in Nanyi, he wanted to establish his authority by building roads, showing local merchants his sincere intention to construct a new city.

If someone else took over, who could say what would happen? Would this business still have a future?

Are people from Tianren Star really more in demand off-world? Xie Mao glanced one last time at the operating panel in the disposal room, then followed Professor Han out.

It was as if the burning flame of life itself had manifested, representing lifespan, health, and vitality.

Jian Sa, who had been wondering how to tell Yan Bao she could hear her thoughts, cleared her throat and made a small “squeak” as soon as she heard the words in Yan Bao’s mind.

“Mr. Tang, this is Xu Jiong. Please, you must help our Crouching Tiger Gang…” The moment the call connected, the voice of Xu Jiong, the gang leader, came through the phone.

Princess Chang, Chu Wuxu, had long since earned her infamous reputation throughout the imperial capital. Not only did she keep a host of male companions in her residence, but she was also rumored to have affairs with Prince Ren and many high-ranking officials at court.

After a fierce internal struggle, Zi Qianmo still suppressed the urge to seek out Mo Dayan.

But what of the present? The Emperor had been captivated by Bai Fanhua’s grand promises, and no longer relied on him, their trusted ally. This left Zhangsun Wuji deeply disappointed.

“I don’t know either.” After a moment of silence, Song Qiaofan finally spoke, his words full of innocence.

Later, when Liu Heita raised his forces and quickly reclaimed Hebei for the Great Xia, he felt a sense of foreboding. He feared that should he be defeated, he might share his brother Dou Jiande’s fate—his entire family slaughtered by Li Yuan of the Tang.

“Ha! Even the secret weapon is out. Looks like we really need to be on our toes!” Yichen was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.

Soon, half the queue had dispersed, and Kong Xuebin’s mouth was parched from talking. Just then, a burly man barreled in from the side and nearly crashed into Tang Feng.

Hu Yu watched Qingyun lose himself in emotion, responding not with words, but with actions—a silent answer more eloquent than any speech.

Chen Fan gave him a slight smile in greeting. Whatever else may be, the fact that he had come with Zhuge Zhengtian to help proved he was one of their own.

A palm struck the stone door, as casually as someone who knew no martial arts, seemingly insignificant.

Fang Hao slept deeply; the gains from this night were so great that even he found it hard to believe.

As the Sword Viewing Tournament drew near, the Wild Capital became more bustling than ever, with every inn fully booked and rooms impossible to find.

Since returning to the Zhongyin Hall that morning, Tuoba Shen hadn’t gone out again, busying himself with organizing his belongings and considering what else he’d need. At noon, he dutifully accompanied the two aunts for lunch.

Li Yuezhu froze for a moment, not understanding why the second prince would send someone ahead with news before even arriving himself.

Watching from a distance, this scene stirred quite a commotion among the students present—especially those who had placed large bets. They were so nervous, they almost wished Wang Hao would just stand still and let Ling Xiao strike him down.

Even though the existence of the Flame Demon damaged its own essence, it stubbornly followed the rules and refused to act.

“What! Are you insane? You used the reputation of the Apothecary Guild to commit fraud? If they find out, you’ll be expelled from the guild—and there won’t be a place for you in the entire Interstellar Federation!” Zhuo Chao exclaimed in shock, staring wide-eyed at Wang Hao in disbelief.

The Heavenly Law let out a terrified scream. For him, the reincarnation of the mighty Heavenly Law, to be turned into a beast—how could he accept such a fate?

The third attempt went awry. On the way there, he had a knife in hand, but it was confiscated, perhaps because it couldn’t pass the temporal gate’s security. On the way back, he carried several jade pendants, but none made it through. The pendants shouldn’t count as dangerous items, so there shouldn’t have been any issue with security.

Shangguan Xun never imagined that Hua Muer would actually forget him—and look at him with such unfamiliar eyes.

“Bang!” Fist waves collided and a muffled sound rang out in midair. A flash of red light burst forth, and the light waves shattered abruptly.

Lin Wanwan asked the doctor about Liu Zilin’s condition and learned that her legs had suffered extensive bone fractures. Even if she healed, her walking would be affected.

Hearing Lin Hengping’s words, Lin Shuangqing finally came to her senses. Her cheeks flushed even deeper, but she said nothing, only shook her head shyly.

Mu Xiao, wounded by hidden force, spat a jet of blood and was sent flying uncontrollably, tumbling into the seemingly bottomless Weeping Gorge.

Among Dong Zhuo’s many generals, all were extremely excited—except for Li Ru, who frowned and remained silent.

Lu Xia kept struggling and screaming. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her voice hoarse, her strength spent. By the end, even when Ming Tian and Yan Yuan no longer restrained her, she could no longer call out “Uncle.”

As the severed head spun, spraying blood everywhere, it watched its own body stumble to the ground. The smile on its face had only just turned to confusion and surprise.

A ruler with ambition, upon seeing his people suffer from disaster, must first provide relief, and then consider how to prevent or mitigate such calamities in the future, to lessen the losses they bring.