Chapter 26: One Must Have Something to Look Forward To

Zhou Xuejun's face was suffused with blood, glowing as red as a branding iron.

He used to have the delicate, refined appearance of a fair-skinned scholar, but ever since Su Xiaoyun stopped doing chores for him, his pampered life had vanished. He was now forced to work the fields himself.

I have always believed that my fate is in my own hands, not the heavens. If it could be determined by such calculations, it would be far too mystical.

"Liu Xianglan, you may have overlooked one fact," I said slowly to her after a long moment of hesitation.

"Father, I am sorry. I spoke out of turn." Seeing his father's expression, Cang Feihong suddenly remembered that this treasure map was a matter of utmost secrecy, never to be known by outsiders, lest it invite great disaster. He immediately offered an apology.

Nie Lingzhuo did not want to ask about how Nian Chuchen had fared over the past three years. Their child—the one they had once so eagerly awaited—he asked nothing of it at all. Whether it had been born or not seemed to have nothing to do with him anymore.

"It was you!" Bai Fen spun around abruptly to find Mo Moda sitting on the animal bones behind him, looking perfectly relaxed and at ease.

"Zi Ling, are you coming with us?" Han Xiluo turned to ask Feng Ziling, who was sitting on the other side.

That was an elixir refined from the juice of the Longevity Fruit; even a healthy person who consumed it could extend their life by one or two hundred years.

After Wang Bao finished speaking, the others lazily found their beds and lay down, waiting in their dreams for the night to fall.

With Lin Fang now too ill to participate in tonight's program, Yang Le saw an opportunity. He quietly sent a message to Dou Jie, asking him to come over.

Seeing the members of the Black Society preparing to retreat, Lin Han frowned, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he coldly called out to stop them.

"I know, Brother. I won't eat anything indiscriminately." Lu Xiang’er gave Lu Hong a sweet smile, though she left the second half of her thought unsaid: I won't eat indiscriminately, but I will eat in a way that is truly meaningful.

This time, Orochimaru did not lead Caesar into the laboratory as he usually did, but instead hosted him in the reception room. This surprised Caesar, as it was the first time Orochimaru had spoken to him in such a setting.

She had originally intended to go to the Imperial Kitchen to fetch some medicinal dishes to soothe her nerves, but later, hearing that the sedative tea consumed by Empress Dowager Ye was highly effective, Dan Xin used the excuse of her own insomnia to go to Ci'en Palace and ask Zihan for the recipe.

Suddenly, Li Hong’s face, filled with despair, surfaced in Qin Feng’s mind. A sharp pain pierced his heart; he had truly hurt Li Hong this time. Although it was unintentional, he had wounded her feelings. He only hoped that Li Hong would be able to move past it and not harbor too much resentment toward him.

"It won't collapse; the map is protected. Kill to your heart's content!" I said, watching the Snow Ape roar as a blue light surged from its body—the effect of a Gravity Slam.

In the past, Lu Hong was often away from home, studying at the school in the county, and Lu Erniang and Lu Xiang’er had thought nothing of it. Now that Lu Hong had gone to Jiangling Prefecture, it felt as if something were missing from their lives. Neither could muster much spirit, their minds constantly wandering; this was even more apparent in Lu Erniang than in Lu Xiang’er.

"Half the realm—does that mean there are still people capable of contending with them?" Chen Langya laughed.

Sophie and her two relatives could clearly sense Qin Feng’s hostility. His grim expression made it obvious that they were unwelcome. The faces of Sophie’s second uncle and cousin darkened instantly, their pride deeply wounded, as anger began to simmer within them.

Of course it’s dangerous. Do you think I want to stay here? Can’t you see that flashy vixen in the red robe standing in front of me, blocking my way?