Volume One, Chapter 26: Concealing One’s Strength

As daylight gradually tilted from the vast sky above Chang’an City, the entire city was slowly bathed in a rich halo of light.

Wei Shulin stood upright and resolute before the gate of the Right Prime Minister Sima Lun’s mansion, his face as calm as still water. He had been waiting for about a quarter of an hour, while the young attendants at the gate grew increasingly uneasy.

No wonder the old statesman said, “Qin Qing might still be useful. We must make him feel indebted to us.” It turned out he had also discerned the old lone wolf’s intentions.

Outside the city gates, those desperate to enter Lin’an City swirled anxiously like a spinning wheel, unable to get through.

Now that Li Yan was gone, Liu Xian had completely let himself go. He sent people from Dougu and Waguazi to demand grain, but Liu Xian not only provided only half the standard amount, but all of it was spoiled and rotten rice.

Three years ago, her youthful beauty was just shy of seventeen, a time when she was about to bloom. Countless assassins within the sect admired her charm, but after that incident, all budding affections were crushed amid the swirling threads that filled the air.

His own Gengyu Xuanguang Sword and the Shufang Guiyuan Cauldron were treasures of astonishing power, so formidable they inspired disbelief; calling them celestial treasures would not be an exaggeration.

At the same time, the buzz was intense regarding the shifting stronghold of the northern Myanmar fraud syndicates pouring into Thailand, with various rumors—some true, some false—spreading wildly.

Perhaps due to the Purple Jade Sect’s influence, the Celestial Surveillance Division did not compel him to participate in the investigation. After a brief nod and a simple greeting, the division went about its own affairs.

But soon he shook his head and strode toward the work areas of the other seven groups. Seeing their progress was also good, he refrained from wandering aimlessly and instead returned to the villa to sit quietly, sipping water and closing his eyes in rest.

Liu Jun outright ignored the voices of doubt and reached out his hand toward Princess Anqing’s direction.

“Tsk tsk, not bad. The fortune and luck of you four must be exceptionally rich; this will surely be a delicacy worth the trip!” Yu Chongguang’s aged, deep voice carried a chilling undercurrent of endless sinister energy.

Once the Three Kingdoms era ended, he would be forcibly transported out of this world, unable to undergo years of purification in the Celestial Realm to transform his primordial spirit into that of an immortal.

Her gaze settled on the two cups on the table. Qi Manyun’s cup was already empty, but Duan Shucheng’s teacup still held half a cup of golden, clear tea. The rich fragrance wafting through the air came from that very cup.

Yi Xia looked at the man before her. The disturbing images from the previous night flooded her mind, each scene flashing like a relentless slideshow, refusing to cease.

Wang Yuetian felt a trace of speechlessness at Elder Hong’s overactive imagination, mistaking him for a member of the Divine Blade Hall and suspecting he had come to the Refining Workshop to evade punishment.

Chi Tong pondered for a moment, perhaps recalling the many delicious foods once received from Wu Fan.

Qin Chuan, who never forgave and always sought revenge, could not endure such humiliation. He vowed to retaliate decisively—whether as repayment or brutal retribution depended on his own strength.

She was about to leave when suddenly opening the door revealed herself standing amidst the clouds outside. Stepping through, a completely different scene unfolded.

Jiutian glanced at Chen Ziping, who was recklessly courting disaster without a care, then locked eyes with Aijia. Without a word, both stepped back simultaneously to avoid being caught in the fallout.

“Since even now you cannot dispel your doubts and hesitate, I will no longer wait for you.”

Then, somewhat belatedly, she began to struggle, trying to break free from the hands that gripped her.

Even while flying in the air, Yuchan’s body trembled as if struck repeatedly by a barrage of punches.

The Heavenly River Divine Emperor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gazed at the proud, unyielding, handsome youth opposite him. Though the young man was overbearing, he truly possessed the strength to back it up.