Chapter 48

In the room within the Serene Elegance Courtyard, Cold Moon was keeping Feng Ling'er company in casual conversation. Upon seeing the door swing open and a tall, handsome figure appear, she asked pleasantly with a hint of surprise.

However, Gu Lian had also given careful consideration to her decision to see Ji Dapeng. Setting aside the personal rapport between her and Ji Dapeng, she believed that Fan Xuebing's eagerness to have Ge Feng speak with her was likely another probing attempt by Fan Xuebing, intended to have Ge Feng dig deeper into her background.

With this thought in mind, Ling Su rushed directly into the fray ahead without a moment's hesitation. Jin Liunian was unarmed, yet in fighting over a dozen men in black, he still managed to handle the situation with ease, at least for the present.

The unorthodox cultivator had never imagined that his identity would be exposed. Now that his malevolent aura had vanished, leaving him fully exposed before everyone, he stood there dazed under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd.

Yet, the profound sense of powerlessness and terror originating from the depths of his soul could not be deceived; it was the most fundamental reflection of his true inner self.

Pei Yueyue glanced stealthily at Gu Lian. Her hand was held by Gu Lian, and as she followed closely behind this close friend who naturally exuded a protective aura, she failed to notice that Gu Lian's lips were tightly pursed, bearing an expression of extreme malice.

This was hardly surprising. Liang Duan was one of the three major geniuses of the Liang family; although his character left much to be desired, his innate talent was indeed exceptional.

Wanyan Wujin immediately requested permission to receive punishment alongside Wanyan Beiling, and the other seven brothers likewise followed suit, asking Wanyan Wushu to punish them.

Money makes the mare go; with sufficient funds, there will naturally be those willing to risk their lives. In this world, everything is based on equivalence.

"I understand how you feel. Since you no longer wish to know, I will say no more," Evil Wind remarked.

Ye Tian glanced at Chen Gezhou beside him. "Director Chen, how did you all get here?"
"Ye Tian, we left in such a hurry yesterday that I didn't get a chance to thank you properly. We made a special trip here today to express our gratitude," Chen Gezhou stepped forward, grasped Ye Tian's hand, and said sincerely.

Subsequently, responding to the Demon Doctor, Xie Jiatu's tone turned chillingly cold. Borrowing the exact phrasing the other had used moments before, he blurted out abruptly.

Hanyu watched Yin Junfeng's retreating figure, thinking to himself, "Next time, I will make sure you know that I am the ultimate victor!" With that, he too walked away.

Upon hearing that he was forbidden from interfering with the shadow guards, Cao Dechun's complexion turned ashen. His hands resting at his sides clenched into fists, the veins bulging on his skin. Yet, upon hearing the latter half of the sentence, his grip relaxed once more.

Su Nian'an felt as though he were awaiting a verdict. He watched casually as the other flipped through the documents, the smile on the corners of his lips neither increasing nor diminishing, entirely inscrutable to Su Nian'an. When someone has their background thoroughly investigated, shouldn't they be angry? Why was there not the slightest sign of anger in him?

"So... after all the hardships we endured along the way, we are just going to hurriedly 'glimpse the flowers from horseback' in this godforsaken place? And then head back empty-handed?" Yuan Lunbiao even blurted out somewhat recklessly.

However, Ming Xi could not be bothered to continue entangling herself with this hypocrite, nor did she wish to have any dealings with him in the future, so she simply gave a direct instruction to Su Nan.

"Saw it, aren't those just roof rafters from a wealthy estate? Li Si, care to guess what mine is made of?" Zhang San retorted defiantly, raising his own torch for Li Si to see.

"I never expected all my old friends to be gathered here. Later, when I escort you down below, you can at least keep each other company on the Yellow Springs Road," Chi Hua remarked, his tongue as maliciously venomous as ever.

Princess Changle had lived a secluded life in recent years and had spent three full years praying for blessings at Xingjiao Temple prior to that, making her someone only Changsun Chong could recognize at a single glance.

Yuan Shuang recuperated quietly at home for several days. Her body had not suffered any lasting ailments, and her appetite was gradually returning, bringing a healthier flush to her complexion after a few days. Taking advantage of the pleasant weather that afternoon, she set off for the Clear Sound Pavilion to pay her respects to her grandmother.

By evening, the officials had already arrived at the Taiji Palace. Li Shuchun avoided all discussion of state affairs, focusing entirely on drinking; amidst the clinking of goblets, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Ke Shichao cleverly flattered Zhuang Sixian to a great extent, yet deliberately avoided mentioning the title of the God of Gamblers, simply because Zhuang Mingji was seated on the other side. This was a statement with a double meaning—it elevated Zhuang Sixian without in any way disparaging Zhuang Mingji.

Xu Jerry, who was holding a wine bottle in his hand, stiffened instantly, wishing he could slap himself twice. Other people's sons might have drowned in vats of liquor, yet here he was, still offering him a drink—wasn't this hitting him right where it hurt?

Seeing that smug look of his, did he truly mistake those words for praise? Never mind, Yuan Shuang had no desire to bicker with him. Inside the carriage, Yuan Shuang spoke very little, while Chu Yan was uncharacteristically chatty. By the time the carriage stopped, they had arrived before the gates of the Grand Tutor's Estate.

This truly was a case of finding what one was looking for without even exerting any effort! Just as she was thinking of dealing with Shang Ning, Shang Ning had delivered herself right to her doorstep.

At that moment, Piercing Heaven Spear was furious. To be beaten and driven away in utter panic before so many people was a humiliation Piercing Heaven Spear simply could not bear. Meanwhile, the Purple Emperor wore such a murderous expression that it frightened the Crimson Fire Dragon into retreating continuously.

Pushing open the door to his home, a hazy, indistinct voice drifted over: "Wine, I want wine, damn it." Ma Zitian was sprawled across the sofa.

The lingering, ethereal zheng music drifted out from the desolate East Courtyard, sounding much like a performer filled with intense emotional turmoil yet maintaining a cold and aloof detachment, interpreting the joys, sorrows, partings, reunions, rises, and falls of the mortal world through melody.

Qin Fen was momentarily at a loss for how to refute this. The method he had just used to turn the tables from a position of disadvantage had indeed been somewhat underhanded.

Li Yiling turned out to be a man with a past as well. From the descriptions given by the gatekeeping old man, one could easily sense Li Yiling's profound loneliness. No wonder his lips always carried a mocking smile; hidden beneath that smile was actually a sensitive and suspicious heart, using indifference to reject others and protect himself.