077 An Unexpected Surprise

Chuan Wan could not, for the life of her, understand why Jiang Zeyu had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. In the end, the only explanation she could come up with was that he’d always been quietly smoldering; he had simply kept it hidden until now, when his true nature finally broke through. If only she had known how little self-restraint he really had, she would have taken a far more direct approach with him back in high school. What did it matter, really? If she’d managed to sleep with him, it would have been a win. Besides, with Jiang Zeyu’s personality, if anything had happened between them, he would certainly have taken responsibility.

Now, Chuan Wan was starting to regret missing her chance.

Jiang Zeyu’s flight back to the set was scheduled for that afternoon; even if they wanted to enjoy each other’s company, there was simply no time left. Chuan Wan accompanied him downstairs, where his driver was waiting to take him to the airport.

Do you miss Master too? I miss him so much, even though he was never especially kind to me. I still wish I could return to his side. Master, have you found another medicine dealer? Do you ever think of me? After all this time away, is there truly not the slightest trace of longing in your heart for me?

He had his principles, after all. Though he practiced the demonic arts, his conduct was in many ways more principled than that of many so-called righteous cultivators. And though he followed only the most basic methods, his fighting prowess was far superior to the Fallen Fiends encountered in the last shadowy dungeon—likely on par with an elite of the first rank.

Scholar Xia hung his head; he too had considered this. “It’s still not enough. I’m going to try to borrow some…” He planned to advance as much as possible, and for the rest, he would find a way to borrow what he needed.

When he returned home, the villagers had already drifted away. Only a few helpers remained, and those who had come merely out of curiosity had been angrily sent off by Jin Dazhong. After all, who could feel at ease when such misfortune had befallen their family?

The army lined both sides of the King’s Road, forming a column that stretched from the port at Sandsea Bay all the way to the main keep beneath White Wolf City.

Bai Qing felt the gaze of that monstrous eye overhead. Its color shifted from a ghostly violet to a deep, sinister red—undeniably ominous.

“You two—why are you here? How long have you been here? Did you see anything you shouldn’t have?” The man in the black robe rebuked them, then turned, fixing Luo Xiu and the Devouring Demon Emperor with a piercing glare, as if the slightest misstep would bring his wrath crashing down upon them.

But the reality was quite the opposite. Whatever the spikes were made of, the shadowy figure did not stoop to sneak attacks, but faced Li Mo in open combat, wielding the spikes like swords—each strike forcing Li Mo to stagger backward.

In a farming household, there is always work to be done, so long as one is willing. At that moment, Uncle Xia brought out the cutting blade to chop feed just outside the livestock shed.

A disciple of the Chu family, patrolling the marketplace, hurried to the family patriarch and reported everything that had transpired.

The colors of the demon race themselves did not fade to gray—like the black dog, the nine-tailed fox, or the green snake coiled around the burly, dark-faced man.

“What? Grandfather was a cultivator at the Golden Core stage?” If not for his paralyzed state, Mao Zhe would surely have cried out in astonishment.

By afternoon, the Profound Mystery Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect had sent all their Foundation Establishment and lower-ranked warriors into the fray, and the tide of battle shifted once again. The Profound Mystery Sect focused its strength on the central army, gaining a significant upper hand at that pivotal point.

They all possessed power at the Nascent Soul stage or even higher, capable of challenging opponents across realms. How could a handful of Nascent Soul-level fiend beasts possibly stop them?

With a deep sigh, Locke had already guessed at the organization’s dissatisfaction with him. It came as no surprise; regardless of how they chose to define him, he was determined to uncover the traitor.

“Why the rush to go see the dog the moment you get back?” A long-missed, familiar voice reached Yang Jian’s ears.

The others also knelt, trusting in the principle that the law cannot punish the masses. They believed that if they demonstrated enough sincerity and humility, the Lord of the City would surely show mercy.

“The matter of appointing you as Yangzi seems to have taken an unexpected turn.” At some point, Xun You had come to stand beside him, dressed in the same divine robe of Yangzi. Yet, worn by Xun You, it exuded a carefree, rebellious air that Yi Shuihan himself could never possess.