Chapter 16: Apocalypse, Long Time No See!

Cao Bin said, "Let's use the walkie-talkie. I trust your leader should be able to hear."
"Alright," Liu Bo agreed, since all other terms had already been accepted. He instructed his team to lower their weapons to the ground, making every effort not to provoke this man—if things went wrong, everyone present would die alongside him.

...

The next day at four in the afternoon, Mu Xia arrived punctually at the hotel where the meal was to be held, dressed neatly and elegantly in a black pleated skirt and a white-collared blouse.

After several people had left, Xiangxiang and Xin Zi, despite their reluctance, forced themselves to stay behind. Even though Lin Wu had told the sisters to disperse, it would have been too improper for no one to remain to serve.

Witnessing this scene, Meng Qi Gang found it unbearable, his heart bleeding with sorrow. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The Daoist Association would be responsible for notifying Mr. Liao the next day, after which a meeting would be arranged. Once I receive word, it will mean that I have officially taken this commission.

The Princess of Wu was about to arrive in Luoyang, and the city was bustling with excitement. Every street had been swept clean, and red silk banners hung along the main avenue to the imperial palace.

Shuiyan bowed her head forcefully to the ground, babbling incoherently as she did so. No one could make out her words, but the sight of her frenzied kowtowing was both mad and comical, provoking peals of laughter from the crowd, who treated it as little more than a joke.

Fu Jinxi clearly saw that Madam Wu’s hands were clenched tightly within her sleeves, her brows slightly raised, yet she merely lifted her teacup and watched as Madam Wu turned to leave.

Yet he felt not the slightest pity. If he were to be killed by Meng Shafan this time, the outcome would be the same—perhaps even more tragic. Such was the bloody struggle they faced.

Suspicion stirred in my heart. Patrons favoring the sisters were usually seeking a reputation for infatuation and fidelity, which spared them the trouble of jealousy and rivalry. Yet yesterday, it was clear that the young lord and Miss Beiluo were deeply affectionate. How could there be someone else at his side today?

A transaction, perhaps? Could saving this man by Qianqiu be worth a hundred taels of gold? Are his bones and flesh made of gold?

With the prolonged blast of a train whistle, Bo Yuzheng’s private train slowly emerged from the thick mist. Lu Fengyang tightened his overcoat and stepped forward to greet him.

At the outset of the Hunan campaign, the Military Affairs Commission had intended to send him to command operations in the Fourth and Ninth War Zones. However, before the official order was issued, the situation collapsed so swiftly that no one could have foreseen it.

Cai Miaomiao studied the military intelligence report carefully, glanced at Yang Sufeng’s telegram, and then nodded her head.

"Order all ships—open fire at will," Fletcher said calmly, seeing the situation clearly.

"I have always been ruthless," Bai Fuling said earnestly, "so if you’re not satisfied, you’d best not bring up marriage again. I’ll give you silver, and we’ll call it even—agreed?"

It seemed Haifushi had a very high opinion of his aunt. No wonder he was so set on avenging her; his feelings even extended to Yang Heng, loving what belonged to his aunt, and he hated the Empress and the Second Prince’s faction to the core.

"You guessed correctly—this Golden Supreme True Qi is formed by the fusion of three types of true qi!" Lin Sheng said with a smile.

Though both tried to comfort themselves, their bodies trembled slightly, and their eyes flickered with unease when they looked at Lin Xiang.

Zhaoran had originally come along today, but Xing’er had sent him off to buy two gifts favored by men. After wandering the streets for a while, he bought two jade pendants and returned to the Long Residence.

"Is it tinnitus?" the three disciples wondered aloud, unable to help themselves. They suspected the immense pressure from the battle between masters like Mu Zixun and Tang Zi was causing hallucinations for the bystanders. Otherwise, why was there nothing to be seen?