Chapter 17: Pessimistic Outlook

Having helped Du Ruo transport two loads of medicinal herbs, Hua Changxi clearly felt that Du Ruo had become somewhat warmer toward him. When the two returned to the Sixth Bureau, it was just time for dinner. Du Ruo took the initiative to invite Hua Changxi, and together they went to the dining hall.

The canteen was sparsely populated; few managed to finish their tasks on time. Those who were slower had to work late into the night, and some even faced staying up through the entire night.

Hua Changxi asked, “Director Du, if one works late, won’t—”

Unexpectedly, these two old men, at such a critical moment, chose to end their lives in a desperate, all-or-nothing manner.

Having resolved to perish alongside Chen Feng, Liu Ke no longer paid heed to Chen Feng’s verbal assaults. Instead, he focused all his remaining demonic energy, soon raising his power enough to unleash the final move of the Demonic Disintegration Technique.

Chen Feng was aware that his astonishing act of saving Nicole would pique the curiosity of those unfamiliar with martial arts. Nicole was a public figure, and journalists would surely hound him thereafter.

At that moment, Taiyi, standing nearby, pointed to a man’s hand on the ground and spoke to Long Tian.

Without further ado, Bai Qi transformed once again into wisps of mist, swiftly penetrating the eighteen strands of mysterious energy. He recondensed the energy and charged it once more toward the fatal “point.”

I took a look, and many of the teams listed were those we had encountered over the past few days. Among these teams were Han Gui’s, some domestic squads, and even teams from the European and American battle zones.

Qiu Feng leisurely gathered several changes of clothes and stepped into the bathroom. He didn’t even think to close the door; perhaps in his simple mind, bathing didn’t require shutting the door.

“Welcome...” Upon seeing Jing Jian and Smith arrive, Kent was already at the door with all his staff to greet them. However, seeing Jing Jian’s distinctly Eastern features, he momentarily hesitated, unsure how to address him.

After establishing his command in Yanjing, Ling Xiao treated the aristocratic clans, scholars, and merchant groups generously, rewarding merit accordingly. Wang Ranming was titled King of Dongping, Zheng Zhulong King of Nan’an, Jia Yan Duke of Ningguo, and Jia Yuan Duke of Rongguo—thus the origin of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

Yet, this left Long Tian puzzled. The Demon King hadn’t replaced the Dragon Soul just today; why then did he wait until now to absorb the players’ spiritual energy? Why hadn’t he done so before?

Chu Hanyue lowered her head and followed behind him, settling into the chair by the window. She placed her left hand flat on the table.

The few of them ran forward. The long corridor held no one else but them, creating the illusion that they were utterly alone.

The ministers, upon hearing this, involuntarily tensed. It was still before dawn, and the thirteenth prince was engaged in a discussion with Lord Xu on a matter of great importance to him. Yet despite this, he remained keenly observant—such sharp insight.

Unlike Lou Zhongyue and the others who flew up from a side peak, Hua Feiye rode openly on horseback up the mountain.

Outside the window, the moon shone brightly in a sparse starry sky, shadows of branches danced gracefully. The cold dew thickened; the garden flowers were wet, and low insects murmured softly. A squad of night patrol guards marched with resounding steps, appearing and disappearing in the flickering courtyard lantern light. The wind blew gently; shadows multiplied. The trees swayed, the rockeries and flying stones lay still. The courtyard was deep, the night profound.

The burly man gasped in pain, stepping back involuntarily two paces. When he looked at me again, his eyes held a trace of fear.

If Song Bei was nearby, and I answered, wouldn’t he be able to pinpoint where my voice was coming from?

Originally, Lu Yunzheng had planned to come over but pretended he was returning to the Lu residence to prevent Qiao Nuo from discovering Lu Jingyu was no longer there. However, upon receiving a call from Aunt Zhang, he came straight over without hesitation.

Li Fan glanced at Zhang Zhihao, who returned a fierce glare. Their eyes met, and Li Fan faltered. He had initially intended to expose Zhang Zhihao’s scheme but reconsidered and decided against it.