Chapter 103: Establishing Dominance

Only the banquet hall connecting the front courtyard and the backyard of the main residence could accommodate such a grand occasion.

With a single movement from Mulián Chéng, more and more people began to enter the Blazing Furnace. Among them were those whom Mulián Qīnggē knew, as well as strangers.

The atmosphere at the school shifted accordingly, and after Gù Zǐ'ān began attending classes, all rumors were completely dispelled.

“Madam, sir has been in the painting studio all day. Could something happen if this continues?” Maid Liú approached from behind, looking toward the studio with concern.

Master Liú wore a grave expression and pondered before saying, “The lady may not have achieved merit, but she has borne hardships. Yet what she has done today is enough to warrant divorce. It would be better to send her to Bailin Temple to purify her heart and pay respects to the Buddha.” The implication was clear: Lady Liú would spend the rest of her life there.

Faced with two paths, anyone would choose life without hesitation, so one must fight with all their might.

One could receive a fully built house for free, participate in its construction, and even earn wages.

Opening the door, Tang Sūxīn indeed saw Shěn Qín with the windows open and Gù Chúnzhōng sitting on the sofa. The ashtray before him was overflowing with cigarette butts, and the room was filled with a thick haze of smoke.

Impatient, Tang Sūxīn raised her voice. Hán Jiāyīng handed her a pregnancy test, but she paid it no mind at all.

I breathed a sigh of relief and slowly sat up. When I took in my surroundings, I was instantly struck dumb, unable to utter a word, only staring in disbelief around me.

Zhāng Dí was the first to speak. His wounds were severe, and even his sister was injured, her clothes torn in several places. Yet, it seemed the attack was not the work of a demon beast.

Niú Shīshī glanced at Shí Fēng, who was still snoring loudly. Just as she was about to decline, Shí Fēng rolled over and sat up, replying, “I’m here, I’m here!” as he opened the door.

Xuè Shà was somewhat puzzled by the question. No one answered because everyone shared the same thought.

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In truth, given Shí Fēng’s status, he would disdain such actions, but he understood very well that arrogance would only further shatter Shí Hǔ’s resolve.

Although Chéng Jǐn disliked Chéng Niàn, he had raised him for so many years. Moreover, he would never allow this child to disturb his sister’s happiness. Having sacrificed himself, he would not let his sister’s family be thrown into chaos.

Xiāo Yìfēi burst into laughter, as if he had just heard the world’s funniest joke. As he sat down, he patted his knees with his hands.

Yáng Yáng’s attention was not particularly focused on Xǔ Zhōng. Although the Sacred Sword Technique was a secret manual practiced by the inner disciples of Dà Luómén, it remained a secret of the sect. Aside from the main inner disciples, only elders and the head disciple of Dà Luómén in Cāng Qióng Immortal Realm possessed it.

Cuī Mò carefully examined a magazine, and the name of the publishing director on the cover caught his attention.

At that critical moment, a silver-white shadow flashed swiftly behind him.

Suddenly, memories of Jì Shūhán’s exceptional care for Xuě'er at the ends of the earth came to mind. Given his half-demon identity, it was easy to understand his feelings. Shared suffering always elicits sympathy, especially since Xuě'er was slightly better off—at least she was a pure-blooded human.

Those people hid in the distance, concealed behind tree trunks. She had not noticed them. Yet how had Fāng Zhèng discovered them?

“You speak correctly. It was not in vain that I saved you and taught you the supreme secret technique,” the figure suddenly quieted, lifting a pair of crimson eyes.

Walking through such an area was like stepping into a primordial world, where danger lurked at every turn.

Her fiery, shimmering Xuan Phoenix armor gradually tightened, transforming into a form-fitting lamellar armor. Glancing at her face, a pair of eyes filled with fury stared back.

Inside the carriage, Nàlán Bīng heard a cooling cry and hurriedly looked outside. She swiftly launched a silver needle, but frowned deeply. At such a close range, before her needle could reach the boy’s hand, his dagger would already strike Zhú Biǎo. Having lost Fāng Mámā and Zhú, would she now lose Zhú Jìng as well?

Thus, Qū Wēi left the valley, following Chéng Língyǔ to Green Island—the place where they had once met.

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“Yes, these people are too dangerous. We cannot dispatch men to tail them. Setting ambushes at both locations would waste half our manpower and dilute our strength. So, learning their route in advance is the key to successfully intercepting them,” Hè Lěi added.

Qū Qīngrǎn did not beat around the bush with him. Although misunderstandings needed to be cleared face-to-face, one had to choose the right moment to achieve the best effect.

Speed is paramount. From the perspectives of national strategy and military governance, generals like Chén Mào and Yú Qiān still hoped to conclude the Annam campaign within three months, to prevent the guards from Yún Guì and Liǎng Guǎng from becoming unmanageable warlords who nurtured enemies for their own benefit.

However, Zhōu Yù was somewhat puzzled. He had implanted Sōu Lóng’s memories about where wax figures would go after death, but neglected this question.

On the way back, patrol disciples saw Fāng Yǔ in tattered clothes and, mistaking him for an outsider, brought him to the interrogation hall.

“Where is Shěn Hóng?” Gǔ Sītè shouted, looking at the last row of empty seats. Only the chains binding Shěn Hóng remained there, with Ērluòkē standing guard.

Shěn Hóng was truly terrifying; even from a distance, his aura exuded an inescapable malevolence.

“They are from Longhǔ Mountain,” Wú Hé frowned and turned toward the cave dwelling below the mountain stream. At the entrance lay a pool of fresh blood, and inside were the collapsed Qín Mò and Lǚ Tǔ.

Brother Xióng decided that he would never abandon Wáng Gāng for the rest of his life. Even if he remained bedridden and unconscious forever, Brother Xióng would always provide him with the best treatment.