Volume 1, Chapter 51: Words of a Beast

Once the bandages were applied, the two began to survey their surroundings. The pit had been dug near the edge of a cliff and was extremely deep; with only their bare hands, it would be nearly impossible for the two of them to climb out. The spikes at the bottom were presumably coated with poison as well, as evidenced by Shen Chang's blackened lips.

"That is for the best. Shuang'er, take Tianyu to rest, and I will handle explaining the rest of the family," the head of the Lin family instructed Lin Shuang.

With a muffled sound, Zheng Mang spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and shot backward like a shooting star, smashing a massive opening into the side of the mountain wall. He remained embedded within it, his head lowered halfway, his expression dazed, with a long line of blood trailing from the corner of his mouth—hanging by a thread between life and death.

Recalling the sensation of riding on Liu Chunlai's back, she observed her surroundings and the people resting in the shade at the distant mountain pass.

With their leader dead, military morale collapsed completely. Facing the impregnable, copper-and-iron-like defense of Southern Tang and weapons that struck terror into their hearts, the enemy forces were already gripped by panic. Now, having no will to fight, they fled in disarray.

Leaving the edge of the arena, Fang Tian looked not far away and noticed those people wearing meaningful smiles.

The old man's gaze was profound. Lu Li was someone he had watched grow up, and he could tell at a single glance whether he was lying or not.

Turning around, his expression grew so gloomy it seemed capable of dripping water. Meanwhile, Han Mengchen and Li Xin also rushed over clutching wooden staves, their faces pale and covered in fine beads of sweat.

"This time, Pule Pharmacy doesn't have to bear the entire cost. Your Highness can write a letter to Yongji Pharmacy in the capital, having them negotiate with the capital's Pule Pharmacy to jointly resolve the remaining medicinal ingredients," Chu Yue'an said.

Chu Yuezai walked over with several servants, her hair slightly disheveled, clearly having just woken up. Her imposing aura remained strong, but her eyes carried a hint of a guilty conscience.

During these days, everyone had been struggling merely to survive, living like savages—eating roasted fish, rubbing sticks to make fire, and building fences—completely isolated from modern society.

"That is hardly certain. Do you expect every year to be the same?" Although Wang Yue knew in her heart that Liang Yiwei was right, she simply wanted to needle her.

That night, Xu Jing lay in bed, and even at midnight, he still found himself unable to fall asleep. He simply could not accept the reality that his grandfather was about to leave this world.

"Many thanks!" He nodded toward Gu Zhen, a warm and gentle smile gracing his handsome face. Though already middle-aged, his charm remained entirely undiminished.

"If you're so free, why don't you learn how?" Pei Zheng didn't even look at him as he took the leafy greens out of the refrigerator and tossed them to him to wash first.

Upon arriving here, Qiu Tian could have exposed his true identity, but up until now, not only had Qiu Tian failed to expose him, he had even protected his life twice. Jiang Fan simply could not fathom what this fellow's true intentions were.

"Elder Lin, what on earth is this formation?" Zhou Hairong and Li Tianyi asked in unison.

Sun Jingyang stood there somewhat dazed. Yesterday, after painstakingly climbing across several mountain ranges and risking his life to leap over an abyss, he had finally reached the Xuanoyang Sect. Yet scarcely had a single night passed before he found himself inexplicably right back where he started.

Few people in this world can maintain a proactive and diligent attitude throughout their entire lives, because worldly affairs shift constantly like a game of chess, while human thought struggles to keep pace with such changes. Many who are radicals today become stubborn conservatives tomorrow.

Zhong Chen's adoration for Qi Ran—for reasons unknown, far surpassing even Yuan Yun's—seemed deeply ingrained. He would not tolerate anyone disparaging his master, not even Di Feiyu.

Seeing the blurred black phantom ahead, a familiar aura emanated from it, causing Jin Yu to feel a trace of astonishment.

The newcomer was dressed in a suit, though without a necktie. In the depths of this mountain valley, such a Westernized figure was exceedingly rare.

Both sides laughed heartily and raised their cups once more in celebration. Han昭德 (Han Zhaode) knew that this hurdle had finally been cleared, yet both his upper and lower garments were completely drenched in sweat.