37. Lu Tingyuan, I hate you.

Ji Qingran found Su Yiyi in the pantry.

Ouyang Feng nodded in sudden realization, recalling that his own Qingyuan City was much the same; if it relied solely on entrance fees to maintain such a vast city, it would have been bankrupt long ago.

Today, I shall forgo schemes and instead play upon the human heart. I have openly set up this grand, transparent formation here; let us see who in this world can break it. This array takes no lives; it only discerns the nature of the heart. All who enter will understand the method to break it, yet for those driven by selfish desires... alas! I only hope I am not disappointed.

The local master, the Lingliang Sect, had only a weak third-generation leader who, terrified of being plotted against, dared not even show his face. The other eight families took turns in administration, maintaining a sense of peace and tranquility.

A mild temper and a constant smile—that was the impression Desri had left in Linley’s mind. Yet at this moment, Desri’s hair was disheveled, and his entire body radiated a violent aura. Even when he noticed Linley entering, he did not restrain himself in the slightest.

Oufu’s words made perfect sense; it seemed as if these countless planes were all controlled by an invisible hand.

His face was painful and swollen, yet Xu Le couldn’t help but think of how, after escaping Donglin, his status as a fugitive had made him even more silent and reserved, though occasionally he would succumb to a fit of madness.

Qi Xiu had no heart for such things. He simply kept everything inside and outside the sect running as usual, unwilling to busy himself with such vanity.

However, what puzzled Jiang Xin was that although the Later Jin army had pushed to the city walls, they maintained a posture of besieging without attacking, which left Jiang Xin feeling both fearful and perplexed.

"What are you doing?" Bailey asked, wary. Ouyang Feng gave him a meaningful look, and Bailey, catching on, hurriedly handed the remaining dragon skin to Ouyang Feng.

If you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place. Yuan Shao eventually learned that He Bai had been working in the shadows, causing the Yuan clan to lose its power. Consequently, his impression of He Bai turned deeply hostile, though it was not yet convenient to settle the score.

In the last campaign against the bandits, Li Ping was credited with the greatest achievement, followed by Fu Xing and Che Jing, with the three generals Yu Hua, Lu Ping, and Cheng Ping trailing behind. Li Ping’s contribution was beyond dispute and plain for all to see. Thus, Cheng Zhang, who had long intended to resign, ceded the position of Sima to Li Ping, thereafter dedicating himself solely to the logistical support of the grand army.

There was no other reason: the Chai family had a simple household, with neither a difficult mother-in-law to please nor any concubines, illegitimate brothers, or other messy, complicated relationships to navigate.

Zhan Musi turned to look at Zheng Xiuyan. As the music began to play, Zheng Xiuyan covered her face, unable to control her emotions, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Yes, Your Highness. Regarding the discussion about Consort Zheng, shall I issue an order to forbid it?" Qing Lan nodded and asked again.

Cen Jiunian’s body collapsed, devoid of sensation. Chu Mo’s expression did not relax in the slightest; he immediately channeled his holy energy into her body, and the golden veins pulsed with excitement, hungering for more.

Zhu Kang, feeling guilty, offered a feeble defense. I ignored him and continued my account. As I laid bare the truth, his emotions grew increasingly volatile, and his sophistry became ever more desperate.

A massive vortex formed with Qingtian at its center, and with a thunderous roar, the surrounding ground sank by half a foot.

Jing Qu and Jing Kun quietly slipped out of Weizhong Palace. News that the Crown Prince was once again undergoing emergency resuscitation spread rapidly, and all factions, eager to act, could no longer sit still.

A tryst at dusk, the moon rising above the willow branches—what a pity that Ji An had come to meet a nun, and a dark-skinned one at that.