Volume One, Chapter 58: Retribution Arrives

Countless times, Zheng Fan had saved the shelter from crisis, and now the people within supported him wholeheartedly. The warriors had barely concealed themselves before Xu Chu arrived with his troops—not a mere five hundred men, but nearly a hundred thousand, their overwhelming presence so formidable that even tigers dared not breathe loudly, let alone these soldiers. They watched as lines of soldiers marched past, each squad’s passing allowing their hearts to relax a little.

Because Lü Bu had delayed Zhao Yun, the situation atop the city walls began to shift. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, Lü Bu’s lieutenants, also mounted the walls after him. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, three heroes once fought Lü Bu; now the tables were turned, as Lü Bu, with Zhang Liao and Gao Shun in tow, launched an assault against Zhao Yun, also known as Zhao Zilong.

First came cries of pain, then the sound of things crashing down, and finally injuries of his own—a cacophony of noise and blood that was simply too much for the young Yin Haoci to bear.

This gathering resembled an annual celebration, though it was not held at New Year. Still, in terms of its scale and the guests in attendance, it brought together all the most significant figures of Jizhou. Each person present presided over a crucial avenue of the region’s development.

Secondly, after returning home, the entire palace was filled with sycophants tailored to his preferences, which he found irritating. Only Leng Feishuang and Lady Wan were exceptions, but Lady Wan neither possessed martial skill nor remarkable beauty, lacking a certain allure.

Qin Yin exchanged a glance with Old Master Tang, who had hurried over upon hearing the news. Both quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then Qin Yin attempted to persuade Jian Ci to go back and rest.

The safe zone started shrinking from the south toward the north. By the time it reached the final circle, only six remained, the circle centering on the bridge and taking in the sea beneath it.

Looking back, had it not been for the keen observation of the D-level staff member responsible for laundry collection today, this flaw might have gone unnoticed.

Outside the gates, a squad of soldiers was battering the doors with logs. With a clean, resounding crash, the main entrance was blasted open. The waiting soldiers surged into the courtyard, archers scrambling onto the rooftops to seize the high ground.

Of course, he dared not say these words aloud. He could not risk offending his junior sister over this matter; otherwise, even if the problem was solved, he would not get past her.

The result was simple—failure, business suspension, and reorganization. Yet to the boss, this was nothing short of slanderous accusation.

The Village of the Sand had indeed strengthened its vigilance over the Land of Wind, but that was all. For the elite, such precautions were meaningless. After all, those assigned to guard duty were seldom jōnin, and thus had little effect.

Kakashi simply painted onmyoji sigils around the drawing to help it absorb demonic energy.

“Lord Danzo, for you to call my name so cordially is truly overwhelming. May I ask what guidance you have for me?” Kakashi said with a smile.

Zhang Yanqiu stood dumbfounded nearby, never having imagined such an incident would occur in Chenfeng’s wellness center.

Their gazes clashed, instantly sparking deadly intent—a true clash at the summit, whose prologue was only now beginning.

Everyone blocked Chen Feng’s way; either they would all face this together, or else prevent him from acting alone.

Chen Feng gave a brief introduction to the formation, but he had no intention of teaching it, for out of all those present, only a tiny few could be trusted.

Outside, Zhao Lixing and the others, seeing what was happening inside, wept tears of joy—they had returned, finally returned.

In his heart, he had already lost the courage to oppose Zhang Taibai, though he could not admit it, still trying to deceive himself.

He knew that his actions this time, while indeed having outmaneuvered Hydra, thus venting some anger on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. and causing Hydra considerable trouble, would also bring consequences.

Fortunately, it was not an elite monster. Lin Feng, having checked its attributes, breathed a sigh of relief. Enhanced monsters were only a bit tougher than the ordinary kind—still hard to kill, but far easier than an elite boss.

“Why did you want me to admit to being Qiu Xuanguang just now? Do you need something from him?” Qiu Ming had his suspicions, but merely wanted confirmation from the demon horse’s lips.

Given Patch’s current wizard rank, even going without sleep would have little effect on him. For now, his most urgent task was to recover his depleted mental energy and repair his own spiritual reservoir.

Shen Yi strode up to me in a few steps, his icy gaze sweeping over my entire body, making me shudder. Just as I thought he was about to strike, he unexpectedly lifted me into his arms, shook me a few times so that the cotton shoes that Yuetang had given me fell to the ground, and then strode purposefully into the house.

Ahead, the crowd was dense, forming a tight circle—one could not see what was happening inside from the outside, only catching occasional glimpses of acrid black smoke rising.

Thus, one should never gamble with the Japanese. Crushing them, binding their hands and feet, and tightening their throats is the best course. In the coming months, the central authorities will keep the yen on a financial leash, yet without pushing it to a desperate rebellion—a display of absolute confidence born of overwhelming strength.

In the eyes of her grandparents, Tao Xiu was the most precious being in the world. Having not seen her for over half a year, they missed her terribly, especially since she was originally supposed to go abroad after graduation.

Indeed, the skeletal lizards clinging to the walls let out a roar, dug in with their claws, and opened their jaws wide at a ninety-degree angle, gleaming fangs clearly visible, as they lunged at Li Yang from all directions.

When Lin Chao kept silent, still gazing at him in that way, Du Shun’s menacing expression inevitably softened.

Generally, if a cultivator’s level was not high enough, their spiritual consciousness could hardly leave the body, let alone invade another’s mind-sea. Only Daoist masters with training in the soul could achieve such a feat.