Volume One, Chapter 68: Checking Household Registration

To the east of Quanzhou lay the seaport, which was precisely why Quanzhou was a strategic location coveted by military powers. To the north, it bordered Liaobei; to the south, Jiangnan; and to the east, the sea itself. The city was a crucial hub, with connections in all directions. At the magistrate's order, the constables escorted the members of the Yang faction out. As they proceeded through the morning market, the citizens of the city looked on in astonishment—dozens of prison carts in a row, a sight never before witnessed in the capital.

In the training hall of the Beggars’ Nation, Yun Zhongyou sat cross-legged in meditation, mind still and spirit calm, eyes half-closed, lips moving in silent incantation. Behind him stood two great cauldrons: one filled with boiling oil, its greasy aroma saturating the room; the other with bubbling water, steam billowing and swirling in the air.

Lately, she felt somewhat out of sorts—why was her mind always preoccupied with that tomboy?

He Nianqin had gone out with Wei Zhen, but when they returned, they were escorting a man tightly bound, his face concealed behind a mask. Though his features were hidden, Yu Qing couldn’t shake the feeling that he looked very familiar.

Every few days, they would risk sending a few scouts out of the city. Some would climb high to survey the surroundings, others would attempt to slip past the encircling Shu army and gather intelligence from outside. Yet, success eluded them.

The position was under the command of Company Commander Sun Yuanwu. After stationing a few observers in the bunkers, Sun led the rest of the soldiers into the artillery shelters. The men joked among themselves as they prepared for battle, none taking the thousands of Japanese troops across the way seriously.

But now, Duan Zhong had finally caught his breath—because he had drawn his sword.

Luo Xue formed another seal with her hands; in her eyes, snowflakes seemed to swirl. The twenty-three spirit crystals beside her now appeared much fainter.

Gui Chan realized that this could not go on indefinitely, so she grew increasingly anxious. Just then, Wang Dayan arrived at the Crimson Gold Pavilion, feigning to be a guest while in truth checking on the activities of the Western Faction there. Delighted, Gui Chan hurried to find Wang Dayan and pulled him into her own room.

The other party made no move, so likening the situation to a robbery wasn’t quite accurate—at present, it was more like someone following you on a dark, empty road.

Now, this fellow seemed as if he’d downed several tons of energy drinks, completely in berserk mode, as if high on adrenaline.

“Hmph!” The Supreme Elder Lord snorted coldly upon seeing Tang Zeng stand calm and composed before the Jade Emperor, his two disciples even brazenly demanding promotions.

“That’s true, that’s true. Look, Eunuch Wang has not only become the Inner Minister, he’s also managing an even greater household for His Majesty now, isn’t he?” Lü Hanqiang replied, half flattering, half sincerely.

At that moment, the wails and pleas of the old, weak, and infirm carrying staffs echoed persistently from outside the tent, sounding even more pitiful.

Weiss, smiling faintly, easily blocked the knife-hand strike Heris swung at him from behind. With a swift motion, Weiss flung Heris before him, then kicked her back.

There was no need for Batu to call out; the shouts and sounds of killing in the street had already roused all the Jianzhou and Manchu retainers. The retainers surged toward the long street’s battlefield, while the Jianzhou warriors headed in orderly fashion to the ancestral hall.

Liu Shiba turned around lazily, rubbing his waist against the parapet, his gaze fixed on Solanta.

Below the mountain, the usual base of the Busy Group’s Mango mobile phone manufacturing facility was also home to research labs and computer rooms. Ding Sina’s nuclear battery lab was there, and further down stood the miniature nuclear power plant that always made Liu Mang feel on edge.

In the next instant, the three of them appeared in an opulent courtyard. The moment they landed, Shang Jingxing clung to a willow tree and retched; though he was accustomed to his senior sister’s teleportation, he had nearly lost his composure this time.

Truly, serving beside the sovereign was like treading on thin ice—every word and phrase had to be weighed and considered before speaking, lest one bring disaster upon oneself.

Somewhere in the forests of the Dragon Domain, Nangong Feng and Nangong Yue were moving swiftly across the treetops, when suddenly, a flash of blade sliced through the air.

The flames blazed ever fiercer, engulfing the entire body. When the wild wind struck the fire, it was instantly consumed. The Emperor’s technique, though now only a shadow of its former power, still could not be extinguished by the mere tempest conjured by a Nirvana practitioner.

The staff of the City of Slaughter maintained their cold, impassive service throughout, presenting tea and pastries before quietly withdrawing.

The wind blew, growing ever stronger, as if heralding some approaching event. In just five hours, the final bell of the old era would toll. The dawn of a new age meant the end of the old—an inescapable fate for all.

On the continent of Tianyuan, the Refining Light Realm was already considered high-level combat power; a peak practitioner could lead a major sect. The Transforming Light Realm, of course, could not compare.

Before this battle, few believed Lin Ya could be a match for Ouyang Moye. Lin Ya’s ranking in the Tower of War lingered between the teens and twenties, never rising above or stabilizing as high as Li Ying’s.

On a tall building, Tang Muyu stood with hands clasped behind his back. Beside him was an old acquaintance—Zhuge Mingxia, chief strategist of the Crown Prince’s residence and one of Xia Mushen’s right-hand men.

“It’s alright. Even if this isn’t the place, it doesn’t matter. I merely reinforced the seal; it will affect the entire corridor, though it is much stronger here,” Long’er explained.

Qi Feiyan felt humiliated, yet couldn’t help but laugh, for she could finally afford to buy a few more things.

Mo Che now maintained a good relationship with the Beiyou Palace. Even on this journey to find Luo Youge, members sent by the Gale Sect accompanied them.

Cang Qiong surveyed the surroundings—the inn was bustling with guests, the main hall filled to capacity. After a moment’s consideration, he glanced at Manager Wu, then decided to clear the place. Quietly, he gathered his inner strength, letting out a cold snort.