Chapter 86: Death Warrior

Dai Rong heard the voice of Lady Cai and hurriedly rose, bowing respectfully toward the screen. “I have just come from His Majesty,” he announced. “His Majesty has ordered me to inquire: a few days from now, we are to burn scriptures for the Empress Dowager. Has the young mistress finished copying them?”

Realizing it was the emperor who had sent someone, Lady Cai’s heart was a tumult of mixed feelings. Her present circumstances were entirely the work of the emperor, yet to say he was at fault would hardly be fair.

...

The others inhaled sharply. After all, they were facing a grave crisis—the enemy’s forces outnumbered their own nearly ten to one.

“It’s your sworn brothers, the Bull Demon King and the Lion Camel King. They once served under my father,” Bai Jingjing said.

Today, the Tathagata intended to confront Liu Shouguang in person, presenting his own golden body. Liu Shouguang looked at the golden figure and mocked it.

At this point, everyone in the cave understood who the child Bao Chun had brought back was, and they all turned to look at Yao Zhan.

By the way, they used this opportunity to show their sincerity, making it clear they were genuinely willing to cooperate with the Gu family’s heir who controlled the finances.

The false Wukong was well prepared—at the blink of an eye, he slipped away. Ma Liu’s Fiery Thunder Palm missed its mark. Seeing the impostor escape from the cave, Ma Liu dashed out in pursuit.

Xu Lai caught the scent of magnolia blossoms on the breeze. Matchmaker Qian stood sideways in her own doorway, casting a sidelong glance at the two sisters. The elder one truly had become impressive, even daring to answer back when scolded these days.

Not far ahead, a ghostly soldier was wielding a blood-red iron hook, gouging the belly of a ghost. Innards, slick with fat, spilled out onto the ground, the organs thudding and steaming as they hit the floor.

The eunuch thought to himself, “You don’t know, and I know even less.” Such a scene had erupted in the palace that no one dared to take responsibility. The chief eunuch had taken it upon himself to summon Empress Zhang. The empress had always maintained harmony in the inner palace, even with her sisters-in-law. They all hoped her arrival would dispel the tension within.

Cui Min’s face suddenly changed dramatically. He staggered back a step, visibly shaken.

After speaking, Quan Mo shot her a cold glare and strode away, leaving her nothing but his indifferent silhouette.

They saw rows upon rows of villas nearby and guessed that these must be where the guests were staying.

The crowd made way, and An Ge looked ahead. The RV had turned back and stopped not far away. From it leapt a figure, dressed in a flame-red outfit, as vibrant as fire itself.

Her feelings for He Fan were genuine. Even if they could not live as husband and wife in the usual way, she did not mind.

“Yes, I’m a country girl,” Xu Jiayin said cheerfully, “so thank you, young master, for deigning to accompany me here for a meal.”

Watching the sweat pour down the soldiers’ faces, tracing paths along their cheeks—though it was already autumn, the sun was still harsh. Did none of them fear fainting from the heat?

...To love her so deeply, to wish to keep her by his side. Yet even her identity remained a mystery, and her life hung by a thread—what meaning could there be in holding on?

He called Bai Qian to explain that work would keep him at the company for the next few days and he would not be able to come home. Though Bai Qian agreed readily on the phone, inwardly she grew uneasy.

“Doctor Xu, I hope you’ll mind your words. My advice is to call the police. As for private apologies or explanations, my wife will not be making any.” With that, he hung up.

I glanced at Ma Yike’s heavy red suitcase. Compared to her rather petite frame, the suitcase looked even more burdensome.

“This money is meant as compensation for you,” Miao Jueyang said solemnly, pushing the card across the table. “I’m merely passing it along. Take it—I have enough for myself, but you and your mother still need to get by. Please take it.”

Surely this place couldn’t be filled entirely with Purple Shadow Flowers? There should only be one. Besides, hadn’t I fallen into the water? How was I now lying on the grass? Was this an illusion? Or was it a dream?