Volume One, Chapter 34: Removing the Oxygen Tube

“Ah Yan, I understand. It’s just that I want to try. The Great Yan will eventually unify the realm, but I don’t want to watch them make such pointless sacrifices.”

At last, the family of three was reunited. Heaven above, do you pity me and my son so much that you have returned Fang Yu to us?

Xu Ze thought her words made perfect sense. Now that they had left without incident, everything should proceed smoothly.

Du Wan’er sat on the stone bench, one hand resting on the stone table, the other on her lap.

After a long pause, she regained her composure. Sun Yi muttered, “Another damned lunatic!” before clicking away in high heels as if fleeing.

The vital energy within her ebbed, suppressing the surging anger and nausea. Slowly, her eyes opened, her expression returning to normal.

The less Shen Qingge spoke of her, the more fearful she became. It was as if a sword hung over her head, ready to fall at any moment.

Now awake, she sat before the breakfast table, staring at the spread and the attendants standing respectfully by, still somewhat dazed.

“Heaven’s gifts, if not seized, only bring blame upon oneself!” Song Shijiang stroked his short beard and paced slowly in the hall, pondering deeply.

“Satisfied…” Taozi quickly nodded, fearing he might say something shocking again.

At this moment, only Li Fenggu could stand against Xu Beiyou. As for Zhu Jiuyin, he was destined to act only when Xu Beiyou’s energy waned. After all, the three of them were not merely to repel Xu Beiyou but to trap the Sword Sect’s leader firmly in the southern border.

On this great mountain, the trees were sparse but thick and immense. It was certain that massive beasts and fierce birds lived here. Only such terrain could accommodate their colossal forms, which also meant that precious medicinal herbs grew amid these mountains.

---

When Hu Bo, Xiao Xiao, and the guards entered the hotel, the owner stood at the doorway with his workers, lined up in two neat rows.

“Your Highness, you should rest as well. Let sister tend to your wounds. Madam needs quiet now,” Luo Shenger said while carefully feeling the pulse, warning others to leave the hall.

This matched Luo Jinyan’s sentiment. She believed that pines and cypresses belonged in cemeteries; there was no reason to plant them in a proper home.

“At least you’re alive, here beside me—that’s enough.” Ming Cong pressed his lips, thinking of her warmth. Heaven had granted him a chance at redemption, and he would make her willingly love him again.

Jin Dafu nodded, agreeing completely. These past days, he had seen that thing often. When he couldn’t see it, he was desperate to know what it looked like. Hearing others envy and fear ghosts, he realized just how blessed it was to live as an ordinary man once he finally saw one.

When Hu Bo heard his mother wanted to manage the company, he was very happy; this meant liberation from facing things and people he wished to avoid every day.

“I just wanted to ask if the situation was serious. I heard from Song... someone said Yin’er’s family claimed it was severe and that Shen Qinghan should be severely punished. I wondered if the wound was untreated and the hand couldn’t be saved. But didn’t the imperial physician say recovery was possible? I just didn’t expect Shen Qinghan wouldn’t be punished afterward,” Shen Yingqing replied.

Shen Anyan felt much quieter after she sent Xing Yu to Shen Qinghan. The people there were clean-hearted, free from unrealistic thoughts, unlikely to betray their master.

The two turned and continued to sprint, but no matter how fast they flew, they couldn’t escape the domain of those monstrous eyes and huge mouths. Wherever they went, they were trapped. If this continued, they would exhaust their primordial energy and become prey.

I could only smile bitterly. Such a fragile facade was utterly nonexistent before the discerning Murong Shanshan.

A faint movement followed; a hand gently touched her waist and back. Lan Xi turned her head to find Wang Di awake, gazing at her with a mix of expectation and hesitation.

In his eyes, Simon belonged to the mature ranks, a worthy rival. He had to face Simon first, no matter the outcome. Ultimately, the survivor would have to face Zolon.

---

Turning around, a thick fog swirled fiercely around me. Amid the dark currents and howling shadows, I stepped forward. With an unusually strong gust, my vision dissolved gradually into chaos.

Lan Xi was once again breathless. The notion that she wouldn’t leave until after midnight gave outsiders the false impression she had been tormented all night.

As the private rooms opened, Hao Xin saw the full layout. Inside and outside, the decor was harmonious, but the sound within felt like a different world altogether.

After her explanation, I felt no need to elaborate further. I quickly finished my meal, greeted everyone, and left with Xin Yu.

I will find time to upload extras about the children of Hao Meng and Hao Xin to entertain everyone. Of course, rewards would motivate me even more.

The trees and boulders in the forest suffered greatly—rocks flying through the air, wood chips scattering—as everyone exerted their full physical strength.

Seeing my master’s resolute gaze, I knew despite his gentle smile and kind words, his eyes betrayed his stubborn nature. Convincing him to change his mind would be nearly impossible.

No matter the reason, during the assembly, no private duels of any kind were permitted. Otherwise, both parties would face collective punishment. If Yue Ying truly lost control and acted, even if unharmed herself, endless trouble would follow.

There were no obstacles or surprises along the way. The Nine-Tailed Lotus effortlessly passed through the boundary that Nangong Yun had never crossed. Her mind remained clear, unaffected by the distance from the Dragon Lock Pool and its maddening influence.