Chapter 55: Renovations Underway

Jiang Butong nodded and said, “Alright then. If you’re free this afternoon or evening, bring her over. I’d like to meet her.”

Feng Zhanliang sensed hope and agreed immediately, promising to leave the house spotless when it was handed over.

Jiang Butong patted the wall and asked, “Can this wall be opened up to connect with mine? Is it load-bearing...?”

Guo Cong used to collect rare flowers and plants. Under Li Chang’s careful tending, those blooms flourished more than ever, transforming the entire courtyard into a sea of blossoms. Li Chang moved gracefully among them, like a beautiful and elegant flower fairy.

After quite a while, Mu Qianxun appeared again in the main hall, her cheeks flushed, unable to lift her head.

“Ye Chang’an, you must believe that, aside from your parents, I am the person you can trust most in this world. Because, this is what I owe you.” Li Xixi’s voice was ethereal, as though carried across the river of history. Her final words faded into her voice, yet remained etched in her heart.

Ye Qingcheng watched closely but saw no sign of the tails that had accompanied her when she left the manor. What was going on? Was the palace too heavily guarded for them to enter? Ridiculous—she refused to believe that was the case. If not, then what was the reason?

The new concubine entered the Bright Palace. The Imperial Lady ordered that she could rest for the day and need not pay respects yet. From the next day on, she was required to attend the Penglai Hall every morning to offer greetings.

Dragon soldiers were born and trained to run like the wind, nearly unbeatable. Even Fang Jie couldn’t keep up; after just a short sprint, she was breathless and drenched in sweat.

Nian Yun cast a longing glance, gently stirred the embers with a pair of tongs. The fragments scattered, falling among the glowing coals and silvery ash.

The waves crashed in, and the fine rain now struck with the force and fury of thunderous cannonballs, wild and unyielding.

Since the death of Shangguan Ling more than a decade ago, Mu Yunfan had never truly smiled, let alone anything else.

He Lang now fully understood: it was that Qingkong who lured the tree demon here, all for the sake of obtaining the Nian Zhu Jue, sacrificing innocent lives in the process.

At the summit of Huashan’s Chaoyang Peak, atop the Sunrise Terrace, a youth stood facing the cliff. The mountain wind howled, snow fell thick and fast, battering his slender frame and thin clothes. Yet he seemed unfazed by the cold and wind. He was sixteen or seventeen, features upright, eyes especially bright. Another year had passed, and it was Lin Yin.

It turned out Tang Zixi and Mo Li were leading the troops, heading toward the Spirit Mountain Temple aboard the Violet Thunder battleship, intercepted by Li Su on the Diamond Vessel. The two sides began to clash.

“My dear sister, you jest…” A blush appeared on Xu Pingjun’s cheeks, her manner shy. What Huo Chengjun said was precisely what Pingjun was grateful for—thankful she had not trusted the wrong person.

Watching her master being tormented, fifty or sixty men abandoned Ma Tiantian and her group, calling out for help. Xu Yi stepped forward, displaying her martial prowess. Wielding a large blade, she blocked the attackers.

Shangguan Youmeng couldn’t help but wonder; she was well aware of the situation, so why would Huo Chengjun choose this moment to meet them both? What was her purpose?

The outer wall of the official barracks had been completely demolished. The battlefield was not large; the three routes from Liangshan had encircled the government soldiers, trapping them inside.

In the car, I called Xiao Zhishan. He sounded delighted to hear I was back. Then I shared my plans for this return; he was silent for a moment before promising to make arrangements as best he could.

“Miss Gongxi, you are too courteous.” Yang Xihu smiled faintly and added, “My wife is in the kitchen preparing dinner. I’ll ask her to get ready. Brother Lin, you must drink with me tonight.” Lin Yin put down his gift and nodded in agreement.