Volume 1, Chapter 56: Searching for the Valley

Looking up, it was actually the Guizhong Ballista! Baḥū was greatly startled; the energy he had expended was not entirely depleted, but at least half of it had been drained by the short adeptus before him.

Fortunately, Elder Yao had scoured through ancient texts and found a prescription capable of slowing down the spread of the poison, so he instructed Luo Jiang to decoct a dose every day and feed it to Shen Wufeng.

Naturally, there were also bold and unrestrained young maidens who intentionally threw themselves at him, but Li Mao skillfully dodged them all.

Professor Huang did not say much more. He simply greeted the two of them and then took the lead in walking inside.

Although Li Tianran did not quite understand, he knew he was somewhat redundant here, so he slipped on his slippers and went outside.

Therefore, after much back-and-forth, the higher-ups approached Lin Shengxia. After inquiring about the situation, they decided to assign the mission to Lin Shengxia.

Compared to that girl at home, Old Mrs. Zhao naturally trusted the words of her own precious grandson more.

In fact, the main reason was that this bard lived right here. After all, a drunkard who spent all his Mora on wine surely could not have much money left on him, and coming here was the most cost-effective choice.

Blood-red smiling faces revealed themselves through long hair, and even their pupils continuously oozed bright red blood.

Hearing this, Heizi cupped his fists, accepted the order, and departed. Shortly after, a white pigeon soared into the sky from the ramparts of Xiangyang City and flew southward.

However, Shao Wanxi was still in the heat of her anger. Seeing Pei Wuche left out in the cold by her, her mood eased just a little bit.

"Go to the Duke of Dingguo's residence. The fourth young master is coming over tonight. Have Lady Qian bring the ninth young lady over so I can take another look at her," Noble Consort Ye commanded with her mind made up. Lady Shang gave a secret sigh of relief, her entire body relaxing. She hurriedly acknowledged the order and, without saying another word, retreated with her hands lowered.

The next day was spent performing Buddhist and Daoist rites. At dusk, Li Zhongzhi returned from the yamen, went straight to the Duke of Yongguo's residence without sending in any announcement, burned a stick of incense, asked about the time for the memorial service the next day, and returned home.

Yue Rong said, "If we cannot save the lord, how could the two of us have the face to retreat completely unscathed? Though we lack the strength to save him in life, in death we can join the lord." Hongyan said, "We are willing to die with the lord!" As they spoke, the two of them simultaneously sheathed the swords in their hands.

That voice, repeating over and over again, stimulated her nerves. Those fleeting flashes of imagery eventually pieced themselves together into a memory: a rainy night, an umbrella, a strawberry cake. That was how she met Tian Tian.

Zhao Ji was only forty years old at this time. Accustomed to a life of luxury and unconcerned with state affairs, his face showed virtually no trace of the passing years, making him look as though he were merely in his thirties. Coupled with his handsome appearance, he could truly be described as having a face carved of jade and graced by wind and gods.

"Ninth Brother is fine; the blood is not following its proper pathway, spitting it out will make him feel better," Jiang Hong interrupted Jiang Shanshan's words to explain. Jiang Shanshan pouted and reluctantly nodded. Jiang Hong stared blankly at the handkerchief on the ground and continued, "You go call Kongshan in to clean up. I'm fine." Jiang Shanshan hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly went out to call Kongshan in.

That dark shadow, carrying the man in the brown tunic, crossed a mere two alleys, kicked open a half-ajar courtyard door, and tossed the man in the brown tunic casually inside.

After listening to the words of Shen Xian and Fang Jianxi, Shao Wanxi felt more at ease. Having experienced so many things and witnessed so many lives and deaths recently,

"Forget it, follow them in!" Qin Puming made a decisive judgment. Things having reached this point, they could only take it one step at a time. After all, showing weakness now would certainly invite a pincer attack from Feng Luo and Zhang Junye ahead and behind.

From that tattered rag, a thick... stench poured directly down Su Qinyu's throat. In an instant, Su Qinyu lost all strength in his limbs and sank to his knees, acidic water churning in his belly—it would not dissolve, nor could he vomit it out.

"You have four younger brothers?" Leng Yiyun frowned. If those four younger brothers of his possessed skills as formidable as his, and were even as unhinged as him, how unfathomable must the Blood Heaven Sect be?

Looking down, there was either blazing fire or a mountain of blades. Between two evils, one must choose the lesser; Qiman wrapped his feet in primordial energy and stepped down onto the peak of the blade mountain.

"Yizhen, you are so clever. This is beef and mutton broth, most suitable for winter nourishment," Yinshue said as she ladled soup for him.

First, Xue Kun was blasted flying, spraying a mist of blood across the sky. Reacting with divine adaptability, Qin Puming hurriedly raised his fully recovered right arm to shield his chest. However, the invincible, all-conquering Firmament Sword shattered instantly like thin ice. Next, Qin Puming felt as though his chest had been struck by a thousand-jin iron ball, and he was sent tumbling backward.

"Brother Lei, I have lost, and I admit defeat with utmost sincerity!" Ximen Yinglong was insidious toward his enemies, but toward those he recognized, he held a deep, reverent admiration.

For a moment, the golden-tailed winged snake's continuously flapping wings suddenly grew somewhat feeble. Thinking previously that all these spiritual treasures belonged to him, at this very moment he seemed to envision himself undergoing his heavenly tribulation after utilizing the spiritual treasures.

The wooden fish and clear chime of the qing shook the dusty world, ritual instruments played in unison with crisp, clear tones. Over a thousand disciples were solemn and dignified, eyes slightly closed, hearts pious and sincere. Inside the Hall of Lessons at the Grand Qing Temple, there was a clear, ringing sound of chanting.

Chen Mofang seemed intent on squeezing out every ounce of the wasps' capabilities, arranging one task right after another.

At that moment, as he sat in the back and gently looped his hand around Yin Jia's waist from behind, he caught a whiff of a fresh, clean scent.

"Let's order some more malt beer," Krum said, his eyes brightening up at the mention of wine, leaning forward to suggest to Yun Xixi.

A slightly more competent physician only needed to take a pulse, and everything would be as clear as day, distinguishing the mules from the horses. No matter how much you tried to deceive him that it was a "shadow-puppet beast," he would presumably not be easily fooled. Once the truth came out, endless troubles would follow.

However, the moment he walked up to those few wells, he gave a sudden shudder and instantly snapped back to his senses. The water in the wells here was actually overflowing completely. The continuously spilling well water exuded wisps of biting chill.

Wu Song heard the dwarf muttering to himself and thought this big fellow was acting crazy again. Although that tiger-slaying hero also shared the surname Wu, at a time like this, there were simply too many people surnamed Wu—how could they all be your brother?