63. Attempts at the Future (Part Three)

In the Sacred Domain of Kaiyang, in Long City’s command center, Li Sikui finally felt a weight lift from her heart. She thought to herself, “My brother truly is outstanding. Although the process was nerve-wracking, he still managed to complete the mission in the Mythic World—and did it so well!” Even now, Li Sikui understood that her brother had experienced all of this before; it was not his first descent. Still, concern muddles the mind—she couldn’t help but worry for him!

“The return protocol can now be initiated!”

Fang Shier instinctively glanced at Zuo Jun, and seeing him nod in her direction, she let Juan’er pull her away to the thatched cottage to try on clothes, looking back at every other step. Feng Yuerong and Yin Yingying, their hunger satisfied and no longer interested in teasing Qi Yuanzhuo, approached him together.

Zuo Jun and the others watched Dan Yue remain silent. Normally poised and composed, the senior disciple of Mingyue Mountain, who rarely spoke, now had her face flushed with a rosy glow, all because she had said a single sentence.

“What is there to hesitate about? Just say it.” Unlike Mok Sijun, Rockhart was long past the age where such things could make him shy.

The waters on the third level of the lake began to boil, bubbles rising incessantly, with a thin mist forming over the surface.

Is it cute? Though I know it’s meant as a compliment, I can’t feel happy about it at all. After all, I was originally a man—being called cute is something I’ll never get used to.

He possessed the legacy of the Immortal-Slaying Emperor, yet he could not recognize this pill—enough to suggest just how mysterious Mubai’s identity truly was.

When Tao Yiliu’s aura was no longer concealed, the manager finally got a clear look at the young man with silver hair before him. He wore three Skyfall Stones at his chest, and even the black bracelets on each wrist emitted the unique dark-gray luster of the Skyfall Stone.

Passing by a village, they saw many villagers leaving. After talking to them, it turned out the place was plagued by disease, and the survivors dared not remain, preparing to flee elsewhere for their lives.

A flash of brilliant light appeared beside Kong Haotian, and a streak of crimson shot toward Yi Xuan like lightning. Yi Xuan summoned his Lihuo Sword, and the two fiery auras collided between them, erupting in a shower of sparks.

This practice—using lower officials to oversee higher ones, with courageous, upright youths monitoring the seasoned, cautious veterans—truly reflects the unique and subtle political wisdom of the land of China.

Just then, the cabin door was suddenly knocked upon. The guard introduced Shimazu Toshihisa, the supreme commander of the Shimazu clan’s reinforcements. With the road back to Satsuma blocked, both the Shimazu navy and army had arrived at the Kanmon Straits.

Driving these people out of the front courtyard, Guo Bin led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and fifty fully-armed special soldiers toward the rear courtyard.

Baizhi cheerily agreed. Judging by her mother’s words, it sounded like they’d not only be eating lunch here, but dinner as well.

Even the wound that had pierced her chest vanished under the gentle radiance, her skin returning to its flawless, jade-like purity. In just a short time, her injuries were fully healed, and both her spirit sense and nascent soul were restored to steady strength.

“You’re in such a hurry to leave, but don’t you want to ask me why I’ve come?” Yu Qiuping suddenly spoke, her voice low and inexplicably soft.

The young man’s smile was wicked. “Have you sobered up? If not, I can carry you outside to get a cab—or take you to a hotel, if you prefer.” As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together, clearly reluctant to let go of the softness he’d just felt.

But Gu Liangsheng had no idea she already had the antidote, so he spent every day weighed down with worry, never sleeping soundly or living at ease.

Lin Tianxu didn’t hesitate either. With a flip of his right hand, three round, pale yellow pills with a faint halo appeared in his palm, their delicate fragrance bringing peace and clarity to anyone who inhaled it.

By this time, Gao Ming had already regained his usual calm composure; there was not a trace left of his earlier confusion.