Chapter 50: Bargaining with a Tiger for Its Hide

The news of Ye Zhiqiang’s downfall reached the Ye family. Although everyone suspected Cao Mang, there was no concrete evidence. Moreover, it was Ye Zhiqiang who had instigated the conflict—he burned down the Tianlan Hotel and died at the hands of a vagrant who bore him a grudge. Most importantly, the family had no time to concern themselves with it; over a hundred skeletons had been discovered in the fish pond. Although that property belonged to Ye Zhiqiang personally, the entire Ye family had to cooperate with the investigation.

...

The cave was exceedingly long, with the sound of running water echoing from all sides. No light penetrated from outside, leaving the entire tunnel in utter darkness. Qin Jiao used a Fire Spirit Talisman, but the glow barely illuminated a short distance ahead, just enough to make out the path beneath her feet.

After dinner, she had a long conversation with the elders of the village. They were concerned about Jiang Ruodong’s life at university, and Jiang Ruodong gave them a general account of her experiences at school.

Although she wanted to retort—what difference did it really make if someone was a little more handsome, a little younger, a little more spirited?—she caught the look in Apple’s eyes, sensing something unusual and unfathomable hidden there. She held her tongue for the time being and said nothing.

Fang Le, though young, radiated a powerful presence. Judging from Li Wanjiang’s leg injury, his skills in bone-setting were exceptional. Could someone like that really be without a background?

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she looked at the distant hibiscus, “This is the place, I’ve found it. I’ll go check the house number.” With these words, she ran ahead in long strides.

At that moment, however, the aura of this demon prince was somewhat unstable, his gaze lingering with reluctance on the surging vortex behind him.

After a few steps, as if recalling something, she pulled a bottle of medicine from her bosom and pressed it into Gong Lingyu’s hand... This time, she truly left in tears.

Yu Yin washed her face and rinsed her mouth before leaving the bedroom, only to discover at the door that someone had opened it.

Suddenly, several red spider lilies bloomed around the formation. Qin Jiao looked up in confusion and saw Chu Nanxing’s fiery silhouette appear beside the magical array.

Clearly, Yao Ling’er was still struggling, but not wanting to be outdone by Huangpu Ming, she forced herself to hold on.

Thus, she shot forward like a streak of light, leaping over cars and people alike, and soon was vaulting from rooftop to rooftop, with her pursuers following in hot pursuit.

“So what do you mean by that?” Upon hearing this much, Long Hao could already deduce the cause behind these events.

Throughout, Li Yun’s expression remained calm and indifferent. The Ninth Princess’s affection for him was so blatant that even Gu Congyuan didn’t hesitate to use it as a threat, yet he remained unperturbed, as if harboring endless secrets, untouched by the stirrings of youthful desire.

He brought Jin Yao back to the room and casually tossed her onto the bed. He was utterly exhausted—more so than from any fight.

However, all the good spots in a several-mile radius were already occupied. It wasn’t as though they could simply seize someone else’s territory, so they had to settle for a rough, uneven patch of ground as a temporary camp.

“I’ll go out first.” Luo Siqi gave him no chance to speak, carrying the bowl of medicine as she turned and left.

If anyone dared to make a move, it would incite the rest to follow suit, and one could easily imagine the chaos that would sweep through the capital.

Sha Sha had already taken cover, lying low between an overturned table and sofa, loading two spare rounds into the gun’s chamber.

The head of the Miaozhen Group had intended to treat them to a meal, but Ji Xifan refused without mercy. Typically, entertainers would jump at the chance to dine with a sponsor, but Ji Xifan was utterly disdainful, raising his head arrogantly as he led Chu Mi away.

These thoughts churned in Zhang Zimin’s mind during the three breaths it took him to walk upstairs.

Yun Qixi had summoned help to distribute shoes—such as Zhang Qinxue, soon to become the Fourth Imperial Consort, but the most important was Shan Baozhu.

Wei Junliu had reserved a private room, but perhaps because Lan Lichuan was present, everyone was so mindful of his status that the gathering never became truly lively.