Volume One, Chapter 23: Forcing Her

Ji Yanli’s handsome face remained expressionless, as if he were watching a grand play that had nothing to do with him.

He Xin tried to pull Tian Yufen and He Hong up. "Mom, Dad, get up quickly. You mustn't kneel to her." No matter how hard He Xin pulled, the couple remained adamant and refused to rise.

He Xin stood up, brimming with grievances as she snapped at Shu Xingruo, "What exactly do you want? My parents are at their age and have already knelt for you—what more could you possibly want?" As she spoke, her tears fell like beads from a broken string.

Ji Yanli, who could not bear to see her cry, walked over and said to Shu Xingruo, "Aren't you going to help them up?"

Shu Xingruo retorted with a sneer, "Those are your girlfriend's parents, you..."

"Forget it. Since you're here, just take her away. Let this be the last time, understand?" Ling Nuo’er was filled with joy. *Heh, it seems he still cares about me quite a bit.* Then she thought, *That Narcissus isn't easy to deal with either; from now on, I am the big sister.* However, she put on a stern face and raised her delicate, slender fingers.

"You jerk! Do you have any idea how much Jiayi has cried for you? She’s been washing her face with tears every single day! She’s been so worried! As her brother-in-law, I can’t stand by and watch anymore! If you don't give her an explanation, there’s no need for us to be brothers anymore!" Aotian’s eyes seemed to burn with fire, as if he wanted to sear Jing Yan and force him to his senses.

"Oh, stop it! I’m just kidding! You’re the most handsome!" Zhou Tongtong burst into laughter, patting Huang Jingxiang on the shoulder.

After the two left, Song Zheng sat down, his face as dark as water. Ming’er felt extremely nervous, but she said nothing. She knew that if Song Zheng wanted to tell her, he would. If he didn't, asking would be futile.

Sandezi smiled at Wang Yuyu. He understood, of course, why Wang Yuyu was apologizing, but after all, it was for his own sake—and besides, such matters were unpredictable; how could one blame others?

"The catalyst for this medicine is the flesh of a living person," Imperial Physician Zhou said, pausing deliberately after he finished.

He was naturally shocked. Two of his capable lieutenants—one named Huoji and the other known as Li Ertou—both possessed the strength of a King of War, and they were vital parts of his unit's combat power.

It was over! He had initially thought two bedrooms were too many, but now... Zhang Yadong had no choice but to tell his mother about Zhou Zhilan’s situation. He had boasted so much about Zhou Zhilan’s character to his old mother that he nearly moved her to tears with the tale of her hardships.

The table was set by the bed, which was normal, but its placement was wrong. A screen should have been used to separate the bed from other items; that, in fact, became the flaw of the room.

It wasn't just the old man in front of the light curtain; the many elders sitting behind him also cast extra glances at Lin Xiao. Although the latter’s strength was not high, his decisive, resolute, and unhesitating style in such a situation earned him quite a bit of praise from several of them.

"If he truly loves Yunli, is he even worth loving? A hypocrite who keeps a foot in two boats—how is he worthy of anyone’s love? Just kick him to the curb," the sister-in-law said firmly.

Zhang Lan closed her eyes, tears streaming down. The pain in her hands had left her too weak to struggle, and besides, struggle was futile.

"Qingming planted this. He loved water—transparent and pure," Zhang Lan said with deep emotion. Having established a profound bond with her beloved’s family, her words were infused with affection.

"All participating Espers, make sure you don't head in the wrong direction during the evacuation. Also, cover your mouths and noses with cloth; do not inhale the pink mist drifting from inside." Upon hearing Su Mo say the mist was toxic, Sun Jin hurriedly shouted at the top of his lungs.

Liluo watched Fu Yunxi from afar, helpless. Suddenly, he remembered the Great Resurrection Pill he had brought with him; if he was fast enough, he might still save her life.

"What's wrong? A headache?" Ming Potian asked, naturally reaching out to stroke her hair. "If you're truly uncomfortable, just rest. I can handle the Xuanyuan family myself."

Zhang Lan was angry and didn't want to listen to their nagging, so she turned to leave to find lodging elsewhere. Just then, Qingming dismissed the carriage driver and walked through the gate of the tenement compound.

"China Club? The one at the bottom of the Four Great Clubs?" Lang Xie interrupted Duan Xidiao’s introduction, sneering coldly.

Leng Yue scoffed internally. *So the Empress is playing a game of self-inflicted suffering. I was truly foolish to fall for it. No matter—at least she isn't dead; otherwise, how would the rest of the play unfold?*

The Five Peaks Mountains were already at a high altitude, a product of tectonic compression, second only to the Himalayas. Now, ten kilometers outside the mountains, a massive lake had appeared. Its waters, of unknown origin, were a deep, eerie green.

The Mingrui beast Mohei and the Millennium Tomb-Guarding Python Mobai were both about a thousand years old, but while Mobai could transform into human form, Mohei had long been unable to. However, thanks to the constant teaching and guidance of Ling Gui and Gong Siyu, Mohei had finally learned to take on human form as well.

Thinking of this, He Guangda grew even more excited. He reached his other hand into the wall, took a deep breath to hold it, and slowly leaned his forehead against the cement. Then, as if submerging his face in a basin of water, his entire head passed into the concrete wall.

In 222 BC, the Qin State's premier general, Wang Jian, and his deputy, Meng Wu, led an army of six hundred thousand to set out once more, launching a lethal strike against the Chu State.

The two walked closer and looked carefully. Where the erased Zhao Jin and his companion had vanished, besides their two identity cards, there were actually other items—two more cards.

Regardless, there were far too many people in the village and town exceeding birth quotas, so when Mother Yu was in confinement, Grandma Yu came to help. Hao Xin assisted with chores, such as helping to light the fire or sort vegetables, while Grandma helped cook lunch and dinner, though she still went home to sleep.