New Year's Eve, Part II

Qian Wan reached out and took the fine needle from the brocade handkerchief, just as Song Wu hurried over.

“Are you sure it’s really that girl?” Sanada Genemon asked in disbelief, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Not long after, they saw a master in coarse gray robes walking toward the city gate on foot.

In the past, she had always been gentle and kind to everyone, reserving all her impatience for him alone.

He dared not make a move in the forest—for fear of waking another python, which would surely spell his doom.

Yet she did not feel impatient, for she understood that Nan Changqing’s nagging was born of concern for her safety. This feeling of being cherished by someone was truly wonderful.

“Pfft—” Hearing Sakura One’s muttering, Sister Bu could not help but laugh. Seeing Sakura One turn to glare at her, her ears tinted red, she suppressed her amusement and pointed toward the corridor.

As for the happy occasion Wang Dong mentioned, the townsfolk didn’t pay it much mind, but since he brought it up, everyone listened with casual interest.

I seemed to see a peacock with emerald-blue feathers, head held high and gait graceful, following behind him.

Xiang Lian couldn’t help but cover her lips and laugh softly, then stepped forward to help Han Lai out from the quilts.

Adults rarely refuse children’s requests, especially when their wishes are so simple and pure.

At that moment, the security door of Song Jinyu’s house was pushed open from within. Jiang Yan looked over with a smile, and Shen Wang cast a faint glance in the same direction.

Xiao Yiyuan, just changing out of his white coat, was startled. When he saw who had burst in, he was even more surprised.

Her period was late by two days; at first, she thought nothing of it, assuming she’d simply been too busy lately and it would come soon enough.

But as Father Peng watched Fu Qingze leave, his face was filled with shock and regret: he had come today to seek more cooperation, but now even their existing partnership was on the verge of collapse.

“I discussed with your father a few times, thinking we might help you keep your New Year’s money,” Mother Song offered a dreadful suggestion.

Moreover, the pain in people’s bodies only grew worse, as if their intestines had twisted over and over, tangling and tugging—a torment beyond ordinary imagination.

However, just as the monster man’s health dropped to fifty percent, a thick black mist exploded violently from around him in an instant.

“Alas…” Ouyang Yi sighed softly. How could he not be taken with such a charming young woman?

Zhu Cheng, the one who explained the rules, couldn’t help glancing at Li Zhi, who was discussing with the two people beside him. In his eyes, a fierce will to fight flared.

After Taishi Kun led Dalang, Jinlian, Ximen Qing, and the others out, Grand Prefecture was already under heavy guard.

“I’ll give it careful thought!” Perry G truly wanted to go, but it was hard to leave home, and the prospect of traveling so far brought many worries.

Mid-autumn was the date Taishi Kun had set long ago. On that day, the founding of the Mercenary Association would be officially announced to the world. By now, this news must have spread to every corner of the martial world.

Wu Song! It was Wu Song—the very man whose every move could stir up a storm of blood! With such a figure close at hand, how could one not seek brotherhood with him? Thinking thus, Taishi Kun forgot all about handing out red envelopes, grabbed two strings of coins, and rushed off to find Wu Dalang at the gatehouse.

Now, at last, the final two steps of her revenge plan remained: kill Han Xi, then go after Yao Li and Xiao Lin—the ones who had harmed Xiang Lan. Only then would her and Xiang Lan’s vengeance be complete.

And behind them, it seemed, hidden in certain shadows, invisible lights flickered.

Nie Wei agreed to help Cao Qin and followed her directly to the old village house where the old lady lived.

The cup fell from Zhao Ji’s hand and clattered to the floor. He jumped up—bang!—the table toppled, plates scattered, and the crystal-clear pastries spilled everywhere—a most regrettable sight.

Li Yanyu led half of the soldiers to assist in the rush to the city gate, while Chen Shandao commanded the other half in a direct assault on the royal palace.

Seeing Zhuang Wangu, with his one arm, swing his blade, Bo Le was at first delighted. But in the midst of their clash, Bo Le realized his mistake—a grave one. This was no soft and subtle maneuver, but the most domineering and fierce strike imaginable.

“Student Liu Sihan, it was the elderly gentleman who sent me to help treat your illness. I promise the process won’t hurt at all. Can you relax your body for me?” Gao Fei was exceedingly patient and gentle. If the forces of the dark web saw this scene, they would be stupefied.

At the tea table sat four people: on one side, Grandpa Nichikawa Haruten and his father Nichikawa Oyama.

Xi Sa relinquished the right to guard Tongwu Pass, giving King Xiwu complete peace of mind. As thanks, he sent envoys with money, grain, and supplies. Meanwhile, Xi Sa reorganized the southern border, placing trusted men in command of the ten largest tribes to guard against mishaps, and continued to implement low-tax policies to solidify the demon clan’s system.

Tuga stared in disbelief at the arc of light in his hand, then, after a moment of silence, burst into loud laughter. “So that’s it! That’s it!” As his laughter echoed, Tuga and his companions, Taktalu and another, charged in a triangle formation into the army swarming with countless monsters.

A highly professional analysis post surfaced, declaring Evergreen Corporation nothing but a paper company, barely scraping by. It revealed their past attempts to cooperate with a certain company, exposed their criminal gang connections, and included images and photos of their bullying of the populace.

At the heart of the altar lay a teleportation magic circle powerful enough to break through planar barriers, requiring immense and stable energy, a precisely drawn array, and an artifact to maintain its operation.