Volume 1, Chapter 25: If Only Time Could Stand Still

The metal of the five elements is a sharp and piercing force, making it quite difficult to absorb. Yet, despite the immense power contained within it, the four supreme treasures possessed by Jiang Wei are vastly more powerful than the metal of the five elements.

She truly could not bear to see her former lover become the person he was today, walking further and further down this path with no way to turn back.

A burst of intense light shot downward, tearing through space like a sharp blade. The screeching sound sent shivers through the fleeing crowd; those who were too slow were sliced in two by the beam. Though screams erupted instantly, they were spiritual entities, and thus no bloody scene occurred.

However, that was merely a distant memory from his youth, one that had slowly settled into the long river of time, never to be recalled again.

"You couldn't shake him off in all these days?" Mo Qiang glanced at him with disdain, thinking to himself that they needed to escape quickly; any later, and Keke would have absorbed all of Qin Luo's memories.

*Bang! Bang!* Both fists struck Xie Canglang’s ribs. To a mortal, this would be a lethal spot, but he was a spiritual entity. With a dull thud, Xie Canglang was sent flying, crashing through the thicket. Nangong Qing and Ren Fangkong exchanged a glance and immediately gave chase.

Ming Xi’s appearance was so delightful and lovely that looking at her gave one no sense of pressure at all.

"Integrating men into the ranks and concealing soldiers among the populace" refers to using two channels to incorporate the able-bodied men of the Left Guard into the combat sequences of the merchant and village teams, forming a powerful and legitimate military group within the Left Guard’s territory.

The atmosphere of the auction heated up accordingly, and as the later lots were presented, the bidders became increasingly active.

Ding Xianjue was originally a Deputy General of Tongjiang, his forces stationed at Baizhang Pass in Baoning Prefecture. They had served as the main force in several bloody battles against the rebels, suffering heavy losses and leaving fewer than eight hundred men. Liao Daheng reassigned him as Deputy General of Chongqing, granting his request to recuperate and restore his strength in Chongqing Prefecture.

Ouyang Jing kept shaking her head, her face still etched with disbelief, murmuring strange words to herself. Suddenly, she looked up and stared fixedly at Yin Junfeng, making him feel a sudden tightness in his chest as his nerves snapped.

Qiu Xuan, the commander of the City Guard, had spent the last two days gathering information, so he knew exactly where to go. As his injuries gradually healed, he was no longer worried about further assassination attempts. He kept the throwing knives he hadn't used in days close by, just in case.

"Tomorrow morning, we shall encircle them from all four sides and catch the turtles in the jar!" Zhu Pingjin excitedly explained the plan to his subordinates.

By then, Su Nian’an’s state of mind was much better than when she had first arrived in Paris. Although she would occasionally feel lonely, she did not want to show her feelings during the time she spent with Qi Yanmo, striving instead to keep her mindset healthy and sunny.

The fat man looked around at the people present as he spoke. He thought that if a major accident were to happen here, the entire manufacturing industry in Nanjing would likely be paralyzed.

When they set out early the next morning, several two-wheeled carts followed behind them. The carts were loaded with seventeen modified bayonet-matchlock muskets, all of the same caliber. In addition to the muskets, there were five crouched-tiger cannons that had been simmered in a furnace for forty-four days.

Xu Qingyi glanced at Wu Yao, and seeing that Wu Yao had just finished preparing his water-pan pills, the two nodded at each other and were the first to submit their work. Someone immediately collected their pills and recorded their names.

"Besides, water-pan pills must pass a water test. If they fail the test, they are just paper tigers—nice to look at but useless," Doctor Wang said, looking down on Xu Qingyi.

If Princess Jingchu is the one to be sent for marriage today, then it might be Elder Sister tomorrow.

At the morning court session the next day, the Emperor watched the whispering ministers below with a cold sneer on his face.

Chu Mengyan was stunned. He was just someone who greeted guests at the door—was it really necessary to be so polite to him?

"I am Wang Yongliang. You took the first place in the first round from me, but the first place in the second round belongs to me. Don't you dare fall in the second round; I look forward to facing you in the third," Wang Yongliang said, glancing at Xu Qingyi before turning to leave without waiting for a reply.

However, before he could get close to Gu Nian, Lu Si'yu had already stepped in front of him with an expressionless face.

Seeing Gu Nian and Qian Duoduo chatting and laughing, Xie Linxiao’s gaze remained glued to Gu Nian.

As for that girl Zhao Lingyun, she was a blabbermouth, and besides, that old guy Zhao Debang was backing her.

Jiang Yan knew that Fan Zhiguo would take the initiative to bring up the matter of Santai Village at this municipal government work meeting.

Wei Tuan'er sneered inwardly. She immediately wrote a note and, taking advantage of an opportunity to go out on palace business, went outside Wei Xiang'er's mansion to deliver the message.

"This works too?" Xue Chong was speechless at the sight of the two suddenly appearing wounded men. To be able to hurt one's own people—truly, this social butterfly had her ways.

The crowd frowned. It was true; the Demon-Subduing Great God was a servant beside the Dragon Head and one of his most trusted confidants, so his words naturally carried some weight.

Seeing this, everyone realized that at least Empress Wu was aware of the matter, which led many to conclude that this was very likely a conspiracy of hers.

Wei Tuan'er watched as Zhao Yinyue finished eating and drinking, then found an excuse to leave the palace and head to the Prince of Zhou's mansion.

Sure enough, before a single dish had been served, some were already eager to start drinking. However, they were in the minority, and as the four cold dishes were placed on the table, the banquet officially began.

"Grand Elder Lantian?" Han Zifeng and Zheng Guantun frowned upon seeing Lantian, unable to understand why he would say such a thing or what his purpose was.

"I can spare your life. Tell me, what exactly do you want?" Ye Tian asked, the murderous intent in his eyes growing even more intense.

Murong Yunzhen could not help but feel a secret sympathy upon hearing the old woman's tragic life story, and she readily agreed to everything. Jiang Xinyue was overjoyed to see that Murong Yunzhen was willing to treat her so kindly.