Chapter 63: Splitting Shadows and Scattered Light

The secret chamber was small, its four walls bare. Only in the center did the somber metal box stand silently, emanating a chill that spoke of ages past and a faint ripple of spiritual energy. The box was seamless, with no visible cracks or keyholes, as if it were a solid ingot of metal.

“That’s it, that’s the thing—quick, open it and have a look!” Ye Ming exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement.

Wang Qingshao stepped forward, his thick fingers gliding over the box’s surface. He applied pressure, but the box did not budge in the slightest.

“When we found Captain dead, those two beggars had already vanished,” said a city guard.

Meanwhile, Qinghu and Huayang had married. Qinghu insisted on holding the wedding in the Prince Jing’s mansion, and Jin Xiaohan accompanied him.

There was no need for White Cockroach to warn her; Auntie Bai could clearly hear the sound of air being torn apart.

Upon hearing her reply, Lady Chisu smiled gently. Such poise was indeed like that of a disciple from one of the great sects—only they would overlook a vast monster core market like Arctic Island as beneath their notice.

“Haha, it’s all the same in the end. Anyway, you are now the strongest appraiser on the Lost Continent. From now on, I can bring all my equipment and items straight to you for appraisal. Not only does that save me a great deal of trouble, it also saves a fortune. When the time comes, don’t complain about being overworked,” Ye Tianxie said with a laugh.

At that moment, Lin Ji and two other loyal guards stood around Zhou Xuan, weapons drawn, while the armored axemen of Southern Han formed three ranks around the long table. Panic-stricken attendants and servants hovered in confusion, stunned to see the crown prince held hostage by Zhou Xuan. The hall fell utterly silent, broken only by the roar of the sea wind and the pounding rain.

But if not here, then where? This was beyond anything Jin Xiaohan could comprehend. He did not even know what to ask; he just felt uneasy.

Previously, Prince Yang had agreed with Rao Xuekong that, in public, she would be called Hua Xuekong, not Hua Xue’er. This way, she could retain the name her parents had given her in her previous life, while still honoring her father’s surname in this one.

Living under the same roof, it was inevitable to cross paths. Every time Ye Mingzhu ran into her, the arrogant and brainless girl would deliberately provoke her. There had been many such petty clashes between them. But Shi Zhongyu could not be bothered to respond; the less conflict, the better. Perhaps this had led Ye Mingzhu to misunderstand.

“Don’t be too upset. The pot cannot avoid breaking by the well; a general cannot avoid dying on the battlefield. Since they have chosen to be soldiers, they must be prepared for sacrifice.” Qian Buli tried to console Wang Rui.

Suddenly, the shrill cry of a war horse sounded from behind. Soon after, the thunder of hooves filled the air as a yellow steed galloped up. Qin Qiong vaulted onto its back, turned it around, and under the fearful gazes of dozens of Bodhisattva cultists, urged his horse away.

Daoist Xuanfei’s face was deathly pale, cold sweat streaming down. He nearly fainted from fright.

“Fine, for the sake of this Thousand Ghosts’ Heart-Devouring Flower, I’ll let you off this time!” Gai Yan snorted coldly.

Ning Ye, still inwardly admiring his own cleverness, had no idea what consequences his misguided joke about “repaying with his body” would later bring.

“What happened? Speak slowly!” Jun Moxi jumped up, with Mo Yunfan, Ye Qi, and Shangguan Xiaofeng tensing behind him.

Liu Dafu was a hearty man; once he started talking, he became unstoppable. Beside him, Shui Roubing didn’t mind at all, a gentle smile on her face as she listened with genuine interest.

The situation dragged on for a whole day, yet the Qiang people outside the county office showed no sign of leaving. On the contrary, they seemed to be gathering in greater numbers, communicating with one another. By dusk, five or six thousand Qiang had assembled outside the office.

It was easy to imagine that after tonight, the Nangong, Ximen, and Beiming families, along with that damned Swordmaster who had somehow stolen their swords, would become the object of scorn for sword cultivators everywhere—cursed in every hidden corner, as if someone were drawing circles on the wall and wishing them ill.