Chapter Forty-One: The Faces of the Multitude

New Year's Eve.

The Lou family's manor was shrouded in a strange atmosphere—

The courtyard was adorned with lanterns and streamers, servants bustled in and out, and the elder sons of the family hung charms and set off firecrackers.

The crackling and popping filled the air with lively warmth.

Yet, with the master Lou Jin absent, the house lacked its usual solemnity and gravity, gaining instead a hint of merriment.

But Madam Cui and the other women of the household had fallen into inexplicable silence.

“Have you found out? The east wing has summoned the family physician.”

“I think you'd better apologize to her in front of everyone later!” The stage manager kindly reminded.

Qiuqiu barked pitifully, and seeing Hu Xixi unwilling to help, raised its voice at the old man. The old man, a formidable figure himself, pressed his hand against the dog's neck. Though Qiuqiu was an old dog, its strength was still considerable, and the two—man and dog—began to quarrel atop the tricycle.

He obeyed her instructions. She, so earnest and passionate, cared for the shop as if it were her own child, nurturing it with meticulous attention. At that moment, he felt that his decision to entrust the place to her had not been a mistake after all.

Shen Wan’s hand paused as she fiddled with the golden hairpin; it struck the incense burner with a crisp clang.

The car sped toward First City Hospital. Mango trees by the roadside sprouted fresh green leaves; not far off, the kapok trees had shed all their leaves, their buds poised, waiting for the next wave of warmth to burst forth, painting the trees red, coloring a corner of the city.

Xiao Caifu felt her heart enveloped in coldness. The secret chamber was meant to be airtight. Before her eyes flashed the man's face in their last, decisive encounter. At last, she felt herself submerged at the icy bottom of the valley.

Rubbing Su Dou Dou’s hair, Su Bei smiled indulgently. His lips were red, teeth white, charming Su Dou Dou and, of course, Han Fangfei who stood not far away.

“No, I ate so much fruit this afternoon, my stomach’s still full of water!” she said, plopping herself down without ceremony.

Wang Lin waved his hand and strode into the hall. As soon as he entered, Yuan Bi hurried over, gave Wang Lin a secret look, then turned and walked toward her own room.

Shangguan Yun wielded a tree branch as a dagger, performing the Biluo Sword Technique. He stepped forward, the branch pointed at his opponent’s side, then thrust it as if it were a treasured sword.

And even without this incident, given the temperament of those in the demonic sect, it was unlikely they’d kindly mentor the younger generation; not harming others would already be considered virtuous.

After finishing their conversation, the two ignored the followers of the Heavenly Demon Sect, leading their men northward. Shangguan Yun, seeing their unsettled mood, did not press them, letting them go as they wished.

“Haha!” Mo Yang watched Old Iron Blood’s display. For some reason, he felt no fear—only a surge of anger in his veins, prompting this mocking laugh.

Though his Flaming Spear’s thrust was blocked, he grabbed closer to the tip with his left hand and turned the thrust into a sweep, striking Yu Jin’s side.

Shi Xi spread his wings and flew away; the three heads howled in unison, three energies filling the cave. A chorus of wails echoed. Whenever a cultivator’s vital force was hurled at him, Shi Xi merely flapped his wings, soaring into the air and dissolving their attacks.

Li Zhichen’s face grew grim. Qi Zuoheng and the other two formed a triangle. The Qi family experts circled around them, forming a ring, their broadswords flashing coldly, intensifying the bitter wind.

Now, the air was saturated with the moisture of night rain and the sour stench of decay. Thankfully, the stomach was empty; otherwise, everything would have been vomited up.

Just then, Li Shuer suddenly heard a sound from Di Jiuhua’s lips. Listening closely, she realized he was reciting the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Vows Sutra.

“This time, I brought you here to help with your eye problem,” Zhang Jie finished.

On the street, the lively scenes had long vanished; everyone had been frightened into hiding.