Chapter 87: Seduction and Coercion

As Gu Yuanzhou’s hand was about to touch Bai Huan’s collar, his wrist was seized and twisted back in an instant. The freshly set bone gave a sharp crack, eliciting a scream of agony. Gu Yuanhuai, terrified, let go and stumbled backward repeatedly.

Bai Huan patted him on the shoulder, grabbed his sleeve, and dragged him out of the room, closing the door behind them with a flick of her hand.

“Go fetch those who serve the Eldest Young Master and have them take this man away.”

Bai Huan and Gu Yuanhuai returned to the small courtyard, where Chenxiang and Camellia greeted them with delighted faces.

The door to the sickroom creaked open from the outside, and the doctor who had come the night before entered. His purpose today was straightforward: to devour the divine ape, thereby using the opportunity to break through to the middle stage of Golden Immortal of Grand Unity.

His first choice, of course, was the four daily commissions, followed by the unchanging century-old routine of forging ore at Wagner’s place.

The two of them chatted idly with the Holy Mother for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, they took their leave. Chenxiang clung to the Holy Mother, reluctant to part, before finally following Jiang Yuan away, casting wistful glances behind her.

On the day of the birthday banquet, Li Xiao took special care to dress in his finest attire, tying his favorite sash and applying fragrant oil, perfecting every strand of hair to flawless precision.

At that moment, Pigsy had already been wounded, ambushed by the Green Lion. He barely had time to react, instinctively gathering his energy to form a shield to protect himself.

Master Meow was a restless cat, seldom at home during the day. If he wasn’t wandering the mountains pretending to be an otherworldly feline, he was riding the clouds to visit places far and wide, showing off his laid-back, carefree life to other celestial beasts.

After all, the Buddhist sect was the true beneficiary of this cosmic tribulation; those with sense would not provoke them, especially with Tongtian overtly causing them trouble now.

To be honest, these past nights had been wild for them—so wild, in fact, they hadn’t slept for days on end.

Though he was clad in a plain black robe and held nothing more than a simple paper fan, his innate nobility was impossible to conceal.

Even though the loud, bellowing man had been discovered by the group, neither Song Hu nor his two disciples knew what he had been shouting about, nor what transpired afterward.

Sun Long nodded and turned to leave. Judging by his gait, his injuries did not seem severe—perhaps he had just feigned weakness earlier.

Dashiqing was a place of remarkable beauty: towering trees entwined with creeping vines formed canopies like umbrellas, the lush foliage mingling with massive stones and woods, mountains azure and rocks misty, a stunning interplay of stone and forest.

Xiang Yong said, “Young Master Gong’s plan is a clever one. However, the general of Chu is skilled in strategy, and Xiaoguan’s Yangzhi is the younger brother of Yangming. Though not a cautious man, luring him will be difficult. We have fallen for Yangming’s ruse before; surely he knows the art of luring others without being lured himself. It may not be easy to deceive him.”

Shi Xiaofeng mused to himself: Han Laowu was rash and impatient, unlike his brother Han Chou, who was calm and resilient; thus, his skills were far inferior to his younger brother’s.

As the months passed and the child’s birth drew near, Consort Qing would surely grow restless and act sooner or later.

He thought that after waking up refreshed the next morning, he would take a bath to invigorate himself, then it would be time to leave. As for what remained here, he would leave it to the cleaning staff to deal with.

“Mom, let me walk you out.” Shen Tong accompanied Lin Xia all the way to the camp gate, then watched her depart. Shen Tong smiled gently and shook his head.

Yu Manli laughed—a laughter brimming with happiness. Never before had a boy been so genuine with her, so good to her; all the others had been frivolous young masters.

“Zuo Weiyang, how many do you think will die in Xizhou this time?” Ji Weiliao’s voice was a little hoarse.

But that person merely nodded, not sparing Jiang Ying a glance, hoisting Huo En’en over his shoulder and leaving straight away.

Ruan Qi had returned to the residence. It would not be wise for them to barge into Misty Courtyard, so their best option was to head for the Refinement Studio upon arrival.