Chapter 24: Perseverance

"Qiu Niu, how are things on your end?"
At night, during the first half of his shift, Zhen Ye asked about the others' situation through his earpiece.
According to Old Zhou, the surrounding area was far from peaceful right now. Even though everyone was under the warehouse's protection, neither Zhang Liang nor his companion dared to let their guard down.
"We're sorting through the list of people you sent over. The embassy staff need some time as well, and a few other Chinese expatriates from Abidjan Province are making their way to Aden," Tong Wanxin replied in his steady voice. Because this evacuation was voluntary, the embassy—
Bai Sha was at a loss for words after witnessing Wu Ming’s thrilling and perilous escape.
She slowly picked up the black cloth, gently covering the man seated in the chair, and then draped it lightly over the backrest. Lowering her gaze to the man’s hands that were still exposed, she lifted them and tucked them under the cloth as well.
"You saw them steal the potatoes with your own eyes?" Qin Chao asked with a frown; this matter might not be as simple as it seemed.
Jinyang was surrounded and surrendered in less than three days. Yang Liang and his subordinates had already lost the will and courage to defend the city long before; if Yang Liang hadn't sent several envoys to repeatedly negotiate terms of surrender with Yang Su, the city might not have held out even three days.
These artillerymen had never seen Wu Zuodong lose his temper before. His stern words sobered them instantly, making them realize they had gone too far.
"Then do your best. We’re counting on you," Lin Qing said with a smile, nodding as her gaze drifted toward the balcony window.
After Han Shie returned to the princess’s residence, it wasn’t long before a messenger arrived from the palace, summoning him to court the next morning.
Mo Qi smiled faintly, rolled up his sleeves, displayed his empty hands, and, with a sudden swipe through the air, produced a coin out of nowhere.
The Rain Tribe chief spoke earnestly; Liu Chen nodded, thinking how unbelievable this whole affair truly was. Who could have imagined things would turn out this way?
A week later, Chen Zhengbin stood atop the city tower of Zhenjiang Prefecture, gazing at the sea of heads stretching into the distance, a trace of sorrow flickering in his eyes.
Qian Xi cradled the warm bowl in both hands, glanced up at him, murmured a soft thank you, then quickly dropped her gaze again.
The stench mingling with the fragrance of flowers was, to someone like Rong Tang who had spent years in the army, unmistakable—the putrid odor of festering wounds.
The medicine was colorless and tasteless, crafted by a wanderer. After ingestion, it wouldn’t take effect immediately; only after nightfall would symptoms appear, so those afflicted wouldn’t even know where or what they had eaten to cause such stomach trouble.
Lin Feng, eyes covered by a string of prayer beads, shuddered violently, as if abruptly jolted awake. The darkness in his gaze faded swiftly, and the formidable aura radiating from his body was immediately withdrawn.
Yet the other party said that Xu Jingyuan had actually wanted to meet Chi Fuwei, this “close friend,” ever since she heard of her coming over a month ago. She had waited until she felt almost recovered before sending someone to invite her.
Last time, when Fu Zhilin came to Floating Life Residence to hold Lu Mingxi, she had behaved exactly the same way, showering Fu Zhilin with kisses.
A distant voice echoed in their ears, and everyone looked up in confusion, unable to see clearly no matter how they tried. It was as if a vision had appeared in their minds, compelling them to stop—stop. They didn’t want to stop, but their bodies grew heavier and heavier, and the nimbleness of a moment before was now utterly impossible.
Chengshi poured a pill from the wooden bottle into his palm and, pinching it between his fingers, raised his hand to show the crowd below.
"Not good!" Lu Tong realized what was happening, his expression changing drastically as he hurriedly pushed open the office door.
Who could have guessed that what she did was exposed simply because ashes from incense had stuck to her hair? Did she really have to be so sharp?
"But Ambrun was still discovered. Ambrun was captured, Feng Chunshi couldn’t transform in his dreams, couldn’t control himself, and was also under Ambrun’s influence. He went to Tiger Head Peak and was captured by the Night Sect as well," Song Xiaodong said.