Chapter 53: One Side at Peace, the Other Breeding Malice

If one were to use the operation of a steam engine as a metaphor for the fervor a nation, faction, or society holds toward war and trade, it would be this: boiling steam possesses immense power, but to harness that power effectively requires intricate structural design.

In Wu Fei's design, marching beyond the pass served as the outward piston stroke of "fervor," while returning within the pass to stabilize the economy acted as the inward piston stroke. Thus, the military-merchant conglomerate of the Southern Frontier rolled forward like a chugging locomotive.

Shen Mengmeng had not been back for some days, and with Shen Zhongtian usually absent, there were only two housekeepers at home, making the place appear exceptionally quiet.

"What?" Zhou Liang cried out in shock. In that instant, the presence of Saint Xuanyuan vanished entirely from the heavens and the earth.

After the Heavenly Dao spoke, black wisps suddenly erupted from its body and dissipated into the universe. Meanwhile, a sphere of white light slowly emerged from Jiang Xing's abdomen.

With that, black-and-red flames surged across the giant axe. Feeling the ambient temperature climbing steadily, Mao Haoyu was seized by sudden panic.

Jiang Chen sighed, lifting the orb in his hand as he channeled the power of the laws of heaven and earth into it. The orb emitted a peculiar radiance that slowly diffused, weaving into countless beams of light. Like bolts of light, these rays swiftly enveloped the Earth and began to spin at breathtaking speed.

Regrettably, magnificent though the Mercedes-Benz might be, it lacked an automatic tracking function. When Bai Xianlai reached a fork in the road, she found herself facing a dilemma: which path had that Jinbei van taken?

Having accomplished her mission and retired while at the peak, Mu Xuefu understood in her heart that her father's framing had stemmed precisely from his failure to withdraw in time, which had provoked Jing Lingcang's suspicions. Now, Mu Zhaolin was taking heed of that lesson, terrified of repeating the same fate by failing to realize that once the birds are gone, the good bow is stowed away.

Let alone a ruthless figure like Zhou Liang, even a clay Buddha would be fumed into smoke by such treatment. Furthermore, the people of the Green Demon Mountain were accustomed to unbridled arrogance; upon hearing this, they burst into loud laughter. The "Second Green Demon" was a figure of ancestral rank with unfathomable strength—once he struck, it would shatter the heavens and split the earth. Who could possibly block him?

In truth, I was completely fine. Although Hun Xingcang had undergone a second deification and his gear was predominantly epic-tier orange, his strength was simply inferior to mine. Had I not been putting on a show for my own style, he would have died a hundred times over already.

"I was just anxious, I'm fine," I said. But that wasn't actually the case. Aboard the wolf cavalry mount, the True Dragon Devouring Strength drove the man's sword further into the wolf's body. Having penetrated just a millimeter or so, I was already able to exert a force of one hundred and fifty shi. If it pierced deeper, would my strength grow even greater?

"The imperial family? That is the Holy Palace! Countless people dream of going just to take a look," Luo Shu blurted out anxiously the moment she heard.

It wasn't until Xu Xianran gently nudged her with her elbow that she snapped out of her daze. Setting down the tray in her hand, Lin Qingqing and Xu Xianran went over to help Nike change Ou Yuanlan's dressings.

Although I had anticipated Li Baishui's reaction and his words beforehand, even if he hadn't been instigated by Xie Keming, he was hardly the sort to be led around by the nose—let alone now, when someone was backing him up. Of course, bringing such a large group of people with Ai Qiangwei, I had never intended to resolve everything simply through conversation.

The second wave of attacks from the five super-dreadnoughts still failed to shake the grand formation formed by the numerous dragon turtles.

Looking at Monica, Lin Qingqing finally understood completely what it meant to be pear blossoms drenched in rain. Her long, curled eyelashes fluttered, adorned with glistening, undried teardrops, while her expressive eyes seemed capable of speech, stirring grief in the heart of anyone who beheld her.

Wei Xiong drew in a sharp breath of cold air, feeling as though his internal organs were about to leap out right along with it.

"Oh? Let me see!" Liao Fengyue hurriedly took it to inspect closely, and Liao Zhexin stepped forward eagerly as well.

The audience from South Korea was always so arrogant, and this arrogance was entirely built upon the strength of others, parroting whatever others said.