Chapter 42: Human Skin

His heart felt as though it had shattered into a thousand pieces. At this moment, he held only one conviction: if she lived, he would live; if she died, he would die by her side.

"You monster! As a child, how could you harm your own mother!" a policeman behind him shouted fiercely, brandishing a peach-wood sword.

"Sanguan, I’m telling you, something’s happened outside!" Er-Ya rushed in, flustered, as if the world were coming to an end. "A-Heng?" Upon seeing Du Heng sitting on the bed, he froze, then, realizing who it was, he lunged toward Du Heng’s arms with a choked, tearful sob.

Shang Shiyu had not expected Du Heng to stay put. He stared at him for a moment and said, "Very well, Master Du, you may stay here. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave." With that, he turned to depart.

Xia Mian was held back, yet no one dared to restrain Lan Heli. His expression was grim, his eyes fixed coldly upon Xia Mian.

Uncle Zhong was caught completely off guard when the old man pulled him back with such force that he stumbled and nearly fell.

He had no time to watch, for he had resolved that if Lingyu launched an attack, he would step forward to engage him; he could not allow any harm to come to Yiyi.

The voice sounded disgruntled, his gaze locked tightly onto the figure bending over to enter the carriage.

Her soft, melodic voice combined with her bashful expression made Wushuang appear all the more charming. Only behind his back could she gaze at him with such abandon; only where he could not see her could she indulge in her longing. Everything had to remain hidden from his sight.

Tian Gang left in high spirits. Lin Feng watched his retreating figure, feeling happy for him, yet conflicted. He didn’t know how to face Cong Han. Having just returned to Chixin Mountain, he was already destined to leave again, and this time, he would not return for another two years.

His gaze was intense as he studied her, his dark eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her trembling form stirred a mercy within him that he had not expected, so he gave himself another reason: he would spare her this weak and fragile version of herself tonight.

When the ships from both sides crossed the Tsushima Strait, Zhang Chuchen’s gold-embroidered, soft-soled deerskin boots stepped onto the docks of Kagoshima.

He, too, was of the human race and a half-step monarch, yet there remained a vast gap between him and Yan Shengji; they were simply not on the same level.

Ling-er was startled and dared not ask further. She understood the saying that curiosity kills the cat.

In their past encounters, the Dream Demon, cloaked in his mantle, had slipped into his consciousness to weave a nightmare.

"That's right, don't you dare mess around! If you dare lay a finger on me or my mother, I will make sure the Celestial Empire shows you no mercy! Don't believe me? Just try it!" Shu Sui hid behind Cao Meichang, peering out with only half her head, trembling as she spoke.

Jian Mingchao called her name with profound meaning, omitting her surname and using only her given name.

Was the Princess so sheltered by the Emperor that she didn't understand what the Moonlight Pavilion meant? It was, after all, a place for men to indulge in debauchery.

Long Yuan quickly steadied his emotions, sitting cross-legged to calm his mind and sense the changes within his body. A moment later, that murderous intent welled up in his heart once more.

As long as Lin Weizhong was willing to continue injecting capital, there was still a chance for the project to succeed.

Fatty Yang possessed an optimistic heart. He was always cheerful in front of his parents, often joking that he preferred being on the heavier side.

As the City Lord gave the command, the commander of the Kunyang City guards darkened his expression, channeling his Nascent Soul cultivation as if prepared to strike at any moment.

Chi Hong pressed his palm against Long Yuan’s chest, forcing a trace of true energy into his dantian. Because their energies had previously mingled and fused, there was no violent turbulence within Long Yuan’s sea of energy this time.

Furthermore, physical combat was of little use here, so Chu Yi was currently contemplating how to continue his descent.

Seeing Li Zhuo remain unmoved, Xu Xiang sighed. He knew, of course, that Li Zhuo was waiting for him to state his terms.

Naturally, though they held no royal title, the most powerful family in the Yunxiao Dynasty—the Chu family—held the most influence.

Time slipped away. With Long Yuan practicing at night and sleeping by day, six days passed in the blink of an eye.

Qi Tian’s mangled body hit the ground. His skull was shattered, and thick blood flowed down from his forehead.

Seeing Li Haidong’s bewildered expression, Su You understood the situation. He offered no explanation, knowing Li Haidong would understand once he continued to watch.

At this moment, Aphrodite emerged, surrounded by her attendants. A strange gleam flashed in her eyes when she saw the phantom beasts flickering in the air, but when the majestic giant eagle shattered the five phantoms in one blow, a cold, mocking smirk curled her lips.

If the jadeite was to be cut and sold, then a situation arose: even if Su You took back four pieces of glass-grade jade, along with one Imperial Green, he would still have nine pieces left—and all nine were glass-grade.

His stature was grander than that of an ordinary man, his features carved with such lifelike precision that he seemed a true god descended from the heavens, looking down upon the mundane toil of mortals, calmly accepting their most devout prayers.

"Brother Yan, if you wish to tuck Luo-er in, please do so quickly... otherwise, she might catch a cold..." With her eyes fixed intently on the quilt in Huang Yan’s hands, little Mi looked on with worry.

The vast hall was silent. Then, a streak of white flashed through the heavens, and Ling Qian descended into the hall like a falling meteorite.

Thinking of this, the monk Bu Jie broke into a cold sweat. If this giant python were allowed to do as it pleased, the world would be plunged into an unimaginable state. It had to be stopped.

"Indeed. This time, we shall strike with the power of thunder to slay Li Ming, who is rumored to be so arrogant, and avenge Mu Fang and the rest of the God Clan," the Great Elder declared, his spirits high.

"Understood." Zhu Jin clasped his hands in salute and led the Dragon Guards directly into the provincial hall, where sixteen guards took up positions to secure and patrol the perimeter.