Chapter 53: Cinders

For a fleeting moment, Chu Heng Kong wanted to question his opponent: if he was truly a man of pride, why would he stoop to consort with monsters? Yet he remained silent, knowing the other would respond with the same question—why had he chosen the path of an assassin in the first place?

The reasons were nothing more than worn-out clichés, repeated so often they had grown calloused to the ears.

Yán’s body was nowhere to be seen, only ashes drifting in the pale blue flames. Chu Heng Kong dragged his blade out of the dueling arena. The staircase leading to the highest level had long since collapsed. He extinguished the flames with a breath.

Inside lay garments of various colors, food, some daily necessities, a stack of money sealed in an envelope, and a group photograph.

Naturally, Nie Mingrong noticed the change in his expression. Since he was so lecherous, she decided to humiliate this notorious womanizer publicly.

Hu Gao looked up just in time to witness the scene, his brow furrowing sharply. It was exactly like the moment when that human-faced demon beast was struck by the power of the Kui Mu Wolf he first summoned.

“Mayor Ding, good morning. Breakfast is on me today. Consider it an explanation for yesterday’s events,” Zhou Yibing said as Ding Changsheng entered.

“It should be almost healed, not as tense as before,” Feng Wu nodded. Seeing that she no longer intended to refine elixirs, he flew onto her shoulder and gave his wings a gentle clap.

Ming Shengli’s face paled, clutching his chest in discomfort. At that moment, Ming Xiaoxiao and Chen Li arrived. Seeing her father grasping his chest, Xiaoxiao immediately rushed over.

Upon landing, Hu Gao was struck with a heavy shock. The yuan energy surging within him suddenly burst forth once more from his body.

At the Huo residence, Madam Huo saw Luo Xun and insisted on inviting him to a meal this time. Luo Xun, as always, only said he had matters to attend to and left.

Bei Wangxiu painfully crawled to the light prison, his arm trembling as he reached forward. Every movement sent waves of pain through him, yet he could not stop—for the one he loved was suffering.

“Roar! Roar! Roar!” Countless roars erupted simultaneously. Scores of magical beasts thundered out of the forest, charging toward the blood-red serpent light in the sky.

The squad leader had yet to grasp the situation when Yun Fei brought the medal close to the communicator on his waist. Lines of code immediately appeared on the device, causing the leader’s eyes to widen in shock.

With a shift of intent, the two figures that had been suspended midair vanished in an instant, even slipping past Feng Chen’s gaze.

After all, Moyun was nominally a vassal state of the ancient Tianhong kingdom. With the Tianhong treasure jade as proof, no one would dare to doubt.

Of course, this was no surprise. We all knew Lu Xi’s mischievous nature—a wildly imaginative child who was formidable in battle but prone to sudden lapses of reason.

It was not only the Beasts’ Pirate Crew; perhaps the Fire Dragon Pirates and their numerous allied crews had all been wiped out in this cataclysmic explosion in Wano Country.

“Is that so? Since Oppa is so tired, then finish last,” Lee Hyo-ri said with a glare, having long seen through everything.

Whether blessing or curse, after Wang Pang’s death, an unborn child was left behind. The Wang family erupted in joy, for Wang Anshi’s lineage would continue. The Song people, valuing filial piety, considered having no heirs the greatest unfilial act. Thus, the entire Wang family centered around the two wives, hoping heaven would bless their house to keep its flame burning.

On the distant sea, dark shapes began to surge toward this side. Each shadow was immense, far larger than any ordinary ship.

By then, Wang Ze would no longer have to fret as he did today. Of course, that was a matter for later. After arranging these affairs, Wang Ze still had Cheng Chong waiting nearby.

Seeing the flames flare on the bridge, Qi army commanders swiftly selected several warhorses, set their tails ablaze, and spurred them toward the bridgehead.

Having completed his task, the blacksmith felt no lingering worries. He soared into the sky, orienting himself before heading swiftly toward Nanjiang Square.