Chapter 76: Gufeng County

In the northwest of Qingzhou, there was a county town with a permanent population of over twenty thousand, called Gufeng City. Thirty li further north from the city lay the main peak of the Tochan Mountains, which spanned three provinces—a peak known as Tochan Peak.

In years of abundance, the Tochan Mountains were treasures to the people of Gufeng, with endless supplies of timber and game that could be taken without fear of depletion. But in years of calamity, bandits would occupy the forests and hills, and Gufeng City, being closest, would suffer most.

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Xiangyun nodded reluctantly and turned away to busy herself again. I was about to rise, but then recalled the “evidence” on my person; my face flushed, and I decided to simply gather the quilt around me as I sat up. Just as I did, I saw Xiren fetch a pair of scissors and begin to cut at the silk mattress on the bed.

“Why didn’t you fight back?” The Demon-Sealing Sword fell, but was deflected by Huotong’s blade; he drew a deep breath and gritted his teeth. Yet, a swordstroke so exquisite deserved to be appreciated. With the strength of Mengyao and Zhuoyue, they could not fathom the intricacies behind it. To them, it was nothing more than Yifan cutting down the shadowy figure with a single stroke, nothing more.

In Yifan’s eyes, a cold light flared instantly as he lifted the broken sword he had prepared long ago high into the air.

Something about this felt amiss, but I could not say what. I abandoned the hope in my heart and chose not to dwell on it.

Just now, she seemed, perhaps vaguely, to have seen a part she should not have seen, but surely it was “miniature.” After all, Yujie’s current appearance was that of a ten-year-old child, not a youth.

“Hahaha! Do you think that’s possible? Once we catch him, you’ll all die together! Hmph!” Zhang Xuan spat out his words and fled the water dungeon as if escaping; the environment there was simply intolerable.

Xie Chen’s deduction drove Kudo Hisashi into utter despair. Suddenly, he collapsed to his knees, as if admitting his crimes.

No matter how formidable she was, she was still only a twelve-year-old child. Even if she wasn’t a fool, how could she possibly contend with so many opponents? Asahi clenched his trembling fists tightly, unable to wait for the moment when Huotong would be slain.

To be honest, the master of Demon Sword Valley was utterly unwilling to let Yifan undertake such a dangerous mission. Although, at this moment, it truly seemed Yifan was the best choice. Still, no matter how he considered it, the master of Demon Sword Valley could not find comfort in his heart.

Zining and Yuxin, however, persisted in their resolve, and since Leili and Xicai had no alternative, they agreed to let Zining and Yuxin go together, while the remaining Lei Yan and others had to stay behind at the academy.

He believed in the principle of “a thousand cups are too few with a kindred spirit, half a phrase too many with the wrong one,” so his circle of true friends was virtually nonexistent—thanks to his severity, his acerbic manner, and his overbearing sense of justice.

So it wasn’t long before a messenger rushed in to report to Li Ningyu: “First battle report, sir! A scout from the 808th Division has discovered a telephone line at the foot of the mountain!”

The great rise of the Chinese merchant clans in history occurred during the Ming and Qing dynasties, giving birth to the ten great merchant groups and the three leading clans: the Jin, Hui, and Chao merchants.

“Yes! That’s right!” Hearing Li Ningyu recite the number, Liu Qinghui nodded affirmatively, though he still seemed puzzled as to what Li Ningyu was really trying to say.

Even so, he was kept in solitary confinement, and even the guards responsible for watching him never dared approach, always speaking to him from behind iron bars, always with respect.

She came to seek Meng Fan, hoping to open a shop in the village, selling fruits, snacks, and daily necessities.

Just then, the main members of the Righteous Harmony Society outside knocked urgently on the door and said, “Altar Master, Far East soldiers have begun searching the northern city! We need to evacuate at once!”

“Of course I believe you,” Qiu Shaoze replied, looking at the playful smile on Zhuo Wuxiang’s face.