Volume One, Chapter 21: The Crisp Autumn Wind Rises (Part One)

“It's a pity my bar isn’t open to the public, otherwise I’d have you as its spokesperson,” Qin Yu joked.

“Vice Chairman Shimura, I will never serve as the primary representative of the Fire Nation People's Congress nor as the Prime Minister of the Fire Nation,” Ichiro Hyuga responded.

Its mouth opened, lips trembling, and the air around distorted as if a silent wave had been sent forth.

Feng Xingying seemed to recall that this skinny fellow often found excuses to trouble Xiao Jiu, likely using the same tactic as Xuanyuan Cheng, though without harboring such deep hatred or daring to truly harm Xiao Jiu—he merely uttered some lewd words.

“Tch, it’s all the same,” Han’s mother said with a smile, thoroughly scrubbing the washing basin handed to her by Han’s father.

Han’s father carried a hoe, Han Xuan hoisted a shovel with a basket on his back, and Luo Qinian led the old yellow ox; they were off to inspect the land. The cunning Han father deliberately took a detour to cross paths with Han Xian.

“I meant that the people, officials, and noble families within other states are not nostalgic for the former kingdom,” Uchiha Fugaku explained.

Qin Feng ran while probing with his spirit energy at the Lingxian spirit, discovering it had lost much of its intelligence and was driven solely by the pervasive battle intent within this Lingxian battlefield, attacking anyone who detected it.

Recent events had been overwhelming—matters with the royal guild, incidents involving Sheng Yuan, and issues within the Ulan base—leaving him somewhat frazzled.

Yet the black fire refused to extinguish, still burning the body into nothingness. Only the soul was restrained, suspended midair by spiritual power. However, these five souls had been wounded by the black fire; though not dissipated, they appeared confused and aimless.

Hua Rong naturally heard the surrounding whispers but yawned expressionlessly and continued memorizing physical formulas.

“This…” Xiao Wangyu hesitated. Of course, he intended to reunite with Lu Chen, but, honestly, he was reluctant to involve King Jing.

Meanwhile, Qi Shuning followed Wuhua, winding through the courtyard until they reached the Flower Hall. The hall truly lived up to its name, surrounded by vibrant blossoms, yet it was essentially a pavilion without any cover or shelter.

---

As they spoke, the two turned back toward the courtyard. Before they could enter, several figures flashed forward and stood before them. Phantom Two and Phantom Three went on alert but quickly recognized the newcomers.

As Tang Yi stepped into the factory, two men in security uniforms immediately emerged at the entrance.

The white-robed demon cultivator saw Zhao Chenbi accept his test with such ease and mastery, causing his golden pupils to shrink in surprise.

“I said I would cure your poison, and I will. As for what happens in your dreams, since one change can occur, a second change is possible as well.”

At this moment, Yin Tao Si was furious, not even glancing at Bai Yunjing and the others, nor noticing Luo Sha’s escape. His entire focus was fixed on Zhao Chenbi.

Back when he was at the Tongshen Realm, Tianzi had been remarkably talented, and with fortunate circumstances and extraordinary encounters, he had mastered the Dao of Life, the Dao of Death, and the Dao of Reincarnation, merging them into one supreme path capable of controlling all life and death and governing the cycle of souls.

Everyone smiled knowingly and cast their gaze over; Hua Junhui, Hua Lingshan, and Jia Qi all wore expressions anticipating a spectacle.

The farmer, seeing a crowd approaching, immediately put on a friendly smile. Zhu Ming said nothing and picked up a sweet potato to examine it carefully.

Perhaps it was a moment of softened advice or a way to dispel Artoria’s doubts. Rider no longer answered Artoria’s questions; after the master boarded the chariot, he expressionlessly cracked the reins, and with the divine bull’s roar, they soared into the sky, disappearing into the distant horizon.

“So you planned this all along? Who exactly are you? Why frame us?” Shangguan Fei demanded.

It was said that Zhu Ming had only recently returned from the Ming Dynasty, yet the weapons of the Blackwater Ming Kingdom had undergone such drastic changes in a single day, astonishing everyone.

William ignored his pleas for mercy, covering the wound with cotton again, though this time the cotton was removed sooner.

As an immortal herb, it was naturally exceedingly intelligent, fully aware of the ruthless figure before it.

---

Originally, I did not intend to become a barrier obstructing East-West exchanges, but now, in pursuit of profit, no one can blame me. Zhu Ming occupies an incredibly crucial position, controlling both sides of the Strait of Malacca.

At this moment, many art students spoke up. Some had no doubts about Feng Qing’s painting skills, but now they found themselves somewhat puzzled.

Even if salt and iron were not sold in the Ming Dynasty, other goods still yielded substantial profits. Especially since Zhu Ming’s subordinates were foreign merchants engaged in overseas trade, even if certain current Ming laws conflicted, each case would require specific consideration.

“It’s just water. What’s so complicated? Haven’t you drunk it before?” Lai Ying said reluctantly.

Li Zhengxin returned home, took off his coat and hung it on the rack, and as he reached into the pocket to pull out a cigarette, his fingers also brushed against a letter.

Qi, helpless, responded to Zhu Yue with a shrug. For such matters, Qi saw no need to answer; some things need not be probed too deeply.

However, such major issues could not be resolved in one or two discussions. They concerned the rise and fall of the family, so no one dared make rash decisions. It was foreseeable that related disputes would continue indefinitely.

I never set up positions like president or vice president for the headquarters; I have always personally overseen the various companies.

After scanning around, Lantian discovered that among the spiritual fluctuations, aside from one spirit force stronger than his own, most were weaker, including Beb’s spirit power, which was roughly at the lower planetary level.