Chapter 181: Duel, Zhao Xiaowan!

Indeed, it was not the first time Li Changan had crossed paths with Gu Ruilong, and he had come to possess a profound understanding of the man’s true character.

On the surface, the fellow cut the figure of an affable, easygoing young gentleman.

Yet beneath that veneer lay a soul exceedingly petty and violently vindictive, one who stopped at nothing and would stoop to the vilest, most underhanded tactics to achieve his ends.

In Li Changan’s estimation, such a creature made for an treacherous enemy and an equally hazardous friend; the wisest course was simply

Unlike the reality of Earth, the ordinary folk of Jiujiang did not gather to gawk from a safe distance.

Rising early, Zhou Chengyuan found washed sweet potatoes resting in the steamer basket; the warmth of being tended to stirred something within him so that, when Su Yao saw them to the door, he made Liu Jinglin turn away, drew her into his arms, and kissed her.

"Did Yaoyao sew this herself?! How exquisitely detailed!" Aunt Chen Pingliu gasped in admiration, marveling at the embroidered fish.

The sky began to dim once more, and Pei Nanxun looked down at his arm, at the very spot where Han Zhao had wounded him.

Qingyu governed the criminal underworld of Jiangcheng, while Ziyu commanded its commerce, owning the largest investment firm; though the Bai family was the wealthiest on paper, Ziyu reigned as the city's true sovereign of fortune.

Leaping clear, he turned at the sound but saw nothing save a sudden, roiling wall of dense smoke surging toward him, threatening to swallow him whole.

Gu Nanzhi froze, utterly stunned; the Emperor actually demanded she enter the palace as his imperial concubine, and that she do so this very instant.

Elsewhere, having departed that place, Wu Zhi walked straight toward the city gates, seeking a spot to rest before venturing out to scout the enemy's strength and disposition.

A pair of crutches did indeed rest beside Bai Zilan’s bed, though they were placed just beyond the immediate reach of her hand.

A sharp hiss cut through the air as an arrow pierced flesh, sending blood spraying in all directions; Sylvanas clapped a hand over her mouth, tears streaming instantly down her face as her bow slipped from her forgotten grasp.

Staring at the fatal blade rushing toward him, the Kalista player had no time even for tears before his remaining life force was cruelly extinguished.

Upon beholding Naxxramas, Primatis was struck with profound wonder, marvelling that sentient beings could possess the mastery to forge such a magnificent creation.

Lin Chen’s occupation was of such a nature that his presence at the office scarcely mattered; as no genuine patient had yet materialized, he enjoyed an enviable measure of freedom.

"Wan Qingqing," Liu Chenyang muttered, narrowing eyes as piercing as a hawk's. To strike at Wan Ying time and time again—she might endure it, but I will not! With a sharp crack, his palm shattered the flowerpot beside him, and he strode out, enveloped in an aura of pure malice.

Time drifted slowly by, and after staring intently for nearly five minutes, Chen Bo utterly abandoned any hope of dredging up the memory.

Granted, the assaults launched by Ares and his companions had previously been far too feeble to pose any real threat to the Blazing Black Dragon.

The four moved with the practiced harmony of a single mind; seeing its path blocked, the massive pig instinctively wheeled around to flee, yet no matter which direction it turned to break the perimeter, someone was always there to thwart it. The beast squealed in frustration, lunging forward and recoiling, until it was finally cornered against the edge of the flowerbed.

"Of course I secured it, though I cannot hand it over just yet, see?" Ymir said, gesturing with a nod toward Richard's prospective gaze.

Yet, blessings rarely come in pairs, and misfortunes never strike alone; the Twilight Orb within his pocket began to vibrate once more, signaling that someone was summoning him through the artifact.

The Emperor of the Great Song was naturally filled with profound relief—the Heavenly Gate Formation had been shattered, and the immense stone that had long weighed upon his heart was finally lifted.

Standing nearby, Kim listened to the biting sarcasms with a mounting fury, yet when he glanced at the serene Yi Jin, the man seemed entirely unmoved, leaning there with an air of leisurely indifference, steady as a mountain.

Zhantian and Li Ke gathered a handful of wild greens and mushrooms, intending to keep their midday meal light and simple; as the pool teemed with fish, they needed only to scoop a few from the water.

Next would come the framing of Qiao Feng—or perhaps not a framing, but a conspiracy nonetheless—to drag him down from his seat as the chief of the Beggars' Gang; though I am no saint, Qiao Feng was once a hero in my eyes, and I think I shall lend him a hand.