Chapter 30: Imprisonment

The room was plunged into silence, and after Shuangming spoke, the atmosphere became even more suffocating.

Shuangming’s conjecture acted like a fuse, shattering the already precarious and fragile balance.

"When did you receive the news?"

Having stayed up all night, Xiyao’s voice was hoarse, and his once clear, azure eyes were tinged with a faint crimson.

Shuangming looked weary, frowning as he recalled for a moment: "Calculating the time, it was about half an hour before she fell into the water. I received a bag of an unknown brand, covered in a large smear of acrylic paint; it looked as if it couldn't be cleaned off."

Before he could finish, Rong Sui’s wrist was gripped tightly by the man, the pain instantly reddening her eyes.

Because once waste accumulates to such a massive scale, it cannot be easily excavated. Setting aside the question of where the waste could be transported once dug up, the mere act of excavation would release various putrid gases and foul odors, enough to incite widespread resentment.

"They didn't pull through; they have already passed away." Shen Che’s expression was indifferent, as if he were speaking of something entirely inconsequential.

It was not a local accent. The people here mostly spoke Jianghuai Mandarin, but this clerk was clearly speaking something else—a dialect, and one that was particularly difficult to understand.

Restraining Hu Yanming, the middle-aged man turned to Gu Siwei and said, "Yanqiu is in her room; go and talk to her."

Although the Star Palace’s arrangement was for them to "station there year-round," these were seventeen Foundation Establishment cultivators, not seventeen emotionless, mindless puppets who followed orders without question.

Looking at the tray of crystals before him, Jesse was struck with shock, his speech incoherent for a moment.

She was not a plaything to please others, but an elegant and haughty swan, leaving one unable to harbor even the slightest thought of desecration.

The so-called "looking out for her" was nothing more than a passing mention by Liang Feiyan to President Chen, granting Rong Sui an audition opportunity without any special treatment.

Though he was unfamiliar with the Central Plains martial arts world, he was aware of the Four Great Heavenly Kings of the Knights' Mansion. Upon hearing that Fu Can had the ability to defeat the King of Samsara, a look of utter disbelief flashed across his eyes.

Suddenly, the Dead Infant witnessed an incredible sight. The vast sea of black clouds overhead bulged downward, slowly transforming into the face of a giant. This face, formed by clouds, looked down upon the entire earth as if it were a god.

Unless one lived in these deep mountains and old forests for a long time, no one who arrived here would be without lingering fear. Even these cadres and soldiers, who had mostly grown up in mountainous regions, felt their scalps tingle when faced with such dense woods and the occasional howl of wolves echoing nearby.

He had almost closed his eyes in resignation, but just then, a sharp clashing sound rang out before his chest could be pierced.

The powerful aftermath of internal energy surged outward like a giant wave; three figures fled frantically, blown away like kites with broken strings.

Even when the Fire Attendant died in battle earlier, Huang Hua had not appeared. Yet, the appearance of the Purple Cloud Azure Sword now made him anxious. This displeased the Lightning Attendant greatly, though he dared not show it.

Lin Miwan turned around, looked toward the capital, and said to Shangguan Zisu, "Zisu, let’s go to the capital." She took hold of Shangguan Zisu’s slender fingers.

She had sacrificed more than just her energy; she endured the agonizing torment of watching her beloved hover on the brink of life and death. Fu Can knew that feeling all too well.

As he spoke these words, Augustus spread his arms wide and looked up to the sky, his tone grand and sonorous, as if he were reciting a sacred text.

The aircraft, which had been extremely arrogant just moments before, sweeping past just above the heads of Li Ziyuan’s troops, plummeted and crashed right in front of him. The remaining Japanese plane, seeing its comrade shot down, abandoned its previous ferocity and dared not continue strafing. It pulled its nose up, preparing to retreat and regroup.

This regimental commander was not the same one from Hancheng, but he was far more volatile and short-tempered than the previous one.