Chapter 043: Why Did You Try to Hook Me on the Night of the Funeral

Zhou Mingfan’s aura instantly diminished, and he lowered his head to eat.

Standing tall and elegant, Zhou Jingyi exuded an extraordinary presence—if one could overlook the scowl of someone whose debts remained unpaid.

Wen Ni raised her eyes, sending a flirtatious glance toward Zhou Jingyi. Yet not once did his gaze fall upon her.

“Make your move, then. I’m curious to see what skills you have now that you dare challenge me ahead of time!” Zhang Bairen’s eyes brimmed with cold amusement.

—Watch your words, friend. I never wait for others to give me a chance to claim victory. My victories are always seized by my own hands.

“My dear brother, I have little to offer in the way of hospitality, but please enjoy this specialty of the Yangtze River!” The God of Huai River affectionately draped an arm across Zhang Bairen’s shoulder.

It was well known that the Military Command wielded considerable power; they would never compromise for any other department, nor would they play second fiddle to anyone. Not even the National Security Bureau. Though orders from above placed Ye Mu in charge, it did not mean Zhang Bing would stand by idly.

“What’s wrong? You seem much more worn out,” Zhang Bairen approached Zhang Lihua, gently lifting a strand of her hair by her temple with a finger.

The battlefield had gone relatively smoothly; though the action was hastily undertaken, the Japanese forces were equally caught off guard. Thankfully, the chemical weapons research facility—dubbed the Demon’s Den—had been destroyed in the first moments, or else this time they might have faced catastrophic trouble.

Funds flowed openly, projects were clearly defined, and financial reports were released monthly for public scrutiny, maintaining absolute transparency and a purely charitable nature.

“Your Majesty of the Nine Serpents, please remember your identity. You are now one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a representative of the government. If the government summons you, will you defy orders?” Lei Yin retorted without a hint of concession.

Yet Oreki failed to notice—in the blind spot beyond his view, Mio secretly threw a provocative look at Chitanda, who pretended not to see anything.

Especially concerning was the badge unintentionally revealed at Zhang Bairen’s waist, which sent chills down their spine—the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau was not an entity one trifled with lightly.

“You seem not quite happy,” Yin Zhiyi, seated beside Leng Qingyi, inquired. Though he had arrived with a smile, greeting everyone upon entry, he had not smiled again since.

His claim of being ranked thirteenth was surely false; his true ability placed him third in the assassin squad, just behind Mutou Genbu and Sakura Falling Dancer, two masters of the shadow arts.

“If you don’t come, I’ll begin,” Ning said, not waiting for a reply before throwing the first punch.

Chu Shiyu finally finished arranging the medicine box, seated herself upright, and spoke solemnly, “Xuan, there are some things I want to say to you.” She had wrestled with the words for a long time, knowing that keeping them bottled up would be unbearable.

Yet, if the imperial family were to intervene, Lady Wei might well sacrifice Azheng’s marriage for the safety of the clan.

“She’s infatuated with Qin Aofeng, that dead rooster,” Xia Mo, unable to endure any longer, interjected.

Lu Hu, Zheng Min and the others had witnessed Wang Jingu suffering a fit of rage and falling ill, but had not heard his final instructions. Since Wang Jingu’s illness, Wang Zhili had ordered Yunzhou City placed under lockdown, so neither Miss Eleven nor Wang Hengshi had learned of the upheaval.

“Mo’er, after everything that’s happened, have you realized anything?” On the sickbed, Lu Jingshu lay with determined eyes.

Everyone’s faces were filled with anger, especially those of the Liu family. If not for today being the grand day of the ancestral festival...

Su Muran was also eager to know who had lured Su Mo back home, only to attempt to kill her there. In this respect, perhaps he should thank Li Yaotian, who at least had saved Su Mo.

I feel as if I’m growing more handsome by the day. I don’t know if my narcissism is worsening, or if I truly am becoming more attractive.