Chapter 34: Issues with the Family Background

"What is wrong with cherishing one's wife? When the home front is secure, the men can focus wholeheartedly on their duties outside. If you ask me, treating one's wife well should be written into the regulations—it must be mandatory!"

Li Sanhua said this with a beaming smile, then turned her gaze toward Battalion Commander Wang. "Battalion Commander Wang, what do you think?"

Wang nearly choked, unable to fathom how the spotlight had suddenly shifted to him. He immediately placed a piece of food into Li Sanhua’s bowl. "I think you’re absolutely right, but my opinion doesn’t carry much weight. Here, try this."

After putting some distance between themselves and Deshan Hall, Jun Qiluo checked that no one was around. She then led Le Sheng and Le Xiao to bypass the imperial guards and patrols, making their way with practiced ease toward Deyu Hall, where Long Che resided.

Bai Wanru did not close the door with any real force, fearing she might hurt Le Fan. In truth, she did not genuinely wish to shut him out; it was merely for show.

The image of Xiaoyaozi, clad in his cloak and veil, was already deeply etched in the minds of the gatekeepers. Seeing him approach from afar, they immediately notified Nian Xiao and the elders of the Nian family.

After running through the winding, secluded canyon, the view suddenly opened up. However, a massive pool of water, at least a hundred zhang wide, blocked their path. The water was a deep, murky green, and its depth was unknown, reflecting the towering cliffs on either side. Fortunately, there was a ferry boat on this side of the pool.

As the words left his mouth, he prepared to strike, but was suddenly sent flying by a punch from Gu Tong, who had appeared out of nowhere. Simultaneously, over a dozen figures exuding a murderous aura leapt into the fray. Their faces were uncovered, twisted with such deep malice that it was clear they were desperate men accustomed to bloodshed.

"With Le Fan’s 'selfless devotion to the people,' if his village chief’s house were to burn down, would he not come out? He would certainly appear. Even if he didn't, I have this rifle; I guarantee he won't walk out of Qingquan Village alive," the scarred middle-aged man said, gesturing with his sniper rifle.

"Brother Le, are you bragging? A man like him—could he really be afraid?" Bai Lingfu questioned, unconvinced.

Le Fan was lounging on a beach chair, wearing only his boxers, legs crossed, belly exposed. He was soaking up the southern sun, breathing in the sea breeze, and listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves.

When Lin Xuanlan had originally given the jade patterns to Ximen Jinlian, he happened to see them and wanted a set, which is why she gave them to him. He had never expected that Lin Xuanlan would give her photograph to a stranger—yes, sitting at the table was a middle-aged man in a black robe, looking altogether out of place.

Snakes indeed possess great vitality and come in many varieties, but they shouldn't be able to survive for hundreds of millions of years. Besides, didn’t the old doctor from Mongolia say that the Snake King Stone has a pulse very similar to that of a human?

Including Long Fan, the commander of the Ninth Legion, the group of Qie Army generals in their black armor and helmets looked expectantly at a man with green eyebrows.

"You dare!" The man’s emotions surged upon hearing this, his face drenched in sweat.

The resentful stares coming from every direction nearly drove Wang Zhipeng to despair. With no other choice, the Lord continued to pull items from his spatial ring. Once everyone received one, the room was filled with praise, and the group regained their interest in continuing their tea.

This seemed to be the beginning of the story, and also an opportunity to unravel the knots in their hearts. Luo Yidong did not refuse. He poured a glass of iced red wine for Chu Xinran. By the time he handed it to her, she had already lit a cigarette. Wreaths of white smoke swirled around her head, and a flicker of tears shimmered in her eyes.

I could not help but grow angry as I spoke, my voice rising until I was practically shouting at him.

At this moment, as the Fire Leopard pursued at full speed, its two martial spirits morphed into a pair of wings, flapping violently. As they churned the clouds and seas, the surrounding air surged and tumbled.

Wang Zhipeng glanced to the side and noticed two elegantly dressed werewolves and a brawny minotaur talking loudly and spitting as they spoke. On the table lay a giant axe, presumably the minotaur’s weapon.