It seemed as though he was hiding something from her.

“I really don’t like him. We’re just good friends, and he doesn’t like me either; otherwise, he wouldn’t have called off the engagement. Even if he hadn’t brought it up, I would have sooner or later. What kind of era is this, still clinging to childhood betrothals?”

Qu Jin took a deep breath as she looked at the person before her. “Qu Wan, don’t defend him. We’ve all seen it over the years. He showed no respect for you at the banquet, announcing the breakup in front of so many people. And yet you still stand by him? If he truly cared for you, he wouldn’t have been so ruthless.”

“Yes, he did bring it up in front of everyone, which shows he has no respect for me. But now that he has, the engagement must end. I don’t like Gu Siyuan, and I will never marry him. Think whatever you want, but there’s no chance between us.”

Qu Jin Jian followed the main group out of the mansion. The four from Quandong were already waiting there. The real Quandong and Quannan had left the night before, replaced by Ouyang Minrui and a trusted aide disguised as them.

He continued to use his foot to lift a log onto a wooden stump, practicing the motions of raising, chopping down, and sheathing his blade.

For him, getting involved in this matter was a means to gain a certain status. Agreeing to help Xu Ling avenge was a repayment of sorts, but he would never risk himself in the process.

As for sailing out to form a pirate crew, instantly defeating the Seven Warlords, and ascending to the throne of the Four Emperors—that was pure fantasy, something Fang Lang never entertained.

The two brothers were exceptionally clever. Xu Miao simply outlined the situation, and they managed everything perfectly without any need for her to worry. With no lingering concerns, Xu Miao could finally settle down and focus on studying how to make dried tofu.

Inside the sealed holy box lay a withered, yellowed hand bone. It appeared ordinary at first glance, but the longer one stared, the more it felt as if a soul was being drawn into it.

At that moment, the administrator of the Dark Web Assassin website contacted Bai Yu. Because the administrator knew Bai Yu’s real name, they communicated beyond mere usernames or codenames, which was the usual practice on the site.

Delitan hesitated briefly, then unclasped the necklace around his neck and handed it to White Steel.

As the second young master of the Wu Mansion, he was somewhat familiar with the background of Baihua Pavilion—at least Wu Qianyuan had given him some pointers.

Bao Yiming swiftly grabbed a skeletal sword-shield hand, raised it high, and hurled it toward the butcher before him. Powered by immense strength, the skeletal sword-shield stiffened and collided with the butcher, knocking him back four or five meters before coming to a halt.

Here, whether it was building bridges and roads, constructing houses, making clothes, shoes, or socks, or farming, fishing, raising pigs, or herding sheep, all were riddled with shortcuts and shoddy work. The entire industry was plagued by widespread negligence and fraud.

Halfless and suddenly shortened by half, Tailin fell to the ground, letting out a bone-chilling scream.

Following this group of ruffians down the mountainside, they began to carry out their usual tasks.

The next morning, before heading to the company, Tang Beishuang rose early and took a taxi to the plot of land.

After all, there was still over a year to stay here. Playing tricks on people was acceptable—anyone who provoked her would get payback, but only to the extent necessary. There was no need to escalate matters.

To establish her authority and give Song Jie a “warning” that day, Zhao Po put considerable thought into her plan.

“Qiao Ruobao likes you, but you’re a bastard pretending to be crazy and foolish. Gu Tang happens to like Qiao Ruobao, so with no response from you, Qiao Ruobao accepted Gu Tang in the end,” Qiao Ruan said.

The Fifth Prince, Rong Jingyu, enjoyed the greatest imperial favor. His claim to the throne was far stronger than that of the frail crown prince! As long as one allied with the Fifth Prince, when he ascended, she would become the imperial consort.

Lü Shixiong, leader of the Hengshan Sect, caught the meaning immediately. His figure flashed, silently closing within three feet behind Rong Chengjin. With a swift motion, he slashed his sword across the back of Rong Chengjin’s knee before retreating.

These days were truly torturous. He didn’t want Zhao Po to endure a single day more, nor did he want Song Chen to be tainted in the slightest.

However, Zhang Zijun was always cold by nature. She believed in such matters only if they were true; otherwise, not. Moments later, she curled her lips and then said to Hei Ji, “Thank you for your warning, but I don’t need it.”