Chapter 40: Heads Rolling

Once everything became clear, Zhao Su took all the responsibility upon himself. Seeing that the Crown Prince not only admitted that Zhang Liao had led troops to seize grain, but even claimed he had ordered it, the entire court was stunned. In the next moment, a tidal wave of uproar swept through the hall.

“Your Highness, please mind your words. I am sure you must be unaware of this matter,” Yuchi Wei said, beads of sweat covering his brow. Was his grandson-in-law out of his mind again?

...

Following the massive explosion triggered by the octopus’s destruction, Lu Yu suddenly sensed a familiar surge of energy nearby; at the same time, Optimus Prime felt it too.

Lu Yu was momentarily dumbfounded; he knew full well the gulf in strength between himself and the Protoss. Back on the Protoss flagship, he had been casually slain with a single sword stroke in his attempt to rescue Xingmeng.

“Of course I’ve met them—why else would I mention it?” Majiko seemed not to have expected Xue Gao to answer so quickly. He froze for about two seconds before coming back to himself.

Majiko looked at Qiongsi, momentarily speechless, countless thoughts crowding his mind. He felt as though he had forgotten something vitally important. But what? Where was Nis’s body, where was Nis?

“Let’s get to the point. I have no time to listen to such drivel,” Lu Yu said, wearing a mask of anger, though within he was perfectly calm.

Xu Zifeng fell silent at Lu Yu’s words. He knew Lu Yu was right—the internal strife within the Star Federation had driven many to partake in this perilous mission.

At this thought, Lu Yu activated the communication system, connecting to the half-human-tall robot stationed at the far end of the corridor.

As soon as Li Chengqian spoke, the ministers were once again dumbfounded. Had the Crown Prince lost his mind? How could he still say such things at a time like this?

Yet, that was merely his demeanor before outsiders. In front of Changqing, Chen Yu never dared put on airs.

To the soldiers laboring and tense atop the city wall, it was astonishing to see someone laughing at such a perilous moment.

Pam asked, not knowing what choice to make himself, hoping to hear Li Daniu’s decision first before making his own. But Li Daniu showed no intention of choosing, which left Pam completely at a loss.

“I'm sorry.” Biting out these words that bore the weight of all his sins, Andy bowed deeply to Huanluo. His bones creaked in protest at his sweeping gesture, but nothing could stop him from bowing from thirty degrees all the way down to one hundred and twenty.

At first, the five migrant workers were afraid someone might die, but who could have guessed that Old Wang’s son would be beaten so soundly that he could not utter a single word in protest.

Years ago, when Yu Ming sent troops into Hedong during the fierce battle between Liu Wuzhou and Li Shimin, it was along this very route that they advanced.

“No!” I darted in front of Fiona, blocking her as she brandished scissors at Abernathy.

The moment Lin Hanxi left Leng Wuchen’s embrace, she felt a deep emptiness at her back. Having grown accustomed to the security of his warmth, she found herself unable to adjust.

Two savage beasts from the wild, locked in furious combat with the most primitive of weapons—stones—using the most basic and brutal moves, relying solely on force to subdue each other. Such scenes were indeed rare in the martial world.

This is no exaggeration, nor self-deprecation; we are still far too weak. Without the people Rilad sent to support us, we might not even make it out alive, let alone accomplish anything.

By now, night had fallen, and the first rays of dawn pierced the sky like golden swords. At the meeting of sea and sky, the red sun slowly rose from the water, a sight of breathtaking splendor.

Riding westward across the barren expanse beyond Jindi Pass, Wang Botang looked at the panting cavalrymen around him, his own heart seething with frustration.

I let out a wail, for I knew we were under attack from a fleet of robots, though I had no idea where the attack was coming from. “Three o’clock, two and a half nautical miles out,” Deifa said, utterly at ease.