Chapter Fourteen: The Humiliation of a Broken Vein, Eyes Cold as Blades

Life is not merely about the drudgery before us; it also holds poetry and distant horizons.

I recall Charles Schober once remarked casually that a person can succeed in nearly any endeavor they pursue with boundless passion. This insight inspired me, yet it is not entirely paramount. A more pressing reflection comes from Shakespeare, who once said, almost in passing, that will and fate often run in opposite directions, and determination can ultimately be overturned. Bearing this in mind, we must examine the matter with even greater care: Darwin, too, once noted that anyone who dares to squander even a single hour betrays a lack of understanding of life's full value. Such words provoke deep contemplation. Goethe once spoke of the forces that shape a person’s life...

Only then did Thirteen move closer to Landy and prepare to speak when an overwhelming surge of energy swept across everyone's senses, radiating far and wide.

Even the God of Fate and Demons himself could not be entirely certain, yet driven by insatiable greed, he had no choice but to act, powerless against his own avarice.

Seeing Mosquito Daoist’s reaction brought great relief to Saints Jieyin and Zhunti; such fierce response indicated little malice, for otherwise, he would not have been so agitated.

In truth, most of these men were ordinary veterans, with only about ten recently discharged from the Special Operations Company this year. Among them were Qu Xiangjia and Chai Minggui. Lu Nan, recognizing their abilities, casually appointed them Minister and Deputy Minister of Security.

Liu Xun and Cao Cao were old acquaintances—though this could be said, Cao Cao’s standing among the literati was far less illustrious than the Yuan brothers’. Their interactions were likely mere nodding acquaintanceships, as Liu Xun’s attention was chiefly fixed on the prominent young masters of the Yuan family.

The Way of Heaven once spoke of harnessing the power of three thousand primordial gods and demons to augment one’s cultivation. Yet Zhujuyin now harbored doubts. If his suspicions were correct, the heavenly plan to utilize such forces was far more complex than mere enhancement of strength; there must be a deeper design at play.

This marked his first appearance before the television cameras, engaging intimately with fans. Even before he stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere had reached a fever pitch, with some viewers already screaming.

Sha Jin had always been at odds with him, and without holding the Khan hostage, he would never have been able to control this man. Yet, in this critical moment, Sha Jin cast aside past grievances to lend aid, moving the Fourth Prince deeply, who repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

The testing lasted a full three days and nights. They had arrived three mornings ago; by now, just over an hour remained before this round of testing would officially conclude.

Though Nangong Ye now possessed all that the Southern Spirit Kingdom held, he remained wary, aware that the Northern Cloud Kingdom’s military strength had long surpassed the South’s.

“Have you found the activation key?” Liu Ming asked Xuanyuan Hengshang. Truth be told, he was reluctant to see her leave Earth. With the powerful backing of national security, handling affairs here would be far easier, and any major problems could be resolved with assistance.

It was the long-absent King Lin. Lin Ge was the mightiest hero of the Dark Empire, a figure recognized by countless others.

“Miss Liu, if I may be so bold as to ask a question,” Bai Qingluo fixed her with an intense gaze, carefully reading the expression on her face.

Mo Xiaoran narrowed her eyes slightly. Though her face wore a dazed expression, her peripheral vision locked intently on Granny Gui’s lips.

That night’s darkness was breathtakingly beautiful and tender, so much so that his eyes held only her—her focused countenance, her clear, bright eyes. Even though she had never once looked him directly in the eye, and those eyes had never reflected his image.

To avoid drawing undue attention, he removed the Mantle of the Undying King and donned a plain outfit.

“I’m too impatient. High-level magic isn’t used like this. I’ll fix the backlash side effects and swiftly deal with that bird man,” Erxi said.

After speaking, she struck a match and lit the tobacco, moving the flame in circles over its surface while drawing gently with rhythmic inhales until the entire surface was evenly ignited.

“I suppose, Lord Lingxiao, you might find this useful,” Liao Xuan smiled warmly at Xiao Lingxiao, his gaze full of tenderness.

In that moment, her mind went blank, and confusion washed over her face, like a helpless child.

Dwarf Barin Ironhammer laughed and patted Tilly’s shoulder with great strength, nearly toppling him with the blow.

Generally speaking, such opportunities to significantly elevate material quality are rare.

Greater beings, such as the Eternal King and the Bronzed Furnace King, would only lose their influence if their entire race were wiped out.

No wonder his aura seemed familiar—it was connected to those who had once crossed paths with them.

“One thousand four, replaced the perfect screen and retained the original screen’s encryption chip?” Zhang Heng asked Chen Jinghong with solemnity.

The first aunt stood at the boundary between the backyard and the central courtyard, the second aunt by the door of the central courtyard, and the third aunt at the boundary between the front and central courtyards.

“Even if I were not present that day, His Majesty would have made other arrangements. The reason I led the Cheng family army was merely to have official reinstatement as a pretext,” Cheng Li understood these matters clearly.

Upon reflection, he had always been an ordinary mortal, at most a newly-fledged transcendent ant. Killing Hassan and the others using a special sealing artifact was quite normal.

Afterwards, he visited the old doctor’s office to inquire if there were any dietary restrictions.

With a long sigh, Lang Mocheng covered his face with both hands, hiding all the tangled, inscrutable emotions in a darkness no one could discern.