Chapter Nineteen: Spring in Full Bloom

Wang Yangming once remarked, seemingly in passing, that setting one’s heart on a goal is the essence of learning, and learning is the endeavor of setting one’s heart. This inspired me. Goethe also once noted, in a similarly casual manner, that a single moment can determine a person’s entire life and destiny.

This leaves me in deep reflection. What is the essence of a vibrant spring, and how should one write of such vitality? These questions are not entirely important; what matters more is that, when faced with such difficult choices, I have pondered at length, unable to eat or sleep in peace.

Charles Schwab once said that a person can succeed at almost anything for which they have unlimited enthusiasm. This, too, sets me thinking. What is the crux of the matter?

Though the labels read "Moutai," no one would have cases of authentic Moutai just lying around; it is clearly cheap swill.

A death is a grave matter. Officials are bound to report it, and for Zhao Decai, this is certainly no auspicious sign.

The sanctuary had undergone a dramatic transformation. Lofty walls had been erected, cast in concrete and reinforced with barbed wire. Both sides of the bridge were likewise draped in wire mesh, marked with signs reading "High Voltage: Do Not Touch"—a measure, presumably, to prevent the strange fish from climbing onto the bridge.

He guided the others not merely to ease his own burden, but because by training them, he could lighten his load and increase everyone’s chances of survival.

The Fourth Prince had frequently associated with Xie Xuan in the past, yet even when visiting the Xie household, he had paid little attention to this illegitimate son. Now, seeing him suddenly, he felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

"I will give him a reagent," Li Hu said, a glimmer of concern in his eyes. "It can briefly force that monster back into its original form. Once it has reverted, his physical prowess might be enough to slay it. I only hope he is strong enough."

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he lunged and slammed headlong into Su Yindi, striking her squarely in the stomach.

No customers patronized Xu Shuhua’s stall. She frowned, gazing at the sky to see if there were any signs of it clearing, but the iron-gray clouds offered no hope of sunshine. With a sigh, she reluctantly withdrew her gaze; it seemed the tofu would go unsold again today.

Why would such a venerable elder, regarded by all as a paragon of virtue and artistry, intentionally make things difficult for Qin Yi?

Receiving a subtle signal from the man, the director promptly snapped out of his shock and immediately went to arrange for specialists to conduct the inspection.

***

Anyone who has just emerged from battle, their hands stained with blood, naturally exudes a dangerous aura. Most of the team members, having just returned from their missions, were also filled with a restless energy and an almost tangible intensity.

I went and found the material from the Qingshui area. Xu Yang cast another glance at the ground, his supernatural vision active. He discovered that this jade mine was exceptionally rich. Pressing on, he marked several more mining points, partly to determine the scale of the deposit and partly to gauge the quality of the resources.

Only when the centipede had completely emerged could people see that it was a full chopstick in length. It was pitch black, with thousands of tiny, dense legs. Its body was so engorged that it looked like a sausage.

More incredible things continued to happen: the blue light patterns over Xu Yang's eyes were denser than before. It seemed this upgrade would make his vision far more powerful than it had ever been.

Yet he knew that every plan is merely talk on paper; to put it into action requires perfect execution.

Before they had even approached the concrete fork in the road, Gu Feng and Yan Xiaotong were already on alert, creeping forward cautiously. Just then, the sound of a vehicle reached them from below the mountain.

Sun Yan kept his eyes, mouth, and nose tightly shut, feeling a raging fire spreading within his chest and abdomen. As the energy dispersed, a soothing warmth radiated through his limbs, which felt quite comfortable.

If they were completely wiped out and collapsed, even if he could hold on a little longer, what would be the point?

Caesar seized all the weapons and ore, distributing enchanted equipment to the nobles instead. This decision won the support of everyone; Viscount Shim was so excited he danced for joy. The ore and weapons would be sent to Caesar’s arsenal, forged into enchanted gear, and then sold to the Faluo people.

Marcus Freeman knew his own strength well and had a clear sense of his own position. Unless he had the absolute power to crush a bastard like Yang Fan, he must never make a move.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, she knew the Crown Prince must be furious. Although the Emperor had promoted the Prince's men, he had gone out of his way to praise two others who were entirely undeserving of such recognition. In truth, anyone with a keen eye could see this as a direct slap in the face to the Prince.

Even as she thought this, her inquisitive gaze remained undisguised; she instinctively wanted to look at the child's face again.

"Is the first test about ability and the second about feedback?" Xun Chen pondered this possibility, then shook his head.

***

But then she thought again: her household registration was held within the Prince of Yong’s mansion, and she was listed as a servant there. If she fled, her master could easily issue a bounty for her capture. Furthermore, without changing her registration, she would never find peace in any prefecture she fled to; anyone looking for her could easily track her down.

Qiaoqiao said nothing, following quietly behind him, step by step, keeping a steady pace and maintaining a distance of exactly three feet between them.

"Fine, scare him into silence," Gu Qiye thought, unable to shake the memory of someone who had once held the elevator doors to keep them from closing while waiting for their son.

He had followed Master Fang Ye’s livestreams many times before. The man’s candid personality and his uncanny accuracy in fortune-telling had turned him into a devoted fan.

"I asked what you wanted with me, not for your flattery," Shi Yao said, lounging lazily in her chair.

She had repaid Lu Caixi’s favor, and she also needed the Prince of Chen to know that she was delighted to hear of Lu Caixi’s pregnancy, harboring no ill intent whatsoever. It was also a subtle reminder to the Prince that someone might be trying to frame her.

Could such a coincidence truly exist in this world? If the child had not been a boy, she might have already stepped forward to claim him as her own.

As passersby walked by, Xu Zhiyi felt a bit embarrassed. She pushed away Ming Rui, who was still holding her, and took his hand, listening as they walked to the secret from his youth.

Yet the scene he had imagined did not come to pass; several minutes went by, and still, no one dared to step forward.

Only someone as brilliant as Ming Beiliang could see through her second uncle’s true nature at a single glance.

Thousands of base personnel—mercenaries, garrison troops, and ordinary citizens alike—all poured out together.