Chapter 45: Rouge Lipstick

At a single command, the eunuchs and palace maids within the Eastern Palace sprang into action once more. They had been bustling about since a little after three in the afternoon, and it was not until six in the evening that Zhao Su finally rose from his desk. With utmost care, he placed three golden cylinders and three silver ones, pairing them into three brocade boxes, and only then did he call out to Little Deng with satisfaction.

After changing into fresh attire, he strode spiritedly toward the Hall of Clear Splendor, his step lively and confident. Little Deng...

Held by Lin Mengjie, Lin Chen felt as if he clasped a piece of warm jade, an indescribable comfort washing over him. Unconsciously, he gave her hand a subtle squeeze.

Night had fallen, dark as ink, and a fine drizzle continued to descend unceasingly. The entire Prince of Night’s residence was hung with lanterns, their amber glow swaying gently in the wind. Amidst the darkness, a tranquil beauty pervaded.

“Do you really think it could be anyone but me?” Qin Tianqi’s lips curled with a hint of mischief.

With a sharp sound, the horned blade struck the opponent’s hand with brutal force, carving a deep gash that bled freely. Yet, it failed to sever the hand completely.

At that moment, in his chamber, He Chen sat cross-legged, the melancholy on his face unmasked at last. He knew he had little chance against Ouyang Feng, but the grudge of his master must be avenged.

Meanwhile, Shuishu and the other two sensed something and exchanged a knowing nod. They continued their actions for a while longer, then found a shaded spot to sit and rest, as if preparing for a brief respite.

“These past few days, I’ve felt a certain presence lingering near us, but I can’t seem to catch it,” Su Nan murmured. “I suspect it’s either someone from the continent, or one of the Hundred-Eyed Demons.”

Of course, these were not things he could reveal to Liu Weining, so to Liu, his explanation still sounded somewhat odd.

Would Hongjun dare to tamper with Zhao Ling’er’s divine seat? He would rather meddle with the seats of the Three Pure Ones or the two from the West, but he would never dare to touch Zhao Ling’er’s.

Upon entering the tavern’s main hall, it was nearly impossible to find a seat. The grand appraisal event held by Qianyuan Palace had been brazenly robbed, every last treasure stolen. If one considered their value, the Sacred Spirit Tree was said to be priceless—no amount of the finest spirit stones could ever buy it.

It turned out Lü Shu had never truly feared those water wraiths. Even the fierce beasts raised by the wraiths would retreat instinctively at the first sign of Chaos—such was the natural suppression exerted by a higher order of life.

As for Pastor Gilord, though his distinguished surname had spared him the misfortune of being sent to the dreadful Black Blood Castle, it was still not enough for Madam Lorris to let him off entirely. At the very least, a stint at Castle Karstin was unavoidable.

Slowly, the twenty-one assassins were driven into the southwestern corner by the city wall. Yet their adversaries had prepared for this—one among the twenty-one produced a purple jewel, crushed it abruptly, and all twenty-one vanished into a spatial passage as if stepping into thin air.

The proprietor felt strangely unsettled. He hadn’t expected the other party to return especially to compensate him for his losses. After all, he’d only mentioned compensation for broken tables and chairs in passing, and had resigned himself to the damage. Admittedly, the proprietor’s way of thinking was rather peculiar.

He had no intention of seeking revenge for now. His adversaries had targeted him because he had stolen the Investiture of the Gods, and to grow angry over their combined assault would only trap him in a snare of his own fury.

Luckily, the two tenants on the first floor, Pan and Wu, began bickering again, and neither noticed the disturbances upstairs.

The guidance of the Primal Chaos pointed straight to the depths of this perilous place. Who knew why the madman had come here? Yet Jiang Xiao felt not the slightest concern. Smiling, he waved a hand, gathering his two companions, and plunged into the wild hills.

The motorboat surged ashore, disgorging a fresh wave of yellow-clad invaders. Under the midday sun, many metallic flashes could be seen—this time, there were clearly far more helmets among them than before.