Chapter 34: He Is Truly Useless

After leaving the small town, Yu Xia and the others halted on a muddy, uneven patch of land near the exit. Countless sentinels gathered there, all eager to pass through the gray wall’s gateway ahead and escape the contaminated zone. Behind them, the pollution thickened gradually; before them stood a massive city wall, separating two worlds.

Yu Xia’s gaze slowly lifted, and the enormous wall shrouded in mist loomed over them like a monstrous guardian, watching down with silent menace.

Without warning, he pulled Zheng Xiuyan into his arms, and amid the shock and disbelief etched across her face, he pressed his lips to hers—soft, untouched lips that no one had ever dared to claim.

In truth, Liu Yihua didn’t need to ponder long to understand that Zhang Lihan had been secretly photographed because of the poison incident. The culprits sought to seize upon Zhang’s vulnerabilities, hoping to silence him and prevent him from revealing the true test results of Ming Pharmaceutical.

“Hatsune has gone to bathe. I have something I want to discuss with you,” Zheng Xiuyan replied, sidestepping Yue Yingfeng’s question with a somewhat evasive answer.

Suddenly, Li Chengqian recalled a phrase he had once asked Emperor Taizong about: “What does it mean to be a lonely ruler?”

After a chorus of laughter, the Three Purities exchanged knowing glances, then simultaneously unleashed three beams of golden light, shooting toward the Investiture of the Gods.

Despite this, the Spade King was still pushed backward by the residual strength of the inch fist, falling face-first into the dirt. Struggling, he scrambled to his feet just as Ye Zeming slid forward into his embrace.

Young and vigorous Khitan tribesmen had also heard the news of Agalo’s feast and wished to join, but soldiers drove them away. Some protested loudly, only to be swiftly silenced by the lash of a cavalry whip, and they quickly quieted.

About five minutes later, Liu Yihua knew the preparations were nearly complete and began to change his approach.

Everyone present held their breath, eyes fixed upward, channeling their energy to discern who was approaching as early as possible.

As soon as it ended, Qiao Muxue grabbed Ye Zeming’s hand and hurried outside, their expressions wary as if avoiding someone.

Xu Mingda could hardly believe his ears upon hearing Xu Duoduo’s words—he had been rejected by her.

Though there were buildings, some still standing, where they could take shelter and fight the Ming soldiers, they did not resist. Instead, they continually retreated, never mounting a defense.

Thinking of this, Xu Duoduo looked at Xia Chen with a hint of sympathy. As disciples of traditional Chinese medicine families, they paled in comparison to powerful families like Situ Yue’s. The monthly income of a company like theirs far exceeded what these disciples could earn in a lifetime.

This time, thanks to the initial preparatory meeting, the upper echelon’s arrangements were stable and settled. Thus, Lü Hanqiang felt much more at ease, with Lao Fang and Zhao Liang taking on key roles. Both had some dealings with former regional officials, ensuring everything was handled smoothly.

He lowered his gaze to see a silver needle still trembling slightly, embedded in his chest, his face darkening with displeasure.

The first trial—the past illusion—undoubtedly represented his true past, at least up until his dismissal.

Yet recalling how Xia Chen had, at the first opportunity and despite the crowd, leapt into his arms, stirred both joy and a hint of reproach within her heart.

While they spoke, Wukong had already fallen behind in the fight. After being kicked down by Android 19, he reverted to his normal form.

European countries intermarried and their powers intertwined; France could not fully guard against spies from neighboring states, nor could Austria.

No one expected—even the boldest disciples of the Iron-Clad Sect, Tao Jielin, Huo Da, Cao Shan, and Monk Liu—who, despite their hopes, never imagined such an outcome.