096. Seizing the Imperial Seal: Cao Xin Faces Three Heroes in Battle

In Danyang Commandery, Qu’a County, Cao Xin joined forces with Pei Yuanshao and others, bringing along more than twenty light cavalry.

“General, the bandits who stole the Imperial Jade Seal the other day split into two groups. One took the route from Lujiang to Jiangxia, while the other crossed the river again, heading north from Danyang back to Guangling.”

“The first group was completely captured by Yuan Jian, but the Imperial Jade Seal was not found.”

“The second group took a boat to Dantu, then crossed the river into Guangling Commandery. The Black Eagles and sentries followed closely behind them—that’s what the sentries reported.”

Ye Han halted abruptly less than an inch above the Blood Sea, struggling against the overwhelming evil aura that seemed to exert a deadly allure, pulling him downward. He fought to maintain control, summoning his strongest willpower to steady himself, as if standing against an irresistible force.

Cen Ao’s heart was tangled with mixed emotions, a sensation hard to put into words. If in the past Cen Hongyu had undergone such a change, he would have been genuinely pleased and comforted.

“Good, I will escort you part of the way,” Mu Shan said, rising to take out several bulging pouches of coins from his bosom, intending to give Cao Pi and the others New Year’s gifts.

“You may simply address me by my courtesy name, Fangzhi,” He Miao replied without hesitation. He believed, as Xiao Yi had said, that these two were formidable men worthy of friendship, and he smiled heartily.

Tang Murong withdrew her gaze, no longer paying attention to Ling Xiu. Instead, she stared toward Yangzhou, standing quietly on the dragon’s back, her worried face now tinged with a hint of hope.

“Those chickens aren’t yours anymore. You can’t touch them,” Lian Man’er said casually, grabbing some scallions before returning indoors.

“Hengzhi always keeps his word; Mengde need not be so formal. Hengzhi, how about we meet at the General’s residence tonight and gather at noon?” Yuan Shao smiled beside him. He knew Xiao Yi less well than Cao Cao did, yet still harbored some desire to bring Hengzhi under his wing, unaware that Xiao Yi was no one’s subordinate.

“I’ve now handed you the basics. As for how to break through in the future, that depends on yourselves,” Lin Yifeng said after explaining the practice methods and characteristics of the two martial arts techniques.

Mu Shan listened to Sima Yuchen’s chilling words, especially the heavily emphasized phrase “kill on sight,” and thought to himself that even if he survived this time, he’d come out badly beaten.

Though Grove was arrogant, he was not one to accept defeat lightly. After this battle, he understood the gap between himself and Yang Feifan. He yearned to become stronger, but even more, he wished for the royal family to overcome this crisis. His desire for strength was driven by his wish to aid the throne through these troubled times.

A wave of weakness overwhelmed him as the poison took hold. Sarutobi Nichirin collapsed to the ground, gasping feebly for breath.

“I know a good place; I’ll take you there,” Hua Fang said, a frequent visitor here who was familiar with everything.

I simply said, “Apologies are impossible.” This declaration astonished everyone, who had expected me to apologize, yet I did not.

Octopus clutched his stomach, speechless, repeatedly hiccuping or belching alcohol fumes. He looked miserable—worse than the night I drank with the Crown Prince and shielded Mu Meiqing from drinking, considering he had downed four bottles at once.

Lan Ruoxin glanced at him twice, unwilling to engage further with this rogue. Her eyes scanned the exquisite surroundings, then lowered to observe the scene below from her lofty vantage point, evoking a sense of ethereal detachment.

This breakfast was essentially finished under his coaxing; she felt completely deceived. This fellow wasn’t hungry at all—he was forcing her to eat.

Merely viewing the scene outside through the helicopter’s glass turned the faces of all the soldiers pale with dread. Though this was the countryside outskirts, the situation here was utterly dire.

Moreover, the matter was far more complex than it appeared on the surface. The Pokémon had been peaceful for so many years, yet suddenly this occurred. Many legendary beasts awoke from slumber, stirred by the turmoil. The future Pokémon world could be said to have reverted to the chaotic era of ten thousand years ago.