Chapter 74: A Stinging Rebuff

Hongxing handed the sorted account books to Acao while sighing to Lu Yalan, “This was supposed to take seven days, but you finished it in three. The eldest mistress says you’re clever, but I think you’re just stubborn. You really ought to rest—look, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes!”

Lu Yalan put down the last ledger in her hands and stood up, stretching. She had been sitting at the desk for days, and her bones ached. “We’re not here for leisure. Seven days is the final deadline Big Sister gave me—am I not allowed to work a little harder?”

After going through the account books this time, she finally understood why people said being a steward was no easy task. Each ledger was densely packed with writing; if you weren’t careful, someone could easily deceive you. To audit the accounts, you had to calculate every entry on the abacus, which was exhausting for the eyes.

Ning Hao slammed his palm down on the dining table with a loud bang. The solid wood table shattered instantly, splinters flying in all directions. A deep gash was torn open in his palm, and blood began to drip steadily onto the floor.

Following the same method, Duanmu picked up another syringe, again choosing a long needle. This time, he drew a vial of red medicine.

“Celestial Lord of Seven Luminaries and Cloud Thunder, I have always respected you as an ancient predecessor, but I never expected your thinking to be so rigid. Now I finally understand the meaning of ‘old and stubborn.’ It seems this Thunder Guardian is the last one. If I defeat him, can I finally enter the Demon-Slaying Thunder Purgatory?” Han Ying asked.

The guardian stepped back, raising his sword vertically toward the sky. With two fingers of his left hand pressed together atop the blade, he traced upward in a single motion. A beam of turquoise light soared into the heavens, enveloping the entire world in a sea of blue-green, as if an ocean had suddenly appeared before Han Bing.

Han Bing strode toward Zhan Yun with a mischievous grin that spoke volumes of her intentions. Upon seeing her, Zhan Yun immediately darted into the depths of the cave, leaving Han Bing petrified where she stood.

Two muffled thuds struck his back, and Ning Hao felt two icy chills pierce through his body. Then, a thunderous roar swept past his ears, followed by a crash that sent a wave splashing over his head and face.

Without hesitation, he tossed aside a whole duck he hadn’t finished eating, and together with Wan Fang, began to dance wildly.

White lightning promptly enveloped the black lightning, slowly swallowing it. The black lightning struggled fiercely, letting out a series of powerful roars. Yet in the end, it was no match for the strength of the white lightning and was gradually consumed. The white lightning, satisfied, retreated slowly to hover by the dantian.

“Er…” Zhuge Xuan’s expression grew a bit awkward. “In my humble opinion, this military tribute is indeed a magnificent piece—grand in scope and elegant in rhetoric. Truly a superior work.” Upon further thought, Zhuge Xuan decided this was not the time to find fault, offering only polite platitudes.

Yet with a formidable enemy at hand, and unable to risk the strength of the remaining four red-robed archbishops, they could only let the greedy Datai Archbishop return alone, one-armed like a wandering hero.

Moreover, Sean did not feel he was in a desperate situation. Even though half of his mental core was tainted by psychic power and curses seeped in through the cracks, he was far from defeated. The state of the Mind Gem remained a mystery—strange, perhaps, but it had yet to bare its fangs. For now, there was no need to worry.

Elilian managed to hold out so long because her fifteen arcs of light moved at incredible speeds in unpredictable patterns. The simplest way to disrupt her earth resonance was to strike and destroy all fifteen arcs at once.

“Mistake!” Lu Shan nodded emphatically. Though already advanced in years, he had heard tales of power struggles among those at the very top, but never imagined such an upheaval could occur for the sake of a younger brother. All he felt now was gratitude and deep emotion.

Now that Xu Xian was in danger, the Jade Fragment had naturally come forth to protect its master. But the Jade Fragment was no match for the Universe Seal, unable to withstand even a single blow from Fahai.

Kong Xuan nodded to Zhao Pu, signaling there was no harm done. Zhao Pu then said to Li Song, “Brother, one who plans only for a city is a mere tactician, but one who strategizes for the world contends for supremacy.” The implication was clear.

Emily’s expression remained composed, showing no trace of anxiety. It was Alto who looked worried, glancing up at the beams above with a distracted gaze, clearly lost in thought.