Seventy-three. The Essence of Tea

“Harder, harder…” Lu Qin Yue pointed at the way Yu Hong Dou moved her hands, standing at the side with one hand on her hip as she gestured toward the fish being washed.

“That’s not how you scrub it. If you do it like that, there’ll be so many dead spots left unclean…”

The gaze Yu Hong Dou, the eldest daughter of the Yu family, cast at her carried a hint of grievance, but before she could say anything, Lu Qin Yue spread her small hands innocently and said,

“Qin is about to leave the capital soon, so please, Sister Yu—”

Just as someone was about to open their mouth again to urge them impatiently, Jun Ting suddenly pivoted on his toes and headed straight toward Jinsong Pavilion.

Outside the door, Luo Chen Xing heard Dong Dong say that Qian Ye Jue had been searching for her these past days, and she couldn’t quite put her feelings into words.

Mu Zhi Yue’s eyes, sharp as a sword, shot over as Greenleaf barely managed to utter those few words. Greenleaf pressed her lips together, stepped back slightly, and dared not speak again.

Xue Mei Niang was dead, utterly dead, not even a body left behind. If there were ashes, they would surely be scattered by the mountain winds.

Qian Ye Yi was resolute. The maid had come to her senses, realizing she’d walked straight into trouble today, and could only resign herself and turn back, continuing her search through the tiny house where everything could be seen at a glance.

The sound of a watchman’s clapper echoed through the silent alleys and streets. A black shadow avoided the brighter spots, choosing instead to move swiftly through the shadows cast by the buildings.

“Madam, is this true?” Ling Mo looked at Rong Xi for confirmation. If it was, wouldn’t he be exhausted, helping the master deal with rivals every day?

Qian Ye rose from the thicket, staring blankly in the direction the two had left, unmoving for a long time.

Li Shuang’s strike missed, leaving him unwilling and furious. He was losing his composure, his longsword swirling like falling snow, dazzling with flashes of light.

Two goals had already surpassed expectations. England’s aim was to defeat Paraguay and claim a triumphant start to the World Cup. As long as they won, even one goal would suffice; hoping for more would be extravagant.

Xiao Yu Yin sighed softly. While waiting for the food to be served, her mind spun through idea after idea, only to dismiss each one.

Everyone knew about the next day’s shooting event: among the 1314th batch of military trainees, a marksmanship prodigy had emerged. All targets hit—so much so that the teachers watching nearly had their eyes drop out in astonishment.

Outside the window, moonlight dripped in, bringing a faint glow that seemed unable to brighten the spot where An Ruo and Lu Ling were embracing.

The coaches of the track and field team found themselves unable to advise Xie Chun Feng anymore, including Sun Ping. All they could do was remind Xie Chun Feng to maintain her condition.

The cold crack of gunfire silenced all screams and commotion, and the gathering fell instantly quiet.

“Your Majesty, Miss Xiao has arrived.” Eunuch An bowed respectfully toward the inner hall, then gave Xiao Yu Yin a meaningful glance.

Yuan Yi was the first to act, firing a shot at the face of the Terror Demon. Those eyes irritated him—he hoped this shot would smash that demon’s face to pieces. He didn’t realize that if the mage hadn’t cast a mental spell, he might not have been able to raise his gun at all.

Most of the guests, who had come for the True Pangu Armor, couldn’t help but join in, each hoping to be the first to win this rare weapon.

At this moment, Ao Tian was confident: relying solely on his physical strength, he could blast Shangguan Jin with a single punch. If he added his Transforming Heaven Energy, he believed he could stand against even a peak innate martial artist without defeat.

In the Dragon Palace of the Rising Waters River, all the aquatic soldiers—shrimp and crab guards, carp dragon warriors—brandished broadswords, spears, axes, halberds, and azure swords, shouting as they charged toward the Dragon Palace of the Wei River.