The chessboard was like the night sky, dotted with sensitive and complex stars.

It seemed that the current situation was unpredictable.

Ji Tong held the chess book as if he held the overall situation, and the last trace of worry in his eyes had disappeared.

He had suspected before that Zhao Ji had a deep affection for Ying Wuji. With Ying Wuji's impulsive personality, would he confront Zhao Ji?

Now, he was still uncertain of the answer.

But now, whether or not to confront Zhao Ji was no longer important.

In this game of chess.

Zhao Ji, who was playing as white, hesitated between killing and not killing.

But in fact, the change from firm belief to hesitation already indicated a lot.

Zhao Ji's killing intent would become stronger as the deadline approached.

No king could tolerate such a person living in the world, especially when Ying Wuji had an unruly Bai family behind him.

Very well.

The current Ying Wuji.

Is truly one of us.

Nangong Yan was a little curious: "My lord, can you tell if a person is old just by playing a game of chess?"

Ji Tong turned around, looked at Nangong Yan for a while, and explained with a smile, "Of course."

"Can I learn?"

"Not for now."

"Wow... My lord is amazing!"

"..."

Ji Tong looked at Nangong Yan, feeling moved, and wanted to reward her. He subconsciously reached for the small whip at his waist.

But he found nothing.

He then remembered that he had forgotten the small whip in the rush to leave the mountain last time.

Nangong Yan felt a little disappointed and brought the topic back, "My lord, when was this game of chess played, and why do you have the chess book?"

Ji Tong thought for a moment and smiled slightly, "It's okay to tell you now. Zhao Ji played this game of chess tonight, and the opponent was Daoist Qing Xu from the Supreme View."

Nangong Yan's eyes lit up, "So my lord has a connection with Daoist Qing Xu?"

"Not at all!"

Ji Tong smiled faintly, "Someone just overheard the game."

"Heard the game?"

Nangong Yan was surprised, "This person is really skilled."

Ji Tong agreed, "Indeed, I underestimated him before."

Nangong Yan did not continue to ask, as if she was not interested in the identity of this skilled person.

She lowered her head, looking a bit conflicted, "My lord, can I not attend the Nine Provinces Sacrifice?"

Ji Tong asked, "Why?"

To read the uncut version, go to pawread dot com.

Nangong Yan seemed to have thought of something terrible, "The Nangong family will definitely attend the Nine Provinces Sacrifice, and I don't want to see that old man Nangong Ling!"

Ji Tong shook his head, "Don't you want to settle the grudges between you and the Nangong family?"

Nangong Yan hurriedly said, "Haven't I already settled it?"

Ji Tong's face became somewhat serious, "This is not settling, this is just avoiding. The victim has to pay a price to break free, while the perpetrator gains benefits and remains unscathed. What kind of settlement is this?

Your True Yuan Qi has already reached the grand completion, and your potential is no less than that of the Earthly Virtue Body. After the Nine Provinces Sacrifice, I will let you take on a great responsibility and destroy the entire Nangong family in every possible way!

The suffering you have endured, the Nangong father and son will have to endure it all over again!

Only then.

Can the grudges be truly settled."

"My lord..."

Nangong Yan seemed absent-minded and threw herself into Ji Tong's arms.

She murmured softly, "I just want to completely cut off the past memories, and I never thought of seeking revenge!"

Ji Tong held her face, feeling a little distressed, "If that's the case, I won't force you!"

"No!"

Nangong Yan shook her head, "If my lord feels wronged for me, then I will listen to my lord and destroy the Nangong family."

"Yan'er!"

"My lord...

..."

"Yan'er, what's in your hand?"

"This is a thorn I picked up from the roadside!"

"..."

"My lord, can we use this instead of the small whip tonight?"

"..."

Ji Tong was speechless.

At that moment.

There was a knock on the door.

"My lord!"

"Come in!"

Ji Tong quickly let go of Nangong Yan and straightened his clothes.

Gu Niang pushed open the door and walked in gracefully, "Leader, everything is arranged."

Ji Tong nodded slightly, "Ying Wuji and the Bai family are my treasures. No matter the cost, I will rescue them."

Gu Niang asked again, "What about the 3,500 disciples of the Bai family?"

Ji Tong looked solemn, "Save them if possible, but the main focus is on Ying Wuji and the Bai family. It's not advisable to split our forces too much."

Gu Niang fell silent for a moment and said in a strange tone, "Leader, we don't need to split our forces!"

"Hmm?"

Ji Tong was somewhat puzzled, because when Ying Wuji returned to Jiangcheng, the Bai family was still training their disciples.

On the invitation letter for the Nine Provinces Sacrifice, Zhou Tianzi clearly invited the Bai family, but the Bai family had no reason to bring the Bai disciples with them.

Could it be that...Guniang nodded: "I planted a Gu on Zhao Du's deputy, and I heard that this time, the disciples of the Bai family will join the Bai family in rushing to the Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony. Also, also..."

Ji Tong felt something was wrong: "What else?"

Guniang gritted her teeth: "Zhao Du also said that this time, the Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony is related to the demon threat, and King Li attaches great importance to it, so he will bring fifty thousand elite Zhao clan members to rush over, and fifty percent of the clan's experts will also be there!"

"Fifty percent!?"

Ji Tong's eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Fifty thousand elite Zhao clan members, no matter where they are placed, would make people tremble.

Fifty percent of the clan's experts, that's dozens of experts at the level of a martial artist...

What is this for?

Is this to wipe out Ying Wuji, along with the Bai family and the Bai disciples?

What he just said about sparing no effort, is not strictly speaking sparing no effort. At most, it is just using all his accumulated resources for my sect. Besides, with the demonic seed and Guniang, it wouldn't be particularly difficult for him to rebuild this sect.

Moreover.

After this Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony, the Chu Kingdom will be damaged, and the era of great strife will surely begin ahead of schedule.

In that era, for a sect like mine, full of tricks and schemes, it is debatable whether there is any need for its existence.

But now.

Fifty thousand elite troops, dozens of experts at the level of a martial artist.

Even if two of my sect's members are sacrificed, I'm afraid it won't be possible to save anyone, right?

This time...

Do I have to secretly deploy the private army I've been nurturing for years and send tens of thousands of them in?

Even though Ji Tong's background is very wealthy, just thinking about this makes him break out in a cold sweat.

Guniang asked cautiously, "Leader, what should we do?"

Ji Tong pondered for a long time and gritted his teeth, "Proceed according to the original plan. I will handle the shortage of troops!"

"Yes!"

Guniang solemnly took the order and glanced at Nangong Yan with a deep look before quickly leaving.

Ji Tong, who always had a warm smile on his face, couldn't help but look a bit ferocious at this moment.

The cost is too high.

If it weren't for this move today, he would definitely have hesitated for a long time.

But with this move.

He had to go through with it, even if it meant biting the bullet.

Tens of thousands of private troops, if they were all wiped out, it would be a lie to say it was just a superficial injury, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it would hurt the foundation.

Moreover.

It might not be a total wipeout.

Ji Tong still had high expectations for the Bai family's combat power.

...

Late at night.

The Marquis's Mansion.

Ying Wuji was already very tired, but he tossed and turned for a long time without falling asleep, muttering to himself.

"Fifty thousand elite troops."

"Fifty percent of the Zhao clan's experts."

Strictly speaking, this information did not exceed the scope of his and Zhao Ji's plan.

By greatly enhancing the strength of the elite forces, it would greatly increase the cost Ji Tong had to pay, and by coordinating internally and externally, it would eliminate Ji Tong's main forces, allowing him to gain greater initiative in his alliance with Ji Tong after leaving the Li Kingdom.

Everything was proceeding as planned.

But what Qing Xu, the old Daoist, said was not wrong.

Fifty thousand elite troops, fifty percent of the Zhao clan's experts, and Zhao Ji himself, a super expert who was proficient in large-scale AOE divine arts.

This was the Li royal family's trump card, and the old man could coordinate internally and externally with him to eliminate Ji Tong's living forces at the smallest cost.

At the same time, he could also arrange the forces of the Bai family and Ji Tong at the same time with absolute strength at a certain cost.

Just now.

Ying Wuji, holding the white pieces, made a move according to the chess game.

But no one knew where the situation would develop.

Even if everything had been arranged beforehand.

When it came to actual combat, he didn't know if Zhao Ji would turn dark.

Before the unveiling.

Zhao Ji would be in a state of superimposed dark and non-dark.

This wasn't Ying Wuji's old man?

This was Schrödinger's old man.

Ying Wuji admitted.

There was an element of gambling.

But he didn't completely hand his fate over to Zhao Ji.

He had already cultivated to the tenth level, and could break through to the level of a martial artist at any time. Once he broke through, he would immediately become a pseudo-saint powerhouse with countless divine arts at his disposal.

Scattering beans to form an army, would be equivalent to tens of thousands of elite troops.

In addition to Ying Yue's renowned skill - the group buff killing domain, and the Ying family's inherited slaughter soul technique that could be linked with the killing domain.

Even Zhao's ability to control the heavens and the earth and the absolute heaven communication, he was quite proficient in using them.

If it came to a head-on confrontation.

It wasn't certain who would win or lose.

But in that case.

It would hurt both physically and emotionally.

And he would miss an opportunity for the evolution of the sword spirit.

"Sigh..."

Ying Wuji let out a shallow breath. Life is truly as lonely as snow!

Lying in bed.

With his legs crossed.

Looking at the ceiling.

He lay there with his eyes open for a long time before slowly falling asleep.

...

Two days later.

The Zhao clan's gathering.

King Zhao Ji personally held a grand ceremony for his grandson, which was the most magnificent event in Li's history.

And at the clan gathering, he announced to the world that after the Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony, Prince Zhao Ning would officially ascend to the throne and be crowned the new King of Li.

By then.The new king and the new prince are both the body of Emperor Zhuanxu, which is indeed the current great prosperity in the world.

After the clan meeting.

The Kingdom of Li is very lively.

It is said that during the Nine Provinces Sacrifice, Zhao Ji requested Zhou Tianzi to confer the title of king on the two wise ministers of Wei and Han in his own family.

Now, both the Wei and Han families are busy packing up and moving out of Jiangcheng before the Nine Provinces Sacrifice begins.

After all, the peaceful separation of the three families has left them exhausted from this strange love triangle.

They just want to leave quietly.

They don't want to have any more entanglements with the Zhao family.

Jiangcheng is the territory of the Zhao family.

It's best to move away honestly.

In addition to moving, they are also busy with another matter.

At the border of the Wei and Han fiefs, Luocheng suddenly became prosperous.

As a well-known city in the Central Plains, it naturally became the location for the Nine Provinces Sacrifice.

In order to celebrate the peaceful separation, the Wei and Han families have invested a lot of money in Luocheng, making it look more prosperous than Jiangcheng.

It's just that they spent money, but it made Zhao Ji and Zhou Tianzi co-host the event, with the Zhao family leading the security, which made them feel a little jealous.

But it doesn't matter.

If you want to live a decent life, you have to have a little jealousy in your heart.

At least before the Nine Provinces Sacrifice, this is still the territory of the Kingdom of Li.

At that time, not only will the Zhao family's army be present, but other countries will also symbolically send troops, after all, this Nine Provinces Sacrifice is ostensibly convened to support the Kingdom of Chu.

However...

The Flame Kingdom is already in a bad state.

The Wei and Han families urgently need to recover their strength.

Yan and Zhao are too far away.

The Kingdom of Wu is even more unknown.

The only ones who can send a large number of troops to support are probably Tian Qi, the Kingdom of Qian, and the royal family of Zhou.

It's just that the first two have a delicate relationship with the Kingdom of Chu, and the latter has a small army, and it's not clear what the result will be.

But no matter what the result is.

The Nine Provinces Sacrifice has not yet begun, and Luocheng is already lively.

In contrast, Jiangcheng.

Although it is equally lively.

But it is filled with a sense of desolation everywhere.

Ying Wuji was sunbathing in the courtyard, tilting his head, and looking at the Hanguang Sword hanging in the air.

He asked, "The Han family is almost moving out tomorrow. Aren't you going back to take a look?"

The virtual image of Han Juan emerged from the sword, lazily saying, "Brother Ying, if you have nothing to say, you don't have to say anything."

Ying Wuji: "..."

Indeed.

They have cut ties with their parents and relatives, and he really has nothing to say.

The relationship between Juan and Han Zhe is probably even more indifferent than his relationship with Lao Bidi.

As for Han Zhe...

He is just as much of a top-notch beast as Lao Bidi.

Zheng Yuan... this woman is hard to say, she is not a bad person, but she is not a good mother either.

At most, she is just a vulgar woman from a noble family.

There is really nothing worth remembering.

Now, Zheng Lian and Zheng Yuan have moved to a new place, busy helping the remaining members of the Zheng family who have fled from Hanguo to the new place, and they finally have a place to stay.

As for the Han family...

This family has been in a state of internal strife for a long time. On the one hand, they have to compete with the remnants of the Zheng family in their own fief, and on the other hand, they have to guard against the loss of population.

The most terrifying thing is that Han You has been fed various merits by the Zhao family, and now his reputation is almost as good as Han Zhe's.

With the Nine Provinces Sacrifice imminent, Zhou Tianzi will soon confer the title of king on the Han family, and the struggle between the two factions has reached a white-hot stage.

The Zhao family has promised Han You that as long as the Han family is granted the title of king, they will kill Wei Da, who knows about his ugly deeds at that time.

When Han You has no worries, even if he fails to compete for the position of Han king this time, he can continue to seize power in the Han Kingdom in the future.

Even if the Han family becomes independent.

It will continue to be embroiled in internal strife.

Reform is also unlikely to proceed smoothly.

This country...

Ying Wuji sneered, remembering that in his previous life, the names of the states of Qin, Qi, Chu, Wei, Yan, and Zhao were used in many ways, but only the "Han" was abandoned, and it was taken away by someone who stole pickled vegetables, because the presence of the Han Kingdom was not strong.

This life... it's probably the same.

The Han family is in a pitiful state.

Han Zhe has not left Jiangcheng yet.

But even if Han Juan wants to visit him, he is probably too busy with internal strife to find the time.

"The touching father-son relationship."

Ying Wuji sighed sincerely.

Han Juan knew that he was not mocking himself, so he was not angry, just looking at him: "Brother Ying, what about you? Are you really willing to leave like this?"

He came to Ying Wuji for the sake of the overall situation.

But after spending such a long time together, he was very sure that Ying Wuji was not the type to go along with the overall situation.

If he could, Wujige would definitely spend his whole life with his wife and children.

At this point, he should be feeling quite uncomfortable, right?

"I'm really not willing to leave!"Ying Wuji cursed, "But this *** world is just like this, what can you do?"

The child is now three or four months old.

Because of the strong innate energy and blood, the child is more lively than the average one-year-old child in other families.

It's a lovely and delightful time.

Although he has been staying in the Qingjiang Palace and cannot go out, Ying Wuji goes there every night without hindrance to enjoy parent-child time.

My son, the cutest in the world.

Who would bear to leave?

"I won't talk to you anymore!"

Ying Wuji stood up, stretched, and walked towards Hua Chao, who was setting up a barbecue grill in the yard. "Sister Hua Chao, let me help you!"

As the sun sets in the west.

The guests arrived one by one at the Marquis's Mansion.

Wu Dan.

Zhai Yun.

Mi Xingli.

And Zhao Ning...

Tomorrow, everyone will set off together to rush to Luocheng to participate in the Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony.

This time leaving Jiangcheng, many people may not come back for a long time.

Even so, this day should be commemorated.

When the aroma of the barbecue filled the air, everyone seemed to be back at the Shangmo Bookstore.

At that time.

Ying Wuji, like Wu Dan, was a waste hostage that no one cared about, the only difference being that he had a larger share in the bookstore.

Hua Chao was also an unrecognized illegitimate daughter.

Now, one is the Marquis, and the other is a great craftsman of the Great Li, and Hua Chao has been conferred the title of princess.

Some sighs.

But the atmosphere was as harmonious as ever.

Drinking and chatting, reminiscing about the past.

Before the night was late, Wu Dan was already drunk and babbling on the recliner.

He was saying some words about lanterns, fireworks, and other things that were incomprehensible.

Zhai Yun laughed and scolded, "This waste can't hold his liquor after just a few sips."

He raised his own bowl and shook it at Ying Wuji. "Brother Wu, I'll take Danzi back first. When you come back, I'll treat you to a drink!"

After that.

He clinked his bowl with Ying Wuji's and finished it in one go.

Then he carried the drunken Wu Dan and prepared to leave.

"Brother Zhai, I'll see you off!"

Ying Wuji got up and escorted him to the gate of the Marquis's Mansion. While the coachman went to fetch the carriage, he took out a bottle from his pocket and handed it to Zhai Yun. "I see that you haven't had enough to drink. Take this bottle back and enjoy it slowly!"

Zhai Yun was curious, he pulled out the stopper and sniffed it, his eyes suddenly lit up.

He chuckled and complained, "Brother Wu, this is not right of you. You have such strong liquor, and you're only taking it out now?"

Ying Wuji shrugged, "It was just developed. When I come back, I'll supply you with an unlimited amount."

"Tsk!"

Zhai Yun clicked his tongue, with a meaningful look, "That might take a long time."

Ying Wuji was somewhat surprised, "Brother Zhai, you also..."

Zhai Yun sighed lightly, "I am now a trusted subordinate of Wufuzi, and I always hear some news. Brother Wu, Wufuzi asked me to ask you, if you are unwell, do we still need to make every effort to keep the Mohists in Li Kingdom?"

Ying Wuji thought for a long time and nodded, "Yes!"

"Good!"

Zhai Yun laughed heartily, "This time, I didn't misjudge you. Last time, I misjudged a certain Jiang Taiyuan, and it made me sick. Hey, comparing him to you is a bit of an insult."

Ying Wuji pursed his lips, "You don't have to say that, it's really offensive!"

Zhai Yun chuckled, "Next time we meet, I'll drink three cups as punishment. But you also need to pay attention. Juzi will soon use the situation with Wu Yanchu to transfer a large number of Mohist craftsmen and rangers. We can only do our best."

"Yeah!"

"Let's go!"

Zhai Yun laughed and carried the drunken Wu Dan onto the carriage.

Ying Wuji returned to the yard, only to find that Zhao Ning was the only one left.

He was a little puzzled, "Hey? Where did everyone go?"

Zhao Ning shrugged, "Hua Chao couldn't handle her drink and went back to rest. Mi Xingli also packed her luggage and said that she had gained a lot here and couldn't forget to bring things back."

Tsk!

Ying Wuji clicked his tongue.

Indeed, Mi Xingli, this time leaving Li Kingdom, may never come back in her lifetime. She has gained a lot here, accumulated a lot of experience in reform, and can be said to be returning with a full load. Packing up is quite appropriate.

But Hua Chao's "couldn't handle her drink" should be purely an excuse, her alcohol tolerance is not that weak.

She is very clear about her current situation.

And she knows that by leaving like this, she doesn't know when she can come back, or even if she can come back.

She left the space for herself and Zhao Ning.

"Wuji!"

Zhao Ning looked at Ying Wuji, and in her eyes, there was a rare hint of tenderness. She pursed her lips and smiled, "Shall we have a few more drinks?"

Ying Wuji smiled, took her hand, and happily went back into the house.

The rice wine was sweet and refreshing.

Not intoxicating.

Just a little tipsy.

It wasn't until Zhao Ning's face turned slightly red that Ying Wuji smiled and said, "Just say what you want to say!""You..."

Zhao Ning took a deep breath and finally gathered the courage to say, "It will take us seven days to travel to Luocheng. I will arrange for the official road to be destroyed once, and then we will detour through the Han family's territory. Although the Han family is willing to peacefully separate from the Zhao family, they will not allow the Zhao army to roam around their territory.

I have already contacted Han You, and he will open the door for you.

Leave a way out.

Enough for you to run all the way to the Flame Kingdom."

"Hmm?"

Ying Wuji's eyebrows twitched, and he smiled slightly. "I haven't done anything wrong, so why should we leave in such an undignified manner?"

A hint of pain flashed between Zhao Ning's eyebrows. "At least you can leave."

Ying Wuji pondered for a moment. "Has the king already decided to kill me?"

"I... am not sure!"

Zhao Ning rubbed his brow. "But even I am not sure, I can already see many problems."

Ying Wuji nodded slightly.

Indeed, that was the case.

A daughter knows her father best, and Zhao Ning couldn't figure out Zhao Ji's thoughts, which meant that Zhao Ji's thoughts were extremely complicated.

His emotions were quite stable, and he smiled lightly. "So, do you think I should escape?"

"This..." Zhao Ning hesitated. She didn't know which meaning Ying Wuji intended with "should escape."

Should he escape for safety?

Or should he escape for the sake of righteousness in his heart?

Most likely... it was the latter, right?

Zhao Ning looked pained. "You shouldn't escape. Since coming to Kingdom Li, you have never done anything to betray the royal family. It's just Wuji, royal power is very complicated, and the heart of an emperor is even more complicated. I can't influence the king's thoughts, but I don't want to let you down..."

She recalled the night when she played chess with Zhao Ji.

She didn't know if it was because her chess skills were far inferior to his, or if she simply had no ability to understand Zhao Ji's thoughts, and ended up being played around in Zhao Ji's ever-changing chess moves.

She was at a disadvantage the whole way.

That game of chess was a crushing defeat for Zhao Ning.

From start to finish, she only heard one sentence from that game of chess: Young man, don't try to guess the king's intentions.

She was the most highly regarded crown prince in the history of Kingdom Li.

But even the most highly regarded crown prince was still just a crown prince.

As long as Zhao Ji was willing, she could hardly mobilize any power in Kingdom Li. She was only able to contact Han You this time because Wei Da was in her hands, and she used extremely secretive means to make this small progress.

But it was this progress that tore a hole in Zhao Ji's airtight blockade.

"If I escape like this..." Ying Wuji looked at her with a calm smile. "Will you be able to face yourself?"

His smile was very calm.

So calm that Zhao Ning's nose tingled, and her eyes turned red immediately.

"I'm sorry..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about."

Ying Wuji gently cupped her face. "I'm not blaming you. I just want to say that no matter how my father sees me, I will wait for a result. If the result hasn't come out, and I sneak away like a thief, then it's really a disgrace. Even if it's not shit, it's still shit.

Besides, I haven't done anything wrong!

The only thing I've done wrong in my life is to lie to Hua Chao and Tang Tang.

I did something wrong, and I can still ask them for forgiveness with a straight face.

This time, I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I be afraid?"

Zhao Ning couldn't help but say, "But it's not a matter of being afraid or not. If the king really..."

Ying Wuji interrupted, "Even if he really has this intention, I will accept the result. In this vast world, besides my mother, only he has treated me as a son. Even if he really has the thought of killing me, I can't betray him before he betrays me.

Moreover.

Since he promised me.

I believe he will definitely keep his promise.

This is the romance between men!"

From the perspective of political power, his words seemed a bit naive.

But every word made her unable to have any doubts.

She looked at Ying Wuji, and although she had looked at things from this perspective many times before, it was the first time she felt dizzy.

She sighed lightly. "Perhaps there is romance between men, but there is no romance under royal power."

"If there isn't, then there isn't!"

Ying Wuji smiled. "Then it will be a one-on-one battle between men when the time comes, to resolve things in a manly way. No matter what the result is, it's more dignified than sneaking away. I've never been cut out to be a politician, and this time, I'm asking for what I deserve."

Zhao Ning bit her lip until it lost its color, wanting to say something more.

But Ying Wuji didn't give her a chance to speak. "Damn it! We have the Nine Provinces Sacrificial Ceremony tomorrow. We won't have another chance to be alone together for who knows how long. You don't want to sleep with me, you just keep saying these unromantic things to me. Do you not love me anymore? Take off your clothes while you're tipsy."

As he spoke, he pushed Zhao Ning onto the bed.

"Ha!"

Zhao Ning laughed, tears streaming down her face.He pursed his lips and slowly removed his clothes.

"What about mine?"

"Yes!"

"What are you staring at? Lift it higher!"

"..."

...

The next day.

The Zhao family's delegation to the Nine Provinces Festival officially set off for Luo City.

Fifty thousand elite troops, three hundred Zhao family elders, and ten thousand ceremonial guards, plus four thousand five hundred officials, logistics personnel, and the disciples of the Bai family, totaling one hundred thousand people.

They traveled from north to south in a grand procession.

The journey was neither fast nor slow, covering a total of seven days, and it was very smooth without any mishaps.

The journey was not particularly boring either.

Whenever Zhao Ji had free time, he would find Ying Wuji to play chess on the royal carriage. The father-in-law and son-in-law would chat and laugh, and then Zhao Ji would defeat Ying Wuji in the game.

But Ying Wuji was not one to be trifled with.

He often secretly moved the chess pieces while riding in the carriage.

He really played dirty and won a few games in secret.

This made Zhao Ji curse up a storm and chase after Ying Wuji to kick his butt.

Every night after setting up camp, a bonfire would be lit, and they would drink and eat heartily, listening to Zhao Ji talk about how brave he was when he was young. The young people were fascinated and didn't want to miss a word.

Zhao Ji was in a good mood.

So, the entire army accompanying them was also very happy.

Except for the group responsible for security, everyone else had unlimited meat and alcohol supply. Some wine and water would also be provided.

The only ones who had it tough were the logistics personnel. If there wasn't enough meat and alcohol in the ranks, they would have to go to the nearest city to buy some.

But they were given enough money.

This caused the people in the surrounding cities of Wei and Han to be shocked.

Was the Zhao family so rich?

Why didn't they take the opportunity to move there?

This journey was extremely extravagant.

It was like a group of one hundred thousand people going on an autumn outing to Luo City.

Seven days passed in this manner, and they arrived in Luo City without any surprises or dangers.

The army camped outside the city.

Zhao Ji and the core circle, along with the ceremonial guards, stayed inside Luo City.

Although this place was not directly under the jurisdiction of the Zhao family, according to the agreement, everything here had to listen to Zhao Ji during the Nine Provinces Festival. The people of the Wei family could only think about splitting the family, and they had to accommodate Zhao Ji on this matter.

Luo City was located in the Central Plains and was quite prosperous. The houses in the city were all built quite well.

But if you had to distinguish, you could always tell the difference between the high and low.

But Zhao Ji didn't stand on ceremony.

He directly had people stay in the best houses.

After all, Zhou Tianzi hadn't come.

When Zhou Tianzi arrived, they would pick the remaining ones.

In the next few days.

The royal families of Zhou, Gan, Yan, Yan, Wu, Qi, and Chu, as well as the envoys of various countries, arrived one after another. Even Jiang Qi, who had recently captured a city, sent a member of the royal family to come.

For a while.

The bustle in Luo City had surpassed the previous Hundred Schools of Thought Conference.

Although the Nine Provinces Festival only lasted for one day, it seemed like a momentary prosperity.

But everyone knew that the so-called Nine Provinces Festival was just a prelude. Even after this day passed, the lively atmosphere would not dissipate but would continue all the way to the Kingdom of Chu.

This extermination of the demon's lair would be the final carnival before the arrival of the era of great contention.

From now on.

Not a single day would be boring.

At the largest restaurant in Luo City.

The Clear Crane Pavilion.

In a private room.

Xiang Ding took a sip of wine and grinned.

"Good wine!"

"You bumpkin!"

Mi Xingli pursed her lips, thinking that although the Kingdom of Chu had become a strong country, it was still somewhat backward. Xiang Ding, this country bumpkin, actually thought that the wine in Luo City was good wine.

But after some thought, it was mainly because she had stolen too much of Ying Wuji's wine and had developed a picky palate.

This little rascal is really not a good person!

To think that he hid the good wine so securely.

"Bumpkin?"

Xiang Ding was a little puzzled. "I think I've heard Ying Wuji say this... Miss, what does 'bumpkin' mean?"

Mi Xingli choked a bit. "This..."

Xiang Ding, who was enjoying his wine, didn't pay much attention and continued to drink, saying vaguely, "Miss has been in the Kingdom of Li for too long and has become Ying Wuji's shape."

Mi Xingli: "..."

Ying Wuji pursed his lips. "I can't change your shape, I can't control you at all."

Mi Xingli: "???"

You really want to change it?

Then why don't you have the guts?

Zhao Ning smiled and shook his head, not saying anything.

Just then.

A commotion came from downstairs.

"Someone's been killed, someone's been killed!"

"A person surnamed Ying is fighting with someone surnamed Nangong!"

The crowd listened with excitement.

Wu Dan quickly pushed open the window.

"Damn!"

"Ying Wuque?"

"Nangong Yu?"

Ying Wuji was also excited and quickly squeezed towards the window.

A real man's one-on-one battle.

He loved watching that the most.

~~~

Starting from the next chapter, there should be continuous battles.Brother Black Chicken will transform from an intellectual player to a muscle-bound one.

The pace should pick up quite a bit.

It's estimated that there are still 600,000 to 700,000 words left before completion.

To be fair, there was a significant strategic error with the Hostage role; the limitations were too great. Constantly pulling at this thread can lose a lot of the thrill, but not doing so feels somewhat unreasonable.

That's on the author.

After leaving the Kingdom Li, the dragging plot point will be gone, and the story should gallop all the way to the end.

The general idea is... in the face of absolute muscle, the only use for a brain is to have its contents knocked out.

I'll try to write more exhilaratingly (to get a head start on adapting to the style of the next book).

Whimper, whimper, whimper~