Time rewound once more, to over a year ago!
On this day, the entire Tianshui City mansion was still immersed in the lingering atmosphere of Suo Lun’s grand wedding the night before.
The vast majority of guests had not yet dispersed.
Last night, Suo Ning Bing had secretly become the bride. She had woken up very early today, but as though guilty of theft, she had been hiding in her room and dared not show her face.
Little did she know that by doing so, she only made herself seem even more strange.
Normally at this hour, she would have long since risen to manage household affairs, and to teach Ah Shi Yuan Ba and Qin Qin to read.
Yan Nai Er was the mistress of Tianshui City, but she had always been one to ignore household matters, only managing military affairs.
However, from now on, she did not even intend to manage military affairs. The war was already over. She wanted to wholeheartedly stay at home and bear children.
At most, she could teach the children martial arts on the side.
As for Gui Qin Shao, she had slept too late last night, and with her pregnancy making her drowsy, she would not get out of bed before the afternoon.
Of course, when Suo Lun was not home, she often slept in and lazed in bed. She basically always slept until she woke naturally, and no one dared to discipline her.
So this morning, it was actually Fu Yan Er who rose to direct the servants and maids in their work.
Yesterday, Suo Lun’s rare tenderness towards her had greatly boosted her confidence. She felt it necessary to proactively take charge of household affairs and show everyone that she too was one of the mistresses of the Suo family.
As for her daughter Qin Qin, she had woken up early, washed herself, and eaten breakfast with Ah Shi Yuan Ba. Very conscientiously, she practised the sword for an hour, then sat down to study.
Around ten o’clock in the morning, Suo Ning Bing came looking for Suo Lun. She found that neither he nor Princess Zhi Yan was there, only Zhuang Zhi Xuan.
“Zhi Xuan, where is Suo Lun?” Suo Ning Bing asked.
Zhuang Zhi Xuan rose and said, “The master went out with Her Highness the Princess, riding a griffin beast. It seems they went to the seaside.”
Suo Ning Bing was startled. “What are they going to the seaside for at this time?”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “I heard they are going to see a ship.”
“The Ark is finished?” Suo Ning Bing was somewhat excited. She had heard about this ship for a long time. Suo Lun had said that once the ship was built, he would take the whole family out to sea to play. This had made Suo Ning Bing and the children greatly anticipate it.
“The master said the ship is not completely finished yet, but it has been launched for a trial voyage.” Zhuang Zhi Xuan said.
Suo Ning Bing said, “Then Suo Lun probably won’t be back for lunch. I’ll go prepare lunch. Remember to come eat around noon. There are still many guests at noon.”
“Yes.” Zhuang Zhi Xuan said.
She noticed that Suo Ning Bing seemed especially happy today, and there was always a faint flush on her pretty face. Moreover, her walking posture was subtly somewhat unnatural.
Of course, Zhuang Zhi Xuan would not pay any mind to these peculiarities.
In her heart, there were only martial arts and her own duties!
After Suo Ning Bing left, Zhuang Zhi Xuan continued to sit in meditation and cultivate.
About half an hour later, Yan Nai Er arrived!
“Madam.” Zhuang Zhi Xuan rose to salute.
“Sister Xuan.” Yan Nai Er quickly returned the salute.
Among Suo Lun’s several wives, Zhuang Zhi Xuan and Yan Nai Er had the closest relationship.
“Where is husband?” Yan Nai Er asked.
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “He went to the seaside with Her Highness the Princess to see the Ark’s launch trial.”
“Oh.” Yan Nai Er said.
Then, she did not hurry to leave. Instead, she sat down before Zhuang Zhi Xuan, hesitating to speak.
“What is it?” Zhuang Zhi Xuan asked.
Yan Nai Er said, “I don’t know why, but since I woke up this morning, my heart has been beating very fast.”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “It’s because of the wedding. You are too excited.”
Yan Nai Er said, “I don’t know either. And now it’s beating faster and faster. There’s also a feeling of unease.”
In truth, Zhuang Zhi Xuan also had an inexplicable feeling of unease.
After Suo Lun left, she had been sitting in meditation and cultivating, but no matter what, she could not calm her mind.
She thought it was probably because she was away from Suo Lun’s side.
For nearly this past year, she and Suo Lun had been completely inseparable, always by his side every moment.
This time, when Princess Zhi Yan invited Suo Lun to the sea, Zhuang Zhi Xuan had wanted to follow as well, but Princess Zhi Yan had stopped her.
However, seeing Yan Nai Er’s unease, Zhuang Zhi Xuan could not also tell of her own restless state of mind. She could only offer words of comfort.
But Zhuang Zhi Xuan’s heartbeat was also growing faster and faster. She wondered secretly in her heart, “Master, could something have happened?”
However, she quickly felt her own thoughts were too absurd. With Princess Zhi Yan by his side, how could the master possibly be in any danger?
How many people in the world could surpass Princess Zhi Yan in martial arts?
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.” Zhuang Zhi Xuan comforted. Then she changed the subject. “Nai Er, after the wedding, are you staying in Tianshui City or following the master to the royal capital?”
“To the royal capital.” Yan Nai Er said.
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “But if you go to the royal capital, you’ll have to live in the princess’s mansion.”
Yan Nai Er said, “Princess Zhi Yan doesn’t mind these things. Moreover, this princess’s mansion was originally the master’s Tianshui Earl’s mansion. After Princess Zhi Yan ascends the throne, the princess’s mansion will be changed to the Regent’s mansion. Then it will completely belong to our family.”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Nai Er, you… what do you think of Her Highness the Princess?”
Yan Nai Er was silent for a moment, then said, “I don’t know. My relationship with her is complicated. It’s hard to say.”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “This is just a private chat between us. It’s fine.”
Yan Nai Er said, “I can’t see through her. And before her, I feel somewhat… afraid.”
“Afraid…” Zhuang Zhi Xuan was startled. Yan Nai Er was such a brave girl, fearless of nothing. How could she be afraid?
Yan Nai Er said, “When I was alone before, of course I feared nothing. But now I have my beloved husband, and adorable Qin Qin, and Yuan Ba, and kind sister, and a happy, warm home. So of course I am afraid. Afraid of losing all of this.”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan said, “Then… why are you afraid of Princess Zhi Yan?”
Yan Nai Er said, “I… I feel she is not like a real person. It’s as though she is a painting, a sculpture. Even when she stands before you and eats at the same table as you, you still feel she is incredibly distant. You look at her eyes, you look at her face, and you never know what she is thinking. It’s as though she is completely without joy or sorrow.”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan looked at Nai Er in astonishment. Regarding Princess Zhi Yan, she had the same feeling, except she had not expressed it as accurately as Nai Er.
But her feeling was even stronger than Yan Nai Er’s.
Zhi Yu Bao Bao was super adorable. Everyone who saw him loved him to bits.
Whenever they had free time, Zhuang Zhi Xuan, Zhi Ning, and Fang Qing Zhuo would all compete to hold him.
Ah Shi Li Ren was also a woman cold as frost. Whether facing Zhi Ning, or Zhuang Zhi Xuan, or others, she always had a cold and indifferent expression.
But one time, when Zhi Yu Bao Bao saw her, he stumbled over and threw himself at her to be held.
At that moment, Ah Shi Li Ren’s beautiful eyes trembled. Like lightning, she rushed forward and held Zhi Yu Bao Bao in her arms, fearing he would fall.
Not only that, every time she saw the baby, her gaze was soft.
Ah Shi Li Ren did not eat with everyone else. But when Zhi Ning brought the baby to play in the courtyard, she would stand not far away watching, her gaze still gentle.
So Ah Shi Li Ren’s face was cold, but her heart was warm.
As for Princess Zhi Yan, only when facing Suo Lun did she show a trace of humanity. When facing others, no matter how amiable her attitude, one felt an immense distance.
Moreover, she had never reached out to hold Zhi Yu Bao Bao.
Not only that, Zhi Yu Bao Bao was affectionate towards everyone. No matter who he saw, he would throw himself at them to be held. But Princess Zhi Yan was the sole exception. He never threw himself at Princess Zhi Yan.
…
At this moment, Yan Nai Er and Zhuang Zhi Xuan fell into silence!
They exchanged slightly uneasy glances!
Just then, Ah Shi Yuan Ba came running over holding Qin Qin’s hand, shouting, “Martial Aunt, Auntie Zhuang, time to eat!”
Zhuang Zhi Xuan and Nai Er cast aside their thoughts and followed the two children to eat.
Nai Er liked Qin Qin very much. She could not resist picking up her soft little body and cooing, “Qin Qin, what did you learn today?”
Qin Qin smiled shyly. Then her little hands mimicked the posture of playing the zither.
Seeing Qin Qin’s adorable appearance, Nai Er could not resist kissing her little face and saying, “Then play it for mother tonight, alright?”
After saying this, Nai Er could not help blushing furiously, feeling a bit cringeworthy in her heart.
She had already formally married Suo Lun, and as the principal wife, theoretically all of Suo Lun’s children should call her principal mother.
Moreover, she had sworn in her heart to love every one of her husband’s children as her own. Although she was unhappy that her husband had so many women, and was quite jealous.
But calling herself mother for the first time, Nai Er still felt very embarrassed.
Qin Qin also felt very shy. Then she nodded.
At noon, the whole family happily ate together.
There were still many guests, but most were nobles and high-ranking officers.
…
After lunch!
Suo Ning Bing gave lessons to the two children. Literature class!
She was leading the two children in reciting a very beautiful fu. Ah Shi Yuan Ba recited very clearly and with proper rhythm, while Qin Qin also followed along. Her mouth shapes were all correct, but she simply could not make a sound.
Fu Yan Er was imperiously directing servants and maids.
Gui Qin Shao had slept in until now before waking up, throwing a tantrum about getting up.
Mother Tu Ling Si was beside her constantly trying to please and coax her, asking what she wanted to eat.
This she would not eat, that she would not eat either.
She found this too greasy, that too sweet, this meat too tough, that meat too mushy.
In short, nothing was right!
Fortunately, Tu Ling Si was long used to it. This young miss had always had a terrible morning temper since childhood.
“Where is husband?” Gui Qin Shao said coquettishly.
“Went to the seaside. He’ll be back soon.” Tu Ling Si said.
Gui Qin Shao said petulantly, “He went to the seaside and didn’t take me.”
“How could he take you when you sleep so late?” Tu Ling Si said. “Besides, with such a big belly, riding a griffin beast is too bumpy.”
Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhi Xuan and Yan Nai Er’s feeling of unease grew stronger and stronger. Their heartbeats grew faster and faster.
So the two decided to personally make a trip to the seaside!
However, when Suo Lun was not present, the two of them had no authority to use griffin beasts. So they rode lion-tiger beasts, galloping towards the eastern seaside.
…
An hour and a half later!
Gui Qin Shao’s morning tantrum had long since been vented. She ate lunch with great interest, then washed and cleaned her teeth.
Next, supported by her mother Fu Ling Xi, she strolled in the garden with her belly protruding.
Suo Ning Bing was teaching the two children to read, just at the moment of a break in the middle. Fu Yan Er ingratiatingly brought over three bowls of bird’s nest soup.
“Sister, you must be exhausted. Have a bowl of bird’s nest!”
Ah Shi Yuan Ba gulped down the bird’s nest in a few mouthfuls, then said, “Aunt, Qin Qin is amazing at playing the zither. She completely inherited teacher’s talent.”
At this moment, Mentor Ni Ya walked in and smiled, “Truly, Qin Qin is the most talented child I have ever seen.”
Suo Ning Bing clapped her hands and said, “What a wonderful Qin Qin. Perform a piece for auntie.”
Suo Lun’s precious daughter Qin Qin was shy again. Her little face was bright red, yet she was eager to try.
Mentor Ni Ya said, “Qin Qin, how about performing a piece of ‘Autumn Whispers’ for us? This is a piece your father gave!”
Qin Qin bit her little lip, nodded, then came before the harpsichord.
Before she had even begun to play, her little appearance was already quite the thing.
She took a breath. Then her little hands placed themselves on the keys.
“Bravo…” Suddenly, Ah Shi Yuan Ba let out a cheer and began to clap.
Before Qin Qin had even begun to play, Ah Shi Yuan Ba started cheering. Qin Qin immediately glared at him. Ah Shi Yuan Ba stuck out his tongue and stopped making trouble.
Then, Qin Qin imitated her father Suo Lun’s manner and began to play.
“Dang dang dang…”
One had to admit, Qin Qin’s talent was truly high. She was only a little over seven years old this year. She had been learning to play for less than a year, yet she played quite impressively.
Her teacher was not Ni Ya, but Suo Lun.
Every time, Suo Lun would hold her in his lap. Then his two large hands would cover her small hands, guiding her to play.
Each time they played “Autumn Whispers.” This had also become Qin Qin’s happiest time.
Beautiful zither music flowed from Qin Qin’s little hands.
Mentor Ni Ya, Suo Ning Bing, and Ah Shi Yuan Ba all listened with perked ears, their gazes filled with admiration.
Their two hands were also clasped together, ready to applaud at any moment.
Fu Yan Er felt extremely proud. Regardless of whether the piece was finished, she was already clapping there.
“Wow, Qin Qin is amazing!”
“My daughter is so incredible!”
This kind of time seemed as though every inch flowed with happiness, flowed with joy.
“Dang dang dang dang…” Qin Qin played better and better. Thinking of how her father played, she deliberately tried to imitate.
This little appearance was truly adorable, making one dote on her terribly.
At the same time, it seemed a dark cloud floated over from the sky.
The originally sun-drenched earth suddenly fell into darkness.
Suo Ning Bing looked up and immediately saw a mass of shadows blotting out the sky and covering the sun.
What was this? Was it a flock of birds? Was it crows?
Then, this mass of dark clouds began to circle and descend. It was an endless sea of people. It was the Divine Dragon Temple’s aerial legion filled with immensely powerful energy.
Ji Xiu Ning, Princess Zhi Yan, and several others slowly descended, floating above the Tianshui City Lord’s mansion.
Saintess Ji Xiu Ning’s voice resounded throughout all of Tianshui City.
“Suo Lun, Lord of Tianshui City of the Raging Wave Kingdom, is the master of the Demon Star, the Dark Sovereign, supremely evil, his sins towering to the heavens. He has committed crimes of monstrous magnitude, opposing the Divine Dragon faith, opposing Divine Dragon power, opposing human society. He has been formally executed. All his family members share in his guilt, root and branch!”
And at this moment, little Qin Qin’s piece was not yet finished!
…
Time returned to the present!
The Barbarian Continent, inside the Chimera tribe’s cave prison!
The boss of the cell, the ferocious Wolfman, leading dozens of barbarians, surrounded Lan Ling, forcing her to hand over the three-year-old little girl.
“The Wolfman says, if you don’t hand over the child, he will tear you apart alive and then eat you!”
Lan Ling (Suo Lun) placed the little girl behind him. Then he stood up, standing before the Wolfman!
This Wolfman was a full three metres tall. Before him, Lan Ling was as weak and small as a child.
“Ha ha ha ha ha…” The Wolfman let out a burst of wild laughter upon seeing Lan Ling’s confrontation.
Then he extended his massive palm, grabbed Lan Ling by the neck, and effortlessly lifted him up.
This Wolfman’s strength was truly immense, countless times greater. With Lan Ling’s neck in his grip, there was no power to resist at all.
“Then I will eat you together, ha ha ha…” The Wolfman gnashed his teeth forcefully. Then he opened his bloody maw and bit fiercely towards Lan Ling’s head.
Lan Ling condensed all his spiritual power.
The pupils of his eyes suddenly transformed, instantly becoming blood-red pupils.
Then he let out a fierce roar.
An extremely sharp shriek, accompanied by immensely powerful spiritual power, pierced through the Wolfman’s eyes and stabbed fiercely into his brain.
In an instant…
The Wolfman only felt a flash of white light inside his brain. His entire brain domain seemed to suddenly explode.
His whole body was in excruciating pain. His entire body lost all response.
“Ao…”
Then Lan Ling opened his mouth, revealing sharp fangs. He lunged fiercely at the Wolfman’s neck and bit down hard.
Madly sucking blood!
Madly devouring!
Moments later, the Wolfman woke up.
He let out a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering wail, struggling desperately, tearing desperately.
In an instant, he tore Lan Ling until he was covered in blood, his body covered in wounds.
But he could never break free from Lan Ling biting his neck.
In less than a minute.
This Wolfman over three metres tall was alive sucked into a dried corpse, completely dead.
And Lan Ling, covered in blood, was like a devil, making one’s blood run cold!