Chapter 41 (Choosing Sides 1): The Self

Sixty-five million years ago, Venus.

A vast crowd, numbering in the thousands, had gathered on the plaza before the Venusian Union Parliament Building. Venus was a civilized world; though the protesters were full of indignation, there had been no collisions, smashing, or other acts of violence.

Their demand was clear: to immediately halt the so-called rescue plan.

If the heavens were truly to collapse, then let all perish together—who could say there might not be a miracle? The idea of deliberately causing Mars to explode was utterly unacceptable to them.

According to the security regulations of Reiffenborg, the capital of Venus—

Looking back, Chen Shiqing stared at us blankly, while she lay in my arms, her delicate form pressed against my arm, a wonderful sensation sending tingles through me.

In a short while, Xu Yi and Zhang Hu had routed Guan Xing and his three deputy generals, utterly defeating them. Seizing the moment, the two of them broke through into the Shu army’s encampment.

“Are you referring to the God of Enchantment?” came a calm voice, one that needed no introduction—Zhu Lingqi was unmistakable, even by sound alone.

Bai Tianfan mused to himself—this was nothing like an imbecile. Had his earlier demeanor been an act, or was it that he simply possessed two sides to his nature? He stared at Li Dong, pondering for a moment, and came to a conclusion in his heart.

“You are a woman of rare kindness and chivalry—how could I possibly blame you? Yet even the noblest intentions must distinguish right from wrong. If one acts without discerning good from evil, how many injustices would there be in the world?” Sun Xu remarked with subtle meaning.

In truth, Zhi En-chan and Wang Taika were cut from the same cloth—they had both known hardship and poverty in the past, and though they no longer lacked for money, some habits were hard to reverse. It wasn’t that they were unwilling to spend on themselves—they simply did not like spending on others.

Upon the city wall, Ye Song’s eyes were stained crimson by the firelight, her delicate face full of murderous intent. Facing the shrill screams, she watched the Yan soldiers perish one by one in the flames, yet her heart remained unmoved.

Venom Massacre gritted his teeth in rage but held his tongue, for it seemed that both the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper and Shadow in the Wind tacitly approved the Punisher’s actions.

Liu Ning rubbed his brow, restoring his composure after being annoyed by the system’s relentless notifications.

Today, she had viewed the apartment Su Keke had found for Lu Yuancheng, and to her surprise, she quite liked it. She regretted a little that she hadn’t asked Su Keke to keep an eye out for her sooner.

In the end, the conclusion was that both had their victories—different styles, but equally charming. Chen Siyu was the more familiar, while Yue Meimei was the more striking.

Before long, the old man unearthed the underground base from the soil. Tilting his head in thought, he abruptly leapt inside. His body, like liquid mercury, slipped through without the slightest hindrance.

This Dao Elixir, for anyone below the Seven Star Secret Realm, was undoubtedly a miraculous aid to cultivation. Of course, the price was exorbitant—if Lu Xu were to part with all his current possessions, it likely still wouldn’t be enough to purchase even half a pill.

Nalansbaru wrapped an arm around the head of a Japanese soldier and, with a violent twist, snapped his neck completely. Releasing his grip, Nalansbaru let the corpse slump lifelessly to the ground, like a dead dog.

Such warmth, such depth—Liu Feng felt as if his body were nestled in his mother’s womb. This wish, like the will of the people at the dawn of heaven and earth, was indomitable and unyielding.

As Zhang Baohua spoke, he unfurled the yellow cloth. The moment it opened, a wave of musty stench wafted out, nearly causing us to faint. Instinctively, we covered our mouths and noses and backed away as far as we could.

Seeing Liu Tao say nothing, Chen Siyu assumed he had gotten a bad posting and immediately tried to comfort him.

Noticing her calm demeanor, they realized she seemed to know a great deal, including the events of the magical beast tide.

The newly resurrected Tian Xingzi tilted his head, thought for a moment, and said, “Why not call him Liu Xi? It has a festive ring to it.” Everyone approved, and so Liu Feng’s first child was named Liu Xi.