“So that’s how it is!”
Shen Moyan was somewhat disappointed. He had thought Shen Zhian came from an extraordinary family, and that if he could win her over, she might provide him with countless benefits.
But after all that, it turned out she was relying on a man too.
Her husband, no less.
In other words, even if Shen Moyan managed to drive a wedge between them and take Shen Zhian away from her husband, all Shen Zhian could offer him was her exceptional business acumen.
The return hardly seemed worth the effort.
“I’ll have to think carefully about whether it’s worth it.”
Sitting in the corner by the boat window, Shen Moyan pondered seriously and soon reached a conclusion.
If Shen Zhian were not too difficult to win over, then it might still be worthwhile. At the very least, Shen Zhian was a capable woman. If he could secure her support, she could help him with business affairs. Even if he failed to accomplish anything significant in the army, he could still live out the rest of his life as a wealthy gentleman. That did not sound too bad.
The more pleasant his fantasies became, the more relaxed Shen Moyan felt. His anxiety gradually dissipated, drowsiness overtook him, and he soon fell asleep.
After dreaming of wealth, glory, and a house full of wives and concubines, Shen Moyan was awakened. Ning Wanqin, who had also dozed off beside him, woke at the same time.
The steward wore a broad smile as he said, “Miss Ning, Young Master, we’ve reached the banks of the Yangtze. You can disembark now.”
Shen Moyan and Ning Wanqin opened the window and looked out. The boat had already docked, proving that the most dangerous part of their journey was finally over. What lay ahead was a broad road to greatness, smooth and unobstructed.
“Come on, come on…”
Ning Wanqin habitually touched the two letters hidden against her chest. In an excellent mood, she said, “Moyan, let’s go ashore.”
“All right!”
The two bid farewell to Shen Zhian’s fleet, quickly reached the riverbank, bought two horses nearby, and hurried toward the naval encampment.
They had to deliver the two letters exposing Generals Zhao and Qian’s treason to Grand Commander Zhou Mengyan as quickly as possible, in exchange for an earth-shaking achievement.
The wind whipped against their faces as they rode along, their faces bright with delight. Before long, the naval camp came into view. Suddenly, Shen Moyan thought of something and could not help turning his head to look back.
Sure enough, he saw a building concealed in the hazy mist yet dazzlingly magnificent. It was the martial arts academy owned by Shen Zhian’s family, famous far and wide and located not far from the naval camp.
In the past, he had been so accustomed to seeing it that he often overlooked it. But now that he knew Shen Zhian was no ordinary woman, he naturally paid closer attention. Unexpectedly… he noticed something unusual.
“Hey, Wanqin, doesn’t that martial arts academy look like it’s being moved?”
“What martial arts academy?”
“The one owned by Shen Zhian’s family!”
Ning Wanqin hurriedly looked in that direction. She could vaguely make out the commotion and, almost instinctively, spurred her horse forward. Before long, they arrived at the academy and saw a crowd of people bustling about, carrying things out.
“Did Sister Shen Zhian find a better location for the academy? Is that why she’s moving it?” Ning Wanqin said.
“I don’t think so.” Shen Moyan had a clearer view. “If they were merely relocating, why would everything be in such a mess? It looks more like they can’t keep the place running.”
“Even if it can’t stay open, it doesn’t matter.” Ning Wanqin immediately added, “Sister Shen Zhian’s family owns plenty of businesses. A mere martial arts academy is nothing to her.”
“Ah, yes… I suppose so!”
Shen Moyan agreed outwardly, but he did not share her view.
A mere martial arts academy?
The academy was so large that it could be called the biggest in Yun Capital. Could it really be worthless?
Of course, this was only gossip to him. Even his ambitions concerning Shen Zhian had not yet progressed beyond the planning stage, so he did not pay it much mind.
After exchanging a few more words with Ning Wanqin, the two mounted their horses and hurried toward the naval camp.
Once they arrived, Ning Wanqin took out the two letters and handed them both to Shen Moyan.
“Moyan, these are our ticket to turning things around. There’s no time to lose. You should go see the Grand Commander right now.”
“I’ll also try to find Ruan Fei and have her put in a good word for you. With these letters, I guarantee you’ll soar to prominence and become the Grand Commander’s trusted favorite.”
Shen Moyan was extremely excited and nodded.
“Wanqin, what about you?”
“Me? I’m not feeling well. I’m going back to rest.”
“All right… all right, then.”
A fresh stab of pain pierced Shen Moyan’s heart, but he forced himself to endure it and put on a smile. Once Ning Wanqin had left, he hurried impatiently toward the central command tent.
After announcing himself, he was allowed through without obstruction.
Yet at the entrance to the central command tent, he encountered two more obstacles.
The naval commander surnamed Zhao.
The naval commander surnamed Qian.
The two men still disliked Shen Moyan. The moment they saw him, not a single pleasant word passed their lips.
“Oh, isn’t this our Commander Shen Moyan? Didn’t you say you were going to the fortresses north of the Yangtze to accomplish something earth-shattering and bring General Lu Chaosheng back? Where is General Lu Chaosheng? Did you roll him up and stuff him in your pocket?”
“Heh, you boasted so loudly and even planned to put on a show in front of the Grand Commander. You certainly put on quite a performance. Look at you… You actually came back in one piece. Amazing!”
“How could he not come back in one piece? If he hadn’t, our executioners wouldn’t have been able to practice cutting someone in half with a single stroke. Tsk, tsk, I really wanted to see that!”
“Lao Zhao, don’t be impatient. You’ll get to see it again soon!”
…
Their words were as cutting as ever—indeed, every sentence struck at a vital point.
Previously, Shen Moyan would have been furious and explosive, but because these two men wielded enormous influence within the army, he would have been forced to suppress his displeasure.
Now, however, his state of mind had completely changed.
Not only was he not angry in the slightest, but he also felt an irrepressible joy surging within him, ready to burst forth.
And so…
To their surprise, he bowed to the two men and said, “The two generals are right to reprimand me. I indeed failed to bring General Lu back. It was my negligence.”
“However, I have brought something else of interest. It concerns the safety of our entire army. Generals, would you care to accompany me into the Grand Commander’s tent and witness it for yourselves?”
“I guarantee that once you see it, you’ll be so delighted you’ll jump for joy!”
Generals Zhao and Qian were both stunned.
Their first thought was: Is this really Shen Moyan?
There was something different about Shen Moyan today.
But that did not matter. Shen Moyan had already left them with a fixed impression, and no matter how unusual his behavior was today, they automatically viewed him through the label they had assigned him.
Both men gave a cold laugh.
“Fine. Let’s go take a look in the Grand Commander’s tent.”
“Hoho, even a Pretty boy can bring back something worthwhile. The sun really has risen in the west!”
…
Generals Zhao and Qian continued trading sarcastic remarks, every word dripping with contempt. Together with Shen Moyan, they entered the tent.
Inside, naval Grand Commander Zhou Mengyan sat high on a tiger-backed chair. Beside him stood a gentle, graceful woman with a warm smile. She was Ruan Fei, whom Zhou Mengyan had supported and raised.
“Your subordinate, Shen Moyan, has completed his mission without disgrace and has returned to report!”
Shen Moyan dropped to his knees and declared in a loud voice.
…
e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
