Chen Wudao had died, and with that, the formidable aura of Xiang Mantang was finally exhausted!
"Phew..."
He stood still, his chest heaving powerfully, and finally, his legs gave way, and he slowly lay down on the ground, greedily gasping for air.
After all, Chen Wudao was a seasoned grandmaster, and Xiang Mantang's strength compared to him was only marginally different.
But the opponent was too old, lacking that ruthless vigor of a young bull unafraid of a tiger. Perceiving a likely outcome where both would be hurt and perish together, he harbored thoughts of retreat.
This retreat allowed Xiang Mantang to alter his doomed path!
Otherwise, had he also carried a resolve to die against Xiang Mantang, the final victor would still be uncertain, not to mention allowing Xiang Mantang to successfully pin him down within three minutes!
Thinking thus, Xiang Mantang barely gathered a vestige of strength in his body, then tremblingly stretched his left hand, laboriously reaching inside his robe, and subsequently pulled out a small medicine bottle.
With his left hand trembling, he brought the small medicine bottle to his mouth. Then, he bit on the cork, pulled it off with a "pop," spat it out, and began greedily drinking the medicine inside the bottle!
After consuming the medicine inside the small bottle, Xiang Mantang's pallid complexion began to visibly and rapidly regain its rosiness.
Afterward, Xiang Mantang tossed away the bottle, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breath.
Ten minutes later.
Xiang Mantang breathed out a long turbid breath, slowly opened his eyes, which sparkled anew, revived from their previous dullness.
"Phew..."
Xiang Mantang collected his energy and then got to his feet, his disabled right arm weakly flopping like overcooked noodles.
He turned his head to look at his right arm, shook his head slightly, and murmured to himself, "I was still too careless, I can't be like this next time."
After reprimanding himself, Xiang Mantang no longer concerned himself with his ruined right arm and strode directly toward the Chen Wudao, who was nailed dead to an ancient tree.
Chen Wudao was already thoroughly dead, and Xiang Mantang didn't look at him, raised his left hand, gripped the spear shaft, and with a slight effort, pulled out the Overlord Spear.
"Plop!"
Chen Wudao slid down from the tree, his collapsing eyes still staring fixedly at Xiang Mantang, exuding endless resentment and unwillingness.
After disassembling the Overlord Spear and placing it inside a wooden box, Xiang Mantang took out his phone to look, and sure enough, it had been damaged in the battle just now.
Even if the phone hadn't been broken, there would have been no signal near the Valley of Death anyway.
But he had already planned for this, so he did not show any disappointed expression.
After waiting a few more minutes.
Xiang Mantang's subordinates finally arrived on time.
When they saw Chen Wudao, who had been dead for quite some time, the way they looked at Xiang Mantang carried an added measure of fear.
"Clean up the scene, we're heading back."
Xiang Mantang instructed his people.
Even though the Valley of Death seldom saw any visitors, if someone indeed came and saw Chen Wudao's corpse, it would complicate matters.
Moreover, this was the entrance to the Kunlun Ruins, leaving Chen Wudao's body might seem like a provocation to the insiders.
Better to just handle it immediately.
A few men with special Corpse Water quickly dissolved Chen Wudao's body into a viscous liquid, then cleaned up the battlefield, supported Xiang Mantang, and took the wooden box with the Overlord Spear, then descended the mountain.
...
Mu Jinyu was unaware of the battle in the Valley of Death on Kunlun Mountain.
At that moment, he just got home in Liu Mei's car.
As soon as he got home, Mu Jinyu sensed that something was not right.
The house was filled with a strong fragrance, emanating from the kitchen where someone was apparently cooking.
But hadn't Wen Rou and Gu Xiyan both gone to work?
Then who was cooking in his house?
Mu Jinyu turned his head towards Liu Mei and asked, "Was it someone you called? They sure acted quickly."
Although it felt uncomfortable to think that the chef Liu Mei had called had managed to get into the house and start cooking before he had even returned, after all, it was he who had asked Liu Mei to find someone to cook while they were in the car. Perhaps there had been a misunderstanding, and the chef had thought he wanted a hot meal ready as soon as he got home, hence their actions?
Mu Jinyu suppressed his discomfort and his tone did not carry much blame towards Liu Mei.
However, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, Liu Mei was slightly stunned, then her face stiffened as she hesitantly said, "The person I called hasn't arrived yet, and even if they had, they wouldn't dare to break in like this, this..."
"Hmm?!"
Upon hearing Liu Mei's words, Mu Jinyu immediately realized that the person cooking in the kitchen was not the one she had invited.
"Little Mu, are you back?"
At that moment, the person from the kitchen heard the door open and walked out, greeting Mu Jinyu.
It was indeed Wen Rou.
Her expression was slightly strange, not because of Liu Mei. She forced a smile and said, "I just texted you to ask if you were coming back for lunch. You didn't reply, and I wasn't sure whether to continue cooking or not."
"Sorry, I had my phone on silent and didn't check it,"
Mu Jinyu apologized, then took out his phone from his pocket, checked it, and indeed, Wen Rou had called and also sent a text message.
Putting away his phone, Mu Jinyu asked with a puzzled tone, "Aren't you supposed to be at work? Isn't it very busy at the office? How come you suddenly came back to cook for me?"
Wen Rou's cheeks turned a slight pink as she honestly replied, "Sister Xiyan said you've been in a bad mood these past few days, and the office isn't that busy anymore, so she asked me to come home and keep you company. It's been a while since I cooked for you, so I came back to make you something delicious."
"Oh, thank you." Mu Jinyu felt warmed by her words and softly responded.
He wasn't that fragile, not needing their comfort, but he didn't want to refuse his woman's kindness.
"Ding ding dang dang!"
Just then, the sound of dishes falling to the floor came from the kitchen, loud and clear.
It seemed like someone was clumsily handling things in the kitchen, accidentally knocking plates to the floor.
"Hmm?"
Mu Jinyu's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Hadn't Wen Rou said she was the only one who came back to cook for him?
But if she was standing right in front of him, then who was in the kitchen…
Who is it?!
Mu Jinyu thought briefly and guessed who it might be. His expression turned cold as he asked, "Who's in there?"
Wen Rou's expression became even more peculiar and awkward, and she struggled to find the words to respond.
Mu Jinyu also understood that the person cooking in the kitchen must be Su Zijin!
He then realized why Wen Rou's expression had been so odd and awkward when she emerged from the kitchen.
Given Wen Rou's nature, she most likely wouldn't have intentionally invited Su Zijin over.
It was highly probable that Su Zijin had arrived very early, probably waiting at the door, and then ran into Wen Rou who was returning from shopping.
Then, unable to resist Su Zijin's persistent pleas, Wen Rou let her in and allowed her to cook a meal for him.
However, they probably didn't dare let him find out about this.
Thus, Wen Rou had called and texted to ask when he would be returning.