Shen Huaixu left on horseback, and happened to run into Mu Ning's wedding procession.

The road wasn't wide enough, so he stopped, got out, and let the wedding procession pass first.

The streets were filled with the deafening sound of drums, a scene of pure joy.

The predominantly red landscape contrasted sharply with the black clothing worn by Shen Huaixu.

He held the reins, wanting only to leave and not to share in anyone else's joy.

Just as he missed it, he glanced up at the groom without thinking.

The groom was only considered handsome, and he forced a smile as he exchanged pleasantries with the onlookers.

He looked unwilling and reluctant.

Why marry someone you don't like?

Shen Huaixu curled his lips in a sarcastic smile, preparing to ride away.

As if remembering something, he frowned and immediately spurred his horse in another direction.

He was followed by a group of people, and although he was puzzled, he had no choice but to follow.

The horse stopped in front of a house in Mujia Village, where a striking white funeral couplet was pasted on the door.

He pushed open the door and found the courtyard desolate and deserted.

Just then, someone happened to pass by, and Shen Huaixu stopped them and asked, "What happened to this family?"

The man glanced at it and sighed, "Dead. Died in childbirth half a month ago. How tragic."

After the man finished speaking, he tried to leave, but Shen Huaixu grabbed him and stuffed a piece of gold into his hand: "Tell me in detail."

The man carefully put away the gold and began to explain: "The woman inside is named Chen Li. She was originally paired with Mu Ning from the Mu family in the east. Chen Li was already pregnant, but the Mu family thought that she had no parents and did not want Mu Ning to marry her, so they found him a wealthy and powerful Miss Jiang."

"When Chen Li found out, she had a miscarriage and died in childbirth half a month ago. Alas, you didn't see it. The blood stained her whole body red. It was so pitiful."

Shen Huaixu released his grip, and the man sighed and left.

Looking at the funeral couplet on the door, he vaguely recalled the time when Nanzhi died.

For so long, he has been dreaming about her every night; he doesn't want to believe she's really dead.

Upon seeing Mu Ning marry Miss Jiang, a glimmer of hope rose in his heart, but he thought she had deceived him again.

But now, that glimmer of hope has been extinguished.

He turned around and walked slowly and laboriously toward the horses.

Nan Zhi only emerged from the corner after Shen Huaixu and the others had completely disappeared.

Her belly was now flat, and she sighed softly as she looked at the spot where he had stood.

"Shen Huaixu, why are you so wary? I've been dead for so long, can't I still fool you?"

It seems she'll have to find another place.

Nanzhi moved to another place.

She settled down with her three children.

This time it took longer; she lived there for two years without encountering Shen Huaixu.

She thought things could continue like this forever, but 003 reminded her that Shen Huaixu's level of corruption was not decreasing and that his life was in danger.

What happened to him?

[Zhizhi, it's too far away, I can't perceive it clearly.]

Nanzhi had a terrible headache.

They took their three children and set off overnight for Qingzhou.

After arriving in Qingzhou, she settled the three children and found someone to take care of them. Then, she put on a bamboo hat and went to the area around the city lord's mansion.

Closer now, 003 has finally located it.

[Zhizhi, in the three years since your 'death,' Shen Huaixu has been obsessed with raising snakes to summon your soul. Half a month ago, he found a venomous snake that looked very much like you in your snake form. He immediately sought out a Taoist priest to see if your soul was inside the snake. As a result, the snake suddenly attacked him, and he was poisoned by the venom. There was no antidote, and he is dying.]

After hearing this, Nan Zhi felt that Shen Huaixu had really gone mad.

"Isn't Nan Wan here?"

[He's not here. It seems Shen Huaixu doesn't like Nan Wan, Zhizhi. It seems he likes you.]

Nan Zhi was extremely annoyed by the 80% love rating.

Love is such a damn hassle.

The city lord's mansion was heavily guarded, so she couldn't go in. She had no choice but to transform back into a snake and carefully crawl inside.

Following 003's directions, she arrived at Shen Huaixu's room.

She climbed into bed and saw Shen Huaixu lying there.

He was thinner than when she met him two years ago. Perhaps due to prolonged sleep deprivation, his eyes were dark and his lips had turned purplish-black.

Nanzhi could barely smell his scent.

Outside the door, Chu Haoting, the deposed young city lord and another son of the old city lord, was leading people to test whether Shen Huaixu was dead.

As long as Shen Huaixu dies, he can become the city lord again.

Zheng Zhiyi was still trying his best to stop him, but Nanzhi knew that he couldn't stop him.

Before Chu Haoting entered, Nan Zhi quickly exchanged for the antidote, transformed into human form, and leaned down to kiss Shen Huaixu's lips.

The antidote was transferred from her lips into Shen Huaixu's mouth, slowly flowing into his oral cavity.

Nanzhi left him, watching his lips slowly return to normal color, and finally breathed a sigh of relief before turning into a snake and crawling away through the window.

Outside the door, Zheng Zhiyi couldn't stop Chu Haoting any longer, and he pushed the door open and walked in.

"Lord City Lord?"

Chu Haoting tentatively called out to Shen Huaixu, but there was no response. He excitedly walked into the bedroom and yanked open the curtain.

He became even more excited when he saw Shen Huaixu lying motionless on the bed.

He reached out to check for breath, and seeing no sign of life, he immediately announced...

"The city lord is dead. From now on, I am the city lord."

Several other men, just as cunning as him, accompanied him.

Upon seeing this, he immediately knelt down.

"Greetings, Lord City Lord."

Zheng Zhiyi rushed in, saw this scene, and was so angry he wanted to kill someone.

"Insolence! The city lord is not dead! Get out of here right now!"

Chu Haoting crossed his arms and sneered, "That bitch Shen Huaixu is already dead. If General Zheng knows what's good for him, he should cooperate with me. Otherwise, once I become the city lord, I will kill you the moment I become the city lord."

Zheng Zhiyi is an upright man. Although Shen Huaixu has done a lot of absurd things over the years, which has disappointed him, Shen Huaixu has also done a lot of good things that have benefited the development of Qingzhou.

As for Chu Haoting, ever since he was demoted to a sinecure by the old city lord, he has not thought about reflecting on his actions or making progress. Instead, he spends all his time associating with treacherous people like himself and thinking about the city lord's position all day long.

Zheng Zhiyi knew better than anyone who was suitable to be the city lord.

He drew his sword, vowing never to yield.

Chu Haoting and the others also drew their weapons.

"General Zheng, stop your desperate struggle. Tonight, you and Shen Huaixu are doomed to lose."

Chu Haoting smiled smugly, "I don't mind telling you that the reason that venomous snake bit Shen Huaixu was because I had someone sprinkle a venomous snake irritant powder on his clothes."

"Chu Haoting, how dare you! You actually dare to plot against the city lord?"

"How can a bastard raised by a peasant woman, a live-in son-in-law who lives off a woman, a slut who ruined her body and has no offspring, be worthy of being the city lord?"

Over the years, Chu Haoting has uncovered the secret of Shen Huaixu's childlessness.

He promoted himself extensively in Qingzhou, but because Shen Huaixu had achieved a great deal, few people dared to oppose him becoming the city lord.

Chu Haoting lost his patience.

Seeing that Zheng Zhiyi still refused to obey, he raised his hand and said, "Kill him."

Just as the people behind him were about to grab their weapons and attack Zheng Zhiyi, they suddenly heard a voice from the side.

"Let's see who dares."

*

The final day of the PK battle! Please give me your support, my darlings! If I pass the PK, I'll release two extra chapters!