There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 266 If it doesn't work out, I'll have to inherit the family business.

"The sudden appearance of someone at this time should be the root cause of the troubles in this dream cycle, right? However, I don't have much time to waste on other things. I need to find out the current state of affairs as soon as possible so that I can go and find that Demon Buddha Dao Fruit."

Chen Qing's gaze swept over the two of them, and fragments of memories naturally surfaced in his mind.

The woman in red was named Su Yue, whom Chen Qiu met by the "Bibo Pool" during his travels.

At that time, a vicious dragon was causing trouble in the pool. Chen Qing fought alongside her, each displaying their supernatural abilities, and narrowly escaped death to finally kill the vicious dragon. Later, in an ancient cave, they were trapped in a trap together and saved each other's lives.

Having shared life and death twice, their relationship is naturally close; however, Chen Qing is focused on his carefree life and has not yet taken things a step further.

However, from Chen Qing's current perspective, both of these adventures are questionable, and the woman's true motives and identity should perhaps be investigated.

The burly man was the head of the guards of the Marquis of Donghai's mansion, named Mang Shou Tuo. He had watched Chen Qiu grow up since childhood and was extremely loyal to him.

At this moment, Zhang Meng saw Mang Shoutuo arrive, and his smile became even wider. He took the lead and cupped his hands, saying, "Commander Mang, look at this mess, it's all a misunderstanding! Chen Jun is here and has not suffered the slightest grievance. He has also completed all the tasks you entrusted to me."

Mang Shoutuo snorted coldly, his voice like muffled thunder, making Zhang Meng tremble. He then turned to Chen Qing, cupping his large, fan-like hands in a gesture of urgency: "Young Master! I've been looking for you everywhere! The Marquis's residence has been rather unsettled lately, with some villains stirring up trouble! The Marquis and his wife are extremely worried. As the heir apparent, you are the backbone of our East Sea. How can you linger outside for long? You must quickly return to the residence with me to take charge of the situation!"

As he spoke, he took two steps closer and transmitted his voice directly: "The world is becoming increasingly turbulent. Calamities are rampant, and demons are appearing everywhere. How can I, Lao Mang, be at ease knowing you are all alone out there? The Lady of the Marquis has been unable to contact you for years, and her hair has turned several strands white with worry! Before, when you were cultivating in seclusion on Dingyuan Mountain, it was difficult for the Marquis's mansion to send a message. Now that you have come down the mountain, you must not be willful anymore!"

Dingyuan Mountain isn't some isolated place, so why is it so difficult to send messages? Could it be that the mountain has undergone drastic changes over the past ten thousand years?

Chen Qing pondered silently, searching for fragments of Chen Qiu's memories. Most of them showed him in seclusion in the mountains, but there were also scenes of him interacting with fellow disciples. All of them seemed normal. As for the rest, he didn't ask any further questions.

Just as I was pondering this, a fragrant breeze wafted over.

“Chen Lang…”

Her voice was sweet and seductive.

The woman in red, Su Yue, had moved to Chen Qing's side at some point, gazing at him with tender eyes and her slender fingers seemingly unintentionally twisting the hem of her dress.

"Now that you've escaped that cage, why didn't you tell Yue'er? You promised to take Yue'er with you to explore the Thousand Reef Cave. You can't go back on your word."

However, before Chen Qing could speak, Mang Shoutuo stepped forward, staring at Su Yue with his copper bell-like eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Witch! Put away your seductive tricks! Young Master, this woman cultivates the Bewitching Illusion Technique of the Heart Demon Path, which is best at twisting minds and leading people astray! She is definitely not a good person! Don't be fooled by her appearance!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yue's eyes instantly reddened, on the verge of tears. She leaned slightly closer to Chen Qing, her voice becoming even more tender: "Chen Lang, listen to this rude man! If it weren't for our joint efforts at the bottom of the Azure Wave Pool, we would have become that evil dragon's meal long ago. And that ancient cultivator's mansion was where we entrusted our lives! Are these feelings false? Yue'er's heart is sincere, and heaven and earth can bear witness!"

If it were the original Chen Qiu, hearing such soft pleas and recalling their past experiences of "living and dying together," his heart would soften, and he would most likely have given in to her.

But at this moment, Chen Qing was clear-headed and not only was he not misled, but he also sensed something unusual in the overly "coincidental" adventure and the overly deliberate performance before him.

So he smiled and said, "Since you insist on traveling with me, you may stay. I may need to go to the East Sea later, so why not travel with me?"

"Young Master!" Upon hearing this, Mang Shou Tuo was about to object, but Chen Qing raised his hand to stop him.

Su Yue stiffened, noticing the change in Chen Qing's tone, which was no longer the indulgent gentleness of the past. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it and smiled, "Since you say so, Chen Lang, Yue'er should be happy. However, I suddenly remembered that my sect has urgent matters that require my attention, so I'm afraid I can't go immediately. I'll come to find you after I've finished dealing with these matters!"

After saying her piece, she stopped pressing the matter and, with a flash of red, drifted out of the building, her movements incredibly fast.

Mang Shou Tuo was taken aback at first, then understood what was going on, but he did not stop him. He just snorted and let him leave.

After the red figure disappeared around the street corner, he said to Chen Qing with a solemn expression, "Young Master, these demonic people of the Heart Demon Path act unpredictably and cannot be judged by common sense. After all, ever since Jade Capital suffered the calamity of the 'Demon Descent,' the experts of the Sky Patrol Guards have suffered heavy losses, and the world has become increasingly turbulent! Demonic traces have appeared in various places, and several encirclements have not only failed to achieve complete success, but the demonic path has become more and more rampant. The strangeness of it is truly unpredictable!"

"Huh?" Chen Qing was taken aback.

Mang Shou Tuo continued, "Many foolish men and women in the countryside are now being misled into forming societies to worship demons. These people seem to be taking shortcuts in their cultivation, making rapid progress, but their minds often change drastically, and they act madly, causing chaos wherever they go! This woman may also be coveting your talent and want to plot against you! You must not be careless. If you see her again in the future, you must keep your distance!"

As he spoke, he changed the subject: "The outside world is not peaceful after all. As the Marquis said, if you have difficulty achieving the Golden Core, you don't need to be persistent. There is plenty of time in the future. You can return to the East Sea first to familiarize yourself with the affairs of the Marquis's mansion. It won't necessarily affect you. Besides..." He paused, then lowered his voice, "As far as I know, after you left the mountain, you didn't focus on cultivation."

Chen Qing, however, had no time to respond.

The Sky Patrol Guard suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the demonic forces?

Is the worship of demons prevalent throughout the world?
Mang Shoutuo's words made his mind buzz.

He suddenly recalled Zhang Meng's vague statement earlier, "Government orders do not extend beyond the Jade Capital," and combined this with the information he was hearing now, a thought popped into his mind. This Celestial Dynasty, perhaps it truly is in its twilight years, its dragon energy waning, and demons running rampant!

With this thought in mind, Chen Qing remained expressionless, and then said to Mang Shou Tuo and Zhang Meng, "That's enough. Since the person has already left, there's no need to mention it again. Zhang Siyu, please arrange a table of food and wine. Uncle Mang, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and have a meal and chat. I have some questions about things outside the mountains that I'd like to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Mang Shoutuo frowned, clearly unwilling to sit at the same table as a minor official like Zhang Meng. However, seeing that Chen Qing had already spoken, he could only clasp his hands and reply, "Yes, young master."

Zhang Meng was flattered and quickly bowed, saying, "Lord Chen, you are too kind! It is my honor to dine with you and Commander Mang! The food and wine will be served shortly, and I guarantee you will be satisfied!"

Before long, the three of them sat down in a quiet private room at Mufalou.

Exquisite delicacies were served in a continuous stream, and the aroma of fine wines and spirits filled the air.

Chen Qing and the two ate and talked, seemingly casually, but actually subtly probing each other.

the other side.

Outside the Mufa Building, at the corner of the long street.

The gentleness on Su Yue's face had vanished, replaced by cold indifference.

With a few leaps, she entered a secluded alley, pushed open a half-closed wooden door, and slipped into an abandoned courtyard.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds and collapsed everywhere. Only a half-collapsed clay statue of a deity in the main hall still had its outline, with spider webs hanging down and exuding an air of decay.

A dark shadow emerged from behind the statue, slowly wriggling and gradually rising until it solidified into a large human figure draped in a black robe, its face indistinct.

A deep, husky voice then rang out—

"The Marquis of Donghai's precious heir was released so easily?"

Su Yue snorted coldly, dusted off the dust on her sleeves, and said with disdain, "As expected, the retainer of the Marquis of Donghai, Mang Shou Tuo, has come in person. How dare Zhang Meng, a mere impoverished jailer, refuse to release the prisoner? But it's fine, it saves me from having to go through any more trouble."

The man in the black robe adjusted his hood slightly and lowered his voice: "Judging from your hurried manner, could it be that the illusion of love has lost its effect and been exposed?"

"You saw through me?" Su Yue's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, but then she lowered it. "Chen Qiu is just a greenhorn who thinks he's a ladies' man. Even if he's sober for a moment, so what? I have my own ways of making him submit obediently! As for you, making sarcastic remarks here, have you forgotten the important matters that were taught in the sect?"

The man in black robes remained silent for a moment before saying, "Precisely because this matter is of great importance, we must be cautious. Now that the people from the Marquis of Donghai's mansion have intervened, it will be difficult for you to get close and bewitch them as you did before."

"If you can't get close, can't you lure him into a trap?" A sly glint flashed in Su Yue's eyes, confident and prepared. "I've already planted the seed of the Thousand Reef Cave in his mind. That place is most attractive to sect disciples seeking breakthroughs. As long as he's tempted to go there... Hmph, by then the sky will be high and the sea wide, and even if the Marquis's mansion has a long reach, it may not be able to reach him in time."

The man in black robes nodded slightly: "It's good that you have a plan, but remember, this child has a special destiny, which is related to the sect leader's grand plan. It cannot be lost, and the traces of our Holy Sect must not be exposed."

"Don't worry." Su Yue gently touched a black ring on her little finger, her gaze drifting towards the courtyard. "He can't escape my grasp. Sooner or later, I'll make him fall in love with me!"

Upon hearing this, the man in black robes said meaningfully, "Even if you suffer a setback for the time being, don't lose your composure. Your ruthless path values ​​mental state the most, and you must concentrate on your calculations. You'd better not be backfired!"

The moonlight descends.

Chen Qing stepped out of Mufa Tower, his brows furrowed, the night breeze carrying a chill.

During the meal, Zhang Meng and Mang Shou Tuo exchanged words, though they were somewhat evasive and vague. However, the information they pieced together still stirred up a storm in his heart!

This celestial dynasty has actually declined to this extent!

The northern border has been breached by the allied forces of the Hundred Tribes of the Northern Cold Continent. The Northern Darkness Pass has changed hands, the cold wave is moving south, and the border people are displaced!
In the southern borderlands, the demonic forces are rampant. After a series of battles, the Sky Patrol Guards suffered heavy losses and had seventy-two spirit islands forcibly taken away. The demonic flames are raging, and they are eyeing the inland areas!

In the western borderlands, the Buddhas of the Western Wilderness advanced eastward, breaking through the formidable passes of the Immortal Dynasty, seizing fertile lands, and establishing multiple "Pure Land Dharma Realms." The essence of their Buddhist teachings was regarded by many disillusioned cultivators and troubled mortals of the Immortal Dynasty as a wonderful method of transcendence, and undercurrents were surging!

Even in the seemingly peaceful Dongling Continent, the western part is occupied by the "Five Elements Army," which has carved out its own territory and governs itself; while the coastal counties in the east are led by the Donghai Alliance, which outwardly obeys but inwardly defies, and are almost like separatists!
"With flames of war raging on all sides and drafts coming from all directions, this celestial dynasty has indeed reached its cusp in the storm."

Chen Qing sighed as he recalled his old friends.

(End of this chapter)