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

Chapter 47 Here it comes!

On the terrace, Chen Qing was savoring the spiritual wine when suddenly a faint spiritual light flickered in his Niwan Palace, and a warning arose in his heart!

With a thought, his newly comprehended "Qi in harmony with Heaven and Earth" resonated with the surrounding atmosphere, allowing him to detect the chilling killing intent emanating from outside the high walls!
"They're here!" Chen Qing felt a chill, but wasn't surprised. "We can't linger here."

Just then, Lu Qiyuan turned and walked out of the hall with a hearty laugh: "Fellow Daoist Chen..."

"I am deeply grateful for the young marquis's hospitality." Chen Qing cupped his hands in farewell. "It is getting late, and I dare not disturb you any longer. I shall take my leave now."

Lu Qiyuan's smile froze, and he hurried forward, trying to persuade him to stay: "Why the rush! Won't you have another drink? I've already sent people to search for the Crimson Stone, and we'll have news soon! Besides, the generous gift I prepared for you hasn't been..."

His words were warm and his eyes were open; his intention to recruit was evident and genuine.

Chen Qing did not stop walking. Upon hearing this, he turned his head slightly and said, "I appreciate your kindness, young marquis. I will save this cup of wine for another day."

"Chen Xu!" Seeing that Chen Xu was determined to leave, Lu Qiyuan raised his voice, tinged with resentment, "I truly admire you! Princess Xi Yao is already at her wit's end and can barely protect herself! Once the Empress's decree is issued, she will be doomed! Stay in the Marquis's mansion, and you can take whatever wealth, power, and resources you need!"

"Farewell."

Chen Qing said no more. He lightly touched the ground with his feet, his figure as graceful as a breeze and flowing clouds, crossing the rainbow bridge and disappearing into the depths of the corridor, avoiding the direction that was being maliciously targeted.

Lu Qiyuan gazed at the empty corridor, his face full of regret: "Such a man, it's truly a pity that he can't be used by me! No, wait, he said he'd drink with me again another day, perhaps that means he's considering surrendering. If I try harder, maybe I can win him over." He suddenly flicked his sleeve and said in a deep voice to the shadows: "Send two men to protect him for a while! If he encounters danger, they can intervene as appropriate!"

"Yes!"

A low, guttural reply came from the shadows.

"boom--"

The regret on Lu Qiyuan's face had not yet faded.

A crimson gold edict crashed down like a meteor from outer space!

The talisman unfolded, transforming into a hundred-foot-long canopy in the sky—

"By imperial decree, the investigation is prohibited!"

A palm-sized, phoenix-beak-shaped red jade seal pressed down!

"Crack!"

The spirit pool in the courtyard froze instantly, the rainbow bridge broke, and the golden-scaled dragon carp fell stiffly into the water!

The entire villa felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave!

All the guests, servants, and guards were imprisoned on the spot by an irresistible force and could not move!
"By the Empress Dowager's decree!"

A female voice descended from the heavens, devoid of any emotion—

"Lu Qiyuan, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Donghai, has presumptuously investigated the palace and disturbed the capital. His actions are presumptuous and his intentions are treacherous! Effective immediately, the Lanyue Villa is hereby sealed off! All those who disobey will be expelled at once! Those who disobey will be punished for treason and their souls will be annihilated!"

The roar was deafening, like a divine decree, making the entire courtyard tremble!

Before the words were finished, the crimson jade phoenix beak seal turned slightly!
"Puff! Puff!"

All the guests and servants in the courtyard, regardless of their cultivation level or social status, were thrown out as if by an invisible hand, leaving them in a sorry state and filled with cries of agony!
Lu Qiyuan stood frozen in place, his face turning from red to green, then from green to white, and finally turning into a terrifying iron-blue! His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, his blood surging, yet he couldn't move an inch!

A woman dressed in a cloud-patterned palace gown and with a light veil covering her face stood in mid-air, her eyes flashing with a cold light like swords, looking down at Lu Qiyuan: "Young Master Lu, the Empress has said: The Marquis of Donghai has raised a fine son! Today is a small punishment, I hope you will take heed and not make a mistake for yourself, and even more so, not to tarnish the Marquis's eight-hundred-year-old foundation!"

Every word is heartbreaking!

Lu Qiyuan's eyes were bloodshot, his body was enveloped in bursting water vapor, and behind him, a phantom of the deep sea surged with furious waves. If Zhou Renjing hadn't held his wrist tightly, he would have almost unleashed his natal magic weapon!
The woman glanced indifferently at the messy courtyard, sneered, and her figure transformed into a wisp of black smoke, disappearing in an instant along with the crimson jade seal and the talisman.

The confinement was lifted, and the courtyard was deathly silent.

"Oh!"

Lu Qiyuan shook off Zhou Renjing's hand, his chest heaving violently: "Investigating the palace without permission? Is that what I just ordered? It's just checking some things, why go to such lengths? Seal off my villa and publicly humiliate me!"

Zhou Renjing's eyes were filled with deep worry: "Brother Lu, this matter is far more complicated than it appears on the surface. The Empress has just assumed power and needs to establish her authority! The Marquis of Donghai's mansion is too powerful and attracts a lot of attention. You have just walked into the line of fire and become the chicken to scare the monkeys!"

"You think I'm some kind of chicken waiting to be slaughtered?!" Lu Qiyuan was taken aback at first, then suddenly looked up. "Brother Zhou! I was investigating something, and I've stumbled upon the Empress Dowager's secrets? The Crimson Stone and the Spirit Bone are connected to the palace's hidden secrets?"

He paused, his brow furrowing. "Could this be a trap Chen Xu deliberately set for me?"

Zhou Renjing slowly shook his head: "Even if Chen Xu is intelligent, he can hardly fathom the Empress's intentions. Moreover, although he asked about the Crimson Stone, it was you who took the initiative to investigate. This matter can only be described as a coincidence, and it was destined that this calamity would befall us."

“A coincidence is truly a manifestation of destiny!” Lu Qiyuan rubbed his temples in frustration. “So what should we do now? Let the villa remain sealed off while I, Lu, tuck my tail between my legs and hide back in the Marquis’s mansion?”

"The only thing we can do now is to avoid confrontation, keep a low profile, and not give others any ammunition against us," Zhou Renjing said in a deep voice. "Send a trusted confidant back to Donghai to inform the Marquis and ask him to find a way to mediate in the court."

"Keep a low profile? Lu Qiyuan suddenly sneered, "After being publicly humiliated, you hide like a stray dog? Waiting for your father to grovel and beg someone to smooth things over?"

He kicked over the jade table in front of him, and the rare fruits and delicacies rolled all over the ground!
Lu Qiyuan stared at the mess of spirit fruits and jade liquid scattered on the ground, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists. He took a deep breath, and the ashen color on his face gradually faded: "You're right. To fight head-on now would be like throwing an egg against a rock, only to bring shame upon ourselves."

Zhou Renjing felt somewhat relieved and was about to offer further advice.

Lu Qiyuan raised his hand to stop her: "I accept that the Empress is using me to establish her authority and make an example of me! But if she can humiliate me, I might as well let her taste the same pain!"

He stopped, his gaze shifting towards the direction of Qingwu Courtyard. "Chen Xu and Princess Xiyao are the thorns the Empress Dowager most wants to remove! The more eager she is to crush them, the more I will let them live! The longer they live, the more it will be a thorn in the Empress Dowager's side!"

Zhou Renjing's gaze sharpened: "Brother Lu means..."

Lu Qiyuan slowly said, "On the surface, the Donghai Marquis's Mansion admits defeat! The villa is sealed off, so be it. From now on, I will close my doors to guests, live a secluded life, and devote myself to studying!"

He paused, then changed the subject: "Secretly, have people keep a close eye on Qingwu Villa. I need to know everything that happens there! And Chen Xu, whatever he needs, as long as we don't reveal our identities, do our best to satisfy him! Pills, talismans, intelligence—if he dares to ask for them, and if I have them, I will!"

"Brother Lu!" Zhou Renjing was shocked. "This is like snatching chestnuts from a fire! A slight mishap..."

"Didn't you also want to save the princess?" Lu Qiyuan interrupted him, causing the latter to catch his breath. "You take charge of this matter. We won't personally intervene to save her, but we'll give her a push and a helping hand! Let them catch their breath a little longer, and let the Empress suffer a little longer! Let this thorn be driven deeper, that's what you call reciprocity!"

Clearly, he did not believe that Chen Qing and the others could turn the tide.

Zhou Renjing remained silent for a long time before finally bowing deeply: "Brother Lu, I admire your forbearance and decisiveness! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Dusk is getting darker.

As Chen Qing strolled along the long street, the spiritual light of his Niwan Palace flickered, merging with the heavens and earth. Within a ten-zhang radius, the dripping water from the eaves, the breath of passersby, and even the subtle vitality of the moss in the corners of the walls all seemed to reflect in his heart lake.

The flow of Qi is like a net, reflecting in all directions.

Thirty paces away, the two men walked unsteadily, yet their breaths were heavy; through the cracks in the teahouse window, a cold glint flashed; in the shadows of the alley entrance, a shadowy figure lurked...

"Whoever comes to capture me now must be of very high cultivation. I mustn't let anything unexpected happen. I wonder if Elder Lü has made preparations, and whether my two magic treasures can hold out for a while. Most importantly, if I'm in the Lan Yue Villa, will I be able to get what I want..."

Chen Qing remained completely calm, his bronze wine cup and the Nine-Rank Azure Lotus Platform already poised to strike from his sleeve!
In the distance, Lü Feng, who had been hiding in a concealed place, also picked up the Jiao Wei Qin (a type of zither), but sighed to himself, "This move is truly a huge gamble!"

After a few steps, Chen Qing walked to the middle of the long street.

This is the most open area, with high walls on both sides.

"Take it!"

A short, sharp shout rang out!
From the high walls on both sides, dark shadows swooped down like ghosts!

A powerful crossbow bolt pierced the air in the alley, several points of dark light aimed directly at Chen Qing's vital acupoints!
Furthermore, a chilling, venomous divine thought instantly locked onto him!

The deadly trap was set in the blink of an eye!

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes, and his aura of harmony surged as he prepared to unleash his protective treasure!
At this critical moment——

"despair."

A very light and steady footstep suddenly rang out at the end of the long street.

It was as light as a passerby stepping on puddles.

But just as that sound rang out!
This world seemed to have been forcibly torn from the scroll of Jade Capital City by an invisible hand! Instantly, it was distorted, blurred, and faded!
The swooping black shadow froze in mid-air, like a flying insect in amber; the crossbow bolt hovered three feet in front of Chen Qing, its arrowhead still humming and trembling; the cold divine sense seemed to have hit an invisible barrier, emitting a shrill scream before instantly dissipating!
The footsteps continued.

Chen Qing's hair stood on end!

That potentially fatal siege was completely wiped out by this seemingly casual step!
The newcomer's cultivation level was beyond his comprehension!
He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and focused his gaze.

At the end of the long street, a tall figure slowly strolled over.

The newcomer had a handsome and gentle face, with a scholarly air about him. He wore a plain white robe, untouched by the dust of the world.

He stopped about ten feet in front of Chen Qing, his gaze settling peacefully on Chen Qing.

"Your Excellency is..."

Chen Qing's body was filled with the chaotic energy of Taihe, and the starlight on his destiny talisman flickered. The Ninth-Rank Azure Lotus Platform was poised to be unleashed in his sleeve, yet he tried his best to keep his voice calm.

The man smiled slightly and said, "Weren't you looking for me?"

"Looking for you?" Chen Qing asked, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief.

He won the bet!

Indeed, history, once formed, eventually takes form.

Since it's an open-book exam, even those with great supernatural abilities can guess some of what's going on in their minds.

The man's gaze fell on a point of spiritual light in Chen Qing's Niwan Palace. His eyes flickered slightly, and then he said, "You mentioned my name, so I sensed it."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Qing slowly uttered that name.

"Seventh Prince, Xu Qingfeng..."

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(End of this chapter)