Chasing after her husband? Is it even possible to win him back?

“If pushed too far, you have the resources to raise the banner of rebellion. Some ministers, gentry, and powerful families who are dissatisfied with the emperor might actually take advantage of you and support you in overthrowing the current emperor.” Seeing that Jiang Shu seemed to have no concept of the bloodline of the royal family, Chu Xunfeng took over Zuo Feichen’s words and explained them in more colloquial terms.

"Of course, this is also the reason why the emperor is wary of you and targets you."

For the same reason, he didn't dare to go too far.

Chu Xunfeng raised an eyebrow, looking at the three people from Baidi City who were dumbfounded, "Now you're very confident, aren't you? Baidi City has the qualifications to drag Xu Kingdom into a split and civil war."

"In other words, if you're forced to, you can still flip the table."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Heart-to-Heart Talks Between Girls

"Baidi City has a legitimate reason to raise the banner of rebellion, but I never thought about that."

“Because you are cultivators, I don’t know if you have ever had a period as ‘mortals’. I’ve considered and designed this whole thing from the perspective of ‘mortals’, so it’s probably normal that you couldn’t think of it.” Chu Xunfeng explained softly to Xu Bailing as they walked along the main road.

"Why is it that mortals can think of these things, but cultivators can't?" Xu Bailing stopped in her tracks.

Chu Xunfeng also stopped. After a brief moment of thought, he asked a question, "Young Miss, do you know what kind of crops should be planted in the fields during which solar terms will result in a bumper harvest?"

Xu Bailing paused for a moment, pondered for a while with some distress, but ultimately did not voice the answers she was unsure of.

“You see, this is a matter of everyone’s ‘perspective’.” Chu Xunfeng gently flicked his sleeves, his tone calm and sincere.

"The emperor thinks about the emperor's affairs, the officials think about the officials' affairs, the merchants focus on market conditions, the farmers focus on the land, and the practitioners focus on their spiritual practice."

"But our world cannot consist of only spiritual practice. What we eat every day is decided by the farmers who cultivate the land, what we can buy is decided by the merchants, and the operation of national affairs is composed of countless 'points' that are focused on by many people."

"It's not something an ordinary person could have thought of. The idea that Baidi City could raise the banner of rebellion was something I came up with by standing in the position of the 'emperor,' 'officials,' and 'gentry.' The reason I was able to think of these things was to explore why the emperor was targeting Baidi City."

"So it's very simple. If you want to figure out what someone's actions are for, put yourself in their shoes and think from their perspective. If you understand them deeply enough, you can always guess the general idea, or at least get the outline."

"If that's the case..." Xu Bailing raised her hand and touched her lips. She looked at Chu Xunfeng, who was calm and composed and was definitely not lying, "You understand emperors, or rather, the mentality of emperors?"

"You could say that," Chu Xunfeng nodded.

After all, he has studied five thousand years of history, and he has been exposed to some excellent cultural and entertainment works. He still understands the more basic things.

"It's as if you're always preparing to become emperor," Xu Bailing laughed.

"No, it's just that I have some knowledge of it..." Chu Xunfeng looked at Xu Bailing with a teasing expression, but in the end he gave up the idea of ​​explaining. "Never mind, it's not important."

Xu Bailing smiled and didn't press the matter further.

This afternoon was the last rare moment of leisure for the two, and they were having a date at Longquan Sword Manor... This was, of course, Xu Bailing's own idea.

Chu Xunfeng had a purpose. He wasn't the kind of person who would let his guard down at the last minute. He was currently inspecting the Longquan Sword Manor, simply to observe the arrangements the Longquan Sword Manor would make for tomorrow's Sword Appraisal Conference.

Xu Bailing was just using the excuse of wanting to accompany Chu Xunfeng for a walk.

Meanwhile, inside the Sword Manor, at Chu Xunfeng's residence, two girls were talking.

"I wonder what Miss and Chu Xunfeng will talk about." Sitting at the tea table, Yao Jiangshu gently stroked the teacup in her hand, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Ao Hanli, who was sitting opposite her and had disguised her appearance.

She was deliberately trying to start a conversation, but Ao Hanli seemed unwilling to respond, her expression indifferent and her attitude lukewarm.

Noticing Yao Jiangshu's gaze, Li Han even raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"The young lady is launching an attack, aren't you worried?" Seeing that hints seemed to have no effect, Yao Jiangshu chose to bring the topic up directly.

"What are you worried about? Do you think Chu Xunfeng will be taken down by Xu Bailing this afternoon?" Ao Hanli smiled, not caring much. "If Chu Xunfeng were so easy to deal with, Xu Bailing wouldn't have stood a chance."

“That’s true, the Azure Dragon God must have already arranged a marriage for you two.” Yao Jiangshu nodded.

Ao Hanli, however, revealed a subtle smile.

"Did I say something wrong?" Yao Jiangshu wanted to find out the Dragon Girl's mindset as she followed Chu Xunfeng away from the Wild Swamp Wetlands to Blue Cang City, with the intention of gathering intelligence for the young lady.

“Mother did have that idea, but Chu Xunfeng refused, so Mother and I didn’t bring it up again…” Ao Hanli was silent for a while, “If Chu Xunfeng can win her over so easily, then Ning Qiuning should be the one with the best chance.”

“Ning Qiu Ning…” Yao Jiang Shu recalled that night in the demon realm when Ning Qiu Ning and Chu Xun Feng met alone. At that time, she, Ao Han Li, and the young lady were secretly watching.

“If Chu Xunfeng had shown even the slightest bit of soft-heartedness, Ning Qiuning would have already beaten him to it.” Ao Hanli smiled helplessly. “Even setting aside Ning Qiuning…”

“Look at what Chu Xunfeng did at Longquan Sword Manor, and think back on it. Do you think Xu Bailing can catch up with him and follow his way of thinking?”

Yao Jiangshu looked at the Dragon Girl who had picked up her teacup after posing the question, remained silent for a few seconds, and finally came to a result that was very bad for Xu Bailing: "It's difficult."

"Don't be so conservative. In reality, it's just impossible." Ao Hanli pouted. "I can't do it, and neither can she. It's difficult enough to even follow his line of thinking, let alone help him. In the end, the result is... me."

Ao Hanli put down her teacup.

"You?" Yao Jiangshu was stunned, not understanding what the Dragon Girl meant.

“A vase, a burden, can’t do anything, can’t help him, can only stand aside and watch him charge into battle, leading the charge.” Ao Hanli said, sighing somewhat dejectedly, “A few days ago, before you arrived, Chu Xunfeng had already considered a way out for me.”

"This matter... makes me very uncomfortable." Ao Hanli narrowed her eyes, and on Li Han's face, his black pupils turned into a pair of golden vertical pupils in the ripples.

Yao Jiangshu remained silent for a while. Logically speaking, Ao Hanli had completely exposed her ambition, but Yao Jiangshu couldn't be happy at all in the face of the Dragon Girl's genuine emotions.

"Actually, if Xu Bailing were in my position, it would be about the same. We'd both be just pretty faces. She might be a little more useful than me, but... she wouldn't be able to help him much. There's not much difference."

“But if Ning Qiu Ning were here, she would actually be the one who is truly useful.” Ao Han Li curled her lips. “At least there would be a clear and legitimate reason to help him, to help him solve his problems, and to stand with him in a justifiable way.”

"Unfortunately... she didn't manage to control it herself, so the above situation does not exist."

"Ning Qiu Ning is currently outside Longquan Sword Manor, while we are inside, at least we are by his side."

"There's no such thing as one being ahead of the other, and he's unlikely to accept the challenge easily."

"My only consolation is that I have a slightly better starting platform than Ning Qiuning, who will never succeed again..."

"Do you still think your young lady and I are in any competition?"

Yao Jiangshu looked at Ao Hanli, who seemed to be venting her emotions, and shook her head sincerely, "That's all."

Ao Hanli shrugged and looked out the window.

She's been feeling incredibly frustrated and irritable lately.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Gift of the Sword and Talisman

Longquan Sword Manor was brightly lit all night last night.

Countless people watching Longquan Sword Manor knew that the manor was making final preparations for the Sword Appraisal Conference last night. The attack on the White Emperor City shuttle and the conflict between the Ghost Clan and the Imperial Envoy seemed to have no effect on Longquan Sword Manor holding the Sword Appraisal Conference today.

This attitude alone made many of the sects invited to the Sword Appraisal Tournament feel that there was more to it than met the eye.

But I still have to go.

The more major events that occur, the more it proves that this sword-tasting competition is no ordinary event.

As dawn broke and the sun began to rise, the Sword Appraisal Tournament was scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM. Just as 7:00 AM arrived, three people slowly walked out of the inn.

The Supreme Sword Sect consists of a master and his disciple, plus a maid.

But the three of them had barely stepped out of the inn when a voice called out to them from behind.

"Three friends from the Supreme Sword Sect, please wait." A man with a gentle smile and a flippant voice appeared out of nowhere and followed the three out of the inn.

"May I ask what brings you here, Lord Lian?" asked Li Shuhua, whose face was aged. She turned to look at Lian Cai with a slight smile.

"There's something I don't understand, and I'd like to ask Elder Li's disciple about it." Lian Cai appeared humble and polite, but the three of them could actually sense the malice hidden behind his smile.

Or rather, Lian Cai no longer intends to pretend. His current humble demeanor is more like that of someone who has worn a mask for too long and can't take it off. In other words, this disguise has become the image he presents to others.

It looks incredibly awkward.

"If I can help Lord Lian, I will answer any question I may have." Ning Qiu Ning looked at Lian Cai, neither humble nor arrogant.

“Yesterday I sent someone to Longquan Sword Manor to deliver a visiting card, intending to pay a visit to Chu Xunfeng, but unexpectedly, the card was like a stone thrown into water without making a ripple.” Lian Cai raised his hand to stroke his chin. “I heard that Miss Ning and Chu Xunfeng had a tragic past. May I ask… what is the meaning behind Young Master Chu’s lack of response?”

Ning Qiu Ning gave a bitter smile. "Lord Lian thinks I understand Chu Xun Feng too well... Although we are destined to be together, we are not meant to be. Although we got along well when we were young, after he started cultivating with me, we gradually drifted apart. I have no way to answer Lord Lian's questions."

"You don't understand either..." Lian Cai narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully examining Ning Qiu Ning. In the tense atmosphere, Lian Cai finally said something to ease the tension, "Let it go. No matter what, we will meet today."

"Does Lord Lian have anything else to say?" Ning Qiu Ning asked softly.

"That's all, that's all. I apologize for disturbing you three. I hope your sword appreciation tournament was worthwhile."

"Thank you, Lord Lian. Farewell." Ning Qiu Ning smiled, then turned her gaze away and followed Li Shu Hua, accompanied by her maid, as they walked away into the distance.

After walking around the street corner, Li Shuhua finally spoke, "Qiu Ning, in your opinion, what did Lian Cai want when he came to us this morning?"

“Perhaps he really wanted to ask that question.” Ning Qiu Ning had been pondering the same question before, and when she gave her answer, she did so without hesitation. “His attitude was strange. I felt that he seemed to have considered taking action against us to achieve some goal, but in the end he gave up.”

"I heard that after the White Emperor City shuttle was attacked, the Longquan Sword Manor rushed to its rescue. Nobody knows where the people who attacked White Emperor City came from... It's kind of funny." Li Shuhua sneered. "Perhaps he's scared and wants to have a face-to-face reconciliation with Chu Xunfeng."

"If that's the case, then it's normal that there was no response to the invitation. Brother Chu won't reconcile with him. Brother Chu never communicates with his enemies."

Li Shuhua paused, glancing sideways at Ning Qiuning. "Didn't you say you didn't know?"

"I really don't know anything about that Lian Cai," Ning Qiu Ning smiled. "I don't know what he's going to do, but as long as it's related to Brother Chu, I won't tell him."

Li Shuhua paused for a moment, sighed inwardly, but did not show it on her face. "Qiu Ning, you must remember that we came to Longquan Sword Manor this time only to appreciate swords. Do not do anything impulsive or unnecessary."

“No, I won’t.” Ning Qiu Ning shook her head. “Brother Chu will definitely have his own plans, and I will definitely not be in his plans. I will not do anything that might disrupt Brother Chu’s plans. I just need to complete the purpose of our trip to Yongzhou.”

Li Shuhua remained silent for a while, unable to say whether Ning Qiuning's way of thinking was good or bad. In the end, she could only turn her gaze away and lead the way.

As the three of them approached the east side of the city, the once quiet streets gradually became lively. The noise wasn't deafening, but the soft murmurs of conversation never ceased in the air.

After walking another hundred feet, turn right at the street corner. In the huge square at the foot of Longquan Sword Manor Mountain, small stalls set up by cultivators have already occupied a corner of the square. At this moment, there are still many cultivators walking around in front of those stalls, looking at other people's goods.

The Sword Appraisal Tournament is not open to all cultivators. Many independent cultivators are not eligible to be invited. However, the Longquan Sword Manor has thoughtfully designated areas for these individuals, allowing them to set up stalls and form a market for mutual trade.