Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

The Xiao family was in an uproar. A group of people carried Xiao Fengnan back to the Xiao family mansion so that the clan elders could examine his arm injury and see if it would affect the recovery of his martial arts tendons.

After examining the evidence, the clan elder turned pale with anger, his anger finding no outlet.

"Who on earth injured my grandson! His left arm had just begun to heal when he was struck by such a blow. It must have been intentional; someone is trying to ruin the Xiao family's great cause!"

The clansmen who accompanied Xiao Fengnan to the martial arts arena said:

"It was... a bear-like beast that Chu Mingkong kept back then. It must have been Chu Mingkong who instructed this vicious beast in the capital to come and hurt Young Master Xiao. It just happened to kick his left arm, but after that beast came out, it disappeared without a trace, and you couldn't find a trace of it anywhere in the city."

Xiao Chengren has already sent people to find the bear. He plans to go to Tianya Tower later to ask what happened and why Feng Nan was arranged to compete with a bear.

"Stop arguing, the most important thing right now is Feng Nan's injuries. Will they affect his recovery?"

The old doctor nodded, and said resentfully:

"It has a huge impact. Originally, the regeneration of the severed arm was not very stable in the short term. It was even best not to touch the spiritual meridians of the left arm. But that beast attacked too ruthlessly. The force penetrated into the arm, damaging both the martial tendons and the spiritual meridians."

Princess Chu remembered "Zuo Ge Ge". Originally, when the clan leader took out his savings to treat Xiao Fengnan's hand, everyone thought that there was no need to take "Zuo Ge Ge" seriously anymore. The Xiao family was not in a position to be threatened by a strange savage.

"Father, should we contact that Minister Zuo...?"

--------------

Chu Mingkong took Gundan back to Qingxin Mansion. Xiao Yunhan was happy to see that the little panda from back then was still safe and sound and had even made progress in its cultivation. However, a sudden event made it impossible for Xiao Yunhan to immerse herself in the emotions of reuniting with an old friend.

"Mingkong, there is something important you need to know about what happened last night."

"What happened?" Chu Mingkong noticed the seriousness in Xiao Yunhan's expression.

"An elder of Tianya Tower died. During a night patrol, a guard smelled blood and went to check, only to find that an elder had died."

"Huh?" Chu Mingkong was incredulous. "Internal strife? The elders are fighting amongst themselves?"

Tianya Tower is extremely well-defended. It can be said that, apart from lacking the balance barrier of the capital, all other formations, barriers, guard patrol routes, and restrictions and traps are extremely well-designed, making it very difficult for outsiders to enter.

In addition, Tianya Tower monitors the flow of spiritual energy very well. Even the slightest gathering of the five elements of spiritual energy or the convergence of extreme yang energy will attract the attention of the guards inside Tianya Tower, allowing them to detect and stop a battle the moment it begins.

Even if we take a step back and say that those elders are not weaklings who can't even kill a chicken, their cultivation may not be as good as Xiao Yunhan and Chu Mingkong, but they really have no problem protecting themselves and stalling for time.

Xiao Yunhan denied his guess and said seriously:

"This matter is very strange. There is not much information about it. Fengying heard about it by chance when she went to the government office to investigate. She came back briefly before going out to investigate the matter again."

However, it shouldn't be internal strife.

"Why? I remember those people from the Xiao family next door saying that there were two factions among the elders of Tianya Tower. If it wasn't internal strife, then why did an elder die mysteriously in Tianya Tower?"

"The elders of Tianya Tower have worked together for a long time. Even if they have disagreements on some matters, they would not resort to violence. Moreover, if these factions were to really fight, you would have to be present in Tianya City. However, you have not appeared in public, so your support is always a minority voice and has not been taken seriously. It will not be serious enough to cause internal strife and violence."

Elder Hong, who died under mysterious circumstances, was one of your supporters.

The faction supporting Chu Mingkong is ultimately weak and cannot generate much real competitiveness, because, according to public information, he himself is far away in the capital. To support Chu Mingkong, they would first have to bring him back to Xiling, but this is quite difficult. Therefore, although his support is based on his status as the legitimate heir, it has little practical significance and cannot be taken seriously.

If there really was internal strife, it definitely wouldn't be the elders who supported Chu Mingkong who got into trouble.

Seeing Xiao Yunhan's hesitant expression, Chu Mingkong pressed for an answer:

"Yunhan, is there anything else you haven't told me?"

“…Hmm.” Xiao Yunhan nodded, then hesitated and said, “I don’t doubt you, but Feng Ying also mentioned a seemingly plausible piece of information. People in the government are secretly discussing that the deceased Elder Hong had residual traces of extremely Yin energy in his fatal wound.”

Zuo Qiuchi had already learned of this information before Chu Mingkong, and she was already struggling with it before he returned. She guessed:

"The only person who can freely use the power of extreme Yin is Mingkong, but the person who did this couldn't be you. Could it be that someone is trying to pin the suspicion on Mingkong and shake your position as the legitimate heir?"

Chu Mingkong sat silently in his chair. Even the panda dared not make a joke, nervously watching their discussion. Gundan couldn't quite understand these relationships among humans, but he could sense Chu Mingkong's current situation.

First, there was Old Lu, with whom he had a decent relationship, and now there is Elder Hong, who supports him. These people in Xiling who had a decent relationship with him have all suffered misfortunes one after another.

Shen Xuejun's gaze darted back and forth between Chu Mingkong and Xiao Yunhan, and she said:

"Based on my understanding of the Xiao family and my contact with them, the Xiao family does not have the ability to use the power of extreme yin to kill people in Tianya Tower. The formation of Tianya Tower is not so strong that it would not be able to detect someone smuggling an extreme yin core in."

Shen Xuejun was speaking up for Xiao Yunhan, not wanting the Xiao family's relationship to affect her relationship with Chu Mingkong.

Chu Mingkong knew, of course, that the Xiao family did not have the ability, but it seemed that he could only start by questioning the Xiao family. From what he knew, the Xiao family had a lot of opinions about Elder Hong, which was mentioned just yesterday. Moreover, the Xiao family also had influence within Tianya Tower.

Methods can be faked, but motives and stances do not lie.

It just so happens that today Gundan kicked Xiao Fengnan's left arm, and the Xiao family will most likely come to him for medicine. This will make it easy for Chu Mingkong to contact Xiao Chengren or the Princess Consort of Chu.

"Don't worry, I'm going out for a stroll to see if I can gather more information about Tianya Tower."

After bidding a temporary farewell to the group, Chu Mingkong changed into the armor he had worn while disguised at the Xiao family and arrived at the city gate.

He had previously told the Xiao family that if they wanted to find him later, they should tell the guards at the city gate. If he was still near Tianya City, he would ask the guards if the Xiao family had been looking for him.

Upon arriving near the city gate, before Chu Mingkong could even ask the gatekeeper, a member of the Xiao family was already waiting there.

Upon seeing the armored man he had met just yesterday, the Xiao family servant quickly said:

"Your Excellency, the head of the family requests your presence at Qingxin Mansion. He has important matters to discuss with you. The carriage is ready."

Chu Mingkong shook his head. Similar things kept happening one after another, and he felt extremely irritated.

"No need. Anyone who wants to see me, please come out of the city to meet me. Tianya City is too stuffy; the air outside the city is fresher."

After learning of this, Princess Chu thought that even if she told her father, Xiao Chengren, his decision would still be to bring the mysterious medicine seller back as soon as possible. So she did not bother to send someone to notify the Xiao family mansion. Instead, she ordered a carriage to be prepared and decided to go out of the city to invite the armored man herself.

"This matter can't be delayed any longer. We must get the medicine from that strange man as soon as possible to heal Feng Nan's injuries. The later we get the medicine, the less time Feng Nan will have to recover!"

......

The waiting time was tedious, especially at times like this. Chu Mingkong felt like each day was an eternity, and he had to fiddle with the blind box lottery to distract himself.

In the past, he could at least occasionally draw some normal items, but this time it was like a joke on him. Chu Mingkong vented his emotions by squandering his filial piety points on the lottery, only to get a bunch of inexplicable "toys" and not a single normal item.

What's the use? Who's it for? Chu Mingkong wasn't in the mood to face Zuo Qiuchi and the others for the time being, afraid of infecting them with his emotions. His girls shouldn't be the recipients of his negative emotions.

A rapid sound of horses' hooves approached—

Then, the carriage of the Xiling royal family stopped in front of Chu Mingkong. The Queen Consort of Chu lifted a corner of the curtain and said politely:

"Please come and sit in the carriage, Your Excellency."

Chu Mingkong raised his eyes, and beneath his armor, his dark eyes stared coldly at the alluring, femme fatale with a charming smile.

Chapter 207 Animals and Plants

Even after stepping into the carriage, Chu Mingkong's mind was filled with one thought:

Should we do this?

Regardless, Princess Xiao Zhi of Chu was his nominal mother for many years and the principal wife of King Huai of Chu. Such thoughts were truly inappropriate. He had received so much care from the Chu royal family; it was neither morally nor logically right for him to inflict evil desires upon his family.

Even family members in name only.

However, these concerns are all based on the position of the Chu royal family. Does the Chu princess really consider herself a member of the Chu royal family now?

She brought the Xiao family into Qingxin Mansion to scheme, helped her maternal family bribe and infiltrate Tianya Tower, and used the Chu Wang family's things to seek benefits for her maternal family. She couldn't wait to move everything back to the Xiao family and wanted to make Xiling raise the Xiao family's banner.

Is she marrying into the Chu royal family to become a princess, or is she marrying into the family to become a thief?

Previously, she had even referred to herself and her family as "we" in her conversations.

Chu Mingkong was still angry and upset about Lao Lu's matter, and hadn't even heard an apology yet. Now, an elder of Tianya Tower who supported him had died inexplicably, and the cause of death was even related to some kind of extreme Yin power.

Are they trying to smear him from a distance? If he hadn't secretly run back to Xiling, he would probably still be in the capital wondering why he was suddenly targeted with such a huge accusation.

"Your Excellency Zuo?"

The Queen of Chu called out to the armored man across the small table.

In her memory, every time she spoke with him, it seemed she had to wake him from his reverie; Princess Chu had grown somewhat accustomed to it, but this time was different...

The atmosphere inside the carriage was more oppressive than before.

A long, drawn-out breath echoed from within the airtight helmet, like a chilling wind sweeping through an abandoned house. After taking a deep breath, Chu Mingkong said:

"It's been almost half a day since we last met. I've almost forgotten how to address you. In Xiling, is it customary to call the Princess Consort Chu or Princess Consort Xiao?"

Princess Chu was puzzled, but she had gradually become accustomed to ignoring the strange things the odd man said. How could a normal person understand the thoughts of a strange man? She replied directly:

"Either is fine. Calling me 'Princess Consort of Chu' means I am a princess consort from the Chu region, while 'Princess Consort of Xiao' means I am a princess consort with the surname Xiao. It's just a matter of title, and there is no difference between the two. Although most people call me by the former, you may call me by the latter if you wish."

Chu Mingkong tapped his fingers on the small table and nodded, saying:

"Oh, then let's follow the custom. I'm the kind of person who adapts to local customs. The Princess Consort of Chu asked me for medicine; it seems she's preparing to have Young Master Xiao apologize to the Lu family?"

Princess Chu smiled radiantly, her face glowing with a captivating charm. Her complexion was rosy, surpassing any makeup, and her elegant nobility shone through effortlessly. She said:

"Perhaps we need to explain this matter to His Excellency Zuo. The truth has come to light, and my son Fengnan is also a victim."

Oh.

You're the victim who first seizes someone's martial arts skills and then kills them to silence them, right?

Chu Mingkong was amused by her and nodded imperceptibly, signaling her to continue.

"A traitor has emerged from the Xiao family, who has bewitched Feng Nan. Feng Nan has been cultivating in seclusion for many years, with little contact with the outside world. He was deceived by that treacherous old woman, which led him to do the absurd thing of damaging his own martial tendons. A few days ago, his martial tendons became corrupted, and he has already accepted the punishment from heaven. He has been reflecting on his actions for many days."

But the Lu family matter does need an explanation. The Xiao family has already tied up that spy. It all started because of her. They can take her to apologize to the Lu family in a moment!

"How could the Xiao family not understand the justice that Lord Zuo seeks?"

Not only the Xiao family, but even the Princess of Chu would not allow her son to personally apologize to the Lu family in a humble manner.

Lu Zhicai, a peasant, was only given a talent for wielding a knife by heaven. He was able to become Xiao Fengnan's martial arts teacher not because he was strong enough, but simply because the Xiao family was willing to give him this opportunity and a chance to make a living! He and Chu Mingkong, whose background was unknown, were the same kind of people who got rich and powerful because of good luck. However, Lu Zhicai was given to him by the Xiao family, while Chu Mingkong took what belonged to the Xiao family!

What was Xiao Zhi's background? And what was her son Xiao Fengnan's background?

What if making Xiao Fengnan apologize to his subordinates in a humble manner leaves him with inner demons that could hinder his future?

"Your Excellency Zuo, the Xiao family has shown sufficient sincerity. Are you satisfied with this answer? As for the medicinal herbs needed to treat Feng Nan's hand..."

Sensing the arrogance and disdain in Princess Chu's tone, Chu Mingkong was truly grateful that he was wearing a head armor, so he didn't have to force a smile.

"It's certainly a very sincere offer, but the situation is a little different now."

The Princess of Chu narrowed her eyes slightly, and her tone suddenly turned serious, carrying a hint of accusation:

"Does Your Excellency Zuo intend to fool the Xiao family and raise the price on the spot?"

Chu Mingkong remained unmoved. The burden and hesitation in his heart disappeared, and even his posture relaxed. He hunched over, rested his arms on the small table, and lifted his chin.