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

"I heard from Sect Leader Qu that you had finished dealing with the matters of Xiling and came over, so I came to see you. I didn't even realize it was you when I saw your outfit. You've really changed a lot. Were you injured in Xiling?" She naturally covered up the embarrassment of being distracted earlier.

However, Chu Mingkong felt that Elder Si Chunhua's surprise might be that he was a boy when they last parted, but now he had suddenly turned back into a strong man.

"No, it might have some impact in the Abyss, but it's nothing serious. I'm dressed like this to make it easier to conceal my identity when I return to the capital."

Although Chu Mingkong stole Feng Ying's "Colorless Shadow" from her, he later discovered that the new level of the "Hehuan True Scripture" was not about stealing the technique itself, but rather about absorbing the power and energy related to the technique from the other party.

This means that although the completeness of the technique he used was the same as Feng Ying's, it could not be used permanently. Once the power and energy were used up, he would have to find Feng Ying again. Moreover, Chu Mingkong did not have Feng Ying's experience or insights into the technique.

This makes his use of his skills unstable, and he may occasionally reveal himself. The worst-case scenario is that he might suddenly appear while he is active in the capital. This is something that can only be remedied by time.

Makeup and dressing up are a last resort, so the Dust-Free Talisman still has its benefits.

Seeing that there were other women in Chu Mingkong's room, and hearing that he was going to the capital, Si Chunhua did not linger for a long chat. After confirming that he did not need any healing pills or the like, she offered a brief word of comfort and then left.

Seeing the elder's reaction, Feng Ying asked Chu Mingkong with disdain:

"This woman is definitely suspicious. Does she seem to run into women you've slept with, Mingkong, no matter where she goes?"

Although Chu Mingkong felt guilty, he could certainly speak confidently to Elder Si Chunhua. He said:

"Don't talk nonsense, there isn't one. If you don't believe me, ask my master!"

Chapter Eight: Warmth and Hospitality

Back near the capital, Chu Mingkong hesitated for a while at the balance barrier, worried that there might be something wrong with it. After all, the barrier belonged to the emperor.

The emperor is now extremely suspicious of him, and it's hard to say that this balance barrier won't create restrictions to wait for him to come to his rescue.

Chu Mingkong cautiously extended his longest middle finger and slowly inserted it into the balance barrier, moving his finger back and forth to see if he would trigger any traps, but there was no reaction for a long time. Chu Mingkong was still using his wits to fight back.

What if this is a ploy to lure him into lowering his guard?

Chu Mingkong waited near the balance barrier for a long time, just to see if any soldiers would rush out and arrest him, the escaped hostage who had been tampering with the barrier.

After waiting for a long time without any movement, Chu Mingkong didn't want to waste any more time and resources. If there were still traps ahead, it would only mean that the emperor was more skillful.

"I can't wait any longer. I still remember the feeling of kissing Yongzhen's feet last time. I should relive that memory. If we really run into danger and can't get out, I'll sneak into the Imperial City, into the Inner Palace, into the Empress's palace!"

This kind of reckless spirit—knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into their dens—must not be lost!

Without saying a word, Chu Mingkong plunged into the balance barrier. But no matter how arrogant he was, he still had to be a little low-key. He stepped back and touched the barrier, testing it before moving in and out. Only after confirming that there were no problems did he continue forward.

He spent some time walking around the four main gates of the capital and found that the checkpoints were much stricter than before.

The queue to enter Beijing stretched for a long time, and the queue kept getting longer, but the speed at which people entered Beijing was slow to pick up.

The guards would poke any trucks or sacks that could hide people with needles, and then, fearing that there might be some hidden cave inside, they would order someone to open them up and take a look. They were very meticulous and cautious, so naturally they couldn't move quickly.

Of course, it's not entirely a problem with the inspection procedures; the guards and clerks at the gate also had some issues.

At the front of the line, several pot-bellied merchants in silk and brocade robes gave some money and cut in line to enter the capital. Finally, it was the turn of an old farmer selling vegetables. However, the gatekeeper did not check or say anything, and just stood there letting the old farmer stand there dumbfounded.

The old farmer had no choice but to plead:

"Gentlemen, please let us pass. I need to deliver these fruits and vegetables to Shixianglou Restaurant. They are waiting for their food, and if they are not delivered soon, they will go stale."

When the officials saw the vegetable farmer pleading, they made no attempt to hide their smugness and delight.

"Tell them to pay the detention fee. Didn't you see how that man just got into the capital?" the clerk shouted with the air of a high-ranking official.

"But... I don't earn much from delivering vegetables for a day. Please, sir, have mercy. I'm just an old man who grows vegetables; I can't compare to those wealthy merchants!"

"If you don't pay the deposit for passing through the city, you won't feel bad if you cause trouble in the city. If you don't do anything strange after entering the capital, just come to me for the deposit when you leave the city." The gatekeeper found it troublesome to explain and took a sip of tea while biting the spout of the teapot.

The farmers are in a dilemma, but what they need most are restaurants that are willing to reliably buy their fruits and vegetables. The price doesn't need to be much higher than selling at a stall; stability is key. The farmers' primary need is to have enough to eat; the money they earn from selling vegetables is enough to buy grain.

But this stability requires trust. If the vegetable farmer breaks their promise, the restaurant might replace them the next day. They also need a stable source of vegetables to cook and do business.

In order to preserve his integrity, the old farmer had no choice but to give all the little money he had to the gatekeeper.

"That's all? Never mind, let's go in."

The clerk reluctantly accepted the small amount of copper coins. No sooner had he finished speaking than someone came to relieve him. With the guard changing shifts, the deposit could not be retrieved, and this was a sum of money embezzled.

Several minor officials, leaving work in a group, swaggered towards the restaurant.

"Look at how eager those people are to get into the city, it's hilarious!"

"How's the harvest at your East Gate? Lots of fat fish? You have a lot of merchants buying goods there, so I bet a lot of them are being offered as tribute. Is this meal on you?"

"Okay, this part is on me. Go take a break first!"

After they entered the latrine, Chu Mingkong, who had successfully infiltrated the capital using the "Colorless Shadow," threw a tinderbox into the latrine of those minor officials.

Then came a deep, resounding explosion, followed by a stench that filled the air and sprayed excrement everywhere.

Those minor officials had some spiritual energy protecting them, so the explosion didn't cause any problems. However, they were dressed in yellow, had a dazed look on their faces, and their mouths were full of foul-smelling substances. Their inferior storage rings were blown to pieces, and the silver they had extorted fell to the ground.

Chu Mingkong kept his distance and sighed:

"Even a lowly gatekeeper can act like a local tyrant, that's incredible."

After composing himself, Chu Mingkong arrived at the princess's courtyard, only to find that no one lived there anymore.

Just as he was filled with doubt and uncertainty, a voice suddenly came from beside Chu Mingkong, and he was called to a stop.

Several patrolling constables approached Chu Mingkong, but upon seeing his attire, their attitude softened, their tone neither friendly nor harsh, and they asked:

"Hey you over there, where are you from? What are you doing wandering around here? I've never seen you around here before."

Wow! I was distracted for a moment because no one was in the princess's courtyard, and the "Colorless Shadow" skill failed?

Chu Mingkong calmed himself down and, speaking in the broken accent of the Wind Shadow Sect, said:

"People of the Yueqi royal family, having heard that our prince is marrying Princess Yongzhen of the Tianji Empire, have come to pay their respects to our future queen."

Sending a princess to a political marriage is not a good idea, because the emperor has promoted Yongzhen back to princess. If necessary, the emperor could even find a palace maid to be promoted to princess and sent to a political marriage.

"Oh, someone from the Moonlit Royal Family?"

The minor official was surprised and exchanged a glance with his companion. Looking at the unusual attire and the single white streak in his hair, they were pretty much certain it was him. Moreover, judging from his appearance and demeanor, his status was probably not low. It was normal for members of the royal family to come and see out of curiosity during a royal marriage.

Their tone became much more polite and courteous:

“Princess Yongzhen, her residence is not here. How could a princess of our Tianji Empire live in such a small courtyard? Sir, you have inquired incorrectly. Princess Yongzhen is currently living in a residence next to the academy, but as your future queen, she cannot easily meet with people at present.”

"I see. Then let me take a look at the future queen's residence. Just from the entrance, I won't go in. Is that alright?"

"No problem, come with us."

The officials were very hospitable and led the way. After they arrived at the inn, they were worried that the stranger might not be able to find it. However, Chu Mingkong declined their further hospitality, saying that he already had a place to stay and would leave after taking a look.

After sending the two away, Chu Mingkong returned to the vicinity of Yongzhen's new home, took out a note, and sent a message.

[Hey girl, are you home?]

Chapter Nine Meeting

Yongzhen and the others have been in a state of great anxiety lately, partly due to their own personal matters, but mostly due to Chu Mingkong's situation.

Because news about Xiling has been blocked and the Xiling authorities have remained silent, outsiders have no idea about the true situation of Xiling.

Although many independent cultivators and those who withdrew from Xiling mentioned the situation in Xiling, who can believe all the information given by these wandering people?

Even Yongzhen, Jinyu, and others only knew about Chu Mingkong's itinerary up to the Xiaoxiang Qin Academy. And the information they received from the Xiaoxiang Qin Academy was terrible news: "There's a problem with the Stone Bamboo Forest Secret Realm. The people inside can't open it, and the Prince of Xiling is trapped inside."

At first, Yongzhen thought that this was a false message made by Xiaoxiang Qin Academy to conceal Chu Mingkong's itinerary. However, as new information was delayed, the original certainty turned into doubt, and everyone was worried that something might have really happened to Chu Mingkong.

Yongzhen and others, who didn't usually have much contact with the Cui family, recently took the initiative to contact the Cui family privately and wrote a letter asking Madam Gu of the Cui family to send it back to her parents' home in Xiling.

On the other side in Xiling, some tokens of entrustment did return. Among a pile of salted fish and cabbage, there were a few inkstones and a blank invitation-like thing. There was nothing else, not even a letter. We have no idea what the specific situation is.

When asked, the Cui family said that was all they knew, and there were no more letters.

So this can be considered a response from Xiling, but it also seems like there was no response at all.

Now, Yongzhen has gone from being anxiously pacing around to sitting quietly, unable to eat or drink, yet feeling helplessly anxious.

She used to be able to chat with Jinyu every day, but after the imperial decree for a marriage alliance was issued, she was forced to move into a brand new mansion. The outside was surrounded by crowds, and she could only comfort each other with her mother.

However, the emperor also "entrusted" his mother, Lady Zhen, to the care of his uncle, who called himself the Venerable Questioner of the Heart. It was said that the emperor was afraid that if Yongzhen were to be married off to the Crescent Moon Kingdom, Lady Zhen would be lonely and without companionship, so he asked his uncle to take care of her.

Now, Yongzhen sat in her room in a daze. Although she was wearing her usual style of palace dress, the decoration of her boudoir had been changed to the exotic style of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, with gilded beaded curtains and carpets with totem patterns.

Although it possesses a unique aesthetic, it makes Yongzhen feel out of place, unable to appreciate it, and even disgusted.

The only familiar place she had just visited was the mahogany desk in front of her; only when she sat down at the desk did she feel a little bit of her own little world.

A slight fluctuation of spiritual energy suddenly emanated from the bookshelf. Yongzhen snapped out of her daze, stood up in confusion, and slowly found the source of the fluctuation in the bookshelf—a "blank invitation" that came with the Xiling specialty products.

"Why is there a fluctuation of spiritual energy in it?" The beautiful and intelligent woman frowned in confusion.

Upon opening the "invitation," she saw its contents and was immediately struck by the handwriting!

This is Chu Mingkong's handwriting!

Yongzhen had seen Chu Mingkong's handwriting before; it used to be very ugly, but somehow it became better. The ugly handwriting on this paper was his style.

"Can this thing transmit messages remotely? Or is it just a word that Mingkong left in it beforehand?" She was confused.

This is not her fault, because when this batch of local specialties was sent back from Xiling, Yongzhen was entrusted with the important task of a marriage alliance, and everything delivered to her would be inspected.

Cui Jia Gu Jun Gui knew that there was a letter inside the note introducing it, and fearing that it would be discovered by the soldiers, he took it out without permission. However, he couldn't tell Yong Zhen this, and now she was confused and at a loss with the note in her hand.

After thinking for a long time, Yongzhen frowned and muttered to herself:

"If it was pre-written text, it wouldn't be such a nonsensical message. It's more likely something that allows for remote communication, written with a pen?"

She picked up a calligraphy brush, dipped it in ink, and was about to write on it when an invisible hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Chu Mingkong appeared, both amused and exasperated, and said:

"Don't write on it with ink, it's a real pain to clean up. Strange, didn't you get the instruction manual?"

A man dressed in the style of the Crescent Moon royal family flashed through Yongzhen's eyes. Without thinking about how he appeared, she subconsciously assumed that he was the prince she was to marry into a political alliance and reflexively shook off the large hand that was holding her wrist.

"Who gave you permission to come in and touch me...?"

The initial anger on her pretty face quickly turned into bewildered surprise and disbelief when she saw the man's face clearly.