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

Chu Mingkong gave a vivid account, omitting information about Empress Pei and the like, and the audience listened with rapt attention.

"Friend, I'm not sure if what you're saying is true, but it sounds more detailed and exciting than what those information brokers say. It's like you experienced it firsthand!" A bearded man raised his glass to invite him to drink.

"Indeed, this person can actually transform into a ferocious beast of the abyss to enhance his own strength. Could this Prince Jin be a descendant of the Iron Monarch of the former Yueqi Empire, who also likes to use himself for modification? Come, let's raise a glass!"

The speaker was a half-orc; it was truly rare to see beings other than humans in the Celestial Empire.

"Alright, let's drink to that." Chu Mingkong replied calmly.

When traveling, one must be careful about what one eats and drinks. Chu Mingkong offered a sip of fruit wine to Shangguan Rong, and only after confirming that there was no problem did he give it to her.

Apart from the aphrodisiac, he was not afraid of any "additional ingredients".

Chu Mingkong said, "I can't say I experienced it firsthand, but I was indeed watching from nearby at the time, so I saw it quite clearly."

Among the people at the banquet table, Ma Meng looked at the other person's bone armor and his frank statement about his origins in Tianji Capital, and pondered, "Could it be that person...?"

Another person asked curiously, "Speaking of which, what kind of person is this Prince of Xiling in your Tianji Empire? Brother, you're from the capital of Tianji, have you ever met him?"

Chu Mingkong replied without hesitation, "He was highly skilled in cultivation and deeply devoted in love. Unfortunately, he was murdered by the emperor and was severely injured. His heart was shattered like a broken mirror, and each piece fell into the hands of a different woman."

Shangguan Rong succinctly added: "A philandering man."

Chu Mingkong: "..."

Rong'er, why are you so quiet all day? When you do speak, it's always to belittle me.

The man who had just asked the question looked puzzled: "Could it be that the injury from the Abyss has made him like old women who are buried?"

Are you really willing to believe such obviously false statements?

You said I like older women, like my teacher's wife Shen Xuejun, which is fine, but isn't it a bit much to say I like an old woman who's about to die?

At this moment, Ma Meng, who had been listening for a long time, finally spoke:

"Brother, may I ask your name? Are you an admirer of Princess Yongzhen of the Tianji Empire?"

Beneath the white bone armor, Chu Mingkong raised an eyebrow. Had he really run into the same person he had fooled in front of the Princess's mansion back then?

No, it's possible they're just the same organization, but it doesn't matter, they're all the same.

"My name is Cao. As for what you said later, that's true. But how did you know? Do we know each other?"

Ma Meng was overjoyed. He had indeed been one of those who wanted to stop the Tianji Empire from sending a princess for a marriage alliance. After all, it was a matter of mutual interest. If the Yueqi royal family and those people became too powerful, would other tribes have any chance to survive in the future?

However, just half a month ago, Mamon's tribe... disbanded.

Tribes, totems, and beliefs are like brothels; once you've had your fill, that's enough. If it doesn't work out, you can always go to the next one.

He directly switched allegiance to the eldest prince's faction, and was worried about how to climb the ranks and gain the prince's favor and appreciation.

Unexpectedly, the information he overheard by chance in the tribe became the key to his advancement!

The powerful admirer of the princess mentioned in the intelligence report has actually come!

Ma Meng calmed his inner fervor and excitement:

"Brother Cao, please have a drink first. An old friend of yours wants to see you. He has finally waited for you. Eat and drink your fill before you come with me."

Chapter 208 Searching for the Sword (34/42)

Those around Ma Meng were curious about the connections between them, wondering if this Cao from the capital had any acquaintances in the New Moon Kingdom, and whether there would be any follow-up stories regarding his admiration for Princess Yongzhen.

Putting everything else aside, with Princess Yongzhen being married off to the eldest prince of the Yueqi royal family, the sudden appearance of an admirer... it seems like he's up to no good!

The atmosphere at the dinner table was silent, but some curious individuals, seemingly uninvolved, voiced the questions that had been troubling many present:

"Brother Cao, that princess is slated to be married to the eldest prince, Buck. What is your purpose in coming here? Are you planning to emulate the prince of Xiling and steal Princess Yongzhen from the Yueqi royal family?"

For a moment, even the diners at the next table stopped talking and laughing and listened to what was going on.

Chu Mingkong said disdainfully, "I, Cao, would never steal another man's wife. But even if I did have such a plan, why would I say it in public?"

When Mamon heard him say this, he felt a little anxious. He didn't know if Mamon was hiding his purpose or if he really had no intention of taking action to abduct the person. If so, the value of the information he had given to the eldest prince might be greatly reduced!

"That's true, Brother Cao. I am the last conscience of Full Moon City, unlike them who specialize in ripping off outsiders with intelligence. You must be more careful and not trust strangers easily, as they may betray you at any time."

Someone was trying to get close to Chu Mingkong, pretending to be an honest person, when he heard Chu Mingkong say, "Of course, I do have that kind of cunning," and then began to ask:

"Then why did you come, Brother Cao? Don't you feel heartbroken to see the girl you admire marrying someone from another place? If I were you, I would be heartbroken and unable to breathe. Why would I travel thousands of miles to come here?"

Chu Mingkong said solemnly, "I'm here to reminisce about my youthful days and to see her one last time. After all, I've liked her for ten years. There are many things that can't be changed, so I can only accept them silently."

"Indeed devoted and loyal. Then who is this veiled girl beside Brother Cao?"

Chu Mingkong took a sip of the fruit wine, thought it tasted good, and offered it to Shangguan Rong to try. He then replied, "I got lost when I first entered the border of the Crescent Moon Kingdom, and that's when I met this girl. We fell in love at first sight, and I realized who I truly love."

The people at the table fell silent again, their thoughts a little hard to follow. "You've been in love with that princess for ten years, and then you fall for another woman as soon as you go abroad?"

The men around couldn't help but glance at the woman beside Chu Mingkong. She was indeed stunningly beautiful. Who was she? They had never heard of her before.

That shouldn't be the case. How could no one have mentioned such a beautiful woman? But it's possible that she lived on the border, since it's remote and few people would have noticed her.

After another round of toasts, everyone praised his genuine nature and tried various ways to extract information from him and test the waters to see if he was telling the truth.

Chu Mingkong experienced the "enthusiasm" of a foreign land and deeply understood what Feng Ying meant by "a mixed bag" before.

When outsiders come to a place like this, they might get scammed even if they just ask someone for directions. They don't know who they can trust.

After the banquet ended, Chu Mingkong said he couldn't hold his liquor and went back to his room to rest. He didn't immediately contact the person who knew him, figuring he would find him himself.

After Chu Mingkong returned to his room, Shangguan Rong saw that he had set up a soundproof barrier before speaking to him:

"Is this just the way the people of this city are, or is it the whole Crescent Kingdom? They seem to distrust everyone. Mingkong, that person who tried to curry favor with you and establish a connection with an old friend seems to have ulterior motives."

“How come you see?”

"The emotion in his eyes is inappropriate. When he first learned your identity, he looked at you as if you were a windfall. If he really had something big to do, he wouldn't have been so reckless as to directly mention that you were an ally of Yongzhen's admirers. Such an ally would only be a hindrance."

In Shangguan Rong's eyes, that person had no value in being close to or trusted. If he was an enemy, he was naturally not trustworthy, and if he was a teammate, he was even less trustworthy. He was a teammate who dragged her into doing things.

However, Chu Mingkong suspected that Rong'er might be unhappy because that person mentioned "Yongzhen's admirer".

Some things are indeed true. Old Chu admires any girl, married woman, or young woman with a nice figure. But if he were to say in front of one girl that he is an admirer of another, he would definitely feel a little jealous.

Chu Mingkong removed her veil. Shangguan Rong's beautiful features, accentuated by the exotic makeup, possessed an indescribable fragile beauty. Behind her imposing and aloof strength lay a hidden vulnerability. This feeling seemed to grow stronger, whether after she put on this makeup or after she set foot on this land.

He joked, "But I think I still have to go check it out. If they're enemies, I'll just mess with them; if they're really teammates, I'll pretend I don't know them and just pretend I've really been charmed by a foreign girl I met on the street~"

Shangguan Rong was the girl least comfortable with being teased. It wasn't that she disliked it, but every time Chu Mingkong teased her, she was at a loss for words and didn't know how to respond. This was probably what people usually call being clueless about romance and how to respond.

Whenever she was at a loss for what to do, she would put on a serious and solemn face, displaying a sense of utmost caution. At first, Chu Mingkong thought she was angry, but after discovering the truth, he found it quite adorable.

"Then shall I go with you, Mingkong?"

"No need then, it's just a quick look. You can wait here, I'll get back and tell you."

Chu Mingkong cupped Shangguan Rong's cheeks. She was such a smart girl, yet she had a unique kind of clumsiness.

"Don't be so stiff with your tongue. Are you waiting for me to tease you? I'm feeling a bit hot. Can you check if there's a blister on my tongue?"

"..."

Shangguan Rong tried it out, but in the end, she let Chu Mingkong take the initiative. She waited until he had licked and nibbled at her lips before replying:

"Then I'll wait for you here."

Don't go out if someone knocks on the door!

"You should say that to a three-year-old..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a knock on the door, and the presence outside quickly vanished.

Chu Mingkong opened the door, where a note was pasted. The note mentioned the meeting place and time, and was signed Ma Meng.

However, Chu Mingkong was still uneasy about leaving immediately. He took out the Asura Heavy Sword and placed it in the room as a barrier to protect Shangguan Rong before leaving.

In Full Moon City, a kind-faced, squinting female monk is admiring the stone carvings left from the Moonlit Empire.

The nun wore a white hood, from which a strand of white hair peeked out, and her exposed skin was a beautiful bronze color.

The voice of her subordinate brought her back to her senses, snapping her out of her reverie.

“Compassionate Guardian, the Asura King has sent an order that a relatively clear aura of an Asura weapon has been detected in Dao Manyue City. He has ordered Compassionate Guardian to retrieve it for the Asura King.”

"What is the approximate location?" the female monk asked.

Upon hearing this, the subordinate respectfully came over, took out a map, and circled a general area.

Chapter 209 The One-Eyed Sword Saint (35/42)

Lunar Palace.

Prince Yueyun held a glass cup, savoring the fine wine. After taking a sip, he showed an expression of enjoyment:

"It's wonderful! Made from grapes kicked by an eight-year-old girl's feet, it has a naturally delicious milky aroma!"

After finishing his drink, he received a report from his subordinates. He waved his hand, signaling the fan-wielding maid behind him to step aside, leaving only a favored concubine to serve him fruit.

The eldest prince glanced at Mamun and tried to recall who this was, but guessed that he was probably a fence-sitter who had come to join him and could be used as cannon fodder. However, since he was standing in front of him, he must have important information to say.

"Just tell me directly, what important matter do you have to tell this prince?"

Mamon hurriedly said, "There is a man who intends to disrupt Your Highness's wedding ceremony!"

He anxiously relayed the information about "Cao Mou," adjusting the details to make sure the eldest prince took it seriously.

For example, the part about "Cao" having found true love is omitted, while his experience of admiring and following Princess Yongzhen for ten years is emphasized.

Intelligence can be flawed, but it must never be fabricated. After the intelligence part is finished, it's time for emotional manipulation, to make the eldest prince feel how despicable this person is.

Ma Meng was so anxious that he seemed to be the one about to be forced into marriage:

"Your Highness, the marriage is a crucial moment, concerning the revival of the Yueying Empire. Under such circumstances, the appearance of such a person in Full Moon City, the gate of Yueying territory, is truly alarming. What if he wants to steal someone like the Prince of Xiling?"

Although the man didn't explicitly reveal his intentions, some things can't be hidden. If he intended to abduct the bride, why would he be dressed so concealed, hiding his face and afraid to show himself?

The eldest prince continued drinking, scoffing, but this was a laugh at Ma Meng:

"You don't need to teach this prince how to do things here, nor do you need to explain the pros and cons to me. Continue to tell me about this person's background. Cao? This is not a common surname in Tianji, nor is there any master in Tianji with the surname Cao. It is most likely an alias."