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

......

After several attempts to heal his wounds in the abyss, Su Nu finally managed to restore them.

During this time, Su Nu felt that Chu Mingkong's spirit was about to give out, so she used the uplifting melody from Su Nu Jue Xian to rouse him again, not giving him a chance to rest, because Su Nu did not want to wait.

This process was accompanied by familiar excruciating pain, but it was indeed effective; Chu Mingkong's Five Elements cultivation had indeed improved considerably.

Even though there's still a long way to go to reach the ninth rank, making progress is better than standing still.

"To achieve a healing effect by aggravating the injury is similar to the ancient bloodletting therapy, but it is also very different and cannot be included in the Su Nu Jing. It can only be used on you... Later I will teach it to Nong Yu. She can help you treat yourself in this way and restore your ability to refine the five elements."

Su Nu's delicate body lay limply on Chu Mingkong's chest, but all she could think about was healing him.

Chu Mingkong didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he stammered his thanks:

"Thank you for your care, Lady Su Nu."

"No need. If you feel unwell, remember to tell me. Don't hide it from me, and don't let other doctors treat you. Only I can handle it! Next time, I will try to clear the chaotic thoughts from your mind."

After leaving her words, Su Nu disappeared, returning control of her body to Yun Nongyu. She then pondered how to deal with his soul problem in preparation for the next treatment.

The celestial robes had not yet dissipated, but her appearance had already returned to Yun Nongyu's serene demeanor.

Chu Mingkong noticed a hint of seriousness and unease on her face and asked with concern:

"Nongyu, did something happen? You don't look well."

Yun Nongyu hesitated to communicate with the Sword Queen's will. After a long silence, she subtly managed to squeeze out a reply:

"N-nothing..."

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Did the Former Emperor Use Silence to Apply Pressure?!

Cultivation is a serious matter and Chu Mingkong didn't want to encounter the Heavenly Realm people suddenly appearing again, only able to repel the enemy with the help of his female relatives.

Although, the strength of his own daughters is equal to his, Chu Mingkong's, strength is equal to his strength.

If others can unleash powerful spells by reciting incantations, then isn't "XXX, save me!" also Chu Mingkong's powerful incantation?

However, such powerful moves should be saved for crucial moments. We can't expect the strong players to handle every small fry from the Heavenly Realm.

Chu Mingkong's Five Elements cultivation progressed slowly toward the ninth level amidst pain and pleasure.

......

On this day, Chu Mingkong finished his cultivation with Yun Nongyu again. He held Yun Nongyu in his arms, staring blankly at the ceiling, as if he were looking at the sky outside the roof.

It's unknown when the people from the Heavenly Realm will arrive, but Chu Mingkong will not stop his daily cultivation practice.

Yun Nongyu suddenly sat up, revealing her fair and smooth back to Chu Mingkong. As she raised her arm to tie the strap of her bellyband, her side breasts trembled slightly. She draped her Taoist robe over her fragrant shoulders, and a delicate fragrance wafted across Chu Mingkong's face.

"Nongyu, where are we going?" Chu Mingkong sat up and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

Yun Nongyu has always been a homebody, spending her time alone watching the stars and moon, cultivating in peace, rarely distracted by other matters, and even less often leaving her room.

If she were someone who moved around a lot, Zuo Qiuchi wouldn't have been able to use her as a pillow and sleep on her for a whole day so easily.

“Your Highness, I’m going to the Scripture Tower. Um… I need to return the Sword Emperor Scripture.”

"Okay, do you want me to come with you?"

Inquiries made out of courtesy usually remain at the level of asking questions and do not lead to any action. However, Chu Mingkong had already gotten up and dressed, preparing to accompany his young lady there.

"No need, it's just a few steps. Your Highness should also take a walk around the area."

"I haven't been holed up in one place all day, have I?" Chu Mingkong smiled shamelessly.

After tidying her clothes, Yun Nongyu went out alone to the Sutra Tower, where she met the beautiful and elegant female swordswoman, Ba Lan, on the way.

When Balan saw Yun Nongyu, he walked towards her. As his jade-like legs moved nimbly, his slightly plump hips swayed, creating a unique charm.

"Master Yun, where are we going?"

Yun Nongyu offered her apologies:

"The month for returning the Sword Emperor Scripture is almost up. Originally, the scripture should not have been taken out of the Scripture Tower, but now I have no choice but to return it sooner."

The eyes are the windows to the soul. Hidden eyes are a cause for suspicion and vigilance. Although Yun Nongyu has her own mysterious aspects, her gentle temperament makes everyone in Balan feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze when they are with her. The faint Taoist aura on her body makes those who approach her with good intentions feel even more favorably toward her.

Balan accompanied her to the library pagoda. As they neared their arrival, she asked:

"There is something I would like to ask of Master Yun. Would it be possible for you to allow me to speak with the late Emperor again?"

Although the scriptures instructed Balan and Ba Qingling to follow their own paths, they still relied on their ancestors to some extent.

They already have their own ideas about future development and strategies, but they also want to consult the late emperor and ask for his opinion.

To avoid the problem of a second empress, the Zuo sisters almost caused a rift between themselves and the Sword Dynasty.

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. While later generations can certainly understand the mistakes made by their predecessors, those predecessors must have had their own considerations; they simply lacked a wise observer to guide them through their confusion.

Now, the will of the scriptures in the Sword Emperor Scripture is undoubtedly the best source of guidance.

Even if the will of the scriptures could not offer any specific strategies, simply chatting with their ancestor would give them a sense of reassurance.

However, Yun Nongyu was in a bit of a dilemma. Ever since Su Nu treated Chu Mingkong last time, Yun Nongyu herself had been unable to communicate with that female sword emperor.

Perhaps he's gone into a state of self-isolation and questioning the meaning of life?

"This... is not very convenient." Yun Nongyu found it difficult to explain the reason.

"Not very convenient? Why? Is it because communicating with the will of the scriptures is extremely taxing on Daoist Yun?" Balan's heart tightened.

"That's not the case. It's simply that it's difficult to communicate with the late emperor. It has nothing to do with issues like consumption or burdens."

"I see..." Balan's expression was somewhat solemn.

Could this also be an invisible pressure exerted by our ancestors?

Without progress or results, they refuse to meet with these descendants?!

They weren't even that familiar with Chu Mingkong, so it wouldn't be appropriate to rush things like this...

On the way back, Balan tried to find out more about Chu Mingkong. She tentatively asked:

"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask Master Yun. I noticed that Mingkong already has two biological daughters and one adopted daughter. Does he place great importance on the continuation of his lineage?"

Yun Nongyu calculated the time in her mind; in a few more days, Princess Xiao Zhi of Chu would also give birth.

"His Highness doesn't seem to care much about having descendants, probably taking a rather laissez-faire attitude. However, his elders value it more. This is because His Highness's cultivation is tantamount to a kind of self-alteration, gradually separating him from the human race, making it more difficult for him to have offspring than ordinary high-level cultivators."

Among the women were some married women... who were preparing to bear children for His Highness, but fate was not on their side. On the contrary, women who had not had this intention at the time progressed so smoothly that it could be described as 'unexpected'.

Chu Mingkong's elders are urging him to keep an heir, which is quite similar to the late emperor's situation...

Balan smiled helplessly and asked again:

"I see... Perhaps the wording isn't quite accurate, but this must be the way fate plays tricks on us, though it's all good news. So, Mingkong, what are your hobbies?"

"Why is Fellow Daoist Balan suddenly inquiring about His Highness's affairs?" Yun Nongyu subconsciously tried to use divination to guess Balan's thoughts, which could be considered a side effect of spending a long time with Chu Mingkong.

Unfortunately, this ability can only be applied to Chu Mingkong.

"There's no particular reason, it's just that I'm thinking that Mingkong will no longer be a distinguished guest of the Sword Dynasty, but one of its own, so naturally I want to learn more about him and have a good topic for conversation. But if I directly ask Mingkong what his preferences are, that would be a bit awkward and abrupt."

When asked about Chu Mingkong's preferences, Yun Nongyu could only think of one answer: "women."

However, he doesn't bother women much these days. He spends most of his time strolling around with his female relatives, or teasing the young girls.

"His Highness is focusing on cultivation," Yun Nongyu said tactfully.

“Alright, after I finish what I’m doing, I need to spar with Mingkong on swordsmanship. He seems to have mastered an ancient sword manual. I saw it on Zhengjian Peak the other day and have been curious about it for a long time.”

After parting ways with Yun Nongyu, Ba Lan pondered whether he should tell Ba Qingling about this matter, since the late emperor had put pressure on them again.

Well, Qingling is exhausted from handling all the important affairs of the Sword Dynasty, so it's best not to let her know the late emperor's attitude. Otherwise, there will be too many things to worry about.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: What did the Queen of Ba come to inquire about?

Yun Nongyu went to return the "Sword Emperor Scripture," and Chu Mingkong did not stay to wait for her. Instead, he took the opportunity to visit the women.

The visits were quite casual; people would chat with whoever they met and take a walk, but occasionally they would also pay more attention to the female relatives who didn't like to move around.

More than a month has passed since we arrived in Wine Fragrance Town and dealt with the matters concerning the Sword Dynasty. Now, Baby Pheasant doesn't want to move around much and gets tired and weak easily, but staying indoors all the time isn't good either.

Fortunately, Jin Yu and Wan Hua often accompanied her, helping her take a walk in the Sword Emperor Palace every half day.

Yongzhen's belly doesn't show any signs of getting "fat" yet. She has two separate companions, one accompanying Madam Zhen and the other accompanying Aunt Gu and the others, to learn from their experiences in ensuring a safe pregnancy.

She practiced swordsmanship much less often because Zuo Qiuchi reminded her that with Donglu around, she shouldn't practice swordsmanship lightly, just in case.

When Chu Mingkong returned to the women's quarters, he happened to see Empress Ba leaving with her attendants, as if she had just finished visiting Gu Jungui.

As soon as Chu Mingkong entered Gu Jungui's room, he saw Aunt Gu and Yongzhen chatting, while Maomao and Gugu were fast asleep on the small bed next to them.

He walked over and kissed his daughters' little faces before sitting down between the aloof woman and the gentle, beautiful lady.

"What are you talking about?" Chu Mingkong habitually touched Yongzhen and Aunt Gu's bellies.

But then I vaguely remembered that Aunt Gu's baby was already asleep next to me.

"We haven't been chatting for very long. I just asked Aunt Gu about things related to pregnancy care." Yongzhen had a faint smile on her lips.

After becoming pregnant, Yongzhen began to adopt the habits of her elders in the family in all aspects. If she still had some of the temperament of a princess before, she has become much gentler in all aspects after having a baby. She wears a woman's hairstyle and a mature and restrained ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Overall, she's still a rather aloof married woman, but that only applies to her pregnant body; otherwise, she maintains her usual style.

Chu Mingkong still found her changes refreshing and followed her wishes and preferences.

"By the way, I think I just saw Queen Ba coming over. What brings you here?"

"Let's chat about everyday things. Queen Ba said you're now one of our own. What does that mean?" Gu Jun Gui asked, puzzled.

Logically speaking, this group of people should be guests. Apart from Zuo Qiuchi and Zuo Donglu, no one else had ever been to the Sword Dynasty before. But Empress Ba came up and said that they were family.

Yongzhen was unaware that Chu Mingkong had acknowledged a former emperor's grandmother, but she knew much about Xiling's past and said:

"The first empress of the Sword Dynasty had a very good relationship with the Chu family of Xiling. Perhaps that's why Empress Ba said they were family?"