Who Says I Have a Good Temper?

Chen Wulang and Chen Yu took a deep breath upon hearing this. They lifted the carriage curtain and helped their sister, Chen Xuan, out of the carriage.

The man in the brocade robe smiled slightly and said, "You two can rest assured. As long as Young Master Chen Xu submits to His Highness the Sixth Prince, the Chen family's ill repute can be cleared. His Highness the Sixth Prince has already promised that once this matter is settled, not only will the Chen family's noble title be restored, but he will also bestow a Marrow Cleansing Pill to help the Seventh Miss eradicate her cold poison."

Chen Xuan's body trembled, a flicker of hope flashing in her eyes.

However, Chen Yu said coldly, "Steward Zhao, my second brother is stubborn. He didn't bow his head even when his Spiritual Bone was crippled and he was expelled from the family. It won't be easy to make him betray Princess Xiyao."

Steward Zhao's smile remained unchanged as he said meaningfully, "Precisely because of this, His Highness the Sixth Prince specifically invited the two of you here. Familial bonds, after all, cannot be severed."

He raised his hand, signaling the two to enter.

The posthouse was brightly lit, and several servants had already prepared hot water and food.

Chen Yu helped his sister sit down, but he stood by the window, gazing in the direction of Jade Capital in the distance with a complex expression.

"Fifth Brother..." Chen Xuan called out softly.

Chen Yu turned back and forced a smile. "It's nothing. We'll see Second Brother soon."

Chen Xuan lowered her head, looking at a jade pendant in her hand. It was left to her by Chen Xu before he left home.

"If Second Brother knew we were brought here by the Sixth Prince's people, would he be angry?"

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "What if he's angry? The Chen family has no other way. Father is imprisoned, and our clansmen are exiled. If we don't seize this opportunity, there will truly be no Chen family left..."

Sword rainbows cut through the twilight, revealing three thousand miles of landscape, mountains and rivers shifting, cities scattered like stars.

Chen Qing's fingertips lightly traced through the air, and the wondrous sights along the way were imprinted into his sea of consciousness as intangible paintings.

Xu Zhaoying did not disturb him, merely urging her sword light to move three parts faster.

As the sun set, the two finally arrived at the outskirts of Jade Capital.

In the distance, the Nine-layered City Walls pierced the clouds, and a ten-thousand-foot Rainbow Bridge spanned the galaxy.

Where the Golden Crow set in the west, palace lanterns lit up one after another, making the entire Imperial City appear like a world of glazed tiles.

"We're here."

Xu Zhaoying lowered her sword light and landed at Lianshan Posthouse outside the city.

Chen Qing finally came back to his senses. Perhaps it was because he had referenced the scenery of Xuan Du Mountain when condensing his talismans. At this moment, those layered mountain shadows had formed a self-contained scroll in his sea of consciousness, ready to be taken out and studied at any time.

"This has clearly become a Visualization Diagram..."

He mused to himself, thinking that after meeting the princess, he would definitely find a quiet place to depict this "Xuan Du Visualization Diagram." If successful, not only could his dream-body cultivation advance further, but upon returning to the real world, it could also increase the foundation of his sect!

"After waking up this time, it's almost time to impart the Great Claw Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll and help him step into the First Realm, opening his Yellow Court Palace..."

The night deepened, and the lights in the posthouse gradually extinguished.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged on the couch, regulating his breath and calming his mind. The Destiny Talisman within his body circulated, and the Supreme Harmony Qi nourished his meridians.

Suddenly, a faint sound of wind stirred outside the window.

"Hmm?"

He frowned, looked up, and saw a paper crane fly through the window, landing lightly on the desk.

The paper crane was pure white, except for a touch of dark red on its beak, like blood but not blood, exuding a strange aura.

"Message paper crane?"

Chen Qing reached out and snatched it. The paper crane unfolded, turning into a letter. The handwriting on the letter was clear but carried a sense of urgency--

"Second Brother, greetings from afar."

"Seventh Sister and I have arrived in Jade Capital and are temporarily residing in Qingxi under the Sixth Prince's mercy. His Highness is benevolent and says that if Second Brother is willing to submit, the Chen family's ill repute can be cleared, their noble title restored, and a Marrow Cleansing Pill will be bestowed to resolve Seventh Sister's cold poison."

"Second Brother, our father is now imprisoned, and our clansmen are scattered. The Chen family has reached a dead end. His Highness the Sixth Prince is the Holy Emperor's legitimate son and holds immense power. Princess Xiyao is merely of foreign blood and unlikely to achieve great things. I hope Second Brother will reconsider!"

The signature was "Fifth Brother Chen Yu."

After Chen Qing finished reading, he rubbed his fingers together, and the letter turned into ashes.

The reason Princess Xiyao had taken on the task of resettling the hundred thousand criminals in the first place was due to the Sixth Prince's machinations. Now that the task was nearing completion, the Sixth Prince was secretly contacting the Chen family again, trying to win him over?

"This Sixth Prince seems to be deliberately making things difficult for Princess Xiyao. What is the conflict between them? Also, Chen Yu, Chen Xuan... there really is a Chen family, and it involves siblings. My role should only involve Chen Xu alone. Is this a matching set of identities?"

In his memory, these two were indeed "Chen Xu's" younger siblings. They were still young when the Chen family met disaster.

Chen Qing got up and pushed open the window, looking in the direction of Jade Capital in the distance.

In the night, the majestic Imperial City was brightly lit, like a dormant giant beast.

"Using familial affection to force submission? That's the act of a villain!"

Chen Qing's gaze grew cold.

If he were truly "Chen Xu," he might waver because of this. But he was merely borrowing a dream; he didn't have much affection for this Chen family. Moreover, Princess Xiyao and Xu Zhaoying had treated him well. How could he easily betray them?

Besides, if he easily changed his mind and his path for the sake of profit even in a dream, his Dao heart would likely never be established!

"At worst, I can just make up a story about the Ancestor retraining me, allowing me to twist my thoughts at will, but that won't work."

As he was contemplating, footsteps were heard from outside the door.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, have you rested?"

It was Xu Zhaoying's voice.

Chen Qing composed himself and said, "Not yet. Fellow Daoist Xu, please come in."

The door opened, revealing Xu Zhaoying in plain white clothing, holding a green lamp. Its flame, small as a bean, illuminated her picturesque features. Her gaze swept over the paper ashes on the desk. "Did someone send you a message?"

Chen Qing didn't hide anything, briefly explaining the contents of the letter.

After listening, a cold glint flashed in Xu Zhaoying's eyes. "The Sixth Prince is secretly contacting your clansmen and forcing your hand?" She pondered for a moment, then asked, "What do you intend to do about the Chen Family's affairs?"

Chen Qing, however, replied, "Fellow Daoist Xu, what do you think I will do?"

Xu Zhaoying stared at him for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. "I believe you."

These three words carried immense weight.

She continued, "Actually, you don't need to worry. The Princess will find a way to arrange things for the Chen Family."

Chen Qing's heart stirred, and just as he was about to speak, a sharp whistling sound came from outside the window!

"Whoosh—"

A green jade arrow shot through the air, embedding itself in the window frame. A broken jade pendant was tied to its tail.

"We haven't even reached Jade Capital yet, and it's already this lively." Chen Qing was taken aback. His gaze fell upon the jade pendant, which bore a carved character "Yun." His body uncontrollably felt a surge of blood and qi!

Li Xiao!

That name, like a poisonous thorn, pricked out from the depths of his memory!

It was this sworn brother who had slandered Chen Xu for rebellion back then, causing his Spiritual Bone to be crippled and the Chen Family to fall!

If the real Chen Xu were here, he would likely be consumed by rage.

Outside the window, a figure seemed to flash under the moonlight.

"Luring me out?"

He pondered for a moment, then asked Xu Zhaoying, "Are there any taboos about fighting near Jade Capital?"

Xu Zhaoying replied, "As long as there's an abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation, it will definitely attract the Jade Capital guards. However, we have the Princess's summons and are here on official business. If unexpected situations arise, we can act according to circumstances."

"Good!" Chen Qing nodded, his form like smoke as he silently slipped out the window.

Xu Zhaoying frowned, reached into her robes, crushed a communication jade talisman, and then followed him.

In the wilderness, beneath an ancient locust tree, the moonlight flowed like water.

A figure in white stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, exuding an ethereal aura. A cinnabar mark between his brows was particularly striking.

Li Xiao.

Chen Qing stopped, his brow furrowed.

Unlike the sinister and ruthless "sworn brother" in his memory, the Li Xiao before him was as gentle as jade, his presence as deep as the sea, making it impossible to gauge his depth!

How much time had passed?

Ah, over thirty years. That explained it.

"Brother Xu, it's been a long time."

Li Xiao turned, his gaze gentle, seemingly filled with concern.

Chen Qing stood ten feet away, his expression calm. He neither showed hatred nor feigned closeness, merely stating, "It has indeed been a long time."

Li Xiao was slightly taken aback.

He had expected Chen Xu to either fly into a rage or respond with cold words upon seeing him. He hadn't anticipated such composure, leaving him unable to fathom his thoughts.

"Brother Xu has changed a lot," Li Xiao sighed softly, his tone sincere. "Back then, I had no choice but to act as I did. I risked meeting you today solely to save you."

Chen Qing's eyebrows slightly rose. "Save me?"

Li Xiao lowered his voice. "The Tenth Princess's journey to the capital this time has many stated reasons, but in reality, she is to be sent into the Meridian Washing Pool."

A secret letter slid out from his sleeve, and he handed it to Chen Qing. "The Holy Emperor is currently in seclusion, comprehending the Profound Mysteries of the Heavenly Dao. The Immortal Dynasty is being managed by the Regent Empress Dowager. Recently, ministers in court jointly petitioned, claiming Princess Xiyao's bloodline has mutated and she is not of our kind. Thus, the Empress Dowager has issued a secret decree: this summons is a pretense, and the Meridian Washing is the true intention!"

Chen Qing took the secret letter and scanned it. His face remained impassive, but he inwardly savored the term "Regent Empress Dowager."

Li Xiao secretly observed his reaction, a sense of surprise growing within him. If it were the Chen Xu of the past, he would have been furious or anxious upon hearing this. Yet, the person before him hadn't even furrowed his brow!

"Brother Xu," he probed, "aren't you worried?"

Chen Qing looked up, then asked instead of answering, "Are you here today just to say these things?"

Li Xiao faltered, then gave a wry smile. "You still don't believe me." He paused, then suddenly lowered his voice, his tone grave. "There's actually one more thing... Stop investigating the whereabouts of your Spiritual Bone. Investigating everything is not good for you."

Chen Qing's eyes flickered, finally revealing a hint of interest. "Why?" He suddenly recalled what Elder Taiyan of Xuan Du Mountain had said about his "roots and bones being like an abyss."

Li Xiao shook his head. "Knowing too much is even more dangerous."

Chen Qing's expression remained calm, as if none of this concerned him.

Li Xiao felt increasingly uneasy, but he still feigned sincerity. "Brother Xu, I heard you are now cultivating the Great Mountain Art? This technique does not suit your constitution. The original text of the Cosmic Star Tribulation you used to cultivate is coincidentally in my possession. As long as you agree to leave, this item can be returned to its rightful owner."

He took out a jade slip and offered it to Chen Qing, but a trace of black energy quietly appeared at his fingertips.

Chen Qing's gaze lowered, as if in thought, but in reality, he had already noticed the wisp of black energy.

Just as Li Xiao was about to touch his wrist—

"Zheng!"

A sword light tore through the air, and Xu Zhaoying shouted coldly, "How dare you, villain!"

Li Xiao threw away the Jade Slip and retreated several dozen feet. The gentle facade he had maintained instantly fell away, revealing his sinister true nature. "A pity, so close..." He looked up at Chen Qing, seeing that the latter had no intention of intervening, and felt a slight disappointment.

"Chen Xu, you can actually refrain from acting?"

"I can't even gauge your depth, so naturally, I won't act rashly," Chen Qing sighed, deliberately putting on a dejected air. "At this point, what meaning would there be in acting against you?"

Li Xiao narrowed his eyes and suddenly burst into laughter. "So your spirit is broken! You've lost your temper! Then there's nothing more to say. What does it matter if I let you live a while longer? Once the Princess falls, you'll end up in my hands anyway!"

Chen Qing heard the implication. "You want to capture me?"

Li Xiao didn't answer. He formed a hand seal, and a dark, swift wind began to blow, intending to engulf him...

"Actually, you're wrong. I have a bad temper."

Chen Qing suddenly spoke, flicking his finger. A black Talisman shot out, flying towards Li Xiao along with the swift wind!

Li Xiao waved his long sleeve, spiritual energy flowing like light, with an air of casual grace. He laughed, "I thought you had truly lost your mind, only to see you pinning your hopes on such a petty trick. You still think you're the proud prodigy of the past, not knowing how a firefly compares to the... Ah! How can this be a Yin God!?"

Before he could finish speaking, the Talisman suddenly exploded!

"Boom—"

There was no fire, no shockwave, only an intensely cold aura erupting, like ten thousand years of profound ice, instantly freezing everything within a ten-foot radius!

Twisted human faces appeared in the air, resembling phantoms, letting out silent shrieks as they pounced on Li Xiao!

Remnant Yin God, gnawing at the spirit like a parasite!

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