Under the cover of night, the most powerful elder in the Great Gan Dynasty, a hidden piece on the board, emerged to confront the newly appointed Emperor Consort!
He had no choice!
Fang Houren, of course, didn't dare kill Chu Ning. Nor could he.
Chu Ning was now the Emperor Consort personally appointed by Ye Qinglian, and she had granted him supreme authority, making him the equivalent of an emperor!
Today, she had even brought him along to pay respects at the Ancestral Temple.
The old man knew what Chu Ning had been doing. He assisted Her Majesty in handling government affairs and memorials at Mingde Hall, and was exceptionally capable. Her Majesty now trusted him deeply!
But someone like him could very well become a problem.
How could an ordinary person possess such abilities?
Even if he wasn't a problem now, his current position would surely cause his thoughts to change over time, and he would gradually scheme his way toward the highest seat!
The Former Emperor had entrusted him with the responsibility of protecting the dynasty and the Ye family. The Former Emperor had once promoted and shown him favor, a debt he could never repay, even with his life!
Besides, he had investigated Chu Ning's background, but couldn't find out a thing. If Chu Ning were just an ordinary person, then even if he were appointed Emperor Consort, Fang Houren wouldn't say a word. But Chu Ning's background was shrouded in mystery, and his abilities were extraordinary!
What if he had been sent by an enemy kingdom?
If that were the case, he would tell Ye Qinglian and ask her to issue an imperial decree dealing with him!
But if not...
Then today's show of force would establish the dynasty's authority!
It would also serve as a warning to Chu Ning not to act rashly!
"I'll give you thirty breaths. If you can't convince me of your identity and origins..."
Chu Ning paused at that and asked curiously,
"And if I can't, you'll kill me?"
He smiled and took a step forward. The old man frowned at once, and his saber jerked back a step!
"What are you doing?"
Was this man unafraid of death?
Chu Ning tucked his hands into his sleeves and smiled. "Weren't you going to kill me? I'm right here. By all means, go ahead, sir!"
The old man gritted his teeth in fury!
He was a Seventh Realm Void Breaking cultivator, even more powerful than Ye Qinglian, and yet Chu Ning actually looked down on him!
"Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
Chu Ning smiled.
"Like I said, if you were going to kill me, you wouldn't have stepped back just now."
He then pushed the old man's saber aside and smiled again.
"So, why don't we sit down and have a friendly chat? There's no point waving weapons around..."
Fang Houren's expression darkened further, but he had nothing to say. He cursed under his breath and sheathed his saber!
"If it weren't for Her Majesty, I'd cut you down as easily as chopping vegetables!"
"Of course, of course. You make a good point, sir..."
Chu Ning knew who this man was.
The cultivator guarding the Ancestral Temple was the dynasty's most powerful retainer, and Ye Qinglian's greatest hidden piece.
Since his wife had said she trusted him, and the father-in-law he had never met trusted him deeply as well, Chu Ning wouldn't do anything.
Of course...
That was all because the old man had no intention of killing him.
Otherwise, this old man wouldn't have had an "otherwise"...
Chu Ning paused, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and looked at Fang Houren curiously.
"Why are you asking about my identity?"
"I'm the Emperor Consort appointed by Her Majesty, and she gave me my authority. She must have her reasons. Do you think Her Majesty made the wrong decision, sir?"
The old man's brows knitted tighter. He could tell Chu Ning was trying to bait him, and he refused to take it.
"Do you know that Her Majesty's actions defy the rites and clan laws? By the rules, you're merely a member of the Inner Palace!"
"Nothing like this has ever happened in the Five Great Dynasties. Those in the Inner Palace aren't allowed to interfere in state affairs, let alone handle memorials for Her Majesty!"
Chu Ning nodded at that.
"So, it seems I've been under your surveillance, sir?"
Fang Houren sneered.
"I keep an eye on every potential threat, not just you!"
Chu Ning sighed helplessly.
"You really don't need to suspect me of anything. Since Qinglian chose to do this, there are some things I can't explain to you."
"Has the dynasty fallen into chaos?"
The old man hesitated for a moment.
"Have I usurped the throne and seized the state?"
The old man looked uncertain.
Chu Ning smiled and gave his conclusion.
"So, sir, you haven't seen me do anything at all. How can you be sure I'll bring ruin to the dynasty? Isn't that a bit hasty?"
"Not now, perhaps. But what about in the future?"
"That's impossible to say. No one can be sure what will happen in the future. Can either of us guarantee it?"
Fang Houren was at a loss for words. He hesitated for a moment.
"I was entrusted by the Former Emperor to protect the dynasty, and I've guarded it for hundreds of years. I will never allow anyone to interfere with the Great Gan Dynasty's development!"
"Though I still can't find any evidence against you, your identity is deeply suspicious. You're not from the Great Gan Dynasty."
As he spoke, the old man rested a hand on the saber at his waist. His eyes held nothing but stern authority.
"So don't let me catch you, or else..."
"Or else you'll kill me."
Chu Ning sighed again.
"You royal types all use the same lines. If you don't dare kill me, why bother? Waving weapons around will only sour the mood..."
The old man nearly choked on his anger!
You little brat, you've got some nerve!
You actually dare treat me with such contempt...
If you weren't the Emperor Consort, I'd cut you down for sure!
He sneered and glared hard at Chu Ning.
"That's all I have to say. Remember, everything you do is seen by Heaven. And I'll be watching you too!"
With that, the old man vanished in an instant.
The maze-like illusion from before disappeared as well. Clearly, it had been some sort of technique the old man had used.
Chu Ning watched him go and smiled.
"Looks like she has someone reliable by her side after all. That's a relief. No wonder she's made it this far on her own..."
His wife really was wonderful, and the old man seemed quite responsible too.
But why did everyone think he was going to usurp the throne and seize the state? Was it really necessary?
He truly wasn't interested in their country...
It was just their Empress he found quite alluring. He wanted to kiss her...
After returning from the folded space, he saw Xiao Bing behind him, seriously pondering what she'd practiced that day.
Come to think of it, after eating, the spiritual energy in her body seemed to circulate faster.
But then Chu Ning suddenly appeared in front of her, and Xiao Bing's face turned pale in an instant!
"Ghost!! Her Majesty, there's a ghost!!!"
"Look carefully. Have you ever seen a ghost as handsome as me?"
Xiao Bing came to her senses and finally relaxed. She looked over at him with a resentful expression.
"Mister Chu, why aren't you asleep in the middle of the night? Why are you standing here scaring people!"
Chu Ning spread his hands, indicating that he had no such hobby.
"An old man just ambushed me. There wasn't much I could do. I'm off..."
With that, he returned to his palace to sleep.
Behind him, Xiao Bing scratched her head in confusion.
What old man ambushing him? There wasn't any old man here. Besides, Her Majesty was so powerful—how could some old man she didn't know sneak into the palace and ambush him?
It seemed like Mister Chu had done it on purpose. He'd nearly scared her to death. She'd thought there was a ghost...
Time to cultivate!
While that feeling was still there, she'd keep at it and break through to the Fifth Realm in one go. Hmph!
Before you continue