Chapter 17: One Hundred Thousand for Ten Thousand
"What is there to discuss between us, father and son? Just tell me what you want your father to do." Chen Xiong patted his chest, telling Chen Qing not to be so distant and to speak frankly.
"Before that, I hope Father will first tell me, do you have any intention of rebelling?" Chen Qing asked, "Or, do you want to be the Emperor?"
"Be the Emperor?" Chen Xiong waved his hand. "No interest. The reason your father has come to this point is simply because I am in officialdom and had no choice. If you don't act like a tiger and eat others, others will become tigers and eat you."
To put it more bluntly, Chen Xiong did all this for self-preservation. Now, he has no way to retreat.
Under the external propaganda and hype of the Xia Clan, Chen Xiong had already become the powerful minister and treacherous prime minister who brought disaster to Great Wu, the source of all mistakes.
Chen Xiong didn't care about this. It was much better for people to fear and respect him than to be looked down upon and ridden all over.
"Since that's the case, I have already promised the Emperor that the Chen family will never rebel. Father, please withdraw the 100,000 elite cavalry guarding outside the city, or move them further away, so as not to put so much psychological pressure on the Emperor," Chen Qing suggested.
"No! If we withdraw those 100,000 elite cavalry, how can our safety be guaranteed?" It wasn't that Chen Xiong didn't want to agree, but that he couldn't.
Suspecting that Chen Qing had been bewitched by the Martial Emperor, withdrawing the troops was not impossible, but Chen Xiong was truly worried that the Xia Clan would discard him after using him!
The precedents were clear, and he had to be on guard.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qing did not rush to continue persuading Chen Xiong verbally.
Behind him, shadows surged, and a Shadow Puppet emerged from within.
Seeing this, Chen Xiong reacted extremely quickly. He immediately turned around, drew a long sword from the sword rack behind him, and pointed it at the Shadow Puppet. "How dare you! How dare you trespass into the Chen Estate!"
Chen Qing, however, raised his hand and gently moved the sword that was hanging by his ear, Chen Xiong's sword, and said, "Father, there's no need to panic. This item is called a Shadow Puppet, and it is a Puppet controlled by your son."
"Shadow Puppet?" Hearing Chen Qing say this, Chen Xiong recalled hearing similar news from his spies.
"Is it him who killed the assassin sent by Heaven Feather Sect?" Chen Xiong lowered his sword, not rushing to sheath it, and asked.
"That's right." Chen Qing nodded. "This Shadow Puppet is equivalent to a Peak Soul Emergence Realm Cultivator."
"A Puppet at the Peak Soul Emergence Realm?!"
After understanding this, Chen Xiong's heart was filled with both shock and joy.
He was very curious about where Chen Qing had managed to get such a powerful Puppet Magic Treasure.
Logically speaking, even the slightest disturbance in the entire capital should not escape his notice.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiong was not only unafraid of his son Chen Qing, but instead felt very gratified that he had surpassed him!
He was fortunate to have such an all-rounder son, and the continuation of the Chen family line no longer needed to be worried about.
"Your son has over a hundred more Puppets like this one…"
Chen Qing hadn't finished speaking, but Chen Xiong's heart was already in turmoil. 'Over a hundred? Doesn't that mean he has over a hundred Peak Soul Emergence Realm Cultivators! And they are over a hundred absolutely loyal Peak Soul Emergence Realm Cultivators who will never betray him!'
Chen Qing struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Father, in your opinion, can these over a hundred Shadow Puppets guarantee the safety of us, father and son?"
"Yes! They certainly can!"
Soul Emergence Realm, if Chen Xiong remembered correctly, the current Sect Master of Heaven Feather Sect was only at the Soul Emergence Realm, and he couldn't even compare to this Puppet of Chen Qing's.
Now, he finally understood, completely understood, why Chen Qing had the confidence to call Heaven Feather Sect and the Second Prince of Great Wu mere chickens and dogs.
This was by no means arrogance, but the confidence that came from strength!
"Withdraw the troops! I will immediately order those 100,000 elite cavalry to withdraw from the capital!" Although he didn't know Chen Qing's intention in doing this, Chen Xiong believed that he wouldn't trick his father.
He was convinced that Chen Qing was playing a grand game, and he, as the old father, only needed to cooperate with him and not overstep his bounds.
[Successful Wife Favoring! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a random reward: Shadow Puppet +10,000!]
Although he had expected the reward to be generous this time, Chen Qing was still slightly shocked when he truly saw and clearly read the text on the System panel.
That's right, the 100,000 troops were not withdrawn to reassure the Martial Emperor or the entire Xia Clan. It was simply to make his wife, Xia Qingyue, understand his "true feelings" for her.
Withdrawing 100,000 elite cavalry for 10,000 Shadow Puppets with the strength of the Peak Soul Emergence Realm, it was more than just a good deal, it was an explosive profit!
As long as Chen Qing was willing, he could summon 10,000 Shadow Puppets in the blink of an eye and sweep across the entire Great Wu!
After learning that the 100,000 elite cavalry outside the city had withdrawn, the Martial Emperor's heart, which had been hanging for nearly ten years, finally settled down.
"It seems Xia Qinyue truly found a good son-in-law for me!" Xia Cheng said with satisfaction.
State Preceptor Xiao He, who was beside him, looked as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.
"State Preceptor, feel free to speak. We are not outsiders," Xia Cheng noticed the change in his expression and gestured.
"Now that the threat outside the city has been eliminated, Your Majesty, why not take the opportunity to completely remove Chen Xiong, this thorn, from Great Wu?" Xiao He was worried about eavesdroppers, so he leaned in and whispered into Xia Cheng's ear.
"No, many civil and military officials in the court still belong to Chen Xiong's faction. Acting rashly would only backfire and cause great chaos in the court."
"Secondly…"
Compared to Chen Xiong, Xia Cheng was now more wary of Chen Qing. He considered himself a judge of character, yet he couldn't see through Chen Qing.
He didn't believe that with Chen Qing's cunning, he wouldn't have thought that if the 100,000 elite cavalry withdrew, he might make a move against the Chen family.
Since that was the case, Chen Qing daring to let Chen Xiong withdraw the troops meant he must still hold a trump card that would prevent him from making a move.
Therefore, Xia Cheng chose to wait and see.
Little did he know, this decision directly saved the Xia Clan and averted a crisis of annihilation.
The trump card Chen Qing held now was far beyond what 100,000 elite cavalry could compare to.
If Xia Cheng was unwilling to be graceful, Chen Qing wouldn't mind helping him be graceful and changing Xia to Chen!
Of course, if Chen Xiong truly didn't want to be the Emperor and suffer the burden and public scorn, Chen Qing wouldn't mind advancing the plot and helping his wife, Xia Qingyue, become the Empress…
Returning to the Royal Study.
After clarifying Xia Cheng's attitude, Xiao He no longer brought up the matter of destroying the Chen family.
Instead, he brought up another matter, "Regarding the Cultivator who previously assassinated Chen Qing in the palace, your subject has investigated and found that he came from Heaven Feather Sect."
"Heaven Feather Sect? Is this related to the Second Prince?" Xia Cheng was startled and stopped writing.
He didn't think that Heaven Feather Sect was simply trying to eliminate evil and protect the country.
And among all the Xia Clan members, the one closest to Heaven Feather Sect was his second son.
"Most likely related," Xiao He gave his judgment.
"Go, have someone throw the body in front of that rebellious son's mansion gate." Xia Cheng did this to warn the Second Prince not to cause any more trouble.
What he could find out, the Chen family could also find out. If things really escalated, he shouldn't blame anyone for not reminding him and collecting his corpse!
"Yes."
...
Chen Estate.
Xia Qingyue suddenly sat up in bed, startled awake.
She had a "very terrifying" dream.
***
Chapter 18 Getting used to it
In her dream, she and Chen Qing became a loving couple, inseparable and envied by all.
The dream spanned a long period, from meeting and getting to know each other, developing feelings, entering the bridal chamber, to getting married, having children, and a house full of grandchildren… until they grew old together and journeyed to Yellow Springs.
Then? Then Xia Qingyue was startled awake.
She couldn't understand why she would have such a dream.
What made Xia Qingyue even more terrified was that in the dream world, her beloved and deeply admired Brother Feng was completely absent, as if he had never existed.
Xia Qingyue dared not think too much, fearing that not only had her body betrayed Ye Feng, but her heart had also followed suit.
She gently patted her chest, comforting herself, "It's just a dream, nothing to worry about, nothing to worry about."
"A dream? What dream?" Just then, Chen Qing's voice came from beyond the hanging bead curtain.
"No, nothing!" Xia Qingyue's delicate body trembled in fright, her tone somewhat guilty, as she quickly denied it.
How could she possibly tell Chen Qing about something like this?
"Is that so?" Seeing this, Chen Qing stopped pressing the issue, walked forward, and squatted by the bed, asking Xia Qingyue for her feet to help her put on her shoes and socks, saying, "The servants have prepared dinner. Let's go quickly."
Looking at Chen Qing, who was diligently putting on her shoes and socks, Xia Qingyue's eyes were complex, "Actually, you don't have to be like this…"
The better Chen Qing treated her, the more Xia Qingyue felt she owed him, simply because in Xia Qingyue's heart, there was another man she absolutely could not betray.
Besides, Xia Qingyue was even more worried that one day, she would be unable to resist Chen Qing's advances and would succumb to his tenderness, not only her body but also her heart ultimately betraying Ye Feng.
"You and I are a couple who have bowed to the elders. As your husband, it is only right for me to treat you well. Who in the world would dare to disagree?"
The words were beautiful, and the reward was equally beautiful.
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Major Achievement in Calligraphy!"
Chen Qing privately believed that the reward of calligraphy would be very useful in a Xuanhuan world with an ancient background.
As the saying goes, seeing the writing is like seeing the person. A presentable hand in calligraphy could prove useful at certain critical moments.
It's about having many skills and being prepared.
Just changing his wife's shoes could grant him a max-level skill. What's there to complain about?
On the other hand, Xia Qingyue, listening to Chen Qing's heartwarming words, couldn't help but inwardly grumble, 'A couple who bowed to the elders? When did we bow?'
Xia Qingyue wasn't dazed from sleep; if she remembered correctly, she had just finished dressing up and hadn't even seen the guests attending the wedding banquet before Chen Qing abducted her like a bandit…
Her mind was full of thoughts, but Xia Qingyue didn't say much aloud. She agreed and left the bedroom with Chen Qing to enjoy dinner.
At the large dining table, there were dozens of delicacies, but only Chen Qing, Xia Qingyue, and Chen Xiong were seated.
Chen Qing was the first to pick up his chopsticks and served Xia Qingyue a piece of stir-fried meat, "Come, my wife, you've worked hard all day, eat more."
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Speed attribute +20!"
"My wife, this is our Chen Manor chef's specialty dish. You must try it."
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Comprehension Ability +30!"
"My wife, I see your complexion is pale, likely due to insufficient Qi and blood. Here, have a piece of duck blood to replenish it."
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Profound Rank High Grade Armor +1!"
...
Chen Qing keenly seized this opportunity to thoroughly indulge himself.
He gained a full hundred points of Comprehension Ability alone. If it weren't for the fact that Xia Qingyue's bowl was already piled up like a small mountain, on the verge of collapsing, Chen Qing would have continued to gain more.
"My wife, you eat first. When you're done, if there's anything else you want to eat, your husband will serve it to you," Chen Qing said with a doting expression.
"Mm," Xia Qingyue nodded gently.
Seeing their loving interaction as a couple, Chen Xiong, as the father, felt immensely gratified.
He imagined that it wouldn't be long before his own status would be upgraded.
He couldn't help but fantasize about the beautiful scene of his grandchildren calling him grandpa.
"Father, what are you thinking about?" Noticing Chen Xiong smiling foolishly to himself, Chen Qing couldn't help but ask.
"Grandsons are certainly good, granddaughters are fine too. It's best to have one grandson and one granddaughter, the more the merrier."
"..." Listening to Chen Xiong's reply, Chen Qing frowned slightly, confused. Did he ask about these things?
And Xia Qingyue, who understood that Chen Xiong wanted her to bear a son and a daughter for the Chen family, lowered her head and remained silent.
She knew this was an unavoidable matter, but at the moment, Xia Qingyue was not mentally prepared.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Realizing his lapse in decorum, Chen Xiong clasped his fist before his lips, coughed once, and resumed a serious expression, changing the subject, "Qing'er, I have already withdrawn all hundred thousand iron cavalry stationed outside the city, as you requested."
He then looked at the astonished Xia Qingyue, "No matter how outsiders judged my Chen family before, now, Qing'er's decision is my decision. The Chen family will absolutely not commit acts of rebellion."
"..." Xia Qingyue did not respond for a long time, still in shock, staring at Chen Qing with an incredulous look.
She couldn't believe that Chen Qing had actually persuaded Chen Xiong to make a statement and remove the thorn that had been in her imperial father's heart.
Without those hundred thousand iron cavalry, the possibility of the Chen family rebelling was naturally greatly reduced.
Xia Qingyue didn't understand why Chen Qing would do this. Could it be… 'For me?'
'Just because I am his wife?'
Just then, Chen Qing seized the opportunity, extended his hand, and grasped Xia Qingyue's fair, jade-like, soft, and tender hand, "I will never go back on my word for what I promised you, your husband."
"Thank you, husband!" Xia Qingyue did not struggle. This 'husband' sounded more genuine than before.
Chen Qing was not a fool; he could tell from Xia Qingyue's eyes that this move had considerable power.
Unfortunately, the doting-on-wife reward had already been received once and could not be re-obtained.
But for Chen Qing, the deeper Xia Qingyue's feelings for him, the greater the quality and quantity of the rewards would be, so it was not a loss.
"Um, husband, my hand hurts a little, could you…" Xia Qingyue lowered her gaze, looking at Chen Qing's tightly clasped hand.
"Sorry, sorry, I was being reckless," Chen Qing released his hand.
Afterward, the three continued to enjoy dinner. Once Xia Qingyue's bowl had a little less food, Chen Qing would immediately refill it, looking for opportunities to gain another wave of rewards.
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: yanwang needle +20!"
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Third-Grade Heavenly Nourishing Pill +100!"
"Successful in doting on wife! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a random reward: Shadow Puppet +5!"
...
Xia Qingyue also seized the opportunity to hand over the gold, silver, and jewels, which represented her dowry from her imperial father, to Chen Qing through her spatial ring.
In addition to a royal-level mansion and dozens of servants and maids.
Chen Qing, however, stated that there was no rush to move, so as not to leave Chen Xiong alone and lonely in the vast Chen Manor.
"All as husband wishes," For Xia Qingyue, it didn't matter where they lived; it was entirely up to Chen Qing.
Soon after, the family finished dinner. Chen Qing learned from the servants that there would be a lantern festival in the capital tonight and suggested going to see it with Xia Qingyue, taking the opportunity to find chances to dote on his wife.
Xia Qingyue nodded.
Unconsciously, she had already grown accustomed to doing these things with Chen Qing that only partners would do.
***
Chapter 19 Can spiritual power be used like this?
The task of clearing the dishes was left to the servants. After putting down their chopsticks, Chen Qing and Xia Qingyue bid farewell to Chen Xiong and left the Chen Family Mansion together.
The Chen Family Mansion was not far from where the Lantern Festival was held, so the two chose to walk there.
"If my wife feels tired, I can carry you on my back, or in my arms, that works too."
Hearing Chen Qing's words, Xia Qingyue quickly said, "Though I am a princess, I am not that delicate. A few steps like this won't tire me out."
Chen Qing did not insist. If Xia Qingyue agreed, he would profit greatly; if she didn't, he wouldn't lose anything.
Afraid that Chen Qing might misunderstand, Xia Qingyue added, "Of course, I don't mean to dislike you. I just want to tell you that I'm not that fragile."
"I understand."
...
As they continued to walk, the crowd grew denser.
"I didn't expect so many people to attend the Lantern Festival outside the palace." Xia Qingyue knew it would be lively, but she never imagined it would be *this* lively.
At a glance, the crowd was like a swarm of fish crossing a river, densely moving about.
Then, her hand was suddenly grabbed.
Xia Qingyue was startled, her delicate body trembling slightly.
She looked down.
Just as she was about to pull away, she followed the hand with her gaze, and when she saw that the person holding her hand was Chen Qing, she stopped her thought.
Chen Qing spoke in time, "There are many people here. I don't want to lose my wife."
Xia Qingyue softly "hmm"ed, allowing Chen Qing to hold her hand without struggling.
Since it was Chen Qing's kind intention, how could she let him down? Xia Qingyue didn't want to be an ingrate.
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Cultivation increased by five minor Realms!]
Although it wasn't a direct Breakthrough of a major Realm like last time, being able to Break through from the second layer of the Nascent Soul Realm to the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul Realm was still a very good reward for Chen Qing.
After walking for a while longer, the bright glow of lanterns could already be seen in the distance.
Along with it came an increasingly crowded flow of people.
Noticing that someone was about to bump into Xia Qingyue, Chen Qing reached out, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and dominantly pulled her into his embrace, their chests pressed tightly together.
"..." Xia Qingyue leaned against Chen Qing's chest, her fists lightly clenched.
Knowing Chen Qing's reason for doing this, she did not resist, nor did she blame Chen Qing.
Instead of blaming Chen Qing, she inwardly scolded herself for her heart beating faster and faster.
So loud that it filled her ears, almost drowning out the joyous sounds of hundreds of people around them.
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Comprehension Ability +100!]
'One hundred Comprehension Ability?!'
Chen Qing almost couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.
The amount of this reward was much more generous than he had imagined.
He decided that after the Lantern Festival ended, he would find a Cultivation Technique and thoroughly test how high his current Comprehension Ability had become.
Looking at the numerical value alone was not enough to truly reflect it.
"It seems we can't go any further." Xia Qingyue felt a bit regretful. There was still a considerable distance to the best spot for viewing the lanterns.
These folk lanterns were no less impressive than those she saw in the palace, and even grander in scale.
Catching the disappointment on Xia Qingyue's face, Chen Qing reached out again to encircle her waist, thoughtfully reminding her, "Hold on to me."
"Oh." Although she didn't know what Chen Qing intended, Xia Qingyue subconsciously did as he said, pressing her whole body against him and hugging Chen Qing tightly with both hands.
The next moment, Chen Qing stepped forward, directly carrying Xia Qingyue as he soared into the air. With a few leaps, they ascended to the highest pavilion nearby.
"Wife, hold on tight, be careful not to fall." Chen Qing reminded her.
Xia Qingyue didn't have time to reply. At a glance, countless lanterns filled her vision, colorful and breathtakingly beautiful.
From this angle, it was hundreds of times more stunning than before!
"So beautiful!" Xia Qingyue exclaimed.
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: longevity fruit +20!]
Regarding this reward, Chen Qing's thoughts remained unchanged; he planned to exchange them for Magic Treasure from powerful Cultivators in the future, or to build connections.
The closer one was to the end of their life, the more precious Lifespan became!
Chen Qing clearly understood the meaning of the ancient saying: "An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time."
"Immortal! It's an Immortal!"
"Look at them, why can't you do something like that?"
"I would like to, but can you give me a Spiritual Root?"
"Ah, why don't I have such an excellent Dao Companion?"
"Although I can't clearly see the faces of those two, their aura is definitely not that of Mortals!"
...
Everyone was discussing animatedly.
Seeing herself become the object of everyone's envy because of Chen Qing, Xia Qingyue couldn't help but feel a little smug, a bit... proud.
Then, after confirming that Xia Qingyue was standing steadily, Chen Qing decided to turn a bold idea in his mind into reality.
He saw him rotate his hands, condensing a ball of azure spiritual energy.
Once the spiritual energy ball became the size of an orange, Chen Qing shot it a hundred zhang into the sky.
Immediately, with a loud bang, the spiritual energy ball exploded into hundreds of scattered flames, forming a dazzling fireworks display.
Adding much splendor to the Lantern Festival.
Looking up at the brilliant fireworks, Xia Qingyue's thin lips slightly parted. She watched intently, her eyes shimmering.
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Earth Rank Low Grade Moon-Slaying Sword +1!]
After confirming the feasibility of the plan, Chen Qing condensed more spiritual energy balls, each of a different color.
They were successively shot into the sky. The next moment, red, yellow, blue, green, cyan, indigo, purple... various colors of fireworks exploded one after another, filling the night sky.
Breathtakingly beautiful!
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Fifth-Grade Divine Pill +50!]
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Comprehension Ability +200!]
[Successful pampering of wife! Congratulations to the Host for receiving a random reward: Free Attribute Points +100! Note: Free Attribute Points can be added to any attribute by the Host as desired!]
...
The fireworks were a blast to watch, and Chen Qing also reaped a ton of rewards for pampering his wife.
Making some Qi Refining Cultivators exclaim, "Spiritual energy can be used like this?!"
"That's why they can find a Fairy Dao Companion, while you and I can only come to the Lantern Festival alone."
"I learned something! This time, I really learned something!"
"Learned something? With our current cultivation, it's already difficult to create even one such firework. For him to create so many, his cultivation must be at least at the Peak of Golden Core Realm or above!"
"Oh my goodness! Peak of Golden Core Realm! Both powerful and resourceful, such a Dao Companion is truly enviable."
Seeing their Junior Sister admiring Chen Qing, the Senior Brothers from their Sect couldn't help but entertain the idea of becoming Chen Qing's disciples.
How could they not admire a Master who was both powerful and knew how to win a beauty's heart?
If Chen Qing knew their thoughts, he would only reply: "No disciples."
As for the time that followed?
Chen Qing stopped his actions.
It wasn't that he didn't want to continue farming rewards, nor was it because his spiritual energy was depleted. Rather, the remaining spiritual energy had a new purpose.
His gaze instantly became sharp.
His eyes were like knives!
***
Chapter 20: Like coercion?
Yes, that's right, Chen Qing once again detected killing intent directed at him.
After his cultivation reached the seventh level of the Nascent Soul Realm, his perception range became larger and more acute.
After a brief mental sifting, Chen Qing easily guessed the identity of the other party; it was most likely the Second Prince, or rather, the Heaven Feather Sect behind him.
In Chen Qing's view, after the assassination attempt was exposed, the Second Prince would not only not restrain himself, but would instead, due to fears of facing a public trial and retaliation from the Chen family, choose a desperate and extreme path.
And for the Heaven Feather Sect, with an Inner Sect Disciple killed, they, believing themselves to be a powerful Sect, would most likely not swallow this insult.
Of course, Chen Qing also did not rule out the possibility that certain great heroes, wanting to serve the country and its people, sought to eliminate him, the son of a powerful official, in exchange for widespread acclaim and a good reputation after death.
However, this possibility was quickly dismissed by Chen Qing.
The reason was simple: it was not easy for an ordinary force to gather so many Cultivators.
Within his perception range, Chen Qing clearly discerned that there were no fewer than thirty incoming individuals, the weakest of whom had a cultivation at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm, and there were even some at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm.
'To kill me, these people really went to great lengths.'
Chen Qing did not believe the other party could kill him.
The reason was simple: with his background and talent, even without the System, he would undoubtedly be a significant threat as a villain, not to mention his engagement to the fated female lead.
The protagonist hasn't even emerged from seclusion yet, so how could a major villain be eliminated prematurely?
In Chen Qing's eyes, only the protagonist, or a fated female lead like Xia Qingyue, could kill him.
"Someone wants to kill you again?" Raising her gaze, Xia Qingyue deciphered a lot of information from Chen Qing's sharp eyes.
"Oh! You noticed that, wife?" Chen Qing asked in surprise.
"Don't you consider your reputation throughout the Great Wu Dynasty? The entire Imperial Palace probably couldn't hold all the people who want your life," Xia Qingyue rolled her eyes at him.
"What about you? Do you want to kill me?" Chen Qing teased.
"..." Xia Qingyue hesitated. If it had been before her marriage to Chen Qing, she would have given an affirmative answer without hesitation.
But after marrying Chen Qing and understanding his true nature, Xia Qingyue struggled to give an answer.
"If my wife desires this life of mine, your husband can give it to you at any time." Chen Qing took Xia Qingyue's hand and placed it over his heart.
"I'm not a murderer; why would I want your life?" Xia Qingyue withdrew her hand and turned her back.
"My wife can't bear to kill me?" Seeing Xia Qingyue's expression, Chen Qing couldn't help but want to tease her.
Unfortunately, such empty words that couldn't be put into action, in the System's view, couldn't trigger a wife-pampering reward.
Feeling that neither agreeing nor disagreeing was right, Xia Qingyue twisted her body, "Someone wants to kill you, and you're still so improper. I'm ignoring you."
"Just a bunch of petty scoundrels. Watch as your husband resolves them immediately." As soon as Chen Qing finished speaking, under the moonlight, dozens of shadows dispersed from his own shadow and blended into the night.
On the other side.
"Li Elder, when should we make our move? There are quite a few people here. How about we wait until the Lantern Festival ends and ambush them on their way back?" a Disciple asked.
"No! Delays breed trouble. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later; it must be resolved quickly!" Li Elder immediately rejected the Disciple's suggestion.
He knew very well that the higher-ups didn't have that much patience.
Since the Elder had spoken to such an extent, the Disciples couldn't say much more and successively took out their swords and sabers, their faces revealing killing intent.
They completely failed to notice anything amiss with the shadows beneath their feet.
The next moment, before these Heaven Feather Sect Disciples could even act, Shadow Puppets leaped out from the shadows, their palms transforming into blades, pressing against the throats of all the Disciples.
Before they could even react in surprise, their throats were slit, and blood spurted out in streams.
They died in horror!
Watching the dozens of Disciples he had brought being slaughtered in an instant by these inhuman, ghostly figures, Li Elder's heart was filled not only with anger but also with fear.
"You, who exactly are you people! I am an Inner Sect Elder of the Heaven Feather Sect! If anything happens to me, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, the Heaven Feather Sect will pursue you relentlessly, giving you no peace!"
Li Elder tried to intimidate the Shadow Puppets with this, making them understand the stakes involved.
"They are just Puppets. What's the use of telling Puppets all this?" Immediately after, Chen Qing's voice came from above his head.
Li Elder quickly looked up, only then discovering Chen Qing's presence.
His Realm was indeed above Chen Qing's, but he was too nervous to perceive so much.
"Puppets? You made all these?"
Li Elder had initially thought the Sect sending so many accompanying Disciples was making a fuss over nothing; now, it seemed they had sent too few, as they were annihilated in just one encounter.
"Act." Chen Qing had already learned from Li Elder that the mastermind behind all this was indeed inextricably linked to the Heaven Feather Sect, so this person naturally lost his value.
"You want to kill me? It's not that easy! Do you really think this old man is the same as them?!" Li Elder declared, then unleashed the pressure of his Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivation.
In terms of cultivation, it was undeniable that Chen Qing was indeed inferior to him, but Chen Qing had Shadow Puppets, each at the Peak Soul Emergence Realm, completely crushing Li Elder by an entire major Realm.
Likes pressure?
With a thought from Chen Qing, dozens of Shadow Puppets present simultaneously released their pressure.
Boom boom boom!!
Dozens of Peak Soul Emergence Realm pressures, like towering mountains, descended one after another, landing on Li Elder's head.
His knees couldn't hold out for even a moment before bending, crashing heavily to the ground and shattering the bluestone bricks.
"This, this is Soul Emergence Realm! Peak!!"
Li Elder lay prostrate on the ground, feeling a tenfold increase in weight, and with difficulty, he uttered these few words from his mouth.
Having realized the situation, his Battle Intent completely vanished. He never would have imagined that Chen Qing held dozens of Puppets with Peak Soul Emergence Realm strength.
Such combat power was enough to flatten the entire Heaven Feather Sect! Let alone a mere Inner Sect Elder like himself.
Unbeknownst to him, these Shadow Puppets were merely the tip of the iceberg of the tip of the iceberg compared to the actual number of Shadow Puppets Chen Qing controlled; they were simply not worth mentioning.
"Don't, don't kill me, please, I surrender, I admit defeat, I am willing to make a Heavenly Dao vow to henceforth be loyal to you, serving you with all my might, never to betray you!" Facing Chen Qing's absolutely superior strength, Li Elder simply conceded, wanting to pledge allegiance to him.
"I refuse." Chen Qing stated his stance without hesitation.
He hadn't fallen so low as to accept just any random person into his ranks.
Li Elder's potential was clear at a glance, completely devoid of any value.
Secondly, Chen Qing knew how the Heaven Feather Sect's path would unfold; he didn't need Li Elder to guide him.
As he spoke, and with another thought, the Shadow Puppets intensified their pressure.
With a bang, Li Elder's Physical Body was directly crushed until it exploded, tearing into pieces!