The next day.

Lu Qing came running over early in the morning, his eyes slightly red and bloodshot.

Chen Tang asked, "What's wrong with you? Didn't you sleep last night?"

"Sigh, don't mention it."

Lu Qing said, "Quickly continue the story. What happened to Brother Wuji later?"

Ming Yuan and the Du Clan also came over, ready to listen to Chen Tang continue telling the Jianghu story from yesterday.

Chen Tang cleared his throat and started to tell the story, enjoying the process.

As he recounted Zhang Wuji's cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Skill to dissolve the Profound Nether Cold Poison, a cold voice suddenly interrupted, with a hint of hostility.

"I've never heard of any Nine Yang Divine Skill that can dissolve Profound Nether True Qi."

Chen Tang was startled.

It was unclear when the Evil Emperor had arrived at Xiping Temple, and none of those present had noticed!

Lu Qing whispered, "Yesterday, my aunt asked me, so I told her the story once."

Chen Tang felt somewhat helpless; this person's interest was certainly peculiar.

He explained, "This Jianghu is fictional, it's all fake."

"Hmph!"

The Evil Emperor snorted coldly, said no more, but did not leave either.

Chen Tang continued the story.

This story wasn't particularly long, but it took several days to finish it.

Every day, besides Lu Qing, Ming Yuan, and the Du Clan, the Evil Emperor also listened.

A few days later, the story finally concluded.

Ming Yuan, the Du Clan, and Lu Qing were left wanting more.

"His parents were forced to death by the Six Great Sects, yet he doesn't seek revenge. What use is all his martial arts?"

The Evil Emperor was displeased with the protagonist, saying, "Moreover, this person is indecisive and unfaithful, deserving of death!"

After a harsh rebuke, the Evil Emperor left.

Chen Tang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

For those few days with the Evil Emperor listening, he was constantly on edge, fearing that something might go wrong and provoke him into a frenzy.

During those days, the Du Clan cooked for everyone at Xiping Temple every day, buying some cloth from down the mountain to make clothes for Master Kong, Chen Tang, and Lu Qing, each perfectly fitted.

That day, Ming Yuan was preparing to go down the mountain.

"I've been away from the capital for too long, I need to return."

Ming Yuan said to Chen Tang, "If there's a chance, we will meet in the capital. I believe the Court will clear your name, so don't worry or be anxious, my junior brother."

Chen Tang smiled, not taking it to heart, thinking Ming Yuan was just trying to comfort him.

After Ming Yuan and the Du Clan left, Martial General Mountain returned to its solitude, leaving only Chen Tang and Master Le Kong.

Chen Tang didn't hurry to go down the mountain, planning to hide out there a while longer.

A month later.

Chen Tang had made some progress in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture, with nearly half of his blood transformed.

With such cultivation, reaching the Extreme Realm of Sixth Grade was only a matter of time.

Lu Qing would occasionally come to the mountain to chat with Chen Tang.

With guidance from the Evil Emperor, Lu Qing's cultivation advanced rapidly, stepping into the Fifth Grade and beginning to cultivate the Profound Nether Formula.

However, there was still no news of Lu Qianshan and his wife.

The two seemed to have vanished into thin air, neither alive nor dead.

One day.

Chen Tang and Lu Qing were sparring at Xiping Temple when someone came up the mountain.

"Haitang, Qingcheng."

A young man dressed in black with a straight posture and sword-shaped eyebrows holding a large spear in one hand and a jug of fine wine in the other stood at the temple gate, his gaze burning.

"Amazing!"

Lu Qing saw the newcomer and his eyes lit up with surprise.

Lu Qing still called him by his old name.

"Changsun Ming!"

Chen Tang laughed heartily and welcomed him.

Before Changsun Ming could react, he was given a bear hug.

Changsun Ming seemed a bit unaccustomed, but the joy on his face was unmistakable.

Lu Qing also followed Chen Tang's example and hugged him.

Changsun Ming quickly dodged, saying, "Don't do that."

"Hmph, what are you afraid of!"

Lu Qing gnashed his teeth and chased Changsun Ming around the courtyard.

Only after they were both out of breath did they stop.

"Qingcheng, I'm sorry, for what happened before I..."

Seeing Lu Qing, Changsun Ming remembered his inability to help that day at Mist Rain Village, still feeling guilty.

"Why say that? I'm not blaming you."

Lu Qing didn't care, opening the seal and drinking directly from the bottle before passing it to Changsun Ming.

Changsun Ming hesitated briefly but took it, drank a mouthful, and handed it to Chen Tang.

Chen Tang quickly took it, swallowing it all in one gulp.

After being at Xiping Temple for so long without a drop of alcohol, he'd been craving it eagerly.

Lu Qing asked, "What made you think to find us?"

"I have some good news for you."

Changsun Ming said, "You all likely don't know up here on the mountain, but the Ghost Mother issue has alarmed His Holiness. By the Emperor's personal order, the Qilin Bureau was instructed to reevaluate the case, and many people were arrested, including some Mystic Masters from the Profound Celestial Temple in Bingzhou City!"

"Moreover, His Holiness has already pardoned you all."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang was greatly surprised.

The Court had actually reopened the Ghost Mother case and pardoned them?

It should be noted that this incident had caused quite a stir, involving multiple forces.

Changsun Ming said, "The current Emperor, young and wise, endured great pressure to reevaluate the Ghost Mother case. It's said that even the ten elders of the Profound Celestial Sect and a Protector were summoned to the palace to meet with him, almost causing a dispute at the court, nearly escalating to violence!"

"What a commotion!"

Chen Tang was secretly shocked.

Changsun Ming said, "Heigou also played a significant role. After all, he is Prince Wei and a party to the incident, able to testify, and no one could move against him."

Chen Tang understood.

No doubt, the current Emperor made a big fuss because of Yuan Qingmo's connection, reopening the Ghost Mother case.

After all, this matter concerned the Royal Family's dignity.

It also served as an opportunity to demonstrate authority and warn various forces.

"Even I've been pardoned?"

Lu Qing found it hard to believe.

Changsun Ming nodded, "That's precisely what I admire about His Holiness; he not only pardoned you but also your parents, without further pursuit."

"Is the Emperor really so gracious?"

Lu Qing still harbored some suspicion, "Could it be a trap?"

"No."

Changsun Ming replied, "The Emperor has proclaimed it to the world, so he will not go back on his word."

Chen Tang nodded inwardly.

This was indeed remarkable, pardoning the descendants of the previous dynasty's emperor required great magnanimity and courage.

Chen Tang's mind stirred, and he suddenly asked, "What is the Qilin Bureau?"

He had only heard of the Four Symbols Bureau.

Changsun Ming explained, "It's something that happened recently. The Emperor established the Qilin Bureau, which reports directly to the Emperor, its duties possibly surpassing those of the Four Symbols Bureau!"

"By the way, Heigou is now employed in the Qilin Bureau with a high position, second only to the Qilin Lord."

After a brief pause, Changsun Ming said, "Ultimately, the Qilin Lord resolved the Ghost Mother case after overcoming much opposition! In the span of a month, who knows how many heads rolled, the implications were widespread!"

"Besides the Profound Celestial Sect, even Bingzhou City, and the Cyan Dragon Bureau had people beheaded, shaking the Court!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.