Chu Jiaohong leaned back in the master's chair, gazing at the Eight Mystic Chaos Heaven Array enveloping the villa, a trace of confusion appearing between her brows as if she were pondering something.
Beside her, the tall Granny Lu had not spoken a single word from beginning to end, remaining bowed and standing respectfully by Chu Jiaohong's side.
Opposite them, Wei Lao, Tang Manqing, and Lin Xiang'er also stood obediently. At this moment, Tang Manqing was no longer disguised, having restored her true appearance. Her delicate, beautiful face was revealed, and set against the backdrop of a black male-style robe, she appeared particularly dashing.
Just then.
A commotion arose from outside. Wei Lao was the first to release his divine sense to investigate, then said softly, "Sister Hong, it seems people from the Immortal Office have arrived."
"Mm, I know. Go handle it."
Hearing that the Immortal Office had sent people, Chu Jiaohong showed no significant reaction, speaking indifferently, "Also, I don't wish to receive guests now. I don't want to see anyone."
"Yes."
Wei Lao thought for a moment, then asked, "If the Immortal Office presses for the whereabouts of that man surnamed Gu..."
"Just tell them the truth."
"But if we tell them the truth...
They probably won't believe it."
To be honest, if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Wei Lao wouldn't believe that Gu Qingfeng could have silently entered the Grand Tutor's Villa and then left without a trace. Even he, an eyewitness, felt this way. If they told the Immortal Office the truth, they certainly wouldn't believe it either.
"Whether they believe it or not is their business. It has nothing to do with me."
Wei Lao nodded, indicating he understood, then asked, "What about his identity? Should we inform them?"
"Identity?
What identity?"
"His identity as the Chiyan Young Master Gu Qingfeng."
"Can you confirm he is that Chiyan Young Master Gu Qingfeng?"
"This..." Wei Lao could not confirm it, at least not with one hundred percent certainty. After all, he neither knew Gu Qingfeng nor had ever met him.
"If even you cannot confirm it, why tell others? Moreover, Yanluo Kingdom is already chaotic enough, with undercurrents growing stronger. If you tell the Immortal Office he is the Chiyan Young Master who killed dozens of Immortal Dynasty nobles nine years ago, within three days, Yanluo Kingdom will surely descend into chaos. Then how will we conduct our business?"
Wei Lao's heart skipped a beat. He said nothing more and immediately took his leave.
After he departed, Tang Manqing and Lin Xiang'er seemed to sense that Chu Jiaohong was not in the best mood and were about to excuse themselves when Chu Jiaohong's voice came.
"Manqing, little sister, didn't you have something to discuss with me today?"
Perhaps the events of the day had been too shocking for Tang Manqing, causing her to forget the purpose of her visit. Hearing Chu Jiaohong's reminder, she remembered she had come today on important business. However, with such a major incident occurring at Linglong Mountain Villa and Sister Hong clearly not in a good mood, Tang Manqing wasn't sure if she should speak now.
"Good sister, if you have something to say, just say it."
Chu Jiaohong seemed to see through Tang Manqing's thoughts, smiling slightly, "The crippled Peng Jia, I don't know him. His life or death holds no interest for me. As for the people from the Immortal Office outside, you needn't worry. They wouldn't dare cause trouble in the villa. Steward Wei is enough to deal with them."
At this moment, Chu Jiaohong appeared somewhat languid, reclining lazily in the master's chair, one hand lightly supporting her cheek. She looked like a dignified and elegant empress, a charming smile playing on her lips as she said, "As for that monarch who caused trouble in the villa, hehe...
No matter who he is, he cannot escape my grasp. It's only a matter of time. So...
If you have questions, just ask. I've said before, there's no need for formality between us."
With Sister Hong having spoken to this extent, Tang Manqing hesitated no longer and said, "Sister Hong, I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Oh?
Really?
Very well, ask away."
"Is the Yan Yue Ruins truly important to the Immortal Dynasty, or is the Immortal Dynasty using the Yan Yue Ruins to test our Yanluo Royal Family?"
"You're asking about this...
Both, I suppose. The Yan Yue Ruins are, after all, a relic from the Dark Age of the ancient era. They may contain the true history of that Dark Age, and the events that occurred during that period are things the Immortal Dynasty does not wish to be revealed to the world. Therefore, the Immortal Dynasty will certainly seize the Yan Yue Ruins."
"As for the Immortal Dynasty using the Yan Yue Ruins to test your Yanluo Royal Family, that's also correct. The Immortal Dynasty's ambitions have always been vast, and as their foundation grows more stable, those ambitions will only expand. Having learned from the lessons of the ancient era, the Immortal Dynasty of the current era will gradually seek to completely dominate this world. They do not wish to see another Lord Chixiao emerge."
Although she had mentally prepared herself and harbored such suspicions, hearing Sister Hong say this still left Tang Manqing somewhat unable to bear it. Her expression gradually darkened, her eyes filled with worry as she murmured, "In that case, does this mean our Yanluo Royal Family is doomed this time..."
"Silly girl, don't think such nonsense. The Immortal Dynasty is indeed powerful, but they wouldn't dare openly move against your Yanluo Royal Family. Why was the Immortal Dynasty of the ancient era overthrown? It wasn't because of Lord Chixiao. Even without Lord Chixiao, others would have emerged. Ultimately, it was because the Immortal Dynasty was autocratic, tyrannical, lost the people's support, and brought about its own destruction. This time, they've grown wiser. They won't be autocratic or tyrannical. If they were to eliminate your Yanluo Royal Family and replace it, they would undoubtedly tread the same old path as in the ancient era. The Immortal Dynasty of the current era isn't that foolish, and the people of the world in this era are not so easily dealt with. Moreover..."
Changing the subject, Chu Jiaohong continued softly, "Your Yanluo Royal Family has been passed down for so long. How could the Immortal Dynasty think they can destroy it so easily? Even if you descendants were willing, your ancestors wouldn't agree."
"Ancestors?"
Tang Manqing raised her willow-like eyebrows slightly, seemingly puzzled.
"Your Yanluo Royal Family has produced outstanding talents generation after generation. Although some have disappeared and others have departed, that's all it is. Whether they disappeared or left doesn't signify anything. Otherwise, what do you think the Immortal Dynasty is testing by probing your Yanluo Royal Family?"
"Sister Hong, do you mean...
Our Yanluo Royal Family's ancestors are still alive? Is that the reason for the Immortal Dynasty's probing this time?"
"Of course."
Hearing Chu Jiaohong's affirmative reply, Tang Manqing was deeply shocked. In her impression, the ancestors of her Yanluo Royal Family had long been missing without a trace. There might have been hope before, but with the ancient cataclysm, even the Heavenly Realm collapsed, and many immortals perished in the disaster. How many of the Yanluo Royal Family's ancestors could have survived such a calamity?
"As for the others in your Yanluo Royal Family, I dare not say. However, I know there is one person in your Yanluo Royal Family who is still alive and has been silently guarding the family. As long as she exists, your Yanluo Royal Family faces no great danger."
"Sister Hong, who is this person you speak of?"
"Don't ask. Even if you ask, I won't tell you. You'll naturally find out when the time comes..."