Chen Yuan chuckled, "This is really coming out of the water!"

"Yan Shu..."

His attention was naturally not on the water pouch, but on Shen Yanshu. She was the first woman he had obtained in this world, and he felt a completely different connection with her.

Hearing Chen Yuan's call, Shen Yanshu no longer bothered with the spiritual liquid in the water pouch. Instead, she put it down and quickly walked over, her face overflowing with surprise.

Their last meeting had been long ago, and Shen Yanshu had been constantly concerned about Chen Yuan, thinking of him all the time. These thoughts burst forth the moment she saw Chen Yuan.

If Yu Qingyan wasn't present, Shen Yanshu would have thrown caution to the wind and rushed forward.

"You... what have you been busy with lately?"

"I went..."

Chen Yuan chuckled and said a few words, not deliberately lying, but he still concealed a lot. The point that Shen Yanshu was concerned about wasn't really that; she just wanted to talk to Chen Yuan.

After chatting for a while, Yu Qingyan felt a bit redundant watching the two of them gazing at each other affectionately. She was about to say something and leave, but Shen Yanshu was a clever woman.

She could tell that Chen Yuan and Yu Qingyan were discussing something, and since he had appeared in front of Yu Qingyan, it must be an important matter. Before Yu Qingyan could speak, she quickly said, "Yuan Lang, you continue to talk to Senior Sister. I'll go tell Sister Xu that you're back."

After speaking, she even winked at Yu Qingyan, a mysterious smile in her eyes that made Yu Qingyan feel awkward, especially after Chen Yuan mentioned wanting to extract the Taiyin Qi. She felt even more uncomfortable.

"Go ahead."

Chen Yuan smiled and gently stroked Shen Yanshu's hair.

Shen Yanshu came and went quickly, as if she had only come out to interrupt their conversation. In the end, she even thoughtfully closed the courtyard door for them. Chen Yuan liked her sensibility.

"What did the fairy just say?"

After Shen Yanshu left, Chen Yuan brought up the topic from before again.

Yu Qingyan was momentarily speechless. She pursed her lips, looked away from Chen Yuan, and said after a moment of silence, "Taiyin Qi... do you have another way to extract it?"

"Another way?"

Chen Yuan frowned, somewhat puzzled.

He only knew that the Taiyin body was very mysterious, possessing a Qi similar to the Phoenix Marrow Spiritual Body's Phoenix Marrow Qi, which could help cultivators. However, the difference in their cultivation levels was too great.

It might be useful, but probably not very much.

Therefore, he hadn't bothered to learn the specifics.

"You don't know?"

Yu Qingyan looked at Chen Yuan's suspicious expression and frowned as well.

"Should I know?"

Chen Yuan countered.

Yu Qingyan: "..."

Seeing that Chen Yuan seemed to be genuinely unaware of this, her suspicion grew. How could he know that she possessed the Taiyin spiritual body but not know the method of extraction?

After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Ancient texts state that to extract the Taiyin Qi, one needs to cultivate... But I am a virgin. Although you have been kind to me, I don't want to repay that kindness in that way.

If you have another way to extract it, I can repay this favor..."

"And if I don't?"

"Then... naturally not."

Yu Qingyan replied immediately and seriously, without hesitation.

Chen Yuan nodded and then asked, "Fairy, do you follow your mother's surname?"

"What do you mean?"

She was just talking about the Taiyin body, and suddenly he was asking if she followed her mother's surname. Yu Qingyan couldn't quite process this.

"It's just a simple question."

"Who told you?"

Yu Qingyan suddenly realized that she seemed to have no secrets in front of Chen Yuan. He not only knew that she possessed the Taiyin body but also that she followed her mother's surname.

Was Chen Yuan investigating her?

Why?

Did he really want to bring her into his household?

Thinking of this, a hint of avoidance flashed in Yu Qingyan's eyes, filled with hesitation. For a moment, her body seemed to stiffen.

"Your father told me."

Chen Yuan was direct.

There was no point in beating around the bush. Second Uncle Chen Huaiyi's intention was clear: he wanted him to marry Yu Qingyan and take care of her in place of her father.

Chen Yuan didn't object to this, but first, he had to let Yu Qingyan know the truth and let her choose for herself.

If she agreed, that would be best, but if she didn't, it wouldn't matter. Chen Yuan was willing to regard her as his older cousin and wouldn't have any other thoughts.

He already had a handful of women by his side, not too many, but certainly not few either. He didn't really have much desire to add to them.

He was fond of women – no, to be precise, no man disliked them. If they did, it was probably because they weren't up to it. But since embarking on the path of martial arts, he had resolved to pursue the pinnacle of martial arts. Therefore, he didn't have too many of those kinds of distractions.

"You... you're talking nonsense."

Hearing the word "father," a flash of panic instantly crossed Yu Qingyan's eyes, along with intense anger. She couldn't maintain her composure at all. If people knew that the usually serene Yu Fairy was now like this, they would be greatly shocked.

"Does Fairy Yu think I'm a liar?"

"He's been dead for a long time."

Yu Qingyan took a deep breath.

"If that's the case, then forget it." Yu Qingyan's reaction was so strong that Chen Yuan temporarily suppressed his original intention to be honest. It would be fine to just be ordinary, innocent cousins.

Then, Chen Yuan greeted her and prepared to leave.

Watching him walk away, Yu Qingyan's eyes were filled with struggle. Just as Chen Yuan was about to push open the courtyard door, she asked in a low voice, "Have you seen him?"

Chen Yuan stopped and turned to look at Yu Qingyan.

"Yes."

"Was it he who told you that I possess the Taiyin body?"

"Yes."

"Was it he who told you that I follow my mother's surname?"

"Yes."

Yu Qingyan was silent for a moment.

"Where is he now?"

"His current situation isn't good, and he instructed me not to tell you his whereabouts for now. When he's finished with his business, he will come to see you."

Chen Yuan said softly.

"Anything else?"

"He also said, 'I'm sorry to you and your mother.'"

"Heh..." Yu Qingyan sneered.

"Now he knows how to repent. What was he doing earlier?"

"I can only tell you that he had his reasons. He had no choice but to leave at the time. He originally planned to take you with him after resolving some matters, but he received news of your mother's death.

Over the years, he has been regretting it and is afraid to see you. He doesn't know how to explain it to you, so he could only find a way to send you to the Goddess Palace... This is your family matter, and Chen will not say more. Fairy Yu can judge for herself."

Chen Yuan wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business. After all, it hadn't happened to him personally. However, Chen Huaiyi was, after all, his blood-related uncle.

If there was an opportunity for him to reconcile the father and daughter, he would be happy to see it happen.

He used to think he was alone, but he didn't really have any other emotions. However, he later discovered that he was even more miserable than being alone.

His mother had supposedly died at his father's hands, and his father also wanted to extract his bloodline and turn him into a cripple.

Therefore, he wouldn't count on the Xiang family. He would take revenge when he saw them in the future and reverse-extract their bloodlines for his own use. Currently, the only person he could say he had a blood relationship with and was close to was Chen Huaiyi.

As long as the other party didn't have any malicious intentions towards him, Chen Yuan was willing to acknowledge this second uncle.

Yu Qingyan's face was icy cold, and she didn't say a word. She undoubtedly felt some hatred towards the father who had abandoned her and her mother when she was young.

But more than that, she felt a sense of dependence. She always remembered the small mountain village of the past, the swing that her father had built. She would sit on it and play, while her mother would laugh beside her.

She thought she was the happiest person in the world, but the accident came too quickly. The father who loved her the most left the place, leaving behind a letter.

Her mother's death happened within a year, causing great damage to her young heart. It could be said that the reason she was so focused on cultivation was so that one day she could find that unfaithful father.

However, his whereabouts were like a stone sinking into the sea. Even the Goddess Palace of the immortal sect couldn't find him. She had almost given up on the idea, but unexpectedly, she learned of the news from Chen Yuan.

For a moment, a hundred emotions intertwined in her heart.

"Why did he tell you about the Taiyin body? Where did you meet him?" Yu Qingyan was very curious and hoped that Chen Yuan could answer her questions.

Chen Yuan shook his head, "I can't tell you the location. When the time is right, he will come to see you himself. As for why he told me... Your father thinks I'm reliable and wants me to marry you."

"What?"

Yu Qingyan's eyes suddenly widened, filled with disbelief.

That unfaithful father actually betrothed her to Chen Yuan?

Impossible!

Absolutely not!

"You don't believe me?" Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"I don't believe you! Impossible! Moreover, I won't listen to him. He abandoned me, and now he wants to betroth me to someone. What does he take me for? Merchandise?"

Yu Qingyan was greatly angered by Chen Yuan's directness.

"Also, why would he think you're reliable? Did you say something?" Yu Qingyan quickly thought of this and felt that Chen Yuan had some bad intentions towards her.

Perhaps he had deliberately misled that guy.

"Because..." Chen Yuan leaned in slightly and whispered, "Your father is my second uncle."

Yu Qingyan: "???"

She immediately looked at Chen Yuan with an expression that said, 'Are you kidding me?'

Her father was Chen Yuan's uncle?

How was that possible!

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Also, if her father was Chen Yuan's uncle, then wouldn't she be Chen Yuan's cousin?

Chen Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air and said in a deep voice, "I haven't told you about my background, and your father hasn't mentioned it either. In fact, he is the second young master of the Chen family, the great general of the former Chu. And my mother is his younger sister. Back then, he was seriously injured by the imperial court and almost died. He had to fake his death to escape the pursuit of others. Later, after his injuries recovered somewhat, he wanted to find out about my mother's whereabouts.

It was during this process that he met your mother and had you..."

Chen Yuan told Yu Qingyan everything he could, not afraid that she would use it against him. First, Yu Qingyan wasn't that kind of person, and second, even if this kind of thing were said, few would believe it.

Besides, he already had the strength to protect himself, so there was no need to be so cautious.

"What you said... is it true?"

Yu Qingyan looked at Chen Yuan suspiciously and asked.

"Do you think I would joke about something like this?" Chen Yuan stared at her.

"This..."

"Cousin, what do you think of my second uncle's proposal?"

"What proposal?"

"That thing just now..."

A blush flashed across Yu Qingyan's face, and she quickly retorted, "Of course not. I'm in charge of my own affairs. What he says doesn't count. Also, even if what you said is true, in the future... don't call me cousin."

"Why not?"

"Awkward..."

She couldn't accept it in a short period. A guy she originally had a slight liking for suddenly became her younger cousin. It was too sudden, and she wasn't prepared at all.

"Okay, since you said so, cousin, I'll naturally listen to you."

"Yes."

"Also, don't reveal anything about my background to anyone. This matter is of great importance."

"I know the stakes."

Since Chen Yuan was involved with the former dynasty, if the imperial court found out, it would inevitably bring about unpredictable consequences. She wasn't someone who couldn't tell right from wrong, so she naturally understood.

"Also, cousin, please consider the marriage matter carefully. If you really don't want to, that's fine too."

"Let's put that aside for now. I just told you not to call me cousin."

"Okay, cousin, I'll remember!"

"Chen Yuan, are you doing this on purpose?"

Yu Qingyan glared at Chen Yuan. This was definitely deliberate.

"Of course not, cousin. How could I possibly be doing this on purpose?" Seeing Yu Qingyan, who was originally so aloof, react so strongly, Chen Yuan suddenly wanted to tease her.

He hadn't spoken to anyone for more than half a month, so he couldn't help but open his mouth.

"You..."

"Okay, I'm going back first, cousin."

*Swish!*

Yu Qingyan slightly drew her sword and glared at Chen Yuan.

"Cousin... calm down!"

......

......

After teasing Yu Qingyan for a while, Chen Yuan basically understood her attitude. She had complex feelings towards her second uncle, Chen Huaiyi. Not only did she hate him, but she also missed him. She repeatedly inquired about his situation indirectly.

As for the marriage matter, her reaction seemed strong, but in reality, it wasn't. She was clearly somewhat moved but seemed to be concerned about something, so she hadn't agreed.

Seeing this, Chen Yuan didn't push her too hard. After chatting for a few words, he got up to leave and let her think it through before making a decision.

After leaving Yu Qingyan, Chen Yuan quickly found Madam Xu.

"Finished chatting?"

Madam Xu asked him with a meaningful look.

"Finished."

"When will Qingyan join the family?"

"???" Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment.

"It's too early for that. Tell me about the recent situation."

Seeing that Chen Yuan was serious, Madam Xu didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she told Chen Yuan about some recent changes, mentioning the earthquake at Tangshan not long ago.

Some people had also seen black clouds gathering in the depths of the mountains, accompanied by thunder.

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Minimize the impact of this matter. I was cultivating."

"Okay, I understand." Madam Xu immediately understood.

After saying this, she talked about the affairs of the Bright Temple. After half a month of investigation, Lu Renyi had thoroughly searched the Bright Temple.

He had brought back a lot of resources, and after deducting the rewards, the rest had entered the treasury of Tangshan Prefecture.

It wasn't an instant fortune, but it greatly relieved the pressure.

The Yuancrystal mine in Xue Province was also progressing steadily. The first batch of Yuancrystals had already been sent to Tangshan, and there would only be more and more in the future. It could support the consumption of expanding the army by 100,000 iron cavalry.

It could be said that everything was growing rapidly.

Lu Renyi, as a golden envoy from Shu Province, originally had a high position, but he kept a low profile in front of Madam Xu. After Madam Xu said that Chen Yuan had other important matters to attend to, he very actively stopped asking and returned to Shu Province to perform his duties as a golden envoy.

"This person is indeed a wonderful person."

Chen Yuan nodded and smiled as he listened to Madam Xu's evaluation.

"Moreover, Golden Envoy Lu also brought news that the matter of destroying the Bright Temple had been reported to the emperor by National Teacher Puxian."

"What was Jingtai's reaction?"

"A six-month salary deduction."

Chen Yuan nodded. The loss wasn't great, and he could accept it. He never relied on his salary to eat. To be precise, except for a few incorruptible officials, almost no one in the court relied on their salary to eat.

How much was that anyway?

How could they afford concubines or curry favor with superiors?

Officials with real power and influence had plenty of ways to make money.

"However, although he deducted your salary for half a year, the emperor also issued an imperial edict, allowing you to keep the spoils from the Bright Temple yourself. This time, there is no need to hand them over."

Chen Yuan smiled. He had never intended to hand them over from the beginning.

Once Su Ziyue's matter was over, he would inevitably create a big commotion in the south. If he handed over half of the spoils to Jingtai, wouldn't he be wasting his time?

He was going to rebel!

That would be no different from providing resources to the enemy.

"Anything else?"

"Yes. Liangshan and the Seven Kill Hall in Xue Province... the plague in You Province in the north... Lanzhou in the west... overseas... and in the south, it is said that there are many demon clans... the imperial court is raising taxes..."

Madam Xu told Chen Yuan all the information she had collected.

After listening, Chen Yuan only had one thought in his mind.

The various forces in the world were about to lose their patience. The Central Plains, which had been peaceful for more than 200 years, would once again usher in a major reshuffle. Whoever could take the initiative would get the most benefits!

And this was exactly what Chen Yuan wanted.

If only he was causing trouble, the imperial court would definitely gather all its forces to besiege him. But if there were wars everywhere, he could rise up in the chaos.

For him, chaos in the world was definitely a good opportunity!

He had to improve his strength and expand his power as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would miss the good opportunities.

The various forces in the world were ready to make a move and erode the foundation of the imperial court. Chen Yuan estimated that, based on the current situation, the human world would be in chaos in at most two or three years.

Or even sooner if there were accidents!

He didn't have much time left!

As for Jingtai, he seemed to be confused. He dared to raise taxes at this time, which was simply courting death. However, the more it was like this, the more beneficial it was for Chen Yuan.

When he rebelled in the future, he would have another reason!

The foolish emperor Jingtai was tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and extorted taxes, treating the people like grass... Heh...

A smile involuntarily crept onto Chen Yuan's lips.

It was getting closer and closer...

——————

Seeking monthly tickets! The big scene is finally coming soon!