"Your subordinate knows that you, my lord, have a taste for the extraordinary. In fact, I am the same way. I don't like those immature young women. As it happens, I have a beautiful woman in my mansion, though she's past thirty, she still possesses a captivating charm. I would like to offer her to you..."

Chen Yuan: "???"

He was surprised, truly surprised!

How could these false rumors have spread all the way to the northern Liang Province? It makes it sound like he really has a thing for married women.

Slander, this is pure slander!

Good news never leaves the gate, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

He does things with integrity and lives a pure life. This is a complete insult to his character!

Looking at Feng Jiuying's expectant gaze, Chen Yuan pondered for a moment and said:

"Envoy Feng, I believe you've misunderstood something. Chen's character has always been averse to carnal pleasures, and focused solely on the pursuit of the Dao. Don't ever mention such things again."

Feng Jiuying was stunned. What was going on?

Could he really have been mistaken?

Perhaps Chen Yuan's tastes are completely different from his own?

That shouldn't be the case. Some rumors might be false, but he's done thorough investigations. It's said that in Chen Yuan's previous posting, he's still keeping a Shu Prefecture beauty.

Right, he must have been too direct.

Feng Jiuying quickly realized where he had gone wrong.

Chen Yuan is a well-known figure in the Jianghu, he cares about his reputation. How could he discuss such things so bluntly? He should have invited him to his mansion first, and after a few rounds of drinks and courses, have his concubine "accidentally" encounter him.

Ideally, she'd "accidentally" fall into Chen Yuan's arms...

Wouldn't that make it a natural progression?

Thinking this, Feng Jiuying quickly apologized:

"You are right, my lord. This subordinate was presumptuous and should not have spoken such words, judging a gentleman's heart with a petty person's mind. As an apology, may I invite you to my mansion tonight?

You have been living in the South for a long time, and what you eat and use are different from the North. Why not sample some of our cuisine at my mansion? Also, this subordinate has some important matters to report to you."

Chen Yuan tapped his fingers on the table, quickly realizing that Feng Jiuying was probably still talking about that matter, but in a more subtle way now.

If it weren't for that earlier remark, Chen Yuan might have actually accepted the invitation. But now, of course, he would refuse!

He didn't come to Liang Province for women.

How could he agree to Feng Jiuying's invitation?

Besides, the real intentions behind Feng Jiuying's words are still unknown. He can't let him lead him by the nose. He immediately rejected Feng Jiuying's invitation,

and told him that he had no free time these days, and they could talk about drinking and merrymaking when he was free.

Hearing this, Feng Jiuying was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't deepen his relationship with Chen Yuan, but he didn't show it. After all, there would be future opportunities.

He then forced a smile and agreed.

After chatting about some matters in the capital, Feng Jiuying saw that Chen Yuan was already becoming impatient, and quickly retreated with tact.

After Feng Jiuying left, Chen Yuan intended to ponder over some of the matters below, but only a quarter of an hour passed before another report came from outside.

Huangfu Qi had also arrived...

Chen Yuan thought about it and decided to meet with this person, but he had already guessed the other party's intentions. They must have the same idea as Feng Jiuying.

Since he couldn't stop them, he would wholeheartedly cater to them.

"Your subordinate, Huangfu Qi, greets Lord Chen."

Huangfu Qi had also changed into official attire. Compared to Feng Jiuying, his strength was slightly greater, so his injuries were lighter, and he seemed to be full of energy.

However, if one sensed carefully, one could still detect some weakness.

"Envoy Huangfu, you are too kind. Please, sit."

Chen Yuan treated Huangfu Qi the same way he treated Feng Jiuying. Although Feng Jiuying had revealed in his words that Huangfu Qi had been somewhat disrespectful to him,

who knew the truth?

Even if Feng Jiuying didn't say anything on the surface, who knows what he was thinking in his heart? Chen Yuan always maintained a sense of vigilance towards both of them.

Sipping the spiritual tea that Chen Yuan offered, Huangfu Qi's eyes were deep. He had come here in a hurry today because the Sky Survey Division's informants had told him that Feng Jiuying had come.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come, considering his seniority.

But if Feng Jiuying formed an alliance with Chen Yuan, and the two of them joined forces to deal with him, then he would be in great danger. So, after finishing the spiritual tea, he expressed his loyalty to Chen Yuan.

The general meaning was similar to Feng Jiuying, but more direct.

Chen Yuan smiled and looked at Huangfu Qi, saying, "Since Envoy Huangfu is so sincere, then I will also say something from the bottom of my heart. As long as you cooperate with me, and when I leave Liang Province,

I will definitely recommend you to become the Liang Province Envoy. You and I should work together with all our might in the future, to jointly guard Liang Province for the imperial court."

Except for the change of names, the sentence was almost exactly the same. Chen Yuan answered Huangfu Qi in the same way he answered Feng Jiuying.

In the Sky Survey Division, Chen Yuan had learned a trick or two from Gu Tianqiong, promising empty rewards.

As for when he leaves, if these two are sensible, then he might as well report both of their names. In this way, he can give an explanation to the higher-ups.

Let Gu Tianqiong think that he, Chen Yuan, didn't form factions...

Sure enough, hearing Chen Yuan's promise, Huangfu Qi was somewhat excited. He felt that he had been a little too disrespectful to Chen Yuan before, so he quickly continued to express his loyalty.

Although he was the Liang Province Envoy before, his mentality had changed a lot during the half a year that Feng Jiuying had been vying for power with him, especially after Chen Yuan easily defeated the two of them.

He no longer held any hope for the position of Liang Province Envoy.

He could only blame himself for offending the Young Master of Northern Liang and falsely reporting it to the capital, wanting the imperial court to put pressure on the King of Northern Liang, but in the end, he tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead.

The higher-ups felt that he was ineffective, so they directly sent another Envoy.

It was one wrong step after another...

After sending Huangfu Qi away, the smile on Chen Yuan's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of indifference.

......

......

The next few days passed quickly. Huangfu Qi and Feng Jiuying were recuperating from their injuries at home, while Chen Yuan took advantage of these days to thoroughly understand their spheres of influence,

and used the method of divide and conquer to win over a group of people to pledge allegiance to him. There might be some turncoats among them, but he didn't care, as long as they obeyed his orders.

This was well understood by Huangfu Qi and Feng Jiuying.

If it had been before, they might have reacted, but after Chen Yuan's promise of empty rewards to them earlier, they simply sat back and watched it all happen.

After all, Chen Yuan, as the Envoy, would inevitably take action.

Even if it was a little more intense, it didn't matter.

Anyway, they felt that a person like Chen Yuan probably wouldn't stay in Liang Province for too long. After he left, if they were to report through his hands, they would definitely be able to rise to the top.

And this was exactly what Chen Yuan wanted.

At the same time, during these few days, what he was doing in Liang Province also reached the capital. After reading the information, Gu Tianqiong still approved of Chen Yuan.

He felt that the Emperor's vision was not wrong, and Chen Yuan's ability to handle affairs was indeed good.

Although his token had contributed, it was not enough for Chen Yuan to quickly gain a foothold. He now even wanted to see Chen Yuan catch the remnants of the former dynasty in the fastest time possible.

At that time, after accumulating some qualifications, he would let Chen Yuan serve as a Divine Envoy of the Sky Survey Division when his cultivation advanced to the Transformation Yang stage, and this was also the Emperor's intention.

Gradually cultivate Chen Yuan into a sharp blade of the imperial court, which can be used to sweep away some of the ills within the imperial court, and even the troubles in the surrounding states.

If his cultivation is always so fast, then continue to increase his training.

If there is no improvement in the future, or even stagnation, then use him to quell some people's dissatisfaction with the imperial court...

In addition to the imperial court, because of that battle, Chen Yuan was completely spread throughout the Jianghu, especially in the northern Jianghu. Warriors from Bing Province, You Province, and Liang Province all knew that the famous Jianghu ruthless person Chen Yuan had arrived.

And as soon as he came, he was not calm, sweeping the Sky Survey Division in one day, and defeating two Heavenly Pill Envoys in ten breaths. His fame could not be said to be anything but great!

Originally, the impact of this matter was only limited to the northern provinces, but because the Tower of Ascending Immortals intervened, Chen Yuan can be said to have set off another storm in the Jianghu.

After evaluation, the Tower of Ascending Immortals directly ranked Chen Yuan sixth on the List of Rising Talents!

This ranking is not low, and can even be said to be high.

Before, Jiang He had fought against Gu Chun, the elder of the Qingyun Sword Sect, Xiao Yunsheng, the sect master, and a Transformation Yang avatar of the Transformation Yang ancestor Qingyunzi in Qing Province for Chen Yuan, and remained undefeated, but was only ranked seventh.

Sixth on the List of Rising Talents. This ranking caused quite a stir, even a huge one. Like the front ranks of this kind of regional list, every change will attract a lot of attention.

Not to mention Chen Yuan, who was already a topic of discussion.

And the points that everyone focused on were that Chen Yuan directly skipped more than ten ranks, and the other was Chen Yuan's age.

Such things as soaring rankings are not common, but Chen Yuan soared every time, almost like crazy, coming once every so often.

It really made many people not know what to say.

Then think about Chen Yuan's current age, and only half a year has passed since the last Tower of Ascending Immortals Battle. Zuo Chengzong, who was once ranked first, is now barely on the List of Rising Talents.

Just this point alone is enough to show Chen Yuan's terror!

And there are more and more legends in the Jianghu saying that Chen Yuan is suppressing an era.

Before, Zuo Chengzong, Wei Wuque, Bai Changqing and others praised it, but now, it has been recognized by the vast majority of people. They are even thinking, is it possible that next time, Chen Yuan can directly ascend to the top of the List of Rising Talents?

Directly suppressing Qin Tianxi below!

This guess is a bit outrageous, but unexpectedly, there are many people who believe this.

This time, the commotion caused was something that even Chen Yuan did not expect. He originally treated it with a normal heart, thinking that it would only attract some attention.

He didn't expect it to cause a chain reaction at all.

Suppressing an era!

They really think highly of him.

Even the other Taoist masters of the Taoist Divine Palace took the initiative to contact Chen Yuan, congratulating him and learning about some of his recent situation, such as... when did he break through to the Heavenly Pill stage?

This is something Chen Yuan has never revealed.

This was also the first time they learned about it, and they were really shocked.

They even felt that Chen Yuan, this rising star, was not far from catching up with and even surpassing them.

They couldn't help but sigh at the impermanence of the world.

Chen Yuan is a more perverted evildoer than Jiang He.

In response, Jiang He came out and said that he had known that Chen Yuan had broken through for a long time, which made the other Taoist masters of the Taoist Divine Palace joke about it.

After the joke, the others asked Chen Yuan why he was sealed in Liang Province, whether something had happened. Chen Yuan had to tell the story of what had happened before.

And told them that his main purpose in coming to Liang Province this time was to help Senior Moro do something.

The others paid more attention and asked about the situation one after another.

Chen Yuan didn't say much else, just said that he would go deep into the grassland once. The others all said that they could help, but Chen Yuan didn't agree after asking Moro's meaning.

They were all still injured from the battle in the imperial city before, so it was not appropriate to make a big move again.

Moreover, there was no need for such a big scene. What he wanted was a quick battle, and too many people would be a burden.

Hearing these words, the other Taoist masters didn't continue to say more, just admonishing Chen Yuan to be careful when acting on the grassland.

There are still many differences between there and the Central Plains.

After ending this meeting with the Taoist masters of the Taoist Divine Palace, Chen Yuan was about to send someone to send a greeting card to Wei Wuque, the son of the King of Northern Liang, preparing to start the next step.

When he first came to Liang Province, he didn't go to him, mainly because he didn't want to reveal his whereabouts, and also to avoid disrupting his rhythm because of Wei Wuque's affairs.

But now he has basically controlled the situation of the Sky Survey Division of Northern Liang, and the two envoys Feng Jiuying and Huangfu Qi have also expressed their submission. It is almost time to meet this son.

Their relationship can only be regarded as a one-sided relationship, especially Chen Yuan once rejected Wei Wuque's desire to exchange the Ascending Immortal Fruit, which is not considered harmonious.

It was only when Chen Yuan climbed to the twenty-first place on the List of Rising Talents last time that this son came out to show off his presence.

But before Chen Yuan ordered someone to go, the Northern Liang Palace had already come at the right time, not knowing if they had estimated Chen Yuan's time.

Looking at the invitation in his hand, Chen Yuan thought for a long time in the Sky Survey Hall, and felt that this Wei Wuque was indeed not simple. He even stated on the invitation that he had some relationship with Feng Jiuying.

Such straightforwardness was beyond his expectations.

When the time on the invitation was approaching, Chen Yuan thought about it and changed out of his official uniform, to get along with this Wei Wuque as a 'friend'.

Facing the Northern Liang Palace, Chen Yuan could not put on any airs. If you really want to talk about it, Wei Wuque's identity as a son is much more precious than his position as an envoy.

The same is true of strength.

The 300,000 iron cavalry of Northern Liang, famous all over the world, belong to their Wei family. This is an absolute elite force, and its strength is terrifying.

If Chen Yuan didn't have an accurate feeling about the 300,000 iron cavalry before, then after experiencing the Battle of Shenxue Lake, Chen Yuan almost had a consideration.

100,000 heroic souls can kill Refining Gods.

So what about when they were alive?

Wouldn't they be able to match the True Monarch?

And the Northern Liang iron cavalry is three times the size of Chen's army, which means what is self-evident.

Although the True Monarch must be stronger than the army's battle formation, that refers to mobility. If it is a head-to-head confrontation, it is really not certain.

Without the sixth-realm immortals, Chen Yuan felt that no one could face the 300,000 Northern Liang iron cavalry alone.

This also explains why the imperial court would sit idly by and allow Wei Jinfeng's almost separatist state. It's not that the imperial court doesn't want to manage it, it's that they can't manage it at all.

300,000 iron cavalry coupled with the King of Northern Liang, the fourth in the world.

Its power is definitely not inferior to an immortal sect!

Of course, the premise is that no immortals take action.

That kind of existence has surpassed the mundane, and is called 'immortal'.

How can mortals defy the heavens and cut down immortals?

When Chen Yuan arrived at the Northern Liang Palace, it was about a quarter past Yin time, which is about 3:30 in the afternoon, and the Northern Liang son Wei Wuque was already waiting in front of the door.

It seems that he has a very accurate grasp of Chen Yuan's movements.

Dozens of feet away, Wei Wuque let out a hearty laugh:

"Brother Chen, it's been half a year since we parted. Brother's demeanor is even better than before!"

He also cupped his hands and bowed to Chen Yuan, which was very considerate.

Chen Yuan also smiled and said:

"How can I trouble Brother Wei to come out of the palace to welcome me? Why should we be so polite."

"Others naturally don't have this qualification, but Brother Chen is not someone else. The dignified sixth-ranked figure on the List of Rising Talents is definitely an existence that Wei has always looked up to."

"Haha, Brother Wei is too kind."

"Brother Chen, please."

"Please."

......

......

A quarter past Yin time is naturally not the time to eat. Wei Wuque led Chen Yuan all the way to the backyard of the palace, and stopped at the pavilion next to the small lake.

When the two arrived, a pot of spiritual tea was just boiling.

"Brother Chen, try this tea and see if you are satisfied."

Wei Wuque smiled.

"Could it be that this tea has some origin?"

"Brother Chen, try it first."

Faced with Wei Wuque's so enthusiastic invitation, if Chen Yuan declined at this moment, it would seem untrustworthy. He immediately picked up the teacup in his hand and took a light sip.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

It's not that he hasn't drunk good tea before. He has a lot of imperial spiritual tea, but it is much inferior to the tea in his hand. It is not only several times richer in spiritual energy than ordinary spiritual tea, but also has a special flavor when tasted carefully.

The hot tea has a hint of ice and cold, which is really a bit magical.

"How is it?"

"Excellent tea." Chen Yuan put down the teacup and commented.

"This tea is called Heavenly Snow. It is my father's favorite tea. It is taken from the cold land of the north. The water for making tea is the Heavenly Ice Spiritual Spring of the Northern Barbarians, which is the most complementary.

When tasting it, a sense of ice and cold will surge into the heart, which can stabilize the mind of warriors. It is a clear spiritual object. When Wei broke through the Heavenly Palace, he also borrowed the power of this spiritual tea."

Wei Wuque smiled lightly and told the origin of the spiritual tea in the pot.

Chen Yuan raised his eyebrows and asked:

"The cold land of the north?"

This made him a little curious, and it was the first time he had heard this place name.

Wei Wuque became serious and said:

"This place is indeed rarely known in the Central Plains. Most people only know the Northern Barbarians, but don't know the North Cold, because this place is too far away from the Central Plains.

And it is separated by Liang Province, so there is no way to communicate with the barbarians. But in fact, this place is very important, and it is one of the main reasons why the Northern Barbarians covet the Central Plains."

————

Seeking monthly tickets!