Chapter 119 The day after their flight, the three continued their journey. From the Shrine to Fuku...

The next day, the three continued their journey.

The journey from the Divine Palace to Fuxian Lake was quite long; even if the three of them traveled without stopping, it would still take them more than a month. During the journey, Qi Ying received a message from the Divine Palace: "Master's wife, the Lord's succession ceremony is scheduled for the day after tomorrow."

As usual, Lao Hei launched into her famous line, "Look, if he cared about you, he wouldn't even let you attend the succession ceremony? Husband and wife are one, they should share both honor and disgrace. Not letting you participate in such a glorious moment, what kind of thoughts are behind that!"

Qi Ying was annoyed by her constant provocations. "Can't you say something nice? The adults gave you your name, so you're a disciple. Saying things like this every day, are you trying to betray your master and ancestors?"

“Yes, I think about it every day!” Old Hei retorted, glaring at him.

Qi Ying had never encountered such a wicked woman before. When he was with Qi Zhi, no matter what she was thinking, Qi Zhi always had a sorrowful face and a pitiful expression, making her both pitiful and hateful. But Lao Hei was vicious and didn't even try to hide his malice. Unfortunately, he couldn't beat Lao Hei. The fear of being dominated by the corpse puppet and the black-haired man underground was still his nightmare. So he had no choice but to resort to the tricks he had used since childhood. "Master's wife, look."

Lu Qing laughed, "Qiying, what kind of upbringing did your parents give you? Do you think you can't get things done when you encounter a woman? Just keep talking back! Your parents have never shown any mercy to women. Besides, I'm here; she can't do anything to you. What are you afraid of?"

Qi Ying was extremely frustrated. He wanted to retort, but Lao Hei was too smooth-talking, and he couldn't win the argument. He also didn't dare to tarnish Wu Chen's reputation, saying, "The master never paid attention to women before."

Old Hei scoffed, "Hmph, there are two kinds of ignoring someone: not wanting to and not daring to."

Qi Ying immediately declared a truce, "I'm not going to argue with you anymore. Madam, do you have anything to say to me?"

Lu Qing thought for a moment, "Since he is willing to take on this responsibility, please congratulate him for me and wish him to realize his ambitions and have his wishes fulfilled. Also, add that the position of Madam Wu is already mine. Tell him to guard this position well for me, and anyone who dares to covet it will be killed without mercy."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Ying and Lao Hei both looked at her.

Old Hei mocked her, "What cat won't eat fish? Forcing him to stay in the dark and not steal is pointless; your words are just empty talk."

"You're talking nonsense. The master has always been upright and honest; how could he possibly be like what you're saying?"

"Keep yourself pure?! How did those two even get together?! Once they start, they'll start again!" Old Hei pointed at Lu Qing, speaking with absolute certainty.

Qi Ying was furious. "What if the master only treats his teacher's wife well? Unlike your husband who is a womanizer?"

Old Hei was hit where it hurt, "Then I will willingly become his disciple, and from now on I will obey his every word and never disobey him."

Lu Qing readily agreed, "Alright. A promise is a promise."

Old Hei glared at her, "What if Wu Chen takes advantage of your absence to flirt with other women?"

Lu Qing smiled and said, "Then you don't need to acknowledge this master. I will remove the restriction on the Peace Bell for you."

Old Hei was overjoyed, "You said it yourself!"

Lu Qing gave her a high five, "But as long as Wu Chen doesn't make a mistake, you have to keep your promise."

Old Hei thought to himself, "Wu Chen is incredibly handsome and holds a high position of power. He's currently enjoying great success, and countless women are trying to seduce him. Even if Wu Chen is indifferent, those women have plenty of ways to make him unable to refuse. Only a young girl like Lu Qing, who is new to love, would believe in a man's vows of eternal love. I'm afraid there will be a good show to watch before Lu Qing even returns. My escape will be just around the corner."

Old Hei immediately gave Lu Qing a high five, "I will never go back on my word!"

Qi Ying looked at Lao Hei and could only shake her head helplessly. After sending back the message, the three of them continued on their way. Lao Hei felt that there was hope of escaping, so she stopped teasing Qi Ying as much. However, despite her smugness, she always felt that she had overlooked something.

It has to be said that Lao Hei, being an experienced person, really guessed what many people were thinking.

Since Lu Qing left the Divine Palace, the disciples who had returned from the Western Wilderness gradually came back. The total number of people was reported to Wu Chen, and more than 700 disciples of the Divine Palace had perished in the Western Wilderness, with another 300 seriously injured or disabled, requiring several years of recuperation to fully recover. Such severe consequences caused an uproar throughout the entire Divine Palace.

Some elders who already knew the inside story began to spread rumors.

The disciples of the Divine Palace, who already suspected something was amiss, were outraged upon learning that their trip had been orchestrated by the Zou family. However, Wu Chen had already taken action; anyone in the Zou family suspected of involvement had been arrested by the Discipline Hall. With nowhere to vent their anger, the disciples, along with the remaining members of the Zou family, found their lives even more difficult.

From a time when everything was convenient to the present when everything was inconvenient, the Zou family was filled with resentment. Some of the Zou family's collateral descendants, quite arrogant, simply used the guise of training to leave the Divine Palace with their families. Those who lacked real skills and relied solely on the Zou family name to bully others began racking their brains to find ways to restore their former glory.

Especially since the witch who became famous for the Falling Sword Stone had disappeared again, not even planning to show up at the succession ceremony. Not only the Zou family, but also the women of other families couldn't help but feel restless again.

The priest's succession was met with little concern from Wu Chen and Lu Qing, who paid it no heed. However, everyone else took it seriously. Various cultivation families and sects that received the invitations dispatched their most important elders to offer their congratulations. Of course, many unmarried women also accompanied their elders to observe the ceremony. While ostensibly there to observe the ceremony, everyone knew the true purpose behind it.

Zhao Xiong Ying also arrived. He came with Luo Si Cheng, the Venerable Lord of Zhan Yan Tai.

There were at least a hundred people who came to watch the ceremony at Zhan Yantai, making it a grand and impressive event, the most impressive of all the guests.

Jin Manlou and his son Jin Hua arrived together, still adorned with jewels and valuables; the scent of money could be smelled from a mile away. However, their attitude towards Wu Chen was exceptionally respectful. Jin Hua specifically inquired about Lu Qing, only to be astonished to learn that Lu Qing had been away on important business and hadn't even attended the succession ceremony. He presented many precious gifts, the gifts for Lu Qing and Wu Chen being remarkably equal in value.

Wu Chen looked at the gift list and accepted it with a smile. During the meal, he specially raised his glass and said, "Master Jin has gone to great lengths; I thank you on behalf of my wife."

Luo Sicheng said, "Lord Wu, you're getting married, yet you didn't invite us to your wedding."

As usual, Wu Chen brought out the story of an engagement before the child was even a year old.

Luo Si sighed meaningfully, "Why not invite Madam out to meet us, and we can also offer her a toast to express our congratulations?"

Wu Chen thanked him, "There are some things going on at her family's side, but unfortunately all the elders are out, so she has to go back to take care of them. I will take her to Zhan Yan Tai to visit the Venerable Lord in the future."

Luo Sicheng laughed and left the matter unresolved. However, after the banquet, he said to one of his attendants, "With Madam Wu gone, this is your opportunity. Whether you can seize it or not depends on your own fate."

The person bowed gracefully and withdrew silently.

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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 00:15:58 and 21:07:36 on October 9, 2020!

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Flowing Clouds and Water (3 bottles);

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!