Chapter 122 The inauguration ceremony of Wu Chen, amidst a riot of flowers and brocade, was very grand...

Wu Chen's succession ceremony was very grand.

The elders of the shrine were eager to use this grand ceremony to wash away the bad luck that had plagued the shrine.

Fortunately, Wu Chen was quite handsome, transforming this solemn, grand, and tedious ceremony into a classic. It's estimated that no family or sect will be able to replicate it for centuries to come. The female cultivators participating in the event watched intently from beginning to end, their eyes wide and bright, openly feasting their eyes on Wu Chen. Then they sighed with regret and secretly lamented: Why was the High Priest Wu so foolish as to marry so young?

After the ceremony, Luo Sicheng, the lord of the Zhan Yan Platform, actually stayed at the Divine Palace for more than half a month. Every day he either discussed scriptures and doctrines with Wu Chen, talked about the current situation of the world, or exchanged cultivation experiences.

This open and friendly gesture left the elders of the Divine Palace completely bewildered. However, to outsiders, his actions seemed to indicate that Zhan Yantai was proactively mending the rift between them. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing for the stability of the Divine Palace. Therefore, Wu Chen patiently stayed with him, waiting for Luo Si to reveal the truth.

Luo Sicheng lingered for twenty days before leading his men away.

Meanwhile, Lu Qing had already arrived at Fuxian Lake.

Fuxian Lake covers a vast area; it would probably take more than a month to ride a horse around it. There are many towns along the lake, and hundreds of islands in the lake itself.

The Zou family's notes, besides mentioning Fuxian Lake, only stated that the family's surname was Fang, and that the Spirit Fruit had already given birth. Qi Fu, who had arrived early, inquired about the situation. Upon meeting Lu Qing, he told her everything he had gathered.

"Around Fuxian Lake, the Fang family is a prominent clan. It is said that the lord encountered an immortal who imparted to the Fang family a secret technique that was not passed down to outsiders. Fang family disciples are particularly skilled in fighting in the water. However, there are too many families with the surname Fang, and those with some talent all cultivate it. And that person happened a thousand years ago. At first, I tried to investigate based on some rumors circulating in the streets, but it was completely ineffective. Moreover, if that person's bloodline was male, perhaps they would still be in the Fang family, but if it was female and she had married out, it would be even more troublesome. I inquired while being afraid of disturbing the Fang family. After thinking it over, I realized that I still had to get the Fang family genealogy."

Qi Fu looked at Qi Ying, his face embarrassed. "But the Fang family's ancestral hall is protected by an array. I tried to break in several times, but I failed." As a member of the thief's gang, his cultivation was truly limited. Not daring to alert them, he could only return quietly.

Before Lu Qing could speak, Lao Hei interjected, "Aren't you disciples of the Divine Palace? If you act in the name of the Divine Palace, do you think they'll dare disobey you?"

Qi Ying shook her head. "You're thinking too simply. News of what happened in the Western Wilderness has already spread. The adults' attitude is very clear; they're on the side of the Spirit Clan. The Fang family betrayed the Spirit Fruit before, and they must be worried about having their past exposed. They're too busy cleaning up the mess to hand over any incriminating evidence themselves."

Old Hei was annoyed by his rebuttal and said disdainfully, "Your shrine is useless at everything, but you're number one at shaking your head. What use are you?"

Qi Ying and Qi Fu glared at her angrily.

Old Hei said nonchalantly, "If you ask me, since the name of the Divine Palace isn't working, we might as well cover our faces and go straight to the Fang family to force a confession. Anyway, they're spineless; if we scare them a bit, they might just talk."

Lu Qing blinked. "Let me think about it."

Old Hei had been underground for so long that he was completely devoid of any concept of good or evil. However, what she said wasn't entirely unreasonable. It's just that acting recklessly like that definitely wouldn't work.

After dinner, Lu Qing took Lao Hei and headed out. Qi Ying and Qi Fu quickly followed, "Master's wife, where are you going?"

Lu Qing didn't say anything, only asking, "Are you coming?"

Of course they have to go. Although they definitely can't beat Lu Qing, they can be used as shields if something happens to Lu Qing.

The four of them left the inn and walked towards the lake.

On the shores of Fuxian Lake, the moonlight is enchanting. Painted boats dot the lake, where singing and dancing fill the air, while bamboo rafts adorned with fishing lanterns line the sides, their dark cormorants darting back and forth to catch fish at the sound of the fishermen's whistles.

One side is rich and gentle, the other is ordinary and dull. The two groups are clearly distinct, on the same lake, yet they seem to be from different worlds.

Old Hei gazed at the painted boat filled with the sounds of zithers and flutes, and fell into an unusual silence, as if he were thinking of something.

Lu Qing asked Qi Fu to rent a small boat and row towards the center of Fuxian Lake.

The spies from Zhan Yantai, far behind them, were confused but dared not follow rashly. It was late at night, and the lake stretched as far as the eye could see. If they were to bring a boat and follow behind, it would be as obvious as lice on a bald man's head!

The henchmen who were keeping watch quickly boarded a large pleasure boat on the lake.

The pleasure boat was crowded, yet it was eerily quiet from top to bottom. The underlings dared not utter a sound, and were led by a maid to the top deck of the boat, where they knelt outside the beaded curtain, waiting to be questioned by those inside.

Inside, a tall man is painting, while a beautiful woman beside him adds incense and grinds ink for him.

The man, concentrating intently on finishing the last stroke, handed the brush to the beautiful woman and gently wiped his hands with a warm handkerchief. He examined his painting with satisfaction and casually asked, "Where is she?"

The henchman was stealing glances at his handsome and captivating face, slightly lost in thought. Hearing his question, he was startled and quickly lowered his head to answer, "The four of them just rented a small boat and went out onto the lake."

"They went into the lake? Do you know where they're going?"

"I don't know. Three people arrived today, and the other one arrived several days ago. He's been going from street to street every day, only asking about local news, but he hasn't let anything slip by."

The man laughed, "As expected, a new emperor brings a new court. The shaman's men are more cautious than the Zou family."

The underlings dared not speak.

The man said, "Keep watching, but be careful. If you get caught, these guys will tear you to pieces and throw you into Fuxian Lake to feed the fish."

of. "

The henchmen quickly retreated.

The beautiful woman grinding ink brought over fragrant tea. "Young master, are you really going to meet this witch?"

The man smiled and lowered his head. "Why not?"

The beautiful woman frowned slightly. "Young master, it is said that this Lady Wu is not particularly beautiful. Moreover, she is Wu Chen's wife. Why would you offend Wu Chen for such a woman?"

The man took the fragrant tea, sipped it gently, and said, "You really are a woman. Do you really think that appearance is the most important thing for a woman? Physical beauty is easy to come by, but even easier to lose, like beautiful flowers and brocade—it's the most unreliable thing. Besides, even someone as beautiful as Luo Heyi couldn't catch Wu Chen's eye, yet Wu Chen cherishes this woman who isn't particularly attractive. That in itself says a lot. Since she's a treasure, naturally someone destined to have her will possess her. If Wu Chen can't keep her, then he's incompetent."

The beauty disagreed with what he said, but dared not refute him.

The man walked out of the cabin and looked into the depths of Fuxian Lake. Lu Qing's small boat had already disappeared.

He knocked on the railing. "Follow them."

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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 18:39:21 on October 11, 2020 and 19:39:04 on October 12, 2020!

Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Repigon 1;

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