Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 44. A Change in Mindset

The Crane Mansion was brightly decorated, attracting dignitaries from all walks of life. Even the imperial family sent eunuchs from the palace to deliver congratulatory gifts.
Outside the Crane Mansion, soldiers patrolled, and no one was allowed to approach at will.

Within the Crane Mansion, the Heavenly Jade Lake, renowned for its scenic beauty in all four seasons, flows alongside the mansion. A winding corridor extends into the water, with a viewing pavilion situated at its end.

This viewing pavilion naturally became the private property of the Crane Mansion.

Throughout the year, one can ascend this pavilion and enjoy the entire scenic beauty of Tianyu Lake.

When Song Chen returned, Madam Qianxue, Lady Qingyue, and even Que He and Que Chan from the He family all appeared. They had all returned to the mansion and were surrounding him like stars around the moon.

There was no longer any jealousy in Que He's eyes, only admiration and awe.

Welcoming and seeing off guests, until all the guests have left.

Song Chen was pestered and dragged into the house by Qingyue.

After spending time with Senior Sister Meng, Song Chen felt that his wife was incredibly beautiful.

The two whispered to each other for a while.

Qingyue was probably saying that after searching for him for a long time without success, she and her elder sister decided to go back to the capital to see him. Not long after, they learned that he had become a core disciple of the Imperial City Temple.

After a hysterical outburst between the couple.

Exhausted, Qingyue fell asleep.

Beneath the covers, Song Chen felt utterly exhausted, but suddenly a jet-black jade slip appeared in his hand, and his eyes seemed to become mirrors, reflecting scene after scene.
He saw two women frantically searching for him in the county, and then they returned to the capital.
He saw Tian Kuizi go to the He residence and interrogate the two women about the whereabouts of the "Yellow Springs Scripture." The two women knew nothing about the "Yellow Springs Scripture," and Tian Kuizi threatened them with the He residence. The two women were frightened and immediately said they were willing to cooperate fully, only asking that the He residence be spared. They also said that their marriage to Song Chen was merely a political alliance, a mutual exploitation.
Immediately, the two women recounted to Tian Kuizi all the details they had noticed about him, leaving nothing out, and even included some of their speculations, some of which he himself had not noticed.

It can be said that if he did not have the [Three Lives Book] to store the [Yellow Springs Scripture], then either the mysterious expert would have taken it from him at the Imperial City Temple, or the two women would have leaked information and deduced where the [Yellow Springs Scripture] was hidden.

The two women did this because they felt he had gotten into serious trouble and was beyond saving; they wanted to protect themselves and make a contribution.

That's right.

The jade slip in Song Chen's hand vanished instantly. He lay on the couch with his pillow, his eyes glazed over.

He found himself somewhat ridiculous, because when he was first captured and taken to the mansion of the Devouring Crane Demon Realm, he had felt a longing for Pei Qingyue because of that jade Buddha, and found a sense of "home" in her.

It seems absurd now.

The affection was genuine, but the farewell when disaster struck was also genuine.

Human nature is fickle if it doesn't change.

A marriage alliance is just a marriage alliance, nothing more.

at this time
The Crane Demon Realm has been turned into a slaughterhouse.

In the center, a giant black crane lay mangled and horribly dead.

This is the patriarch of the Marrow-Eating Crane Demon clan.

A crane demon lay in a pool of blood, angrily shouting, "Tian Kui Zi, I only gave you Lin Chengyong's appearance and asked you to help check if this person was in the imperial city, and you captured our people and searched their souls!"

Tian Kuizi smiled faintly, "This is just to provide further evidence. We already have people in your residence. How long can you block information? After this evidence, I am truly certain that you have indeed lost the 'Yellow Springs Scripture'."

Can't you see the situation clearly now?
My junior brother alone can hold off the Yellow Springs of the North, and you still want to strike? You want to put up a stubborn resistance? You still want to take my junior brother away again?

Immediately, he turned to the mysterious figure shrouded in mist, unable to be clearly seen, and said, "Master."

A strange sound was heard.

"The address of the Niangniang Temple was given to you, and the opportunity to revitalize your clan was also given to you. You yourselves lost the 'Yellow Springs Scripture,' which means that Heaven will not allow your clan to prosper."

"Alright, I really don't have much patience or time left. Those who want to live, start tomorrow and return to the north of the capital to await your fate in the underworld."

The crane demons who tried to resist have all died tragically.

The air was silent for a moment, then suddenly, He Bai said, "I am willing to be the guardian beast of the Five Elements Sect, and I will serve you to the death from now on." Tian Kui Zi sneered, "You and your ilk are worthy?"

The mysterious figure said, "Those who perform well will be rewarded. If you do well, I will give you a chance."

He Bai said, "Yes, I will go to the North now to maintain order in the Yellow Springs."

As it spoke, it flapped its wings, and many of the marrow-eating crane demons followed it away.

Tian Kuizi suddenly said, "Master, that boy must still have a treasure on him. I couldn't see anything unusual about him when he entered the sect, and now the Yellow Springs Scripture can't be found anywhere. It must still be on him. It must be a treasure that can bind to the soul."

The mysterious figure said, "If we can't find it, your junior brother is gone, and the 'Yellow Springs Sutra' is gone too."

Tian Kui Zi chuckled and said, "I was just saying, just saying, hehe."

The mysterious figure said, "Have someone investigate what kind of person your junior brother is, and help him improve his cultivation level so he can do things better. If you do this well and the plan proceeds smoothly, then you will be given a body of a sage to help you break through your cultivation level and enter the Qi Master realm."

"A sage's body?" Tian Kuizi was overjoyed upon hearing this and repeatedly said, "Thank you, Master, thank you, Master."

“My lady, we have already done a great service by killing Yu Cheng. How can you continue to serve as a Celestial Guard? No, I must go to the Guard’s residence to explain things to you.”

"Husband, husband, don't stand up for me, you husband!"

Song Chen rushed to the Wei residence.

In the past, no one in the Wei family paid any attention to him, but now, as soon as he arrived, people came out to greet him.

After explaining their purpose, the Wei family immediately said they would arrange a sinecure for Pei Qingyue and would absolutely not send her out to take any more risks.

"My husband, you are so good to me."

"Only during this cultivation did I realize how wonderful it is to have a home to return to and a wife to think about."

Song Chen hugged Qingyue tightly.

He held her tightly, so reluctant to let go, it felt more real than if it were real.

"Today, I hereby pass the leadership of the Forging Gang to Yu Quehe!"

"Chief Que!"

"Chief Que!"

"Chief Que!"

The blacksmiths in the south of the city cheered, shouting "Master Que!" But all their eyes were fixed on the young man in black robes. They knew that this young man was the true VIP in the capital. With him around, from this day forward, the Blacksmithing Guild could begin to expand its territory, incorporating all the smaller sects into its ranks!

"Xiao Song, you're so kind."

"Xiao Song, what are you doing!"

"Slower."

"Don't let anyone hear."

"No!"

"Bah"

Lady Asayuki was grateful and devoted herself to the cause.

Regardless of what Song Chen was doing, in the shadows far away, eyes were watching the He family, silently recording everything: Song Chen loved his wife, his family, power, and money, and he also had an affair with his sister-in-law.
This information will be submitted and eventually end up in the hands of that mysterious figure from the Five Elements Sect.

Every adult would like such subordinates because they have enough leverage and ties to them.

(End of this chapter)