I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 274 Don't Forget Your Identity
Right now, Chen Ming needs to focus on dealing with the crisis from the Gu family, so he took the opportunity to inquire, "Does the Daoist know anything about the Ghost Festival banquet?"

The old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "Only high-ranking officials of the imperial court and hereditary noble families can participate in this Ghost Festival banquet. I don't know the specifics of what it's like inside."

"Does the Taoist priest know about the Heavenly Heart Manual of the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

"I've heard a little about it; it's a top-tier martial art, unparalleled in the world. Its power is immense, and its mysteries are beyond compare. However, cultivating it requires overcoming many tribulations and is not easy."

"I have a friend who is a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and has already reached the third rank, but he has encountered a love tribulation. I wonder if you have any solutions?"

Chen Ming had been quite worried, and since this Taoist priest was incredibly powerful and knew many secrets, he casually asked him a question.

The old Taoist priest said, "Although I do not know the specific contents of the 'Heavenly Heart Manual,' since it is her own inner demon, she can only rely on herself; no one else can help her."

Even the old Taoist priest couldn't do anything about it.

Chen Ming sighed inwardly and said, "This time, we are very grateful for the Taoist priest's reminder. Otherwise, I'm afraid we would have been in grave danger."

"Young friend, good fortune will always be with you. Even without me, you would have been able to overcome this difficulty."

"In any case, I still want to thank you, Daoist Master. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask. I will do my best to help if I can."

"You're very kind, young friend."

……

For the next few days, Chen Ming practiced his martial arts during the day and spent his evenings grinding experience points in "Qingwei Heaven." He remained oblivious to everything else.

On the day he finally accumulated the remaining 20 million experience points, Gu Zhengshan came and knocked on the door, "Seventh Brother, someone is looking for you."

"Someone is looking for me?"

Chen Ming was somewhat surprised.

Gu Zhengshan said, "It's Chief Xia of the Xiazhou Money Gang. He wants to see you."

It turns out to be my cheap father-in-law.

Chen Ming suddenly realized that this guy had actually come to the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, and that Gu Haochuan had to give him face, so he must have already successfully entered the Divine Treasure Realm.

"it is good."

"Fifth Uncle asked me to remind you not to forget your current status, what you should say and what you shouldn't say. You should know that."

"Of course I know."

……

Inside the main hall sat two middle-aged men, one of whom had a square face and wore a magnificent purple robe, exuding great authority. He was none other than Chen Ming's "cheap" father, Gu Haoran.

The other elegant and handsome middle-aged man was none other than his father-in-law, Xia Shaowen.

Chen Ming entered and immediately bowed, "Father, Chief Xia."

This was the first time he had met this contemporary Duke of Jingguo, and he perfectly matched the image Gu Xianyu remembered. There was no warmth in his eyes, only indifference.

That's understandable, since he's an imposter.

Gu Haochuan could hide it from anyone but the head of the Gu family.

If the person standing here today were really Gu Xianyu, would the Duke of Jingguo still have this attitude?
Xia Shaowen's gaze grew even more kind as he looked at him. "It's only been a few months, and my dear nephew has accomplished so many earth-shattering feats. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

Chen Ming lowered his head and said modestly, "Chief Xia is too kind."

This Xia gang leader was pragmatic enough not to address him as "son-in-law" but instead called him "nephew."

He must have known that shouting like that in front of the Duke of Jingguo would only make him look foolish.

However, the aura emanating from this person was indeed completely different from before.

He had a strange feeling about him. He seemed like an ordinary person, yet he was also somewhat unfathomable.

This might be what they call returning to simplicity and authenticity.

Clearly, he has officially taken that step.

Xia Shaowen turned to Gu Haoran and said, "The Duke of Jingguo has a fine son. At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in a few days, your son will surely shine."

Gu Haoran said calmly, "Chief Xia is too kind."

“I haven’t seen my nephew for a long time and would like to say a few words to him. I hope the Duke will grant me permission.”

"Alright. Seventh Brother, you stay here and say a few words to Chief Xia."

"Yes."

Chen Ming watched the Duke of Jingguo leave. As he departed, the Duke cast a warning glance at him, sending chills down Chen Ming's spine and almost freezing his internal energy. This Duke of Jingguo was also a powerful expert at the Divine Realm. A single glance from him was enough to render Chen Ming powerless.

Xia Shaowen said, "It seems that even though you've become a second-rank official, your father still doesn't really like you."

Chen Ming had recovered by now and said, "Chief Xia, you have quite the skills. You actually managed to persuade my father to let me have a private chat with you."

“A man like your father is the easiest to deal with; it’s all about self-interest. I promised him a spot, so he naturally had no reason to refuse.”

"Chief Xia is truly generous."

Each spot has the potential to produce a powerful expert at the Divine Realm. No force could refuse something so precious.

Even though the Duke of Jingguo's mansion controls several secret realms, the number of spots is scarce, so naturally the more the better.

Chen Ming asked, "Chief Xia, you're not here to ask me to steal the bride at this time, are you?"

"Hahaha..." Xia Shaowen was amused. "You, a mere second-rank official, dare to try and steal a concubine appointed by the emperor himself?"

Seeing his reaction, Chen Ming asked in surprise, "Didn't the gang leader come to persuade me to confront the emperor head-on?"

Xia Shaowen shook his head and said, "It's too late to change things now. We can only accept our fate."

"..."

"To tell you the truth, it was my daughter who was worried you might do something rash, so she asked me to persuade you not to do anything foolish. In this life, you two are destined to be together but not to stay together."

"..."

Chen Ming was at a loss for words.

Xia Shaowen's pragmatism was rather unusual to him. Shouldn't a father be willing to risk his life for his daughter's lifelong happiness?
Well, on the other hand, marrying the emperor as a concubine isn't necessarily a bad thing.

According to rumors, this emperor was not an old man in his seventies or eighties. Although he had been on the throne for more than twenty years, he was actually only in his thirties. He was just quite young when he became emperor.

Moreover, this emperor was relatively gentle and had a reputation for benevolence. He was not a womanizer; he only had one empress and two principal wives.

The only problem is that she doesn't have any children yet. She had two children before, but they both died shortly after birth.

Therefore, there were perfectly legitimate reasons for the emperor to take concubines. If he did not want to take concubines, not only would the Empress Dowager disagree, but the court officials would also disagree.

This time, in addition to Xia Mudan being directly made a concubine, dozens of young women were also selected to enter the palace.

In order for the Great Jin dynasty to continue, the emperor had no choice but to work harder.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. I'm leaving. Take care of yourself from now on."

After Xia Shaowen finished speaking, he left.

Chen Ming was left sitting there alone, lost in thought.

……

Not long after, Xia Shaowen returned to the Prince of Yan's residence in the capital. He first went to see his wife.

Madam Xia asked coldly, "Have you made everything clear to that boy?"

Xia Shaowen lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong, and said, "I've explained it clearly."

Madam Xia looked at him, feeling angry. This fool had actually managed to trap her while she was in seclusion, and then caused so much trouble, almost making things uncontrollable.

"Do you know what's going on? You almost killed my whole family! Do you think I insisted on sending my daughter to the palace? It was the Empress Dowager who took a liking to Yan'er. You should know what the consequences are for disobeying the Empress Dowager's orders!"

Xia Shaowen smiled bitterly, "Madam, you should have told me this sooner. I thought it was you who was determined to send Yan'er to the palace. That's why I did such a foolish thing."

Madam Xia said angrily, "This is the Empress Dowager's wish, and not a word of it should be leaked. If the Emperor finds out that Yan'er has entered the palace, I'm afraid her situation will become even more difficult."

"Ugh."

Xia Shaowen couldn't help but sigh. This matter probably involved the struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. If his family got involved, the slightest mistake could lead to the destruction of his family and the death of his people.

"It's just that Yan'er has suffered."

When Madam Xia brought this up, she became even angrier. "Isn't it all because of you? If you hadn't caused all this mess, how would Yan'er have gotten to know that boy from the Gu family?"

In the past, if a daughter entered the palace, although it was difficult, it wasn't unbearable.

Now, her daughter's entire heart is set on that young man surnamed Gu. Once she enters the palace, she'll likely find life utterly meaningless. And if the emperor discovers anything, she might be banished to the cold palace…

This life is truly ruined.

Thinking of his daughter's lovesick and melancholy demeanor ever since she went to the capital, Xia Shaowen sighed, "I was wrong."

(End of this chapter)