CHAPTER 719: CHAPTER 271: EMPRESS: I REFUSE TO BE A SISTER-IN-LAW! THE HOLY DAUGHTER’S GRATITUDE!_2

"Alright, just leave it there for now."

The Empress showed not the slightest interest in even glancing at it and turned to sit on the small couch.

"Hmm?"

"Why does this cushion feel so damp..."

She raised her hand, faintly catching a whiff of osmanthus fragrance.

Recalling the fragmented memories of last night, her brow furrowed even deeper.

"If that dream was real..."

"What exactly happened between Chen Mo and Yu Youhan after I fell asleep?"

...

...

Sky Scale Guard.

Just as Chen Mo arrived at the entrance of the training ground, he saw a group of people waiting there, among them some familiar faces.

Besides Yu Hongyin, Liu Qiansong, Qin Yi, and other sect disciples, even the long-absent Zi Lianji was among them.

"Chen."

"Mr. Chen."

Seeing Chen Mo, the group quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Chen Mo slightly raised an eyebrow, "What is this about, everyone?"

Liu Qiansong said in a low voice, "We have already heard from Saintess Yu about what happened yesterday. We never expected that even the princely heir would do such a heartless thing!"

Upon these words, the rest of the group’s faces turned somewhat grim.

While they were here assisting the court, their fellow sect disciples were drained into lifeless husks, becoming the nourishment for Chu Heng’s practice of the evil technique. This was something they could not accept in any way.

"Our sect has issued a recall order, so we have no choice but to leave the Capital City. We’re here specifically to say goodbye to you, Chen." Qin Yi said quietly.

Chen Mo had already anticipated this outcome.

After this incident spread, the freshly mended relationship between the court and the sects would once again plummet to an icy point.

No sect would be willing to obey court orders anymore, and the Empress’s hard-fought efforts to establish new educational policies would all be in vain.

But he was powerless to do anything about it.

At this moment, Yu Hongyin’s crisp voice rang out, "If it weren’t for Mr. Chen’s fearlessness against authority, bringing the murderer to justice, I fear we would never have known the truth, and the victims would not have found peace. Our gratitude is beyond words."

"Indeed, one thing has nothing to do with the other."

Liu Qiansong nodded, "Regardless of our relationship with the court, Mr. Chen will always be a valued guest of the Profound Sun Sect. Should you ever need our help in the future, please just ask."

Saying this, he bowed deeply.

"The same goes for the Kuixing Sect."

"And the Red Mist Sect as well."

The group collectively bowed in salute.

Apart from respect, a hint of reverence also colored their expressions.

Chen Mo was just about to say something when he suddenly felt an unusual sensation in his dantian, as the two swirling energies grew slightly stronger.

"It was the same last time in Linglan County."

"It seems that as long as I’m genuinely respected by others, the Dragon Qi can be enhanced... Could it be that this thing uses emotions as nourishment? That’s incredibly mystical!"

Zi Lianji stood at a distance.

Watching the "rival in love" being surrounded by the crowd, his gaze was somewhat complex.

He hadn’t expected so many events to occur in the Capital City while he was away.

What surprised him even more was that Chen Mo was willing to risk offending royal relatives, even going as far as killing, for unrelated sect disciples...

"Perhaps there really is a reason why Qingxuan favors him?" Zi Lianji couldn’t help but feel a bit dejected.

However, he quickly collected himself and walked over to Chen Mo.

"Mr. Chen."

Chen Mo glanced over, "Chief Zi? It’s been a long time."

Zi Lianji’s attire was as meticulous as ever, but his demeanor lacked some of its previous intensity, and he seemed much leaner, giving him a more weathered look.

"Do you have something to discuss with me?"

"Yes, I have an important matter to share with you."

Zi Lianji gathered his thoughts and spoke succinctly, "Recently, I went to the Golden Sun State to track down a wanted criminal, hoping to earn some contribution, but unexpectedly encountered two mysterious cultivators..."

"After following them for some time, I discovered they were remnants of the Gu God Sect."

"The Gu God Sect?" Chen Mo’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"From their conversation, I learned that the Gu God Sect’s Hierarch Yin Tiankou is not dead. He is moving with the remaining followers throughout the Southern Border, seeming to be trying to create some kind of Gu poison worm to rebuild his body," Zi Lianji said.

"And then?" Chen Mo pressed on.

Zi Lianji shook his head, "I originally intended to capture them both and take them back to the Capital City, but then unexpectedly encountered a woman."

At this, his expression turned grim, full of displeasure, "That woman seemed to also be investigating the Gu God Sect. She probably mistook me for an accomplice and attacked immediately without a word, like a lunatic!"

"..."

A lunatic?

A figure appeared in Chen Mo’s mind.

Could it be that Zi Lianji had a run-in with Ye Zi’e?

Back then, Ye Zi’e had secretly drugged him in hopes of dual cultivation, only to be intercepted by Ling Ningzhi, which inadvertently led Her Majesty the Consort to experience a face-to-face high-speed transfer...

Naturally, the Consort was furious and sent her to the frontier to investigate the remnants of the Gu God Sect.

In truth, this was merely a pretext to punish her, but who would have thought that Households Commander Ye actually took it seriously?

"Zhong Lihe is indeed unreliable, letting the big fish get away?"

Chen Mo’s gaze darkened.

Ultimately, this matter had a connection to him.

Not to mention the Southern District was destroyed because of him. If the Gu God Sect resurfaces, it’s likely to drag the Moon Brilliance Sect into this, putting Gu Manzhi and Ye Henshui in danger.

"Thank you, Chief Zi. This information is very important to me." Chen Mo said earnestly.

"No need to thank me, the Gu God Sect has committed countless heinous acts, they’re a threat everyone wants to destroy. Since I encountered them, I couldn’t sit idly by." Zi Lianji replied in a calm tone.

There was no denying that Chen Mo’s statement, "True heroes serve the nation and the people," had a significant impact on the sect’s disciples.