CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 174 DOUBTS

"Where is the Yanwen Tower?"

Chen Xuan asked the few women.

He had only been to Yonghe Commandery a couple of times, mostly visiting shops and restaurants. They were the ones who had been to more places.

"I know, I know!"

Su Yun quickly spoke up, as if afraid someone else would beat her to it, "It’s in the west, there’s a tower that’s dozens of meters high, really tall, you can see it at a glance. Oh, and there’s a lake over there too, with many boats, all the beautiful kind, and beautiful young ladies on them too!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan’s expression instantly changed.

Boats? And women!

Could it be a flower boat? He then looked at Pei Yuenan, inquiring.

She nodded slightly, "It’s just what you’re thinking!"

Wow!

As expected of his woman, she really understood him.

Still,

Zhou Zheng inviting him to such a place to enjoy the moon, really... knows how to pick a place.

Could it be that he sees so many women around him and thinks he’s lecherous?

"Are you going?"

At this time, Liu Rushi asked, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.

Why does this new Emperor of Great Zhou want to see Chen Xuan, what are his intentions?

After all, he’s just a Third Grade Martial Artist.

She felt something was off.

"I’ll go ask my master, it should be fine. He’s a great Emperor of Zhou, would he really be so shameless?"

"Yeah! Check with Uncle Xuan!"

Ye Jincen nodded, after all, this wasn’t a small matter, who knows what he has in mind.

"Alright, I’m going to see my master first."

After saying goodbye, he left the room.

"Sisters, it’s okay, Uncle Xuan is around!" Ye Jincen reassured them. During this time together, they had become like sisters now.

...

"Zhou Zheng invited you?"

Xuan Er was also a bit puzzled, but he guessed that he must have seen Chen Xuan’s talent and wanted to rope him in.

"Go ahead, I’ll be around the area."

After all, they’re still on the territory of Great Zhou, and Zhou Zheng personally inviting, it wouldn’t be good not to go.

"Okay!"

Chen Xuan nodded slightly, not really worried about safety.

After all, with his current strength... hehe, Five Layers of Purity!

Plus the Divine Foot Technique!

He had absolute confidence!

...

Nightfall arrived!

After instructing the few women, Chen Xuan disappeared from the room.

In the next moment,

A completely black tower appeared in front of him, but Chen Xuan’s gaze was focused on the lakeside not far from Yanwen Tower.

Flower boats floating, little bits of starlight! Broken sounds of laughter drifted into his ears.

"Hehe!"

Chen Xuan chuckled lightly.

Yesterday, the entire Yonghe Commandery was almost engulfed in flames, yet these people are still indulging in pleasure.

Indeed, no matter where, which place, or what era, having money and power are the hard truths.

"Chen Xuan, why did you suddenly laugh?"

A crisp yet authoritative voice came from inside Yanwen Tower.

Looking up, he saw Zhou Zheng standing below the tower’s top, watching him.

Chen Xuan then took a step forward, appearing inside the tower the next moment, a step away from Zhou Zheng.

The interior of the tower was simple.

A table, two chairs, nothing else!

"I’ve seen Your Majesty, I was just expressing my feelings!"

"Oh...?"

Zhou Zheng made a curious sound, "Then I want to know what you saw that made you feel so emotional, have a seat!"

At this moment, he seemed like an old friend of Chen Xuan’s for many years,

with no trace of royal airs.

He pointed to the chair in front of him.

"Thank you!"

Chen Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony, slowly sitting down.

After the two sat down, Zhou Zheng clapped his hands, and a woman in red entered with a jade tray.

"It’s you?"

Chen Xuan was quite surprised because this woman was none other than the one wearing red armor yesterday.

Truly ever-changing in style!

Yesterday she was a female general, heroic and valiant, now, like a little beauty, naturally arousing the desire to protect her.

Truly contrasting!

"A collateral member of my Zhou family, Zhou Ling!" At this time, Zhou Zheng also began to introduce her.

"Miss Zhou, I apologize for yesterday, I had no choice!"

"Hmph!"

Zhou Ling gave a cold snort, "That punch of yours was quite heavy!"

"Um—"

Chen Xuan was speechless. He was just being polite, didn’t expect this woman to take advantage of it.

"No choice, in that situation, anyone would have done like me, right, Your Majesty?" he said, looking at Zhou Zheng opposite him.

"You can go now!"

He didn’t expect Chen Xuan to throw the question back at him, but he didn’t want to dwell on it, so he waved his hand, letting Zhou Ling step down.

After she left, Chen Xuan poured himself a drink, without minding Zhou Zheng!

Drinking on his own.

"Bang!"

Chen Xuan heavily slammed the wine cup on the table, shouting, "Good wine!"

He then pointed at the full moon outside, "Good moon!"

"So, I’ve drunk the wine and admired the moon. What’s the real reason for Your Majesty’s invitation?"

Zhou Zheng was quite surprised, not expecting him to be so direct.

So he didn’t beat around the bush and said, "I want you to join Great Zhou. As long as you’re willing, you can name your terms!"

"Just me? A mere Third Grade Martial Artist?"

"Of course, if Xuan Er is willing too, I would welcome him with open arms, but tonight, I have truly invited only you."

"Haha, Your Majesty really makes me feel flattered."

Chen Xuan said with a smile, and he knew that Zhou Zheng had taken a liking to his talent, which is why he was showing such courtesy.

"No need to be modest, with such talent, you stand above the young generation of Great Zhou. Just this alone is enough for me to personally invite you."

"Indeed, I also think I have the qualification!"

His shamelessness showed when he heard such praise from Zhou Zheng.

"But... I might disappoint Your Majesty. I am like my master in one way, we both value freedom, so I probably won’t join either side, whether it’s Great Zhou or Great Xia!"

The reason he came to the meeting was to clarify this, to avoid future trouble.

Honestly speaking, he didn’t have any grand ambitions; he just wanted enough strength to protect the few women he loved and lead a carefree life. That’s what life should be about!

Otherwise, what’s the point of painstaking cultivation?

Even if Zhou Zheng is already a ruler, is he really happier than me?

"If that’s truly what you think, then you might be disappointed!" Zhou Zheng said astonishingly.

Hearing his words, Chen Xuan’s brow slightly furrowed.

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"I didn’t know before, but after yesterday, I understood."

Zhou Zheng’s words left him puzzled.

Understood?

Understood what!

Stop speaking in riddles.

At this moment, Zhou Zheng slowly stood up, "I can only tell you now, even if you reach the First Grade, you won’t be able to remain independent. If you want to be carefree, you must choose a side, whether it’s Great Zhou or Great Xia!"

Then he left Yanwen Tower, leaving Chen Xuan full of questions.

"What on earth does he mean?"

He speculated various possibilities, but none seemed right.

"Let’s go back!"

At this moment, Xuan Er’s voice echoed in his ear.

"Yes, Master!"

Then his figure disappeared from Yanwen Tower.

...

Within the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.

Zhou Yi anxiously awaited Zhou Zheng. It was originally his plan to meet Chen Xuan today, but Zhou Zheng changed his mind, saying he wanted to see Chen Xuan for himself, took a few people, and went to Yanwen Tower despite his objections.

Although there shouldn’t be any danger, after such a long time, he couldn’t help feeling concerned.

"Uncle Wang!"

Zhou Zheng’s voice came, and instantly, his worried heart settled.

"How did it go?"

"It’s not that easy!"

Zhou Zheng was very calm, not showing any emotional fluctuation due to Chen Xuan’s refusal.

"Such arrogance!"

Zhou Yi was very dissatisfied. For Zhou Zheng, the Emperor of Great Zhou, to invite him personally, yet this kid showed such disrespect!

What audacity!

"Don’t worry, Uncle Wang, it’s just a matter of time!"

He was very confident, but Zhou Yi was surprised, staring at him blankly. Since becoming the Emperor, Zhou Zheng seemed increasingly unfamiliar.

Though he still listened to him and worked hard, something felt off.

"Alright, don’t worry about this anymore. I’m going to the Shimmering Golden Phoenix for cultivation for a while. During this time, I’ll trouble you with affairs, and I won’t attend tomorrow’s banquet."

"Okay, go ahead! Don’t rush; there’s still time."

The National Spirit of Great Zhou has just been nurtured, with a low compatibility with Zhou Zheng. To fully harness the power of the Shimmering Golden Phoenix, complete compatibility is necessary.

It’s something every Emperor must do.

After all, Zhou Zheng would face Xia Yi in the future, and the pressure was imaginable.

"I understand!"

...

"Master, what does he mean?"

Chen Xuan asked.

Facing his inquiry, Xuan Er also frowned. Even he couldn’t decipher what Zhou Zheng meant.

A First Grade unable to remain independent!

No matter who wins or loses between Great Zhou and Great Xia, with his divine abilities, as long as he doesn’t participate, he believed neither side would willingly antagonize him.

Even in the worst case, hiding in a remote area wasn’t impossible.

"What does it truly mean?"

At this moment, his heart was filled with doubt.

"Alright, you should head back. We set out for Youlan Mansion tomorrow." They’ve been out too long, and it’s time to return, plus they need to send people away before taking action.

"Leaving tomorrow? What about Great Zhou’s banquet...?"

"Not going!"

"Alright!"

Chen Xuan nodded. That’s fine; he wasn’t keen on attending some banquet, it was just a waste of time.

Before coming, he thought of trying to meet someone important, but after searching Yonghe Commandery all these days, he didn’t find any trace, indicating the person wasn’t in the city.

Probably in some county.

Never mind.

See it later.

...

The next day, at dusk.

Chen Xuan and his group packed up. Several women loaded a big carriage with their bags.

Fortunately, they had the carriage. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have fit.

Inside the carriage, looking at the items taking up half the space, Chen Xuan shook his head helplessly. No matter where, a woman’s shopping desires were truly terrifying.