Cheng Miaozhen lightly furrowed her brows.
She gently shook her head, averted her gaze, and looked at the people around her.
There were already over a hundred people around the Bone Tower, each with a different expression.
These hundred-plus people were of various backgrounds.
Young scholars, middle-aged experts, young swordsmen, and even elderly old men.
None of these surprised Cheng Miaozhen.
What surprised her was that there were also many women, some young girls, some old women, and some middle-aged women.
Some were solemnly staring at the white bones, some were weeping with their heads down, and some were filled with fiery resentment.
Some were kneeling on the ground, kowtowing towards the manor's gate.
Some were crying loudly.
She quickly understood why these women had come to see the Bone Tower.
It was because someone in their family had died at the hands of the evil sect's demonic figures, and they came to see the Bone Tower, believing that their great revenge had been achieved.
These dead demonic figures of the evil sect must have included the murderers who harmed their loved ones.
Cheng Miaozhen tightly pursed her red lips.
She knew that the evil sect's demonic figures killed countless people and were utterly devoid of humanity, but she had never truly experienced it.
Now, seeing these people crying loudly, she truly understood how terrifying and cruel the actions of these evil sect's demonic figures were.
The extent of the destruction they had caused to the common people and innocent individuals.
Chu Zhiyuan's action could be described as extremely satisfying to the people.
"Ah!"
"Not good!"
"They are the evil sect's demonic figures!"
Cheng Miaozhen saw several people suddenly fall in the crowd, their bodies rapidly shrinking, their flesh disappearing.
The others quickly recognized these people as the evil sect's demonic figures.
They quickly turned into several skeletons.
An invisible force lifted these skeletons and gently placed them on top of the Bone Tower, increasing its height.
"Good riddance!"
"The demonic figures of the evil sect, everyone has the right to kill them!"
"The heir is wise!"
A wave of shouts erupted from the crowd, some even shouting until they were hoarse.
Cheng Miaozhen, standing in the crowd, looked solemn and couldn't help but feel a sense of compassion in her heart.
Those who were shouting hoarsely must have been deeply harmed by the evil sect's demonic figures and were the most supportive and grateful for Chu Zhiyuan's actions.
Cheng Yifeng sighed, "The heir's action has truly won the hearts of the people."
Cheng Miaozhen nodded lightly.
Cheng Yifeng said, "Everyone talks about exterminating the evil sect, but the only one who has truly done it is the heir!"
Cheng Miaozhen sighed.
Why does everyone shout so loudly, but so few actually do it? There must be a reason.
Cheng Yifeng said, "This kind of death is no different from what happened in the city; it's indeed the heir's method."
Cheng Miaozhen nodded lightly.
"Aren't you going to meet the heir?" Cheng Yifeng looked at Cheng Miaozhen, "To ask about this martial art."
Cheng Miaozhen shook her head.
"Alright then." Cheng Yifeng shook his head helplessly, "The evil sects here seem to be tucking their tails between their legs, but the ones on our side—"
Da Jing has evil sects, and Da Zhen also has evil sects.
Inside a small courtyard in the Ziyang Manor, Chu Zhiyuan was sitting in a small pavilion, reading a book.
Xiao Ruoling was sitting opposite him.
She was wearing a white palace dress, her hair was like clouds, her skin was like white jade, and her eyes were deep and hazy, like a celestial being descended from the heavens.
Chu Zhiyuan, sitting opposite her, felt that her presence made the small pavilion filled with a captivating atmosphere, and his heart was peaceful and joyful.
On the stone table were two stacks of documents; she picked up one from the left side, and after reading it, she placed it on the right side.
Outside the small pavilion, Xu Yingying and Shen Hanyue were engaged in a fierce battle.
Both were wearing white, close-fitting outfits, their movements were light and swift, their fists and palms exchanged blows, and the wind howled, like thunder.
Interspersed with their sarcastic remarks, their verbal sparring never stopped.
Inside the small pavilion, Chu Zhiyuan put down his book and smiled, "Are the affairs of the Yao Yue Palace so busy?"
A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Ruoling's beautiful face as she shook her head and said, "The palace master is being lazy, so I have to work a little harder."
"So many things?"
"Not only within the peak, but there are also many matters concerning the vassal sects, intertwined and very complicated."
"Don't work too hard."
"It's alright, it's not that tiring," Xiao Ruoling said.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.
He was both observing the situation outside and focusing on his internal state.
Two small sword qi were constantly attacking the Golden Tower, and the Golden Tower released light, affecting its surroundings, while the final layer of the Dragon Transformation Art was constantly circulating.
At the same time, the Yin-Yang Reversal Art was also circulating, also changing his body.
Under various influences, he felt that the first breakthrough should be the Claw Refinement layer of the Dragon Transformation Art.
His hands were faintly changing, the strength of his ten fingers was becoming stronger and stronger, and he even had the urge to lightly tap the stone table and shoot himself out.
He suddenly turned his head and looked outside the small pavilion.
He saw a figure flash into view.
Wearing a plain green robe, with a graceful figure and ordinary appearance, it was Grandmaster Su Qiuyan.
Chu Zhiyuan stood up, came to the steps of the small pavilion, cupped his fists, and smiled, "Mr. Su, a rare guest."
Su Qiuyan stood outside the small pavilion, smiling and cupping her fists, "Greetings, Heir."
"Mr. Su, please sit," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, extending his hand, "Let's sit down and talk."
Su Qiuyan came to the small pavilion and smiled sweetly at Xiao Ruoling.
Xiao Ruoling also stood up and cupped her fists.
After Chu Zhiyuan invited her to sit down, Xiao Ruoling personally served tea.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Her Highness is now the emperor; I haven't had a chance to say congratulations."
Su Qiuyan said, "I am here on the emperor's orders to deliver a letter to the Heir."
She took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan took it and smiled, "Is she doing well now?"
"Very well," Su Qiuyan nodded.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Mr. Su, don't deceive me; she suddenly became the emperor, and I guess everyone above and below is not convinced, so she can't be doing too well."
Su Qiuyan smiled without saying a word.
This was indeed true.
Suddenly becoming the emperor, her foundation was too shallow, and more importantly, she was a woman.
Just thinking about it, one knew how difficult the situation was.
But the emperor possessed the Phoenix bloodline, was indomitable, and was still able to handle the adversity with ease.
She often said that it was because she was tempered in Yujing and that her character was honed under Chu Zhiyuan's constant setbacks.
Even if she was isolated and alienated within the court, as long as she held the Emperor's Sword, she could stand firm.
This letter, however, was sent secretly.
When she was in Yujing, there was nothing to avoid suspicion in her interactions with Chu Zhiyuan.
But as the emperor of Da Meng, further interactions with Chu Zhiyuan, the Heir, needed to avoid suspicion.
Chu Zhiyuan quickly scanned the letter and pondered thoughtfully.
Su Qiuyan stared at him.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Da Meng really wants to negotiate peace with our Da Jing?"
Su Qiuyan nodded, "This matter is not a pretense; in the current situation, the emperor has no intention of starting a war."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tenth Uncle has already returned to the capital, and there is no intention of starting a war here either; the key is the newly emerged secret realm in Da Meng."
Su Qiuyan said, "Regarding the secret realm, the emperor mentioned it in the letter, right?"
"She's too greedy," Chu Zhiyuan said.
Su Qiuyan sighed, "This is also unavoidable; the emperor cannot appear too weak."
"She's asking me for help?"
"Heir, don't forget, you owe the emperor a favor."
"What about that flying knife?" Chu Zhiyuan said.
Su Qiuyan shook her head lightly.
"Hmph, she doesn't want to use up that favor yet, and still wants me to help!" Chu Zhiyuan snorted.
Su Qiuyan smiled apologetically.
Da Meng had already sent an envoy to start negotiations with Da Jing.
But the conditions of the negotiations would not be too lenient, after all, Da Meng held the advantage.
If the negotiations went unfavorably, it would inevitably suffer condemnation and dissatisfaction from the court and the public.
But at this time, Da Jing was not afraid of war, but rather felt that there was an opportunity to take advantage of.
Therefore, the negotiations would be extremely difficult.
At this time, as the emperor, one had to use all means to fight for sufficient benefits.
So she sent this letter.
This was also with the idea of trying one's luck, whether there was a chance or not.
After all, this would involve ceding the interests of Da Jing, and as the Heir, it would be almost impossible to agree.
