Mountain Patrol Military Officer

After she left, Chen Yuan lowered his head to look at the jade pendant in his hand, his expression inscrutable.

"General, there are few such women."

At this moment, the voice of Gongsun Yang came from behind, seemingly in admiration.

"Few such women."

They had faced life and death together on the demon battlefield, and although they did not have much personal interaction usually, at crucial moments, they would take risks for each other and act righteously.

Last time when his subordinates were rescued from the Heavenly Prison, and this time seeing him in dire straits, she again leveraged her connections to take risks alone.

It can be said that her loyalty and affection run deep.

Chen Shen only felt the weight in the sleeve, the golden light in his eyes transformed into ink, watching Qin Rushuang stride away across the wooden door.

"When does the General plan to act?" Behind him, Gongsun Yang's eyebrows slightly arched, his voice lowered.

Even though the General urged him to stay calm, he couldn't hold back his words.

"If Your Majesty doesn't summon, those people outside will escalate, sending back remonstrative memorials and again posting people from Jingzhao Mansion on guard outside, disgusting the General, who knows what other disgusting means they will resort to, I find it unworthy for the General."

Gongsun Yang expressed his indignation for Chen Yuan, wondering how the General, with his high prestige among the Shu soldiers, could be treated so disgustingly by some minor officials in this Divine Capital, which was intolerable.

He, Old Gongsun, was also a passionate youth, having undergone the baptism of blood and fire on the demon battlefield, now feeling stifled by the politics in this Divine Capital court, a resentment pent up in his heart.

He could be said to be one of the people who understood Chen Yuan best, having been among the first to follow Chen Yuan out of Qingshan County, having watched him slay demons and fight his way up step by step. If there was a rebellion brewing, wouldn't he know? He found the accusations on the court and the current Emperor's actions unfair to the Shu soldiers, unfair to the General.

At this time, Chen Yuan turned around with his hands behind his back, the corners of his eyes slightly lifted, "Sir is right, those people are indeed disgusting."

"Dealing with these people is less preferable than slaying demons on the battlefield, all are insidious tricks conceived through racking their brains."

"Truly infuriating!"

Seeing Chen Yuan agreeing with him, Gongsun Yang's eyes slightly brightened, "Then what does the General plan?"

"The preparations for contingencies in Shu are almost ready, and I have sent people to arrange for spreading information in the Ten Thousand Mountains, those demons will be very interested. Right now, what's missing is just a trigger event, but this matter can't be rushed, it requires the right timing,"

Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, the pupils becoming deep,

"This time, I will come to the capital using the incense Dharma body, first to confuse others, second to test the Court's attitude, to see if the predicament in Shu can be resolved. Bringing more people over will do nothing, and rashness will resolve nothing. Since I now have the title but lack the support, let's see what this Emperor says?"

Indeed, at this time, this body of his is the incense Dharma body nurtured on Gongsun Yang's book, while the main body continues to oversee in the Fusi Cave Heaven.

On the way, most of the time he stayed in the carriage, ostensibly cultivating, with his primordial spirit leaping in the Nihility Color Realm, switching back and forth between his main body and clone.

"But now the Emperor obviously intends not to see the General!" Gongsun Yang frowned.

"That is the current situation to break out of, our Emperor's actions are to avoid doing things himself, letting the Three Imperial Families deal with me, but it's clear the Emperor will not personally intervene to kill me." Chen Yuan saw through it, aware of the Emperor's intention, but certain concerns still lingered.

Perhaps it's because of Chen Yuan's false edict; if Chen Yuan was ordered for arrest as soon as he arrived, it might provoke a rebellion among the Shu soldiers, or perhaps it was to use Emperor's Heart Skill to make others fight him, acting as a fisherman ready to reap the benefits.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yang's face calmed down.

Talking about breaking the deadlock, but within the court, they had no one, then he recalled something, and told Chen Yuan,

"General, ever since that day, Xu Shaoqing and Gou Inspection Envoy have not visited Xuankong Temple."

Chen Yuan nodded, his expression unchanged, "Everyone has their own aspirations, we can't force it, it's beyond our control."

"But now, with Miss Qin and Miss Dugu, we might be able to glean some insights into the matters at the court, at least we won't be blind."

Chen Yuan remained composed and steady.

Gongsun Yang nodded, feeling thankful for Miss Qin Rushuang in his heart.

At this moment, outside the side room, Qin Rushuang, disguised as a "palace maid," exited. After several right turns in the antiquated and fragrant ancient temple, she arrived at the incense-laden Great Hall.

This hall was magnificent and weighty, with vermilion columns piercing the mountain clouds, bracket sets layered like blooming lotuses, dragon murals of the Eight Heavenly Tribes vivid and menacing as if about to soar off the columns. The flying eaves soared to the nine heavens, the roof animals positioned like soldiers guarding the directions, crossing the three-foot high threshold, incense smoke carried a sense of peace. The coffered dome nested in layers, with painted flying goddesses' robes fluttering, and cloud patterns meandering along the beams, appearing and disappearing in the mottled light and shadow.

In the center, stood three golden Buddha statues, over ten zhang tall, gazing down on all beings; they represented the Three Buddhas — Past, Present, and Future. The gilded robe symbolized divine solemnity, the right hand forming the Fearless Seal, surrounded by hundreds of Arhats in various expressions: some glaring angrily, some looking on compassionately, inspiring a sense of awe.

Incense smoke swirled, weaving like thin gauze between beams and columns, rendering the narrative murals of sutras into a hazy and solemn ambiance, complemented by the monks' chanting in the hall, exuding an ineffable sacred solemnity.

The monks were lined up in two rows, numbering dozens, chanting in unison, their presence dignified, as if layers of rosy glow encircled the blue sheen of smoke. In the center, on a red cushion, the Crown Princess Consort knelt forward, worshipping with closed eyes, bathing in the incense.