Chapter 68: When Chu Feng Takes the Field, One Is Worth Ten Thousand

Lin Manyu had been at the Supreme Profound Dao Sect for half a month. She had only one purpose this time: to divorce.

She had given up her cultivation, left her sect, and willingly devoted herself to being a wife and mother for his sake. With her help, he had risen to the ranks of marquis and minister, but in the end, he sought a new love, insisting that she accept the concubine—and even orchestrated her death.

It was only in death that she learned the truth.

His so-called new love was, in fact, his childhood sweetheart. The reason he married her in the first place was simply because she was a cultivator who could aid his ambitions.

For ten years, he had maintained the façade of a respectful and loving husband. In reality, he had always lived as a true couple with his childhood sweetheart, even fathering children with her. To prevent Lin Manyu from conceiving, he secretly poisoned her after every encounter. The most laughable thing was that she had been completely unaware, blaming herself for being barren and feeling guilty toward him—until her dying moment, when she finally uncovered the truth.

Fortunately, Heaven took pity on her and granted her a second life, returning her to the moment he brought the concubine home.

In this life, she would suffer them no longer.

She had already resolved to divorce him.

Pity, she had underestimated the situation.

The Emperor of Great Qian actually stood behind that scoundrel. No wonder he dared to bring that woman home at this time and plot her death.

Thus, her only recourse was to return to the Supreme Profound Sect and seek help.

Sadly, she had only ever been an inner disciple, her words carrying little weight. Who would be willing to help her?

At this moment, despair engulfed her.

Had she been reborn only to repeat the same tragedy?

Appealing to the Supreme Elder, Chu Feng, was her final hope—a desperate measure indeed.

Thankfully, she was blessed with great fortune. Otherwise, Chu Feng would never have intervened.

“Disciple Lin Manyu pays respects to the Patriarch.” The moment Lin Manyu saw Chu Feng, she fell to her knees, tears streaming, recounting all that had befallen her—even her rebirth.

“I beg the Patriarch to grant me justice. I ask for nothing but to be set free from that scoundrel.”

Justice—she desired nothing more.

Chu Feng nodded. “Rise. I will accompany you.”

“Ah.”

Lin Manyu was stunned on the spot.

She even wondered if she had misheard—had the Patriarch truly agreed to accompany her?

“What, you’re unwilling?” Chu Feng asked.

Lin Manyu quickly recovered. “Disciple is willing. Thank you, Patriarch.”

“Very well, let’s go,” Chu Feng nodded.

Just as Chu Feng was about to depart, Chen Wanwan came over with Ji Ling’er in tow.

“Husband, let us come too.”

“As you wish, a stroll will do us good,” Chu Feng agreed.

The four of them set out.

With a wave of Chu Feng’s hand, they vanished from the Supreme Profound Dao Sect, heading straight for the Great Qian Dynasty.

The capital was not far from Four Seasons City—before half a cup of tea had passed, they arrived at the imperial city of Great Qian.

…

At this time—

In the Marquis of Might’s residence, a ten-mile procession of red adorned the streets, crimson lanterns hung high, drums and gongs resounded, firecrackers exploded—liveliness abounded.

Today was the day Li Wei took a wife and a concubine.

Half a month ago, Li Wei discovered his wife had vanished. Far from searching for her, he was overjoyed and hurriedly arranged his wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Liu Ruyan. By rights, with his principal wife still present, Liu Ruyan could only enter the household as a concubine, but Li Wei insisted on marrying her with all the honors due a principal wife.

Three matchmakers and six betrothals, eight grand sedan chairs—a spectacle of unrivaled splendor.

Inside the marquis’s mansion, in the rear hall, Li Wei’s mother, overbearing and arrogant, berated the servants, “Listen well. That little wretch has already run away from home and will never return. Even if she does, she’ll never be mistress of this house again. From now on, Liu Ruyan is your true mistress. In this house, apart from me, only she holds authority. As for that wretch, it would be best if she died out there.”

Li Wei, clad in red robes, approached and said, “Mother, keep your voice down. Though I’ve long loathed that wretch, we should be discreet—walls have ears.”

His mother scoffed, “What’s the point of lowering my voice? Let everyone hear, so all know who truly rules this household. That little tramp dared to run away? If you ask me, you’d best divorce her and be done with it—why keep her around to vex us?”

Li Wei nodded. “Mother, you’re right. But there’s no rush. Once I’ve wrung everything from her, then I’ll finish her off. I, Li Wei, have no concept of divorce—only of widowhood.”

“Good,” his mother replied with satisfaction. “That wretch should have been disposed of long ago.” Then, shifting the topic, she asked, “If we do get rid of her, can we bring my grandchildren home at last?”

“How can the children of the Li family be left wandering outside? They must be acknowledged by their ancestors. Besides, you’re now a marquis—you cannot be without heirs.”

Li Wei assured her, “Mother, rest easy. Soon, Zihan and Xiaowei will return to our family’s halls.”

“Good, very good,” his mother said, delighted. “Now, go fetch Ruyan for me.”

Li Wei smiled. “As you command, mother.”

…

In the palace.

Chu Feng sat grandly upon the dragon throne, which should have belonged to the emperor. Lin Manyu, Chen Wanwan, and Ji Ling’er stood at his side.

Meanwhile, the mighty and imposing Emperor of Great Qian—who could command law with a word—was now kneeling in terror before the throne, drenched in sweat, his face a mask of fear.

He pleaded incessantly, “Patriarch, have mercy—your humble servant…”

Smack!

Realizing his error, the emperor slapped himself hard, a red handprint blooming on his face. He continued, “I did not know Lin Manyu was connected to you, Patriarch. Had I known, I would have done right by her. Please, Patriarch, show mercy for my ignorance and spare my life.”

The emperor could only weep inside.

When Lin Manyu had come seeking justice before, he had turned her away, choosing Li Wei instead.

Li Wei—a scoundrel, but admittedly capable, or else how could he have won Lin Manyu’s heart? Most importantly, he knew when to advance and when to retreat, and was loyal to the emperor.

Lin Manyu, though once an inner disciple of the Supreme Profound Dao Sect, was but one among many.

The Supreme Profound Dao Sect was one of the three great powers of Sword State, with tens of thousands of disciples, more than thirty thousand of them inner disciples. Besides, she had left the sect of her own volition.

And so, for a dozen days, no one had spoken on her behalf.

Who could have foreseen the sudden change—the intervention of Patriarch Chu Feng himself?

Had he known Lin Manyu could enlist Chu Feng’s aid, he would have supported her unreservedly.

Regret now was pointless.

He could only hope that the Patriarch would spare him for the sake of his imperial status.