Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 177 Teasing Blue Phoenix

Lin Chen glanced at Dugu Qiubai, then at the three newly-formed terrestrial immortals beside him.

"Alright, staying in the manor does indeed limit your abilities."

He then pulled a black token from his robes and handed it to Dugu Qiubai:

"I sent three hundred unruly guards to scout ahead of Zhongzhou."

Once you arrive, show this token, and they will obey your commands!

Dugu Qiubai took the token; it was cold to the touch. The front was engraved with the words "Bad" and the back had intricate patterns.

"Thank you, my lord."

"Be careful," Lin Chen nodded gently.

"The Central Plains is a very complex place. Even a terrestrial immortal might only be considered a minor figure there. Don't be too reckless, play it safe and develop your strength, understand?"

Dugu Qiubai's lips curled up almost imperceptibly: "Understood."

He clasped his hands in a fist salute and turned around.

With one step, one is already ten zhang away.

Then, it disappeared into the morning mist.

"This sword fanatic..." Li Bai, who had somehow gotten close, sipped his wine.

"He just left without even a farewell drink."

"His eyes were only on the sword." Guan Yu also walked over, looking in the direction where Dugu Qiubai had left.

"This trip to the Central Plains will likely stir up another storm."

Lin Chen stretched and said, "Let him cause trouble. The more he stirs up trouble in Zhongzhou, the more secure we will be in Dongzhou. This is called strategic distraction."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

The sky gradually brightened.

The bamboo forest returned to calm, as if nothing had happened last night.

Only the wildly growing flowers and grasses silently recorded this unknown collective breakthrough.

"That's enough," Lin Chen waved his hand. "Go do whatever you need to do."

Mr. Hua, please remember to visit the mansion and take the pulses of your wives, mother, and grandmother, and give them some treatment.

"Yes, sir!"

After leaving the bamboo forest, Lin Chen yawned, preparing to go back to sleep for a while.

He paused as he passed the guesthouse.

A sweep of divine sense revealed that Lan Fenghuang was sitting at the stone table.

So early? Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

This girl seems to have a lot on her mind.

After thinking for a moment, he turned and walked towards the guest courtyard.

As soon as I reached the courtyard gate, I heard a soft sigh coming from inside.

Pushing open the door, one sees Lan Fenghuang sitting at a stone table, resting her chin on her hand, staring blankly at the pale light of dawn on the horizon.

As dawn broke, the light shone on her, making her blue dress look like she was wearing the sea, and her skin was dazzlingly white in the light.

"Your Highness?" Lan Fenghuang turned her head at the sound of her voice, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Why are you up so early?"

"Can't sleep, so I'll take a walk." Lin Chen sat down opposite him naturally, glancing at the teapot on the stone table.

"Why are you sighing so early in the morning? The tea's probably cold by now."

Blue Phoenix paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly:

"Your Highness is very observant, but... I'm a little homesick."

"Nanzhao?" Lin Chen poured himself a cup of iced tea, took a sip, and...

"I've heard that place is beautiful with clear waters and lush mountains, and the girls there are lovely too."

"Has Your Highness been there?"

"No." Lin Chen put down his teacup, looking at Lan Fenghuang with a half-smile.

"But isn't there a beautiful young woman from Nanzhao sitting right in front of me?"

Lan Fenghuang's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, saying, "Your Highness is joking."

"No jokes." Lin Chen leaned back, sizing up Lan Fenghuang.

"Miss Lan, are you finding the food and lodging at the Prince's residence satisfactory?"

"Very good." Lan Fenghuang nodded. "Sister Xue'er kept me company while I chatted, and the entire Prince's mansion also provided excellent hospitality."

"That's good." Lin Chen paused, then suddenly asked, "When do you plan to go back?"

Lan Fenghuang's eyes flickered slightly. "Is Your Highness... trying to turn the guests away?"

"No, that's not it." Lin Chen smiled.

"I'm just curious. You've come all the way from Nanzhao to the capital; you can't really just be visiting someone and having a chat, can you?"

Lan Fenghuang pursed her lips, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup.

After a long while, she said softly:

"Your Highness is indeed insightful! To be honest, I've come here for two reasons: first, to see Sister Xue'er, and secondly..."

She raised her eyes and looked directly at Lin Chen. "I would like to ask Your Highness for a favor."

"Oh?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."

"Has Your Highness ever heard of the Gu God Temple in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of Central China?"

Lin Chen frowned slightly:

"I've heard a little about it. I've heard that they worship the Gu God, specialize in the way of Gu insects, and their heritage and strength are no weaker than the three holy lands."

However, the Gu God Palace is mysterious and unpredictable, rarely interacting with outsiders, and the Hundred Thousand Mountains are fraught with danger, making it impossible for ordinary peak-level Celestial Realm cultivators to venture deep into them.

Could it be the Nanzhao Holy Temple...?

"Not bad!" Lan Fenghuang chimed in.

"The Nanzhao Holy Temple is a branch of the Gu God Temple. Our ancestors originally came from Zhongzhou."

"My purpose in coming to the capital this time is to borrow the Prince's influence and power to return to the Gu God Palace, acknowledge my ancestors, and restore the glory of my lineage."

Lin Chen didn't reply immediately, but just quietly looked at Lan Fenghuang.

Lan Fenghuang felt a little uncomfortable under Lin Chen's gaze and added:

"If Your Highness can help us, our lineage will remember your great kindness. From now on, the Nanzhao Holy Temple will be Your Highness's most loyal ally."

"What are the conditions?" Lin Chen asked calmly.

Blue Phoenix was taken aback: "What?"

"If you're going to set conditions, you should at least tell me what you can offer me, right?" Lin Chen smiled.

"You can't get something for nothing, right?"

Lan Fenghuang bit her lip, her voice lowering slightly:

"I...I can serve by the Prince's side."

"Serve?" Lin Chen chuckled. "How exactly do you mean by 'serve'?"

Lan Fenghuang's cheeks flushed even more, but she still forced herself to speak:

"Serve Your Highness however you wish."

Lin Chen suddenly stood up and walked to Lan Fenghuang's side.

Blue Phoenix stiffened, but did not dodge.

Lin Chen leaned down and whispered in Lan Fenghuang's ear, his warm breath brushing against her neck:

"Miss Lan, do you know what I hate most?"

"...What?"

"I hate it when people treat me like an idiot." Lin Chen's voice was soft, yet it carried a heavy sense of pressure.

"If you want to borrow my influence and power, you can, but you have to bring out something real."

A few empty words, plus your face... aren't enough.

Lan Fenghuang clenched her sleeves tightly.

Lin Chen straightened up, looked at Lan Fenghuang's slightly pale face, and suddenly smiled again:

"However, your face is indeed pleasing to the eye. How about I give you a chance?"

"What opportunity?" Blue Phoenix raised her head.

"Stay in the Prince's residence and let me see your sincerity." Lin Chen reached out, his fingertips gently tracing Lan Fenghuang's cheek.

"If you're sincere enough, it's not impossible for me to lend you a hand."

Lan Fenghuang was both surprised and delighted—this man was indeed lustful, but not easily fooled.

He was aware of his own scheme, but he still accepted the challenge.

Why?

"Your Highness..." Lan Fenghuang had just opened her mouth when Lin Chen suddenly pinched her cheek.

"Don't overthink it." Lin Chen withdrew his hand, a playful look on his face.

"I'm a very simple person. If we like each other, everything is fine."

If I don't find you pleasing to the eye... then even if you were a celestial being descended to earth, I wouldn't bother with you.

After saying that, he turned around and waved his hand:

"Don't drink the tea if it's cold; it'll upset your stomach. I'll have someone bring you a hot pot."

As Lin Chen reached the courtyard gate, he turned back and winked at Lan Fenghuang:

"By the way, it's okay to space out in the morning, but don't sigh."

"Why are you sighing at such a young age? If you need anything, come find me."

Lan Fenghuang sat there, watching Lin Chen's dashing departing figure, her feelings complicated.

She touched her cheek that had just been pinched, and then remembered the oppressive feeling Lin Chen had when he got close, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Blue Phoenix, oh Blue Phoenix..." she murmured to herself.

"You have an important mission, so don't lose your composure and get caught up in it."

But Lin Chen's ambiguous smile involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

This man... is too dangerous.

But it's also quite attractive.

perhaps……

……

Lin Chen left the guest courtyard in a good mood.

He saw right through Lan Fenghuang's thoughts.

Want to leverage existing momentum and resources?

can.

But we have to follow his rules.

As for her little schemes... well, it's quite interesting to play along with her.

He was very interested in the exotic atmosphere, the blend of purity and allure.

Looking up at the sky, it was already broad daylight.

Lin Chen stretched and walked towards Chu Yueyao's courtyard.

Now that there are so many pregnant women in the manor, Chu Yueyao is the most anxious one and should take good care of them.