The leader of the cultivation alliance has a crush on me.

Before the two even reached the city gate, they saw the emperor and empress hanging on the city wall. Song Ke didn't recognize them, but their attire confirmed their identities.

The onlookers, however, remained calm, as if they couldn't see who it was, and whispered among themselves.

"Have you heard? This plague originated from the Wei family, and many people have already died."

"The city gates are closed now, and no one is allowed to enter or leave. They are strictly checking people infected with the plague, which is said to be contagious from person to person."

"That's terrifying. But it's too good for those two demons to die like that. They've really caused us a lot of trouble."

"Who says otherwise? I heard that even the Temple of the Goddess has been taken over by those monsters, otherwise why hasn't the Goddess appeared yet?"

"Alas, it seems that the goddess has been exaggerated by the world. Now is the time when we need her, but she is hiding and not showing herself."

"I was wondering how General Wei could have achieved so many military exploits at such a young age and win every battle. I think he's practicing some kind of magic, a demonic art."

"Stop talking. The people outside the city are infected with the plague. He still wants to open the city gates and let people in. He doesn't value our lives at all."

The two people, who were hiding to the side listening to these words, felt even more indignant.

Of course, it was only Song Ke who was angry.

She said, "These people are so gossipy. They were so flattering when they welcomed people, but now they're putting them down. People's hearts are so fickle."

"What do we do now? The city gates are closed, and there are people all over the place who are possessed by demons."

As he spoke, he looked up and saw a small bird that seemed to be trying to fly out of the city, but it was blocked by the transparent barrier. It crashed into the barrier and created some ripples, but it could not fly out at all.

Song Ke was somewhat alarmed: "There are also people with profound cultivation in the city."

Feng Xun nodded: "Otherwise, do you think Qi Feng alone could be so invincible?"

"Just wait and see, a dantian without a person will never be empty."

"The black mist around them seems to have gotten even thicker."

Upon listening and looking, Song Ke saw that what was originally just swirling around a person's forehead had now spread all over their body. Those who hadn't been affected by the black mist quickly found themselves coiled around by it like snakes after making contact.

Seeing this, Song Ke asked, "Can't they see those black mists?"

Feng Xun nodded: "Mm."

"Otherwise, do you think they aren't terrified of these demons?"

"Also, haven't you noticed a strange problem?"

Song Ke looked puzzled, but when she saw the scene below the city gate, she suddenly realized something: "I understand."

"Yes... Hey, what are you doing?"

Before Song Ke could finish speaking, Feng Xun suddenly pulled her into the depths of the alley. They walked slowly but frequently, as if to prevent anyone they encountered from noticing their unusual behavior.

They stopped when they reached a secluded spot deep inside. Song Ke then learned of Feng Xun's actions. Not long after they left, groups of demonic spirits that had transformed into human form patrolled past.

"How dare they parade around the city like that?"

After saying that, she seemed unsurprised, sighed, and looked at Feng Xun, asking, "So the imperial city was occupied by them?"

"Yes."

Hearing his nonchalant tone, Song Ke asked him with some confusion, "Aren't you really worried about your apprentice?"

"Don't forget, Rong Xiu was also in the palace, as was Rong Ling, who was later captured and brought back. Aren't you afraid they'll be killed too?"

Feng Xun lowered his gaze to Song Ke's face and said slowly, "What are you trying to say?"

Song Ke reminded him, "Don't forget, Rong Xiu, like us, is an outsider to this illusion."

Feng Xun nodded: "I know."

So he's fine now.

Song Ke asked curiously, "How did you know?"

Feng Xun looked at Song Ke as if he were an idiot: "If anything happens to him, this illusion will collapse."

"....oh."

"So what do we do now? Is your cultivation level enough to get out?"

I don't know how sturdy that barrier is.

Feng Xun answered truthfully: "Going out is possible."

"That's great..."

Before he could finish speaking, Feng Xun added, "It's just that it's impossible to leave quietly."

What will happen if we get caught?

Feng Xun said, "A fight will break out."

"However, this illusion doesn't seem to be so simple. I sense a very familiar aura."

Song Ke listened and thought for a moment. She guessed, "Is it your old friend, the goddess?"

"Speaking of which, there's no way she wouldn't have noticed something so important happening in the capital. Why hasn't she shown up at all?"

-

By the river at the foot of Tianqiong Mountain, a slightly disheveled Rong Xiu stood there, gazing anxiously towards the imperial city. He paced back and forth countless times until the sun began to set, when he finally saw the approaching carriage through the dusty haze.

Rong Xiu walked quickly toward the carriage. When he got close, the carriage stopped. Wei Ping jumped off the carriage and greeted Rong Xiu, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Rong Xiu waved his hand and hurriedly asked, "How was the journey? Was it smooth?"

Wei Ping nodded: "It's alright."

After saying that, she added, "My master has already gone outside the city. She told us to stay at the Goddess Temple first, because the situation in the city is not as simple as we previously guessed."

Rong Xiu nodded as he listened, then, remembering Madam Wei's matter, he paused and asked, "That...madam Wei's matter..."

Wei Ping interrupted him, saying sadly, "This is my fault. If I had known this would happen, I should have nipped it in the bud."

Rong Xiu was silent for a moment after hearing this, then patted his shoulder as a silent consolation: "Uncle is still waiting on the mountain. Let's go up the mountain first and then discuss it."

Wei Ping nodded and led the unconscious Wei Fengchao up the mountain.

As dusk settled, a chilling and eerie feeling permeated the forest of Tianqiong Mountain. The group cautiously observed their surroundings, yet failed to notice the colorful fox tails that peeked out from the trees behind them.

The Goddess Temple is always brightly lit. Rong Jing had just finished tidying up when he heard footsteps outside the temple. He sighed wearily, straightened his clothes, and then stepped out.

From afar, Rong Xiujiu saw his uncle, the royal uncle, standing at the gate, waiting for his return under the lantern light. He appeared mature and composed, but he was still just a child. The upheaval in the capital and the murder of the emperor and empress caused the tension he had been holding onto to snap with a "buzz".

He tried his best to maintain his composure, but Rong Jing still noticed his slightly moist and reddened gaze. He looked at Rong Xiu, who had walked up to him, and without asking any questions, simply asked in a gentle tone, "Are you hungry?"

Rong Xiu shook his head, then nodded, his tone restrained: "Thank you for keeping me waiting, Imperial Uncle."

Rong Jing pursed his lips lightly: "Why be so polite with the Imperial Uncle?"

After saying that, he looked at the people behind Rong Xiu and said, "It's chilly in the mountains tonight, so come inside and eat while we talk."

As soon as the group sat down, they saw a petite woman with a captivating beauty bring up the food.

Rong Xiu was stunned at first, and it took him a while to realize who this was.

He asked in surprise, "Uncle, what was that just now...?"