128: The Emperor incognito

This statement directly rendered the System silent.

It didn't understand.

It was completely clueless.

For the System, a day was but a blink of an eye. Lin Chuping's words, translated into the System's language, were like another System telling it to Cultivate for a single breath.

This was utter nonsense.

People accustomed to being busy were stingy even when giving themselves a break.

What kind of hardships did the Host endure in his previous life!

The System was speechless but wisely muted itself and diligently helped Lin Chuping monitor the situation in his jurisdiction.

Before long, it discovered a group of several hundred people grandly entering Qingzhou territory.

The System merely glanced; they weren't red-named, so it ignored them.

It wasn't Lin Chuping; the grievances between Mortals had nothing to do with it.

It was like humans watching ants move; if they were interested, they might observe closely, but most of the time, they would just leave.

As long as it didn't threaten the System's ultimate mission, it didn't care about any of it.

* * *

On the border of Qingzhou, a caravan slowly advanced.

Shen Jianhong rode on a tall horse, occasionally looking back at the low-key blue cloth carriage in the center of the procession.

The carriage curtains hung low, obscuring the occupant, but Shen Jianhong knew that the most esteemed person in the entire Great Yan Dynasty sat there—the current Your Majesty, Li Shun.

Half a month ago, Shen Jianhong was attacked on his way back to the capital and nearly lost his life.

At the critical moment, a burst of cold light erupted around him, leaving Shen Jianxing unharmed.

However, all the assassins who attacked him met their demise.

Shen Jianhong understood in his heart, immediately bowed towards Qingzhou, and then rushed to the Imperial Palace without stopping to see Your Majesty.

No one knew what Shen Jianhong discussed with this Great Yan Emperor. In short, just one day later, Li Shun secretly summoned Shen Jianhong, which led to this low-key private visit to Qingzhou.

“Brother Shen, how much further?”

A clear voice came from inside the carriage, calm but carrying an undeniable authority.

Shen Jianhong quickly spurred his horse closer to the window and said in a low voice.

“Reporting... Young Master Li, we will be able to see Qingzhou Prefecture City in less than half an hour.”

He almost blurted out the words “Your Majesty” but fortunately changed his words in time.

During this incognito visit, the Emperor only brought three hundred elite imperial guards disguised as caravan escorts, and only his most trusted eunuch, Li Dequan, accompanied him.

“Mm.”

The curtain of the carriage was slightly lifted at a corner, revealing a young yet steady face.

Li Shun was only twenty-five this year and had been on the Dragon throne for two years.

For two years, he outwardly submitted to Prime Minister Liu Jin's manipulation, but secretly, he cultivated his own forces.

He was not only an emperor but also a young ambitious man.

Li Shun's fingers tapped rhythmically on the carriage window frame, his gaze observing the scenery outside Qingzhou City through the gap in the curtain.

Near the Prefecture City, farmers were bending over to work in the fields on both sides of the road, and smoke curled up in the distance, a scene of peace and harmony.

It was as if the darkness they had experienced on the road a few days ago was all a nightmare.

“This Qingzhou is completely different from the several prefectures and counties we passed through.”

Li Shun murmured to himself. He had never left the Imperial City before. After several generations, the Li Imperial Family had gradually moved away from demons, focusing more on navigating the political arena and engaging in intrigues.

Thinking of this, Li Shun's fingers suddenly lost their rhythm as they tapped on the carriage window frame.

He looked at the vibrant farmland outside the window, a complex, ineffable sourness rising in his chest.

“Is this my Dynasty?”

“Brother Shen, after we reach the Prefecture City, we will rest for a while. After I bathe and burn incense, we will set off for Chang Sheng Village to pay respects to Lord Chuping.”

“Yes, Young Master Li.”

Upon entering Qingzhou, Shen Jianhong's taut nerves gradually relaxed.

Although there were many experts around the Emperor, in this world, the wilderness had always been the domain of demons, and Shen Jianhong dared not relax his guard in the slightest.

* * *

“Temple Official Chen, a group of people is coming our way.”

In the Prefecture City, Temple Official Granny Chen had just finished counting the day's incense and candles when a child rushed over to report.

Granny Chen put down her work and squinted her old eyes towards the temple gate—only to see Shen Jianhong leading a group of people across the square. The young man at the forefront had an extraordinary demeanor; though dressed as a wealthy merchant, his every move exuded a natural, awe-inspiring dignity.

“This old woman greets the esteemed guests.”

Granny Chen leaned on her peach wood staff and stepped forward, her gaze lingering on the jade pendant at Li Shun's waist for a moment. She already had an idea.

A jade pendant with such a pattern was not something ordinary merchants could use.

Shen Jianhong quickly introduced: “This is Young Master Li from the capital, who has come to Qingzhou specifically to pay respects to Lord Chuping.”

“We wish to borrow your esteemed place to rest our feet and will depart for Chang Sheng Village to pay our respects tomorrow morning.”

After hearing Shen Jianhong's words, Granny Chen indeed sighed and shook her head slightly.

“Since you are here to pay respects to Lord Chuping, why go to such lengths? We also have a temple for Lord Chuping in our Prefecture City, and this old woman, though unworthy, is precisely the Temple Official of this temple.”

Shen Jianhong was stunned by the words and subconsciously looked around.

Only then did he notice that the architectural style of this building, located in the center of the Prefecture City, indeed resembled a temple.

Most importantly, the four gilded characters “Chuping Temple” on the plaque shone brightly in the sunlight.

“The Prefecture City... also has a Chuping Temple?”

Shen Jianhong blurted out.

Granny Chen's smile smoothed out the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

“You gentlemen are unaware. Ever since Lord Chuping broke the Spirit-奪取 Array in this Prefecture City, we, grateful for Lord Chuping's benevolence, wished to sculpt a golden effigy for him.”

“Lord Chuping, out of compassion for us, specifically granted permission to establish a temple here to protect this region.”

“What is this Spirit-奪取 Array about?”

Li Shun suddenly asked.

He noticed that when Granny Chen mentioned these three words, several passing incense-burners showed expressions of lingering fear.