Imperial Cultivation

66: Chapter 64 Iron Cavalry

66 -64 Iron Cavalry

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The sun sets in the west, and the evening glow fills the sky.

Outside the South City Gate of Yujing, hundreds of Imperial Army soldiers stand solemnly, holding long spears.

The tips of the spears and the Bright Armor sparkle with the evening glow under the sunset.

A two-mile radius has already been cordoned off.

The onlookers are blocked on both sides of Azure Dragon Avenue leading from the South City Gate to the Imperial Palace.

The people of Yujing City have seen many grand scenes.

They are quite familiar with such lockdowns, not only are they not frightened, but they also press forward more eagerly, wanting to see the spectacle and have something to boast about during leisure time.

Under the majestic and wide South City Gate, a group of Court officials dressed in crimson or purple robes, with nearly no one below the Sixth Grade with green robes.

Chu Zhiyuan, dressed in a crimson robe, stands at the forefront of the crowd, mixed among middle-aged men in crimson and elders in purple robes, including the Minister of Rites, Left Vice Minister, Right Vice Minister, and doctors.

As a Junior Minister, he holds the smallest official position among this group, with others like Gao Lingfeng, who are merely errand runners, not counted.

Prince Zhuang, the Minister of Rites, is an elderly man with a dignified and martial appearance, his square face commands authority without anger, watching the clean and broad official road calmly, like a statue.

In his demeanor, other officials naturally imitate, standing quietly like statues themselves, looking at the distant official road.

Beside Prince Zhuang stands an elderly eunuch in a purple robe, short and plump, with a benevolent appearance, exuding harmony.

This is Zhou Fu, the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Study.

With a name like ‘Fu’, he is indeed blessed, his looks also suggest fortune, and his actions are gentle.

He is an old servant from the Emperor’s residence, highly trusted.

More importantly, he is a Great Grandmaster.

…

Chu Zhiyuan stands motionless in the crowd.

Beside him is the Left Vice Minister, Duke An Xiao Youping.

This makes him very uncomfortable.

In his discomfort, he focuses on his Super Sense while pondering.

Can a eunuch become a Great Grandmaster?

In many martial arts notes of Great Grandmasters, it seems to mention needing Essence Qi, spirit, and energy in Perfection to advance to a Great Grandmaster.

Eunuchs have incomplete bodies, how can they become Great Grandmasters?

It seems there are exceptions.

It’s a pity not to have seen Zhou Fu’s martial arts notes, unaware of the unique methods eunuchs use to achieve Great Grandmaster status and what heavenly truths it contains.

His thoughts turn elsewhere.

This time, the Da Zhen Mission consists of a total of two hundred and forty-six people, among them one hundred and eighty are from Da Zhen’s Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, the rest are officials.

Lingshuang Iron Cavalry is a world-renowned cavalry, originating from the personal guard camp of Da Zhen’s founding Grand Ancestor, established with great fame.

Subsequently, in battles on the border with Da Jing, they almost never suffered losses, maintaining their undefeated record.

Lingshuang Iron Cavalry always maintains an establishment of eighteen hundred, an elite among Da Zhen’s military elite, reputed for having innate cultivation.

The invincibility of the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry lies in the Lingshuang Battle Formation.

This formation is a military array obtained from a fortuitous encounter of Da Zhen’s founding Grand Ancestor.

Once formed, all cavalry are united in thought, fearless, devoid of distractions, moving as one.

Eighteen form a small formation, one hundred and eighty a large formation, eighteen hundred a super formation.

Ordinary troops encountering the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry almost collapse at the first encounter, having no power to resist.

If Da Jing didn’t have the Chasing Wind Cavalry, they would have long suffered a terrible defeat.

Under Prince Ying, the Chasing Wind Cavalry has been greatly promoted, enabling them to hold off the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, halting the declining situation in battles with Da Zhen.

Chu Zhiyuan has always been curious about the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, wanting to see exactly what the battle formation is and if it is indeed as formidable as rumored.

He knows of the Array and is precisely having Gao Jiong and three others practice it with Guo Chi, striving for forming the formation to further protect themselves.

…

The Da Zhen Mission is led by Da Zhen’s Third Prince, Prince Ying Cheng Yilong, and the Prince Heir Cheng Tianfeng, the rest are Ministry of War officials.

Chu Zhiyuan is very curious about what level of cultivation Cheng Tianfeng has and whether he has absolute confidence in confronting him.

If there is an opportunity to witness his moves, that would be ideal.

Slowly, time drifts away, and dusk begins to envelop all directions, with the sunset ready to wholly disappear behind the mountains.

Chu Zhiyuan glances into the distance.

A rider rushes forward, arriving before them in an instant.

On the horse is a handsome young man, clad in light armor, who swiftly leaps down, the horse being stopped by the Imperial Army and allowing him to run forward.

“Minister of Rites, the Da Zhen Mission has reached a mile away.”

“Hmm, go scout again.”

Suddenly, the statue-like Prince Zhuang moves, turning his head to look at the other officials, stating in a deep voice, “The people are coming, get your spirits up, don’t be dejected!”

Everyone is invigorated.

When Prince Zhuang’s eyes pass over Chu Zhiyuan, he pauses for a moment.

Chu Zhiyuan knows it’s not his imagination; Prince Zhuang indeed gave him a deep look.

Clearly, he knows something as well.

As the rider leaps onto the horse and rides off again, the ground begins to shake violently, akin to an earthquake.

“They’re coming!”

“They’re coming!”

…

Voices erupt from the ministers’ mouths as they look towards the distance with wide eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan frowns.

Such commotion at this great distance?

With his Super Sense, he sees that the armor of those white-robed knights is light, and the white horses lack armor.

Compared to the Chasing Wind Cavalry, these Lingshuang Iron Cavalrymen have lighter equipment.

The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry specializes in ambush and surprise attacks.

If they are usually like this, they cannot surprise attack, as their movements would be heard from a mile away, giving others time to flee or evade.

The reason why vibrations are felt from such a distance is because their steps are in unison, creating resonance, thereby strengthening the ground vibrations.

Clearly, it’s a combat tactic.

Is this an act of intimidation?

Chu Zhiyuan raises an eyebrow, half-smiling.

Simultaneously, he sees the officials within the Da Zhen Mission, noticing the leading middle-aged man and the handsome young man beside him.

The middle-aged man’s appearance is graceful with a cheerful smile, as if nothing is of concern, everything has a solution, a true optimist.

While beside him, the dashing young man bears a solemn and grave demeanor, his presence steady, shrouded in a mist.

This mist is a faint black color, covering him, momentarily making it impossible to see through him.

Chu Zhiyuan is slightly surprised.

Is this a mental method or a treasure?

Beside him is a diminutive elder.

As Chu Zhiyuan focuses, a towering mountain appears in his vision, reaching up into the clouds, above which is a dark canopy with countless stars in the sky.

The stars form various complex patterns.

The patterns flicker and transform into one after another, each pattern continuously changing, revealing endless mysteries.

Chu Zhiyuan feels a momentary daze and then awakens to find his hand resting on the hilt of the Qingying Sword, its aura soothing his spirit.

This diminutive elder is a Great Grandmaster.

Most likely, he is the Great Grandmaster from Wentian Cliff.

Can it be that Wentian Cliff truly specializes in the Art of Star Gazing?

He furrows his brow in deep thought.

“This time, they’re truly here!”

Chu Zhiyuan looks up.

At the end of the distant official road, a group of white-clad, white-horse cavalry appeared, with a group of red-cloaked officials on horseback behind them, led by several middle-aged and young men in purple robes at the forefront.

The middle-aged man at the very front is Prince Ying Cheng Yilong.

The young man in the purple robe beside him is his heir, Cheng Tianfeng.

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan feels a shock throughout his body.

He immediately activates the Heavenly Yuan Technique.

Instantly, a continuous stream of air descends from the sky, as if drinking nectar.

In such a situation, he is enveloped by the power of the heavens and the earth, as if in a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, merging with the world, thus being able to block others’ prying.

This is a clumsy method but an effective one.

Others might even think he has treasures protecting him.

Cheng Tianfeng’s gaze quickly fixes on him.

His eyes calm and powerful, as if seeing through everything, making Chu Zhiyuan more vigilant.

Can it be that Cheng Tianfeng also has an ability similar to his own Super Sense, capable of seeing through others’ cultivation?

If he possesses it, why can’t others?

Perhaps his encounter is even more exaggerated, peculiar, and powerful than his own.

Does Cheng Tianfeng have secret techniques, or does he possess treasures?

As Cheng Tianfeng approaches, Chu Zhiyuan finally sees the peculiar badge on his chest, from which the power emanates.

It’s a circular Jade, emitting strands of light smoke, enveloping his entire body.

This light smoke’s effect is akin to smoke bombs from the past life.

Though fine and faint, it obstructs spying, making it impossible to see him clearly.

And as they approach, Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sense is suddenly drawn to a carriage.