Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 148: Chapter 146 Gift of a Painting

Chu Zhiyuan did not discourage them. Since they were busy, he let them be.

Without some busyness, it was hard to ease their inner anxiety.

Compared to himself, they were more nervous.

It seemed as if this trip was a matter of great importance.

The entire Prince Mansion was bustling, the guards were gearing up, and the attendants were being commanded into a frenzy, with everyone busy.

It was as if not being busy was being lazy and indifferent to the Princely Heir.

Chu Zhiyuan observed this with clear understanding.

With the expansion of the Super Sense’s range, he could cover more than half of the Prince Mansion, seeing more clearly the minds of everyone in the mansion.

Only in the dead of night did the Prince Mansion slowly calm down.

As dawn broke, when he got up, the Prince Mansion became busy once again.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh silently.

Just going out and it’s as if the entire Prince Mansion was moving, with various luggage and things needed for outside packed into six carriages.

Chu Zhiyuan really didn’t know what to say.

Bai Ningshuang put so much effort into it, managed to have everything ready, and he didn’t want to waste all this hard work, so six carriages or not, it made no difference.

As for the escort, besides Guo Chi and the four Grandmasters, there were over twenty Innate Masters.

These twenty or so slots were fiercely contested, with everyone eager to seize the chance for a leisurely outing.

Sealed in the mansion for thirty years, always staying in the Prince Mansion, even after the unseal still remaining in Yujing City, there was a great desire to see the outside world.

Has the world from thirty years ago changed compared to now?

The mountains are still those mountains, the trees still those trees, but what about the people?

The Martial Arts figures outside Yujing City, have they grown stronger or weaker?

Do those famous places for beauties still have beauties now?

And what have those beauties seen before become now?

...

Chu Zhiyuan and his entourage grandly exited the South City Gate, then passed through the more bustling and lively Outer City, heading towards the Outer City Gate in the gaze of onlookers.

As he traveled, he felt envious glances, admiring glances, and even malicious glances.

The Inner City was somewhat better, with just a few, but upon reaching the Outer City, the malicious glances increased dramatically in number, dozens of times.

This weighed on his mind heavily.

Were there so many people in the Outer City who wanted to kill him?

Were many demons from the Evil Sect mixed into the Outer City, or had the sentiment of Da Jing’s people faltered?

Focusing his mind on observing them inside and out, he found that most were demons from the Evil Sect, and some seemed to have cultivation as well.

The composition of these people was much more complex.

Chu Zhiyuan speculated that some were unhappy with the Court, or had relatives or friends destroyed by the Court, and some might even be spies.

All these were credits to be earned.

Upon returning, he could work with the Inspection Department to sift through these people, to see if a Fifth Grade Merit could be gathered.

Who knows, there might be a big catch.

The entourage moved through the South City Outer Gate, and beyond was a wide official road that could accommodate eight carriages abreast, with white coal slags paving the ground, clean and tidy.

One mile outside the city gate, a group of black-armored cavalry stood silently.

Both horses and men were clad in black armor, leaving only the horses’ legs, eyes, and the humans’ eyes exposed.

Over two hundred black-armored cavalry stood quietly, exuding the presence of over two thousand men, causing passersby to steer clear, not daring to approach.

Within the circle of black-armored knights, a handsome middle-aged man was sitting upright in a small pavilion, his figure as straight as a pine.

The handsome middle-aged man had a face like a crown jade, with sword-like brows and bright eyes, accompanied by three others, two young eunuchs, and a middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged woman had a gentle and harmonious temperament, still possessing her charm.

The two young eunuchs were in high spirits, frequently standing at the railing to gaze at the city gate.

Suddenly, one eunuch called out, ”Here they come! Here they come!”

The handsome middle-aged man looked over and said with a smile, ”This old fourth, so unseemly, youngest yet the last to arrive, made Mr. Song wait so long.”

The middle-aged woman smiled gently, ”It’s no problem.”

When Chu Zhiyuan hurried over, he jumped off the horse from afar, clasped his fists, and said with a smile, ”Uncle Ten, Mr. Song, pardon me, this is my first time leaving the city, and my mother was saying a word here and there, and before I knew it, I was late!”

”Old fourth, why are you bringing so many things?” Prince Ying, Chu Mingrui, scanned the six carriages behind him.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”Can’t be helped, I had to bring them.”

He was quite familiar with Chu Mingrui, having talked before at the royal night banquet.

Knowing that Chu Mingrui had a close relationship with his father, Chu Mingrui also showed friendliness to himself.

Chu Mingrui quickly understood Chu Zhiyuan’s meaning and said helplessly, ”We are on a march, carrying so much baggage is indeed unnecessary.”

”Otherwise, just leave them and have them return to the mansion.”

”...Forget it, Sister-in-law’s intentions are thoughtful, let’s bring them along.” Chu Mingrui thought of Bai Ningshuang’s influence, feeling a headache, and had to agree.

Bai Ningshuang grew up with them, and Chu Mingrui used to play around following behind Chu Minghou, often being bullied by Bai Ningshuang.

Though he was now the prestigious Prince Ying, the God of War of Da Jing, in Bai Ningshuang’s eyes, he was still that little ”Tenth”, to be scolded and even disciplined.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Thank you, Uncle Ten.”

He then turned to Song Feiqiong, ”Mr. Song, I have to trouble you to escort me on this journey.”

Song Feiqiong smiled gently, ”Wan’er has nothing but praise for you.”

She agreed to this task mainly because of Chu Zhiyuan’s assistance and kindness to the Flying Flower Sword Sect.

Lu Wan had a very good relationship with him, especially Li Suyue, who was already on intimate terms with the young lady of Prince Qing Mansion, frequent and close interactions.

With this relationship, Song Feiqiong’s connection with him was much closer.

Since entering Yujing, the Flying Flower Sword Sect constantly faced exclusion and suppression, besides cold eyes and ridicule.

Even though she was a Great Grandmaster, possessing unmatched power, she still felt powerless.

It wasn’t feasible to confront all those with malice to make them submit.

Even if she could fight them all, it wouldn’t change the Flying Flower Sword Sect’s situation.

At this crucial moment, Chu Zhiyuan’s kindness was particularly precious.

Especially allowing Li Suyue to enter Prince Qing Mansion, equivalent to Prince Qing Mansion’s support for the Flying Flower Sword Sect.

Even in decline, Prince Qing Mansion was a Prince Mansion, royal, standing at the pinnacle of Da Jing’s aristocratic hierarchy.

Their support was crucial to the Flying Flower Sword Sect.

This escort duty could be seen as a gesture of gratitude.

”Elder Lu, after her retreat, has made further progress, congratulations are in order.”

”Wan’er indeed is promising.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded to the two young eunuchs, smiling, ”The two Imperial Envoys have worked hard.”

”Princely Heir, the patriarch has already instructed, we all should listen to the Princely Heir, whatever the Heir commands, we will do!”

”Imperial Envoy Huang is too polite.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

As a Princely Heir, he also had eunuchs like Zou Fang around him, but the eunuchs of the Prince Mansion and those of the palace were not the same.

He couldn’t command palace eunuchs like he did with Zou Fang.

The eunuchs coming out to announce decrees were all deeply rooted, like these two were disciples and grandchildren of Huang Cheng.

He surely had to give face to the Grand Eunuch Great Grandmaster that Huang Cheng was.

The party set off, officially heading on their journey.

——

Chu Zhiyuan rode alongside Chu Mingrui.

Guo Chi and his company served as the first layer of guards, and Zou Fang followed behind him like a shadow.

Outside them were the mansion’s guards, and farther out were the two hundred Chasing Wind Cavalry.

The carriages lagged behind, indeed slowing down the march.

Chu Mingrui glanced at Guo Chi and his three companions, then at Zou Fang, ”Have your guards learned formations?”

Even seated on horses, Guo Chi and his men were deploying the Four Spirit Array.

As their understanding of the Four Spirit Array deepened, their execution became more efficient, less constrained.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”They are far behind Uncle Ten’s Chasing Wind Cavalry.”

”Old fourth, don’t try to be sneaky with me,” Chu Mingrui said, ”The formation practiced by your guards is powerful, while the one practiced by the Chasing Wind Cavalry, easy to learn, is much less forceful.”

”Uncle Ten, they are Grandmasters, after all.”

”Is this formation something they just learned?”

”Not long ago, Uncle Ten, are you interested?” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”If others ask, I won’t say, but if Uncle Ten asks, I’ll detail it.”

”Hehe, you sly one!” Chu Mingrui laughed, pointing at him.

Chu Zhitian often spoke highly of Chu Zhiyuan, idolizing him, so Chu Mingrui was well aware of Chu Zhiyuan’s affairs, understanding his temperament.

Moreover, Chu Mingrui’s relationship with Chu Minghou was excellent.

With affection carrying over, he naturally was very close to Chu Zhiyuan.

Otherwise, if it were another Princely Heir, he’d be stern and serious, not smiling or speaking lightly.

”Uncle Ten, do you need it?”

”Sure, give me a copy of the Array Map.”

Chu Zhiyuan pulled a thin booklet from his bosom and handed it over.

”You have a bit of foresight, having prepared it in advance.” Chu Mingrui laughed, taking the booklet and started to read it.