Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 251: Chapter 248: Expose

”My lord, the Twelfth Prince of Da Lie is preparing to leave.”

”Finally going?” Chu Zhiyuan sat in the Taishi Chair, noncommittal.

Gao Lingfeng observed his expression and slowly said, ”It’s said to be because he was injured... Our Martial Arts experts, in the conflict, inadvertently harmed the Twelfth Prince.”

”Is the injury serious?” Chu Zhiyuan set down the dossier in his hand and lazily said, ”He’s injured and still wants to leave? Why not heal before departing?”

”The Twelfth Prince finds Yujing too unsafe, so he’s eager to leave, returning to Da Lie.”

”...”

”My lord...” Gao Lingfeng hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Speak freely.”

Gao Lingfeng slowly said, ”There’s something odd about this... The Military Suppression Department, when pursuing those Martial Arts experts, somehow ended up dropping the matter.”

Matters involving foreign envoys are usually taken very seriously by the Court, and the Military Suppression Department knows this rule.

There should be some account no matter what.

For these Martial Arts experts, to injure but not kill, and not intentionally injure, is not a grave offense.

After they’re caught, the punishment won’t be severe, just a show to save everyone’s face.

But this time, the Military Suppression Department didn’t catch anyone, seeming to intentionally indulge, intentionally embarrassing Da Lie’s Twelfth Prince.

This is what Da Lie’s Twelfth Prince is dissatisfied with, wanting to force the Military Suppression Department to take action by leaving.

It’s actually a form of pressure.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”Did you inquire about the reason from the Military Suppression Department?”

”The Military Suppression Department said these people disappeared without a trace, making it impossible to pursue them.”

”Not just a perfunctory excuse?”

”Doesn’t seem like a perfunctory excuse, which makes it peculiar.”

”Hmm, then forget it.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Gao Lingfeng was startled, not understanding.

”I’ll go see this Twelfth Prince, to send him off, lest they say that Da Jing lacks the grandeur of a great dynasty.”

”... Understood.” Gao Lingfeng felt vaguely uneasy.

He also was a perceptive person, noticed Chu Zhiyuan’s disdain and dissatisfaction towards the Twelfth Prince in his tone and demeanor.

Could it be that this Twelfth Prince offended the Princely Heir?

Shouldn’t be. The princes from the Da Lie Dynasty, when coming, are extremely humble and ingratiating, acting as if they are of a lower court.

Dare not offend the Princely Heir.

——

Chu Zhiyuan strolled slowly to the front of the Four Directions Pavilion.

Cheng Tianfeng had already left, and there were no longer any Lingshuang Iron Cavalry guarding Four-direction Inn Street.

After the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry left, the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry withdrew, only guarding the Da Meng Pavilion at Four Directions Pavilion, ignoring other places.

At first glance, the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry seemed more arrogant and domineering than the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry was more low-key and reserved.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at the empty street corners and felt somewhat unaccustomed, reminiscing about Cheng Tianfeng.

Cheng Tianfeng was his treasure, contributing a lot to him, enabling such rapid progress thanks to him.

With that in mind, he slowly said, ”Master Gao, how is Brother Cheng’s side, any troubles?”

He anticipated the journey as Cheng Tianfeng left wouldn’t be too peaceful.

If Da Meng wanted to disrupt the alliance between the two dynasties, they would target Cheng Tianfeng.

Even if they didn’t act personally, they would instigate Da Jing’s Martial Arts experts to act.

Da Jing’s Martial Arts experts couldn’t kill Cheng Tianfeng but could harass him, forcing him to kill.

If Cheng Tianfeng fell for it and killed, the people of Da Jing would surely be angry. If further publicized, the soldiers might feel affronted, and conflicts would arise again, causing the two dynasties to fall out once more.

”No news yet.” Gao Lingfeng murmured, ”Cheng, the Princely Heir, and they left secretly, with no itinerary disclosed.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Hope they can keep the secret.”

The two just stepped onto Four Directions Pavilion Street and hadn’t walked far when they suddenly heard a cry resonating to the sky.

The cry was like a crane, yet like a phoenix.

Gao Lingfeng’s expression changed slightly, whispering, ”Isn’t that Her Highness, the Ninth Princess of Da Meng?”

Such a cry had sounded once before, startling half of Yujing City.

The Ninth Princess of Da Meng broke through the day before competing with the Fourth Prince, stirring countless hearts.

This time, the sound was the same.

It should still be her.

Chu Zhiyuan Insighted into Li Hongzhao’s situation and let out a gentle laugh, ”Broke through again!”

Gao Lingfeng said in surprise, ”This Ninth Princess is really something!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s go, congratulate the Ninth Prince.”

Gao Lingfeng said, ”My lord, then I’ll wait outside.”

”Hmm, that’s fine.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Gao Lingfeng was avoiding suspicion.

Being the Princely Heir, he didn’t need to avoid it, but Gao Lingfeng was wary of the Ninth Princess of Da Meng.

Da Meng’s spies were too strong, best not to have contact.

Chu Zhiyuan casually walked to the Da Meng Pavilion.

Soon, someone went in to report.

Along with a delightful, captivating laugh, Li Hongzhao appeared before him in a peach-colored palace dress.

Dazzling, stunning.

”Oh, just on time, if you came a step earlier perhaps you could have interrupted my practice, interrupting my breakthrough.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and cupped his hands, ”Congratulations, Your Highness. Reached the Fourth Layer Heaven?”

”That’s right, stepped into the Fourth Layer Heaven. Speaking of which, I have you to thank.” Li Hongzhao’s smile was as captivating as a flower, ”If it weren’t for your provocation, I couldn’t have progressed so quickly.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”So, the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique grows stronger the more setbacks it faces, and the more provoked, the faster the progress?”

”Exactly.” Li Hongzhao beckoned with her jade hand, ”Come in and talk.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and entered.

The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry on both sides glared at him coldly, with intense hostility.

They all knew that Chu Zhiyuan had led the army to slaughter over two hundred Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry of their comrades.

This feud could not remain unaddressed!

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at them, and said to Li Hongzhao, ”How many of Da Jing’s soldiers and officers did your Da Meng kill, and upon coming to Yujing, did you face any harshness from the Court or glares from officials?”

”What’s the matter?” Li Hongzhao scoffed, ”I can’t make them force a smile for you, can I?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If they can’t smile, then at least don’t stare with such large eyes. It’s quite daunting.”

Li Hongzhao pursed her red lips, ”No wonder, you’re always timid as a mouse.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed more, chuckling, ”Yes, I’m timid as a mouse, but I’m already Eighth Layer Heaven.”

”Weren’t you Seventh Layer?”

Li Hongzhao’s flowery smile froze unexpectedly.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”I just came to tell Your Highness good news. I, too, just broke through recently, stepping into the Eighth Layer Heaven. We’re both to be congratulated.”

Li Hongzhao’s jade face turned cold, ”To hell with congratulations!”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, shaking his head, ”Then let me share another piece of good news with you, Ruoling has become the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace.”

”... That really is good news!” Li Hongzhao bit her red lip, teeth white and even, as if about to bite through her lip. ”Miss Xiao became the Holy Daughter and you must have gained a lot, huh?”

She knew Yao Yue Palace had Secret Lands.

Being the Holy Daughter, taking some Spirit Pills and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for her future husband, as long as not too excessive, no one would say too much.

This damned Chu Zhiyuan, couldn’t see her doing well.

Just broke through, feeling excited, and he had to ruin her mood.

Really her nemesis!

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Not much, can’t be too excessive, just three Sky-reaching Grass plants.”

”Yao Yue Palace really let Miss Xiao become the Holy Daughter?”

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”It was also beyond my expectations. I originally thought she was just there to join the fun and play around.”

Li Hongzhao’s smile reappeared, ”Miss Xiao became Holy Daughter, won’t your Heir’s Wife fly away?”

”Wait until she steps down from the Holy Daughter’s position, and then we’ll marry.”

”Can you wait?”

”For a Grandmaster, it’s not too long.”

”Hmph, you won’t become a Great Grandmaster!” Li Hongzhao sneered.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”I came to wish Your Highness congratulations, and also to see off the Twelfth Prince of Da Lie, as he’s preparing to return. Would Your Highness not go to take a look?”

Li Hongzhao’s phoenix eyes narrowed instantly, glaring at him vigilantly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Highness could also see this Wuxiang Sect expert firsthand.”

”Nonsense.” Li Hongzhao scoffed, ”Where’s this Wuxiang Sect expert!”

”Then shall we take a look?” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”See how I’ll expose him?”

Li Hongzhao squinted her phoenix eyes and hummed, ”Are you not deceiving me?”

”Your Highness, please—!”

”... I’ll go then!”

Li Hongzhao didn’t really want to go, but worried about what Chu Zhiyuan said, she decided to go take a look.

——

Da Lie Pavilion

The Twelfth Prince, Xu Jingren, stood in the center of the courtyard with a solemn expression, looking up at the sky.

He felt an inexplicable pressure.

It seemed as if an invisible force was pressing down all around.

This was a foreboding feeling, fearing his identity had been exposed!