Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 256: Chapter 253: Seeking Help

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Chu Zhiyuan left the Da Meng Hall and came again to the nearby Da Lie Hall.

Inside the Da Lie Hall, a handsome young man stood at the center of the courtyard; he was the real Xu Jingren.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan appear, Xu Jingren cupped his hands in salute: ”Princely Heir.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Your Highness, you must leave in secret, and it’s best not to bring these people with you.”

”...Alright.” Xu Jingren solemnly nodded.

He hesitated for a moment, then recalled what Da Meng had done, while the Da Lie Dynasty was still in the dark.

The killing intent and anger in his heart became uncontrollable, turning into a blazing flame.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”After you return, don’t hastily advise the Emperor. First, find out what Da Meng’s reward is before speaking.”

”Princely Heir is saying that my words won’t be heard by Father?”

”Judging by the Ninth Princess’s demeanor, it seems certain that even if Your Highness returns to the Court to advise, you won’t persuade Your Father.”

”Father still listens to me.” Xu Jingren hurriedly said.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, ”She is so confident, she must have something to rely on. Therefore, Your Highness, do not act rashly. First, wait and see what happens, and understand Da Meng’s bargaining chips before taking action.”

”...Alright, I’ll heed the Princely Heir’s advice.” Xu Jingren solemnly said, ”Rest assured, Princely Heir. After I return to the Court, even if I can’t persuade Father, I will definitely thwart Da Lie’s plans and never commit aggression against Da Jing!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”If things really can’t be done, Your Highness, just go with the flow. Don’t make waves, and take care of yourself.”

”...Is that really necessary?”

”Your Highness should preserve your usefulness. If you truly become the Emperor of Da Lie one day, it will be a blessing for both Da Jing and Da Lie!”

”...Alright!” Xu Jingren slowly nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I will have a spy from the Inspection Department contact Your Highness. The secret phrase will be: ’Sitting on the peak to view the many mountains.’”

”Sitting on the peak to view the many mountains!” Xu Jingren’s face showed an expression of admiration, savoring the phrase: ”Worthy indeed of the Princely Heir!”

”This phrase must absolutely not be leaked.”

Chu Zhiyuan felt somewhat embarrassed.

This phrase often floated in his mind, and using it as a code word was the most secure.

There was no one else in the world who knew this phrase.

Now, only he, Xu Jingren, and the future spy sent for communication knew, and it would not be leaked.

”Rest assured, Princely Heir.” Xu Jingren felt increasingly impressed: ”Only someone with the Princely Heir’s spirit could achieve such accomplishments!”

Upon returning, he had already learned of Chu Zhiyuan’s feats from his attendants.

He held deep respect for Chu Zhiyuan, the foremost genius of Da Jing.

Especially since he entered the Grandmaster Realm, breaking through realms as if drinking water, treating martial arts realms as mere obstacles, effortlessly surpassing them.

In just two months, he went from the First Layer Heaven in the Grandmaster Realm to the Seventh Layer Heaven, even the Eighth Layer Heaven.

He was like no ordinary existence.

Reflecting upon his struggles at the Innate Realm.

If only he had such talent, how wonderful it would be.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I will escort Your Highness.”

——

He had already prepared in advance. When escorting Xu Jingren back to the capital, he already had arrangements made.

After secretly sending off Xu Jingren, he went straight to the Inspection Department to have Ma Tianhe investigate the matter of Lu Yaofeng.

Ma Tianhe became increasingly obsequious toward Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan knew it was because their discussions were reported to Leng Nanfeng and were rewarded.

This indicated that the Court did not dismiss their opinions.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Lord Ma, this matter is extremely important. I need to see results by tomorrow.”

”...Understood.” Ma Tianhe gritted his teeth and agreed.

He knew that he wouldn’t get any sleep tonight and needed to find others to help investigate.

He would owe favors.

But for the Princely Heir, nothing was too much trouble.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slightly: ”Thank you for your hard work, Lord Ma. I’ll take my leave first and return tomorrow.”

”Take care, Princely Heir.” Ma Tianhe hurriedly saw him off, smiling obsequiously.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand. Under the escort of Guo Chi and the others, he quickly vanished into the crowd.

He arrived at the location of the West Second Hall, sweeping his gaze and spotting Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu weaving and patrolling through the crowd.

The two women, dressed in white like snow, beamed with floral smiles upon seeing him and enthusiastically approached.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands and looked around.

”Princely Heir, Senior Sister has returned to the sect.”

”For the matter concerning Zhou Tianqi?”

”To persuade Elder Gu.” Wen Qianqian sighed: ”I suppose she’s sure to get scolded.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Still no news about Zhou Tianqi?”

”Not yet.” Xu Mengyu lightly furrowed her brows: ”He’s not been caught yet, I’m afraid...”

Wen Qianqian said, ”No, we’ll definitely catch him.”

Xu Mengyu didn’t argue but had a lurking sense of foreboding, feeling the hope becoming increasingly slim.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly turned his head to look.

From the crowd, Huang Shiron drifted toward them, like a flower leisurely floating with the water.

The crowd, like water, carried her to the front of Chu Zhiyuan and the others.

”Senior Sister, you’ve returned so quickly!” Wen Qianqian greeted her: ”How was it?”

Huang Shiron smiled: ”I’ve already spoken with Elder Gu. Elder Gu takes it very seriously and has begun to investigate.”

”Thank heavens, it’s rare for Elder Gu to be so open-minded.”

”Elder Gu’s expression changed so suddenly; it seems he was also scared—after all, he is our Elder.”

Huang Shiron chuckled.

She recalled when Gu Qingshan heard this, his face turned immediately, almost leaping up, and couldn’t help but smile at the thought of it.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”With the Great Grandmaster’s meticulous examination, there shouldn’t be any problems within the White Cloud Sword Palace.”

Huang Shiron nodded gently.

She also believed in the Great Grandmaster’s acuity. No matter how cunning the Yuding Sect’s demons were, they couldn’t escape the Great Grandmaster’s thorough inspection.

”It’s just regarding Brother Zhou...” Wen Qianqian said in bewilderment: ”Can’t they really catch him?”

”I’m afraid...” Huang Shiron shook her head lightly.

This time, she had a detailed conversation with Gu Qingshan, explaining Chu Zhiyuan’s deductions. Gu Qingshan, regardless of his status, personally took Zhou Tianqi’s clothing and began detecting Zhou Tianqi’s location.

Ultimately, it was a huge disappointment.

Zhou Tianqi’s position turned out to be several places, confirming he had used the abnormal skill Chu Zhiyuan had mentioned.

In the end, Zhou Tianqi was likely unreachable.

Failing to capture Zhou Tianqi would make the White Cloud Sword Palace a laughingstock, as everyone would secretly mock White Cloud Sword Palace’s incompetence.

Unable to handle a single traitor, how could they claim to be one of the Four Great Sects?

If this traitor had joined the Evil Sect, wouldn’t it further attest to the Evil Sect’s power and White Cloud Sword Palace’s incompetence?

Huang Shiron looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan was startled, quickly gesturing: ”I still think I should pass on this.”

”Princely Heir...” Huang Shiron softly said: ”If the Princely Heir can catch Brother Zhou, our sect will surely reward you generously.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Elder Gu still owes me a favor.”

Huang Shiron said, ”Elder Gu said, if you manage to catch Brother Zhou, he’ll owe you another favor.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and said, ”Elder Gu’s favor, huh... beside the White Cloud Sword Stele, does your White Cloud Sword Palace have anything else I might want?”

”Besides the White Cloud Sword Stele, there is a cultivation holy land, the White Cloud Sword House, where our disciples comprehend the world and attain Great Grandmaster status.” Huang Shiron said, ”Princely Heir, when you break through to the Great Grandmaster, you can go there to ponder.”

”White Cloud Sword House?” Chu Zhiyuan arched his swordlike brow.

He had indeed heard of the White Cloud Sword House.

Just like the White Cloud Sword Stele, the White Cloud Sword House was only open to disciples of the White Cloud Sword Palace, prohibiting outsiders from entering.

Unexpectedly, it would also be open to him.

Of course, it was to catch Zhou Tianqi, yet it also indicated White Cloud Sword Palace’s goodwill toward him.

Last time, it was the White Cloud Sword Stele, and this time, it was the White Cloud Sword House as well.

Did White Cloud Sword Palace have a request for him?

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