Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 274: Chapter 271 Assassination

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Chu Zhitian was no stranger to the Zhi Ge Courtyard, having visited a few times before.

Moreover, he often corresponded with Prince Ying, Chu Mingrui, through letters.

The letters not only discussed the art of war and military strategies but also the movements of the Northern Territory army, the purpose behind each maneuver, and encounters with the Da Meng’s Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

The subtle changes and choices of thoughts were meticulously written down and sent to Chu Zhiyuan.

The two even used an encrypted writing method.

The letter had to be rewritten using encryption techniques, making it indecipherable to outsiders.

Chu Zhiyuan would receive Chu Mingrui’s letters every few days, jokingly saying they were more frequent than family letters.

Chu Zhiyuan would also promptly reply.

Both had deep knowledge of the art of war, military formations, and the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, benefiting from their exchanges.

Chu Zhiyuan discerned Chu Mingrui’s intentions.

It was to groom him as a successor, to become the military god of the next generation, with utmost dedication.

Chu Zhiyuan was embarrassed to refuse and also enjoyed the feeling of strategizing and directing the affairs of the state.

Their intellectual exchanges often brought significant gains and benefits to each other.

Within the Mingwu Hall, Chu Zhiyuan’s closest confidants were Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan.

Chu Zhiyao had already left the Mingwu Hall to return to the army, spending less time together, resulting in a slightly lesser bond.

Chu Zhitian being severely injured was something Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t accept.

He was the princely heir, and the princely heir of Prince Ying, not like himself, the princely heir of King Qing.

Who dared to severely injure him?

He immediately thought of the Evil Sect.

Unable to do anything to him, they sought vengeance through another princely heir!

With a gloomy face, he hurried to the Zhi Ge Courtyard, where Chu Mingxuan and Chu Zhichuan, along with all the other princes and princely heirs of the Mingwu Hall, were present.

Chu Mingxuan and Chu Zhichuan were inside the house looking after Chu Zhitian, while they gathered in a small pavilion in the courtyard, discussing heatedly.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan appeared, they stood up hastily and surrounded him.

”Fourth brother!”

”Fourth brother, you finally came!”

”Old fourth!”

”Fourth brother, quickly go see the ninth, he’s gravely injured this time, nearly lost his life.”

...

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, cupped his fists to the crowd, and walked briskly inside, pushing aside the heavy curtain, and was immediately greeted by the pungent smell of medicine.

The entire room seemed filled with this scent, almost devoid of air.

Chu Mingxuan and Chu Zhichuan sat at the bedside, holding the pale-faced Chu Zhitian lying on the bed.

Chu Zhitian had a bitter smile on his face, his wrist being held by Chu Mingxuan for examination.

Chu Mingxuan was solemnly closing his eyes, motionless.

Chu Zhichuan was also quite helpless.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan appear, Chu Zhitian’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, ”Fourth brother!”

Chu Mingxuan opened his eyes, released Chu Zhitian’s wrist, and quickly turned around, saying, ”Old Fourth, you’re finally back!”

Chu Zhichuan made room, offering an embroidery stool.

Chu Zhiyuan sat down unceremoniously and took Chu Zhitian’s wrist.

In fact, there was no need to take his wrist; he could already discern through his Insight that there was no serious harm, only weakened internal organs.

Clearly, he was severely injured, but with Mingwu Hall’s Spirit Pill, as long as he was rescued in time, there would be no life-threatening danger.

As Chu Zhiyuan touched his wrist, a trace of warm energy seeped into his body, causing Chu Zhitian to involuntarily redden his eyes and feel a sting in his nose.

Chu Zhiyuan withdrew his hand and looked at him.

Chu Zhitian, with reddened eyes, said, ”Fourth brother, you must avenge me, my two guards are dead!”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Chu Zhitian said, ”The two of them grew up with me, as close as brothers. A few days ago, they were excitedly talking about seeking positions in my father’s command, unwilling to remain my guards, wanting to earn merits, elevate our family name!”

With a solemn face, Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, ”Who did it? Never mind, it doesn’t matter who!”

Chu Zhitian said, ”It was the Secret Shadow Sect and Yuding Sect together, suddenly emerging from the shadows. If it weren’t for those two giving their all, I’d have been drained by that guy from Yuding Sect!”

Recalling the situation then, his face paled.

The guy from Yuding Sect was too sinister.

Once he touched my chest, all my strength vanished, as helpless as a chicken ready to be slaughtered.

I couldn’t raise my arm or make a sound, only allowing that Yuding Sect guy to continuously absorb my Essence Blood.

My Essence Blood was constantly being drained, my strength waning. Initially, I had strength but couldn’t exert it; eventually, I had no strength at all.

If it weren’t for the two guards sacrificing their lives, launching a desperate attack on that Yuding Sect guy before they died, I would’ve been entirely drained before the experts from the Military Suppression Department arrived for rescue.

At that time, even if the Military Suppression Department experts killed them all, I’d have died.

The Military Suppression Department experts arrived in time, but the two guards were so gravely injured that they died on the spot, too quickly to take the Spirit Pill.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, his face darkening.

The room filled with the scent of medicine suddenly felt oppressive, making it difficult for Chu Zhichuan and Chu Mingxuan to breathe.

Chu Zhiyuan soon realized, retracting his killing intent, and calmly said, ”I will clean up the Yuding Sect and Secret Shadow Sect within the city again. The one who assassinated you is already dead, right?”

”They escaped.” Chu Zhitian shook his head. ”As soon as they saw the Military Suppression Department experts coming for aid, they fled.”

”Escaped?!” Chu Zhiyuan’s face darkened further.

Chu Zhitian said, ”The Military Suppression Department’s experts did their utmost, but those four assassins were too formidable.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Military Suppression Department has already gone after them, right?”

”Yes.” Chu Zhitian nodded.

Chu Mingxuan snorted, ”These Evil Sect members act recklessly, but the Military Suppression Department is too incompetent, failing to stop them from entering the Inner City!”

Allowing Evil Sect members into the Inner City was indeed the Military Suppression Department’s negligence; each of the four Inner City gates had a Grandmaster overseeing them, monitoring for Evil Sect members entering.

Clearly, this time they were derelict again.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Now the Evil Sect members are increasingly difficult to deal with, using methods to deceive the heavens... I will clean the Inner City again!”

”Yes, Old Fourth, go over it carefully once more. To my mind, it should be done daily!” Chu Mingxuan gritted his teeth, ”These monsters are too rampant, assassinating the Ninth today; they’ll be after the Tenth tomorrow, even every prince and princely heir... everyone must be cautious.”

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Chu Zhitian, eventually shaking his head, not reprimanding him further.

After the initial sweep of the Secret Shadow Sect and Yuding Sect, Chu Zhiyuan had warned them in Mingwu Hall.

Warning them to be cautious and vigilant against the Secret Shadow Sect and Yuding Sect’s revenge, as they would certainly retaliate, to take more guards, avoid bustling areas, and not to venture out at night.

Clearly, Chu Zhitian hadn’t truly heeded the warning.

He was attacked at night.

Running to Linglong Bookstore at night!

Recognizing Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze, Chu Zhitian understood what he intended to say and helplessly shook his head, ”Someone invited me over, I couldn’t refuse.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes narrowed.

Chu Mingxuan said, ”It was a subordinate of the Tenth brother, should be no problem.”

”Still better to investigate.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I’ll have the Military Suppression Department look into it.”

Chu Mingxuan said, ”I’ll keep an eye on this matter.”

He was also employed in the Ministry of Rites, serving as a doctor in the Advisory Bureau, with a neither low nor high position and moderate authority.

But keeping an eye on this matter was certainly within his capabilities.

Chu Zhiyuan scrutinized Chu Zhitian for a moment, ”Rest well, you’ll recover in days, I’ll exact your revenge.”

”Thank you, Fourth brother.” Chu Zhitian smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan got up and headed outside.

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