Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 313: Chapter 310 Ventilation

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Chu Zhiyuan had already seen the visitor.

It was a gentle and beautiful woman, accompanied by two of his acquaintances, Li Yilong and Song Yichun.

They were evidently of lower status than the gentle woman in front.

Chu Zhiyuan’s sword-like eyebrows moved slightly.

This gentle and beautiful woman was about the same age as him and already at the Fourth Layer Heaven of a Grandmaster; obviously, she was a martial arts prodigy.

Her gentle temperament was somewhat similar to Xiao Ruoling’s, even three parts more gentle.

Chu Zhiyuan floated down from the bed, pushed the door open, and walked into the small courtyard.

Zou Fang had already opened the courtyard gate and invited the three inside.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands with a smile: ”Brother Li, Miss Song, how have you been?”

”Greetings, Princely Heir,” the two smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.

Song Yichun smiled and said: ”Princely Heir, this is the Holy Daughter of our sect.”

”Meng Canglan greets the Princely Heir,” the gentle and beautiful woman cupped her hands with a smile, ”I apologize for the abrupt disturbance, Princely Heir.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said: ”It’s an honor to be visited by the Holy Daughter. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar.”

The Wuyou Sect not only has a Holy Daughter but also a Saint Heir.

He had already studied detailed information about the Wuyou Sect and knew that their Holy Daughter was different from the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace.

The Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace is the second most important person in the palace, managing daily affairs. The Palace Master is in charge of general strategies, while specifics are delegated to the Holy Daughter.

All disciples of Yao Yue Palace are managed by the Holy Daughter, regardless of generation.

The Saint Heir and Holy Daughter of the Wuyou Sect are equivalent to chief disciples; they also manage affairs but mostly oversee disciples of the same and subsequent generations.

Most affairs of the Wuyou Sect are handled by the Elder Council.

Even though the Holy Daughter of Wuyou Sect is far less prestigious than the one of Yao Yue Palace, she shouldn’t be underestimated.

The next Sect Hierarch will be chosen between the Saint Heir and the Holy Daughter, and the other will become Vice Sect Hierarch.

...

The four seated themselves as Mo Yi’s four girls served tea and withdrew.

Meng Canglan accepted the teacup, her movement revealed a unique charm naturally.

She took a small sip and slowly put down the cup, smiling: ”I apologize for disturbing the Princely Heir unexpectedly but I have important matters to report.”

Chu Zhiyuan put down the snow porcelain teacup: ”I’m all ears.”

Meng Canglan’s expression turned serious: ”According to the information gathered by our sect, the Da Lie and Da Guang dynasties are showing signs of aggression, intending to invade our Da Jing’s borders.”

”Do they really have such audacity?”

”Initially, our sect didn’t believe it either, but after thorough verification, it is now certain that they indeed plan to invade our eastern borders of Da Jing.”

”Has the Twelfth Prince of Da Lie returned?”

”The Twelfth Prince was confined immediately after returning to the Da Lie court from Da Jing due to offending the Emperor.”

”So quickly put under house arrest...” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

This Xu Jingren was indeed incapable; he was advised to be more tactful, yet still managed to offend the Da Lie Emperor, resulting in immediate confinement.

Is it a lack of ability, or did he deliberately offend the Emperor to bring about his confinement?

”You must have some understanding of the eastern territory of Da Jing, Princely Heir?”

”...” Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

”It’s as good as non-existent,” Meng Canglan slightly furrowed her elegant eyebrows and sighed: ”It could be shattered with the slightest touch.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked grave.

Meng Canglan said: ”The court likely hasn’t noticed the abnormalities of Da Lie and Da Guang yet; even if they did, I fear...”

The situation in the Northern Territory is now tense. Prince Ying has already been deployed there and following peace talks with Da Zhen, there hasn’t been much warfare in the Northwest Territory.

Yet shifting these troops to the eastern territory wouldn’t be of much use; the east needs sea battles.

And for years, the eastern territory has been neglected in terms of battle preparation and training; the soldiers’ discipline is so lax and their fighting capabilities so weak, they are hardly any better than ordinary civilians.

Conversely, though Da Lie and Da Guang are small, they have been in constant conflict, making their combat power superior to the eastern territory.

She can imagine that once war breaks out, it would be a one-sided slaughter, and Da Jing’s prestige would be utterly ruined.

”Miss Meng, shouldn’t this news be conveyed to the Inspection Department and the Ministry of War?”

”The court departments shun our sect like the plague. Passing the news to them might not be taken seriously; I could only turn to the Princely Heir.”

”Shun like the plague...that’s indeed true, but they would still pay attention given the importance of this news.”

”It would take too much time. The Princely Heir harbors fewer misunderstandings and prejudices against our sect; it’s most convenient to speak with you.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Miss Meng, you overestimate me. Even if the court learns of this news, there’s little they can do... Does the Wuyou Sect have any solutions?”

Meng Canglan said: ”Our sect is just a Martial Arts Sect, all we can do is convey the message.”

”Holy Daughter, you’re too modest. The Jile Sect does hold considerable power,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”It does significantly influence Da Lie and Da Guang.”

Meng Canglan gently shook her head: ”If our sect were to mobilize the Jile Sect, it would certainly draw the extermination efforts of the Da Lie and Da Guang courts.”

The Wuyou Sect is strong, but the Da Lie and Da Guang courts aren’t weaklings either.

Among the two courts, there are no shortage of highly intelligent officials who are wary of the Wuyou Sect and the Jile Sect, watching them closely and ready to strike.

If the Jile Sect acts to influence the two courts’ policies, it would face a devastating blow.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in contemplation.

Da Lie and Da Guang appear weak but it’s not yet the end of an era; the power of the courts prevails, making it difficult for sects to launch significant attacks in the two courts.

The Jile Sect has the Wuyou Sect backing it with strong power, but engaging in direct confrontation with the two courts still holds no certainty of victory.

More importantly, they might feel it unnecessary to take such actions.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”In the Holy Daughter’s opinion, what should be done in this situation to turn the tide?”

”If you ask this humble woman, I would suggest only to withdraw defensively,” Meng Canglan said: ”Da Jing’s greatest strength lies in its cavalry, so we must make use of the cavalry’s advantage, withdraw enough space to facilitate charges, rather than engage them at the coastal edge.”

”Withdrawing seems like a sign of weakness,” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”And the losses would be immense.”

Being intimidated before the battle, the enemy approaching while we retreat — even more so when faced with minor countries like Da Lie and Da Guang — is something neither the Da Jing court nor its people can accept.

Furthermore, an immediate retreat would place a tremendous burden on the people, resulting in the destruction of fields and homes.

Meng Canglan showed a look of helplessness.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Can your sect gather information on their march routes?”

Meng Canglan hesitated and asked: ”Does the Princely Heir really intend to ambush them en route?... Naval battles are where Da Jing is least skilled.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”We must at least give it a try.”

He gazed at Meng Canglan, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

He was assessing whether Meng Canglan was trustworthy and if divulging this information might bring danger.

Meng Canglan sensed this and smiled sweetly: ”Does the Princely Heir not trust me?”

”The relationship between your sect and the court is too intricate.”

”No matter how delicate the relationship between our sect and the court is, we do not wish for the court to be defeated, especially not by Da Lie and Da Guang.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled without saying a word.

That might not necessarily be the case.

Weakening the court means the court would be powerless against the Four Great Demon Sects.

This can also be an opportunity to observe Wuyou Sect’s true attitude towards the court to see if they indeed support it.

”Our sect will investigate their march routes,” Meng Canglan nodded gently.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Your sect’s efforts will not go unrewarded.”

”Thank you, Princely Heir,” Meng Canglan said: ”And I wish the Princely Heir success in battle.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”I shall take your kind words to heart.”

The outcome of a war is never determined by a single factor, it’s not just about who is stronger.

There are innumerable factors that determine the outcome of war, difficult both to count and guard against.

It even requires a bit of luck.

He was once confident, believing his luck to be favorable, but after investigating the Secret Land of Yao Yue Palace numerous times, his confidence had waned.

In recent days, he often wondered if his luck had already distanced itself from him, no longer favoring him?

Otherwise, how could it be that several days have passed without gaining anything?

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