Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 332: Chapter 329 Secret Guard

”Hmm—?” Chu Zhiyuan looked at her gentle and beautiful face.

In a soft voice, Meng Canglan said, ”Revenge from the Da Lie Dynasty.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”How will they take revenge?”

”As far as we know, the Da Lie Dynasty has a group of Netherworld Secret Guard.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

He hadn’t heard of it, and the Inspection Department didn’t have any record of these Netherworld Secret Guard either.

”These people are merely legendary existences,” Meng Canglan slowly said, ”Their cultivation methods are extremely brutal, similar to those of the Evil Sect in our Da Jing Dynasty.”

Chu Zhiyuan furrowed his sword-like brows.

Meng Canglan said, ”These Netherworld Secret Guard are as cruel to others as they are to themselves, each becoming an inhuman existence.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”How powerful are they?”

”It’s said that they can kill a Great Grandmaster,” Meng Canglan slowly said, ”The Sect Hierarch believes this isn’t just a rumor. There’s no smoke without fire. They likely have indeed killed a Great Grandmaster.”

”Having killed a Great Grandmaster... that would involve cultivation of the mental aspect.”

”The matter of the Netherworld Secret Guard is highly secretive, known to very few. Our sect only heard a little by chance, and it’s just fragments, difficult to see the full picture.”

”Do they really dare to assassinate me?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Meng Canglan slowly nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Even if they really do attempt to assassinate me, setting aside our Great Grandmasters in the Da Jing, even the Imperial Grandfather would wield the Emperor’s Sword. Could their Emperor’s Sword of the Da Lie Dynasty withstand that of our Da Jing?”

The power of the Emperor’s Sword comes from the people’s hearts.

The hearts of the people are divided into numbers and purity of strength.

The more hearts inclined towards Da Jing, the stronger the allegiance to the Da Jing Court, the stronger the Emperor’s Sword.

The reason why today’s world has the three major countries is due to their vast territories, large populations, and also because of the powerful Emperor’s Sword.

Of course, using the Emperor’s Sword requires an enormous cost, with many side effects, so it won’t be used lightly.

But if they really wanted to kill him, he believed the Emperor would definitely wield the Emperor’s Sword against Da Lie.

”They would disguise themselves as the Evil Sect to assassinate me; in reality, they don’t even need to disguise, I suspect they’re originally from the Evil Sect!... The number of Evil Sects the Princely Heir has offended is countless, how could one determine it’s them?”

”The Imperial Grandfather wouldn’t care about evidence,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”He will act once he has suspicion.”

Meng Canglan said, ”The Evil Sect isn’t that easy to deal with, even if the Emperor wields the Emperor’s Sword, he can’t eradicate them all, ... and when it comes to Da Lie, Da Lie’s Emperor’s Sword can hold it off.”

”So you’re saying they will certainly assassinate me?”

”I know what the Princely Heir is thinking, indeed, according to normal thoughts, they wouldn’t dare to be so crazy,” Meng Canglan said softly, her expression serious, ”But Princely Heir, Da Lie and our Da Jing look similar, and their attire mimics ours, but their nature in obstinacy and extremeness is different from ours.”

Chu Zhiyuan appeared thoughtful.

Meng Canglan said, ”They are extremely obstinate, acting straightforwardly. Once they decide to do something, they don’t hesitate even if it leads to destruction!”

”Obstinate...” Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Meng Canglan said, ”The soldiers of Da Lie may seem less strong than ours in Da Jing, but they have one dreadful attribute, which is their strict discipline and strong obedience.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Strict to the point of being rigid.”

If not for that, it wouldn’t have been so easy to destroy those four camps.

Directly taking out their central command, then eliminating the remaining Grandmasters first.

The remaining soldiers didn’t act without orders.

This allowed the Phoenix Camp to proceed so smoothly.

He noticed this when he infiltrated for reconnaissance and thus planned the battle strategy so boldly.

Meng Canglan said, ”This discipline gives them many advantages but also has drawbacks like a lack of adaptability.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Even knowing they can’t win, as long as orders are given from above, the soldiers will execute them without hesitation.”

”Precisely.” Meng Canglan said softly, ”Both Da Lie and Da Guang have this obsession, which is why they have been at war for so long, never letting go of each other or themselves.”

In normal circumstances, two small countries would weaken from prolonged conflict and eventually be swallowed by a neighboring large country.

For the sake of benefits and survival, they should ease tensions to protect themselves.

Yet they recklessly continue to fight.

Remarkably, their conflict hasn’t weakened them; instead, they have grown stronger.

This must be attributed to their intrinsic extremeness, pushing their potential to the utmost.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If they have their sights set on me, will they hold on and not let go?”

”Exactly so.” Meng Canglan nodded sternly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Netherworld Secret Guard... interesting. Any other information about them?”

Meng Canglan’s slender eyes flashed, and she softly said, ”Is the Princely Heir considering preemptive action?”

The Wuyou Sect has always been studying Chu Zhiyuan.

Including his cultivation, his aptitude, his character, his habits, and his style of action.

They found that on the surface, he appeared cautious and meticulous, never taking risks.

He almost always remained in the Inner City of Yujing City.

Although his cultivation was incredibly high and his murder techniques were brilliant, he seldom acted.

He would always act from a position of strength, never putting himself in a disadvantageous situation.

He would often request the protection of Great Grandmasters.

And while the Emperor was not fond of Prince Qing, he was very lenient with this highly gifted Princely Heir, offering Great Grandmasters at his behest, showing high imperial favor.

But once this Princely Heir decided to act, he often took preemptive action, striking first.

His swordsmanship was profound, and his flying knives were astonishing.

It is said to originate from Wentian Cliff’s Heart Inquiry Blade.

The Heart Inquiry Saber Skill has been lost in the world, possibly mastering a secret saber skill passed down by the Da Jing Imperial Family.

Guarding the Four Grotto Heavens and the Four Secret Lands, the Da Jing Emperor surely has many secret inheritances.

A saber skill is not uncommon.

This time, his flying knives must have played a crucial role; otherwise, many things wouldn’t make sense.

...

”Striking first isn’t necessary, let’s watch their moves,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If they truly dare to retaliate, there must be a way to find them.”

”Netherworld Secret Guard’s information is too difficult to obtain,” Meng Canglan showed a troubled expression, ”They usually remain inactive. Once they act, they often leave no survivors.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”Doesn’t the Emperor fear losing the people’s heart by using such figures?”

”That’s why they leave no survivors; dead men tell no tales,” Meng Canglan said, ”If it weren’t for two disciples from our sect who accidentally encountered them and faked their deaths to escape, we wouldn’t know of their existence.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

He pondered for a moment and gently asked, ”Could there be any personal belonging of theirs that a Great Grandmaster could use to track them?”

Meng Canglan shook her head, ”It’s useless.”

”Did your sect’s Great Grandmaster attempt to track them?”

”We tried, but to no avail.”

”Could you let me try?”

Meng Canglan gestured with her hand.

Li Yilong took a Dark Green Box from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Meng Canglan took it and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan, ”This string of beads was unintentionally dropped by a Netherworld Secret Guard during a slaughter.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he looked at her.

Meng Canglan was indeed considerate, having thought of everything, expecting him to ask for personal belongings and prepared it in advance.

He smiled, reaching out to take the Dark Green Box, and was about to open it when a warning sense suddenly arose in his heart.

His hand stopped abruptly.

The Dark Green Box was made of an unusual material, isolating its interior from the exterior, preventing Super Sense from perceiving inside.

Meng Canglan looked at him with confusion.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and pushed the Dark Green Box back to her, ”Holy Daughter, please open it for me.”

Meng Canglan couldn’t help but smile sweetly, ”Is Princely Heir worried we’re plotting against you?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled without answering.