Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 344: Chapter 341 Everyone Heard

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The four Great Grandmasters watched helplessly as he collected eight strands of hand beads, exchanging glances full of helplessness.

They had initially intended to reclaim the God Punishment Bureau, but with Chu Zhiyuan’s actions, there was nothing they could do to stop him.

Without Chu Zhiyuan’s flying knife assistance, they weren’t even sure they could keep these eight Netherworld Secret Guards.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”With these auras as a lure, they will definitely come to us.”

”...Yes,” Shi Jingchuan sighed, ”Princely Heir, this is too dangerous.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”With all you gentlemen protecting me, what danger could there be?”

Shi Jingchuan smiled bitterly, ”Princely Heir, we...”

”They are bound to come, gentlemen, are you just going to let them go?”

”Of course not,” Mo Qi replied.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Exactly.”

Once again, the four exchanged helpless glances.

Each of them was very busy, with a heap of matters at hand. It was only upon hearing of the appearance of the Netherworld Secret Guards that they gathered to take action — they simply had no time to guard a single person continually.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”If you four gentlemen are too busy, it would be the same to replace you with others.”

”...Let’s just inform the Prince,” Shi Jingchuan laughed.

The next time the Netherworld Secret Guards show up, there will certainly be more, and one or two Great Grandmasters won’t be enough.

If a Divine Envoy is deployed, even one or two Grandmasters wouldn’t suffice.

It indeed requires the protection of all four Great Grandmasters together.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands and smiled, ”Then I’ll trouble the four gentlemen.”

”No need for courtesy, Princely Heir,” Shi Jingchuan looked rather helpless.

——

Chu Zhiyuan returned to the mansion, freshened up, and headed to the main hall to eat.

Chu Minghou and Chu Yi were already seated at the table, conversing with each other.

Footsteps sounded, and the felt curtain was lifted. Bai Ningshuang entered with a burst of fragrance.

She was travel-worn, and as soon as she entered, she glared angrily at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan was baffled.

Chu Minghou laughed, ”Madam, how has Yuan’er offended you this time?”

”Mother, has elder brother caused trouble?” Chu Yi asked with a cheerful smile, excited by the prospect of some drama.

”Trouble? Humph, he’s made impressive achievements!” Bai Ningshuang sneered repeatedly.

Chu Yi hurriedly asked, ”What great achievements has elder brother accomplished this time?”

Bai Ningshuang glanced sideways at Chu Zhiyuan, ”What were you doing at the Phoenix Camp?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Mother, what news have you heard? Some of the news isn’t entirely accurate, don’t listen to rumors.”

The actions at the Phoenix Camp were confidential, known only to himself and Bai Ningyu; no one else was informed beforehand.

Of course, the Emperor definitely knew about it, as did Chu Qingfeng and Chu Qingyan.

Bai Ningyu hadn’t returned and wouldn’t leak anything to Bai Ningshuang, and others were even less likely to know.

”I heard it from the Empress!” Bai Ningshuang said tartly: ”You kept it from me, even after returning, not saying a word, really tight-lipped!... You guys went to war, and you said it was a drill!”

”Drilling naturally includes some real combat practice; you can’t just practice behind closed doors,” Chu Zhiyuan replied, ”What did the Empress learn?”

”It’s known all over the palace,” Bai Ningshuang said, sitting down with a snort, ”They all say you strategize like a god and wiped out the four major camps of the Da Lie Dynasty with a single stroke.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”Strategize like a god? That’s too much of a compliment.”

The Da Jing Dynasty always held the Da Lie Dynasty in contempt, as if they were vulnerable and easy to defeat.

The news of the Phoenix Camp annihilating the four major camps of Nanyun Island shouldn’t cause a significant stir.

The people of Da Jing would feel it was only natural.

Only those who truly understood military affairs and the real situation would realize how difficult it was.

”Elder brother, what exactly happened? The Phoenix Camp even won a battle?” Chu Yi eagerly tugged at his arm, urging him to spill the truth.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Just a sneak attack on a Da Lie military camp, nothing much to say.”

Bai Ningshuang glared at him, ”It’s not just one camp, it’s four, your courage is way too big, what if you got trapped?”

”It wasn’t that dangerous,” Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, ”Mother should know my way of doing things is very steady.”

”...In any case, try not to do such things in the future!”

Chu Minghou laughed, ”Alright, Yuan’er has his plans, let’s eat.”

Bai Ningshuang rolled her eyes at him and snorted, saying no more, knowing it would be useless.

She had heard about it from Imperial Concubine Rou and was quite confused by it; though pleasantly surprised by Imperial Concubine Rou’s praise, she felt more anxious and worried.

This matter was too dangerous.

If something went wrong, it would all be over in Da Lie, and on a battlefield, what does it matter if he is a Princely Heir?

This time, the result was good, but what about next time, can victory be guaranteed?

She knew that military affairs were extremely precarious; before a battle, no one could guarantee victory.

There are too many unforeseen factors, too many elements that determine victory or defeat, a slight mistake leads to a completely different outcome.

She originally thought the Phoenix Camp, being part of the Imperial Army, wouldn’t go to a battlefield, but she was too naive.

As long as it’s a military camp, war could happen, extremely dangerous.

The Phoenix Camp achieved such great merit, boosting his prestige, plus he’s the Princely Heir, who could take his peach and replace him as the commander of the Phoenix Camp?

The Phoenix Camp now bears his imprint, making it hard for him to leave.

Commanding a unit of the Imperial Army signifies high authority, but she didn’t feel excited at all, only worried.

”Mother, rest assured, I won’t do anything reckless, I’ll be heading to Yao Yue Palace tomorrow to rest.”

”Yes, yes, go see Ruoling,” Bai Ningshuang urged, ”Stay a while longer, don’t rush back.”

She wished Chu Zhiyuan would stay there longer, even better if he could stay at Yao Yue Palace permanently, so he wouldn’t have to risk the Phoenix Camp’s expeditions again.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, agreeing to her request.

Chu Yi eagerly tugged on Chu Zhiyuan, asking him to recount the attack on the Da Lie military camp in detail.

Bai Ningshuang found her noisy and glared at her twice.

With a well-honed sense of the occasion, she immediately quieted, eating obediently.

After the meal, she hurried to the Listening Pavilion to continue probing into the event.

Unable to refuse, Chu Zhiyuan recounted what happened, leaving Chu Yi amazed and full of admiration.

——

Before heading to Yao Yue Palace, Chu Zhiyuan first visited the villa where Xu Yingying stayed.

However, Xu Yingying wasn’t there.

Only Zhou Sisi was there.

Chu Zhiyuan was greatly disappointed, asking Zhou Sisi where Xu Yingying had gone and when she’d return.

Seeing his obvious disappointment, Zhou Sisi smiled sweetly, assuring him she’d be back soon.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”What has she gone to do?”

”Senior Sister returned to the Sect,” Zhou Sisi smiled, ”There are matters at the Sect, calling her back, but she should return soon.”

”...Well, never mind then,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, feeling helpless inside.

Since he was going to Yao Yue Palace, he naturally needed to visit the Secret Land, and this time he intended to stay longer there.

This required relying on Xu Yingying’s luck.

But Xu Yingying wasn’t there.

He thought for a moment and then said, ”When Yingying returns, send me a message.”

”Alright,” Zhou Sisi replied with a playful smile.

Seeing her peculiar smile, Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, too lazy to explain.

Zhou Sisi was young, prone to consider everything from a romantic perspective.

Little did she know that matters of the heart are just an insignificant part of life’s great drama.

...

Two days later, at the break of dawn, Chu Zhiyuan received a message from Xu Yingying.

After breakfast, he made a brief appearance at the Ministry of Rites.

After reviewing a stack of files on his desk, he gave some instructions to Gao Lingfeng.

He was preparing to leave for a while; Gao Lingfeng should handle small matters, while major issues should be reported directly to the Assistant Minister.

He then went to the countryside estate.

Upon entering the estate, he found Xu Yingying practicing sword training in the central Martial Arts Training Ground of the front courtyard.

Dressed in a purple combat uniform, her skin was white as snow.

The sword light was as light and agile as her mental method, unpredictable.

Seeing his arrival, Xu Yingying sheathed her sword and stood poised, with a sweet blush that was captivating.

Xu Yingying curiously approached to scrutinize Chu Zhiyuan, ”Did you lead the Phoenix Camp to wipe out the four camps on Da Lie’s Nanyun Island?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

This news truly spread fast; it seemed like everyone knew.

This was indeed a bit strange, as if someone was deliberately spreading it, fearing others wouldn’t know.

Xu Yingying clicked her tongue a few times, looking him up and down, ”I really couldn’t tell.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Let me show you something good.”

He took out the Sealing Spirit Box and handed it to Xu Yingying, ”Have you heard of the Netherworld Secret Guard?”

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