Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 478: Chapter 475: On Position

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Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Uncle Ten, she and I are rivals. If we meet, she’ll probably give me a hard time first.”

He could imagine the situation when Li Hongzhao meets him again, undoubtedly finding ways to humiliate him.

Unless it’s absolutely necessary, why seek trouble?

Chu Mingrui smiled, ”You’re a Great Grandmaster now. She can’t use the Emperor’s Sword on you, can she?”

”She might just do it,” Chu Zhiyuan replied.

Having been suppressed by him for so long, how could she miss the chance to show off and display her skills once she could hold her head high?

The Emperor’s Sword might well be something she uses to show him some strength.

She wants to release the pent-up frustration, achieving peace of mind, which might involve improving her cultivation.

Chu Mingrui chuckled, ”Anyway, I know she won’t kill you. ... Da Meng’s delegation will soon arrive.”

”Are they here to negotiate peace?”

”Da Meng has also discovered a Secret Land,” Chu Mingrui said, ”They want to explore this place together.”

”Da Zhen, Da Meng, and us, all three have found Secret Lands,” Chu Zhiyuan mused.

Chu Mingrui said, ”Every millennium, new Secret Lands appear. It’s not surprising.”

”If this continues, and Secret Lands keep increasing, will they be everywhere?”

Chu Mingrui smiled, ”If enough time passes, it might not be impossible. We’re just lucky to encounter it this time; it won’t be our concern in the future.”

Even with a long lifespan, living a thousand years is impossible, and at that time, whether Secret Lands appear or how many appear won’t be their concern.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

Yet inside, he mused silently, wanting immortality wasn’t as easy as imagined.

Not to mention achieving immortality, living for a thousand years is hard enough.

To extend one’s lifespan, one must first surpass the Great Grandmaster Realm, but every realm in the Great Grandmaster is so challenging.

At this point, he truly had no confidence.

But with no confidence, he must strive, not to waste this second life.

The two chatted idly, while Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan listened in the background.

”This time, we were lucky you invited the Holy Daughter Meng here,” Chu Mingrui said, ”I almost lost my life.”

”Imperial Grandfather will also find the Wuyou Sect,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

He could think of the Wuyou Sect and so could the Emperor; it’s just that no action has been taken yet.

After a few more days of delay, the Emperor probably would invite the four Demon Sects to find a solution.

Eventually, they would still invite experts from the Wuyou Sect to assist.

...

The five of them soon arrived at Prince Ying’s Mansion.

After having a cup of tea, Chu Zhiyuan tactfully decided to take his leave.

Chu Mingrui had just returned to the capital and had many things to keep him busy.

”Fourth, you stay,” Chu Mingrui said, ”I have something to say to you. Ting’er, go practice with your Eighteenth Uncle and Chuan’er.”

Chu Mingxuan and Chu Zhichuan were taken by Chu Zhitian to practice in the backyard.

Chu Zhiyuan followed Chu Mingrui into the study.

They each took a seat.

”It’s about the imperial throne,” Chu Mingrui sighed, ”Have you thought about it?”

”Uncle Ten, I indeed want to wield the Emperor’s Sword,”

Chu Zhiyuan said frankly.

He didn’t expect Chu Mingrui to bring up this sensitive matter so openly.

This issue is too sensitive, often avoided with caution.

Even though Chu Mingrui is known for his strategic prowess and integrity, which Chu Zhiyuan greatly admired,

Chu Zhiyuan wouldn’t yield the imperial throne because of that and would still contend for it.

The main reason being the Emperor’s Sword and the opportunity for immortality.

”Alas—!” Chu Mingrui sighed, ”Who wouldn’t want to be the Emperor.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I don’t think Uncle Ten does.”

”Haha...” Chu Mingrui laughed, ”You do understand me.”

Chu Mingrui contentedly said, ”I’m indeed not that keen on the imperial throne; it’s too exhausting.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Ten doesn’t want to wield the strongest power in the world and control his own fate?”

”You’re just provoked,” Chu Mingrui laughed, ”Provoked by the marriage alliance, right?”

”Yes,” Chu Zhiyuan responded, ”And also because of the Prince Mansion affairs.”

”...That’s true,” Chu Mingrui nodded, ”If I were you, I would also be annoyed that I couldn’t control my own destiny, feeling helpless.”

He could fully understand Chu Zhiyuan’s anger and ambition, understanding why he wanted to be Emperor.

He simply desired freedom.

Didn’t want to lose freedom anymore; freedom to live, to choose whom to marry.

”I don’t have as intense feelings as you; I just want to continue leading the army without being overly entangled.”

”Uncle Ten, actually, compared to being in the army, the Emperor can more decisively win wars.”

”That’s not true.” Chu Mingrui shook his head, ”Even with advantages and more troops, better equipment, the real fight might not end in victory; it depends on the General.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Ten wants to keep winning battles.”

”Yes,” Chu Mingrui replied, ”Moreover, when I was young, I pursued rapid success and practiced the Observation Method early, which damaged my spirit, making it impossible to break through to the Great Grandmaster, so I gave up, not wishing for it anymore.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Ten, damaging the spirit doesn’t mean one can’t become a Great Grandmaster.”

”No Spirit Pill can help,” Chu Mingrui shook his head, ”Even if it could repair the spirit and make me a Great Grandmaster, I still wouldn’t want the throne.”

He smiled, ”You know, becoming a Great Grandmaster means you can no longer stay in the military.”

”Uncle Ten, haven’t you had enough of military life?” Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Life in the army is too harsh.”

Chu Mingrui shook his head, ”I’ve gotten used to army life, rather than the bustle of Yujing here, and I prefer strategizing troops and achieving victories.”

Chu Zhiyuan understood and laughed, ”Uncle Ten, did you do it on purpose?... When young, did you make this decision?”

He suddenly understood why Chu Mingrui, knowing he shouldn’t practice the Observation Method early, still did it.

He was always curious why he made such a mistake, it was unjustifiable.

It was likely that when he practiced the Observation Method, he had seen his true self and made the choice between the throne and being a General.

He forwent the throne and chose to be a General.

”That’s correct,” Chu Mingrui said.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”It’s hard on Ninth Brother and Aunt Wang though, they feel you’re working too hard, not wanting you to stay in the army any longer, hoping you’d return to Yujing and enjoy life.”

”They always believed when I said I wasn’t bitter but enjoyed it, it was to comfort them, not realizing it’s the truth, insistent on not believing.”

Chu Mingrui showed a face full of helplessness.

He had emphasized it several times, but they were deaf to it, insisting it was a lie.

He was truly helpless.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Chu Mingrui said, ”Now looking at you, your cultivation has improved so fast, it’s regrettable you haven’t had time in the military to gain experience.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

He indeed had no intention of joining the military; it was too dangerous.

”Father is in his prime now; in ten years, it’s impossible for him to abdicate, and after ten years, who knows if Ting’er and Chuan’er can become Great Grandmasters.”

Chu Zhichuan and Chu Zhitian’s progress was also rapid; in ten years, it’s not certain they couldn’t become Great Grandmasters.

At that time, the Emperor’s Sword won’t just have one choice, and Chu Zhiyuan’s lack of merits will be fatal, likely not being chosen by the Emperor’s Sword.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s see. Do our best and leave the rest to fate.”

Breaking through to the Great Grandmaster within ten years is nearly impossible for Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan.

Of course, they might encounter a sudden opportunity and make rapid progress, reaching the Great Grandmaster in a short time.

Then Chu Zhiyuan would have nothing to say; that’s the unpredictability of fate.

Chu Mingrui said, ”There is a way to make up for the loss of merits.”

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