Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 506: Chapter 503: Jade Pendant

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The thoughts cannot be obstructed, so the Evil Sect must continue to be exterminated.

But we must not entirely oppose all the courtiers.

Even though I am now invincible in the world, it’s only against martial arts experts. There’s no need to clash head-on with these officials.

This is a conflict of ideologies, not a personal vendetta between righteousness and evil.

It wouldn’t be too late to deal with them after becoming Emperor.

Let’s go with the third tactic then.

Originally, I had prepared three tactics, earlier I thought two might be enough, but now it seems the third one must be used.

”How to instigate them to kill each other?” Chu Yi asked.

”They don’t want me to kill the Evil Sect demons anymore,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”But if the Evil Sect demons insist on killing me, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t just wait to be killed.”

——

Early the next morning, a tavern was abuzz with a piece of news.

The Evil Emperor’s cave mansion had revealed a jade pendant containing the Evil Emperor’s legacy.

Obtaining this Evil Emperor Jade gives hope to receive the Evil Emperor’s legacy and thereby ascend beyond the heavens.

Today’s world is different from the ancient one, even if one cannot ascend, one can still be unparalleled in the world.

It is said that this jade pendant has already been obtained by a master from the Demon Heart Sect. The elder of the Demon Heart Sect is uniting with other Evil Sects while secretly sending the Evil Emperor Jade back to the main altar.

One person said, and others doubted, but when everyone around is passing the same word, people became half-believing.

This news spread quickly.

Information about the Evil Emperor Jade became more and more popular, becoming the focal point of people’s discussions.

Soon there came news that this Evil Emperor Jade was not just one piece; there were a total of four pieces.

Only when the four pendants are united can the true Evil Emperor legacy be obtained.

The Demon Heart Sect acquired only one; the whereabouts of the other three are unknown.

Some say it’s obtained by the Yuding Sect, some say by the Huaisu Sect, and some say by the Heavenly Heart Sect.

All sorts of news flying everywhere.

If someone doubts, there would be someone claiming to have seen the appearance of the jade pendant.

Indeed, it is unusual.

At a glance, it is clear it is extraordinary, likely related to the Evil Emperor who ascended away.

Thus, people kept asking what exactly the Evil Emperor Jade looked like.

The person then vividly described how big the jade pendant was, what its color was like, what patterns were carved into it, and what kind of luster it emitted.

People were all searching for various pieces of information, gathering to figure out the whereabouts of these four pieces of Evil Emperor Jade.

The Demon Heart Sect is already pursuing it, while the locations of the other three pendants remain a mystery.

Two days later, more news arrived that the second jade pendant was obtained by the Wanxing Sect.

The Wanxing Sect is just a small Evil Sect, its people sparse, yet it had such fortune.

Unfortunately, there is no wall that does not let the wind through, the few disciples of the Wanxing Sect were soon wiped out, exposing this piece of Evil Emperor Jade.

This piece of Evil Emperor Jade is now in the possession of the Sang Mei Sect, being chased by Evil Sect demons.

The Sang Mei Sect isn’t an ordinary small Evil Sect; the main altar is said to be in the southern border. Once they escape back to the southern border, it would be hard to find them again.

So the experts of the Sang Mei Sect are now being intercepted from all directions.

——

In the early morning,

Chu Zhiyuan brought Zou Fang to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs and found a long line in front.

He couldn’t help but marvel that indeed the atmosphere of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs was vastly different from that of the Ministry of Rites.

The crowd waiting to enter formed three long queues, each with more than thirty people.

More than a dozen Innate Masters along with experts from the Military Suppression Department were checking at the door.

All weapons had to be put aside, and guards couldn’t enter the government office.

Among the three long queues, there were officials in official robes, generals in armor, and clerks in blue robes.

They were not surprised by the fact of queueing and being inspected upon entry.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Compared to this side, the entrance of the Ministry of Rites was indeed desolate and quiet, with almost no people.

Chu Zhiyuan walked straight in.

People looked over; many recognized him and cupped their fists in salute.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists and nodded, walking steadily, soon reaching the door.

The guards, dressed in combat uniforms with stern expressions, saw Chu Zhiyuan and cupped their fists saying, ”Fourth Prince.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”You have worked hard.”

He kept walking.

The guards immediately made way, bowing slightly, appearing respectful.

Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang entered the gates of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, and the people behind started to discuss.

”The Fourth Prince indeed has a magnificent presence.”

”So this is the Fourth Prince.”

”Fame does not compare to meeting him, elegant like jade, truly worthy of being a princely heir.”

...

Chu Zhiyuan was indifferent to these discussions.

People’s tendency to flatter those in power is human nature.

From outsiders’ perspectives, I am now considered a stable heir to the imperial throne.

Other than Prince Ying, almost no Prince or Princely Heir can pose a threat.

In such circumstances, those who genuinely dare to offend me are just those critical officials.

The remaining officials have no reason to rashly oppose me, most would rather support me.

But this doesn’t mean I can underestimate these officials, among them are some who are unyielding and upright.

Once I go against the Court’s interests, they will launch a fierce strike, regardless of me being a princely heir, or a future emperor.

The Emperor’s Sword is a type of power, and the Court’s rules are also a type of power.

If you think wielding the Emperor’s Sword allows you to act recklessly without fear, then you are too naive.

Just as Chu Zhiyuan stepped through the gate, a handsome middle-aged official stepped up.

He came forward and cupped his fists in greeting, ”My lord, this subordinate Ouyang Xun, was remiss in coming to meet you.”

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, ”Ouyang, no need to be so formal.”

This Ouyang Xun was his direct subordinate, holding the position of doctor in the Document Selection Department.

Under the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, there were four doctors, besides the doctor of the Document Selection Department, there were doctors for the Examination Department, Sealing Examination Department, and Merit Examination Department.

I am not the Left Vice Minister, but the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs.

The Right Vice Minister is not as prestigious as the Left Vice Minister; among the four departments, the Left Vice Minister oversees three, my position as Right Vice Minister only oversees one.

Responsible only for the Document Selection Department, the remaining three departments are not under my management.

His direct subordinate is this Ouyang Xun.

Ouyang Xun led the way, bringing him to a small courtyard, then called out the clerks within to pay respects to Chu Zhiyuan this Right Vice Minister.

Chu Zhiyuan warmly exchanged pleasantries with everyone, appearing gentle and cordial, with a smile on his face.

Yet none dared to relax because of this, everyone remained on edge.

Now, everyone knew this Fourth Prince was a reincarnated killing star, killing without blinking.

It is said that thousands of Evil Sect demons had died by his hands.

With the blood of ten thousand people on his hands, it is an astounding feat.

So even though Chu Zhiyuan appeared gentle, even smiling, they dared not ease up.

It was like facing a fierce tiger that could devour people at any moment.

They even felt more fearful than when facing the Emperor.

The Emperor would not kill easily, and hadn’t killed so many people.

Even knowing that Chu Zhiyuan only killed Evil Sect demons, they couldn’t help but be afraid.

Chu Zhiyuan spoke some official pleasantries, then dismissed the people to disperse.

He followed Ouyang Xun to the main hall, this was his working place.

Besides a main writing desk on the north side, there were several more writing desks on both sides.

Behind the desks sat the clerks met earlier, each busy at work.

On the desks, there were stacks of dossiers, which they picked up, reviewed, added annotations to, and then passed on to the next desk.

”My lord, these are the records of the candidates for this year’s major exam, preliminary categorization is underway.”

”Hmm, thank you for your hard work.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He knew the responsibilities and processes of the Document Selection Department of the Ministry, which, relatively speaking, was leisurely.

Without examinations, it was quite relaxed, once there was an exam, they became busy.

The Document Selection Department had to clarify and check the records of candidates at all levels to prevent impersonation and select those with potential for a focused assessment.

This was a leisurely position but not without importance, in fact, it was very important.

Chu Zhiyuan felt this was the first line of defense in screening internal spies.

But it was also easy to just go through the motions.

Nevertheless, should officials have problems, the responsibility does not fall upon the Document Selection Department.

So Chu Zhiyuan came here just to gain experience, without needing to do real work.

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