Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 546: Chapter 543: Coping Strategy

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Even though they were speaking softly, the surrounding officials still heard their conversation.

They all looked towards the end of the official road, towards the Da Jing envoy group.

The ceremonial standards were still held high, and the sunlight was becoming increasingly bright.

Dissatisfaction welled up in their hearts.

This was Da Meng, not Da Jing, not a place where they could act recklessly.

So many people waiting here were not to be insulted by the Da Jing envoy group.

Such a small Da Jing Dynasty, so arrogant, haven’t they lost enough battles at the border?!

These officials were all people who seemed unperturbed on the surface despite the Thunder Shock in their chests.

But at this moment, united against a common enemy, their emotions showed on their faces, their anger and displeasure were evident.

The Prince glanced around and said indifferently, ”Go invite a few Grandmasters from the Phoenix Sect over.”

”...Yes.” The green-robed official clasped his hands and responded.

The Prince then closed his eyes and remained motionless.

Next to him, a handsome middle-aged man in a purple robe, dignified in appearance, clasped his hands and said; ”Prince, why don’t we approach them? Waiting awkwardly like this is uncomfortable for everyone.”

The Prince opened his eyes: ”Little Guo, do you think this Fourth Prince is causing trouble?”

”...Half and half.” The red-robed middle-aged man said, ”There might really be an Evil Sect spy mixed in, or it could simply be to show off and give us a scare, thus creating favorable conditions for their negotiations.”

The Prince nodded: ”You think Evil Sect spies could infiltrate the Imperial Army?”

The handsome red-robed middle-aged man said: ”If it were before, I wouldn’t dare to believe it, but this Fourth Prince indeed has a unique sense for Evil Sect spies.”

”Oh—?” The Prince glanced at him.

The handsome red-robed middle-aged man said: ”I did some research on this Fourth Prince and found that he is indeed a remarkable figure, a rare genius comparable to the Emperor in talent, seldom seen through the ages.”

The Prince chuckled: ”I am not surprised, Little Guo, you are thorough.”

The handsome red-robed middle-aged man felt slightly embarrassed: ”The Prince flatters me, it’s just basic understanding.”

The Prince snorted: ”This basic understanding, yet so many people can’t achieve it, look at these people, how many have taken the time to understand this Fourth Prince beforehand.”

Guo Pu smiled and said: ”There are still quite a few who know about the Fourth Prince, but they just don’t speak about it.”

The Prince shook his head: ”If they truly understood what kind of person this Fourth Prince is, they wouldn’t be so indignant.”

The green-robed official returned to the Prince’s side: ”Prince, the Great Grandmaster from the Phoenix Sect is on their way.”

”Hmm, excellent.” The Prince nodded.

Guo Pu said: ”Lord Hu, the Phoenix Sect is quite straightforward this time.”

”Their motives aren’t simple.” The green-robed official Hu Ping’an murmured quietly.

Guo Pu said: ”How so?”

”Who is responsible for screening the Imperial Guards?” Hu Ping’an whispered, ”If Evil Sect spies have truly infiltrated the Imperial Guards, don’t those Great Grandmasters bear any responsibility?”

Guo Pu frowned slightly and closed his mouth.

This involved disputes among Great Grandmasters, and it was best not to get involved.

Though they spoke in hushed tones, the surrounding officials still heard them.

They immediately fell silent, like cicadas in the cold.

They certainly couldn’t involve themselves in the disputes of Great Grandmasters.

When Great Grandmasters fought, at worst they would lose influence, but it was those around the Great Grandmasters who suffered.

They all closed their mouths and quietly watched the distance, all restraining their feelings of indignation.

A moment later, a knight in a black robe rode in from afar and stopped close by.

Hu Ping’an tidied his green robe and stepped forward to clasp his hands.

This black-robed knight was not one of theirs, evidently a knight from Da Jing.

The black-robed knight presented a letter with both hands to Hu Ping’an, then clasped his hands, mounted his horse, and returned directly.

Everyone’s gaze fell on the letter as Hu Ping’an turned and presented it with both hands to the Prince.

The Prince opened the letter, quickly skimmed it, pondered for a moment, then put it away.

Both Hu Ping’an and Guo Pu looked over curiously.

The Prince shook his head and closed his eyes.

The two could only resign themselves to keep the letter safe.

The sound of footsteps approached, the ground trembled, and another batch of Imperial Guards had arrived.

Their golden armor gleamed, each wore a stern expression, exuding an aura of inviolability.

They quickly expanded and then joined with the original guards, forming two layers of protection.

A handsome young man arrived by the Prince’s side: ”Grandfather, they’ve been transferred over, this batch should be free of issues, right?”

The Prince glanced at Hu Ping’an.

Hu Ping’an solemnly nodded and sent a knight galloping away.

Moments later, that knight returned and reported in a low voice. After that, Hu Ping’an approached and spoke quietly: ”This batch of Imperial Guards has no issues.”

The surrounding officials once again felt a surge of anger and discontent towards the Prince.

Such behavior seemed too weak; where was the majesty of Da Meng?!

Moments later, a captivatingly beautiful and graceful middle-aged woman appeared out of nowhere beside the Prince, smiling as she clasped her hands: ”Prince, I greet you.”

”Mr. Zhou.” The Prince responded solemnly, clasping his hands: ”Sorry to disturb your meditation.”

”I was just thinking of joining in on the fun.” The charming woman Zhou Ling chuckled: ”Is there really a demon spy?”

The Prince opened the letter in his hand and presented it to Zhou Ling to read.

Zhou Ling glanced at it with her enchanting eyes and raised her thin, curved eyebrows: ”Is this the work of the Fourth Prince?”

”Yes.”

”Whether it’s true or not.” Zhou Ling laughed lightly.

The Prince said sternly, ”Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Zhou, to verify it.”

Zhou Ling smiled and asked, ”Should I act now, or wait until we return?”

The Prince said, ”Delay could lead to complications, act directly, but not openly.”

”As you command, Prince.” Zhou Ling smiled.

The Prince lowered his voice, transmitting sound in secret: ”Like this, like this...”

”Very well.” Zhou Ling nodded lightly.

The Prince looked at his grandson and said sternly, ”You go to the palace now and ask the Emperor how to handle this.”

”Just capture them and take them away.”

”Who in the Imperial Army has the authority to take them? Go quickly and return swiftly!”

”...Alright.” The handsome young man reluctantly agreed and turned to leave hurriedly again.

The Prince said sternly, ”You two stay here, I will go myself.”

”Prince, reconsider!” Guo Pu hurriedly advised: ”In such a situation, it is not appropriate for you to go personally.”

”What situation?” The Prince snorted.

Hu Ping’an whispered: ”Prince, reconsider, if there are indeed demons, a gentleman doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall.”

The Prince said: ”With Mr. Zhou here, what is there to worry about?”

Guo Pu said: ”Prince, going like this appears too weak, it gives Da Jing the wrong impression.”

”My mind is made up, no need to say more.” The Prince waved his hand and walked forward slowly: ”You two follow me, the rest stay behind.”

”...Yes.”

”Yes.”

The two solemnly clasped their hands.

Guo Pu made some arrangements, instructing the officials to stay in place, and followed the Prince forward.

The Prince walked forward several dozen meters and then stopped, pointing to the surrounding Imperial Guards: ”Let them come with us.”

”Yes.” Guo Pu stepped forward and instructed these guards one by one to follow.

Chu Zhiyuan saw this situation and instructed those beside him not to move.

He alone, with Zou Fang by his side, slowly rode forward on horseback.

The two groups met on the official road.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on his horse, clasped his hands, and smiled: ”Greetings, Prince, I am Chu Zhiyuan, I hope the Prince won’t mind my intrusiveness.”

The Prince asked, ”Can the Princely Heir be certain that they are Evil Sect demons?”

He carefully examined Chu Zhiyuan.

He was impressively handsome, with a straight stance, calm and composed demeanor, lacking any youthful impetuousness or sharpness.

Truly worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with talents like the Emperor, a dragon among men.

”I am most familiar with the Evil Sect,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”I can smell the scent of Evil Sect demons from miles away.”

He looked towards the two in the Imperial Army and smiled: ”These two should be here specifically to assassinate me, experts from the Heavenly Heart Sect.”

Behind these two in the Imperial Army, Zhou Ling was already standing.

Zhou Ling had placed her palms on their backs, sealing their acupoints and carefully examining their operation paths.

She showed a puzzled expression.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Mr. Zhou, strike their Jianji acupoints.”

Zhou Ling retracted one hand and gently struck the person’s Jianji acupoint, while her other hand continued sensing.

Immediately, she sensed something different.

As soon as the Jianji point was touched, the surrounding aura changed instantly, a raging aura surged, like a river bursting its banks, unstoppable.

Zhou Ling nodded: ”This is correct.”

Though the True Qi and Gang Qi of Evil Sect demons varied by sect, whether gentle or fierce, there was a commonality: they were wild and rampant.

As if they were on the edge of losing control, like madmen, their power was fierce, but it also easily backfired.

She now felt this sensation and could conclude they were Evil Sect demons.

Her expression grew stern as she looked at the two Evil Sect demons before her and shook her head.

If all Evil Sect demons had this ability, it would be a significant problem.

Who knew if there were more of them within the Imperial Guards?

Not to mention the other government offices, and even the military.

Thinking of this, her mood became heavy.

Seeing Zhou Ling’s expression, the Prince knew the result and sighed: ”I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself, Princely Heir.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Anyone who encounters such Evil Sect demons finds themselves at a loss.”

”Please, Princely Heir, proceed—!”

”Prince, please.”

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly said: ”Mr. Zhou, they also possess methods of liberation, it’s best to knock them unconscious.”

”Alright.” Zhou Ling immediately adopted the suggestion, lightly sweeping across their foreheads.

The other dozen Imperial Guards wore grim expressions, full of doubt and hesitation.

The Prince said calmly: ”Gentlemen, know that this matter is already under the Emperor’s decree.”

”Prince...”

”There’s no need for difficulty, the decree will arrive shortly.”

Chu Zhiyuan was in no rush to act, merely allowing his fine horse to pause in place.

The two Heavenly Dragon Divine Horses were hidden, following without joining the envoy group.

Otherwise, they would have to be enclosed in the carriage, their aura isolated, to prevent other horses from trembling and unable to move.

The Prince chatted with Chu Zhiyuan, inquiring about the safety and smoothness of his journey, and whether there were any incidents.

Time slowly passed.

The handsome young man hurriedly ran over, holding an Imperial Decree in his hand.

The Prince accepted the decree, unfurled it, and quickly smiled, displaying it for the present Imperial Guards to see.

The Imperial Guards, seeing the decree, nodded reluctantly.

The Prince looked at Zhou Ling: ”Mr. Zhou, I’ll trouble you to take these two back.”

”I will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover how they infiltrated the Imperial Guard.”

”Thank you.”

Zhou Ling looked at Chu Zhiyuan: ”Princely Heir, I will take my leave first.”

”Mr. Zhou, please.”

Zhou Ling lifted the two Imperial Guards and swiftly disappeared into the woods beside them.

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