Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 552: Chapter 549: Tolerant and Benevolent

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Ma Tianhe looked at Chu Zhiyuan in a daze.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This should be his hiding place, no outsiders here.”

Xu Jingwen laughed, ”Indeed, this is my secret hiding place. I’m impressed the Princely Heir could find it.”

”Minister Xu,” Ma Tianhe cupped his hands, ”What is the current situation?”

Countless thoughts surged in his mind, but he forcibly suppressed them and focused intently on Xu Jingwen.

Xu Jingwen gave a bitter smile, ”I felt the situation was not looking good, so I came here to hide, waiting for the Princely Heir.”

Ma Tianhe said, ”Could it be that Da Meng’s Rain Listening Platform has discovered you?”

Xu Jingwen shook his head, ”They haven’t discovered me yet, but I feel like they’re not far off.”

Ma Tianhe frowned.

Xu Jingwen said, ”Two of my single-line contact spies have already disappeared.”

Ma Tianhe’s face darkened slightly.

Xu Jingwen shook his head, ”In the past few days, a formidable character arrived at Rain Listening Platform, and two of my spies were lost in one go. So I realized something was wrong; hiding here was the best option.”

Ma Tianhe frowned and asked, ”Who’s come to Rain Listening Platform?”

”I couldn’t find out,” Xu Jingwen shook his head, ”A very mysterious figure, obviously skilled in tracking Concealment Techniques, possibly even surpassing a Great Grandmaster.”

Ma Tianhe’s face was serious, ”The Inspection Department hasn’t received this information.”

”I’ve already passed the message up,” Xu Jingwen said, ”Perhaps it wasn’t relayed to you, Minister Ma.”

Ma Tianhe frowned thoughtfully, ”So, Minister Xu, what do you plan to do?”

”I plan to lay low for a while and observe the situation,” Xu Jingwen said, ”It’s best to know who this person is before trying to deal with it.”

Ma Tianhe nodded, ”That indeed seems more prudent.”

In the face of danger, the best approach is to preserve oneself.

Reckless action would only increase losses, which would be unwise.

Xu Jingwen smiled, ”With the Princely Heir here, I feel at ease.”

A Great Grandmaster, and a royal Great Grandmaster at that, could be considered the strongest martial support.

The Inspection Department in Tianjing finally has a formidable force to rely upon.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It seems Rain Listening Platform hasn’t tracked you here yet, otherwise...”

He shook his head, ”You can’t escape a Great Grandmaster’s tracking in this villa.”

Xu Jingwen frowned, ”Can they really track me from so far away?”

Between this manor and Tianjing lies a wide river capable of blocking one’s aura.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Unless you can set up an Array to truly block the aura.”

”An Array?” Xu Jingwen shook his head with a bitter smile, ”It’s not possible to find an Array now.”

Setting up an Array requires a master proficient in arrays, but as far as he knows, Da Jing currently lacks such a master.

Arrays of heaven and earth differ from military formations, being more complex and grandiose studies.

Through generations, military formations have been preserved, while arrays of heaven and earth have been lost.

Ma Tianhe laughed, ”Minister Xu, you have your fair lady as company, hiding here is also a delightful thing.”

Xu Jingwen quickly waved his hand with a bitter smile, ”It’s just a coincidental opportunity, a coincidence.”

Ma Tianhe said, ”Your blessings are not shallow, being with a disciple of the Phoenix Sword Sect, truly enviable.”

”Phoenix Sword Sect?” Xu Jingwen was taken aback, his expression changed slightly, ”What Phoenix Sword Sect?”

Ma Tianhe laughed, ”Does Minister Xu not know she is a disciple of the Phoenix Sword Sect?”

Xu Jingwen’s expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly waved his hand, ”Impossible! Impossible!”

Ma Tianhe sighed, ”It seems she hid her identity. Does she know Minister Xu’s identity?”

”How could she possibly know?” Xu Jingwen shook his head, his face gloomy, his brows tightly furrowed.

Ma Tianhe said, ”It’s just as well she doesn’t; otherwise, she’d probably capture you directly. The Phoenix Sword Sect is no ordinary sect.”

Xu Jingwen shook his head, ”She wouldn’t.”

”Why wouldn’t she?” Ma Tianhe said, ”She’s a disciple of the Phoenix Sword Sect!”

Xu Jingwen’s face was gloomy, his gaze burning.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Minister Xu, you need to think about how to handle the relationship between the two of you.”

Ma Tianhe softly said, ”Princely Heir, could it be she already knows Minister Xu’s identity beforehand?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”Disciples of the Phoenix Sword Sect wouldn’t act in such an underhanded manner.”

Phoenix Sword Sect disciples disdain such devious tactics, aiming for an open and straightforward approach.

Xu Jingwen glared coldly at Ma Tianhe.

Ma Tianhe said, ”Worried it might be a honey trap; Minister Xu, your position is too important, can’t be too careful.”

Xu Jingwen chuckled and said, ”Minister Ma is indeed imaginative! No need for a honey trap; they could just capture me.”

Ma Tianhe said, ”If they captured you directly, you certainly wouldn’t reveal the secrets.”

Xu Jingwen snorted, ”If I were truly captured, I can’t say I’d withstand torture.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It likely isn’t a honey trap... Minister Xu, you need to think clearly, whether you want to be with her for life or cut the emotional ties.”

Xu Jingwen hesitated.

Ma Tianhe quickly said, ”Why hesitate? Naturally, you should sever this fleeting relationship; why ruin your future over a woman?”

He felt Xu Jingwen was unreasonable, his head clouded.

He was actually hesitating.

What was there to hesitate about?

Xu Jingwen remained silent.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If you, Minister Xu, cannot part with her, then resign from your post and stay in Da Meng with her, taking the secret to your grave.”

Xu Jingwen’s identity was perfect, almost impossible to uncover.

The key was not to let other spies connect back to him.

As long as he resigned, ceased contact with other spies, and handed off responsibilities to someone else, he would be out of danger.

”And what about Madame Xu?!” Ma Tianhe quickly said, ”Minister Xu, you have two children as well!”

Xu Jingwen gave a bitter smile, ”The children...”

He shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan discreetly raised an eyebrow.

It seemed Xu Jingwen had some secret matters with his two children and wife.

He slowly said, ”Minister Xu, have you thought it through? Do you really want to resign? Best not rush the decision; think it over first.”

Ma Tianhe became anxious on the spot.

He hurriedly said, ”Princely Heir!”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, ”Everyone has their ambitions, no need to force... Minister Xu has worked hard; if the Inspection Department pursues, they’ll come to me first!”

Ma Tianhe stomped and sighed.

If Xu Jingwen truly resigned, staying with a Phoenix Sword Sect female disciple, how would that not be betrayal?

Men and women being together, who could tell when secrets might slip out during a dream?

Any secret leaking would be a significant loss to the Inspection Department.

Furthermore, Xu Jingwen himself was a rare talent, leaving the Inspection Department would also be a massive loss.

Even more concerning was the fear that Xu Jingwen might wholly defect to Da Meng.

That would be the greatest loss.

The Princely Heir’s decision here is unwise.

While a benevolent future Emperor is a good thing for courtiers, serving such an Emperor would not lead to a tragic end.

But sometimes benevolence isn’t the best option.

Benevolence cannot command an army.

Like in this situation, the optimal approach would be to have Xu Jingwen return to Da Jing, change positions, and not come back to Da Meng.

If the woman wants to go to Da Jing, she can; if not, they part ways.

This would avoid future troubles, clean and efficient, unlike the current indecisive mess with endless problems.

However, at the same time, he felt an inexplicable peace of mind.

For meritorious ministers to be treated with such warmth rather than pure self-interest means as a courtier, one can serve with confidence, without worrying about retreat or self-preservation.

But who knows if, after the Princely Heir ascends to the imperial throne, this benevolence will be worn away, turning him into a cold-blooded emperor.

Xu Jingwen, with a changing expression, deeply bowed, ”The Princely Heir’s great kindness, without a way to repay, I am ashamed!”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Do you really want to resign? To stay in Da Meng and not return?”

Xu Jingwen slowly nodded.

”Do you have a suitable successor?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Xu Jingwen gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Ma Tianhe.

Ma Tianhe was taken aback, pointed at himself, ”Princely Heir, me—?”

He then quickly waved his hands, ”Princely Heir, I’ve already shown my face, can’t be the leader of spies here.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Then send word to the Inspection Department, have them send a replacement over, you first hand over the duties with Minister Xu and act temporarily.”

This would also sever Xu Jingwen’s contact with the next in line, protecting both parties.

”...Understood.” Ma Tianhe sighed regrettably.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Xu Jingwen, ”Minister Xu, the path you’ve chosen is not easy to tread.”

Xu Jingwen gritted his teeth, ”I ask the Princely Heir to grant my wish.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Paper can’t cover fire forever. I’m afraid one day it’ll be exposed, and by then...”

Xu Jingwen said, ”Being able to spend one more day with her is good.”

Ma Tianhe secretly chuckled, truly unsure what madness had seized Xu Jingwen.

At such an age, he turned into a romantic fool, losing his bearings.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”As long as you don’t regret it, you may leave now. In a couple of days, Minister Ma will find you for the handover.”

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