Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 568: Chapter 564: Promise

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It’s quite common for the two sects to be in such a situation.

Being one of the Four Great Sects, the disciples are bound to be competitive, leading to inevitable friction.

The sects must control the intensity and scope of this friction; otherwise, they would have clashed countless times already.

Wan Bicheng was half-convinced: ”If I master this sword technique, can I truly surpass Brother Meng?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said: ”The subtleties lie in focused execution; merely mastering it may not be enough.”

Wan Bicheng said: ”Well, there’s at least a glimmer of hope; otherwise, Brother Zhao is bound to lose.”

Zhao Rongfei suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

He gave a deep bow to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand with a smile: ”This is a sword technique I stumbled upon by chance. When fighting, if it’s not a life-or-death duel, it’s best to switch to a wooden sword or one without a sharpened edge.”

”...Understood.” Zhao Rongfei respectfully clasped his fists in acknowledgment.

He was filled with shock.

Not only because of the sword technique’s mystery, but also due to the profound method of its transmission.

This particular sword technique felt as if he already knew it, having practiced it countless times, mastering it to perfection.

This experience was unprecedented; it was akin to pouring the cultivation process and experience directly into his mind and memory.

Who knew such a method of heritage existed!

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Then until we meet again.”

The two knew their place and bid farewell.

Shen Hanyue curiously asked: ”Did you truly transmit a sword technique to him? I thought you wouldn’t get involved.”

Xiao Ruoling scolded: ”Junior Sister, what trouble are you making!”

Shen Hanyue sniffed, ”Without offering some benefits, why would people side with you? Help when you should, that’s all.”

Xiao Ruoling chided: ”Acting on your own accord!”

She was annoyed with Shen Hanyue for acting recklessly, rather than whether to help or not.

Whether to help or not, it’s for the Princely Heir to decide; she need not opine.

Shen Hanyue stuck out her tongue.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Helping when you can is fine, even if it causes trouble.”

Rationally speaking, it indeed wasn’t appropriate for him to interfere; avoiding trouble is often better, especially when dealing with top sects like the Praying Spirit Sect.

It’s easy to attract unwanted attention.

But hiding to protect oneself makes it hard to truly befriend others.

This time, whether he helped or not would change his relationship with Zhao Rongfei.

If he didn’t help, their friendship would cool slightly, but it would grow closer with help.

And then there’s Wan Bicheng.

Seeing him readily offer assistance, even if he’s from the Praying Spirit Sect, he would still regard him as a befitting friend.

Shen Hanyue eagerly nodded, agreeing: ”Exactly, exactly, what of the Praying Spirit Sect? We’re not people of Da Meng, we could leave anytime; offending them is no big deal.”

Xu Yingying said: ”Even if the Praying Spirit Sect finds out, all they can do is curse us internally; they wouldn’t dare act rashly.”

Xiao Ruoling shook her head lightly: ”They won’t act openly, but they’ll cause trouble in secret; the Praying Spirit Sect is one of the Four Great Sects.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”That possibility indeed exists.”

Shen Hanyue sniffed, ”If they really dare to cause secret trouble, then let’s teach them a lesson!”

Xiao Ruoling looked at her helplessly.

——

The night was misty, with a bright moon hanging high in the sky, gently casting a soft glow.

The Da Meng Imperial Palace was brightly lit.

There were twice as many Imperial Guards as usual, densely surrounding the palace.

Inside Chengtian Hall, candles burned brightly, illuminating the hall in splendid glory, surpassing daylight.

The sound of bells and chimes melodiously lingered inside and outside the hall, melodious and pleasant.

Li Hongzhao sat behind the Dragon Desk, adorned in a stunning yellow dragon robe.

Beside him was the Grand Eunuch, Wen Cheng’en, with his hair and beard completely white.

The two rows of desks beneath the steps extended all the way to the entrance of the hall.

The desks were filled with delicious delicacies, exuding an enticing aroma.

To the left were the members of the Da Jing Court delegation, and to the right were the high officials of Da Meng.

Leading the Da Jing delegation was Chu Zhiyuan, sitting at the first desk beneath the steps.

Opposite him was the Prince of Yong, cheerfully encouraging Chu Zhiyuan to drink.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he observed the high-ranking officials of Da Meng across from him; eight in purple robes, twelve in red robes.

The eight purple-robed ones were of the utmost rank, First Grade officials, forming the central authority of Da Meng.

The twelve red-robed ones were also pillars of support, collectively deciding Da Meng’s fate.

Li Hongzhao’s welcoming banquet this time was truly sincere, not a perfunctory gesture.

Li Hongzhao spoke: ”You returned to Yujing for a spell yesterday; there weren’t any problems on the Yujing City side, were there?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”They were scared witless. When I returned, they were just tentatively entering Yujing City, unable to act in time.”

”They indeed intended to retaliate against Yujing.”

”Unable to kill me, they aim to retaliate in other ways against me then.”

”You only picked three main altars; what about the rest?”

”The Imperial Grandfather urged me to hurry over, so there wasn’t time to find the others.”

”Is it really that there wasn’t enough time, or that you couldn’t find them?”

”Not necessarily,” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”I have already devised a method to find them.”

”Through those Venerable Statues.”

”Precisely.”

”Then can you also find Da Meng’s Evil Sect Main Altar?”

”As long as there are enough Venerable Statues, they can be found.”

”...Alright, if you can find one Main Altar, Da Meng will cooperate with you.”

”I—!” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Li Hongzhao snorted: ”Indeed, just cooperation with you, not Da Jing. Da Jing has no such capabilities; we don’t need them!”

Chu Zhiyuan fell into deep thought.

Li Hongzhao’s phoenix eyes shone brightly: ”Think about it, either cooperate with us, Da Meng and Da Zhen, or forget it, and you kill them slowly by yourself.”

In just a few days, public sentiment transformed, and the attitudes of court officials changed.

Now, more people wish to extinguish the Evil Sect, preventing them from causing more harm.

...

Chu Zhiyuan frowned as he stared at her.

Li Hongzhao sat behind the Dragon Desk on the steps, whereas he sat at a low desk beneath the steps.

He had to look up at Li Hongzhao.

Yet, Li Hongzhao felt like she was looking up to him instead, occupying no psychological advantage whatsoever.

Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.

Li Hongzhao said: ”I think Da Zhen, even if they agree, would offer the same condition, cooperating solely with you rather than Da Jing.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said: ”If it’s only cooperating with me, there’s no need for this agreement; cooperation could be kept private.”

”Without this agreement, there’s no legitimacy,” Li Hongzhao shook her head: ”How then to establish a dedicated institution?”

To cooperate with Chu Zhiyuan in exterminating the Evil Sect, both sides need to share information and delineate their respective duties and obligations.

Da Meng has yet to establish an Evil Extermination Department, using this opportunity to set one up.

The Evil Extermination Department can mobilize local forces to assist in exterminating Evil Sect’s conspirators.

Moreover, without a signed agreement, there would be insufficient constraints; what if Chu Zhiyuan backed out midway?

The melodic sounds of bells and chimes lingered; Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao did not hide their conversation from others.

Whether from Da Meng or Da Jing, the high officials’ hearts were taken aback.

They watched Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao’s demeanor and manner of talking, it was clear they weren’t merely acquaintances, but like old friends.

Inwardly, they assessed the depth of the relationship between Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said: ”Alright, then let’s sign one; our three sides will unite and eradicate the Evil Sect!”

”Eradicating the Evil Sect has always been my long-cherished wish,” Li Hongzhao raised her wine cup and leisurely said: ”Let’s see if it can be fulfilled.”

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly said: ”It is also my long-cherished wish!”

”There’s still a batch of Venerable Statues in the palace, and the Four Great Sects and other sects have their own,” Li Hongzhao said: ”Let them all be handed over to you.”

Chu Zhiyuan showed a smile.

This is the power of the Emperor; a command is followed by all.

Will I also wield such power in the future?

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