Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 573: Chapter 569: The Beginning

”It could be a new saber form realized by a Great Grandmaster of the Golden Saber Sect.”

”That’s quite possible.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

Such an extraordinary saber form is often kept secret and not shared outside.

”It may not necessarily be a Great Grandmaster of the Golden Saber Sect.”

”A Great Grandmaster’s saber technique, hmm...”

The people started to argue among themselves.

Once one reaches the level of a Great Grandmaster, there’s no need to practice saber techniques anymore.

Therefore, the pinnacle of saber techniques is often achieved by Grandmasters, not Great Grandmasters.

Among the Grandmasters they knew from the Golden Saber Sect, none had mastered this saber form.

Moreover, Zhao Rongfei claimed it was a fortuitous encounter.

If it had been passed down from an elder within the sect, it would hardly be called a fortuitous encounter.

”It should have been passed down by a master from another sect.”

”Such a saber technique shouldn’t belong to someone unknown; it must be a saber master of top-tier acclaim.”

”It’s rare to find top-tier saber masters outside the Golden Saber Sect in the world.”

The Golden Saber Sect became one of the Four Great Sects naturally because their saber techniques were unparalleled.

In the entire Da Meng, there are almost none whose saber techniques surpass those of the Golden Saber Sect.

Unless it is those ancient legacies that are impossible to master.

They discussed for a while but reached no conclusion, only becoming increasingly curious.

If it were other kinds of fortuitous encounters, curiosity would pass; everyone has encounters and secrets.

But this saber form lingered in their minds, replaying over and over, becoming ever clearer.

After they parted, each went to gather information.

Chu Zhiyuan and the three women casually went to a restaurant for a meal, strolled around the street, and when returning to Four Directions Pavilion, someone was already waiting in Da Jing Hall within the Four Directions Pavilion.

One was a handsome young man, the other was a burly middle-aged man.

Chu Zhiyuan naturally recognized the handsome young man, Li Biyang, the Seventh Prince of Da Meng.

Among the current princely heirs, Chu Zhiyuan considered this Li Biyang the only one who showed potential for becoming a Great Grandmaster.

To him, the other princely heirs were somewhat lacking in talent, and without any fortuitous encounters, it would be hard for them to enter the realm of Great Grandmasters.

The burly middle-aged man introduced himself as Qin Guanghe, the Chiliarch of the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

Li Biyang smiled warmly, cupped his hands, and said, ”Senior, we are here under imperial orders, feel free to command us as needed.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, looking at Chiliarch Qin Guanghe.

Qin Guanghe stood as burly as a bear, comparable to Guo Chi, both standing side by side, indistinguishable in might.

With rugged features and piercing eyes, Qin Guanghe exuded a certain honesty despite his strength.

”From now on, it will be arduous work for you; how many men can you mobilize?”

Li Biyang replied with a smile, ”The Imperial Army can mobilize five hundred.”

Qin Guanghe’s voice boomed like thunder, ”The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry can mobilize a thousand.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered and nodded, ”That should be about enough.”

”Senior, are we going to besiege the Evil Sect’s main altar?”

”Hmm, to destroy the main altars of the Evil Sect everywhere, do the Imperial Guards practice arrays?”

Li Biyang shook his head, ”The Imperial Guards focus on improving cultivation, mainly specializing in individual combat.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”If encountering a master invasion, do the Imperial Guards rely only on martial arts to resist?”

”Yes, the Imperial Guards focus on martial prowess, unlike the military.”

”I see,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Then relay messages, run errands, and handle miscellaneous tasks.”

”... Yes,” Li Biyang nodded helplessly.

The Imperial Guards have always held a high status; only rich and noble children can enter.

Yet now they were being despised and underestimated.

And there was nothing he could do, for now, Chu Zhiyuan was in charge, and everything must heed his commands.

This was the Emperor’s decree; if he dared act independently, he would surely be reported by Chu Zhiyuan.

And judging by how things went at the imperial feast, it was clear that Chu Zhiyuan had a close relationship with the Emperor, far beyond that of ordinary friends.

If he reported, it would be an ironclad case, and both he and the Imperial Guards would be punished.

Not to mention himself as a princely heir, even if his father king was present, he’d still be tamed before the Emperor like a grandson.

No mistakes could be afforded; satisfying Chu Zhiyuan was the Emperor’s instruction.

He had already found his footing, not letting his status as Da Meng’s princely heir breed any arrogance nor have any intention of contending against Chu Zhiyuan.

Only a desire to accommodate and curry favor.

Chu Zhiyuan turned to Qin Guanghe, ”Lord Qin, the success of destroying the Evil Sect’s main altar will entirely rely on the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.”

”As His Highness commands,” Qin Guanghe said solemnly, ”We shall do our utmost, never lagging behind!”

Chu Zhiyuan clapped his hands, ”Good, working together, we shall achieve great success!”

He thought for a moment and said, ”We’ll start with this place first.”

He gestured with his hand.

Zou Fang vanished in a flash and returned shortly with a scroll, spreading it slowly on the stone table.

It was a map depicting mountains and rivers, albeit somewhat crudely.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed to a spot, ”Here is where the Yuding Sect’s main altar is located.”

The two stared at the map, frowning in contemplation, trying to pinpoint where exactly it was.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed again, ”This is the Nanhua River, this is the Red Jade Mountain Range.”

”So it’s here!”

The two suddenly understood.

They exchanged a glance, feeling rather complex.

This was a map of Da Meng, even showing detailed layouts of mountains and rivers.

Such information should be confidential and not to be leaked.

Yet it was now in Chu Zhiyuan’s hands.

”This map was provided by your Emperor,” Chu Zhiyuan remarked, ”I didn’t acquire it through subterfuge.”

The two immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed to a specific area on the map and said slowly, ”The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry must first stealthily reach this location and remain silent for two days. How long will it take?”

Qin Guanghe scrutinized this area, calculated quietly, and replied in a deep voice, ”About five days.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Li Biyang, ”And the Imperial Guards?”

Li Biyang asked, ”Do the Imperial Guards also need to infiltrate closely?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”All must approach quietly, not letting them discover us; once anyone is found, silence them.”

”Silence them...” The two’s expressions shifted slightly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”There’s no need necessarily to kill anyone, just silence them, so it’s best to move at night or avoid crowds.”

”Yes!”

The two nodded slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”This Yuding Sect is not the hardest to attack, and it shouldn’t trouble us much, but the Evil Sect’s actions tend to be extremely dangerous, so we must still be prepared!”

He looked at Li Biyang, ”Especially the Imperial Guards, they should be more agile.”

”... Yes,” Li Biyang immediately understood Chu Zhiyuan’s meaning.

This was advising the Imperial Guards to be nimble, prioritizing survival, not sacrificing lives needlessly.

The hard and dirty work was to be left to the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

He understood why Chu Zhiyuan arranged it this way.

The Imperial Guards were the descendants of the powerful and influential; losing even one would have significant repercussions.

Too many losses would influence the Court’s policy direction.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”We will meet here on the morning of the sixth day for the operation!”

The two bowed and took their leave.

Chu Zhiyuan focused on the circled area on the map, pondered for a moment, and nodded.

The Yuding Sect should be the first to be eradicated, as they are one of the most difficult Evil Sects to eliminate.

If the main altar of the Yuding Sect can be destroyed, the remaining altars will not be as challenging.

As he contemplated, Zou Fang quietly said, ”Your Highness, that Young Master Zhao is here to visit.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Let him in.”

Zhao Rongfei strode energetically into the courtyard, saluted with excitement, ”Your Highness.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”It seems you have triumphed.”

”A complete victory, that White Rainbow Form is unbeatable!”

He felt its immense power, but only realized its full might after truly using it.

Meng Gengbai was no match for him, meaning among this generation, he was the foremost true heir.