Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 878: Chapter 874: The Search

Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows again.

If it were anything else, he wouldn’t be moved.

But a Divine Talisman was different.

There was still a Spirit Summoning Talisman in his mind, and he understood its mysteries.

If this Divine Talisman was indeed a Heavenly Talisman, its power would be astonishing.

It would be equivalent to standing in an invincible position.

Cheng Yunqi noticed his odd expression and said, ”But it’s said that this Divine Talisman is incomplete, so Fifth Brother avoids using it if possible.”

”To avoid backlash.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Is this incompleteness genuine?

Is it a deliberate attempt to confuse and mislead?

Has it not been used because its activation requires a tremendous price?

Or does it require extremely high standards, and Cheng Yunzheng hasn’t met them?

Numerous doubts swirled in his mind.

”Yes, precisely to avoid backlash,” Cheng Yunqi nodded quickly.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”This Fifth Prince is not only a martial arts prodigy but also has extraordinary luck, no wonder he’s so arrogant.”

”Fifth Brother is indeed like that,” Cheng Yunqi sighed, ”The only pity is that he was born too late.”

If Fifth Brother were the eldest instead of the fifth, that would be truly perfect.

One can only say that affairs in the world are never completely perfect, there are always flaws.

”Anything else?” Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Any other treasures or trump cards?”

”Perhaps there are, but I don’t know of any.”

”You have such a good relationship with the Fifth Prince, yet there are things you don’t know?”

”Fifth Brother is very deep-minded.”

”Who else would know?” Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Someone who knows much more than you.”

”Fifth Brother and I have the best relationship,” Cheng Yunqi shook his head, ”But if there’s someone who knows more of Fifth Brother’s secrets, there’s one person.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him.

Cheng Yunqi said, ”The Chief Historian at Fifth Brother’s mansion, Sun Qiying.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”I can’t just capture this Chief Historian and pry open his mouth.”

Cheng Yunqi sighed, ”I’ll find Chief Historian Sun to inquire.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Would he speak?”

”He wouldn’t for others, but I’m different,” Cheng Yunqi smiled proudly.

Chu Zhiyuan asked curiously, ”Do you have some secret technique?”

”He was originally my man,” Cheng Yunqi said blandly.

Chu Zhiyuan was stunned.

He truly hadn’t expected this outcome.

Cheng Yunqi hummed, ”I may be naive, but I’m not that foolish!”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Good tactics, impressive!”

Is this the art of appearing ignorant despite possessing great wisdom?

To have planted such a deep chess piece, it could be said to be a move straight to the heart.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Very well, I’ll await the good news from Your Highness. By the way, I just met this Thirteenth Princess...”

He then chatted with Cheng Yunqi about the Thirteenth Princess, inquiring about her details.

The Rain Listening Platform must have investigated thoroughly, but such information, no matter how clear, could never compare to what Cheng Yunqi knew.

The information obtained by the Rain Listening Platform was temporary, fragmented, and whose authenticity was indistinguishable.

Cheng Yunqi grew up with her, which certainly far surpassed the Rain Listening Platform.

Cheng Yunqi had nothing but praise for the Thirteenth Princess.

Praising her for being exceptionally intelligent, gentle and virtuous, yet shrewd and capable—the Third Prince would have gained immensely by marrying her.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

If so, that would be best.

By marrying this Thirteenth Princess, the Third Prince almost withdrew from the competition for the imperial throne.

But with Li Miaotan around, the courtiers around the Third Prince would not disperse.

The Empress would have no more worries.

Perhaps for these reasons, the Emperor chose to let the Third Prince marry the Thirteenth Princess.

But if this Thirteenth Princess were to be restless, making the Third Prince’s household chaotic, it would indeed be troublesome.

——

In the morning, Chu Zhiyuan walked through the streets of Yuanzhen Imperial City.

He continued to observe Yuanzhen Imperial City, comparing their differences, and scrutinizing those shadowy places.

The more he couldn’t see clearly, the more he wanted to see clearly.

Those shadowy places were all shielded by power, all were extraordinary places.

He stepped onto the Colorful Cloud Building, approaching a quiet room on the third floor.

At this time, the two middle-aged men guarding outside the room saw him and stepped back two steps.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded lightly and pushed the door open to enter the room.

Cheng Yunqi was sitting beside a square table, his back against the window, his face in shadow.

The bright sunlight shone through the window, illuminating his back but not reaching his face.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at his expression, and lightly smiled, ”Didn’t go smoothly?”

”Yes, there was a mistake,” Cheng Yunqi said solemnly.

”It’s not that the Chief Historian had an accident, is it?”

”He disappeared,” Cheng Yunqi said slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

He really guessed it correctly by chance, though it was only a flash of insight that led to the guess.

But he guessed right.

It must be said, the Miao Ling Pearl is indeed mysterious.

”Just when I was about to find him, I discovered he had already disappeared and has been missing for two days.”

”He didn’t secretly go to Phoenix Imperial City with the Fifth Prince, did he?”

”He wouldn’t go with Fifth Brother, he always stayed at the rear.”

Fifth Brother entrusted him with the rear, giving him complete peace of mind, while not trusting others.

So Sun Qiying would certainly remain in the Imperial City, controlling the Fifth Prince Mansion, and wouldn’t leave without authorization.

”Missing for two days...”

Chu Zhiyuan sat at the table, picked up a cup of wine, and sipped while pondering.

Cheng Yunqi looked at him, and though in shadow, his eyes were bright and piercing.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The disappearance could be twofold: one active and one passive. Which do you think he is?”

”Active,” Cheng Yunqi said slowly, ”Sun Qiying is very intelligent.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”He only calculates against others and never gets calculated by others?”

”Yes.”

”In that case, he foresaw that someone would be unfavorable to him and preemptively avoided them, that includes you, right?” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”It seems he has escaped your control.”

Cheng Yunqi’s face darkened.

He felt very embarrassed, having just been smug only to be slapped in the face.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Can you find him?”

Cheng Yunqi was silent.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Did this Chief Historian realize that the Fifth Prince’s fate wouldn’t end well, so he decisively fled?”

Cheng Yunqi nodded slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Don’t your Prince Mansion also have other talents? Can’t you find him?”

”He is the most trusted of Fifth Brother’s confidants, although his cultivation is not so strong, he has survived unharmed until now, there is a reason.”

”What reason?”

”It is said that he also has a protective treasure that conceals his presence and makes him untrackable.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head, ”Isn’t that a lie?”

Such a treasure, much like the Leaving Beast Order, would undoubtedly be the most precious and strictly kept from passing out.

Li Cunren, being a prince, could only occasionally use it, and didn’t have it during usual times.

If a Chief Historian from a Prince Mansion could possess one, it would only deceive outsiders.

Not to mention Sun Qiying, even Cheng Yunzheng didn’t have such a treasure.

At least, he hadn’t seen it on Cheng Yunzheng.

”It should be true,” Cheng Yunqi said, ”Otherwise, he would have been found long ago.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Shall I give it a try?”

Cheng Yunqi looked half-believing, half-doubting.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Do you have anything belonging to him?”

”Yes.”

”Bring me two of his belongings, and I’ll see if I can find him,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”There’s no time to waste.”

He felt that their group was about to leave. The Eldest Prince would meet Emperor Yuanzhen tonight and probably set off tomorrow.

This time wasn’t an official visit but a secret meeting.

Cheng Yunqi said, ”I’ll send someone to fetch them right away.”

...

When Chu Zhiyuan finished his cup of wine, the previously graceful middle-aged man had arrived with a small box.

Chu Zhiyuan opened it; inside was a pen and a scroll.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, using Super Sensing Illumination to capture their unique aura.

After a moment, Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, ”He’s in a house on this street, outside of which are two trees with crooked branches bearing fruit... on the lintel, it’s inscribed with the words Fortune and Wisdom Family, both doors are painted red, and the threshold has a break.”