Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1155: Chapter 1151: Encirclement and Slaughter

A quarter of an hour later, Chu Zhiyuan floated back to the city gate.

Ding Huanchun and the others hurriedly came forward to greet him.

Chu Zhiyuan was calm and collected, as if returning from a spring outing, and smiled, ”Could you please go clean up a bit, tidy up the scene, so as not to scare people.”

”Mr., how many did you slaughter?” Ding Huanchun asked with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”All of them are dead.”

Ding Huanchun’s eyes widened.

The other City Guards also widened their eyes in disbelief, looking at him.

These demonic creatures were extremely skilled at escaping, with excellent qinggong, and were very cunning, escaping in all directions.

No matter how good Chu Zhiyuan’s qinggong was, it was almost impossible for him to kill all those demonic creatures.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”There might be some that slipped through the net.”

Ding Huanchun quickly said, ”Being able to kill so many is already very remarkable, if it weren’t for you, we really would’ve been...”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, ”I didn’t expect a Nine Transitions Venerable to act, who exactly is this person, and why did they take action?”

Ding Huanchun smiled bitterly, ”I don’t recognize this evil demon. That level’s of a evil demon, anyone who’s seen him is probably dead.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

These words are correct. According to the style of these demonic creatures, they would never show mercy, nor would they let someone go because the opponent is weak.

Ding Huanchun called for a City Guard and asked him to bring more City Guards from within the city.

As the Gate Guard General, he could not freely increase the number of gate-keeping guards, but he could mobilize some within the city for temporary tasks.

More than a hundred City Guards were called out, divided into eight groups to spread out, only needing to go ten miles ahead and bring back the bodies they found.

Ding Huanchun had the City Guards bring some large stones, forming a stone table and stone benches, as well as a stone bed.

After exchanging a few words with Ding Huanchun, Chu Zhiyuan then sat cross-legged on the stone bed.

He needed to quickly restore the Jade Heaven Sword.

He hadn’t expected to have to use the Jade Heaven Sword as soon as he arrived at the Imperial City.

He had just sat on the stone bed when he saw a few figures drifting over.

Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, clasped his hands in respect with a smile, ”Uncle Master.”

Gu Junqi and the four middle-aged men looked at him with stern expressions.

In the distance, Ding Huanchun waved his hand, and the City Guards who were cleaning up the bodies averted their gazes, not coming closer.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Sorry to disturb you, Uncle Master.”

”I didn’t expect you to return so quickly.” Gu Junqi shook his head and said, ”Just now was...”

”I used the Jade Heaven Sword to deal with a demonic creature...” Chu Zhiyuan recounted the earlier situation.

Once the Jade Heaven Sword was activated, it was no different from the Heavenly Sword, and cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture could all sense it.

Gu Junqi was a cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture and sensed the Heavenly Sword’s aura.

He was first puzzled, then doubtful, but in the end, he brought people to take a look.

”A Nine Transitions Venerable Realm demonic creature...” Gu Junqi’s face was solemn.

Even he wouldn’t have a sure chance of victory against such a level of demonic creature.

One could only say that this demon was really unlucky.

His expression was grim.

The fact that a Nine Transitions Venerable Realm demon took action showed that the Evil Sect’s attack on the Imperial City was becoming more intense.

The Evil Sect was becoming increasingly rampant.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Master, our courtyard should also take action.”

Gu Junqi frowned, ”That requires the Sect Leader’s decision.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Sect Leader hasn’t said anything, but since he sent me here, he must have that intention.”

”... I will ask the Sect Leader.” Gu Junqi said solemnly.

Taking action now, aside from gaining the Court’s gratitude, brings all disadvantages.

The Court’s gratitude is not precious.

The Court’s actions are fickle and cannot be relied upon, what’s important is one’s own strength.

Really taking action could risk losing masters and weakening one’s own strength.

”Nephew, you should come back to our courtyard and stay for a while, to recover.” Gu Junqi said.

As an Elder, he knew the characteristics of the Jade Heaven Sword.

Once activated, recovery wasn’t easy, requiring a long time.

Chu Zhiyuan relied on the Jade Heaven Sword to kill the Nine Transitions Venerable demon, but the Jade Heaven Sword could only be activated three times.

He could at most kill three Nine Transitions Venerable Realm demons, if the Evil Sect retaliates and sends two more, he wouldn’t be able to handle it and might even be in mortal danger.

Chu Zhiyuan’s future was limitless. Practicing the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, with his aptitude and mindset, he would at least be an Elder in the future.

If he were to fall here, it would be a real pity.

”Uncle Master, I can also restore the Jade Heaven Sword here, while the demonic creatures haven’t lost their nerve and still have the courage to come, we should deal with them thoroughly. If we miss this opportunity, they will be hard to track down, and difficult to kill.”

Gu Junqi was taken aback, then laughed, ”Your thinking really is...”

He heard from Chu Zhiyuan’s tone a disdain for the demonic creatures and a bold spirit.

It couldn’t be said that he was a newborn calf not afraid of the tiger, after all, he had seen the giant and great demons of the Qinglian Sea and the Nine Transitions Venerable of the demonic creatures.

But still having such an astonishing spirit made him sigh silently about aging.

Could it be that growing older made one lose this kind of courage?

”Alright then, kill them fiercely, give them a blow to their prestige, and make our Heavenly Sword Sect famous... but remember to keep yourself safe.”

”Uncle Master, rest assured.”

...

After Gu Junqi and the others left, Chu Zhiyuan sat back on the stone bed.

Ding Huanchun and the others had already cleaned up the aftermath.

They had gathered the bodies of the demons that fled far away.

Looking at the neatly arranged demon corpses, with rivers of blood, not only did they not feel uncomfortable, but were instead exhilarated, with eager eyes.

So many demons dead at once, including a Nine Transitions Venerable Level demon.

The anger brewed over the past year seemed to be vented all at once.

So satisfying.

Ding Huanchun came before Chu Zhiyuan, clasped his fists in salute, and said with a smile, ”Sir, once these bodies are submitted, the Court will definitely confer a great reward.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”How about cutting off their heads and placing them aside?”

”That...” Ding Huanchun hesitated.

This move is indeed ruthless and satisfying enough.

But this will inevitably enrage the evil demons.

They might go mad and attack the Imperial City with all their might, and if they fail, they fearlessly target innocent civilians.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”At this point, it’s either the east wind prevailing over the west wind, or vice versa. There’s no room for retreat; the people also want to see the Court’s power. Can the Court retreat again?”

”...Alright, let’s do it!” Ding Huanchun gritted his teeth.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s seek approval first; we shouldn’t act on our own accord.”

If we really move forward with this, Ding Huanchun would bear too much pressure, and it’s unnecessary.

Ding Huanchun hesitated, ”I estimate the General will...”

Based on his own understanding, his superior would never agree; he doesn’t have the courage to risk it all.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled without speaking, ”Just follow orders.”

Being born as a Princely Heir, how could he not know the twists and turns of the officialdom?

No matter the world or dynasty, the most similar thing is the court circles.

As officials, everyone tries their best to seize power and shirk responsibility as much as possible.

Displaying the heads of evil demons outside the city completely enrages them, inviting fierce retaliation.

The consequences brought are not necessarily something the Imperial City can bear right now.

As Ding Huanchun’s superior, they probably wouldn’t dare to carry such heavy responsibility.

But as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he inadvertently represents the stance of the Heavenly Sword Sect: absolute opposition to the evil demons.

.....

Ding Huanchun returned to the city to report, quickly came back with a solemn face, showing a bitter smile upon reaching Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan, sitting cross-legged on the stone couch, smiled and asked, ”How did it go?”

Ding Huanchun gave a bitter smile, ”The General said it’s not appropriate to anger the evil demons at this time.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Haven’t we killed enough to anger them?”

Ding Huanchun replied, ”We’re passively defending; it’s different from displaying their heads.”

”That makes sense,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Let’s wait a bit then.”

Ding Huanchun took a deep breath, suppressing his helplessness, ”Mr. Chu...”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Our responsibility is to kill the evil demons, no need to think about anything else.”

”Thank you, Mr. Chu!” Ding Huanchun said resolutely.

Chu Zhiyuan looked up into the distance, chuckling lightly, ”Here they come again; they’re really gutsy.”

Ding Huanchun looked in the direction of his gaze but felt nothing.

But trusting Chu Zhiyuan’s judgment, he quickly asked, ”How many evil demons are there?”

”Over thirty,” Chu Zhiyuan replied.

Ten miles away, thirty-three evil demons quietly moved in the dusk, silently passing through the forest without disturbing the leaves, hiding their figures.

Ding Huanchun said, ”I’ll call for aid!”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, then floated up, ”I’ll go slaughter them first. You clean up the stragglers.”

”Be careful, Mr. Chu!” Ding Huanchun quickly said.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, disappearing into the dim twilight.

Ding Huanchun turned and ran to the city gate, quickly gathering a group of experts.

At this time, there were no people entering the city; only the City Guard remained at the gate.

They all curiously asked.

Upon hearing that more evil demons were approaching, gearing for a battle, their spirits lifted.

A row of bodies lay on the ground nearby, boosting their courage.

”Lord Ding, this time we must fiercely slaughter a few evil demons, not letting Mr. Chu work so hard.”

”Exactly, we aren’t useless.”

”...”

Ding Huanchun glanced at them, snapping irritably, ”Where were your skills earlier?”

They hadn’t even seen the shadow of an evil demon before, let alone killed any.

”Those evil demons previously ran away after one strike, not giving us a chance. Now they’re bringing themselves here.”

”Right, we don’t fear them coming, just them escaping after one strike.”

Ding Huanchun snorted, ”Alright then, let’s see your prowess.”

They stared intently into the distance.

Meanwhile, Chu Zhiyuan silently infiltrated behind a group of evil demons.

In the shadows, he silently killed two evil demons.

The Shadowless Divine Sword played a major role at this time, helping him restrain his aura and blend into the surrounding shadows.

Using the Earth Origin Technique, he instantly arrived behind someone, before they reacted, stabbing their back brain, killing them instantly.

Supporting them, letting them fall slowly, then moving to the next.

In one breath, silently killing six evil demons, finally alerting them.

This enraged the evil demons, who surrounded and attacked him.

Chu Zhiyuan’s form flickered, moving away in escape.

The evil demons chased for two miles before Chu Zhiyuan killed four more masters.

They then ceased chasing, turned back towards the Imperial City.

Chu Zhiyuan was curious.

Having killed ten out of the original thirty-three, leaving only twenty-three, yet still heading towards the Imperial City?

So he chased again, killing four more, provoking a mad pursuit.

He then killed two more masters.

Only seventeen evil demons remained.

As they moved towards the Imperial City again, Chu Zhiyuan pursued them.

This time, they were prepared, instantly surrounding him.

Yet Chu Zhiyuan’s Earth Origin Technique was remarkable, allowing him to escape their encirclement and kill four more on the periphery.

When only thirteen remained, they finally realized they couldn’t handle Chu Zhiyuan, so they turned and retreated.

Chu Zhiyuan continued the pursuit.

They surrounded for a kill, only to be easily dispatched by him. Even those employing Jade and Stone Burning tactics were easily evaded.

He effectively encircled and attacked them as a single individual.