Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1276: Chapter 1272: Investigation

”Yes, Spirit Venerable.”

”Can the Court’s Spirit Venerable be summoned at will?”

”Certainly not!” Huang Zhengyang gulped down another mouthful of wine: ”But at this moment, it is already very critical.”

”The Undying Evil Venerable keeps descending, and the divine artifact has failed...” Chu Zhiyuan nodded: ”These recent descents have been in areas far from the Imperial City, but next time and perhaps thereafter, it might descend near the Imperial City—that would be the true disaster!”

”Exactly!” Huang Zhengyang said: ”This time, Brother Chu, you dared not act; how can the princes not be wary? If next time the Undying Evil Venerable descends near the Imperial City and you still don’t act, what can be done?... the Guardian Divine Artifact also hasn’t been repaired.”

”It is indeed perilous.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded: ”Even if I boldly act this time, the Court’s decision will likely be the same, not to tie safety to an individual.”

This is one of the fundamental reasons why the Court has been reluctant to teach the secret technique to me.

Being a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect is one aspect; the other is this.

Tying life and death to one person’s hands, especially when this person is a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, how can the Court be at ease?

”...Yes!” Huang Zhengyang heavily slapped the stone table: ”That’s exactly the reason!”

”Hehe...” He shook his head: ”I haven’t seen this as thoroughly as Brother Chu.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Huang Zhengyang said: ”So, Brother Chu, you shouldn’t blame the princes; the situation is pressing, and they have no choice.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: ”Brother Huang, where are you thinking? I’m not yet filled with resentment; the secret technique, originally precious, cannot be transmitted lightly, especially as it belongs to the Court; there’s no reason for it to be granted to me.”

Huang Zhengyang shook his head: ”If it were me, I’d certainly feel aggrieved.”

Chu Zhiyuan poured the White Jade Cup full for both of them, revealing a smile: ”However, Brother Huang, I do feel I have hope in receiving the secret technique.”

”Hm—?” Huang Zhengyang was puzzled.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said: ”Isn’t it said that life and death shouldn’t be tied to a single person’s hands?”

”Right, that’s how the Court is.” Huang Zhengyang nodded: ”Especially the four princes, they absolutely refuse to be controlled.”

This is the pride of the Royal Family, a pride ingrained deeply in their bones and blood.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Will the Court summon several Spirit Venerables then?”

”Well...,” Huang Zhengyang shook his head: ”The matter of the Spirit Venerable is extremely secretive; I really don’t know.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Spirit Venerables are hard to summon; they might just invite one, as one would suffice.”

”One...”

”Moreover, there must be a price, and a hefty one at that.”

”It’s inevitably so.”

”Life and death cannot be tied to one person’s hands.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled with deep meaning.

”Oh—!” Huang Zhengyang brightened up and slapped the table: ”That’s right!... Hehe, with the Spirit Venerable present, the Court won’t fear your misdeeds, and you can also slay the Undying Evil Venerable, preventing the Spirit Venerable from taking all the glory!... It’s mutual restraint, hence the Court will pass on the secret technique to you!”

”Indeed!” Chu Zhiyuan smiled and drank in one gulp.

Huang Zhengyang frowned in deep thought, shaking his head: ”This idea is somewhat too optimistic; the Court might not be so inclined.”

”There’s a possibility.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”With this possibility, let’s attempt to advance.”

”No problem!” Huang Zhengyang’s face turned serious: ”I’ll seek out the Director.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”Forget about the Director.”

Huang Zhengyang looked at him puzzled.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”I’m too close to the Evil Extermination Department; in the eyes of the four princes and various courtiers, we’re seen as colluding.”

”I’m genuinely acting in the public interest!” Huang Zhengyang protested: ”Our friendship is one thing, but I distinguish clearly between the business of the Evil Extermination Department and personal matters.”

”Brother Huang, you can manage it, but others may not; hence they measure others by themselves and believe Brother Huang can’t do it.”

”I... this...”

”So the Director’s words won’t be effective; we’d better find someone else.”

”Who else can we find?”

”What about the Demon Hunting Bureau, or someone unrelated to us?”

”The Demon Hunting Bureau won’t assist.” Huang Zhengyang waved his hand: ”They certainly want to oppose us.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Using this point, we won’t worry about them refusing to help.”

”Using...”

”Brother Huang, you understand.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

”Oh—! Understood, understood.” Huang Zhengyang laughed: ”I’ll deliberately leak some information, saying we don’t want you to practice the secret technique.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Brother Huang, you’re truly wicked.”

”Hehe, interesting!... Interesting, interesting!” Huang Zhengyang laughed heartily.

The two drank heavily again, and Chu Zhiyuan took his leave.

Once he disappeared, Huang Zhengyang’s expression quickly returned to normal.

The flush and drunkenness on his face quickly faded away, restoring him to his usual state.

He changed his clothes, and the scent of alcohol around him instantly dissipated.

The food and drink in the small courtyard were already removed, and the air within no longer carried the aroma of alcohol.

When he emerged, an elder was already seated beside the stone table in the courtyard.

White-haired and youthful in appearance, thin and vigorous, he was leisurely brewing tea.

”Director.” Huang Zhengyang stepped forward, respectfully saluting.

The elder handed him a cup of tea, motioning to the opposite side with his mouth: ”Sit down.”

Huang Zhengyang received the tea with both hands, and sat down neatly on the opposite side.

”What do you think?” the elder asked gently: ”What are his thoughts?”

”Director, after my interaction, I still hold the same view, Chu Zhiyuan’s character is kind and good, and he is worthy of our acceptance.”

”Hehe... kindness,” the elder laughed: ”This Heir Chu’s background, his actions, and all his past experiences have finally been clarified by the Court.”

Huang Zhengyang’s spirit lifted: ”Finally clarified? How is it? Is it as I thought?”

”From his experiences and actions, calling him kind is inappropriate,... his character is bright and upright, with awe-inspiring righteousness, practices the Imperial Family’s Great Brightness Scripture, without a bright and upright character, one cannot align with the Great Brightness Scripture, nor achieve such cultivation at a young age.”

Huang Zhengyang smiled.

”His killing intent is immense, he detests evil like a vengeful god, strikes ruthlessly, making the heads of the Evil Demons in Little Outer Heaven roll, even completely annihilating the entire Evil Sect.”

”Well done with the killing!” Huang Zhengyang praised, ”His sense of justice is so full, that’s why he’s helping us.”

”Hmm, that should be correct.” The old man nodded, ”Still worth trusting, but... he’s not a gentle person, the Court treating him like this, he probably harbors resentment, waiting for a chance to retaliate.”

”Director...”

”If he retaliates, so be it, as long as it’s open and aboveboard, then the Secret Technique can be taught.”

Huang Zhengyang smiled, ”Director, you’re wise! Director, will you continue to communicate with the four Princes?”

”This time it is different.” Zhou Muyin said calmly.

Huang Zhengyang said excitedly, ”We’re hopeful, aren’t we?”

”The Court is already considering and is investigating him,” Zhou Muyin said calmly, ”If nothing unexpected happens, they will impart the Secret Technique to him.”

Huang Zhengyang sighed, shaking his head, ”Finally, they agreed... it should have been taught earlier, it shouldn’t have been delayed till now.”

If the Secret Technique had been taught at the beginning, Brother Chu would have certainly been grateful, delayed until now, fear there may be no gratitude but rather resentment.

Zhou Muyin glanced at him.

Huang Zhengyang quickly smiled, ”I misspoke.”

”The Court has its own considerations, it’s not that simple, I’ve never felt at ease fully entrusting the Evil Extermination Department to you, do you know why?”

”Because of my inadequate abilities.”

”It’s because your mind is too simple, too naive!” Zhou Muyin said irritably, ”You trust people too easily!”

Huang Zhengyang quickly said, ”Director, I’m not foolish either, I stay vigilant and suspicious of everyone.”

”That’s just talk, but in essence, you value emotions too much!” Zhou Muyin hmphed.

Huang Zhengyang is top-notch in talent, smart and sharp, with a sincere character.

But he lacks a bit of coldness and reason, so I’m not willing to fully hand over the Evil Extermination Department to him.

I need to keep an eye on things to prevent any mishaps.

”In any case, you don’t need to worry about this matter anymore, keep an eye on the Undying Evil Venerable instead.”

”Understood.” Huang Zhengyang said, ”Should I mention this to Brother Chu?”

”No need.” Zhou Muyin hmphed, ”He’s smarter than you and should have guessed it.”

”Brother Chu is indeed very clever.” Huang Zhengyang agreed.

Zhou Muyin said, ”This matter isn’t without variables, so it’s even more important not to mention it.”

”Understood.”

”He’s handled the several Undying Evil Venerable Statues this time rather quickly.”

”Brother Chu is becoming more adept, but the one in Dongning City is indeed very tricky, he’s hesitated for a long time and even dared not get close.”

”It can’t be delayed too long over there,” Zhou Muyin said calmly, ”We need to hurry.”

”Has the Spirit Venerable been invited yet?”

”It’s not that easy,” Zhou Muyin hmphed, ”It depends on whether the Spirit Venerable is willing to pay attention.”

”Sigh... if you ask me, the Secret Technique should have been taught to Brother Chu early on, otherwise why would we have so much trouble now?”

”Shut up!”

”Director—”

”You don’t understand a thing!” Zhou Muyin said irritably, ”You think only you’re smart, only you’re wise, the four Princes and many important ministers are all fools?”

”Well...”

”There have been deep lessons, blood-soaked lessons,” Zhou Muyin hmphed, ”They just weren’t recorded, passing the Secret Technique to the wrong person affects too much, it must be approached with great caution!”

”Is it not because of his identity?”

”Of course, it has something to do with it, but that’s not all, unless we thoroughly understand his experiences and conduct, understand his character, how can we recklessly pass it on?”

”...Understood.”

”All right, let’s go.” Zhou Muyin stood up.

”Director, are you going to seclude yourself again?” Huang Zhengyang asked quickly.

Zhou Muyin shook his head, ”It’s like this, how can I be at ease to seclude? I need to make a trip to the Evil Suppressing Abyss.”

”To invite the Tributes in the Evil Suppressing Abyss?”

”To consult the Tributes on some matters.”

”Is there no Treasure in the Evil Suppressing Abyss to help us resolve the current crisis?”

”I don’t know, I need to ask.”

”Then be careful, Director.”

”Hmm.”

Zhou Muyin waved his hand and gracefully left.

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged on the bed in his bedroom, watching this scene with Insight, a smile on his face.

The Court was finally going to impart the Secret Technique to him.

They actually investigated him thoroughly first.

How did they acquire this information?

Lu Wanshan should not have given them this, does the Heavenly Sword Sect have a Court spy?

Everyone within the Heavenly Sword Sect knows his identity.

Those who can figure out his situation in Little Outer Heaven are very few.

If there’s no accident, only Lu Wanshan knows.

Then how did it leak out?

Not figuring this out indeed makes him uneasy.

Thinking of this, he immediately relocated to the Heavenly Sword Sect and arrived at the Sect Leader’s Hall, where he met Lu Wanshan.