Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 123: Chapter 121: Recruitment

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Chu Zhiyuan held this piece of plain paper, turning his head to look towards the east.

He vaguely felt that the aura on this plain paper came from that direction, and the person who wrote the letter should be a woman.

A faint fragrance floated on it, extremely subtle, but could not escape the Super Sense.

He casually walked out of the Government Office, strolling towards the east, all the way to the East City Gate.

After passing this gate, one would reach the outer city, so he stopped his steps.

Then he turned back.

The Jiuli Divine Sect seemed to still be keeping their vow, not entering Yujing.

If they really entered Yujing, that would be a huge trouble.

He went to the Inspection Department, directly to the room he always went to.

Ma Tianhe greeted him in with a fawning smile, then was instructed to gather some information about the Chengxin Sect.

Ma Tianhe quickly brought over several document boxes, then also brought the contact records between the Court and the Da Zhen Mission.

Chu Zhiyuan first looked through the information on the Chengxin Sect.

The Chengxin Sect emphasizes that the heart is everything, nothing exists outside the heart.

Hell and Paradise are just a thought away, a shift in thought changes the world.

Therefore, they emphasize calming the mind and thoughts, not being confused by worldly disturbances, seeing through worldly delusions, and enjoying real peace and joy.

Not relying on external things, not depending on external things, so one must keep reducing, depriving external things of influencing the mind, to achieve clearer purity of the heart.

This is a sect that emphasizes rigorous cultivation.

In Yujing City, it holds extremely high prestige, with many followers; both those who are dissatisfied and satisfied with their lives feel endless troubles and need to calm their minds.

Chu Yunxian is more influential than he imagined, holding extremely high prestige among the followers and sect disciples.

If his previous attitude towards him were seen by the followers and disciples of the Chengxin Sect, they would surely find it hard to accept and be extremely angry.

Chu Zhiyuan finished reading all the recent news of the Chengxin Sect, finding no trace of the Jiuli Divine Sect, only looking at which followers and members the Chengxin Sect had.

There were four Elders, six Ambassadors, and eight Protectors.

The sect altars in Yujing City had two, one in East City and one in South City.

In North City and West City, one is the Imperial Palace, the other is the noble’s mansion, so no sects set up altars or branches there.

After finishing reading, Chu Zhiyuan lamented that the Chengxin Sect was stronger than the True One Sect and the Thick Earth Sect, likely twice their size.

When he saw the contact records between the Da Jing Court officials and the Da Zhen Mission, his face grew increasingly grave.

From these records, it was clear that, faced with the Da Zhen Mission’s unwavering persistence, the Da Jing officials were softening, about to agree to himself marrying the Da Zhen Princess.

After reading these, Chu Zhiyuan looked towards the Four Directions Pavilion.

Is Da Zhen so insistent really just to delay his cultivation? Or is there another motive?

The more Da Zhen insists, the less Da Jing should agree.

But the Da Meng Mission is about to arrive, the Da Jing Court officials are a bit anxious and may not hold out for long before agreeing.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, compared to destroying the alliance between Da Jing and Da Zhen, his position as the Princely Heir of the Prince Qing Mansion seemed less important.

If he were a Great Grandmaster, would they still dare to do so?

His expression cold and stern, he slowly set down the documents.

Deciding in his heart, after tomorrow he would continue to seclude himself in cultivation.

With the Dragon Blood Pearl, he could completely focus on rigorous cultivation in seclusion.

Thinking of this, he stood to leave.

Ma Tianhe hurriedly saw him off, speaking in a low voice, "Your Highness, that matter has already started investigation, but due to the long journey, I’m afraid it won’t have results anytime soon."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Da Lie and Da Jing were separated by sea, and a trip would take half a month floating on a ship.

Ma Tianhe continued, "The Director said, in terms of credit, Your Highness certainly won’t be shortchanged."

"I trust Director Leng," Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

"If Your Highness achieves Grandmaster status, you can come to our department," Ma Tianhe whispered, "The Director said, as long as Your Highness is willing to come, you can start as a Hall Master."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Speaking of this is too early, isn’t the Director a bit too eager?"

Ma Tianhe said, "The Director is also eager for talent, and he has never gone back on his word, so your Highness can rest assured."

"I do trust the Director, but I need to consider this much longer, I can’t decide in the short term."

"Yes," Ma Tianhe nodded quickly.

He didn’t understand why the Director started recruiting His Highness so early.

Doesn’t His Highness need a very long time to become a Grandmaster?

——

Duke Kang Mansion

Within an elegantly decorated small courtyard on the fourth east side, Song Tianhai practiced sword in the open space.

His expression cold, eyes icy, the shimmering sword light was filled with a chilling murderous intent, as if wanting to slaughter everyone in the world.

Footsteps sounded, and a delicate servant entered the courtyard quietly, standing silently to the side.

Seeing that Song Tianhai continued brandishing his sword without stopping, he finally couldn’t help but softly cough.

"Speak!" Song Tianhai snorted coldly.

"Young Lord, I heard some news."

"If you keep me guessing, be careful of your arm!" Song Tianhai coldly glanced sideways at him.

The delicate servant touched his own shoulder, as if the wound from a sword still hurt, quickly saying, "I heard the lady from Duke An Mansion is buying rouge at the Phoenix Avenue’s makeup shop."

Song Tianhai suddenly rushed over, the sword tip pressed against his throat, leaning forward to glare at him, coldly asking, "Truly?"

"Young Lord, I’m only repeating what I heard," the servant quickly retreated, but the sword tip chased close, staying just two inches away, ready to pierce at any moment.

The chill of the sword tip raised goosebumps on his throat.

Frightened, his face turned pale.

Song Tianhai stared into his eyes, seemingly wanting to see through his thoughts, slowly withdrawing his sword, snorting coldly, "Who told you this?"

"Old Sun, the coachman, just returned and casually mentioned it, since that Miss Xiao is so beautiful, unforgettable at first sight."

"Hmph, discuss Miss Xiao privately again, and slap yourselves!"

"Yes, we won’t dare again!"

"Get out!"

"Yes, yes." The delicate servant quickly ran off.

Song Tianhai stood in the small courtyard, raising his head to look at the sky, then towards Phoenix Avenue, his eyes gradually brightening.

Originally cautious of such gossip, but upon hearing Xiao Ruoling’s name, images of Xiao Ruoling’s stunning face and deep, mystifying eyes flashed before him.

Her glance captivating.

His heart burned and boiled, eager to sprout wings and appear instantly before Xiao Ruoling, to see her in person.

Not having time to go back and change out of his combat uniform, he sheathed his longsword and turned to leave.

"Young Lord..." The four guards at the courtyard gate immediately blocked him, but Song Tianhai directly pushed them aside, striding forward.

"Young Lord, please don’t make it difficult for us!"

"Get out of the way, or don’t blame me for being merciless!"

"Young Lord..."

"Slap!" Song Tianhai slapped a guard who was blocking him, continuing to stride forward.

The other guards helplessly stepped aside, then followed him.

Song Tianhai suddenly stopped, turned his head and glared coldly at them, drawing his longsword, the sword tip pointed at them, "Follow me further, and I’ll stab myself!"

With that, the sword tip was pressed against his abdomen.

The guards immediately halted, showing helpless expressions.

Song Tianhai snorted, turned, and hurried away.

He left Duke Kang Mansion, using his agility to head towards Phoenix Avenue, quickly spotting a graceful figure surrounded by guards in the crowd.

Amidst the crowd, there was also Chu Zhiyuan.

The two walked together, occasionally whispering.

Xiao Ruoling occasionally displayed a knowing smile, seeming in a great mood.

Song Tianhai watched from afar, his heart in agony.

He watched from a distance as Xiao Ruoling and Chu Zhiyuan went from the makeup shop to the jeweler’s, finally arriving at a private room in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Standing below, he looked up, through the window, seeing them sitting opposite each other at the table by the window, occasionally drinking together.

Then watched them finish eating, leave the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and, surrounded by guards, ascend the ornate carriage and leave.

...

Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling sat in the spacious and elegant carriage, sitting face to face.

"Didn’t expect this young lord Song to be a romantic after all, initially thought he was just lustful," Chu Zhiyuan remarked, "He didn’t rush over."

Xiao Ruoling chuckled, "Disappointed?"

"Since he knows better, let’s just leave it at that," Chu Zhiyuan said, "I guess he won’t appear in front of me again."

The Super Sense always kept an eye on Song Tianhai, vaguely guessing Song Tianhai’s complex emotions, his heart aching deeply, feeling desolate.

Probably from now on, he wouldn’t want to see Xiao Ruoling, wouldn’t want to see himself, and might not even want to return to Yujing.

Perhaps it would take a long time, finding new love before he could come back, gradually covering this scar.

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