Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 167: Chapter 165 Assassination

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When the sun rose higher, and there were no longer any purple lights in the void, Chu Zhiyuan, Chu Mingxuan, and a third person left Mingwu Hall together.

Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan went to the Military Suppression Department, while Chu Mingxuan went to the Ministry of Rites for attendance.

Chu Zhiyao, having no current duties, continued practicing martial arts in Mingwu Hall.

Chu Mingxuan was pleased with himself.

He had finally found his way through and was transferred to the Ministry of Rites.

The two arrived at the Ministry of Rites, receiving respectful greetings all the way, unchanged from before, as if the past ten days had just been yesterday.

They part ways, and he went to his room.

He soon found Gao Lingfeng buried in examining documents, looking tired, with a sore at the corner of his mouth.

"Sir!" On hearing footsteps, as Chu Zhiyuan entered through the curtain, Gao Lingfeng quickly stood to greet him, clasping his fists in salute.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the gesture: "Gao Sir, you’ve had a hard time."

"Sir, you’re finally back!" Gao Lingfeng breathed a sigh of relief.

A minor official served tea, and Chu Zhiyuan sat down at his seat, placing the tea cup on the desk, scrutinizing Gao Lingfeng.

Before Chu Zhiyuan could ask, Gao Lingfeng said, "Sir, something major just happened; someone attempted to assassinate the Da Zhen Princely Heir Cheng Tianfeng."

Chu Zhiyuan said indifferently, "Someone finally couldn’t help but make a move?"

He could detect alliance actions but found it difficult to completely prevent individual actions; impulsive acts are hard to guard against.

Cheng Tianfeng had the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry guarding him, so even a Grandmaster would be helpless.

Gao Lingfeng explained the sequence of events.

A martial arts expert tried to assassinate Cheng Tianfeng on the street and was directly killed by the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, stirring public fury, leading several martial arts experts to attack as well, only to be killed too.

This news had spread rapidly throughout Yujing City.

The citizens were very angry, feeling that while it was wrong to attempt on Cheng Tianfeng’s life, the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry’s killings were excessively brutal since he remained unharmed.

Had they grown accustomed to killing Da Jing people?

Old grievances and hatred surged in their hearts again, reigniting animosity toward Da Zhen, causing public outrage.

Many citizens felt they shouldn’t reconcile with Da Zhen or form an alliance, and that Da Jing should first defeat Da Zhen before severely injuring Da Meng.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but chuckle at these outrageous ideas.

This was emotional venting without regard for the reality.

If Da Jing were truly that strong, there’d indeed be no need to ally with Da Zhen, simply eliminate Da Zhen with one hand and Da Meng with the other, and unify the world.

Why suffer such grievances?

"Especially as we haven’t arrested the murderous Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, which has fueled public anger, accusing the Court of being weak, harsh to its own people, while spineless to Da Zhen."

"... Who was the assassin?" Chu Zhiyuan pondered aloud.

He wasn’t wholly absorbed by the immediate situation but thought deeper, wondering if a greater hand was at work behind this.

"Investigations revealed these people were ordinary martial artists."

"Not disciples of a Great Sect?"

"The first was someone cultivating family-passed martial arts, the others also from small sects without any background."

"Family-passed martial arts... what about their families?"

"All gone."

"Quite the coincidence."

Gao Lingfeng slowly said, "I suspect it too could be a move by Da Meng, to sow discord between us and Da Zhen, but this case is high-profile and needs substantial evidence."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just too coincidental... seeing the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry, knowing it’s impossible, attempting the assassination is courting death; even ants cherish life."

If this were before this proclamation trip, he would have unhesitantly thought of Da Meng, but now, he dared not be so certain it was Da Meng.

It could be someone else.

"Have the Military Suppression Department thoroughly investigate this person, dig deep, to see if anything can be uncovered," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Though it might be challenging."

He couldn’t help but recall Li Haoyuan’s words, that Da Meng often employs spies with foresight, for long durations, hard to guard against.

If Da Meng’s spies were involved, discovering anything might be impossible.

His gaze turned toward the Four Directions Pavilion.

——

As he left the Ministry of Rites, he paused while passing by the Heavenly Treasure Department.

Zou Fang also halted behind him.

Guo Chi and three others stopped as well.

Chu Zhiyuan examined the entrance to the Heavenly Treasure Department but ultimately did not enter.

No matter how high the efficiency, the Heavenly Treasure Department couldn’t possibly settle his merits this soon, needing at least ten days more.

After ten days, which First Grade Merit would he achieve?

Chu Zhiyuan continued to walk, intending to visit his new residence to practice martial arts.

After practicing in the morning, he wouldn’t return to the Prince Mansion for lunch but head straight to the State Duke Mansion, having already sent someone to notify them.

Now, his Insight range extended to three hundred meters.

Within this range, the information of all people and things imprinted in his mind as clear as palm lines.

If it were before merging with the Miao Ling Pearl, the flood of information would cause dizziness and overwhelm him.

Now, however, it was effortless and without burden.

He suddenly raised his sword-like eyebrows and paused his steps.

Zou Fang and the others also halted.

Chu Zhiyuan continued on, glancing momentarily at the Bright Moon Tower.

Bright Moon Tower was one of Yujing’s top restaurants.

Not affordable for ordinary people, patrons were wealthy or noble, dressed in silken fineries.

The Bright Moon Tower was bustling with activity.

With Super Sense, in a room on the third floor of Bright Moon Tower, Cheng Tianfeng and Li Hongzhao sat facing each other.

The table was filled with a variety of breakfast dishes.

In the room, apart from the two, there were only two maids and one eunuch.

Lingshuang Iron Cavalry occupied two other rooms on the third floor as well.

In these rooms, Lingshuang Iron Cavalry and Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry were mixed, disguised in the crowd inconspicuously.

In all three rooms, the atmosphere was equally tense, on the brink, ready to erupt.

Li Hongzhao’s smile was like a flower, mesmerizing Cheng Tianfeng, though he forcibly maintained his composure.

Feigning a sullen expression, he remained highly alert.

He knew Li Hongzhao was crafty and must not be careless, lest he be manipulated.

"Princely Heir Cheng, you’ve enraged the public. Having been domineering in the Divine Capital, you’re using the same tactic in Yujing too."

"Does Your Highness suggest showing lenience to assassins, sparing their lives, and then expecting their gratitude?"

"But this is in Da Jing’s Yujing, not your Divine Capital."

Cheng Tianfeng snorted.

He recognized the provocative tone in her words.

But regardless of being in the Divine Capital or Yujing, there was one word for assassins: kill.

Now, instead, the assassin was blameless and the victim of the assassination became the public’s target, utterly absurd!

It was merely his good temperament; otherwise, he’d have left without hesitation, alliance be damned!

"Does Princely Heir Cheng feel wronged?" Li Hongzhao smiled.

Cheng Tianfeng suddenly laughed, his eyes bright, gazing into her beautiful eyes: "Did Your Highness orchestrate this?"

"What?" Li Hongzhao was taken aback, then laughed: "You think the assassin was my doing?"

"Wasn’t it?" Cheng Tianfeng still stared unblinkingly into her eyes: "Your Highness’s move is indeed brilliant, I admire it!"

Li Hongzhao said, "Honestly, I did consider it, but someone else beat me to it!"

Cheng Tianfeng curled his lip.

Li Hongzhao snorted: "I didn’t expect that apart from me and Da Meng, someone else doesn’t want you to unite!"

Cheng Tianfeng furrowed his thick eyebrows.

Li Hongzhao’s eyes remained calm. Even when smiling, they were indifferent.

Unable to judge the truth, one deduced from facts: Li Hongzhao was simply being stubborn.

It was hard to imagine beyond Da Meng who else would sabotage the alliance between the two countries. Surely it couldn’t be blood-hot martial artists?

If they truly feared not death, there’s no need to assassinate openly on the street; in a restaurant, in a library, even disguised as a woman would have better success.

Why assassinate publicly, charging against the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry to kill him?

This was clearly an ulterior motive, deliberately stirring public anger.

A plot indeed!

If it’s a plot, then transcend specific tactics, look at the outcome, see who benefits, and they are the culprits.

Clearly, it was Da Meng.

Li Hongzhao waved her jade hand: "If you don’t believe, so be it, we at Da Meng are used to being wronged once or twice."

Cheng Tianfeng said, "Your Highness didn’t just invite me here to dine, surely?"

"There’s another major issue."

"What matter?"

"It concerns Chu Zhiyuan."

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