Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 170: Chapter 168: Opposite

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The bright sunlight shines on the Four Directions Pavilion.

The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry and the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry guard the entrance of the Four Directions Pavilion.

On the left side of the main street entrance are ten knights of the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry in white robes, and on the right side, ten knights of the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry in green robes.

One white and one green, each with ten knights.

They show no expression, their aura chilling, clearly seasoned killers, even martial artists dare not approach easily.

But dare to glare angrily from not far away.

When Chu Zhiyuan arrived at the Four Directions Pavilion, he saw a group of martial artists glaring angrily at the ten Lingshuang Iron Cavalry and ten Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

This group of martial artists numbered over fifty, their martial arts skills varying; the highest were of the Innate Second and Third Layers, the lowest only at Postnatal Five and Six Layers.

And not far from this group of martial artists were the onlooking citizens, several hundred of whom had crowded tightly around.

The Prince Mansion Guards invisibly pushed them aside, incurring the displeasure of the onlookers, who dared to be angry but not to speak out.

It was obvious at a glance that Chu Zhiyuan was a noble; some in the crowd recognized his jade pendant at his waist, knowing he was the Princely Heir.

Some even recognized his true identity.

As Chu Zhiyuan passed through the crowd, they realized he was the Prince Qing’s Princely Heir, Chu Zhiyuan, the heir who had triumphed over the Ninth Princess Li Hongzhao of Da Meng.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Fourth Prince, are we Da Jing so weak that we must bow to Da Zhen?"

"Fourth Prince, we Da Jing don’t need Da Zhen!"

"Yes, we Da Jing can triumph over Da Meng!"

"Drive out Da Zhen!"

"People of Da Zhen, get out!"

...

Chu Zhiyuan remained calm and composed, proceeding directly inside.

The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry and Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry also recognized his identity, stepping back two paces to open the street entrance, allowing Chu Zhiyuan to enter surrounded by his guards.

"Fourth Prince!"

"Fourth Prince, we Da Jing do not seek Da Zhen!"

...

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan stepped onto the main street of the Four Directions Pavilion, his expression turned solemn.

"Lord Heir..." Zou Fang wanted to speak.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Forget it."

Zou Fang softly replied, "Yes."

Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sense scanned the crowd, searching for the leader, finally finding him and beckoning him over.

Suddenly, a burly figure emerged from the shadows, none other than Liang Guanjie.

He lightly floated to Chu Zhiyuan, leaning closer to his ear.

Chu Zhiyuan used Sound Transmission into Secret, and Liang Guanjie nodded repeatedly, then cupped his fists in a salute before disappearing back into the shadows.

He arrived outside the Da Zhen Pavilion.

Just as Chu Zhiyuan stood firm, the door opened, and Cheng Tianfeng came out, cupping his fists with a smile, "Brother Chu, a rare visitor."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Just returned to the capital, heard Brother Cheng encountered an assassination attempt, came to see if Brother Cheng was startled, if he was aggrieved."

"What’s there to be aggrieved about, getting used to being cursed." Cheng Tianfeng waved it off nonchalantly, gesturing for him to enter.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "No need to go in, let’s go to a restaurant."

"Which restaurant?"

"How about Bright Moon Tower?" Chu Zhiyuan said with a seemingly casual smile.

Cheng Tianfeng felt a jolt, though his face showed no change, he smiled, "Then let’s go to Bright Moon Tower."

Each, surrounded by guards, amidst the angry roars of the onlookers, left the Four Directions Pavilion and arrived at Bright Moon Tower.

In the same room.

Chu Zhiyuan first sat in the seat of Li Hongzhao, forcing Cheng Tianfeng to sit opposite him, as he had yesterday in the same seat.

Cheng Tianfeng vaguely sensed that their secret meeting was known.

He thought swiftly.

How could it have been discovered?

That meeting was secretive, apart from their own guards, even the waiter of the Bright Moon Tower knew nothing.

All outsiders were kept away, food and drink were served by their own people.

Masks were worn to cover their faces as soon as they left the room, unrecognizable.

How did Chu Zhiyuan know?

Did someone inform him, could there be a Da Jing spy among his own, in the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry or among his guards?

How much did he know?

For a moment, his mind was in a mess.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at Cheng Tianfeng, "Brother Cheng, let’s wait, someone else is coming."

"Another guest?" Cheng Tianfeng forced a smile, "Which one?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Brother Cheng should be familiar, an acquaintance, the Ninth Princess."

Cheng Tianfeng maintained his composure, smiled, "Why invite the Ninth Highness? It’s unnecessary to see her, after all, she’s our rival."

"A rival can sometimes become an ally." Chu Zhiyuan smiled meaningfully, "An ally can also betray an ally."

This remark startled Cheng Tianfeng, almost convincing him that Chu Zhiyuan already knew of their conspiracy.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Right, Brother Cheng?"

"Heh... heh..." Cheng Tianfeng forced a few laughs to cover his awkwardness.

Since he knows, there’s no point in lying, but what if he’s merely bluffing, just guessing blindly?

Silence is the best response.

Let’s see what he says after Li Hongzhao arrives, and whether he knows about their scheme.

Suddenly, he perked up.

If Chu Zhiyuan really knew, there’d be no need to invite both of them again.

It’s likely just a guess, so he came to test them both.

With this in mind, he felt slightly more at ease.

Footsteps sounded, followed by an enticing laugh; before the person appeared, the laughter had already reached inside, "Fourth Prince, this is not the way to treat a guest..."

Chu Zhiyuan rose with a smile, "Your Highness, please come in."

The door was wide open, and in the doorway appeared Li Hongzhao in a deep green palace dress.

Her beautiful face bore a charming smile, her figure voluptuous and captivating, skin as lustrous as a white jade beauty statue.

Behind her were two pretty young maids, eyeing their surroundings warily.

Especially when looking at Chu Zhiyuan, their gaze was particularly vigilant.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists with a smile, "Please, Your Highness!"

Li Hongzhao glanced at Cheng Tianfeng, pursed her lips in a smile, "Oh, another guest, Princely Heir Cheng, pleased to meet you."

Chu Zhiyuan gestured, leaving his original seat to let Li Hongzhao have it, causing Cheng Tianfeng’s eyelids to twitch.

Li Hongzhao sensed something amiss upon seeing Cheng Tianfeng.

Now giving her the seat, and it isn’t the main seat, it’s where she casually sat yesterday, advantageous for viewing the street below.

Chu Zhiyuan deliberately offered it to her... yesterday’s meeting between her and Cheng Tianfeng had been discovered by Chu Zhiyuan.

But so what?

She rudely sat down, exuding a lazy and relaxed demeanor, stretching her buxom figure.

Her slender waist was a grip’s reach, full breasts quivering, drawing Cheng Tianfeng’s gaze.

She ignored Cheng Tianfeng’s gaze, staring at Chu Zhiyuan, with a delightful smile, "Fourth Prince, what instructions do you have?"

"Does Your Highness need a Wind-Riding Pill?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Li Hongzhao chuckled lightly, casually, "You indeed found out."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Defeating me, is it to bolster Da Meng’s prestige, or to further provoke our relationship with Da Zhen?"

"I just wanted to defeat you." Li Hongzhao said lazily.

Cheng Tianfeng was captivated, but forced himself to suppress the agitation, looking nonchalantly at the landscape painting on the wall.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I fear it’s more to incite our relationship with Da Zhen, is it? I must admire Your Highness’s tactics."

"What?" Li Hongzhao frowned.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "The assassin incident, isn’t it Your Highness’s doing?"

"No!" Li Hongzhao decisively said.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

The Super Sense revealed that Li Hongzhao was truthful, she indeed wasn’t behind this.

Who else could benefit from this situation?

His gaze shifted to Cheng Tianfeng.

Cheng Tianfeng understood his implication, hurriedly waving his hand, "Brother Chu, what do you mean? Why would I assassinate myself?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Brother Cheng didn’t actually want to reconcile with us Da Jing, right?"

Cheng Tianfeng snorted, "Though I disagree, since the Imperial Grandfather has made up his mind, I’d comply, not to the extent of sabotaging it!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Including giving the princess a Wind-Riding Pill?"

Cheng Tianfeng instantly fell silent, looking at Li Hongzhao.

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