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Chapter 194: Chapter 192: Absurdity
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Da Jing Ministry of Rites
The main courtyard where the Minister of Rites resides has a main building and two rows of side rooms.
Scribes and officials come and go in a hurry.
Most of the main building is bathed in bright and gentle sunlight.
Prince Zhuang sits behind a desk, eyes closed, motionless, as if he has turned into a statue.
He has a square face, with a serious and solemn expression, austere and inviolable.
Chu Zhiyuan sits in a Taishi Chair next to him, quietly watching.
After a while, Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sir, am I being too reckless doing this? Should I have consulted with the Ministry of War first?"
"Hmm... when the situation is urgent, one must act decisively. At that moment, there was no time for a prior discussion, otherwise, dealing with the Ministry of War, who knows how long they would drag things out."
"Then..."
"This matter is very well-handled!" Prince Zhuang slowly said, "For the country and the people, exchanging those useless captives from Da Meng for the lives of the wicked people from the Evil Sect is worth it indeed!"
This issue cannot be judged merely by the number of people killed; we have to consider its impact, its deterrent effect on the Evil Sect, and its influence on the entire Martial Arts world.
The destructive power of these wicked individuals from the Evil Sect is astonishing; they might have practiced an Evil Skill capable of taking hundreds or thousands of innocent lives.
Eliminating these wicked individuals ahead of time to avoid innocent casualties is much better than exterminating them after the killing.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Thank you, sir."
"You... don’t need to be so cautious in your actions; a bit of urgency is fine," Prince Zhuang laughed, "You’re the Princely Heir; don’t be truly shackled by the numerous formalities and rules of the bureaucracy, losing the vigor to get things done!"
"Yes, thank you, sir!" Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.
He understood Prince Zhuang’s meaning.
As the Princely Heir, he has certain privileges in the bureaucracy and does not need to strictly follow bureaucratic rules.
Of course, this advice should be taken with a grain of salt, not fully.
If he truly acted wantonly as advised, though he may not face punishment, his official position might not be secure either.
Everyone has their own agenda.
Prince Zhuang speaks this way because Chu Zhiyuan acts with prudence, so even being a little aggressive won’t lead to any rash decisions.
Moreover, it could lead to greater achievements.
As the Minister of Rites, Prince Zhuang looks good as his subordinates do greater deeds, giving him both prestige and credit.
——
In the evening, after dinner, Chu Zhiyuan arrived at Duke An Mansion.
As the lanterns were first lit.
The back garden was already brightly illuminated.
Xiao Ruoling and Xiao Ruoyu were practicing swordsmanship on a small Martial Arts Training Ground among the flower beds. One was as fierce as furious waves, the other was as ethereal as shifting shadows among flowers.
When Chu Zhiyuan entered the mansion, Xiao Ruoling had just begun a sword duel with Xiao Ruoyu.
Xiao Ruoyu was full of confidence.
He felt that he had made progress in cultivation, stepping into the Innate Realm, and that this swordsmanship perfectly suited him; practicing for one day felt like practicing for a year, grasping the basics, and he was sure to be stronger than Xiao Ruoling.
However, after a duel, he once again found himself restrained.
The sword moves like torrential waves couldn’t stop Xiao Ruoling’s light and graceful, unpredictable sword.
He retreated repeatedly, feeling extremely frustrated.
When Chu Zhiyuan came to the side, he hadn’t yet noticed.
When he finally was struck in the chest by a sword, he could only stagger and retreat, looking at Xiao Ruoling unwillingly.
Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan with a smile, "How is my swordsmanship?"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "It’s considered entry-level."
Only then did Xiao Ruoyu notice Chu Zhiyuan and said, unconvinced, "Brother-in-law, do you call this entry-level for my big sister? What about me?"
"You suffer from a weaker cultivation; your swordsmanship hasn’t genuinely reached entry-level yet," Chu Zhiyuan laughed.
"Can I surpass big sister after reaching entry-level?"
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Without sharp eyes, no matter how good your swordsmanship is, you can’t guard against her sword."
"But I just can’t see through the truths," Xiao Ruoyu said helplessly.
"Watch more sword techniques; naturally, you’ll improve your acuity by seeing more," Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Training your eyesight can’t be rushed like training skills."
"Alright then." Xiao Ruoyu left, head down dispiritedly.
He was perceptive enough not to want to disturb their private time together.
When he left, Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling compared swords, giving her some timely pointers.
Xiao Ruoling had a very high comprehension, and with Chu Zhiyuan having insight like the Divine, his timely guidance was perfectly appropriate to help her advance.
When it felt sufficient, he stopped to avoid overwhelming.
The two returned to the painting boat.
After the two little maids prepared tea and snacks, they withdrew, leaving the two alone in the painting boat.
The two of them, alone inside, were enveloped in an intimate atmosphere for a moment.
Xiao Ruoling then shared the news she gathered during the day.
After hearing about the drawbacks of the Sky-reaching Grass, Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, "Indeed, just as I expected."
"There are quite a few Sky-reaching Grasses in the secret land; we should be able to take some out," Xiao Ruoling said, "You can take a look then."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Then I get to benefit from it."
Xiao Ruoling rolled her eyes at him.
That glance was filled with myriad charms, making Chu Zhiyuan irresistible; he reached out and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.
With the soft fragrance and warmth in his arms.
The two quietly held each other, feeling each other’s heartbeats.
Chu Zhiyuan was not in a hurry because she was certainly his wife, like a grand meal that should not be rushed but savored slowly for the most enjoyment.
The two simply snuggled quietly, experiencing the harmony of their souls.
After a while, Chu Zhiyuan mentioned his encounter with Li Hongzhao earlier today.
Xiao Ruoling smiled with pursed lips, "She actually came to the State Duke Mansion, but I avoided seeing her, and she never came again."
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Indeed, less interaction is wise."
"Has the Evil Sect truly appeared in Taizhou this time?"
"It shouldn’t be false."
"Be extremely careful then," Xiao Ruoling looked at him with concern, "The Evil Sect might most want to kill Princely Heirs and Princes."
Masters from all over rarely dare to attack Princely Heirs and Princes, but the wicked people from the Evil Sect love to kill Princes and Princely Heirs.
Even for a Grandmaster, encountering those wicked individuals from the Evil Sect is dangerous.
Their demonic skills are insidious and treacherous, leaving one defenseless.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I am now an Assistant Minister; there’s no need for me to fight personally. Let the Military Suppression Department handle it."
Xiao Ruoling smiled.
...
"I have to go along?" Chu Zhiyuan furrowed his sword brows, staring at Li Hongzhao in front of him, looking at her as if she were an idiot, "What’s this all about now?"
The two were sitting in the elegant room at Bright Moon Tower, still seated in their original positions, as if time had turned back to the past.
The atmosphere in the room was tense and combative.
Chu Zhiyuan stared at Li Hongzhao with an impatient look.
In front of others, he was serene, but he showed no restraint with her; there was no need to hide emotions from an adversary.
Li Hongzhao, with a fearless smile, said, "If I don’t supervise personally, how would I know how many wicked people from the Evil Sect you’ve killed? Surely, you’d deceive me!"
"And what about me?" Chu Zhiyuan pointed at himself, "You don’t trust me, then just watch; why do I need to go? ...I’m an Assistant Minister, not an expert from the Military Suppression Department!"
"Are you scared now?"
"I don’t want to take this risk; there’s no need to fight those wicked individuals from the Evil Sect personally."
"And what about those experts from the Military Suppression Department?" Li Hongzhao said, "Are their lives so cheap that they have to risk their lives against the cult’s wicked people?"
Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.
This rendered him speechless.
As the Princely Heir and Assistant Minister, his life indeed was more valuable.
But while he could think this, he absolutely must not say it out loud.
"We can compete to see who kills more Evil Sect individuals!" Li Hongzhao said with a triumphant smile, "Do you dare to compete?"
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "This idea is too absurd, forgive me for not accompanying you."
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