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Chapter 208: Chapter 206: The Assault
"The six teams in the city, each followed by two trackers, to see if any fish escape the net."
"Lu Feihong of the Flowing Wind Sect and Zheng Xicai of the Angry Waves Sect, follow the first group, Shi Jin of the Yanshan Sect and Jing Zhichuan of the Dangyun Sect, follow the second group..."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
...
Chu Qingfeng knew the names and sects of the experts below as if they were his own subordinates.
The masters from the Military Suppression Department were well-known, after all, having already gained fame in the department. The heroes summoned couldn’t help but straighten their chests.
Being remembered by someone like Chu Qingfeng, a prince and Great Grandmaster, made them feel both honored and proud, eliciting respect and a sense of closeness.
Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but admire.
No wonder Chu Qingfeng was held in high regard by the Emperor; he was steady in his actions and skilled in governance. Even this small detail showed his meticulousness.
Chu Qingfeng didn’t have Huang Shiron’s ability to remember everything at first glance, but even with such an ability, understanding everyone’s martial arts paths and temperament required effort.
One must remember that among these sects, grudges often interweave. Carelessly placing two enemies together could lead to trouble.
Even if they don’t intend to cause trouble, emotional sway makes it hard to work together. When something arises, each harbors their own thoughts, making success difficult.
"The remaining masters, after the first six teams have selected their members, will have a list posted, splitting into smaller squads, each squad responsible for one lair."
"Yes!"
"Have you chosen your people, Chu Zhiyuan?"
Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands: "The selection is complete."
"Good." Chu Qingfeng nodded: "Submit the list, and when the bell rings in a quarter of an hour, act in unison."
"Yes!"
...
Chu Zhiyuan and his group attracted quite some attention.
The five with Guo Chi, plus the three with Huang Shiron, made up a group of eight.
The surrounding people did not speak or ask randomly.
Most could tell that Guo Chi and the others were guards, and Zou Fang was a eunuch.
This was the standard for a Princely Heir; after all, nobility was different from ordinary people and needed guards at all times.
Chu Zhiyuan and his group went to a corner of the martial arts training ground, separating from the crowd.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Master Huang, you look worried." 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
Huang Shiron forced a smile: "It has nothing to do with this matter, just a personal issue."
"What could worry Master Huang that isn’t a small matter?"
"...It’s a dilemma."
"How so?... If it’s inconvenient, just leave it."
"It’s not necessary to hide from the Princely Heir... The sect wants me to return to seclusion for cultivation."
"Seclusion cultivation... progress would be faster."
The White Cloud Sword Palace wanted Huang Shiron to return for intensive seclusion, offering the sect’s resources to elevate her realm with all their might.
"Isn’t that a good thing? You don’t want to return?"
"Hmm."
"Is it that you don’t want to owe others in the sect a favor, or don’t want others to think the sect is unfair?"
"I still prefer to cultivate in the Military Suppression Department."
"... True, your patrol is also a form of cultivation and doesn’t delay things."
During patrols, her aura flowed continuously and rhythmically, practicing a profound mental method.
With each step, her aura sped up, far outpacing the average cultivation speed. It’s a miracle technique for dynamic cultivation, similar to the small and great Guiyuan Step he gave to Chu Yi.
Huang Shiron glanced at him.
This was her secret, but he knew it.
Chu Zhiyuan embarrassedly smiled: "I shouldn’t have spoken, huh?... You can cultivate while on patrol, honing your mental state. It’s your unique cultivation method, but seclusion should be faster."
"It’s not necessary to be so quick." Huang Shiron gently shook her head.
Her chance encounter granted cultivation method, which builds slowly, accelerates later. It’s initially slow but faster later on.
With such fast progress early on, why worry about the future?
"... You don’t want the White Cloud Sword Palace to feel you’ve become rebellious, no longer listening to the sect."
"... Hmm."
"No wonder you look worried."
This truly is a dilemma.
Not wanting to return, yet fearing the sect might misunderstand if she doesn’t.
Huang Shiron asked, "If you were in my place, Princely Heir, what would you choose?"
"I wouldn’t hesitate," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "You might as well ask yourself in the quiet of the night what you really want to do."
"I naturally want to stay in the Military Suppression Department."
"Perhaps not as much as you think."
"..."
"If you really wanted to, you wouldn’t be so conflicted."
"... Yes, that’s true."
Huang Shiron frowned in contemplation, slowly nodding.
If she truly wanted to stay at the Military Suppression Department, sect’s misunderstanding wouldn’t matter.
"You are a Grandmaster," Chu Zhiyuan said, "No longer just an Innate Master. It seems you haven’t fully grasped this change; your mindset hasn’t shifted. Your status is very different now. You don’t have to care about the sect’s opinion; it’s the sect that should care about yours."
A Grandmaster is the cornerstone of any sect.
Even the mighty White Cloud Sword Palace, one of the Four Great Sects, is no different.
"..." Huang Shiron pondered.
"Princely Heir, the location is here." A clever young girl approached lightly, handing over a map.
Zou Fang stepped forward to receive it and presented it to Chu Zhiyuan with both hands.
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the map and nodded: "Good, let everyone take a look."
The clever young girl turned and departed.
Xu Mengyu watched her leave thoughtfully.
Wen Qianqian said, "Having the Auditing Department with us is convenient; they won’t be in danger, will they?"
"They’re skilled self-preservation, good at Qinggong, hiding their aura, keeping a distance." Xu Mengyu smiled.
"Being an official in the Auditing Department isn’t bad either."
"With your patience, you might find it unbearable within two days and go crazy."
"Hehe, true." Wen Qianqian giggled.
"Prepare yourself," Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’m about to make a move."
