Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 231: Chapter 228: Major Case

"Great Uncle, it’s best to assign one or two Great Grandmasters today."

"Hmm—?"

"I suddenly have a premonition of something ominous, today might very well be the day for Yuding Sect or Secret Shadow Sect’s retaliation."

"A premonition of something ominous..." Chu Qingfeng looked at him, thought for a moment, and sighed: "Alright, I know your intuition is accurate."

This was already a proven fact.

"Thank you, Great Uncle!" Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "They’re likely lying in ambush in the valley ahead of time."

He had just felt an ominous sensation, a premonition of impending danger, specifically from the direction of the valley.

Now, with this premonition, it’s very likely those people have already entered the valley.

"...Alright." Chu Qingfeng gritted his teeth, looking grim.

Chu Zhiyuan bid farewell and left.

Chu Qingfeng began making arrangements.

By the time evening came, as Chu Zhiyuan and his group laughed and chatted to the valley’s entrance, they noticed changes around the valley.

A faint scent of blood lingered in the air.

Chu Zhiyuan had already observed the changes inside and outside the valley.

Not only was there blood, but the tents already set up, the flowerbeds tidied up, were all in chaos.

The Great Grandmasters had no leisure to clean up the battlefield and had long since departed.

Seeing this scene, one could tell a fierce battle had occurred, taking many lives.

As everyone entered the valley, Huang Cheng was already standing inside, clasping his fists in salute.

He was followed by two middle-aged eunuchs in red robes.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Imperial Envoy Huang, thank you for your trouble."

Huang Cheng smiled and said, "It’s my honor to serve the Princely Heir."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Was it the Yuding Sect people?"

Huang Cheng chuckled and said, "Not just Yuding Sect, but also the brats from the Secret Shadow Sect, eager to court death, so we just had to fulfill their wishes."

"How many died?"

"Twelve from Yuding Sect, six from Secret Shadow Sect."

"All Grandmasters?"

"Yes."

"To have killed so many demon Grandmasters in one fell swoop, it’s indeed worth celebrating."

"It’s all thanks to the Princely Heir."

"I indeed contributed," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "My bait worked too well, I guess they won’t give up, I can still bait more, even bigger ones."

"The Princely Heir is wise!" Huang Cheng laughed, "With their vindictive nature, they will definitely come again!"

"Next time, they might target my parents and sister, or even Ruoling."

Huang Cheng hesitated and nodded slowly.

These demon spawn have no fear of death and are impulsive, but they’re not fools, they won’t die in vain.

Knowing this side is a trap, a bait, and they still come running into it.

So it’s very likely they will turn to the Princely Heir’s family, putting King Qing, the Princess, and the Commandery Princess at risk.

Even the young lady of Duke An Mansion is equally in danger.

"Can the Emperor dispatch some more Grandmaster Guards?"

"This..." Huang Cheng looked troubled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Are we just going to watch as my father and mother get retaliated against by the Evil Sect demons?"

"I will report to the Emperor truthfully." Huang Cheng said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Thank you, Imperial Envoy Huang."

"I dare not." Huang Cheng replied quickly.

Chu Zhiyuan and his group continued their cultivation.

Even at night, cultivating in the valley, they could still feel the extraordinary effect of the Purple Light falling down.

Chu Zhiyuan practiced diligently, inspiring Chu Mingxuan and the others to practice diligently as well.

Chu Zhiyuan practiced through the night until the morning sun rose high.

The result of such painstaking cultivation was a trace of purer Gang Qi.

He slowly savored the taste of this breakthrough.

Purple Light should be categorized into Innate and Postnatal.

The Purple Light absorbed from the Void is Innate, making the Gang Qi purer, once pure, always pure.

The Purple Light absorbed from the wonderful stone is Postnatal, making the Gang Qi temporarily pure.

Once all the Gang Qi is exhausted, it reverts to its former state before absorbing the Purple Light.

It’s like a pond, one alters the water’s source, the other only alters the water within the pond.

The Postnatal Purple Light from the Purple Stone is just a one-time consumable, non-renewable.

The Innate Purple Light descending from the Void is renewable, once stored, forever stored.

The Purple Sun Scripture is indeed infinitely wondrous.

The more he cultivated, the more he found it fascinating, becoming fond of the rigorous practice, enduring it throughout the night and into the morning, yet not exhausting his fascination.

He still needed to return to the Ministry of Rites for roll call.

As the Left Vice Minister, he could be absent for a short period, but not for too long.

——

Ministry of Rites

As Chu Zhiyuan stepped into his main office, Gao Lingfeng hurried over to greet him.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, indicating there’s no need for formality, and smiled, "Official Gao, you’ve worked hard."

Gao Lingfeng solemnly said, "It’s my duty to assist you, my lord."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "How is the city now?"

"With the Da Zhen Mission about to leave the capital, more and more Martial Arts experts are leaving too."

"You can breathe a sigh of relief, Official Gao?"

"Indeed, my lord, I can breathe easier now."

"Then revert the rules back, let’s not be too harsh anymore."

"...Understood." Gao Lingfeng said with resignation as he clasped his fists.

He knew this day would come, just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

The temporary orders he issued as Left Vice Minister finally reached their end of life.

Without the strict orders, Yujing might not be as peaceful anymore.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Official Gao, one must strike a balance, can’t always press too tightly."

Gao Lingfeng started, then rejoiced, bowing, "The lord is wise."

He immediately realized that Chu Zhiyuan was not unaware of his strict orders but pretended to be unaware, actually tacitly approving them.

Clearly, he also agreed with his own strategies.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Is there any major event lately? If not, I’d like to retreat for a few days."

Now that there were no shortcuts, he wanted to seize the time for intensive cultivation.

Achievements meant less to him now.

If not for competing for the imperial throne, he might as well neglect worldly affairs.

Living freely within Yujing City, either cultivating or traveling, enjoying life.

Not even involving himself in Court affairs or military matters.

"My lord, indeed something major happened."

"What is it?"

"There’s a traitor in the White Cloud Sword Palace." Gao Lingfeng said gravely, "A True Disciple of White Cloud Sword Palace attempted to assassinate his master."

"Murder his master?"

"True Disciple Zhou Tianqi tried to assassinate his master Kong Xueming."

"He didn’t succeed?"

"He almost did, but Kong Xueming was fortunate, just happened to be assisted by other Elders, saving his life."

"The Elder witnessed Zhou Tianqi’s assassination attempt firsthand?"

"Indeed."

"...It truly is an earth-shattering matter." Chu Zhiyuan thought of Huang Shiron.

"Where is he?"

"Pursuing him."

"So he hasn’t been captured yet?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "How many days ago did this happen?"

"Just happened yesterday," Gao Lingfeng said, "We expect to resolve it within these few days."

"True Disciple murdering his master, first time in the history of White Cloud Sword Palace... even in the Four Great Sects, right?"

"Yes." Gao Lingfeng responded solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Has the reason been inquired yet? Surely there’s a cause, excessive harshness, or some grudge?"

"According to Kong Xueming, there isn’t any."

"...Let’s discuss after he’s captured," Chu Zhiyuan said.

On his return to the Prince Mansion, he saw Huang Shiron and three women on the busy street.

Seeing him from afar, Wen Qianqian waved her tiny hand vigorously and Xu Mengyu also smiled. _{𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢}

Huang Shiron remained distant.

Chu Zhiyuan approached with a smile, glancing at Huang Shiron, "Master Huang, still looking troubled."

Huang Shiron gave a wry smile, "Has the Princely Heir heard?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Is there any inside information?"

"Elder Kong and Brother Zhou were like father and son, how could such a tragedy occur?"

"Then let’s wait until the person is caught to speak," Chu Zhiyuan said, "White Cloud Sword Palace is also searching, right?"

"Yes," Huang Shiron nodded, "The sect’s Law Enforcement Hall is also pursuing."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "No one died, it’s not a major crime, so relax."

"Yes," Huang Shiron gave a bitter smile.

It’s not a major crime, but certainly a major scandal.

This incident made White Cloud Sword Palace’s reputation even more notorious.

Chu Zhiyuan chatted casually with Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu for a moment before parting ways.

Upon returning to Prince Qing Mansion, Feng Xi greeted him and informed that the Grandmaster Mansion had sent eight guards.