Imperial Cultivation

47: Chapter 45: Deploying

47 -45: Deploying

“`html

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged on the couch, eyes slightly closed, his appearance solemn and dignified.

The Blood Purification Technique and Dragon Transformation Technique alternated in operation, continuously strengthening his meridians.

When practicing the Dragon Transformation Technique, he would take a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Unfortunately, the effect of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill was weakening.

The body develops resistance to drugs, and with each additional pill consumed, the resistance grows, and the efficacy diminishes.

However, even a weakened efficacy is much faster than cultivating without any medicine.

With two Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills consumed, his meridians could accommodate eight Binding Dragon Ropes.

He estimated that by taking two more tomorrow, he could condense nine Binding Dragon Ropes to attack the Seventh Layer Jade Tower.

…

The setting sun cast a lingering glow over Yujing City, painting it with a layer of rosy light.

He donned the evening glow and left the house, intending to return to the Prince Qing Mansion for dinner.

What he saw outside the Prince Qing Mansion was Gao Lingfeng.

Gao Lingfeng was standing on the clean and spacious Prince Qing Mansion Street, bathed in the rosy light, lost in deep thought.

Upon hearing movement, Gao Lingfeng turned his head, saw him, and hurriedly approached, saluting from a distance: “My lord!”

“Master Gao, what’s the matter?”

“The experts from the Military Suppression Department have gone to the Flying Flower Sword Sect.”

“When did this happen?”

“More than an hour ago.”

“…Then leave it be, Master Gao, you’ve worked hard.”

Chu Zhiyuan estimated that an hour had long passed, and it was too late for him to rush over.

“My lord, what about us…?”

“Let’s take a look at the Ministry of Rites,” Chu Zhiyuan looked up at the setting sun: “Hmm, the office is closed now, let’s go tomorrow.”

The light in the entire Yujing City had dimmed, casting a faint twilight glow; some taverns had already lit their splendid lanterns.

Light and shadow, brightness and darkness coexisted, adding a touch of vibrancy to Yujing City.

A flourishing age, intoxicating to the soul.

“This…” Gao Lingfeng hesitated.

He had long waited anxiously, and while he had waited for Chu Zhiyuan, Chu Zhiyuan seemed in no hurry to go to the Government Office until tomorrow.

His mind raced with thoughts.

The Flying Flower Sword Sect matter had always been handled by Chu Zhiyuan; he was an assistant.

If something went wrong and led to Grandmaster Song intervening, he knew he’d be the first to suffer.

Although Chu Zhiyuan was a Junior Minister and his superior, Chu Zhiyuan’s status was different, having noble blood, thus receiving preferential treatment.

Considering the higher-ups, including the Chief of Staff and the doctor, wouldn’t place the blame on Chu Zhiyuan, it would fall on him instead.

He understood this clearly, so he was particularly anxious.

Chu Zhiyuan wasn’t too concerned with the entanglements between the Flying Flower Sword Sect and the Thick Earth Sect.

Having delegated the matter for a decision from above, he preferred not to worry too much, finding it more worthwhile to delve into martial arts.

Moreover, the Earth Dragon Pearl wasn’t a Spirit Pill; it wouldn’t be damaged or disappear, and neither the Thick Earth Sect nor the Flying Flower Sword Sect would let it vanish.

What he wanted to figure out now was whether there were treasures similar to the Earth Dragon Pearl within the Heavenly Treasure Department, and whether dragon-related treasures would have any influence on him?

“My lord!” Gao Lingfeng called out once more.

“Master Gao, being anxious is of no use; we’ve done all we can,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

“You won’t be blamed for this.”

He had read many records, and his perspective had broadened.

If it weren’t for Song Feiqiong’s involvement, the conflict between the Flying Flower Sword Sect and the Thick Earth Sect would have been easily handled, and Gao Lingfeng took the matter too seriously.

“If we don’t go now, we might end up on the doctor’s bad side.”

“The doctor is broad-minded, don’t worry.”

“…My lord!” Gao Lingfeng smiled bitterly.

The doctor’s broad-mindedness wasn’t universal; it varied by person.

To Chu Zhiyuan, he would be generous, but not to himself.

Seeing him like this, Chu Zhiyuan turned and said: “Alright, you’ve been working hard for so long, let’s go take a look.”

Gao Lingfeng let out a long breath of relief.

He immediately felt grateful: the princely heir was not so hard-hearted, mindful of his life and death.

Chu Zhiyuan understood that even with noble status, one must harness others’ loyalty; acting willfully was not the way.

Gao Lingfeng had talent and was overly concerned with this matter; he had tracked him down and waited for an hour.

Being overly stern might foster resentment.

Refusing first and then agreeing, in turn, could yield gratitude.

Accompanied by Zou Fang, Guo Chi, and others, as he and Gao Lingfeng approached the courtyard where the Flying Flower Sword Sect was located, they found experts from the Military Suppression Department guarding outside.

“Princely heir.” At that moment, Huang Shiron, donned in a pale yellow gown, walked out gracefully with two white-clad maidens behind her, saw him, and saluted with a smile: “You’re just a step late.”

Chu Zhiyuan greeted with a smile: “Master Huang, have you found any clues?”

Huang Shiron gently shook her head.

“Not a single clue?”

“That person is impressive; there’s not a single trace left, no hint of their aura.

The experts within our department judge that in addition to utilizing a secret technique, they likely employed a treasure to achieve this effect.”

“A treasure…”

He searched his mind for treasures that could obscure aura.

There were quite a few such treasures.

Such as Spider Stone, Mantis Jade, Guiyuan Pearl, and so forth.

He determined these treasures weren’t used because the treasure’s own aura wouldn’t escape the Super Sense’s detection.

It was likely just a Secret Technique.

Such a Secret Technique wasn’t something little sects could possess.

Huang Shiron furrowed her delicate brows: “Very troublesome.”

Her bright eyes suddenly glinted, quietly watching Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan gestured with his hand: “I don’t feel anything either.”

Huang Shiron’s bright eyes dimmed, and she sighed: “This time, the department has really faced humiliation.”

Chu Zhiyuan remarked: “What’s next?”

Huang Shiron sighed: “We have no choice but to ask the Great Grandmaster Song for assistance.… we’ll all have to deal with the fallout.”

“…Perhaps there’s no need to involve Grandmaster Song just yet; how about presenting the case to the Grandmaster Mansion?”

While all are Grandmasters, other Great Grandmasters might handle the case calmly, unlike Song Feiqiong, who might easily become emotional.

A Great Grandmaster wouldn’t easily restrain their temper.

If a Great Grandmaster lost their temper, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Could very well result in the demise of the Thick Earth Sect.

The Thick Earth Sect has the Prince Huai Mansion as a backer; any loss to the Prince Huai Mansion’s face would equate to a loss to the royal family’s face, yielding no good for oneself.

“Even so, alarming the Grandmaster Mansion would also mean deductions in merit.”

“Not the same; present it to the Grandmaster Mansion.”

Huang Shiron furrowed her brows and looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he gazed at her.

Their eyes met, and Huang Shiron smiled faintly, nodding gently: “Then let’s follow the princely heir’s advice and entrust it to the Grandmaster Mansion.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and clasped his hands in gratitude, acknowledging the favor.

Between the two departments, the Military Suppression Department held a somewhat more dominant position.

This was Huang Shiron giving him face, preserving the princely heir’s dignity.

If Huang Shiron had insisted on requesting Song Feiqiong, he could not have opposed it.

He bid farewell to Huang Shiron.

On the way back to the Government Office of the Ministry of Rites, Gao Lingfeng shook his head and sighed repeatedly.

The lanterns were already lit along the streets and alleys, casting light on his handsome face, reflecting mixed emotions.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Gao Lingfeng, pretending not to notice.

Gao Lingfeng was overly pessimistic.

This time, it might not lead to a deduction of the Sect Martial Department’s merit, but more to the Military Suppression Department’s.

However, he did not voice this judgment or comfort Gao Lingfeng.

Moreover, he still couldn’t determine whether the Thick Earth Sect was behind this.

Observing Feng Zhihao’s expression and actions showed no difference from usual, leaving two possibilities: either it wasn’t the Thick Earth Sect, or Feng Zhihao was being kept in the dark.

——

“Dragon-related treasures…” Chu Zhiyuan stood before the counter at the Heavenly Treasure Department, facing a delicate young girl, deep in thought.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: “Any treasures related to dragons, such as Dragon Armor, Dragon Horns, etc.

will do.”

“Princely heir, please wait a moment.” The delicate girl said sweetly, turning and disappearing into the back room.

Chu Zhiyuan stood with hands behind his back, scanning the surroundings.

The counter was busy, with numerous Junior Officials from the Heavenly Treasure Department providing services to exchange Spiritual Medicine and treasures for visitors.

These Junior Officials, both male and female, all bore indifferent expressions.

The visitors were courteous; even the rugged martial arts experts maintained decorum, softening their loud voices to a faint murmur.

After a cup of tea’s time, the delicate girl returned with a plain paper, extending it to Chu Zhiyuan: “Princely heir, these are the treasures and Spirit Pills related to dragons, with their grades marked.”

Chu Zhiyuan took it, skimmed through it, and showed a satisfied smile: “Thank you, Xiao Die.”

Xiao Die hurriedly waved her little hand.

This Xiao Die was the sister of a companion of Ma Tianhe, who had dedicated his life at the Inspection Department.

With her brother’s merit, she obtained a position in the Heavenly Treasure Department.

Chu Zhiyuan turned and left, sighing internally.

The Prince Qing Mansion had been sealed for thirty years; although its land and income remained intact, the losses in other aspects were significant, especially in terms of connections.

Thirty years of blockade severed the network of connections.

And such a network, he increasingly felt, was pervasive.

With these networks, things would become much more convenient, sometimes more effective than his status as a princely heir.

He glanced over the names on the plain paper, imprinting them in his mind.

Apart from weapons like the Flying Dragon Sword and Red Dragon Saber, there were also Red Dragon Pills, Golden Dragon Bone Strengthening Pills, Flying Dragon Saliva, ambergris, and other wonders.

Indeed, many items related to dragons.

These were of high grade, requiring high-grade merits to obtain.

Dragon-related items often originated from the four great Secret Lands and were the high-bloodline creatures among Secret Land demon beasts.

Returning to the Prince Qing Mansion, during lunch, he nonchalantly mentioned to Bai Ningshuang, expressing a desire to play with a Dragon Ball.

“What Dragon Ball?” Bai Ningshuang wondered.

“Similar to the Earth Dragon Pearl, like the Red Dragon Ball, Golden Dragon Ball, or Flying Dragon Ball will do.”

Bai Ningshuang agreed: “I’ll ask the lady.”

“`