Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 147: Chapter 145: The Candidate

Xiao Youping listened to his analysis, his expression solemn.

He said slowly, ”So, the battlefield or military formations are where she can best utilize her divine skills?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded. ”Surrounding her for a kill should be ineffective. She excels at fighting against many opponents simultaneously; one-on-one duels don’t showcase her strengths.”

”Da Meng is truly rising,” Xiao Youping sighed.

Da Meng producing such a person, doesn’t it signify the will of Heaven is with Da Meng?

But then he thought of Chu Zhiyuan.

Does Da Jing having such a person mean Heaven’s will is also with Da Jing?

This world is becoming more and more incomprehensible!

...

”Father—!” Xiao Ruoling called softly.

Xiao Youping nodded. ”There are no outsiders here.”

”There’s no need to hide the truth,” Chu Zhiyuan said. ”If Da Meng wasn’t lucky, they wouldn’t have reached this point, nor defeated us time and again.”

”This proclamation journey, there’s nothing to worry about; with Prince Ying accompanying and the Chasing Wind Cavalry escorting, there shouldn’t be any blind fools.”

”Indeed.”

”The key is the return trip,” Xiao Youping said. ”Your reputation has already spread, especially after this battle, which will attract those with ill intentions.”

”The fiends of the Evil Sect are likely plotting right now on how to eliminate me,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

”Bring more guards,” Xiao Youping advised.

”Rest assured, father-in-law,” Chu Zhiyuan replied, ”I will be extra cautious.”

He was not overly worried.

Would the Emperor just stand by and watch him fall into danger?

At the very least, he should send a Great Grandmaster to accompany me, right?

Someone like Huang Cheng or Chu Qingfeng, if they can’t be spared, then they would send a Great Grandmaster.

Xiao Ruoling’s eyes flickered, her red lips pressed tightly.

”Go on, you young people chat. I need to visit the palace to report this matter to the Emperor.”

”Then we shall leave now.”

Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling went to the back garden, not entering the peculiar small pavilion, but rather drifting into a painted boat on the lake.

A faint, delicate fragrance filled their nostrils, refreshing and pleasant.

Chu Zhiyuan immediately felt a hint of romance, smiling as he looked at Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling remained stunningly beautiful, her charm not diminished by familiarity; rather, her every move was captivating.

Lu Xiaoqing and Cheng Ju, two young maids, deftly served tea and snacks, then tactfully exited the boat, disappearing into the garden beyond the lake.

Only Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling were inside the painted boat.

Xiao Ruoling’s cheeks were flushed, stunningly beautiful.

She felt Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze was almost tangible, afraid to meet it.

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan reached out his hand.

Before Xiao Ruoling could react, her fair wrist was already in Chu Zhiyuan’s hand.

His left hand’s three fingers touched her white wrist, and a strand of energy flowed in.

Xiao Ruoling immediately felt her body warm, the energy becoming lively and gentle, accelerating its circulation.

”Ruoling, you’ve worked hard,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”You’re about to advance to the next realm.”

Xiao Ruoling nodded with a smile.

Indeed, she was about to break through to the Eighth Layer.

”Shall we see if we can break through?”

”Alright.”

...

An hour later, Xiao Ruoling opened her bright eyes, shining with joy as she looked at Chu Zhiyuan, ”It went so smoothly!”

Chu Zhiyuan marveled, ”The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman Technique and Qionghua Nine Chapters are indeed a perfect match!”

He was grateful that, as a Grandmaster, he hadn’t lost the ability to cultivate with Xiao Ruoling, and it actually aided her even more.

This would further accelerate Xiao Ruoling’s cultivation speed.

If he could elevate her to a Grandmaster, then he could be relieved, without worrying about malicious people like Cheng Tianfeng.

”This time, going for the proclamation...”

”There won’t be any danger,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”I will ask the Imperial Grandfather to send a Great Grandmaster to accompany me.”

”A Great Grandmaster...” Xiao Ruoling smiled.

Her beauty was unparalleled, and with that smile, the room seemed to brighten instantly.

Chu Zhiyuan resisted the urge to act on his feelings, smiling, ”With a Great Grandmaster, if there’s really someone foolish, they might become a merit of mine.”

Xiao Ruoling laughed, ”Using oneself as bait, you can earn a lot of merits, can’t you?”

”It all depends on how much they hate the Imperial Grandfather,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Xiao Ruoling said, ”Then let me congratulate you in advance, ... I plan to comfort the Ninth Princess tomorrow.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”Isn’t that unnecessary?”

This would be rubbing salt into her wounds.

Xiao Ruoling laughed, ”She’s always looked down on you, saying I should aim higher. Let’s see what she says now.”

”... Don’t overdo it,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

He didn’t stop Xiao Ruoling’s little tantrum, allowing her to go ahead.

But Li Hongzhao wasn’t someone with a good temper, so one shouldn’t push too far as it might anger her too much.

”I understand.”

...

The two leaned close together, whispering softly inside the painted boat, discussing one topic for a while, then quickly moving to another, and then to yet another.

It seemed as if they had endless things to talk about.

By the time they realized it wasn’t early anymore, it was already noon. Chu Zhiyuan reluctantly bid farewell and returned to the Prince Qing Mansion.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan entered the mansion’s gate, Feng Xi greeted him.

”Your Highness, Eunuch Huang is here.”

”Mm.”

Chu Zhiyuan calmly made his way to the front hall and saluted Huang Cheng, who had risen to greet him.

Huang Cheng clasped his fists, his face beaming, ”Congratulations to the Princely Heir for the great victory over Da Meng’s Ninth Princess, Li Hongzhao! Your Highness is mighty, greatly enhancing Da Jing’s prestige!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand.

”Your Highness, this is what the Emperor promised.” Huang Cheng held a small Cold Jade Box, handing it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Upon opening the Jade Box, Chu Zhiyuan found ten pieces of Dragon Fat Fragrance.

He couldn’t help but smile, ”Thanks to the Imperial Grandfather... Is there an imperial order?”

”Your Highness is to act as the Imperial Decree Emissary, departing tomorrow to accompany Prince Ying to the Northern Territory, arriving in Gaoling Town within ten days.”

”Gaoling Town? Li Haoyuan is in Gaoling Town?”

”Gaoling Town is twenty miles away from Fuyuan Town, the closest to it. Li Haoyuan is currently leading troops against the Da Meng Iron Cavalry there.”

”... Twenty miles.” Chu Zhiyuan clicked his tongue.

That’s quite close.

”Li Haoyuan lost Fuyuan Town and can only stand in Gaoling Town. It’s a way to redeem himself,” Huang Cheng said. ”Prince Ying will take over his command, and quickly reclaim Fuyuan Town.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Did the Imperial Grandfather assign a Great Grandmaster to accompany me? Which one?”

”Hehe...” Huang Cheng smiled, ”Why is Your Highness so sure the Emperor will send a Great Grandmaster?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I am now a thorn in the side and a pain in the flesh of many. The Imperial Grandfather wouldn’t want to take that risk, would he?”

”Which Great Grandmaster would Your Highness prefer?”

”How about Huang, the Imperial Envoy?”

Huang Cheng said helplessly, ”I would love to serve Your Highness, but unfortunately, I am tied up with other matters and cannot fulfill that wish.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows.

Super Sense was probing his thoughts, trying to determine if he was speaking sincerely.

However, given Huang Cheng’s age, cultivation, and long experience in the palace, even Super Sense had difficulty seeing clearly.

Super Sense intuitively felt he was not lying.

Huang Cheng said, ”Your Highness, how about choosing another?”

”In that case... My Thirteenth Uncle-Grandfather is also unavailable, right?”

Huang Cheng smiled without speaking.

”How about Grandmaster Song?” Chu Zhiyuan proposed.

Huang Cheng replied, ”The Emperor has also set his sights on Grandmaster Song.”

”Then it’s settled with Song Feiqiong, the Great Grandmaster,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

There are different realms even among Great Grandmasters, but the exact realm of a Great Grandmaster is a mystery, never spoken of publicly. If he could travel with Song Feiqiong, he might be able to learn some arcane secrets.

The question was whether Song Feiqiong’s combat power was sufficient to protect him.

After all, as a recently promoted Great Grandmaster, his combat prowess might not match those seasoned ones. But since it was the Emperor’s choice, it should not be lacking.

Once Huang Cheng departed, Chu Zhiyuan eagerly returned to the Tingtao Courtyard to begin training, aiming to quickly absorb the Dragon Fat Fragrance.

In the evening, Bai Ningshuang and others heard the news that he would leave the next day, resulting in a flurry of preparations.