Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 152: Chapter 150 Proclamation

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Chu Zhiyuan pointed the Qingying Sword diagonally and shouted in a deep voice, ”Kill——!”

”Kill!!”

Eighteen riders roared fiercely.

They carved an arc without losing speed, and instead, their spirits soared as they broke through the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

Chu Zhiyuan found that the Thunder Spear Formation not only affected speed and strength but also morale, giving them a fearless mental state.

He too was affected, feeling invincible and wanting to crush the clouds.

Despite the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry having a Grandmaster among them, with even a Breaking Gang Divine Weapon in hand, he remained fearless.

The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry turned their horses’ heads to meet the attack.

Yet, under Chu Zhiyuan’s lead, the speed of the eighteen increased as if limitless, truly as fast as lightning.

The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry couldn’t form a proper battle line before being pierced through once more.

Wherever the eighteen riders passed, it was like plowing through soil; heads flew, and headless corpses fell.

Columns of blood shot into the sky.

”Form a circle formation!”

”Bring the arrows!”

The leader of the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, a middle-aged man with a silver beard, decisively ordered.

A hundred Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry formed a circular defense formation, intending to withstand the charge of the eighteen riders on the spot.

However, Chu Zhiyuan changed direction, bypassing them, and returned to the starting position, dismounting in front of Chu Mingrui, smiling, ”Tenth Uncle, mission accomplished without disgrace!”

He was spotless from head to toe.

”Good, good, good!”

Chu Mingrui stepped forward and patted his shoulder hard.

Chu Zhiyuan lightly flicked the Qingying Sword, shaking off the blood pearl on the tip, restoring the sword to its clear brightness like autumn water.

Sheathing the sword, he smiled, ”This Thunder Spear Formation is quite something.”

”Stronger than I thought!” Chu Mingrui marveled, ”This Thunder Spear Formation is indeed a strategic marvel for breaking through!”

At a critical moment, eighteen form a formation, simultaneously assaulting the enemy camp from multiple sides, directly eliminating the enemy commander, potentially turning the tide of battle.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It still needs further refinement; we’re not yet proficient, and the power can be improved.”

”Have them practice diligently.” Chu Mingrui ordered solemnly.

He looked at the eighteen riders, satisfied, ”Rascals, you did well today. Now you understand the power of the Thunder Spear Formation, right? Train harder when you return!”

”Yes!”

The eighteen young soldiers shouted with excitement.

”General, this Thunder Spear Formation is marvelous!”

”It bestows powerful energy upon the body.”

”Indeed, it saves exertion!”

”It’s all because of the Princely Heir’s prowess!”

They all knew if it weren’t for Chu Zhiyuan leading them, their Thunder Spear Formation wouldn’t have been so powerful, and the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry wouldn’t have been so easily breached and shattered.

After all, the Iron Cavalry was more famous than them, and they had the advantage in numbers, which led them to believe they’d fight a bitter struggle.

Yet, within the Thunder Spear Formation, with powerful energy bestowed upon them, they remained unharmed.

During battle, they were fearless and intrepid, yet after the fierce fight, they couldn’t suppress their violent emotions, becoming exuberant and unable to restrain their excitement, reverting to their youthful character, chattering endlessly.

Chu Zhiyuan felt everything happened quickly and fleetingly, with an inexplicable sense of unreality.

Now, details poured into his mind.

During the charge, each Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry’s gaze, their aura, their subtle movements, and mood fluctuations.

They seemed like fragile toys before him, easily slain.

This kind of brutal killing that involved no personal grudges, only considering camps, left him unfazed, showing no softness or discomfort in taking lives.

During the charge, these complex feelings were entirely shielded, an unwavering calm like a ruthless killing machine.

It seemed he was innately cold-blooded and ruthless.

On reflection, it indeed felt a bit uncomfortable.

But then he dismissed it.

If he didn’t kill them, they would kill him.

This is the world’s helpless reality; sometimes, it’s not about grudges or right and wrong, only about being Da Jing people or Da Meng people.

But the Thunder Spear Formation was indeed stronger than imagined, with void power added, he even snatched a Breaking Gang Divine Weapon.

He lifted the short sword in his sleeve, half the length of an arm, its blade dull and devoid of brilliance, indistinguishable as a Breaking Gang Divine Sword.

The opposing Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry went far away, indicating their failure in the ambush this time.

Chu Mingrui’s smile gradually faded, his expression serious, ”We need to speed up, and reach Gaoling Town as soon as possible!”

”Then let’s travel by night.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

”Yes.” Chu Mingrui glanced at the vented eighteen riders, ”Once we reach Gaoling Town, you’ll be rewarded well, let’s go.”

——

Gaoling Town was a small city.

When they arrived outside Gaoling Town, the city gate had already opened.

A group of people surged out, led by a middle-aged man with grizzled hair and beard.

His figure was tall and slender, clad in silver armor with flashes of cold light, bearing faint marks of blades and swords.

His face was square, with three deep horizontal lines on his forehead and a deep vertical line between his brows.

The entire face revealed the handsome foundation from his youth.

But now, time and the affairs of the world had carved deep marks on his face.

Chu Zhiyuan had seen his portrait and knew this was General Zhen Yuan, Li Haoyuan.

Once a meritorious general, now guilty, upon returning to Yujing, at best stripped of his official role, at worst imprisoned.

He couldn’t leave without consequence for the soldiers who lost their lives due to his mistakes.

Li Haoyuan stepped forward, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply, ”Greetings to the imperial envoy, greetings to Prince Ying.”

Chu Zhiyuan stood at the forefront, wearing a purple robe, with a dragon-shaped Jade Pendant tied at his waist. The court ministers instantly recognized his status as the Princely Heir.

Behind him stood two red-robed eunuchs, each holding a tray covered with golden silk, their expressions solemn and arrogant, their eyes slightly upward.

The court demeanor of the imperial palace eunuchs was evident.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the men behind Li Haoyuan.

Twenty-three middle-aged and young men, clad in armor shining coldly, all with faces of resentment, casting unfriendly glances at him.

Chu Zhiyuan ignored them, and said calmly, ”General Li, receive the decree.”

”This humble official Li Haoyuan welcomes the Emperor’s decree.” Li Haoyuan clasped his fists and bowed, speaking calmly, ”Forgive this humble official’s armor, unable to kneel in welcome.”

”General Zhen Yuan Li Haoyuan, foolish and ignorant, failed in family governance, unrest in the rear court, military affairs leaked... disappointed the Emperor, disappointed the people of Fuyuan Town, disappointed the soldiers of Fuyuan Town. From the moment of receiving the decree, remove Li Haoyuan from the position of General Zhen Yuan, and immediately return to the capital to await orders!”

Chu Zhiyuan lifted the golden silk, took an imperial decree made of jade, and began reading it word by word.

His voice was calm and steady, yet it echoed far and wide.

The Grandmaster’s cultivation projected his voice hundreds of meters, clearly reaching the ears of the surrounding people, into Gaoling Town, and the ears of passersby.

The contents of this decree would soon spread through the entire small city, even throughout the Northern Territory.

After finishing reading the imperial decree, Chu Zhiyuan rolled it up, placed it back in the sandalwood tray, and turned to Li Haoyuan, ”General Li?”

”This humble official Li Haoyuan receives the decree!” Li Haoyuan saluted solemnly.

His face showed no emotion, as if being summoned back to the capital to face accusations was a common occurrence, unrelated to himself.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”General Li, return to the capital with me.”

”Very well, honored sir.” Li Haoyuan clasped his fists, ”This humble official will make arrangements and follow you back to the capital tomorrow.”

”Then I shall await General Li.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He then looked at Chu Mingrui.

Chu Mingrui said solemnly, ”General Li, let’s arrange for the handover.”

”Prince, please follow me; the Tiger Talisman is inside the yamen.”

”Please.”

The group slowly entered the city gate, observing the streets cold and deserted.

Even on this sunny day, the streets remained sparsely populated.

The shops on both sides of the street were still open.

Chu Mingrui felt heavy-hearted, expressionless.

Li Haoyuan also accompanied with an expressionless demeanor, until they reached the prefectural yamen of Gaoling Town.

Chu Zhiyuan witnessed the process of Chu Mingrui taking over from Li Haoyuan, transferring the Tiger Talisman, accounts, and the roster of soldiers.

The twenty-three men glowered, staring daggers at Chu Zhiyuan, as if ready to pounce on him.

Chu Zhiyuan remained expressionless, ignoring them.

His task was merely to declare the decree and bring back Li Haoyuan; anything else was none of his concern.

He had no obligation to explain the decree.

Nor did he wish to understand why they were so resentful.

In such a remote place, the waters ran deep; there was no need to wade into these troubled waters.

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