Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 335: Chapter 332 Flexible

Chu Zhiyuan sat down at the stone table, facing her, and smiled, ”Really good news? What good news?”

He didn’t really believe it.

Because according to Chu Mingrui’s letter, Da Meng’s offensive was still very fierce.

It didn’t seem like they had any intention of negotiating for peace.

Previously, Da Jing was at a disadvantage and was suppressed in every aspect.

But now, with Prince Ying Chu Mingrui, the effect was immediate, and the entire Northern Territory’s defense suddenly became tough.

They stubbornly held off the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry.

Coupled with the sudden strike of the Thunder Spear Formation, they repeatedly succeeded, further recovering the situation.

Now, it has been stalemated, hard to distinguish the winner.

In such a situation, it’s almost impossible for Da Meng to negotiate peace with Da Jing. If they want to negotiate, they first need to severely damage or defeat Da Jing.

Negotiating in this situation wouldn’t allow them to gain any advantage, which doesn’t align with Da Meng’s expectations.

So he always felt that Li Hongzhao was wasting her efforts, as it was impossible to change Da Meng’s strategy.

”I heard some news,” Li Hongzhao snorted, ”your Phoenix Camp is quite impressive this time, a resounding victory.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, ”Hmm—?”

”Playing dumb!” Li Hongzhao let out a cold laugh, ”Do you take me for a fool?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Phoenix Camp went east for training, how is that impressive?”

”Hmph!” Seeing his refusal to admit, Li Hongzhao was both angry and helpless.

Chu Zhiyuan was also sure that she was only speculating.

The tail that was following them was dealt with, and no one saw the action of Phoenix Camp.

Meng Canglan knew it was because of that batch of equipment, deduced from the spies on Nanyun Island.

Li Hongzhao wasn’t aware of this batch of equipment, and it was hard to be certain about Phoenix Camp’s actions based solely on the spies from Nanyun Island.

”Over thirty thousand couldn’t stop just over a thousand; the Da Lie Dynasty’s army is made of mud!” Li Hongzhao sneered as she put down the wine glass.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”What’s wrong with Da Lie’s army?”

Li Hongzhao snorted, ”You should be a spy.”

She saw through Chu Zhiyuan’s pretense of ignorance.

”What good news are you talking about?” Chu Zhiyuan changed the topic.

There will likely be a lot of spies around Phoenix Camp, especially from Da Meng.

Li Hongzhao said, ”Da Lie Dynasty and Da Guang Dynasty won’t oppose your Da Jing anymore; isn’t that good news?”

Chu Zhiyuan picked up the wine jug, poured himself a glass, and filled hers too, sighed, ”Your Da Meng still hasn’t given up, huh.”

He realized that Li Hongzhao had tricked him to verify her suspicions.

Li Hongzhao snorted, ”What, is Phoenix Camp going out again to deal with our Da Meng?”

”Is Phoenix Camp going to deal with your Da Meng? Why Phoenix Camp to deal with Da Meng?” Chu Zhiyuan said with a trace of a cold smile, ”The Martial Arts Hall will officially open tomorrow, and there will be batch after batch of grandmasters, does your Da Meng still have any chance?”

”So what!” Li Hongzhao said, ”No matter how many grandmasters there are, they can’t affect the military strength.”

Chu Zhiyuan said calmly, ”There are Innate Masters from the Military Suppression Department and masters in the military, how can they not affect the strength?... Without saying anything else, if a camp has ten more grandmasters, by how much would their combat power increase?”

Li Hongzhao said, ”Even with an array set up, it can’t increase by much.”

”Ridiculous.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

”... Why is your camp called Phoenix Camp?” Li Hongzhao also changed the topic.

She also felt her words were somewhat ridiculous, just futile stubbornness.

If it didn’t have any impact, why would she be anxious?

But she was anxious, yet inside and outside Da Meng’s Court, they were not.

Even after receiving her news, there was such blind optimism and confidence, thinking Da Jing was still the same vulnerable Da Jing.

This made her want to rush back and harshly scold them, to open their blockheads, to let them open their eyes.

But she was more important in Da Jing, where she could play a bigger role, rather than going back.

If she wasn’t here to witness Chu Zhiyuan’s rise with her own eyes, she might also be like those blockheads of Da Meng.

”Phoenix Camp...” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Because our array is called Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Formation.”

”Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Formation...” Li Hongzhao said with annoyance, ”What a strange name, at first sound, it seems like an improper array.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Formation, you see, it’s quite interesting. It is said that a martial arts prodigy devised this array to pursue a highly skilled martial arts woman, inspired by this extraordinary woman. Maybe, this woman was a disciple from your Phoenix Sect.”

Li Hongzhao snorted, ”Ridiculous, could this array come from our Da Meng?”

”As far as I know, it indeed came from Da Meng.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

This array came from Chu Mingrui’s collection.

To collect arrays, Chu Mingrui used various means, including spies, and this array came from Da Meng.

”Are you doing this on purpose?”

Li Hongzhao’s face turned unpleasant.

Using Da Meng’s array to train, also naming it Phoenix Camp, seemed to her like Chu Zhiyuan was mocking her.

If Phoenix Camp were just a bunch of privileged soldiers, just another branch of the Martial Arts Hall for those who couldn’t get into the Military Suppression Department yet wished to advance to grandmaster level, it would be fine.

But now Phoenix Camp has become an elite among elites, gaining formidable fame.

Gaining remarkable fame with Da Meng’s array.

If this array were used against Da Meng in the future, against the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, it would truly be the greatest irony.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”This Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Formation might not have a good name, but its power is quite strong, and it’s easy to practice, most suitable for these people.”

If it were ordinary soldiers, practicing this array wouldn’t be so fast or easy.

But the soldiers of Phoenix Camp aren’t ordinary soldiers; all are Innate Masters, and with my guidance.

The perfect combination of a great teacher and excellent disciples allowed them to quickly master the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix Formation and unleash immense power.

Li Hongzhao’s face darkened, glaring at him with bright eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he looked at her.

Li Hongzhao let out a snort.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Highness is aware of the Netherworld Secret Guard?”

Li Hongzhao kept silent, still glaring at him fiercely.

”Looks like Your Highness is also unaware.”

Reluctantly, Li Hongzhao spoke, ”Sounds like a royal secret guard, from which dynasty? Our Da Meng doesn’t have this.”

”Da Lie Dynasty’s royal secret guard.”

”...Never heard of it.”

”Then let’s leave it at that.” Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist, ”If there’s nothing else, forgive me, but I really don’t like this place.”

He stood up.

”Hold on.” Li Hongzhao snorted.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her.

Li Hongzhao said, ”I heard that experts from the Heavenly Hidden Sect have arrived in Yujing.”

”Are they looking for me?” Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”What do they want? To assassinate me in Yujing?”

Li Hongzhao said, ”You weren’t in Yujing recently, otherwise, they would have acted already!”

”Heavenly Hidden Sect...” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I’m curious to see their skills... So I’ll be ambushed once I return?”

He looked at Li Hongzhao, ”Is Your Highness using the situation to employ the Heavenly Hidden Sect to kill me?”

”Nonsense!” Li Hongzhao said with irritation, ”I’m not that stupid!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at her.

Li Hongzhao snorted, ”Mr. Su is following them, will you take action?”

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly laughed, ”Is this a deal? If I receive your favor, I can’t help your Innate Perfection.”

He suddenly understood Li Hongzhao’s plan.

She told him about the location of the Heavenly Hidden Sect to exchange for a favor.

Li Hongzhao’s flexible stance allows her to advance or retreat freely, and this is something beneficial without cost.