Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 558: Chapter 555: Planning

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”I used to think that with my own strength alone, I could destroy all the evil sects in the world.”

The two of them moved their lips.

If he were not a princely heir, even as a grandmaster with unrivaled flying knives, he couldn’t achieve this.

But he is a princely heir, able to marshal the power of the Court, and with such formidable flying knives, he indeed has hope of destroying the evil sects.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”Later I realized that destroying the evil sects isn’t so easy. Just relying on flying knives can’t kill them all. The devils of the evil sects are not dead; they’re alive, they can run and escape, and some are very treacherous. One person alone is still too weak.”

Zhao Rongfei and Wan Bicheng nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The more crucial part is the main altars of the evil sects. I’ve destroyed three main altars on the Da Jing side, but to completely annihilate them, I need to destroy their main altars in Da Meng and Da Zhen too, which will completely expel these outer heaven demons.”

He looked up into the void and sighed, ”I’ve been constantly improving my cultivation to see if I can directly destroy these evil demons!”

”Yes, destroy them!” The two immediately revitalized.

As true disciples of the four great sects, their understanding of the evil sects far surpasses ordinary people, knowing that behind these evil sects are the venerables, the outer heaven demons.

All they can do is sever the power extended over by the outer heaven demons, unable to harm them fundamentally.

Only taking hits without being able to retaliate, this is the most frustrating thing.

If Chu Zhiyuan could kill these evil demons, that would truly be impressive.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I can destroy the main altars of the evil sect within Da Jing, but if the main altars in Da Meng and Da Zhen are not eliminated, they will revive like embers in a fire, never truly eradicating them. This requires the cooperation of the three kingdoms.”

The two nodded deeply.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If Da Meng and Da Zhen do not agree, I can’t exactly put a knife to the necks of the two emperors to force them to agree.”

He laughed, ”They both have the Emperor’s Sword, and I can’t defeat them, so it’s quite awkward now. Even if I want to destroy the evil sects, I’m powerless.”

Zhao Rongfei said, ”The Emperor is understanding of the greater good and won’t refuse.”

Wan Bicheng also nodded, ”Our new emperor is wise and strong and will certainly not condone the evil sects.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”She won’t go against the ministers over matters not involving the imperial throne.”

He had been studying how Li Hongzhao ruled as emperor through the Inspection Department.

After all, he would become emperor in the future, so it was worth learning how to handle situations upon ascending the throne.

He discovered all of Li Hongzhao’s tough measures were related to threats against her throne.

For matters that did not threaten the imperial throne, she wouldn’t be excessively strict, but would instead listen to the opinions of courtiers as much as possible.

This is the blend of firmness and gentleness.

Seeing this now, such a blend of firmness and gentleness is extremely effective.

It allowed her to quickly establish herself both among the populace and within the court.

As for the military and the royal family, they were not as difficult to handle.

”In that case...” Zhao Rongfei said slowly, ”It seems we need to reach out to the other two sects, especially the Phoenix Sword Sect, their words are now most influential.”

”Their words carry more weight now,” Wan Bicheng nodded.

The Emperor’s relationship with the royal family is tense, with the Phoenix Sword Sect being the closest ally.

The Phoenix Sword Sect also spares no effort in supporting the Emperor.

Many things, when said by the Phoenix Sword Sect, make people consider if it reflects the Emperor’s intentions.

”Unfortunately,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”The Phoenix Sword Sect probably won’t speak on my behalf.”

Dining at Feixue Tower was not done on a whim.

Only after his Super Sense illuminated Zhao Rongfei did he enter Feixue Tower.

The purpose was to make contact with Zhao Rongfei, to become a familiar face.

Each generation of true disciples from the four great sects has only nine from each sect.

The Inspection Department keeps detailed records on these true disciples.

Records include their martial arts cultivation, the cultivation techniques they practice, their personalities, and any major events.

Zhao Rongfei was among them, he hates the evil sects and is ruthless towards the demons of evil sects.

Encountering Wan Bicheng was unexpected but a delightful surprise.

With them together, it might reduce their guard, making it easier to exert influence.

Zhao Rongfei said, ”I’ll find a chance to speak with Feng Zhidao of the Phoenix Sword Sect.”

Wan Bicheng nodded, ”Feng Zhidao will probably agree; he also deeply hates the evil sects.”

”The negotiations haven’t formally begun yet. Once they do, interacting with me might attract gossip.”

”What gossip is there, would they really say we collude with Da Jing? Laughable.”

True disciples from the four great sects colluding with Da Jing, no one would utter such foolishness.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”That’s good. If I were to delay your future, it would be my fault.”

”Don’t worry, Princling Heir, we of Da Meng aren’t so petty.” Zhao Rongfei laughed, ”In a few days, I’ll invite Feng Zhidao and Lu Pu of Wuxiang Sect for a gathering, and you can join in for some fun.”

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated.

Zhao Rongfei said, ”When we gathered, it’s to spar in martial arts, not to talk about sect grievances.”

”Alright, then I’ll join in for the fun.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

He then mentioned that he was collecting the Venerable Statues of the evil sects.

Through the Venerable Statues, he could sense those demons of the evil sects.

The two readily agreed to send over a batch of Venerable Statues.

---

After they left, Xiao Ruoling, Shen Hanyue, and Xu Yingying came to his courtyard.

Xiao Ruoling poured a cup of tea for him and softly asked, ”Can they be of help?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”One must try. Without trying, there’s no hope.”

He could see that Li Hongzhao was not very keen on the matter.

The three kingdoms’ cooperation involves many issues, if it fails to destroy the evil sects, it will only create chaos.

She was likely worried that Da Jing would take the opportunity to extend influence, infiltrate more spies, and take the chance to understand Da Meng’s vulnerabilities.

In Da Meng, no one is more cautious of Da Jing than Li Hongzhao.

This is because Li Hongzhao personally witnessed the establishment of the Martial Arts Hall and Phoenix Camp in Yujing, knowing Da Jing’s strength is advancing rapidly.

”So, go out a few more times?” Xiao Ruoling asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Going out too often might upset the populace.”

Each venture out allows more people to see how formidable his flying knives are.

But at the same time, it could cause more people to be caught in assassination crossfire.

So, the balance must be carefully managed.

Shen Hanyue scoffed, ”I say, why not wait until you become emperor, then use the power of the court to eradicate them.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Imperial Grandfather also issued imperial decree to destroy the evil sects, did it work?”

Xu Yingying said, ”The Evil Emperor’s legacy works best, how about use this tactic in Tianjing?”

”The experts of the evil sects here should also be aware,” Chu Zhiyuan said as he took out the Golden Jade Heart Contract from his waist and weighed it, ”knowing this is the Evil Emperor’s Jade, hence so many assassination attempts.”

Xiao Ruoling gently shook her head, ”This matter is still very difficult.”

She could feel the pressure and obstacles Chu Zhiyuan was facing.

”Man proposes, God disposes,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”killing an extra demon can save hundreds of innocent civilians.”

”Yes,” Shen Hanyue said, ”killing an extra evil sect demon is also good.”

After talking for a while, the four of them went back to their rooms.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on the mat, continuing his cultivation, studying the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique, studying the Glazed Blade Scripture, looking for ways to destroy the outer heaven demons.

He felt that even if the Glazed Blade Scripture reached its transformation realm, it might not be able to kill the outer heaven demons.

It requires the support of the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique, and he is exploring the mysteries of the Taiqing Primordial Sect.

The Heavenly Yuan Technique, Earth Origin Technique, and Human Element Skill.

The Human Element Skill he has never practiced, as it pertains to something similar to the legacy of the Evil Emperor.

The Taiqing Primordial Sect always listed the Human Element Skill as forbidden, prohibiting its cultivation.

He now believes it’s worth trying to explore the mysteries of the Human Element Skill.

Perhaps there lies a way to restrain the outer heaven demons.