Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 876: Chapter 872: The Meeting

The Sixth Prince, Cheng Yunqi, continued to focus on swordsmanship, as if he hadn’t heard him speak.

The handsome middle-aged man was not annoyed and continued to express his viewpoint: ”Your Highness, the deed of the Fifth Prince is too insidious and has already crossed the line.”

”Does Your Highness think our Three Dynasties’ struggle is without a bottom line?... If you think so, then it’s a grave mistake!”

”The bottom line is that we must never use the Demon Clan and Demon Clan to weaken each other; otherwise, it would make us the common enemy of the Three Dynasties, to be punished by all!”

Cheng Yunqi suddenly let out a cold laugh.

The handsome middle-aged man said, ”Your Highness thinks this is a joke? The Three Dynasties cannot work together?”

”Fifth Brother hasn’t done anything much yet.”

”They may not have found the Fifth Prince yet, but does Your Highness think the Phoenix Dynasty can’t find out about the Fifth Prince?”

”They shouldn’t be able to; Fifth Brother is very meticulous and secretive in his actions.”

”My lord, there is no wall that the wind cannot pass through; paper cannot wrap a fire.”

”Fifth Brother possesses a spiritual treasure.”

”As long as the Phoenix Dynasty exerts all its strength, it will surely find out. Don’t forget Fengtian Palace.”

”Even if they find out, it’s nothing, after all, it was not Fifth Brother who did it himself.”

”How is this different from doing it himself? It’s even more ruthless than acting personally.”

”They wouldn’t kill Fifth Brother, would they?”

”Hey, even if they don’t kill him, they surely won’t let him go.” The handsome middle-aged man shook his head: ”This move is too vicious, in my judgment, the Fifth Prince is practically delivering himself into their hands, destined to be captured.”

”Fifth Brother believes they can’t do anything to him.”

”The most fatal flaw of the Fifth Prince is being too arrogant, that’s why he would do such a vicious thing and dare go to the Phoenix Imperial City at this time.”

The handsome middle-aged man shook his head repeatedly.

If it weren’t for being too conceited, disregarding others, thinking that with a spiritual treasure he was invincible and unmatched, he would have been more cautious and wouldn’t have spread this rumor.

If it weren’t for being too conceited, he wouldn’t have run over to the Phoenix Dynasty at this time.

Such a rampant act, the Phoenix Dynasty is not to be trifled with; how can they not strike hard?

”Fifth Brother has a spiritual treasure, and the Phoenix Dynasty doesn’t have many spiritual treasures, right? A spiritual treasure cannot overcome another spiritual treasure, right?”

This is why Fifth Brother becomes even more arrogant, not putting the heroes of the world in his eyes.

Between spiritual treasures, it’s hard to determine a winner, and they can be at a standoff.

Especially since his spiritual treasure is the strongest defense, even if others have spiritual treasures, they can’t do anything to him.

”Battles between spiritual treasures rarely occur because the losses are too great, and it’s unnecessary.” The handsome middle-aged man shook his head: ”But a spiritual treasure is not invincible. If the Phoenix Dynasty gets enraged and is willing to destroy their own spiritual treasure to eliminate the Fifth Prince?”

”That’s unlikely, right?”

”With others, maybe not, but how is the Twelfth Princess any different?”

”Is it that Fifth Brother can’t come back?”

”Almost impossible!”

”Then there’s no need to cut off ties with Fifth Brother, is there?”

”With the Fifth Prince acting this way, once it gets out, it will be opposed inside and outside the Court, and what if the Phoenix Dynasty continues to pursue it? They might come after Your Highness!”

”Hmph, the Phoenix Dynasty!”

Cheng Yunqi suddenly swung his sword, the blade bursting with a cold gleam, and sliced a green stone two zhang away in half.

”Your Highness,” the handsome middle-aged man said solemnly, ”now is not the time to talk about brotherly love.”

”Then what should I do?”

”Simply expel the Fifth Prince’s people from your residence,” the handsome middle-aged man said slowly. ”That will make your stance clear.”

”How many of Fifth Brother’s people are there in the residence?”

”Six, all relatives of the Fifth Prince’s concubines.”

”Alas...”

”Your Highness, there’s no room for hesitation; this matter needs to be addressed promptly.”

Cheng Yunqi sighed, ”I am ashamed before Fifth Brother.”

”Your Highness, at this time, romance cannot be allowed.”

”...Alright, alright.”

Cheng Yunqi eventually nodded slowly.

”Your Highness is wise!”

The handsome middle-aged man was overjoyed, clasped his fists, and took his leave.

After the handsome middle-aged man left, Cheng Yunqi stopped his sword move, stood still with his sword in hand, lost in thought.

Scenes of playing and making mischief with Cheng Yunzheng floated in his mind.

The two brothers, in harmony by nature, had great fun.

Unfortunately, with the expansion of Cheng Yunzheng’s ambition, everything began to slowly change.

The friendship between the two also changed accordingly.

...

”Your Highness, someone outside has sent an invitation.”

The Chief Steward’s soft report startled him.

He frowned, looked at the middle-aged eunuch, took the invitation, glanced at it, and frowned even more: ”Chu Liezhao? ... Isn’t he in the Phoenix Imperial City? ... How could he possibly be here?”

Chu Liezhao, no matter how great, is a hostage; how could he possibly leave the Phoenix Imperial City?

”Your Highness...?”

”I must see who dares to impersonate him,” Cheng Yunqi snorted.

”This Ninth Prince is too rude, sending an invitation on the day itself.”

”Let’s see who it is!”

...

Cheng Yunqi, accompanied by several guards, arrived at Cai Ni Building, one of the top three taverns in the Yuanzhen Imperial City.

Upon reaching the third floor, he saw four Yuanzhen internal guards.

They blocked the staircase leading to the third floor with a cold demeanor, keeping people at a distance.

Someone tried to go up but was stopped by them, unable to step onto the third floor.

Clearly, the third floor was exclusively reserved.

Cheng Yunqi frowned.

He felt there was something strange about this matter.

Cai Ni Building is not an ordinary tavern, even if he asked to reserve the third floor, it may not go as he wished.

The owner behind Cai Ni Building is the Sixth Imperial Uncle, King Xu.

While King Xu might show face for the Eldest Prince, he wouldn’t do the same for himself.

He slowly stepped forward, approaching the staircase to the third floor.

The four internal guards stepped back and saluted, ”Sixth Prince, please.”

”Who is inside?” Cheng Yunqi asked.

A Yuanzhen internal guard quietly replied, ”Prince Yujing, Phoenix Twelve Prince Consort.”

”So it is really him?”

”Haha...” A loud laugh suddenly rang out, Chu Zhiyuan’s voice reaching his ear: ”Sixth Prince, have you been well?”

Cheng Yunqi’s expression changed drastically.

He had replayed the circumstances of their past confrontation dozens of times, and Chu Zhiyuan’s voice was deeply imprinted in his memory, impossible to forget.

Chu Zhiyuan appeared at the staircase entrance, clasped his fists, and smiled: ”Sixth Prince, please.”

Cheng Yunqi said coldly, ”How dare you come here?”

Chu Zhiyuan gestured with his hand.

Cheng Yunqi stepped onto the third floor, entering a nearby room, and the guards beside him followed.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”This place is small and too crowded. Why don’t just the two of us stay here, how about that?”

Cheng Yunqi frowned, staring at him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”If I truly wanted to duel with the Sixth Prince, I would issue a challenge openly and fairly.”

Cheng Yunqi waved his hand.

”Your Highness...” The handsome middle-aged man hesitated.

Cheng Yunqi snorted, ”It’s fine; he certainly won’t kill me.”

The handsome middle-aged man glanced at Chu Zhiyuan, nodded helplessly: ”Take care, Your Highness.”

He wasn’t worried about Chu Zhiyuan resorting to deadly methods, only concerned about plots against Cheng Yunqi.

He had always been researching information about Chu Zhiyuan, vaguely grasping some of his techniques.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”If this gentleman is worried, he can stay; too many people and talks are unnecessary, but it doesn’t have to be just two.”

”Forget it.” Cheng Yunqi snorted.

He didn’t want Chu Zhiyuan to deem him weak, and he didn’t want to show his dependence on his subordinates.

Once everyone pushed the door open and exited, after the room’s door was closed again, Chu Zhiyuan spoke: ”I’ve already beaten your Fifth Brother, Cheng Yunzheng, quite thoroughly.”

Being a private room in Cai Ni Building, soundproofing is a basic feature, what is said inside cannot be heard outside.

”You—?” Cheng Yunqi sneered, ”What could you possibly do to my Fifth Brother?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”His spiritual treasure was beaten by me into slumber, it doesn’t work anymore.”

”Impossible!”

”Without his spiritual treasure for protection, do you think he can return here safely?”

”Impossible! You can’t defeat a spiritual treasure!” Cheng Yunqi shook his head.

To defeat a spiritual treasure, only another spiritual treasure would work.

If Chu Liezhao had a spiritual treasure, there would’ve been news about it long ago.

Without a spiritual treasure, he can’t do anything to Fifth Brother.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”If I spread the word that his spiritual treasure is dormant, and whoever kills him can get his treasure...”

Cheng Yunqi’s face changed drastically.