68: Chapter 66: Thoughts Arise 68: Chapter 66: Thoughts Arise When Chu Zhiyuan returned to Prince Qing Mansion from the Ministry of Rites, it was already dusk, with the night lights just coming on.
He walked slowly down the street, surrounded by guards, using his Super Sense to observe his surroundings.
The experts in the city were becoming more concentrated and numerous.
The Military Suppression Department surprisingly did not restrict the entry of Martial Arts experts, allowing them to come in for the excitement; quite the bold move.
This is an unwillingness to show weakness or soften their stand.
The City Guards and the experts from the Military Suppression Department were also more concentrated.
He speculated that the Military Suppression Department had already mobilized experts from various places to the capital.
The first is to restrict the entry of Martial Arts experts into Yujing, reducing their numbers; the second is to increase the number of experts in the Military Suppression Department.
Only by doing both simultaneously can it be most secure.
But now it seems the Military Suppression Department has only taken the second approach, showing immense confidence.
Chu Zhiyuan saw clearly that this was a situation of victory for those in power and defeat for the vanquished.
If something goes wrong, it’s arrogance; if nothing goes wrong, it’s a wise decision.
Halfway through, he saw Huang Shiron weaving effortlessly through the crowd.
Huang Shiron still wore a light yellow silk dress, graceful like willow branches, accompanied by two young girls in white, Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu.
Upon seeing him, Huang Shiron came forward, clasped her fists in greeting, and smiled, “How went the reception of the Da Zhen Mission, Princely Heir?”
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry is quite formidable.”
“The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry is indeed unmatched,” Huang Shiron remarked.
“Its renowned might was forged in battle, built with blood and bones.”
“Most of the Martial Arts crowd did not take action, mainly because of the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry.”
“Indeed, acting in such a situation would be suicidal.
They are not afraid of death but will not die in vain.”
No matter how fearless one is, they will not die without value.
Chu Zhiyuan said, “It will be difficult later, you all must be careful.”
“Yes,” Huang Shiron replied solemnly.
Next, even if just one member of the Da Zhen Mission is injured, the Military Suppression Department cannot shirk responsibility, and none of its members in Yujing City will escape punishment.
“The Da Zhen Mission is guarded by two Great Grandmasters, so there’s no need to worry about the Four Directions Pavilion, but rather focus on those traveling out.”
Good,” Huang Shiron nodded slowly.
“Then keep an eye on those traveling out…
They might think it’s surveillance.”
“Let them think as they will,” Chu Zhiyuan said.
In fact, they should be monitored.
Everyone knows that Da Zhen has spies in Da Jing, and the arrival of the Da Zhen Mission will surely connect with the spy leaders here.
The relationship between nations is complex; an alliance between two nations is not entirely pure cooperation and closeness, but involves hidden struggles.
There is no open conflict, but there is hidden fighting.
After chatting for a while, they parted ways.
As he left, surrounded by guards and gradually disappearing into the distant crowd, Wen Qianqian smiled and said, “Senior Sister, why not ask him about the engagement with Duke An’s daughter?”
Huang Shiron shook her head.
Xu Mengyu said, “What’s there to ask?”
“Is Duke An’s daughter truly as beautiful as they say, the number one beauty in Yujing?”
“Miss Xiao is very beautiful,” Huang Shiron said.
“I have seen her, and she truly deserves the title of Yujing’s number one beauty.”
Wen Qianqian sighed, “To marry Duke An’s daughter, the Fourth Prince is indeed very fortunate.”
Xu Mengyu said, “The Fourth Prince is indeed impressive.”
“But his reputation isn’t that great,” Wen Qianqian remarked.
“He’ll make a name for himself sooner or later,” Xu Mengyu smiled.
“If he were just an ordinary Princely Heir, would Senior Sister Huang pay him any attention?”
They all noticed how much Huang Shiron valued Chu Zhiyuan.
This regard was not because of his status as Princely Heir, but because of his abilities.
They had not seen any extraordinary skills from Chu Zhiyuan, so they were both curious and highly attentive.
Four Directions Pavilion
In a spacious study of a courtyard, Cheng Tianfeng pressed his hand on the desk, looking at a middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man had a plain appearance, wearing a green robe, which was the attire for officials below the Sixth Grade in Da Jing, and stood respectfully in front of the desk.
“Chu Zhiyao has already returned?”
“Yes, Princely Heir, Chu Zhiyao returned six days ago.
Two days ago, Prince Xuan held a birthday banquet, and Chu Zhiyao personally received the guests.”
“So, he has indeed returned,” Cheng Tianfeng said indifferently.
“What about the other one?”
“According to the information the little one gathered, Chu Zhihua is still in the military and hasn’t returned.”
“Besides those two, there’s another Innate one, Chu Zhiyuan, Prince Qing’s Princely Heir?”
“Yes, the Princely Heir should pay attention to this Chu Zhiyuan.”
“A newly reached Innate worth noticing?
Besides, he’s Prince Qing’s Princely Heir, not liked by the Emperor of Da Jing, is he?”
Prince Qing Mansion has been sealed for thirty years and is not in the Emperor’s favor, thus not receiving cultivation resources from the Heavenly Treasure Department.
So, he’s not formidable.
“Risking my life to gather information, this Chu Zhiyuan got twenty demon beasts during the winter hunt and obtained a Ninth Grade Merit.
He likely mastered some Miracle Technique of astounding power,” the green-robed man said solemnly.
“Although his Cultivation Realm isn’t high, his killing prowess is strong.”
Could he temporarily replace Chu Zhiyao?”
“The little one believes it’s possible,” said the green-robed middle-aged man.
“What is his current Realm?”
The little one couldn’t gather that,” the green-robed man hesitated.
“Prince Qing Mansion has been sealed, and those previously infiltrated have already withdrawn.
No new ones have been recruited.
Usually, he cultivates in Mingwu Hall, but once showed his Martial Arts in Thick Earth Hall, defeating the Young Sect Leader there.”
“What is that Young Sect Leader’s cultivation?”
“Innate Second Layer.”
“What is the Young Sect Leader’s current situation?”
“He has been intensely cultivating.”
“That suggests Chu Zhiyuan isn’t much stronger than him and can be caught up with.”
“The Princely Heir is wise.”
“It’s not a big deal.
Pity I can’t see this one; by seeing him, I could almost gauge the truth.”
“The Princely Heir saw him today; he is the Assistant Minister of Rites and was among the welcoming team, standing at the forefront,” the green-robed man said.
Cheng Tianfeng’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he began recalling in his mind, finally nodding slowly, “If talking about a young man, there’s only that one.
He seemed quite composed.”
“Yes,” the green-robed man agreed.
He always had a feeling—a feeling that Cheng Tianfeng and that Fourth Prince of Da Jing were as if they were blood brothers, as their temperament was too similar.
Both were steady, calm, and composed, as if nothing could startle them.
This was a character formed by innate talent and postnatal cultivation, which he had always pursued and refined.
“It’s interesting,” Cheng Tianfeng laughed.
“He just left Mingwu Hall and entered the Ministry of Rites.
Is he someone uninterested in cultivation, with a tranquil nature?”
Then he continued, “Of course, he could also be someone afraid of dying.”
“Likely afraid of dying,” the green-robed man smiled.
“He acts too prudently, never without guards.”
Other Princely Heirs and Princes often find guards annoying, disliking them looming every moment, reducing their numbers when possible, and avoiding them if they can.
But he was different, afraid of having too few guards.
If not for having to keep some at Prince Qing Mansion, he’d probably bring them all.
Moreover, he showed little curiosity about the common people’s lives and little interest in indulgences.
This contradicted the temperament of young people, suggesting only one possibility: fear of death.
“Fear of death isn’t a bad thing,” Cheng Tianfeng laughed.
In the Imperial Family, there are always some misfits, worthless individuals—timid, prudent, and despicable, not worth a second glance.
“Yes,” the green-robed middle-aged man said.
“Princely Heir, I’ve collected as much information as possible on the Fourth Prince, but the time was too short, far from enough.”
“This is sufficient,” Cheng Tianfeng said.
“He’s engaged to Duke An’s daughter?”
“Yujing’s number one beauty, have you seen her?”
“I haven’t seen her, but those who have do not disagree, so she must be extremely beautiful.”
“Yujing’s number one beauty…” Cheng Tianfeng smiled.
The green-robed man sighed inwardly.
This Princely Heir had everything—calmness, magnanimity, unparalleled talent, and as the State Preceptor’s direct disciple, he had a chance to ascend the imperial throne.
But he had one fatal flaw: a love for beauty.
A fondness for women.
An extreme fondness for women.
It was said to be both a genetic trait of the Da Zhen Imperial Family and due to the secret mental method of the Da Zhen Imperial Family.
He could infer that if Cheng Tianfeng succeeded, between the Princess and Xiao Ruoling, Cheng Tianfeng would undoubtedly choose Xiao Ruoling.
But now, Xiao Ruoling was already engaged, and also to Prince Qing’s Princely Heir.
Even if Cheng Tianfeng raised it, the Emperor of Da Jing would never approve.
But even if the Emperor of Da Jing disapproved, just proposing it would create a mortal enmity with the Princely Heir of Prince Qing.
A hatred born from snatching a wife, a great humiliating insult.
They were here for an alliance, not to make enemies.
Cheng Tianfeng glanced at him and laughed, “Rest assured, I’m merely curious about Yujing’s number one beauty.
I must see her, mustn’t I?”
“Yes,” the green-robed man felt a chill.
He didn’t believe those words.
Right now, such curiosity—once witnessing her in person—might make it difficult to extricate himself.
And as the most gifted Princely Heir, he usually got whatever he wanted, with nothing he couldn’t have.
Moreover, his mansion already hosted several top-tier beauties of Da Zhen, despite not every case being mutual.
The Da Zhen Imperial Family considered this kind of thing a romantic affair, without any offense.
Within Yujing City, law and order were excellent, especially in the Inner City, where City Guard and Military Suppression Department experts stood every ten steps, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
However, outside the city, it’s vast and boundless.
For the Princely Heir, snatching a woman would be no difficult task.