Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 413 - 410: Coincidental Encounter

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Li Hongzhao snorted, "A word of advice, the Eastern Territory isn’t as weak as you think."

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Are there experts in the Eastern Territory?"

"What do you think?" Li Hongzhao snorted, "Where do you think among the Four Realms of East, West, South, and North, is the most suitable for hiding people?"

"...The Southern Border." Chu Zhiyuan replied.

Li Hongzhao rolled her eyes at him and snorted, "The Southern Border is full of mountains, deep forests, no signs of people, what would one hide there for? To be a savage?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then what’s left is the Eastern Territory."

The Northern Territory and the Western Realm are where the Court pays the most attention, with large garrisons and strict discipline, wars break out at any time, and the army’s strength is formidable.

While the Eastern Territory also has troops stationed, due to years of no wars, the military discipline has long deteriorated and become corrupt.

Such a place is the most mixed with fish and dragons and is most suitable for hiding filth.

Li Hongzhao snorted, "You wouldn’t be unaware of the Eastern Territory’s true condition, right?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Are you afraid I’ll die?"

"Just afraid you don’t know your limits, thinking the Eastern Territory is no big deal, and end up dying there a violent death."

"Hehe..."

"No matter how formidable you are, if you are careless, you might capsize in a ditch!"

"...If I die, you will also lose your grinding stone, and the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique will not progress."

"Hmph, good that you understand!"

"It seems you from Da Meng indeed have spies in Jihai Town, and there’s even a spy in Daliu Camp."

"...You rascal, really infuriating!" Li Hongzhao glared at him.

Her beautiful face was full of indignation and anger from the misunderstanding of her good intentions.

Chu Zhiyuan remained unmoved, laughing softly, "Your Highness, you’ve learned well now, also understanding the reality of illusions."

If he didn’t know her well enough to judge the truth from her minor gestures, he would indeed be confused by her.

Under Super Sensing Illumination, he could clearly see whether her small movements were intentional or not.

She was getting more refined, already knowing how to mislead him with minor movements.

But people’s movements are complex, one movement triggers another, not a standalone action.

Each emotion and mental state comprises countless tiny movements forming a single gesture.

It’s impossible to pay attention to every minute detail of oneself, requiring a complex mind.

He has Miao Ling Pearl and Super Sense, able to discern clearly, while others cannot.

Li Hongzhao couldn’t do it.

Matching detail with detail makes it clear which are deliberate small movements and the true intentions.

This requires an extreme understanding and familiarity with her.

Chu Zhiyuan spent a lot of time scrutinizing and analyzing her, becoming more than familiar.

Li Hongzhao quietly cursed his cunning, her beautiful face full of wonder and confusion, "What reality of illusions?"

"Haha..." Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Now you’ve outsmarted yourself and revealed the truth, haven’t you?"

"Revealed what truth?" Li Hongzhao said discontentedly, "You really are inexplicable!"

She must not admit easily, nor be led by him—must follow her own rhythm.

This was the experience summarized from several confrontations, not to be moved by his words; otherwise, she’d lose control within two sentences and expose everything.

That rascal Chu Zhiyuan, though, is exceedingly intelligent, making her both fear and thrill at each meeting with him.

Afterward, her cultivation always advances a level.

This makes it irresistible for her, always seeking opportunities to meet him and compete.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If you don’t want your Da Meng spies to die, withdraw them quickly."

"...Are you going to be ruthless?" Li Hongzhao’s bright eyes immediately fixed.

"Whether razed or placated," Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "those behind the scenes will not be spared lightly."

Li Hongzhao bit her pearly teeth, slowly saying, "It should indeed be so!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Li Hongzhao’s bright eyes twinkled, suddenly smiling, "You heard about the news of Da Zhen’s Lady Shu’s passing, right?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Birth, old age, sickness, and death are inevitable."

Li Hongzhao stared at him closely, smiling sweetly, "Doesn’t it feel good?... Cheng Miaozhen just shook you off and suffered such a blow, don’t you feel delighted?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’m not that petty-minded."

"Not petty-minded? Hahaha...," Li Hongzhao suddenly laughed so hard, her full figure shaking.

Chu Zhiyuan glared at her coldly.

"...Oh dear, Chu Zhiyuan, you really are shameless, so good at self-deception." Li Hongzhao stopped laughing, her lotus-like face blushing, "Truly amusing, laughable... Fine, but that Lady Shu was only faking her death, she came back to life, truly bizarre."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Faking death isn’t particularly bizarre, is it?"

"Don’t you find it odd?"

"What’s odd about it?"

"...Chu Zhiyuan, you’re acting strange." Li Hongzhao suspiciously scrutinized him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Lady Shu’s death is odd, I’m strange, is there anyone normal in your eyes?"

"...Is it because of Cheng Miaozhen?" Li Hongzhao chuckled, "Did Cheng Miaozhen hurt your pride?"

Chu Zhiyuan looked as if he couldn’t be bothered to reply.

Li Hongzhao was puzzled, "Don’t you find it odd?"

Chu Zhiyuan was indifferent, "Nothing more than palace grievances, petty squabbles, what’s there to say?"

"...True." Li Hongzhao said, "Nothing more than palace grievances, not much relationship with us, but Cheng Miaozhen really suffered."

She shook her head, "Unfavored since childhood, elder brother involved with Wentian Cliff, dependent with Lady Shu, sent to Da Jing for marriage alliance, and now mother passed away, truly all alone... the most miserable princess is her."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.

After she said this, Cheng Miaozhen indeed seemed quite pitiful.

Her own misery, sealed in the Prince Mansion, but the family gathered together felt more close-knit, not really feeling lonely.

Cheng Miaozhen was completely different.

Li Hongzhao said, "But luckily, Lady Shu only faked her death, she’s back."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Seems the Seventeenth Prince also left Wentian Cliff, returning to the Divine Capital."

"Seventeenth Prince..."

"The Seventeenth Prince has achieved cultivation, now already a Grandmaster."

"Being a Grandmaster isn’t useful, only a Great Grandmaster can change the situation."

"Being so young and already a Grandmaster, certainly reaching Grandmaster Perfection, eligible to compete for the imperial throne, Cheng Miaozhen’s status will also change accordingly."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Li Hongzhao’s bright eyes slyly glanced at him, smiling, "Feeling unhappy, aren’t you?"

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "Can we talk about something serious!"

"This is the serious matter," Li Hongzhao said, "The Seventeenth Prince is certainly going to make a fuss."

"And then?"

"He’ll probably come to you." Li Hongzhao said, "He can’t do anything to Da Zhen’s Emperor, so he’ll vent his anger on you."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "What level of Grandmaster is he?"

Li Hongzhao smiled, "He probably thinks you are at most Fourth Layer Heaven, will ask Cheng Tianfeng to figure out your background, then be more confident to defeat you and disgrace you."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Rest assured, no matter how much he stirs, Da Jing and Da Zhen can’t possibly break apart."

Li Hongzhao smiled and shook her head, "Then you’re underestimating the abilities of Wentian Cliff disciples."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then let’s wait and see, serve the dishes."

"...Hmph, serve the dishes." Li Hongzhao glared at him, resentfully ordering.

Outside, a maid answered, swiftly setting a table of dishes.

Chu Zhiyuan, eating while maneuvering against her, continually sparred tactically.

She occasionally glanced outside the window, her bright eyes suddenly glowed, laughing, "What a coincidence!"

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

He had already discovered Gao Jiuqu was walking along the street, stopping in front of the Bright Moon Tower.

Then he entered the Bright Moon Tower, ascending to the third floor.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Li Hongzhao had already signaled for the maid to invite Gao Jiuqu over.

She waited until the maid left, smiling at Chu Zhiyuan, "If you’re afraid to see him, it’s not too late to leave now."

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "You’re only afraid he doesn’t know about our meeting, right?"

To strain the relationship between Da Jing and Da Zhen, she wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

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