Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 439 - 436: Demanding

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The lanterns were just starting to light up, and Wanghai City’s streets and alleyways, as well as its taverns, were bustling with activity.

In the taverns, while the guests ate and drank, they would also chat about major Court events, Martial Arts tales, and the recent sensation, the Fourth Prince Chu Zhiyuan.

The Fourth Prince Chu Zhiyuan was the liveliest topic during those idle moments between meals.

The people of Wanghai City were now as familiar with Chu Zhiyuan as they were with the back of their hands.

From his background, his talents, his progress, to his several great battles.

His uncompromising stance against the Evil Sect, and his future Heir’s Wife, Xiao Ruoling, the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace.

People were full of admiration, sighing, envying, and revering.

Chu Zhiyuan’s fame and reputation were unknowingly surging amidst these discussions.

Soon, someone brought up a recent episode.

This was a conflict between the Holy Daughter of Wuyou Sect and the Fourth Prince.

Some said that Wuyou Sect couldn’t wait for the Fourth Prince to leave the Eastern Territory quickly, to stop meddling.

Some said Wuyou Sect was doing nothing, yet blamed the Heir for actively wiping out chaos and pacifying the Eastern Territory, which was truly unjust.

Some said that Wuyou Sect lived up to its reputation, daring to act this way towards the Fourth Prince.

There were all sorts of opinions and rumors.

But everyone knew, the relationship between Wuyou Sect and the Fourth Prince Chu Zhiyuan was not good.

Wuyou Sect, indeed, was lawless, not holding the Court in their eyes, nor the Heir.

They were disgruntled, but did not discuss further, only buried it in their hearts.

——

In the morning, on the bustling street, people gathered in small groups, looking for breakfast stalls.

The window of a private room in Tianshui Pavilion suddenly burst open with a muffled "bang".

Fragments of the window scattered everywhere, a figure hidden among the fragments shot out, then soared into the sky, fleeing towards the distance.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Tao Haoran appeared outside the window with his hands behind his back.

He paused in the void, as if standing in mid-air, then shot towards the distance in pursuit.

This scene was clearly seen by people in the streets and alleyways.

Great Grandmaster!

Immediately, anyone who knew a bit about Martial Arts had these three words flash in their minds.

Then they shook their heads.

Being hunted by a Great Grandmaster, the chances of survival are slim.

In this world, the only ones who could escape a Great Grandmaster were perhaps other Great Grandmasters; no one beneath that level could withstand it.

Gang Qi compared to Spiritual Energy was like wood compared to stone.

It would collapse at the first touch, unable to withstand a single blow.

Someone immediately whispered, "It’s the Heir!"

"It’s the Fourth Prince!"

"The Fourth Prince is being hunted by a Great Grandmaster!"

"Where are the Fourth Prince’s guards? Are they just idling around?"

"Bang!" An earth-shattering crash echoed from that private room in Tianshui Pavilion.

The entire Tianshui Pavilion was shaking.

Three figures dashed out of the window, floating into the air, exchanging blows lightly in the sky.

Huang Cheng was handling two middle-aged men alone.

"Boom——!"

A fierce wind howled, sweeping in all directions.

The stalls on the ground were overturned, people’s clothing fluttered in the wind, and they could hardly stand firm.

"Despicable!" Huang Cheng roared furiously, intending to give chase, only to be blocked by another middle-aged man.

"Boom!"

The two clashed palms again.

The ground suffered once more.

People widened their eyes trying to see clearly, but the wind and dust roared, and nothing was visible.

They could only vaguely see the three Great Grandmasters exchange several palms in the air, and Huang Cheng eventually got seriously injured, forced to flee, chased off by the other two Great Grandmasters.

Once the three were far away, the fierce wind subsided.

Amidst the devastation of debris and broken stalls, the people began to talk.

"This is three Great Grandmasters dealing with the Fourth Prince together!"

"With a Great Grandmaster to protect him, the Fourth Prince was supposed to be invincible."

To say that the Fourth Prince did not have a Great Grandmaster by his side was impossible.

But the one truly slaughtering the Evil Sect monsters was the Fourth Prince, the Great Grandmaster was merely guarding him in the shadows.

Too many had witnessed his gallant demeanor, the flash of his saber as he beheaded his foes in one strike.

"Who would have thought the Evil Sect monsters would deploy more Great Grandmasters, truly despicable!"

"The Fourth Prince’s chances of survival are slim!"

"Heaven is blind!"

"If heaven had eyes, how could the Evil Sect monsters be so rampant!"

"Alas..."

In Wanghai City, there were still some remnants of the Evil Sect, who were inexplicably excited upon seeing this scene.

There were also some Evil Sect spies, who witnessed it all.

Even some disciples of Wuyou Sect quickly spread the news.

Within a quarter of an hour, almost everyone in Wanghai City knew about this event.

Some were worried, others were celebrating, some were regretful, some were excited.

...

A bright moon was hanging high in the sky.

Moonlight like water, falling on a forest more than a hundred miles away from Wanghai City.

In the forest halfway up the mountain, Chu Zhiyuan was sitting cross-legged on a green stone.

The Bright Moon Saber lay across his knees, Qi flowed around him, continuing to operate two small Sword Gangs.

Huang Cheng sat beside him.

He laughed, "Your Highness, I suppose they won’t easily fall for it."

Tao Haoran stood with his hands behind his back not far away, smiling cheerfully, "We acted well enough, there shouldn’t be any flaws."

The cooperation of four Great Grandmasters created enough of an impact.

There were almost no flaws, it couldn’t possibly arouse suspicion, they wouldn’t even suspect that Great Grandmasters would act out such a play.

While operating, Chu Zhiyuan said, "Whether it succeeds or not, we do our best and leave the rest to fate."

He still wore the Biluo True Robe, his face like white jade, made even more handsome by the moonlight shining upon it.

Huang Cheng laughed, "These guys are really cowardly, hiding like this."

Tao Haoran chuckled, "They were terrified to the core by the killings."

He too felt a sense of satisfaction.

Although he was a Great Grandmaster, killing Evil Sect monsters was not truly his forte compared to the Heir.

This time was truly satisfying.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "There’ll always be some who aren’t afraid of death."

Like those from the Fearless Sect.

But this time, no experts from the Fearless Sect came to join in the fun.

Huang Cheng shook his head, "We can’t perform another act, though it could increase the momentum."

To act further would be pushing the limits, it wasn’t wise to continue acting, it would draw suspicion.

For Great Grandmasters to make a move once was reasonable, making another move would be too much, too fake.

Tao Haoran said, "Your Highness, you are nearing Perfection, aren’t you?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "In the next few days."

"Impressive," Tao Haoran marveled.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Mr. Tao, do you have any guidance for me?"

Tao Haoran said, "Your Highness’s Sword Technique shouldn’t be abandoned, it’s uniquely ingenious and extremely formidable."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Huh, someone’s coming!" Huang Cheng suddenly said.

The four of them vanished in a flash.

After a dozen breaths, a young man appeared at a leisurely pace from the opposite side.

Chu Zhiyuan sat silently on the green stone, watching as this young man slowly approached.

The young man’s appearance was ordinary, his build average, but he had the cultivation of Grandmaster Perfection.

His demeanor was calm and composed, as if holding pearls of wisdom in his hand.

At such a young age, with such cultivation, he was even a step superior to Chu Zhiyuan.

No wonder he had such poise.

Among the many Evil Sect Grandmasters Chu Zhiyuan had encountered, this person was the youngest.

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged, spoke lightly, "Huaisu Sect?"

"Hand over the Venerable Statue," the young man stopped ten steps away, and said calmly, "and you can be spared."

Chu Zhiyuan pulled the statue out from his sleeve, the multi-legged humanoid figure unmistakable.

"Is this it?"

"The Venerable Statue is of no benefit to you, only bringing misfortune."

"If it’s in the Sealing Spirit Box, it can’t bring any misfortune, can it?"

"It seems the Heir is not going to hand it over."

"Feel free to come fetch it yourself," Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he looked at him, "Are you Huaisu Sect’s true heir?"

"Huaisu Sect’s Xie Wufeng."

"Xie Wufeng..." Chu Zhiyuan said, "To reach this Realm, how many have you killed?"

"Three," Xie Wufeng replied indifferently.

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised, "Only three?"

"Three masters," Xie Wufeng said flatly, "Each master helped me advance a major Realm."

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