Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 192: Absurd

Great Jing Ministry of Rites

The main courtyard where the Minister of Rites resided had a main house with two rows of厢房 (xiāngfáng, side rooms) on the left and right. Clerks and officials hurried back and forth.

A large portion of the main house was filled with bright sunlight, making it bright and gentle.

Prince Zhuang sat behind a desk, his eyes closed, motionless, as if turned into a statue. His face was square, his expression solemn and dignified, making him seem inviolable.

Chu Zhiyuan sat in a grand chair beside him, quietly watching him.

After a long while, Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sir, was I too rash in doing this? Should I have discussed it with the Ministry of War first?"

"Well... circumstances demanded expediency. Under the circumstances at the time, there was no time to give advance notice; otherwise, we don't know how long we would have to haggle with the Ministry of War."

"Then..."

"This matter is excellent!" Prince Zhuang slowly said, "For the sake of the country and the people, exchanging the lives of these useless Great Meng prisoners for the lives of the evil sect's demons can be considered extremely worthwhile!"

This matter cannot be calculated solely based on the number of people killed; we must also consider its impact, the influence on the evil sect, the deterrent effect on the evil sect, and the impact on the entire martial world. The destructive power of these evil sect demons is astonishing. They may have practiced some evil skill that could harm hundreds or thousands of innocent lives.

Eliminating these demons in advance, preventing innocent casualties, is far better than exterminating them after they have killed people. Chu Zhiyuan revealed a smile: "Thank you, sir."

"You... there's no need to be so prudent in your actions. It wouldn't hurt to be a little more impetuous," Prince Zhuang said with a smile, "You are a Young Master; don't be constrained by the red tape and rules of the officialdom, and lose your drive!"

"Yes, thank you, sir!" Chu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly.

He understood Prince Zhuang's meaning.

As a Young Master in the officialdom, he actually had privileges and did not need to strictly adhere to the rules of the officialdom.

Of course, this should only be taken with a grain of salt, not completely.

If he really acted as he said, doing whatever he wanted, he might not be punished, but his official position would probably be difficult to maintain. Everyone has their own agenda.

Prince Zhuang said this because he was acting prudently, so being a little more radical wouldn't be too extreme. But he could accomplish even greater things.

As the Minister of Rites, the more capable his subordinates are and the greater the things they accomplish, the more glory and merit he, as the superior, would receive. Towards evening, after dinner, Chu Zhiyuan came to the Anguo Duke's residence.

The lanterns were just lit.

The back garden was already brightly lit.

Xiao Ruoling and Xiao Ruoyu were practicing swords in the small training ground among the flowerbeds. One's sword light was surging like raging waves, while the other's was ethereal like shadows flickering among flowers. When Chu Zhiyuan entered the residence, Xiao Ruoling had just started sparring with Xiao Ruoyu.

Xiao Ruoyu was full of confidence.

He felt that his cultivation had improved further, and he had entered the Innate Realm. Moreover, this sword technique was the most suitable for him. Practicing it for a day felt like practicing for a year; he felt he had achieved some initial success and would definitely be stronger than Xiao Ruoling. As a result, after exchanging blows, he was once again constrained.

His sword moves, like raging waves, could not block Xiao Ruoling's light, elegant, and unpredictable sword.

Xiao Ruoling smiled and looked at Chu Zhiyuan: "How is my sword technique?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It can be considered an entry level."

Xiao Ruoyu then noticed Chu Zhiyuan and said unconvinced, "Brother-in-law, is my older sister only considered to have just entered the entry level? What about me?"

"You suffer from weak cultivation. Your sword technique is not truly entry level yet," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

"Then, after I reach the entry level in the future, can I surpass my older sister?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "If your eyesight is not good enough, no matter how good your sword technique is, it's useless. You can't defend against her sword."

"But I just can't see through her illusions," Xiao Ruoyu said helplessly.

"Watch more sword techniques. The more you watch, the more your eyesight will naturally improve," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Practicing eyesight can't be rushed like practicing gongfu; it's useless to rush."

"Alright," Xiao Ruoyu left dejectedly.

He still had some sense and didn't want to disturb their time alone.

After he left, Chu Zhiyuan sparred with Xiao Ruoling, taking the opportunity to give her a few pointers.

Xiao Ruoling had extremely high comprehension, and Chu Zhiyuan's insight was like a divine being, pushing her forward at just the right moment.

He stopped when he felt it was about right, avoiding the pitfall of biting off more than she could chew.

The two returned to the houseboat.

After two young maids prepared tea and snacks, they retreated, leaving only the two of them inside the houseboat. Xiao Ruoling then spoke of the news she had inquired about during the day.

Being alone in the room, it was filled with an enchanting atmosphere.

After hearing about the disadvantages of the Tongtian Grass, Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded: "As expected, as I predicted."

"There are quite a few Tongtian Grasses in the secret realm. We should be able to take some out..." Xiao Ruoling said, "Then you can take a look."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to freeload."

Xiao Ruoling rolled her eyes at him.

This glance was full of charm, making Chu Zhiyuan unable to restrain himself. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

Having such fragrant and soft jade in his arms.

The two quietly embraced, feeling each other's heartbeats.

Chu Zhiyuan was not impatient. She was destined to be his wife, like a grand feast. It was not appropriate to be impatient; savoring it slowly would be the most wonderful thing.

The two simply snuggled together, experiencing the harmony of their hearts.

After a while, Chu Zhiyuan spoke of his confrontation with Li Hongzhao today.

Xiao Ruoling pursed her lips and smiled: "She actually came to the Duke's residence, but I avoided seeing her, and she hasn't come since."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It's indeed best to have as little contact as possible."

"This time, the evil sect has really appeared in Taizhou?"

"It should be true."

"Then be careful," Xiao Ruoling looked at him with concern: "The evil sect probably wants to kill the Young Master and the princes the most."

The world's experts rarely dare to attack the Young Master and the princes, but the evil sect demons like to kill the princes and the Young Master the most. Even grandmasters are in danger when they encounter those evil sect demons.

Their demonic skills are insidious and vicious, making them difficult to defend against.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "I am now the Left Vice Minister; why would I need to personally go into battle? Just let the Town Guard Division take action."

Xiao Ruoling revealed a smile.

...

"I have to go with you?" Chu Zhiyuan's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly as he stared at Li Hongzhao in front of him, with an expression as if he was looking at an idiot: "What's going on now?"

The two were sitting in the elegant room of the Mingyue Tower, still sitting in their original positions, as if time had reversed and returned to the past.

The atmosphere in the room was tense.

Chu Zhiyuan stared at Li Hongzhao, with an impatient expression.

He was usually calm and collected in front of others, but in front of her, he didn't restrain his emotions at all. There was no need to be so polite to enemies.

Li Hongzhao was fearless and smiled: "If I don't personally keep an eye on you, how will I know how many evil sect demons you've killed? You'll definitely deceive me!"

"Then what about me?" Chu Zhiyuan pointed at himself: "If you don't trust me, then keep an eye on me. Why do you still need me? I'm the Left Vice Minister, not an expert of the Town Guard Division!"

"Are you afraid?"

"I don't want to take this risk. There's no need to personally fight the evil sect demons."

"Then what about those experts in the Town Guard Division?" Li Hongzhao said: "Are their lives cheap, so they have to personally risk their lives against the evil sect demons?"

Chu Zhiyuan was silent.

This left him speechless.

He was a Young Master, and he was the Left Vice Minister; his life was indeed more valuable. But he could think that way, but he could never say it out loud.

"Let's compete and see who kills more evil sect demons!" Li Hongzhao said with a triumphant smile: "Do you dare to compete?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "This idea is too absurd. I'm sorry, I won't participate."