Imperial Cultivation

This post station in Dameng is exceptionally clean and imposing because of its proximity to the capital.

The officials at the post station acted with composure, neither obsequious nor arrogant, showing no difference in their demeanor due to their identities.

They were given six courtyards in total, providing ample space, and hot water was quickly brought, followed by wine and meat.

Chu Zhiyuan and the three women dined together in their own separate courtyard.

The three women had already changed out of their travel outfits and into silk dresses.

Two in white and one in green, each with their own beautiful style, adding a touch of splendor to the courtyard.

The three women, accompanied by fragrant breezes, sat down in the small pavilion in the courtyard, but immediately paused.

They looked at the large plate placed in the center of the stone table, with over a dozen pieces of meat, and then at the dipping sauce next to the meat, their expressions speechless.

Chu Zhiyuan stabbed a large piece of meat with his chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, took a big bite, and chewed slowly.

After chewing a few times, he smiled and said, "I must say, the meat is fragrant and has a unique flavor."

"Isn't this too rough?" Shen Hanyue said dissatisfiedly, "Couldn't they have cut it up before bringing it out?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Normally, the pieces of meat aren't this big. This is Dameng's custom for welcoming guests; large pieces of meat represent enthusiasm."

"I really can't stand this kind of enthusiasm," Shen Hanyue pouted her red lips and looked at Xu Yingying.

Xu Yingying examined the large plate of meat, her gaze lingering on each piece.

Shen Hanyue's big eyes suddenly flashed, and she quickly looked at the pieces of meat.

The two women's chopsticks simultaneously stabbed the smallest piece of meat.

"Hey, you're trying to snatch it from me!" Shen Hanyue grunted, pressing her chopsticks on the piece of meat.

Xu Yingying said unhappily, "I saw it first."

Each light blade was about the length of a palm, thin, slender, and long.

Dozens of light blades gracefully sliced through the pieces of meat, turning them into slices.

Each slice was as thin as a cicada's wing.

Finally, the dozens of light blades merged into one, condensing into an even more solid light blade, silently slicing through the center of the four chopsticks.

The pieces of meat were divided in two, equal in size.

The two women each grabbed half a piece of meat.

"Is that alright now?" Xiao Ruoling smiled, pursing her lips.

"Hmph!" The two women uttered a delicate sound in unison, picked up their half of the meat, dipped it in the sauce, took a bite, and chewed slowly.

Xiao Ruoling then picked up a slice of meat, dipped it in the sauce, and chewed it gently, revealing a smile: "It really does have a unique flavor."

They were already accustomed to his miraculous swordsmanship.

"Unfortunately, it's just a little short," Xiao Ruoling said softly.

Xu Yingying was eager to try: "Otherwise, shall we stay here for a few days? Wait until we break through before entering the city?"

Shen Hanyue said, "I think it's better to enter the city."

Xu Yingying frowned slightly.

Shen Hanyue said, "If we break through after entering the city, all of Dameng will know."

"Hmm," Xu Yingying tilted her head and thought, "That's not a bad idea either."

This would be a way to create momentum.

They all knew that in this negotiation, Dajing was at a disadvantage.

Dameng and Dazhen had already colluded, and Dajing was facing both sides alone, making it difficult to gain an advantage.

At this time, the three of them simultaneously advancing to the Grandmaster realm would be a shock to Dameng, preventing them from going too far.

In any case, negotiations between courts are based on strength.

Xiao Ruoling smiled and said, "Then let's enter the city and break through, so that the proud Dameng people can see it too."

The common people of Dameng have always looked down on Dajing and Dazhen, feeling that the two dynasties are weak and不堪.

As long as Dameng itself does not fall into trouble, the two dynasties have never been a match.

Dameng is like a strong man, while Dajing and Dazhen are like two weaklings.

If the strong man doesn't get sick, the two weaklings are no match at all. These two weaklings are despicable and猥琐, often taking advantage when the strong man is sick.

"Knock knock."

A knock came from outside.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced vigilantly at Zou Fang.

Zou Fang stood in the shadows, floated forward, opened the courtyard door, and welcomed in a figure.

The man had a long, horse-like face and a smiling expression. He first cupped his fist at Zou Fang, then hurried to the small pavilion, his flattering smile even more pronounced: "Your Highness."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Lord Ma, is there any latest news?"

"Yes, the latest news has arrived," Ma Tianhe took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Zou Fang took it, glanced at it, opened the envelope, took out the letter, shook it gently, and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan opened the letter, quickly scanned it, and seemed thoughtful.

The three women cast their gazes over, without making a sound.

After a moment, Chu Zhiyuan regained his senses: "Lord Ma, tell them to be careful and more secretive."

"Yes," Ma Tianhe said solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

Ma Tianhe bowed respectfully, lowered his eyes, and exited the small pavilion, turning to leave the courtyard.

From the time he came in until he left, his gaze never glanced at the three women, as if he didn't see anyone else beside him.

Chu Zhiyuan gently shook the letter, turning it into powder: "Our Dameng Emperor is not having a good time."

"Why isn't he having a good time?" Shen Hanyue asked curiously.

Xu Yingying and Xiao Ruoling also looked at him curiously.

Just as he was about to speak, two clear cries rang out in the sky.

Immediately, two rays of light descended from the sky, almost simultaneously shooting towards Xu Yingying and Shen Hanyue.

One white light and one green light.

The white light shot towards Shen Hanyue, and the green light shot towards Xu Yingying.

The light stopped on their shoulders, revealing their forms, which were two small birds, one white and one green.

The small birds were only the size of swallows, slender and light, with bright and lively eyes.

They each touched the bird on their shoulder, untied the small bamboo tube tied to the bird's leg, and opened it to take a look.

Shen Hanyue handed it to Xiao Ruoling, who handed it to Chu Zhiyuan after reading it.

Xu Yingying also handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

After Chu Zhiyuan read it, he smiled and said:

"Your news is almost identical, and the same as mine.

The ability of Yaoyue Palace and Jiuli Divine Sect to transmit information is not inferior to the imperial court, and its heritage is evident."

"Isn't this a big deal?" Shen Hanyue said, "A member of the imperial clan being demoted to a commoner isn't a big crime, is it?"

Xu Yingying nodded gently: "This member of the imperial clan has been in decline for several generations, so he shouldn't be able to stir up any trouble, right?"

"This Lord Hao is an iron-cap prince whose title is hereditary and irreplaceable," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "This is no small matter, and it will inevitably cause turmoil in the imperial clan."

"Hereditary and irreplaceable—" The three women shook their heads helplessly.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Lord Hao's lineage once produced an emperor, and his bloodline is extraordinary, which is very important in Dameng."

Dameng places great emphasis on bloodlines. Golden bloodlines, phoenix bloodlines, and gray wolf bloodlines are all top-tier bloodline inheritances.

Bloodlines that have produced emperors are all called golden bloodlines.

The ancestors of this Lord Hao once produced an emperor, but now he has been stripped of his title and demoted to a commoner.

It must be said that Li Hongzhao's courage is strong enough.

This has broken the rules of hereditary irreplacability, which is equivalent to overturning the ancestral precepts.

Not only will the imperial clan be unable to accept it, but even the court officials will be unable to accept it.

He could foresee that a great storm was about to roll up.