Huangxiu

Chapter 1160 Asking
As for whether the Giant Spirit Sect and the Myriad Manifestations Sect would fight, he wasn't that concerned.

When the two factions clash, more information will inevitably emerge.

Obtaining this information was the fundamental task of Zhu Lingyun's clone.

Instigating war between the two factions was just a side effect; it would be best if it succeeded, but it wouldn't matter if it didn't.

Unexpectedly, it went so smoothly; with just a gentle nudge, it succeeded.

He was sitting on his bed, observing the situation of the Giant Spirit Sect through Zhu Lingyun, when there was a knock on the door.

He stepped forward and opened the door, where Gu Junqi, the master of Tianjian Courtyard, was standing with a smile on his face.

"Uncle-Master." He stepped aside to invite him.

Gu Junqi waved his hand: "I'm not going in. It's Prince Zhuang who invited me."

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised.

He originally thought he wouldn't have any contact with Prince Zhuang anytime soon.

Prince Zhuang is one of the eight princes, and his status is too high for me to reach.

If not as a messenger, only the head of the Heavenly Sword Sect would be qualified to communicate with Prince Zhuang.

Gu Junqi turned and walked out, saying, "The people from the Prince's Mansion are already waiting. Let's go."

"Should we change our clothes?" Chu Zhiyuan looked down at his clothes.

"This is enough for you." Gu Junqi continued walking out.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped insisting and followed, asking, "What is it?"

"He didn't say," Gu Junqi said. "No matter what happens, just remember four words."

He suddenly stopped and said slowly, "Be careful what you say and do!"

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly.

Gu Junqi continued to walk forward, having already crossed a moon gate: "But there's no need to be too reserved. After all, we have an excellent relationship with Prince Zhuang, so even if we say something wrong, it won't matter."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and said, "Uncle-Master, now that you've said that, I really don't know how to respond."

Gu Junqi chuckled and said, "Alright, then you don't need to heed my words. Just do as you please."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "I will try to speak as little as possible, and I will not say anything if I can avoid it."

“Exactly!” Gu Junqi wholeheartedly agreed.

Prince Zhuang is a man of meticulous and profound mind, and extremely perceptive.

The best thing to do in his presence is to be taciturn; it's best not to say anything at all, and if you absolutely have to say something, try to say as little as possible.

He can see right through you with just a few words, even if you speak carelessly and without thinking.

Seeing through something is only the first step; the second step is control, invisible manipulation, and even influencing its attitude and stance.

This is the most difficult to guard against.

The two came to the front hall.

An elderly man in a green robe was already standing at the bottom of the steps in the front hall. He was tall and slender, with a fair complexion and no beard, and his temperament was as gentle and refined as jade.

He stood with his hands behind his back. When he saw Chu Zhiyuan and Gu Junqi appear, he quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Is this Mr. Chu?"

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in greeting: "It is indeed I, Chu. Thank you for waiting for me, sir."

He could tell at a glance that this was an official.

His cultivation had already reached the Ninth-Rank Venerable level, which was quite astonishing.

This is the foundation of the eight princely mansions.

"This is Eunuch Ma," Gu Junqi said with a smile. "You should go with Eunuch Ma."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Yes, Eunuch Ma, please."

"Mr. Chu, please." Ma Quande extended his hand respectfully.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head inwardly.

This Ninth-Turn Venerable is far too modest, considering he is one of the world's top experts.

It lacked any of the imposing presence of a Nine-Turn Venerable.

However, while he could be humble and suppress Ao Gong, he also had to be sensible.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive such respect from the Nine-Turn Venerable.

The two left the villa and entered the bustling street. They used their movement techniques to weave through the pedestrians like fish and soon arrived outside the Prince Zhuang's mansion.

This time, he did not change his appearance and entered the palace openly and honestly.

Chu Zhiyuan noticed that outside the Prince's mansion, several pairs of eyes were still peering out from the shadows and dark places, scrutinizing him.

These gazes were different from the previous ones; they belonged to the guards of Prince Zhuang's residence.

Clearly, in just a few days, the Prince Zhuang's mansion had resolved its internal problems.

He could only sigh that he truly deserved to be one of the Eight Kings.

Upon entering the Prince's residence, Ma Quande led them directly into the front hall without the need for announcements.

Inside the front hall, besides Prince Zhuang standing with his hands behind his back, four men sat in chairs beside him.

An old man, a middle-aged man, and two young men.

They sat upright, looking at Prince Zhuang with utmost respect.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

He had no right to be arrogant at the moment; before Prince Zhuang, he could only bow respectfully. Song Shoufang waved his hand: "Mr. Chu, sit down and let's talk."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan sat down at the lowest seat.

Song Shoufang introduced him to the person.

Among the four people in the hall, one was Zhou Jin, the secretary of the Prince's Mansion, who was the old man.

One is General Zhao Wuyou, the commander of the city guards, who leads the entire imperial city's city guards.

The remaining two youths were Huang Zhengyang, the deputy director of the Exorcising Evil Division, and Qi Chunyu, the deputy director of the Exorcising Demon Division.

They seemed unremarkable, pale in comparison to Song Shoufang.

Chu Zhiyuan knew that outside, the four of them were all powerful figures who could shake the ground with a stomp of their feet.

Song Shoufang said, "I invited you here today to find out what the current situation is. You are all on the front lines and know these evil demons and monsters best."

He glanced at the other four and said in a deep voice, "You are all well-informed and know who has been most effective in exterminating evil outside the capital recently."

They all looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

They were indeed well-informed and had certainly heard of Chu Zhiyuan's great name.

The fact that the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect are outstanding is enough to attract attention.

Under normal circumstances, the city guards can't kill a single demon in a month.

The masters from those martial arts sects had already withdrawn, no longer offering assistance or heeding the imperial court's bounty.

At this time, Chu Zhiyuan went against the tide and arrived at the imperial city. Upon discovering the chaos, he did not hesitate to help the city guards.

The city guard's high command was pleased with this.

After all, he truly saved the lives of the city guards and relieved their pressure.

General Zhao Wuyou solemnly clasped his hands in greeting: "I have always wanted to meet Mr. Chu, and now we have finally met."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and clasped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, General Zhao."

"We are so grateful for Mr. Chu's help these past few days," Zhao Wuyou said. "We all underestimated the madness of these demons!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Song Shoufang said, "Xiao Chu, why don't you tell us first and figure out what these demons are up to?"

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated and looked at the other four.

Zhao Wuyou smiled and said, "Mr. Chu, please speak frankly."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Your Highness, esteemed seniors, in my opinion, these demons have discovered a rare opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime or even once-in-ten-thousand-years chance, and they want to take advantage of it to the fullest extent!"

"What is the maximum extent?" Song Shoufang asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Break into the imperial city, break into Wanbaolou, and loot the entire imperial city."

"Heh, ridiculous!" Song Shoufang let out a cold laugh.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Through my observation, they have begun to take joint action on a large scale... The lack of a strong enough leader has led to a lack of coordination and unity among them, which is why they have not yet posed a great threat."

Song Shoufang frowned: "They've started acting together?"

His gaze fell on the remaining four people.

Zhao Wuyou sighed, shook his head, and remained silent.

Upon seeing his appearance, Song Shoufang knew that Chu Zhiyuan was right.

He found it utterly absurd; these demons, though evil and despicable, were incredibly destructive.

But to the imperial court, they had always been the weak ones who were to be executed and wiped out.

But now, these evil spirits actually dare to break into the imperial city?
His gaze then fell upon the two deputy directors of the Exorcising Evil Division and the Exorcising Demon Division.

They remained silent and nodded gently.

Song Shoufang frowned: "It's already deteriorated to this extent?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "To be frank, this is also due to the court's indulgence."

He knew he should be careful with his words, but he was so indignant that he couldn't help but say those words.

The current disastrous consequences are all due to the incompetence of the imperial court, which has neglected and ignored the situation, allowing the evil forces to become increasingly bold and their ambitions to grow ever larger.

Song Shoufang remained silent with a sullen face.

The other four glanced at Chu Zhiyuan, praising his boldness in saying such a thing.

Chu Zhiyuan knew that he could only say this much at most, and it was not advisable to continue.

Song Shoufang looked at the two young men: "What does the Exorcism Division think we should do?"

Huang Zhengyang, the deputy director of the Exorcism Division, said in a deep voice: "I will mobilize the Exorcism Division's subordinates within a thousand miles to work together from within and without to wipe out the evil spirits within a hundred miles of the imperial city!"

Song Shoufang asked, "How many experts from the Exorcising Evil Division could there be?"

Huang Zhengyang said, "At least three hundred Venerable-level experts!"

"Hmm, what about the Demon Extermination Division?" Song Shoufang looked at Qi Chunyu, the deputy director of the Demon Extermination Division.

Qi Chunyu slowly said, "I will also order the experts from the Demon Extermination Division within a thousand miles to return and exterminate the evil spirits!"

"Hmm, very good." Song Shoufang nodded in satisfaction and looked at Zhao Wuyou: "What are the city guards' plans?"

Zhao Wuyou said, "Your Highness, the city guards should still focus on defense."

“Yes,” Song Shoufang agreed.

(End of this chapter)