Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 1144 - 1140: Delivering the Letter

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Judging by the situation, it seems a real rupture has occurred."

Li Hongzhao frowned and said, "Can it really rupture? Is the Sect Leader unable to control his temper, or is it intentional?"

Even though the Four Great Sects are strong, they are not as formidable as the Dynasty, and a rupture offers no benefits.

This, the Sect Leader must surely understand, so why act so unwisely?

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It should be intentional, though also out of anger."

The Sect Leader’s Hall can no longer block his Super Sense and Insight.

He saw Lu Wanshan sitting quietly behind the desk, his expression calm.

There was not a trace of anger.

He therefore deduced that Lu Wanshan acted intentionally, rather than being unable to control his temper.

In response to the Court’s actions, if the Heavenly Sword Sect does not express itself, it tolerates the recurrence of such incidents.

So, one way or another, they must stir things up.

But the measure must be just right; too much and it will completely offend the Court, too little and the Court will not learn a lesson.

This requires superior skill, which is not something an ordinary person can manage.

It remains uncertain how precisely Lu Wanshan will gauge the timing and what the consequences will be.

Shortly after, Zhou Chongming and Meng Xusheng, along with a group of elders, entered the hall.

Chu Zhiyuan floated down back into the courtyard.

Li Hongzhao followed, shaking his head and said, "If we clash with the Court, won’t our Heavenly Sword Sect suffer?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It depends whether the east wind can overpower the west wind, or the west wind will overpower the east wind."

Li Hongzhao frowned and said, "If we are the east wind, and we cannot overpower the west wind, ... the Court is stronger than our Heavenly Sword Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Seeing Lu Wanshan not looking troubled, he assumed the situation was not that bad.

Li Hongzhao said, "At this moment, should we not ally with the other three sects? Without lips, teeth are cold; they will not stand idly by."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "We must find a way to ally, but such an alliance would also make the Court even more apprehensive."

Li Hongzhao said, "That would mean it is difficult for the Four Sects and the Court to get along well."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The Sect Leaders must have strategies."

The Four Great Sects and the Sky Dragon Dynasty have both enjoyed a long tradition, a legacy of tens of thousands of years.

Their relations have been a mix of good and bad, ups and downs, yet they have always managed to coexist peacefully.

There is a mode and wisdom in their interactions.

As a Sect Leader, it’s impossible not to have experience and wisdom in this area.

Sect Leaders of successive generations must have been taught these skills.

Inside the Sect Leader’s Hall, Lu Wanshan waved his hand and invited everyone to be seated and speak.

He also called for disciples standing outside the hall to serve tea, indicating he wanted to have a thorough conversation.

Meng Xusheng took a sip of tea and put it down, eager to ask, "Sect Leader, what does the Court say?"

Lu Wanshan snorted, "Naturally, it refuses to admit, claiming I’m overthinking and have misunderstandings with the Court."

"Dare to act but not take responsibility." Meng Xusheng sneered.

Lu Wanshan said, "The Court has always been like this, doing things without allowing them to be mentioned."

Zhou Chongming frowned, lightly stirring the floating tea leaves in his cup.

Lu Wanshan looked at him, "Junior Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Chongming said, "Senior Brother, we must first figure out whether it is indeed a misunderstanding."

"How can it be a misunderstanding!" Meng Xusheng sneered, "Brother Zhou, you underestimate the Court!"

Zhou Chongming said, "If it’s not a misunderstanding, we need to figure out whether it’s the Court’s intention or someone else stirring up trouble."

"Yes, I’ve already sent someone to investigate," Lu Wanshan said, "News will be delivered soon."

The Four Great Sects are not merely experts in Martial Arts, nor only composed of mountain disciples; they also have connections within the Court.

This is the time for them to play their role.

An elder spoke slowly, "Sect Leader, if it is indeed the Court, then why?"

Lu Wanshan frowned, "I have been pondering why the Court suddenly wishes to weaken us?"

Another elder said solemnly, "Could there be changes within the Court?"

"What kind of changes?" Meng Xusheng said, "The Emperor is in his prime, and there’s no ongoing war with the other Three Dynasties."

All the others nodded.

The current Emperor is at his peak, his cultivation deep, and governance wise, the Dynasty is in a prosperous era.

In such circumstances, weakening the Heavenly Sword Sect or even the Four Great Sects is indeed unnecessary.

Lu Wanshan rose, paced below the steps with hands behind his back, his face solemn.

Everyone watched him, discussing among themselves.

Their general idea was to first find out what changes, if any, were occurring in the Court.

If there’s no change, there would be no reason to weaken the Heavenly Sword Sect for no cause.

Based on the experiences of past generations, whenever the Court felt a decline, it would weaken the Four Great Sects to prevent them from growing too powerful.

"Sect Leader," Zhou Chongming said slowly, "How about asking Guanghan Palace to investigate?"

Lu Wanshan turned his head towards him.

Zhou Chongming said, "Guanghan Palace is more informed about court affairs than us."

Everyone nodded.

Guanghan Palace is especially closely connected to the Imperial Palace and the Harem.

The Spring Residence Pill from Guanghan Palace is eagerly desired by the Harem.

Guanghan Palace holds extraordinary influence in the court, Prince Mansion, Marquis Mansion, and other noble backcourts.

Lu Wanshan frowned and pondered.

"Guanghan Palace probably won’t help," said Meng Xusheng.

The status of Guanghan Palace is transcendent; compared to the other Three Sects, Guanghan Palace is more closely linked to the Imperial Palace.

Located in a subtle position, Guanghan Palace usually does not favor the Court or the other Three Sects, instead watching coldly from the sidelines, remaining aloof.

Zhou Chongming hesitated and slowly said, "If we just inquire about some information, maybe they might help?"

"Unlikely," Meng Xusheng shook his head.

The other elderly people also shook their heads.

An elder sighed, "When it comes to information about the Court, Guanghan Palace will never disclose anything to us."

"Yes, that’s always been their way."

"But maybe not this time? We weren’t this close before."

"Brother Zeng, how did we get close to Guanghan Palace?"

"This time, dealing with the Myriad Blood Sect, even Qinglian Sea was a victim. We shared hardships and joys, so how are we not close?"

"It’s useless."

"Hey, isn’t there Nephew Chu?"

"It’s not useful; Guanghan Palace won’t change their principles for one disciple."

"Sect Leader, why not let Zhiyuan go and inquire a bit? It doesn’t hurt if it doesn’t work out."

Lu Wanshan glanced at the elder who made the suggestion, pondering silently.

Meng Xusheng chuckled, "Xiao Chu’s relationship with Guanghan Palace is indeed different, closer than ours."

Zhou Chongming lightly coughed and said, "This might be putting Xiao Chu in too much of a difficult position... Why not just send an ordinary disciple to inquire?"

He believed Chu Zhiyuan going to Guanghan Palace to inquire about information might not be fruitless.

But it could seem like exploiting Chu Zhiyuan and damage Chu Zhiyuan’s relationship with Guanghan Palace.

Using goodwill on such a small matter seems like losing the big for the small.

Meng Xusheng waved his hand, "If an ordinary disciple goes, Guanghan Palace definitely won’t help. It still has to be Xiao Chu."

"Senior Brother Meng!" Zhou Chongming frowned.

"Junior Brother Zhou, this information is not trivial, it is of great importance," Meng Xusheng said.

Zhou Chongming shook his head, "This will make Xiao Chu uncomfortable."

"Xiao Chu is sensible," Meng Xusheng said, "This matter concerns the fate of our Sect, Xiao Chu will surely want to help."

He turned his head to look at Lu Wanshan.

Lu Wanshan shook his head, "Forget it, there’s no need to insist on getting help from Guanghan Palace. Our own information is sufficient."

"...Alright."

Meng Xusheng and Zhou Chongming, seeing his stance, had no choice but to agree.

Chu Zhiyuan, hearing this, shook his head.

"What’s the matter?" Li Hongzhao asked.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "I just got back, and I might have to go out again."

"Where to?"

"Guanghan Palace."

Li Hongzhao immediately pursed her lips and chuckled lightly.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at her askew.

Li Hongzhao laughed, "The beauty-filled Guanghan Palace, you must like going there, right?"

"If there’s nothing else, going to Guanghan Palace would be great, but unfortunately..."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

The women of Guanghan Palace treated him intimately, not as an outsider.

Going to Guanghan Palace is naturally an enjoyable matter.

The premise is that there isn’t such a troublesome task, otherwise, it would be better not to go.

Although Lu Wanshan suppressed it, as a member of the Heavenly Sword Sect with ambition and aspiration, he certainly couldn’t let this opportunity slip.

"What matter takes you to Guanghan Palace?"

"To inquire about the Court’s information. Guanghan Palace is closer to the Imperial Family, so they might have more informed news, though they might not be willing to tell."

He then explained the subtle relationship between Guanghan Palace and the Imperial Family, and the other Three Sects of the Four Great Sects.

...

After listening, Li Hongzhao’s eyes gleamed as she chuckled, "If you ask, maybe they will?"

"Hard to say, can only try," Chu Zhiyuan replied.

Between his connections with Guanghan Palace and the fate of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he could only choose the latter.

Besides, he didn’t think that going to ask Guanghan Palace would damage his relationship with them.

He did not take the initiative to volunteer, pretending to know nothing and focused on his cultivation.

Three days later, he was summoned by Lu Wanshan to the Sect Leader’s Hall.

Chu Zhiyuan guessed it was to send him to Guanghan Palace.

Instead, Lu Wanshan wanted him to go to the Imperial City to deliver a letter to Prince Zhuang Mansion, to be handed personally to Prince Zhuang.

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly accepted the letter, surprised.

Lu Wanshan had no intention of sending him to Guanghan Palace.

Yet he pretended to know nothing, took the letter and prepared to leave.

Lu Wanshan said, "Zhiyuan, your sensitivity and intelligence far exceed that of others. After reaching the Imperial City, observe closely what’s happening."

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist in salute, "Yes."

He returned to his small courtyard and, after bidding farewell to Li Hongzhao, left Heavenly Sword Peak alone.