[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-344":6,"glossary-terms-1365":24},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Imperial Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1054403,1365,"Chapter 344: 341 Everyone Heard","imperial-cultivation-chapter-344",344,"\u003Cp>Chapter 344: Chapter 341 Everyone Heard\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four Great Grandmasters watched helplessly as he collected eight strands of hand beads, exchanging glances full of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had initially intended to reclaim the God Punishment Bureau, but with Chu Zhiyuan’s actions, there was nothing they could do to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Chu Zhiyuan’s flying knife assistance, they weren’t even sure they could keep these eight Netherworld Secret Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “With these auras as a lure, they will definitely come to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes,” Shi Jingchuan sighed, “Princely Heir, this is too dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “With all you gentlemen protecting me, what danger could there be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jingchuan smiled bitterly, “Princely Heir, we…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are bound to come, gentlemen, are you just going to let them go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not,” Mo Qi replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the four exchanged helpless glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of them was very busy, with a heap of matters at hand. It was only upon hearing of the appearance of the Netherworld Secret Guards that they gathered to take action — they simply had no time to guard a single person continually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “If you four gentlemen are too busy, it would be the same to replace you with others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Let’s just inform the Prince,” Shi Jingchuan laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next time the Netherworld Secret Guards show up, there will certainly be more, and one or two Great Grandmasters won’t be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a Divine Envoy is deployed, even one or two Grandmasters wouldn’t suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It indeed requires the protection of all four Great Grandmasters together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands and smiled, “Then I’ll trouble the four gentlemen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for courtesy, Princely Heir,” Shi Jingchuan looked rather helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan returned to the mansion, freshened up, and headed to the main hall to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou and Chu Yi were already seated at the table, conversing with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded, and the felt curtain was lifted. Bai Ningshuang entered with a burst of fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was travel-worn, and as soon as she entered, she glared angrily at Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou laughed, “Madam, how has Yuan’er offended you this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, has elder brother caused trouble?” Chu Yi asked with a cheerful smile, excited by the prospect of some drama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trouble? Humph, he’s made impressive achievements!” Bai Ningshuang sneered repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yi hurriedly asked, “What great achievements has elder brother accomplished this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang glanced sideways at Chu Zhiyuan, “What were you doing at the Phoenix Camp?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Mother, what news have you heard? Some of the news isn’t entirely accurate, don’t listen to rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actions at the Phoenix Camp were confidential, known only to himself and Bai Ningyu; no one else was informed beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Emperor definitely knew about it, as did Chu Qingfeng and Chu Qingyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningyu hadn’t returned and wouldn’t leak anything to Bai Ningshuang, and others were even less likely to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it from the Empress!” Bai Ningshuang said tartly: “You kept it from me, even after returning, not saying a word, really tight-lipped!… You guys went to war, and you said it was a drill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drilling naturally includes some real combat practice; you can’t just practice behind closed doors,” Chu Zhiyuan replied, “What did the Empress learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s known all over the palace,” Bai Ningshuang said, sitting down with a snort, “They all say you strategize like a god and wiped out the four major camps of the Da Lie Dynasty with a single stroke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “Strategize like a god? That’s too much of a compliment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Da Jing Dynasty always held the Da Lie Dynasty in contempt, as if they were vulnerable and easy to defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news of the Phoenix Camp annihilating the four major camps of Nanyun Island shouldn’t cause a significant stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Da Jing would feel it was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those who truly understood military affairs and the real situation would realize how difficult it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder brother, what exactly happened? The Phoenix Camp even won a battle?” Chu Yi eagerly tugged at his arm, urging him to spill the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Just a sneak attack on a Da Lie military camp, nothing much to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang glared at him, “It’s not just one camp, it’s four, your courage is way too big, what if you got trapped?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t that dangerous,” Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, “Mother should know my way of doing things is very steady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…In any case, try not to do such things in the future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou laughed, “Alright, Yuan’er has his plans, let’s eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang rolled her eyes at him and snorted, saying no more, knowing it would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard about it from Imperial Concubine Rou and was quite confused by it; though pleasantly surprised by Imperial Concubine Rou’s praise, she felt more anxious and worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter was too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something went wrong, it would all be over in Da Lie, and on a battlefield, what does it matter if he is a Princely Heir?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the result was good, but what about next time, can victory be guaranteed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that military affairs were extremely precarious; before a battle, no one could guarantee victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are too many unforeseen factors, too many elements that determine victory or defeat, a slight mistake leads to a completely different outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She originally thought the Phoenix Camp, being part of the Imperial Army, wouldn’t go to a battlefield, but she was too naive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it’s a military camp, war could happen, extremely dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Phoenix Camp achieved such great merit, boosting his prestige, plus he’s the Princely Heir, who could take his peach and replace him as the commander of the Phoenix Camp?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Phoenix Camp now bears his imprint, making it hard for him to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commanding a unit of the Imperial Army signifies high authority, but she didn’t feel excited at all, only worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, rest assured, I won’t do anything reckless, I’ll be heading to Yao Yue Palace tomorrow to rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, go see Ruoling,” Bai Ningshuang urged, “Stay a while longer, don’t rush back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wished Chu Zhiyuan would stay there longer, even better if he could stay at Yao Yue Palace permanently, so he wouldn’t have to risk the Phoenix Camp’s expeditions again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, agreeing to her request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Yi eagerly tugged on Chu Zhiyuan, asking him to recount the attack on the Da Lie military camp in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang found her noisy and glared at her twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a well-honed sense of the occasion, she immediately quieted, eating obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, she hurried to the Listening Pavilion to continue probing into the event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to refuse, Chu Zhiyuan recounted what happened, leaving Chu Yi amazed and full of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before heading to Yao Yue Palace, Chu Zhiyuan first visited the villa where Xu Yingying stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Xu Yingying wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhou Sisi was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was greatly disappointed, asking Zhou Sisi where Xu Yingying had gone and when she’d return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his obvious disappointment, Zhou Sisi smiled sweetly, assuring him she’d be back soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan asked, “What has she gone to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Sister returned to the Sect,” Zhou Sisi smiled, “There are matters at the Sect, calling her back, but she should return soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well, never mind then,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, feeling helpless inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he was going to Yao Yue Palace, he naturally needed to visit the Secret Land, and this time he intended to stay longer there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This required relying on Xu Yingying’s luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xu Yingying wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and then said, “When Yingying returns, send me a message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Zhou Sisi replied with a playful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her peculiar smile, Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, too lazy to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sisi was young, prone to consider everything from a romantic perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little did she know that matters of the heart are just an insignificant part of life’s great drama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, at the break of dawn, Chu Zhiyuan received a message from Xu Yingying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After breakfast, he made a brief appearance at the Ministry of Rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing a stack of files on his desk, he gave some instructions to Gao Lingfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was preparing to leave for a while; Gao Lingfeng should handle small matters, while major issues should be reported directly to the Assistant Minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then went to the countryside estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering the estate, he found Xu Yingying practicing sword training in the central Martial Arts Training Ground of the front courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in a purple combat uniform, her skin was white as snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword light was as light and agile as her mental method, unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his arrival, Xu Yingying sheathed her sword and stood poised, with a sweet blush that was captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yingying curiously approached to scrutinize Chu Zhiyuan, “Did you lead the Phoenix Camp to wipe out the four camps on Da Lie’s Nanyun Island?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This news truly spread fast; it seemed like everyone knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was indeed a bit strange, as if someone was deliberately spreading it, fearing others wouldn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yingying clicked her tongue a few times, looking him up and down, “I really couldn’t tell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Let me show you something good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out the Sealing Spirit Box and handed it to Xu Yingying, “Have you heard of the Netherworld Secret Guard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`\u003C\u002Fp>",1607,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.104Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.814Z",1,"novelbin.me","a3674eedf735a5ea010bf7e7f2452228ccc0ea77094b6a2c4a02a4cb1ab183c0","imperial-cultivation-chapter-345","imperial-cultivation-chapter-343",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg",{"terms":25,"userReplacements":26},[],{}]