[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-554":6},{"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},1055363,1365,"Chapter 554 - 551: Another Stab","imperial-cultivation-chapter-554",554,"\u003Cp>He didn’t expect Da Meng to have this move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fully bring Da Lie onto their side, they were determined to use Da Lie to restrain Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Da Lie is a tiny place, yet it is troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Da Lie focuses on causing chaos, it can force Da Jing to clean up the Eastern Territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decay in Da Jing’s Eastern Territory is extraordinary; once cleaned up, it will bring up too many problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, the whole of Da Jing will be in turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s move is extremely cunning, and Da Lie’s ambition is large enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They truly dare to completely lean toward Da Meng, serving as Da Meng’s vanguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They believe that Da Jing is helpless against them, and the strength of the Eastern Territory is lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have seen through the strength and weaknesses of the Eastern Territory, having no reservations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The obstacle in cleansing the Eastern Territory lies within the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court is deeply intertwined with various forces, interwoven together, making even the Emperor powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, this is more difficult than the extinction of the Evil Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To extinguish the Evil Sect, if one’s cultivation is sufficient, coupled with one’s Super Sense, one can single-handedly enforce it and kill all the evil people of the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to cleanse the Eastern Territory, it cannot be done single-handedly; it requires officials to implement it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the officials have reluctance in their hearts, it won’t even show in their actions; they will appear to be working diligently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, things just don’t go smoothly, with unexpected incidents and slow, difficult progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Using Da Lie to restrain Da Jing is indeed a brilliant move with minimal cost and great gain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor truly deserves this honor, with wisdom beyond compare!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then we were too straightforward, relying solely on force; intelligence and strategy are indeed useful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor is wise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, I heard that Da Jing’s delegation also arrived, led by a Princely Heir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Fourth Prince, right? Reportedly a formidable figure as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can he be more formidable than the Emperor? The youngest Great Grandmaster in the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s impossible for him to be stronger than the Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Shi, what’s with that expression of yours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard that this Fourth Prince also became a Great Grandmaster at a young age, likely the next Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, this Princely Heir wants to match the Emperor? Overestimating himself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Fourth Prince is indeed quite formidable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As formidable as he is, he can’t surpass the Emperor; the Emperor is the greatest prodigy of all time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if he ranks below the Emperor, it’s still an honor for him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Shi, your expression is off, as if this Fourth Prince is stronger than the Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, I didn’t mean that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly what you meant!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table instantly burst into a quarrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan with a half-smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head, \"It seems my reputation counts for little in Da Meng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, the information between the two sides is isolated,\" Xiao Ruoling laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Her reputation is surprisingly good, strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He originally thought that Li Hongzhao’s reputation among the populace should be poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Meng is male-dominated, with low status for women, far below that of Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a country, a woman becoming Emperor is almost destined to be opposed by everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for the Emperor’s Sword recognizing her as its master, she would have been overthrown the moment she ascended the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unexpectedly, listening to these people’s discussions, they hold Li Hongzhao in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already searching for reasons in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, the concept of power supremacy is deeply rooted in Da Meng, and Li Hongzhao is the youngest Grandmaster in Da Meng’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly, Li Hongzhao possesses the Phoenix Bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Phoenix Bloodline is of immeasurable nobility, and this idea is deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, after her ascension, Li Hongzhao has used powerful methods to suppress the imperial family and the military, showing people a strong and powerful Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling softly said, \"The people believe in the Emperor’s Sword, which recognized her as master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, \"But there are still many who are unconvinced; her troubles won’t be few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military leaders certainly won’t accept Li Hongzhao, a woman, as Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao shows no signs of concession either, intending to use even tougher means to force the military leaders into submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, the imperial family certainly won’t accept it, either, and they’re within Li Hongzhao’s sphere of suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, Li Hongzhao is overwhelmed and has no energy to go to war with Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling and Chu Zhiyuan listened in on the discussions around them while eating their meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste of the food was different from Da Jing, richer in flavor, and the wine stronger; both enjoyed the meal immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While eating meat and drinking wine, Chu Zhiyuan glanced outside the window: \"Tianjing’s defenses are still far off compared to Yujing’s.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As evening lights lit up, rows of lanterns illuminated the streets, creating a bustling and vibrant scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling lightly nodded, \"They don’t have a Military Suppression Department, only City Guards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sat by the table, observing the street pedestrians through the window as well as the number of City Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to a Military Suppression Department guard at every few steps or a City Guard, Da Meng’s City Guards were fewer by multiples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the public order in Tianjing City was not poor; carrying knives and swords, few engaged in violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He judged that Da Meng’s laws were strict, with an immense deterrent effect on martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The various sects in Da Meng all cooperated with the court, allowed entry into the military and participation in the court’s Martial Arts Examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court’s control of the martial sects was even stronger, far surpassing that of Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the crowd, twenty Evil Sect experts lurked, subtly surrounding the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just one day, another twenty Evil Sect experts had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grandmasters of Tianjing City were practically irrelevant, with Evil Sect experts roaming as if no one were there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were looking for an opportunity to assassinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These fellows,\" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, \"Persistent as thieves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many Evil Sect people are there?\" Xiao Ruoling slightly furrowed her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latest secret techniques of these Evil Sect people were indeed effective, deceiving her intuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having the Taiyin Great Refining Form made her intuition as sharp as a Grandmaster’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, they couldn’t hide from her intuition, but now they had succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Twenty now, with two more added, constantly increasing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they all from before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The previous batch was already wiped out; these are new, unaware and fearless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t Yujing; if we were to start a massacre...\" Xiao Ruoling lightly furrowed her brows, \"The Great Grandmasters of Da Meng wouldn’t be pleased.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not me who wants to kill them; it’s them who want to kill me. Should I just sit quietly?\" Chu Zhiyuan laughed, \"You can’t blame me for that, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would they try to drive us out?\" Xiao Ruoling said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling said softly, \"She is capable of doing that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s actions have always been unconstrained and unbridled, and now with the Emperor’s Sword, she’s unafraid of the Princely Heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan huffed, \"Unless she doesn’t want to negotiate with Da Jing anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then said, \"They couldn’t hold back any longer, they’re making a move!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling immediately became serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan turned his head, \"Zou Fang, tell Guo Chi and the others to be careful; Evil Sect people are here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang seriously responded and turned to the next table, whispering a few words to Guo Chi and the four others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi and the others nodded, having already prepared themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three young men entered the tavern talking and laughing, walking towards Chu Zhiyuan’s table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to want to sit at a table not far from Chu Zhiyuan, but as they passed by Chu Zhiyuan, they suddenly drew their swords and attacked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi and his group of four, already prepared, quickly drew their swords and stabbed towards the three from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three completely ignored the swords from Guo Chi’s group, continuing to stab at Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sss, sss, sss, sss!\" Four swords pierced the backs of the three, the tips protruding from the front of their chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their swords also approached Chu Zhiyuan, yet stopped two inches short, unable to touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling retreated a foot, narrowly avoiding the three swords.\u003C\u002Fp>",1458,"2026-06-03T09:58:17.452Z","2026-06-03T09:58:23.466Z",1,"novelbin.me","dfc4dc392c6a17fdb271a7ed6ea20366fd37e7de4ed60e9ebba9768f328d2031","imperial-cultivation-chapter-555","imperial-cultivation-chapter-553",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]