[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-68":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},1054577,1365,"Chapter 68 - 68 66 Thoughts Arise","imperial-cultivation-chapter-68",68,"\u003Cp>68: Chapter 66: Thoughts Arise 68: Chapter 66: Thoughts Arise When Chu Zhiyuan returned to Prince Qing Mansion from the Ministry of Rites, it was already dusk, with the night lights just coming on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked slowly down the street, surrounded by guards, using his Super Sense to observe his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The experts in the city were becoming more concentrated and numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Military Suppression Department surprisingly did not restrict the entry of Martial Arts experts, allowing them to come in for the excitement; quite the bold move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is an unwillingness to show weakness or soften their stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The City Guards and the experts from the Military Suppression Department were also more concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He speculated that the Military Suppression Department had already mobilized experts from various places to the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first is to restrict the entry of Martial Arts experts into Yujing, reducing their numbers; the second is to increase the number of experts in the Military Suppression Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by doing both simultaneously can it be most secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now it seems the Military Suppression Department has only taken the second approach, showing immense confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan saw clearly that this was a situation of victory for those in power and defeat for the vanquished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something goes wrong, it’s arrogance; if nothing goes wrong, it’s a wise decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through, he saw Huang Shiron weaving effortlessly through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron still wore a light yellow silk dress, graceful like willow branches, accompanied by two young girls in white, Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing him, Huang Shiron came forward, clasped her fists in greeting, and smiled, “How went the reception of the Da Zhen Mission, Princely Heir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry is quite formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lingshuang Iron Cavalry is indeed unmatched,” Huang Shiron remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its renowned might was forged in battle, built with blood and bones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most of the Martial Arts crowd did not take action, mainly because of the Lingshuang Iron Cavalry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, acting in such a situation would be suicidal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are not afraid of death but will not die in vain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how fearless one is, they will not die without value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “It will be difficult later, you all must be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Huang Shiron replied solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, even if just one member of the Da Zhen Mission is injured, the Military Suppression Department cannot shirk responsibility, and none of its members in Yujing City will escape punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Da Zhen Mission is guarded by two Great Grandmasters, so there’s no need to worry about the Four Directions Pavilion, but rather focus on those traveling out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good,” Huang Shiron nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then keep an eye on those traveling out…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might think it’s surveillance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let them think as they will,” Chu Zhiyuan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, they should be monitored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knows that Da Zhen has spies in Da Jing, and the arrival of the Da Zhen Mission will surely connect with the spy leaders here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relationship between nations is complex; an alliance between two nations is not entirely pure cooperation and closeness, but involves hidden struggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no open conflict, but there is hidden fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting for a while, they parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he left, surrounded by guards and gradually disappearing into the distant crowd, Wen Qianqian smiled and said, “Senior Sister, why not ask him about the engagement with Duke An’s daughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Mengyu said, “What’s there to ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Duke An’s daughter truly as beautiful as they say, the number one beauty in Yujing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Xiao is very beautiful,” Huang Shiron said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have seen her, and she truly deserves the title of Yujing’s number one beauty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Qianqian sighed, “To marry Duke An’s daughter, the Fourth Prince is indeed very fortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Mengyu said, “The Fourth Prince is indeed impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But his reputation isn’t that great,” Wen Qianqian remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’ll make a name for himself sooner or later,” Xu Mengyu smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he were just an ordinary Princely Heir, would Senior Sister Huang pay him any attention?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all noticed how much Huang Shiron valued Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This regard was not because of his status as Princely Heir, but because of his abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had not seen any extraordinary skills from Chu Zhiyuan, so they were both curious and highly attentive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four Directions Pavilion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Zhen Courtyard\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a spacious study of a courtyard, Cheng Tianfeng pressed his hand on the desk, looking at a middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man had a plain appearance, wearing a green robe, which was the attire for officials below the Sixth Grade in Da Jing, and stood respectfully in front of the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chu Zhiyao has already returned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Princely Heir, Chu Zhiyao returned six days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days ago, Prince Xuan held a birthday banquet, and Chu Zhiyao personally received the guests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, he has indeed returned,” Cheng Tianfeng said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the other one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the information the little one gathered, Chu Zhihua is still in the military and hasn’t returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides those two, there’s another Innate one, Chu Zhiyuan, Prince Qing’s Princely Heir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, the Princely Heir should pay attention to this Chu Zhiyuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A newly reached Innate worth noticing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he’s Prince Qing’s Princely Heir, not liked by the Emperor of Da Jing, is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qing Mansion has been sealed for thirty years and is not in the Emperor’s favor, thus not receiving cultivation resources from the Heavenly Treasure Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he’s not formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Risking my life to gather information, this Chu Zhiyuan got twenty demon beasts during the winter hunt and obtained a Ninth Grade Merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He likely mastered some Miracle Technique of astounding power,” the green-robed man said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although his Cultivation Realm isn’t high, his killing prowess is strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he temporarily replace Chu Zhiyao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The little one believes it’s possible,” said the green-robed middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is his current Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little one couldn’t gather that,” the green-robed man hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prince Qing Mansion has been sealed, and those previously infiltrated have already withdrawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No new ones have been recruited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, he cultivates in Mingwu Hall, but once showed his Martial Arts in Thick Earth Hall, defeating the Young Sect Leader there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that Young Sect Leader’s cultivation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Innate Second Layer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the Young Sect Leader’s current situation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He has been intensely cultivating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That suggests Chu Zhiyuan isn’t much stronger than him and can be caught up with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Princely Heir is wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not a big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pity I can’t see this one; by seeing him, I could almost gauge the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Princely Heir saw him today; he is the Assistant Minister of Rites and was among the welcoming team, standing at the forefront,” the green-robed man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Tianfeng’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he began recalling in his mind, finally nodding slowly, “If talking about a young man, there’s only that one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed quite composed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” the green-robed man agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always had a feeling—a feeling that Cheng Tianfeng and that Fourth Prince of Da Jing were as if they were blood brothers, as their temperament was too similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were steady, calm, and composed, as if nothing could startle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a character formed by innate talent and postnatal cultivation, which he had always pursued and refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s interesting,” Cheng Tianfeng laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He just left Mingwu Hall and entered the Ministry of Rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he someone uninterested in cultivation, with a tranquil nature?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he continued, “Of course, he could also be someone afraid of dying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Likely afraid of dying,” the green-robed man smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He acts too prudently, never without guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other Princely Heirs and Princes often find guards annoying, disliking them looming every moment, reducing their numbers when possible, and avoiding them if they can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was different, afraid of having too few guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for having to keep some at Prince Qing Mansion, he’d probably bring them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he showed little curiosity about the common people’s lives and little interest in indulgences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This contradicted the temperament of young people, suggesting only one possibility: fear of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fear of death isn’t a bad thing,” Cheng Tianfeng laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Imperial Family, there are always some misfits, worthless individuals—timid, prudent, and despicable, not worth a second glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” the green-robed middle-aged man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princely Heir, I’ve collected as much information as possible on the Fourth Prince, but the time was too short, far from enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is sufficient,” Cheng Tianfeng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s engaged to Duke An’s daughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yujing’s number one beauty, have you seen her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t seen her, but those who have do not disagree, so she must be extremely beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yujing’s number one beauty…” Cheng Tianfeng smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-robed man sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Princely Heir had everything—calmness, magnanimity, unparalleled talent, and as the State Preceptor’s direct disciple, he had a chance to ascend the imperial throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had one fatal flaw: a love for beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fondness for women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An extreme fondness for women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said to be both a genetic trait of the Da Zhen Imperial Family and due to the secret mental method of the Da Zhen Imperial Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could infer that if Cheng Tianfeng succeeded, between the Princess and Xiao Ruoling, Cheng Tianfeng would undoubtedly choose Xiao Ruoling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Xiao Ruoling was already engaged, and also to Prince Qing’s Princely Heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Cheng Tianfeng raised it, the Emperor of Da Jing would never approve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if the Emperor of Da Jing disapproved, just proposing it would create a mortal enmity with the Princely Heir of Prince Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hatred born from snatching a wife, a great humiliating insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were here for an alliance, not to make enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Tianfeng glanced at him and laughed, “Rest assured, I’m merely curious about Yujing’s number one beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must see her, mustn’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” the green-robed man felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, such curiosity—once witnessing her in person—might make it difficult to extricate himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the most gifted Princely Heir, he usually got whatever he wanted, with nothing he couldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, his mansion already hosted several top-tier beauties of Da Zhen, despite not every case being mutual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Da Zhen Imperial Family considered this kind of thing a romantic affair, without any offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Yujing City, law and order were excellent, especially in the Inner City, where City Guard and Military Suppression Department experts stood every ten steps, creating a peaceful atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, outside the city, it’s vast and boundless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Princely Heir, snatching a woman would be no difficult task.\u003C\u002Fp>",1793,"2026-06-03T09:57:57.826Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.811Z",1,"novelbin.me","afef4d3cb6e25a1dbb10ca64e4e98a10a7bbea759bd95ad53df976c6c5a9c22d","imperial-cultivation-chapter-69","imperial-cultivation-chapter-67",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]