Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1289 - 1285: Simultaneous Descent

Gu Junqi inquired, "Can the Court truly vanquish this Undying Evil Venerable?"

"...Yes," Huang Zhengyang responded, his teeth gritted.

"Then why have they not intervened? Are they content to merely observe innocent lives tragically extinguished?" Gu Junqi pressed further.

"Alas..." Huang Zhengyang let out a heavy sigh.

Gu Junqi remained silent, observing him intently.

Huang Zhengyang elaborated, "To be candid, Master Gu, the Court's formidable experts are stretched thin, burdened by critical responsibilities. Any lapse could precipitate major catastrophes, even resulting in casualties."

Gu Junqi nodded slowly, "Similar to the predicament at the Evil Suppressing Abyss?"

"Precisely," Huang Zhengyang confirmed. "Our Evil Extermination Department stands on the front lines against the Undying Evil Venerable. Should we find ourselves unable to manage the situation, we will then petition for their direct intervention."

"Such as during the Undying Evil Venerable's recent assault on the Imperial City?"

"Alas, failing to apprehend the Undying Evil Venerable now guarantees endless future troubles," Huang Zhengyang lamented. "However, these affairs should not impede Brother Chu's cultivation. Brother Chu's secret technique is of paramount importance; it is key to severing the Undying Evil Venerable's source."

"Nephew Chu demonstrates remarkable progress in his training. Let us allow him a few more days. If he has not emerged by then, we shall summon him."

"Very well," Huang Zhengyang agreed, his expression solemn.

He then clasped his fists and departed.

As he left, news that Chu Zhiyuan had entered seclusion to cultivate his secret technique spread like wildfire.

The populace grew increasingly anxious, fervently anticipating positive tidings.

Gu Junqi maintained a vigilant watch, dispatching messages to Heavenly Sword Peak every two hours, meticulously monitoring both external developments and the Court's activities.

Not solely the outsiders were fixated on Chu Zhiyuan's cultivation progress; the inhabitants of Heavenly Sword Peak shared this intense focus.

They too, were keenly observing the evolving situation.

Fortunately, public attention was solely directed at Chu Zhiyuan's cultivation, refraining from any implication that the Heavenly Sword Sect was deliberately observing the Court's tribulations.

The current atmosphere was volatile, akin to boiling oil, where a single misstep could entangle the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The Heavenly Sword Sect's esteemed reputation, painstakingly built over millennia, could potentially be shattered with alarming ease.

...

By the evening of the subsequent day, Gu Junqi was engrossed in reviewing documents within the hall when an announcement arrived from outside: the Deputy Director of the Evil Extermination Department was paying another visit.

Gu Junqi personally stepped out to extend a welcome.

Huang Zhengyang stood somberly at the entrance, his hands clasped behind his back.

Upon spotting Gu Junqi's emergence, he offered a clasped-fist salute and a strained smile, "Master Gu, has Brother Chu yet emerged?"

Gu Junqi conveyed a negative, "Director Huang, please enter; let us discuss this indoors."

Huang Zhengyang declined, "No need, I shall not enter. Should Brother Chu emerge, please inform me immediately."

"Certainly," Gu Junqi affirmed. "Should Nephew Chu appear, I shall indeed have him seek you out promptly. Tell me, what became of the Undying Evil Venerable?"

"It has been dealt with," Huang Zhengyang replied, his expression etched with bitterness.

Gu Junqi inquired further, "Were the losses substantial?"

Huang Zhengyang sighed deeply, "Considerable."

"If circumstances prove too dire, perhaps Nephew Chu should be called out of his seclusion," Gu Junqi suggested.

Huang Zhengyang waved his hand dismissively, "Let us refrain from that. That secret technique remains the higher priority."

Gu Junqi cast a subtle glance around.

He noted the presence of only four guards, a stark contrast to the previous throngs, and lowered his voice, "And the Court's esteemed experts..."

Huang Zhengyang stated, "The honored experts were deployed and finally managed to eliminate it, but at a significant cost."

Gu Junqi pressed, "The Evil Extermination Department incurred heavy losses; what of the Court's honored experts?"

"They too sustained considerable losses," Huang Zhengyang admitted. "This adversary was indeed troublesome."

It was understood that when Chu Zhiyuan was present, he could preemptively gauge the Undying Evil Venerable's strength, swiftly dispatching weaker manifestations and drawing stronger, more numerous adversaries towards himself for the more powerful cultivators.

What were initially perceived as lesser threats proved exceptionally challenging upon engagement.

Not only were the experts from the Evil Extermination Department incapable of restraining them, but only the Court's most esteemed experts could effectively suppress them.

However, the Undying Evil Venerable's terrifying mutual destruction tactic inflicted grievous damage upon the Court's elite forces.

Chu Zhiyuan's presence had prevented the Undying Evil Venerable from triggering such self-destructive countermeasures.

The disparity between Chu Zhiyuan's presence and his absence was glaringly evident, compelling both the Evil Extermination Department and the Court to now fully recognize Chu Zhiyuan's formidable strength and critical importance.

Gu Junqi let out a sigh, "What a predicament. I can only hope that our Nephew Chu manages to master that secret technique, thereby preventing further descent of these calamitous evils."

Huang Zhengyang solemnly cupped his fists, "I shall depart then."

"Take care, Director Huang."

Gu Junqi observed Huang Zhengyang's retreating figure, sensing the palpable pressure and indignation that permeated the air.

He shook his head, turning his attention back towards the courtyard.

...

By the time the third day broke, Gu Junqi had just finished his morning ablutions and had not yet arrived at the main hall when a report reached him.

Huang Zhengyang had returned.

A sense of puzzlement washed over Gu Junqi as he hurried outside to greet the director, finding Huang Zhengyang's countenance grim.

"Director Huang, what is the matter...?" Gu Junqi inquired with a polite gesture, "Pray come inside, and let us discuss this matter."

"After you." Huang Zhengyang ascended the steps, entering the main gate of the Heavenly Sword Branch.

As they proceeded towards the front hall, their conversation commenced.

"Brother Chu has not yet emerged from his seclusion, has he?"

"He should not have." Gu Junqi responded, "Has another Undying Evil Venerable manifested?"

"This time, the situation proves rather troublesome." Huang Zhengyang stated with a helpless sigh, "Three Undying Evil Venerables have descended simultaneously."

"Descended simultaneously?"

"And they all appeared in the exact same locale." Huang Zhengyang declared, "The circumstances are exceedingly dire."

"This... this cannot be possible, can it?" Gu Junqi's brow furrowed, "Has such a phenomenon ever occurred previously?"

"Never." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "It is practically inconceivable that it would happen."

While he was unaware of the precise circumstances within You Meng Heaven, it was unprecedented for Undying Evil Venerables to descend in concert. They invariably manifested in separate locations, with a significant distance of at least a hundred miles between them.

Now, this established norm had been shattered.

This represented a profoundly ominous signal.

Should all previously established norms be discarded, it would become impossible to make judgments based upon them.

Consequently, no one could predict the myriad unforeseen complications that might arise, rendering defense and response exceedingly difficult.

"Alas..." Gu Junqi shook his head, fully grasping the gravity of the unfolding crisis.

Huang Zhengyang elaborated, "Were it not for this exceedingly vexing scenario, I would truly hesitate to trouble Brother Chu."

"Indeed." Gu Junqi nodded in agreement, "So, what course of action shall we take now?"

Huang Zhengyang explained, "We have already deployed personnel to secure the surrounding passes, strictly prohibiting any unauthorized approach. For the time being, our only recourse is to delay the inevitable for as long as possible."

Gu Junqi voiced his concern, "Even if our Nephew Chu emerges from his seclusion, he might not offer substantial assistance, correct?"

"If Brother Chu were present, he would undoubtedly possess a solution." Huang Zhengyang quickly interjected.

This was owing to the formidable reputation Chu Zhiyuan had cultivated by vanquishing numerous Undying Evil Venerables and dismantling many Evil Venerable Statues. Not only among his peers, but even within the esteemed Evil Extermination Department, Chu Zhiyuan's name was universally spoken with reverence. The consensus was that if Chu Zhiyuan were on the scene, he would surely devise a strategy and might even succeed in dealing with all three threats.

"Then what are we to do? Should we compel Nephew Chu to end his seclusion prematurely?" Gu Junqi inquired, his expression etched with worry.

"Let us allow a little more time." Huang Zhengyang suggested, "If he has not emerged by the close of today, then we shall summon him tomorrow. Every additional day we can hold out might see him completing his current endeavor."

Gu Junqi concurred, "That is a distinct possibility."

As time wore on, the advisability of interrupting his seclusion diminished; perhaps he stood on the precipice of success, and abandoning his efforts now would be a colossal tragedy.

Yet, the simultaneous descent of three Undying Evil Venerables at a single location presented a formidable challenge indeed.

Failure to adequately address this threat would not only jeopardize White Breaking Pass but could also result in the inability to complete the crucial secret technique, a regret of immense proportion.

"Director Huang, please be assured. The moment Nephew Chu concludes his seclusion, I shall dispatch him to your side without delay."

"I shall simply remain here then."

"This..."

"Returning now would not resolve the core issue either." Huang Zhengyang stated, shaking his head, "Remaining here offers a measure of peace of mind."

"...Very well, then." Gu Junqi conceded, "I shall dispatch a message to inquire about the latest developments."

"My sincerest thanks." Huang Zhengyang offered, clasping his fists.

Gu Junqi escorted him towards the hall, but instead of entering, he turned directly towards the courtyard where Chu Zhiyuan was currently in seclusion. Subsequently, Gu Junqi arranged for refreshments and dispatched a message to the sect.

He couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. The Imperial Court was exhibiting undue caution, insisting on relying solely on Chu Zhiyuan's capabilities. At a time like this, why were they not deploying their most potent artifacts and their most highly honored experts? Were they truly unconcerned about depleting the limited pool of experts within the Evil Extermination Department, willingly incurring such significant losses?