Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1345 - 1341: Obstructions

She refrained from speaking further, lest she be perceived as bothersome.

Donning a vibrant yellow attire that drew all eyes, Guo Mingxue offered a smile. "Junior Sister Xiao, have no fear. I shall keep a close watch on my sixth brother and prevent any impulsive actions. Many thanks for your timely warning, Junior Sister. I had truly not considered the possibility of him descending into madness."

"Senior Sister, it was merely a fleeting thought that occurred to us as well."

"The cultivation technique passed down in our Imperial Family divides into two streams. The one my sixth brother practices is the most secure path. In theory, he should not stray into madness."

"I see. It appears I was overly concerned."

"Those unexpected covert assaults were effective precisely because they were unforeseen. It is because the mental technique my sixth brother cultivates is so stable that he would never entertain the notion of going mad."

"Will the other Princes not relent?"

"From my understanding of these brothers, reconciliation is out of the question. My sixth brother must remain even more vigilant."

"Fortunately, it is only for a single month," Shen Hanyue remarked with a smile.

Guo Mingxue's bright eyes darted. "Shen, how did you ascertain it would be one month?"

Shen Hanyue paused briefly, then offered a smile. "Were we not planning to remain for a month from the outset?"

She consciously suppressed her heart's rapid thumping, preventing a surge of blood. Internally, she inwardly exclaimed, *Close call, that near slip-up could have exposed the Princely Heir's capabilities.* This particular ability must absolutely remain secret, never to be revealed.

"So that is the case. However, one month might prove insufficient," Guo Mingxue stated with a smile.

"If a month is not enough, then two. If two are insufficient, we shall extend it further. Senior Sister Guo, you should depart only once everything has been resolved."

"Precisely." Guo Mingxue smiled. "As long as the imperial throne remains unsettled, I cannot truly feel at ease."

"Senior Sister, you were simply born to worry," Shen Hanyue jested. "Were it me, I would not fret so much. They are all your own brothers, after all—no need to let the 'fat water' flow into 'outsiders' fields'."

"I have no desire to interfere either, but the Great Wei Dynasty faces external threats. Should they create too much internal strife, those Three Dynasties lurking beyond, watching us like hungry tigers, would seize such a golden opportunity. Once war erupts, who can predict the number of innocent commoners who would perish."

Shen Hanyue chuckled. "Senior Sister Guo, that imperial throne should rightfully be yours."

Guo Mingxue playfully rolled her eyes. "What use would an Emperor like me be?"

Shen Hanyue cast a glance toward Chu Zhiyuan.

Guo Mingxue inquired with a smile, "Shen, why are you looking at Mr. Chu like that?"

Shen Hanyue giggled. "In our Little Outer Heaven, there was once an Empress. She was a friend of the Princely Heir and later ascended to Biyuan Heaven, joining the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Guo Mingxue regarded Chu Zhiyuan with astonishment. "A woman actually became Emperor?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in confirmation.

Guo Mingxue sighed. "In this world, for a woman to attain the position of Emperor is indeed exceedingly difficult. Public sentiment is hard to sway. I refuse to undertake such a thankless and arduous task!"

"Then, Senior Sister Guo, you must diligently protect the Sixth Prince. After this month concludes, all will be well."

"I shall hold the line!"

Guo Mingxue's eyes blazed with determination, her red lips pressed firmly together.

...

"Still no sign of it?!"

A resonant command suddenly echoed through the central hall of the Evil Extermination Department.

Huang Zhengyang’s brow furrowed deeply. Placing a hand on the table, he fixed a cold glare upon the gaunt, middle-aged Mo Qiuqiu.

"Director, we genuinely have not located it," Mo Qiuqiu responded from the base of the stairs, his expression grim. "We have already extended our search perimeter to five hundred li, encompassing three hundred and thirteen villages, yet Black Tree Village remains elusive."

"Expand the search even further!"

"Should we venture beyond that range, the requisite paperwork for each step would consume far more than three days."

"Three days is ample time!"

"Director, these officials adhere strictly to procedure, working neither hastily nor sluggishly. No matter how I urge them, they remain unhurried, citing that haste leads to errors amidst chaos... Even with eight-hundred-li express dispatches, three days would still fall short."

"A pack of useless, bureaucratic parasites!"

"..."

"Do you possess any viable solutions?!"

"This..."

"At a juncture like this, why the hesitation? If you have a plan, speak it plainly!"

"Director, is this matter indeed of such critical urgency?"

"It pertains to human lives—far exceeding the count of a mere one or two!"

"Then... we might have no alternative but to employ unconventional methods."

"Dispatching our own personnel directly?"

"Director, please reconsider. If we send our people directly to the local government offices, we are likely to face retaliation from all of them afterward."

"Then what other approach is there?" Huang Zhengyang’s brow furrowed.

He was well aware that such a method was not appropriate.

While dispatching personnel to negotiate with the Six Ministries would be standard official procedure,

going directly to the local government offices would be considered an overreach of authority.

The local government offices would inevitably refuse cooperation, offer perfunctory responses, and subsequently submit impeachment memorials.

"What about offering a bounty?"

"A bounty?"

"We could post several reward notices in each city. Perhaps we can locate it within a short timeframe."

Huang Zhengyang gave a nod. "Dispatch people immediately. From the largest metropolis to the smallest hamlet, do not miss a single location. Find it within three days!"

"Understood!"

After Mo Qiuqiu departed, Huang Zhengyang paced the hall, hands clasped behind his back, his expression grave.

Nothing seemed to be proceeding smoothly!

Firstly, they were unable to pinpoint the location of Black Tree Village.

Without finding the place, how could they possibly set up an ambush?

Furthermore, mobilizing the Tribute experts and securing Spiritual Artifacts proved to be challenging.

These high-caliber Tribute experts were not easily persuaded to assist, and borrowing the Spiritual Artifacts was an even more difficult task.

Although he had attained the position of Director, his prestige and network paled in comparison to Zhou Sizheng.

Had this matter been under Zhou Sizheng’s purview, he would have effortlessly secured the cooperation of those Tribute experts and borrowed the necessary Spiritual Artifacts.

This disparity made every step he took feel arduous and oppressively heavy.

Especially since the situation involved a vast number of lives. Any misstep—particularly due to his insufficient prestige—would be an unforgivable burden.

After a period of contemplation, he gritted his teeth and declared in a deep tone, "Someone!"

A handsome young man entered with a light gait, cupping his fists. "Director."

"Proceed to the Heavenly Sword Branch personally and ascertain if Mr. Chu has returned."

"Yes, sir."

"If he has not yet returned, then remain there until his arrival. Regardless of when he comes back, extend an invitation for him to come over."

"Understood."

Huang Zhengyang released a prolonged exhale and shook his head.

Ultimately, he still had to impose upon Chu Zhiyuan once more. It was a profound irony, a significant indictment of the Evil Extermination Department.

...

Huang Zhengyang massaged his brow and gazed out the window.

The morning sun cast a brilliant golden hue, piercing through the window and bathing the hall in a radiance of pure gold.

He rose from his desk and exited the hall.

A dazzling golden light, stretching for ten thousand zhang, struck his eyes directly.

Squinting slightly, he surveyed his surroundings.

Two guards stood like silent sentinels on either side of the steps.

He turned his head and inquired, "Has Xiaogu not yet returned?"

One of the guards responded, "Director, Xiaogu has not returned at all."

"And Old Mo?"

"Mo Sizheng has also not arrived."

Huang Zhengyang gestured dismissively, then descended the steps with his hands clasped behind him, proceeding towards the small pavilion beside the flower pond and observing the fish as they swam.

Lost in thought, he became engrossed in watching the aquatic life.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke his reverie. He snapped his head around, but upon seeing it was Mo Qiuqiu, his eyes immediately lost their hopeful gleam.

Mo Qiuqiu moved with noticeable haste. He was about to enter the main hall but, spotting Huang Zhengyang by the flower pond pavilion, quickly altered his course.

"Director, I have already dispatched two hundred and thirty-five experts."

"Mm."

"I have instructed our people to maintain vigilance, and any news will be reported without delay."

Huang Zhengyang let out a heavy sigh. "If we still cannot locate it..."

"..." Mo Qiuqiu remained silent.

If such an extensive effort yielded no results, truly effective options would become exceedingly scarce.

Huang Zhengyang stated, "Consider other possibilities. We must advance on two fronts simultaneously!"

Mo Qiuqiu remarked, "If all else fails, our only recourse is to bring the matter before the Emperor."

To disturb the Emperor over a mere Black Tree Village would invite even greater censure.

His own standing as Director would be jeopardized.

Unless absolutely no other path remained, he must avoid taking that drastic step.

Huang Zhengyang nodded slowly.

At that precise moment, footsteps echoed. The same handsome young man from earlier entered with brisk steps and approached them. "Director, Mr. Chu has returned to his courtyard."

"Excellent!" Huang Zhengyang’s eyes brightened. "Has he come over?"

"Mr. Chu mentioned he would change his attire and then proceed here."

"Excellent!" Huang Zhengyang exclaimed with glee, his strides purposeful as he departed the small pavilion and made his way toward the main entrance.