Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1346 - 1342: Looking Again

Arriving outside the main entrance, he paused at the foot of the stairs, his gaze sweeping towards the east side of the street.

The thoroughfare stretched wide and level, impeccably clean, its bluestone slabs mirroring the brilliant, golden sunlight. The compound housing the Evil Extermination Department encompassed the entire street, ensuring no extraneous individuals were present.

His focus intensely fixed on that specific area, he sought to spot Chu Zhiyuan at the earliest possible moment.

"Brother Huang?" Chu Zhiyuan's voice emanated from just behind him.

He swiftly turned, discovering Chu Zhiyuan already positioned on the west side of the grand entrance. A surge of joy courted Huang Zhengyang's features: "Brother Chu, please, come in quickly."

"Brother Huang, after you."

"Brother Chu, do come in, please."

The two ascended the steps side-by-side, passed through the main gate, navigated past a decorative screen wall, crossed over a flower-adorned pool, and finally settled within the main hall.

"Brother Huang, has the Undying Evil Venerable made another appearance?" Chu Zhiyuan inquired directly, accepting a cup of tea from a passing maid as he took a seat.

Huang Zhengyang's palpable eagerness suggested a significant development had indeed occurred.

"I've undertaken a search for Black Tree Village these past few days, yet its whereabouts remain elusive."

"Black Tree Village, unfound?"

"Within a radius of three hundred miles, no such village exists."

"It shouldn't be situated that far, should it?"

"My Deputy Director, Mo Qiuqiu, possesses an astonishing memory; he has every village within a hundred-mile radius cataloged, and there is no village named Black Tree Village in the vicinity."

"I see..." Chu Zhiyuan murmured thoughtfully.

"Brother Chu, do you possess any means? At the very least, to ascertain the location of this village."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, gently rubbing his brow: "Perhaps my perception was mistaken. After all, this Miracle Technique is notoriously fleeting and obscure."

"You are certain you heard the name correctly?" Huang Zhengyang pressed. "Black Tree Village, or perhaps Sea Tree Village, or even Black Water Village?"

"It should be accurate; it is indeed referred to as Black Tree Village... Very well, I shall endeavor to look once more."

"Yes, yes, please do look again," Huang Zhengyang urged with a hasty nod. "I am merely concerned that our inability to locate it might lead to unfortunate delays."

Chu Zhiyuan continued to rub his brow: "The application of this technique induces considerable discomfort and lacks consistent accuracy; at times, it even precipitates unforeseen complications."

"Were this not a matter of such gravity, involving as it does the potential loss of lives, I would scarcely dare to impose."

Huang Zhengyang offered a wry smile.

He was, of course, acutely aware of the distress Chu Zhiyuan experienced with each use of this particular skill.

However, weighed against the lives of innocent individuals, he felt compelled to cause Chu Zhiyuan this unavoidable inconvenience.

Chu Zhiyuan regarded him, his eyes rapidly losing their focus.

The Golden Pupil technique flared, its surface shimmering with a seven-hued luminescence.

The passage of time seemed to accelerate.

...

After an interval exceeding twenty breaths, clarity returned to Chu Zhiyuan's eyes.

A palpable exhaustion was evident, clouding his brow and dimming his gaze.

This display was far from feigned.

He had only recently concluded an all-night session practicing the Taihao Jade Void Scripture under Xiao Ruoling's tutelage, an endeavor already profoundly taxing.

Employing this additional technique amplified his weariness to an almost overwhelming degree.

From his chest, Huang Zhengyang produced a jade bottle and presented it to Chu Zhiyuan: "Brother Chu, this is a Soul Reviving Pill."

Chu Zhiyuan's eyebrows rose slightly.

Huang Zhengyang elaborated: "This is an exceptional elixir for restoring vitality; it is classified as a third-grade spiritual pill."

Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Zhiyuan accepted the offering, uncorked the bottle, retrieved a golden pill, and promptly consumed it.

Huang Zhengyang inquired with a smile: "How does it fare?"

Chu Zhiyuan’s immediate acceptance of the pill, demonstrating implicit faith in his word, resonated warmly with Huang Zhengyang.

A noticeable brightening in Chu Zhiyuan's eyes signaled a surge of spiritual energy.

"Indeed, it is a third-grade spiritual pill!" The initial and second-grade spiritual pills possessed properties that could alter the physical form, whereas the third-grade was primarily focused on pure restoration and its ultimate effects.

This particular Soul Reviving Pill exhibited remarkable efficacy in the recuperation of both spirit and soul.

"Haha, so long as it proves effective! Now, what were the findings?"

"This Black Tree Village is situated over five hundred miles distant."

"Over five hundred miles?" Huang Zhengyang exclaimed, a dawning comprehension spreading across his features. "No wonder we had never encountered knowledge of it; over five hundred miles..."

Chu Zhiyuan continued, his gaze fixed on Huang Zhengyang: "You have an adversary, do you not? Bearing the surname Duan?"

"An adversary? Surname Duan?... Duan Tianhai! What is occurring with him?"

"His official standing is not insignificant, is it? The individual covertly orchestrating these troubles is none other than him."

"Duan Tianhai?!" Huang Zhengyang's brow furrowed, a layer of skepticism present in his tone.

Duan Tianhai held a significant position within the military. Their paths had diverged into enmity during their youth, and they had rarely crossed since.

Had this name not been invoked, he might have quite forgotten about the man.

"It is best to settle this matter swiftly," Chu Zhiyuan advised, adding, "We shouldn't let it impede our primary objective."

Indeed, in the future he had foreseen, this very obstacle had caused him significant trouble.

When intelligence from Black Tree Village finally came in, it pinpointed the exact location of the village.

Upon receiving this news, Huang Zhengyang struck himself several times, lamenting his own inadequacy and feeling profoundly ashamed of his directorial position.

"Duan Tianhai!" Huang Zhengyang declared with stern resolve, "So it was him all along!"

He recalled how numerous requests for tributes and spiritual artifacts he had submitted had been consistently denied.

This confirmed his suspicion that someone was deliberately obstructing him, and that this Duan Tianhai was the mastermind behind it.

With this realization, he turned and commanded, "Summon Director Mo at once!"

"Understood," a young man standing guard outside responded.

A short while later, Mo Qiuqiu entered with brisk steps, his hands clasped in a respectful salute. With a smile, he greeted, "Greetings, Mr. Chu! Director, what seems to be the matter?"

"I need you to investigate Duan Tianhai for me..."

"Director, this Duan Tianhai currently holds the position of Vice Minister within the Ministry of Industry."

"Oh? You are acquainted with him?"

"I know him somewhat," Mo Qiuqiu replied. "Duan Tianhai is known as an upright official, widely respected."

He was quite familiar with the officials serving in the various Six Ministries.

More importantly, he was aware of the existing animosity between Duan Tianhai and Huang Zhengyang.

Their feud within the Imperial City was no mere rumor; it was common knowledge, stemming from a dispute over a woman, a beauty of unparalleled allure.

"Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry..." Huang Zhengyang's expression darkened.

He recognized that this post, neither exceptionally high nor low in rank, effectively placed Duan Tianhai as the second-in-command, wielding considerable influence within the Ministry of Industry.

This ministry, as it happened, was responsible for the approval of spiritual artifacts entering and exiting the capital, granting Duan Tianhai the means to block Huang Zhengyang's applications.

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Is there no way to handle this?"

"It appears I must personally petition Prince Zhuang," Huang Zhengyang stated through gritted teeth.

Chu Zhiyuan then asked, "Are there no alternative solutions?"

Huang Zhengyang sighed, explaining, "The officials of the Six Ministries carry themselves with great pride and hold our Evil Extermination Department in rather low regard. Lord Zhou's current standing is merely on par with Duan Tianhai's, making it impossible for him to assert authority over him."

He further elaborated that even if their ranks were equivalent, were he from a different department, Lord Zhou would still lack the authority to suppress Duan Tianhai.

"In that case, seeking out Prince Zhuang is our best recourse," Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Huang Zhengyang looked regretful, saying, "It seems we must rely on your intervention, Brother Chu."

Prince Zhuang was known for his intolerance of any form of injustice or obstruction.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a slight smile, "My influence with Prince Zhuang is not as substantial as you might think."

Huang Zhengyang shook his head, countering, "You are different, Brother Chu; Prince Zhuang holds you in high esteem."

"Very well, I shall attempt it," Chu Zhiyuan conceded. "If it proves unsuccessful, we will have to take matters into our own hands; there might still be a chance of success that way."

"...Agreed!" Huang Zhengyang nodded slowly, expressing his relief. "With you involved, Brother Chu, I feel much more at ease."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Then I shall depart. I need to return and recuperate."

Huang Zhengyang quickly gestured for him to go, "Yes, yes, please do."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a final clasp of his fists in farewell before vanishing in a blur of motion.

Only Huang Zhengyang and Mo Qiuqiu remained in the grand hall.

Mo Qiuqiu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Director, are you truly intending to approach Prince Zhuang?"

"We have no other choice but to petition Prince Zhuang first, carefully presenting the situation and its implications. Otherwise, even a direct imperial decree from the four princes might not secure their approval."

"However, Prince Zhuang has always maintained a stance of impartiality; it's possible he might not side with us."

"How can we know for certain without making the attempt?"

"This particular matter is rather... peculiar," Mo Qiuqiu hesitated, clearly unsure.

The situation indeed seemed bizarre and difficult to comprehend; how could Prince Zhuang possibly consent to such a request?

After all, these tributes and spiritual artifacts were considered top-tier state secrets, not to be easily requisitioned.

"We cannot afford to dwell on that uncertainty at this moment," Huang Zhengyang stated, already heading towards the main entrance. "I will go to request an audience immediately. You, on the other hand, must swiftly investigate Black Tree Village, located five hundred miles from here."

"Yes, Director!" Mo Qiuqiu responded with firm resolve. "I shall dispatch individuals there without delay!"

Huang Zhengyang waved his hand dismissively and strode away, leaving the hall.