Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 965 - 965 0578 Bluffing Through the Checkpoint_2

Chapter 965: Chapter 0578: Bluffing Through the Checkpoint_2 Chapter 965: Chapter 0578: Bluffing Through the Checkpoint_2 Zhao Ninglu said, “Father, what are you imagining? I am dressed like this because it is necessary for my cultivation. Having those trinkets on me would severely impact the efficacy of my practice. In order to reduce these influences, I’ve taken them all off and put them in my changing room. If you don’t believe me, you can go and have a look. Besides, didn’t you say that you would come in alone after I opened up the defenses of the secret chamber? Why did you suddenly bring so many people with you? Doing so could frighten my honored guests.”

Honored guests?

Zhao Shibo turned his head to glance at Gao Jinmei and Qi Tian, his gaze somewhat unfriendly. Although he had entered the secret chamber, he had not forgotten how he had been blocked outside just moments before. Having been unable to obtain any news from his daughter for such a long time, how could he believe that Gao Jinmei and Qi Tian were innocent? What if his daughter was being controlled by the two and was now cooperating in a charade with them? Lowering his guard against Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei now would be extremely foolish.

Zhao Shibo grabbed Zhao Ninglu’s hand and said, “Daughter, come out with me for a moment. I have some things I need to talk to you about.”

Zhao Ninglu did not suspect anything amiss and let Zhao Shibo lead her by the hand out of the secret chamber. When they reached the entrance, she turned back and said, “I know you are going to inspect my chamber and you might even examine Master Qi and Master Gao. I warn you, you must treat Master Qi and Master Gao with courtesy and not alarm them. If anything goes wrong, it will be because you don’t want me to advance to the Gold Core Realm, and then I will never let this go.”

The Gold Core Realm experts left in the chamber by Zhao Shibo, although their cultivation level and strength were higher than Zhao Ninglu’s, still bowed and responded, “Yes, Princess.”

These Gold Core Realm experts were employed by the royal family and served as servants of the Imperial Family; none dared to easily defy Zhao Ninglu’s commands.

After Zhao Shibo took Zhao Ninglu out of the secret chamber, he immediately took out several magical artifacts from his Storage Bag and began to examine Zhao Ninglu. He checked for any hidden injuries on her body, whether she had consumed any pills, if there were any worms or poison insects inside her, and also whether her soul had been disturbed or harmed by external forces.

Zhao Shibo’s examination was very thorough and meticulous, covering every detail from each strand of hair on her head to each toenail on her feet, leaving nothing unchecked.

To Zhao Shibo’s relief, after a long and complicated series of checks, it was confirmed that Zhao Ninglu had no external injuries, had not consumed any pills, had no poison insects or worms inside her, and her soul didn’t appear to have been disturbed by external forces. Everything seemed extremely normal.

Zhao Shibo felt a release in his heart. He had great trust in his methods of examination, and now he could almost be certain that Qi Tian and Zhao Ninglu had not done anything harmful to his daughter. It seemed that he might have misunderstood Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei.

Zhao Ninglu pouted and said, “Father, I always tell you that you’re being superstitious. What’s here for me? What would someone fancy about me? Robbing me for wealth or my beauty?”

Zhao Shibo chuckled awkwardly, “My daughter, don’t belittle yourself. In your father’s heart, you are the most precious treasure under heaven. Of course, I don’t want you to suffer the slightest harm. Being overly protective may seem a bit superstitious, and I might have gone too far, but it’s all for your own good. If Master Qi and Master Gao feel offended by my actions, it’s okay, I will personally apologize to them later.”

Zhao Ninglu felt a touch of emotion, knowing that everything Zhao Shibo did was for her sake. However, the thought struck her that her father’s actions could very well upset Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei. It was natural for anyone to feel discontented when their good intentions were misinterpreted. If they harbored resentment and decided not to help her tap into her potential anymore, wouldn’t she miss the only chance to advance to the Gold Core Stage?

At that thought, Zhao Ninglu grasped Zhao Shibo’s hand and said, “Father, you may not realize how grave your actions have been this time. Master Qi and Master Gao are very capable individuals. They agreed to help me tap into my potential, which I had a hard time asking for. Opportunities like this are rare. You say I’ve just managed to earn their trust, and with this incident, will they still trust me? Are they willing to give me another chance?”

Zhao Shibo was somewhat embarrassed; he was equally aware of how fierce the competition was among the royal family members within the Imperial Family Secret Territory. With so many Princes gathered, each one represented a lineage, and each lineage a faction. There was intense competition between these factions and within their own ranks. If this place hadn’t been the Imperial Family Secret Territory but within the borders of the Great Zhao Nation, perhaps he could use his status as a Prince to coerce Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei with threats and bribes. However, in a competitive environment like the Secret Territory, using such tactics on individuals like Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei, who may possess useful secret techniques, was absolutely not the best choice. Deciding to kill those they could not use was actually very foolish for them.

Upon meeting such individuals, it was common to show favor and implement conciliatory policies, treating them as honored guests, hoping to win them over, to make them allies. Even if they could not be used, one would typically be courteous, fearing to offend them.

If one chose to kill such individuals, it, in fact, cut off one’s own lineage from progressing. After all, there are no walls without chinks. If a lineage within the royal family were to kill all those with unique abilities, and word got out, who would come to join them? They would turn to other Princes instead. Over time, as one declined and another thrived, their lineage would slowly degrade and eventually be eliminated by the cruel competition within the Imperial Family Secret Territory.

The history of the Imperial Family Secret Territory runs deep, spanning several thousand years. Over this time, up to a hundred or two hundred emperors of Great Zhao Nation have abdicated their thrones to enter the Secret Territory. As time passed, many of them died of natural causes, but there are also several who, due to their excessive actions and triggering public fury, led to their lineage’s complete downfall.

The lineages remaining today have developed their distinct ways of doing things. One of the key principles they adhere to is to not kill uniquely talented individuals unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they treat them as honored guests. Even if these individuals do nothing, the royal family is willing to maintain them like they would house guests, as one never knows when they might be of use. If not used in one’s lifetime, at least they cause no trouble to the royal family.

However, if someone mistakes the royal family’s adherence to these principles as a sign of weakness and deceives or mocks them, they would be gravely mistaken. Who among the emperors doesn’t have blood on their hands? Before and during their reigns, they killed countless people, and that aspect of them doesn’t change upon abdication. The Imperial Family Secret Territory is not a peaceful place either. If they only used conciliatory methods, they couldn’t possibly stand their ground there. They merely choose not to waste energy on trivial matters. But when necessary, they would reveal the same resolute decisiveness they had while they were emperors.