Imperial Cultivation
Chapter 420: 417: Interrogation

Chapter 420: Chapter 417: Interrogation

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Chu Zhiyuan had always been lurking in the shadows, observing how Ding Shaoqiang was handling the situation.

Watching Ding Shaoqiang’s determination to take the mine by force, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Ding Shaoqiang’s actions were too hasty, dealing a decisive blow first by sealing the mine, then capturing the people involved.

Little did he know this was akin to startling the snake by hitting the grass, eventually fearing that nothing would be caught.

This was a starkly different approach from his own, a simplistic and aggressive military style.

Such straightforward actions could lead to endless troubles, making the mine issue difficult to clarify.

Those daring to mine iron privately were no ordinary individuals and must have prepared all kinds of tight protective shells.

Like the cicada shedding its shell, evading capture repeatedly, they’re hard to catch.

This comprehensive strike almost ensures their escape.

This is tantamount to only sealing the iron mine, letting bygones be bygones.

This action would indeed avoid stirring waves, keeping the officialdom calm and quiet.

Chu Zhiyuan could only note that Ding Shaoqiang was quite a seasoned character, not to be underestimated.

He had resolved both the Phoenix Camp and the iron mine issues, meeting the standards he set himself.

As for pursuing those behind the scenes of the private iron mining, that would be the affair of other departments of the Court, and Jihai Town need not be involved.

——

Wanghai City

Tianshui Pavilion

Chu Zhiyuan and Meng Canglan sat in a room, watching the ships on the sea.

Small boats and large ships sailed across the sea, scattered like stars.

Meng Canglan wore a cyan silk robe, her gentle beauty pleasing to the eye.

Chu Zhiyuan calmly said, “Miss Meng, surely your sect isn’t completely unaware of the Yanhang Mountain iron mine affair?”

Meng Canglan gently put down her tea, her bright eyes flickering as she fixed her gaze on him: “Princely Heir, this matter involves too much; it’s best to stay away.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “So, your sect isn’t involved?”

“However muddled our sect is, we wouldn’t involve ourselves in such affairs.”

“Your sect may not be muddled, but sometimes disciples act recklessly for merit, blinded by greed,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

“… Brother Huang did indeed have such thoughts, but he was rebuffed by the Elders.”

“Who exactly owns this iron mine?”

“Do you really want to get involved?” Meng Canglan implored, “Better not.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “At this point, can I stay uninvolved?”

Coming to the Eastern Territory just to eliminate Da Lie Camp would be a wasted trip.

This certainly isn’t the Emperor’s intent.

Regardless of how the Yanhang Mountain iron mine is dealt with, at the very least, the people behind it must be revealed.

It wouldn’t do to be queried by the Emperor and know nothing, that would make him a fool.

“There’s more than one faction involved.”

Meng Canglan really didn’t want to speak.

If this lid is lifted, it would throw the Eastern Territory into chaos.

Once the Court tightens its control over the Eastern Territory, the room for Wuyou Sect to maneuver shrinks, harming its interests.

“Is the Duke Mansion involved?”

“…”

“The Marquis Mansion or Marquis Mansion?”

“…”

“The City Guardian?”

“The General Mansion?”

“Princely Heir…” Meng Canglan protested.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Alright, then what about the Phoenix Camp incident? Da Lie has such nerve.”

He already had a rough idea.

Though the Duke Mansion wasn’t involved, there were the Marquis Mansion or Marquis Mansion, as well as the City Guardian Mansion, even the General Mansion.

This gave him quite a shock.

…

“Da Lie has tremendous nerve, they’re bound to retaliate.” Meng Canglan sighed in relief, “Princely Heir should also be cautious for safety.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Da Lie already used the Netherworld Secret Guard against him; naturally, they dared to assassinate him.

He continued, “The Da Lie Camp affair wasn’t instigated by your sect, was it?”

Meng Canglan hastily said, “Indeed, there are disciples of our sect in the camp, but it truly has nothing to do with our sect; it’s the Evil Sect’s monsters stirring up trouble.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly, expressing no opinion.

Meng Canglan said, “The disciples of our sect should have reacted in time to prevent it, but unfortunately, the chance was missed.”

Chu Zhiyuan said lightly, “Fishing among the flames, is it not seizing the greatest gain amidst chaos?”

He only half-believed Meng Canglan’s words.

Given Wuyou Sect’s influence in the Eastern Territory, controlling Da Lie Camp wouldn’t be difficult.

The camp’s loss of control and rebellion, even if not directly incited, must have been tacitly allowed, turning a deaf ear, and then go with the flow.

Shed responsibility while gleaning benefits.

Meng Canglan quickly said, “Princely Heir, the disciples in Da Lie Camp are at the lowest tier within our sect, achieving little success; their actions lack wit, hence this.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “If Da Lie Camp rebels, Jihai Town descends into chaos, and Da Lie invades, what would Wuyou Sect do then?”

“This…” Meng Canglan said, “We can only strive to kill the enemy.”

“The elite of Da Lie would also have Wuyou Sect’s disciples covertly lurking, providing mutual assistance to accrue merits?” Chu Zhiyuan said: “Playing both sides against the middle, indeed.”

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly laughed: “That’s truly having it both ways.”

“Princely Heir!” Meng Canglan’s face changed color.

This was, indeed, a damning statement.

Meng Canglan’s beautiful face drooped, discontentedly saying, “Princely Heir, please mind your words, such speculations on our sect truly chill the heart.”

“I’m afraid my speculations are too light,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, “Your sect manipulates affairs like chess pieces, treating the people as mere grass, which is truly chilling.”

Meng Canglan sighed, “Princely Heir, you truly misunderstand, matters are not as they seem.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Then let’s first quell the Da Lie Camp’s rebellion.”

“How does the Princely Heir plan to do it?” Meng Canglan asked.

She sighed inwardly.

This was forcing the Wuyou Sect to aid the Phoenix Camp in swiftly exterminating the Da Lie Camp.

The Da Lie Camp now hides in the deep mountains and forests, even Martial Arts masters can do nothing.

The Eastern Territory’s mountains are not just one or ten but are a continuous mountain range.

Once it snows, all paths are obliterated, with no trace of breath left, how can one find them?

Even deploying a Great Grandmaster would be of no use.

These mountains are too deep and distant, beyond the sensing range of a Great Grandmaster.

Even a genius like the Princely Heir finds it extremely difficult to locate the Da Lie Camp.

No matter how formidable the Phoenix Camp, if they can’t find the Da Lie Camp, they can’t act.

Thus, they can only force the Wuyou Sect.

She had originally said to offer aid to Chu Zhiyuan voluntarily to clear suspicions.

But the Elders opposed it, leading to the current situation where they are compelled to assist.

The Elders still underestimated the Princely Heir.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, “Where is Da Lie Camp now?”

Meng Canglan softly said, “Da Lie Camp is located in the mountains a hundred miles south of Yanhang Mountain.”

“They’re indeed near Yanhang Mountain,” said Chu Zhiyuan: “Any more precise location?”

He then said, “Seems there are experts in Da Lie Camp too, intending to divert the Court’s attention through Yanhang Mountain?”

Meng Canglan said helplessly, “Perhaps it was just a lucky hit, a hundred miles south there’s an Eagle Beak Cliff, they should be there.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, “They must keep moving locations, right?”

Meng Canglan said, “They’ve changed location three times already; this time, they just arrived at Eagle Beak Cliff.”

As she spoke, she took out a map from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, “Your sect knows what I need even before I ask.”

There are indeed experts within the Wuyou Sect, perhaps some specializing in analyzing his actions.

They predicted he would question Wuyou Sect about the location of Da Lie Camp, so they were prepared.

This is also an invisible show of force, signaling him to be mindful of his actions and not overstep.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at it thoughtfully, gazing toward the direction marked on the map.

It was indeed one of the hazardous places marked.

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