An arm can't twist a thigh.
Since the Emperor had issued the decree, he had no choice but to comply.
But he could still grumble.
This was in line with the original owner's consistent style and habits, and could also curry greater favor.
The Emperor could be unfair once, unfair twice, but the number of times couldn't be too many, lest it affect his reputation.
If he was like this to his own son, how harsh and ungrateful would he be to others?
To avoid such associations and protect his reputation, the Emperor could only strive to present a fair demeanor, rewarding when due, without delay or perfunctoriness.
Chu Hongming revealed a smile: "Excellent."
Chu Zhichuan grunted: "Fifth Uncle, can you tell me what this operation is all about?"
"To wipe out the Flying Cloud Sect."
"The Flying Cloud Sect?"
"The main force behind the Thousand Machine Pavilion is the Flying Cloud Sect, along with several other sects, but the Flying Cloud Sect is the most important."
"Speaking of the Thousand Machine Pavilion... won't they receive news?"
"This operation is personally led by your Fifteenth Uncle, who personally selected the generals."
"We still need to prepare for leaks," Chu Zhiyuan frowned. "We can't underestimate the Thousand Machine Pavilion's extensive network."
If it were someone else, or if he wasn't involved, he wouldn't bother to speak up.
But this involved his Fifteenth Uncle Chu Honglin, who was closest to him and his staunch supporter.
And also his own safety.
Then he couldn't stand idly by, but had to open his eyes and figure things out.
Lest he lose his life in confusion.
Being a prince wasn't a talisman; the demon race dared to kill him, the demon race also dared to kill him, and even those Demon Sect fellows dared to kill him.
"Then how do we prepare?"
"One group openly, one secretly. First, send people to sneak over and find out the location of the Flying Cloud Sect's headquarters."
"Mm, we've already figured out the exact location."
"Then have people scouted it out?"
"That should not have happened... You can discuss these things with Fifteenth Brother; he'll listen to your words."
"...Yes."
He was only responsible for sensing Demon Sect experts and being vigilant for danger.
The real decision-maker was Fifteenth Uncle Chu Honglin; he was acting under orders.
Thinking of this, he felt helpless.
He was sent, but only to keep watch; he couldn't make decisions.
This feeling was too unpleasant.
Chu Hongming said, "You should discuss it carefully with Fifteenth Brother. The small Flying Cloud Sect is nothing to worry about."
Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "The Demon Sect, ah, can't be underestimated."
Chu Hongming smiled: "Fifteenth Brother has rich combat experience and won't be careless... Alright, I'm leaving. Go to the Diwu Academy to find Fifteenth Brother."
Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist.
Chu Honglin waved.
The two came to Qingfeng Cliff.
...
The sun had just risen, the rising sun like a fireball, bright and fiery.
The entire Great Bright Peak was dyed red, magnificent and resplendent.
"Have you received the Imperial Brother's order?"
Chu Zhiyuan said helplessly: "Fifteenth Uncle, there's no need to drag me along, right? I still need to practice my skills."
"Your progress is getting faster and faster!" Chu Honglin patted him on the shoulder.
He sensed Chu Zhiyuan's progress, having already stepped into the Sixth Cycle.
This rate of progress was truly astonishing.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "I want to strive to achieve Venerable status before going to the Phoenix Dynasty."
"You really dare to think!" Chu Honglin shook his head: "Impossible... Your progress is incredibly fast, but no matter how fast, you can't possibly evolve into the Divine Realm so quickly. You'll be stuck for a few years when you reach the Completion of Intent Transformation."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "First, you have to dare to think, and then strive to complete it... What's wrong with the Flying Cloud Sect?"
"Well, I'm a little worried and need your help to come up with ideas."
"Fifteenth Uncle thinks too highly of me."
"You brat!" Chu Honglin said unhappily: "Why are you being so polite with me!"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled wryly: "Fifteenth Uncle, I don't know anything."
Chu Honglin said: "If you don't know, I'll tell you. Listen, this Flying Cloud Sect was discovered by interrogating those two fellows..."
He spoke eloquently, telling Chu Zhiyuan what Yu Jizu and Huang Jingfu had said.
Chu Zhiyuan frowned, increasingly alarmed.
The Thousand Machine Pavilion's tentacles were too numerous, already touching all aspects, like a giant tree rooted within the Imperial City, rooted within the Jade Scenery Dynasty.
Through the Thousand Machine Pavilion, too many secret messages were being leaked.
If it was only leaked to the Phoenix Dynasty and the Yuanzhen Dynasty, that would be fine, but he feared it was also leaked to the demon and demon races.
Like the last time the original owner was assassinated, why was he able to be precisely attacked and killed by a demon expert?
The original owner's whereabouts were sold by the Thousand Machine Pavilion, bought by the demon race, and then successfully assassinated.
This one thing alone was enough for the Thousand Machine Pavilion to be destroyed.
Therefore, the Emperor decisively ordered the destruction of the Thousand Machine Pavilion.
And to destroy the Thousand Machine Pavilion, you must first destroy the Flying Cloud Sect. If you can't destroy the Flying Cloud Sect and the other sects, this Thousand Machine Pavilion will be destroyed, and another Thousand Machine Pavilion will be re-established.
Chu Zhiyuan's face was gloomy: "They're really crazy!... Crazy!"
"Indeed, they're crazy." Chu Honglin said coldly: "So we can only fulfill them!"
He still couldn't understand why the Demon Sect was so bold, so arrogant, so unscrupulous.
Weren't they afraid of the imperial court's extermination?
Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered: "Fifteenth Uncle, how many experts are you planning to take with you?"
"Twelve Venerables, all Venerables above the Third Cycle," Chu Honglin said in a deep voice, "One hundred and twenty Intent Transformation Realm experts, also above the Third Cycle."
"Too many." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.
Chu Honglin was stunned.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Twelve Venerables are enough. There are also offerings from the Astronomical Bureau, right?"
"Mr. Zhu and the three of them will also follow, using the Drunken God Flute."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "That's good... One hundred and twenty Intent Transformation Realm experts are too easy to expose. Don't forget they are the Thousand Machine Pavilion."
"Even if they know experts are dispatched, they can't possibly know who they are dealing with." Chu Honglin smiled: "I only summoned them, and no one except you and me and Mr. Zhu and the three of us knows the target."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Worthy of being Fifteenth Uncle."
Chu Honglin patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry, this time, we'll be as careful as possible and won't leak it in advance... Then we'll listen to you, and only take the twelve Venerables."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Divide them into two groups. First, take the twelve Venerables and see how things are before summoning the one hundred and twenty Intent Transformation Realm experts. Even if it's leaked, the twelve Venerables can still surround and kill the ringleaders."
Chu Honglin nodded: "Mm, that's more secure."
Chu Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
"According to those two, the Flying Cloud Sect's strength isn't strong, with only four Venerables. It's enough for us to take twelve Venerables."
"I'm just afraid of reinforcements." Chu Zhiyuan said: "They dared to assassinate Fifteenth Uncle, so they must have something to rely on."
He didn't believe that the Demon Sect was not afraid of death at all. Such arrogance must have something to rely on.
Without enough strength, they wouldn't be so inflated.
"Mm, we need to be careful and careful." Chu Honglin said: "Then let's act as soon as possible and set off today."
"Okay."
"Don't bring your guards."
"Understood, Fifteenth Uncle, we'll meet in the woods ten miles outside the South City Gate."
"That's best." Chu Honglin nodded.
The two separated and acted separately.
Half an hour later, Chu Zhiyuan met Chu Honglin and the twelve Venerables in the woods ten miles outside the South City Gate, and together they sped south.
