Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Tenth Uncle, she and I are adversaries. If we meet, she'll probably want to punish me first."
He could imagine Li Hongzhao's reaction upon seeing him again; she would definitely try to humiliate him.
Why ask for trouble if it's not absolutely necessary?
Chu Mingrui laughed and said, "You are now a Grandmaster. Surely she wouldn't use the Son of Heaven Sword, would she?"
"She might actually do it," Chu Zhiyuan said.
After being suppressed by him for so long, now that she can finally hold her head high, how could she not show off and demonstrate her power?
She might very well use the Son of Heaven Sword to show him who's boss.
If she vents her frustration, her thoughts will be clear, which might lead to an improvement in her cultivation.
Chu Mingrui smiled and said, "Anyway, I know she won't kill you. The Great Meng delegation will arrive soon."
"Are they coming to negotiate peace?"
"The Great Meng has also discovered a secret realm," Chu Mingrui said. "They want to explore it together."
"Great Zhen, Great Meng, and us, all three have discovered secret realms," Chu Zhiyuan said thoughtfully.
Chu Mingrui said, "New secret realms appear every thousand years. It's not surprising."
"If this continues, and more and more secret realms appear, won't they be everywhere eventually?"
Chu Mingrui laughed and said, "If time is long enough, it might be possible. We are lucky to encounter this once. What happens afterward is none of our business."
Even with a long lifespan, they couldn't possibly live for a thousand years. Whether secret realms appear at that time, and how many, would be none of their concern.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded.
But in his heart, he secretly thought that his desire for immortality wouldn't be so easy to achieve.
Not to mention immortality, even living for a thousand years would be difficult.
To increase his lifespan, he must first cross the Grandmaster realm, but each realm of the Grandmaster level is so difficult.
Now, he really lacked confidence.
But even without confidence, he must struggle hard and never waste this second life.
The two chatted idly, while Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan listened behind them.
"This time, we were fortunate that you sent the Holy Maiden of Worry-Free Sect," Chu Mingrui said. "I almost lost my life."
"The imperial grandfather will also find the Worry-Free Sect," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.
He could think of the Worry-Free Sect, and so could the emperor, but he just hadn't taken action yet.
If it was delayed for a few more days, the emperor would probably ask the Four Great Demonic Sects to find a solution together.
Eventually, he would still invite experts from the Worry-Free Sect to go.
The five quickly arrived at the Prince of Ying's mansion.
After drinking a cup of tea, Chu Zhiyuan wisely took his leave.
Chu Zhiyuan followed Chu Mingrui to the study.
The two sat down separately.
"It's about the throne," Chu Mingrui sighed. "Have you thought about it?"
"Tenth Uncle, I do want to wield the Son of Heaven Sword," Chu Zhiyuan said frankly.
He didn't expect Chu Mingrui to bring up the matter directly.
This matter was too sensitive and was usually avoided carefully.
Although Chu Mingrui was a god of war, and although Chu Mingrui was upright and honorable, Chu Zhiyuan admired him greatly.
But Chu Zhiyuan would not yield the throne because of this; he would still fight for it.
The main reason was the Son of Heaven Sword, and the chance for immortality.
"Alas!" Chu Mingrui sighed. "Who doesn't want to be emperor?"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "I don't think Tenth Uncle wants to."
"Hehe," Chu Mingrui laughed. "You still understand me."
Chu Mingrui said with relief, "I'm really not that enthusiastic about the throne. It's too tiring."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Doesn't Tenth Uncle want to wield the strongest power in the world and control his own destiny?"
"You've been stimulated," Chu Mingrui laughed. "Stimulated by the marriage proposal?"
"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan said. "Also, the matter of the royal mansion."
"Indeed," Chu Mingrui nodded. "If I were you, I would also be angry that I couldn't control my own destiny and was helpless."
He could fully understand Chu Zhiyuan's anger and ambition, and understand why Chu Zhiyuan wanted to be emperor.
What he really wanted was freedom.
He didn't want to lose his freedom again, personal freedom, and the freedom to marry whichever woman he chose.
"I'm not as intense as you. I just want to continue leading the army and don't want to expend too much energy," he said.
"Tenth Uncle, in fact, the emperor can decide the outcome of a war more than someone in the army."
"That's not true," Chu Mingrui shook his head. "Even if you have the advantage, more troops, and stronger equipment, you still might not win in a real fight. It depends on the general."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tenth Uncle wants to keep winning battles."
"Yes," Chu Mingrui said, "Moreover, when I was young, I was eager for quick success and practiced the Visualization Technique too early, which damaged my spirit, making it impossible for me to break through to the Grandmaster realm. So, I gave up and no longer had any extravagant hopes."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tenth Uncle, even if your spirit is damaged, you might still be able to become a Grandmaster."
"Even the most powerful elixir wouldn't work," Chu Mingrui shook his head. "Even if it could repair my spirit and I could become a Grandmaster, I still wouldn't want to sit on the throne."
He smiled. "Do you know that once you become a Grandmaster, you can no longer stay in the army."
"Tenth Uncle, haven't you had enough?" Chu Zhiyuan said, "Life in the army is too hard."
Chu Mingrui shook his head. "I'm used to life in the army and not used to the noise of Yujing. I prefer commanding troops and winning battles."
Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood and chuckled, "Tenth Uncle, you did this on purpose? You made this decision when you were young, didn't you?"
He suddenly understood why Chu Mingrui would practice the Visualization Technique even knowing that it shouldn't be practiced early.
He had wondered why he would make such a mistake, it was so inappropriate.
It was likely that he had seen his true heart when he was practicing the Visualization Technique and made a choice between the throne and being a general.
He gave up the throne and chose to be a general.
"That's right," Chu Mingrui said.
Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "It's just that Ninth Brother and Royal Father have suffered. They both think Tenth Uncle is too tired and don't want you to stay in the army anymore. They all want you to return to Yujing to enjoy life."
"They always think that my saying that I'm not suffering and actually enjoying it is just comforting them. They simply don't believe it," Chu Mingrui said with a helpless expression.
He had emphasized it several times, but they turned a deaf ear and insisted on treating it as a lie.
He was really helpless.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed.
Chu Mingrui said, "Now it seems that your cultivation has improved too quickly, and you haven't had time to train in the army. It's really a pity."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled.
He really had no intention of joining the army; it was too dangerous.
"The imperial father is now in his prime. He won't abdicate within ten years. After ten years, who knows if Tian'er and Chuan'er can become Grandmasters?"
Chu Zhichuan and Chu Zhitian are also improving extremely quickly. They might become Grandmasters in ten years.
The Son of Heaven Sword will no longer have only one choice at that time. Chu Zhiyuan's shortcoming of not having enough merit will be fatal, and he might not be chosen by the Son of Heaven Sword.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Let's see. Do our best and leave the rest to fate."
Ten years to break through to the Grandmaster realm is almost impossible for Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan.
Of course, they might suddenly have a lucky encounter and make rapid progress, breaking through to the Grandmaster realm in a short time.
Then Chu Zhiyuan would have nothing to say. That would be unpredictable fate.
Chu Mingrui said, "There is a way to make up for the loss of merit."
