40: Meng Ruxue’s target: the North Korea-China network!

Not long after, the Heavenly Demoness left the Princes Residence; he still had to continue impersonating Chu Yuan, so he couldn't stay here for too long.

Chu Yun sat alone in the room at this moment, holding the box that Wang Hancuo and the others had given him, which sealed the Evil Infant.

“Night Devour, are you sure you have this much confidence?”

“Two Nirvana Realm Evil Infants, and you can successfully evolve to the Venerable level?”

Chu Yun's inner consciousness questioned the Evil Infant, Night Devour.

Night Devour respectfully replied, “Master, this is absolutely true.”

“I have been at the Peak of the Nirvana Realm for many years, having devoured no less than a dozen Nirvana Realm Evil Infants, and I have already completed eighty to ninety percent of my transformation to the Venerable level.”

“If I devour two more Nirvana Realm Evil Infants, I will definitely become a Venerable level Evil Infant, and I will never disappoint my Master!”

Night Devour guaranteed with an oath.

Chu Yun listened to his words, his expression unchanged: “I hope so.”

“If you can reach the Venerable level, then you can transform into a human form, and by then, you won't have to keep hiding in this temple's mind.”

Evil Infants at the Venerable Realm level no longer needed to exist in infant form; they could freely transform into any species, such as Human Race or Yao Beast, with no difficulty for them.

Furthermore, unless one's cultivation was much higher than theirs, even Venerables of the same realm would find it difficult to discover their true Evil Infant form without making a move!

After Chu Yun put away the box, he found Luo Feng and went to the palace together.

There were some matters he intended to discuss with his imperial concubine and maternal uncle... at the Prime Ministers Residence.

At this time, Meng Ruxue held a list in her hand, her gaze lingering carefully over the names.

The Formation she had prepared to deal with the Nirvana Realm had already been set up.

It was located outside the Imperial City, in a place called Crescent Moon Valley.

That place was sparsely populated, quiet, and desolate, making it the most suitable location for her scheme.

After Meng Ruxue carefully reviewed the list, her target ultimately locked onto one person.

The Grand Elder of the Yan Family, Yan Song!

The Yan Family was a local aristocratic family within the Imperial City.

Although no one from the Yan Family held an official position in the court, their heritage was undeniable, as an ancestor had once reached the Venerable Realm level.

Although it no longer possessed its former glory, it was still among the top three aristocratic families in the Imperial City.

Especially the current family head of the Yan Family, whose talent was not inferior, and only lacked some opportunities to Breakthrough to the Venerable Realm.

“He's the one!”

“Yan Song!” Meng Ruxue confirmed her target.

The beautiful woman heard the name and thought carefully: “Young Miss, Yan Song holds a high position in the Yan Family, but he has no children and often stays within the Yan Family.”

“It might be difficult to trick him out of the city.”

Meng Ruxue's expression was calm: “Having no children doesn't mean he has no one he cares about.”

“I once heard that Yan Song had kept several young women outside; you can follow that lead and investigate.”

The beautiful woman responded: “Yes, Young Miss.”

...In the Imperial Palace.

Chu Yun, Consort Shi, and the Shura Venerable sat together.

“Yun'er, do you have something important this time?” Consort Shi asked directly.

“Imperial Concubine Mother, this son intends to... establish his own network of connections within the Imperial City,” Chu Yun said.

Consort Shi and the Shura Venerable exchanged glances, the latter crossing his arms and saying indifferently, “Tell me.”

“Alright.”

“Maternal Uncle, Imperial Concubine Mother, you must know by now that if the Crown Prince's Empress Faction power is set aside, the forces and connections he has gathered around him are still the strongest among all of Imperial Father's children.”

“Therefore, if we rely solely on the Shi Family, two fists are no match for four hands; the power is too thin.”

“Hence, I want to use myself as the foundation to begin building a network of connections unique to me.”

“My main purpose in coming here is to ask Imperial Concubine Mother and Maternal Uncle which forces in the Imperial City are suitable to stand on my side?” Chu Yun said earnestly.

His idea had, naturally, been thoroughly thought through.

After Consort Shi and the Shura Venerable remained silent for a while, the former said: “Yun'er, there are many forces in the Imperial City, and their relationships are quite complex.”

“The Crown Prince has successfully wooed at least half of the local forces within the Imperial City.”

“Of the remaining ones worth considering, there are only the Yan Family, Tianbao Pavilion, the Ming Princes Residence, and the Prime Ministers Residence.”

Chu Yun heard this and naturally knew of these forces.

The Yan Family, with its profound strength and heritage, was one of the top three local aristocratic families in the Imperial City.

The Prime Ministers Residence, needless to say, the former Chancellor, the first powerful minister, was a true Venerable Realm expert!

Even his maternal uncle had to give him some face, more or less.

The Ming Princes Residence was one of the three great Princes Residences in the Imperial City.

The other two princes were the Black Iron King and Prince Xuan.

The former had long been a member of the Empress Faction, while the latter had entered secluded cultivation fifty years ago and was unreachable, making him not a consideration at all.

As for Tianbao Pavilion.

Before Misty Rain Tower entered the Imperial City, Tianbao Pavilion was the Great Xia Dynasty's number one business guild, enjoying immense glory.

However, after Misty Rain Tower appeared, Tianbao Pavilion was suppressed all the way, and its business suffered severe losses.

Because its resource foundation, and even the strength of its high-level personnel, could not compare to Misty Rain Tower.

Since then, Tianbao Pavilion has been continuously suppressed by Misty Rain Tower, and its former glory no longer exists.

To this day, it can only open some branch pavilions in other parts of the Great Xia Dynasty to alleviate the financial pressure on its main pavilion.

However, although Tianbao Pavilion cannot compare to Misty Rain Tower, it does not mean that Tianbao Pavilion has completely fallen into decline.

After all, it was once the number one business guild; a lean camel is still bigger than a horse!

The Pavilion Master of Tianbao Pavilion was still a Venerable Realm level individual.

It's just that now, due to the existence of Misty Rain Tower, they are forced to be very low-key.

“I heard that the Crown Prince also tried to win over these forces, but he ultimately failed.”

The Shura Venerable nodded and replied, “Indeed, Chu Rong not only tried to win them over but even attempted to approach the Xuan Princes Residence.”

“However, the leaders of these forces are each more astute than the last; compared to getting embroiled in the vortex of imperial power, what they desire more is their own stability.”

“After all, in imperial power struggles, no side has ever dared to claim absolute certainty of victory.”

“They are all intelligent people and know the consequences of doing so.”

Chu Yun's expression was solemn: “The main reason they didn't accept Chu Rong's overtures, I think, was because of Imperial Father.”

The Shura Venerable and Consort Shi looked at him with some surprise and astonishment: “Yun'er, the fact that you can consider this point shows truly extraordinary insight.”

“You're right, the main reason Meng Chancellor, including the Pavilion Master of Tianbao Pavilion, refused was because of your Imperial Father.”

“The reigning Son of Heaven!”