Hidden Hand

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes again and said no more.

Chu Liexuan was swept up in turbulent emotions and had no mind to speak either.

Once this chatterbox fell silent, the others lost all interest in talking as well.

True Martial Academy thus quieted down, everyone cultivating on their own.

Time passed. At noon, Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin met again at Clear Wind Cliff.

"His Majesty has made his decision. He will no longer prohibit the martial arts of the demonic sects."

"Then I truly ought to thank Father Emperor." Chu Zhiyuan's face was full of mockery.

"His Majesty hadn't expected there to be so many people cultivating demonic arts either." Chu Honglin shook his head. "In truth, neither had I."

Chu Zhiyuan had once said that there were numerous cultivators of demonic arts, making up half the populace.

But after he truly saw the intelligence gathered by the Supervisory Department, he discovered that not only had Chu Zhiyuan not exaggerated—the reality was even more severe than he had described.

The demonic sects had spread so widely that they could be called the foremost under heaven.

This scale had formed without anyone noticing, and it had already grown into a force to be reckoned with.

If demonic arts were prohibited now, it would be tantamount to forcing the people of the realm into rebellion.

Should someone seize the chance to stir up the populace, then amidst the surging public fervor, unforeseen calamity could very well erupt.

Thus, His Majesty had no choice but to rescind his decision to prohibit demonic arts.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Father Emperor is rather wary of the demonic sects, isn't he?"

"His Majesty believes your actions this time were very right." Chu Honglin said approvingly, "You have rendered great service to the Imperial Court and