Chapter 24
Cultivating the Sage, Challenge of Experts
On the official road between the mountains and forests, dust flew everywhere. A group of soldiers galloped on their horses and raised military flags with the word ‘reputation’ engraved on them. Leading them was a silver-armored general with a handsome face. He held a spear in his hand and was in high spirits.
It was the Fourth Prince, Jiang Yu, who was now nineteen years old!
Looking at the distant imperial city, Jiang Yu revealed a smile. He smiled unruly and whispered to himself, “Brother, you won’t be able to sit firmly on the throne!”
A thousand light cavalrymen in black armor moved forward like dragons, unstoppable!
In front of them, there was a stone pavilion by the roadside. There was someone drinking in the pavilion. It was the leader of the Sky Martial Supervisor, Zong Tianwu, who was once the supreme master of the martial arts world.
He put down the wine bowl, stood up, walked out of the stone pavilion, and blocked the road.
Jiang Yu rode his horse over. When he saw someone blocking his way, his expression did not change and he just wanted to gallop away.
The two sides got closer and closer, but Zong Tianwu still had no intention of backing down as he calmly stared at Jiang Yu.
The horse raised its front hooves, wanting to trample on Zong Tianwu. Zong Tianwu’s eyes turned cold and his true qi exploded, rising like a wave. Dust flew and the horse was overturned. Jiang Yu leaped and landed on the ground before pointing his spear at Zong Tianwu.
“You dare to block my path at the feet of the Emperor?”
Jiang Yu coldly said. He was shocked. When did such an expert appear in the capital?
His strength was too terrifying. He had seen many martial arts experts on the battlefield, but none of them could compare to this person in front of him.
A thousand light cavalry quickly surrounded Zong Tianwu.
Zong Tianwu said expressionlessly, “His Majesty wants to see the strength of your Black Wolf Cavalry.”
Jiang Yu frowned and asked, “What do you mean? Just you alone?”
Zong Tianwu raised his right hand in a gesture of invitation and said, “Sky Martial Supervisor, Zong Tianwu.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yu’s pupils constricted and his hand holding the spear trembled.
Even though he was on the battlefield, he had heard of the might of the Sky Martial Supervisor over the years.
Powerful!
Cruel!
Zong Tianwu continued, “Your Highness, do it. Don’t tell me the Black Wolf Cavalry that has swept across the battlefield is afraid of me?”
When Jiang Yu heard that, his eyes instantly turned red.
Courting death!
…
It was noon, and the wind was gentle and sunny.
In the courtyard, Jiang Changsheng, Jiang Yuan, and Jiang Yu sat around a stone table. Jiang Yu, whose face was covered with bruises, recounted the battle three days ago where a thousand Black Wolf Cavalry were defeated by one person.
“This is too ridiculous. How can one’s martial arts be so strong? My brothers are all powerful people who can fight against dozens of enemies!”
“Also, Zong Tianwu is completely merciless. Father, are you not going to punish him?”
The more Jiang Yu spoke, the more excited he became, while Jiang Yuan laughed out loud.
Such a scene was really like a family of three.
Jiang Changsheng sighed internally.
Jiang Yuan probably facilitated this gathering to comfort his heart. Jiang Changsheng knew their real relationship, but he could not say that Jiang Yu was someone he did not know.
Jiang Yu looked at Jiang Changsheng and said, “Brother Changsheng, can you defeat Zong Tianwu? Help me teach him a lesson. If you do, I will satisfy whatever you want.”
Jiang Changsheng asked helplessly, “Are you serious?”
Jiang Yu chuckled and said, “Of course it’s a joke. I can’t wait to curry favor with him. Even though he was rude, he had beaten me into submission. Moreover, he is a supreme expert in the martial arts world. To be able to work for our Jiang Family is also a great honor.”
Since ancient times, with the change of dynasties, the underworld was still the same. It would be affected by the court, but it would not be annexed.
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “Zong Tianwu is indeed proud and arrogant, but I need him to rope in the experts of the martial arts world. Great Jing has been established for 21 years, and the surrounding dynasties have also submitted one after another. However, the dynasties further away cannot be shaken. After dozens of years of war, the martial arts in this land has declined greatly. It is not as prosperous as the martial arts of the distant dynasties. Even though dynasties cannot be defeated by one person, there are as many experts as the clouds. They can also defeat thousands of troops and horses and shake dynasties.”
He sighed. He thought of the mysterious person who trespassed the palace that day. His strength was so terrifying that he even felt that Zong Tianwu was not his opponent.
Jiang Yuan changed the topic and said, “Changsheng, there seems to be someone else in your courtyard?”
Jiang Changsheng pretended to hesitate and said, “Jianxin, come out.”
Hearing that name, Jiang Yuan could not help but raise his eyebrows while Jiang Yu was curious.
At that moment, Hua Jianxin walked out of the room.
Jiang Yu widened his eyes and said, “Brother Changsheng, you are a Daoist priest. How can you hide a woman?”
Jiang Changsheng rolled his eyes at him.
Jiang Yuan stroked his beard and said with a smile, “Longqi Temple is not a traditional Daoist temple. Daoist Master Qingxu is the founder of the sect, and it can be regarded as a martial arts sect. There is no prohibition against disciples from getting married and having children. However, it is best to get married after leaving the mountain. If Changsheng wants to get married, I can issue a decree to allow it.”
Jiang Changsheng said helplessly, “Your Majesty, this woman’s identity is special. I have a request.”
Jiang Yuan teased, “Tell me.”
Hua Jianxin walked over and bowed respectfully to Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Changsheng said, “She was originally from the White-robed Guards and was severely injured by the Devil Lrd. I was the one who saved her. She has been practicing martial arts with me all these years, so it’s not convenient for her to return because… I hope Your Majesty can arrange for her to enter the White-robed Guards again in the future.”
Jiang Yuan asked curiously, “Why in the future?”
Hua Jianxin said, “I want to practice martial arts with Daoist Master first.”
Jiang Yuan nodded and said, “I’ve learned that you were the only one who took action during those nights. You have contributed greatly, so I should have rewarded you. When you want to return to the White-robed Guards, I’ll arrange for you to become a thousand-man commander.”
Hua Jianxin was pleasantly surprised and hastily thanked Jiang Yuan.
There were a total of 50,000 White-robed Guards. The leader was the Chief Guard, followed by the thousand-man commanders. Thousand-man commanders represented higher salary level, and among the White-robed Guards, it also represented the power to mobilize a thousand people. How could Hua Jianxin not be happy about this promotion?
Jiang Changsheng then told her to leave.
The three of them chatted for a while before Jiang Yuan left with Jiang Yu. Before he left, he asked for more medicinal pills. Hearing this, Jiang Yu widened his eyes in disbelief.
It turned out that his father did not come to a sudden realization, but changed to someone else to refine pills?
Even though Jiang Yu was puzzled, he did not dare to ask. That was because Jiang Yuan hated it when others talked about how he pursued the Immortal Dao. For that reason, Jiang Yuan had beheaded many people.
After they left, Hua Jianxin walked out of the house again.
She came to Jiang Changsheng’s side and asked in confusion, “Daoist Master, why do you want me to return to the White-robed Guards?”
Jiang Changsheng had refined a talisman that contained his spiritual force, and it could help Hua Jianxin conceal her aura. However, Jiang Changsheng told her not to hide it.
Jiang Changsheng picked up his teacup and said, “Haven’t you always wanted to work for me? How about you enter the White-robed Guards as my eyes in the future?”
Hua Jianxin was stunned. He did not expect Jiang Changsheng to covet the imperial power. The White-robed Guards were directly under the imperial power.
She carefully asked, “Who are you targeting? Or are you planning something?”
Jiang Changsheng said, “To plot for the throne.”
Hua Jianxin turned pale and said in a low voice, “Daoist Master, the throne is not something you can obtain just by killing the Emperor. It also requires the support of the civil and military officials. You have to think carefully about the support of the aristocratic families.”
No matter how powerful Longqi Temple was, Jiang Changsheng was only a Daoist priest.
What right did a Daoist priest have to steal from a country?
Rely on these Daoist priests?
Jiang Changsheng smiled and said, “I don’t want to be the Emperor. I want to cultivate the Dao, but I can let my son be the emperor. Do you know my real identity?”
Hua Jianxin shook his head, feeling even more confused.
“Then do you think His Majesty only came because of my medicinal pills? If that’s the case, why did he recommend the Fourth Prince to come into contact with me?” Jiang Changsheng said with a spurious smile. After interacting with him for so many years, Hua Jianxin did not do anything bad and could already be trusted. He decided to reveal the truth and rope in a team for his future son.
Hua Jianxin frowned and thought hard. All of a sudden, she thought of something and her expression changed drastically. “The Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince are both born to the Empress. In the past, the Empress went crazy and said that the Crown Prince was not her son. Could it be…”
Jiang Changsheng calmly said, “That’s right, I am the real crown prince. Tell me, do I have the qualifications to covet the throne?”
Hua Jianxin was shocked and widened his beautiful eyes.
Jiang Changsheng recounted his childhood experience and what he knew, which stunned Hua Jianxin. She already knew that the royal family was complicated, but she did not expect it to be so complicated. It was too ridiculous.
From Jiang Changsheng’s point of view, she also felt indignant. He was supposed to be the crown prince, but a dragon had fallen to the mortal world.
Hua Jianxin frowned and said, “I’ve heard of the Mahayana Dragon Tower. It’s a holy land of martial arts for thousands of years, and its traces are hard to find. For today’s martial arts world, it’s illusory and intangible. I didn’t expect it to really exist and control the imperial power…”
Jiang Changsheng faintly said, “That’s why I want to nurture an emperor who is not at the mercy of the forces behind the scenes. I want a virtuous sage who empathizes with the people. Not only can he fight for me, but he can also make the world more stable and creating a peaceful and prosperous world. Jianxin, are you willing to help me?”
When Hua Jianxin thought of Eunuch Li’s sinister expression when he stood in front of the imperial gates that night, the flames of anger in her heart were ignited. All of a sudden, she felt a strong sense of duty as if she was a scholar would die for his bosom friend.
“Daoist Master, you saved me. I am willing to help you!”
“Very well. Thank you, Jianxin. I will only tell you this. No one in the Daoist temple knows, not even the Emperor.”
“Jianxin will definitely go through fire and water for the Daoist Master!”
“I won’t let you die.”
“Yes… but Daoist Master, where is your son?”
Hua Jianxin blushed when he heard Jiang Changsheng’s words and hastily changed the topic.
Jiang Changsheng revealed a vexed expression and said, “Ah! That’s right. I don’t know when my son will appear, so train hard all these years and wait for me to give birth to a son.”
When Hua Jianxin heard this, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable and could not help but ask, “You already have a wife and concubines?”
“Of course not. I’m still looking for one.”
Hua Jianxin gritted his teeth and said, “Then can I do it?”
Jiang Changsheng looked at her in surprise, making her face turn even redder.
In fact, Hua Jianxin had long admired Jiang Changsheng. How could she not be tempted by such a powerful and handsome young man who had saved her life?
However, she owed Jiang Changsheng her life and did not dare to have any improper thoughts. Now that Jiang Changsheng wanted a son, she suddenly felt that her chance had come.
Jiang Changsheng was silent as he carefully sized up Hua Jianxin’s pretty face.
She was pretty, so their child would not be ugly if she gave birth to a son.
Hua Jianxin lowered his head. His ears were red and he was extremely shy.
…
In the twenty-second year after the founding of the dynasty, the cold days had arrived.
At the beginning of the year, Jiang Changsheng’s deeds of transcending the tribulation and the story of White Dragon’s intellect began to spread from the capital to the world. Starting from that year, experts from the pugilistic world came to challenge Longqi Temple one after another. At first, Meng Qiushuang and the other disciples could still resist. Later on, when top experts appeared, Jiang Changsheng had no choice but to push out Hua Jianxin to resist for him.
Even though Hua Jianxin had yet to reach the Heavenly Arrival realm, she had learned the Jade Pure Meridian Cutting Needle. Ordinary top experts were not his opponent.
Until this day.
Wan Li ran over and said anxiously, “Senior Brother Changsheng, Senior Brother Meng has brought a group of experts here to challenge you. If you don’t take action, he will kill White Dragon.”