Chapter 39
Hunted Down For Life, Hero’s Tomb
As Jiang Changsheng consolidated his cultivation, he checked the incense calculation function.
[Incense Calculation: It can consume incense points to deduce the essence of things and cause and effect. The amount of incense points required depends on the degree of calculation.]
“Current incense points: 0”
Jiang Changsheng asked internally, “I want to know if I can easily suppress the Mahayana Dragon Tower.”
[Requires 1,000 incense points. Do you wish to continue?]
Continue.
[Insufficient incense value, calculation failed.]
F*ck, was there still a hint to continue?
Jiang Changsheng shook his head and focused on consolidating his cultivation.
Late at night, he returned to his room and began to inherit the reincarnation seal.
The word reincarnation sounded impressive. Furthermore, it was obtained from breaking through the sixth level of the lightning tribulation.
The Seal of Reincarnation was a soul spell that could be imprinted on others. The reincarnation cycle was indestructible. After reaching the range of the divine consciousness, one could capture the other party’s Seal of Reincarnation. Furthermore, it was hard for the enemy to detect this mark, making it a perfect tracking spell.
What was this called?
Track you down for an eternity?
Jiang Changsheng found it interesting. He thought of another magical use, and that was to use it on the people around him. This way, even if they crossed the cycle of reincarnation, he still had hope of finding them. As for who he would use it on, he would see in the future. If he were to use it for affection, it could only be used on people he was close to.
In the next few days, the news of Daoist Master Changsheng transcending the tribulation spread throughout the thirteen prefectures. In an era of chaos, such deeds were not rare. Many people would fabricate myths for themselves to start a war and recruit disciples.
After half a month, Jiang Changsheng’s incense value finally rose to 15.
One day, Eunuch Li came to announce that the Emperor had summoned Jiang Changsheng to the palace. Jiang Changsheng followed him down the mountain. When the disciples learned of this, they were all excited, thinking that the Emperor was going to reward Longqi Temple again. After all, it was common knowledge that the Emperor had a good relationship with Jiang Changsheng.
Jiang Changsheng followed behind Eunuch Li and looked at his back, wondering if he should kill him.
Speaking of which, it was ironic. All the aristocrats who switched him back then, with the exception of Eunuch Li, were all dead. They were all killed by the Emperor. Especially when the Devil Sect caused trouble back then, the Emperor took the opportunity to kill many people. At present, only Eunuch Li was still alive.
Eunuch Li served Jiang Yuan all year round and did his best. Jiang Changsheng wanted Jiang Yuan to live a few more years, so he did not attack him.
“Forget it. In the end, this old dog is also a puppet. When the Emperor passes away, I’ll give him a quick death.”
Jiang Changsheng thought to himself. Eunuch Li did not know what he was thinking. From time to time, he would turn around and chat with him to avoid neglecting him. His attitude was very enthusiastic.
Eunuch Li naturally knew Jiang Changsheng’s true identity and his heart was filled with emotions. If Daoist Master Changsheng were still the crown prince, wouldn’t Great Jing be better with his talent in martial arts?
Daoist Master Changsheng seemed to be a cultivator who did not care about worldly affairs, but many experts had died in his hands. His decisive personality was too similar to Jiang Yuan.
Unfortunately, there were no ifs.
Eunuch Li also knew why Jiang Yuan wanted to swap Jiang Changsheng. Some things could only rot in his stomach forever and there was no need to uncover them.
An hour later, they entered the palace and came to the imperial study.
Jiang Yuan was writing, and the Empress was grinding ink on his inkstone. When she saw Jiang Changsheng and Eunuch Li enter, she subconsciously looked up and was stunned.
“Your Majesty, Her Majesty, the Daoist Master of Longqi Temple has arrived.”
Eunuch Li bowed respectfully before he left and closed the door.
The Empress looked at Jiang Changsheng with a complicated gaze. She was obviously excited, but she restrained herself very well.
Jiang Changsheng cupped his hands and bowed. “Daoist Priest Changsheng greets Your Majesty and the Empress.”
It seemed like the Empress already knew his real identity.
However, at this point, Jiang Changsheng no longer had any thoughts about recognizing them. He was already almost forty years old, so why should he acknowledge them?
Jiang Yuan put down the brush and looked up with a smile. “Changsheng, come and take a look. What do you think of my calligraphy?”
Jiang Changsheng walked over and saw six words written on the long piece of paper.
I am the will of heaven.
Not bad. The strokes were sharp and stylish.
Jiang Changsheng praised truthfully.
Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue in wonder and said, “Unfortunately, I don’t have many years left to live. Changsheng, do you know painting and calligraphy? Come, let me see your handwriting.”
Jiang Changsheng did not stand on ceremony. He had learned calligraphy in his early years and rarely had the chance to show off. Right now, there was nothing to hide in front of his biological parents.
Jiang Yuan stepped aside. The Empress looked at Jiang Changsheng with reddened eyes and quietly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Jiang Changsheng held a brush in his hand and rolled up his left sleeve as he wrote. Jiang Yuan was also moved when he read it.
“All under the heavens is the land of the emperor. Could it be that the emperor…”
As Jiang Yuan read, his expression became complicated.
These four lines were written with great strokes and there was a hidden killing intent at the end of each word. Looking at the words, Jiang Yuan saw the epic battles in the long river of history that eventually piled up into the image of a mighty emperor holding the country in his hand.
The Empress praised, “Daoist Master’s handwriting is more domineering than Daoist Master’s temperament, and it looks much better than His Majesty’s. This poem is also pretty good. I will definitely frame this calligraphy and hang it in the imperial study in the future.”
Jiang Yuan lamented, “It’s indeed not bad. The Book of Longevity is one of the top three techniques in the world. Unfortunately, it did not enter the literary world.”
He suddenly had the same feeling as Eunuch Li.
If he had not switched the crown prince back then, what would have happened?
Ever since the Seventh Prince became the crown prince, his shortcomings began to show. In the past, he did not need to deal with state affairs. Relying on his ability to speak and his strong martial arts, coupled with the support of the Mahayana Dragon Tower, Jiang Yuan liked him very much. However, his level of governance was far inferior to the fake crown prince. He was clearly skilled in martial arts, but he was timid and afraid of losing his position as the crown prince. He had been hiding in the capital, unlike Jiang Yu who was fighting for glory.
Jiang Changsheng’s talent was much better than Jiang Yu.
The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the more sour he felt. He held Jiang Changsheng’s hand and patted it repeatedly as he talked about the past.
The Empress saw through his inner thoughts and her eyes became bitter. All these years, he had also told the Empress his opinion of Jiang Yu.
After chatting for a while, Jiang Changsheng wanted to ask Jiang Yuan why he had called for him.
“Changsheng, who among the sons of the Seventh Prince can shoulder the position of the third emperor of Great Jing?” Jiang Yuan sat down and suddenly turned his head and asked.
If it were in the past, Jiang Changsheng would have been vague. But right now, he said bluntly, “King Wei, Jiang Ziyu, was originally the son of the main wife and can be considered as the eldest son of the first wife. However, because the princess consort passed away prematurely and His Highness the Crown Prince re-established the princess consort, causing King Wei to no longer be the eldest son of the first wife. This is unfair. Moreover, King Wei is talented and intelligent. Not only is he talented in martial arts, but his personality and ambition are also incomparable to the other children of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Jiang Yuan nodded. He also liked Jiang Ziyu. Coupled with his guilt towards Jiang Changsheng, he had an idea.
Jiang Yuan sighed and said, “Even though Ziyu is good, he has suffered a loss in terms of status. Moreover, his brother has the backing of a holy land in the martial arts world. It will be hard to compete in the future. If he has an expert backing him, I can pave the way for him.”
At this point, Jiang Changsheng said, “Longqi Temple is willing to support the King Wei.”
Jiang Yuan looked straight at him and he faced him calmly.
The Empress said, “I also like Ziyu, and Daoist Master Changsheng is Ziyu’s master. I will certainly support him. Your Majesty, why don’t you pave the way for Ziyu?”
Jiang Yuan turned around and walked towards the door. He put his hands behind his back and sighed. “Ziyu’s mother died early and his family was also suppressed by Yu’er to the border. It’s really difficult to support him in the capital. Let’s see how long I can live. Changsheng, go back and teach Ziyu well.”
Jiang Changsheng cupped his hands and bowed before he prepared to leave.
“Changsheng… Daoist Master…”
The Empress suddenly stopped Jiang Changsheng. Jiang Changsheng turned around and she hurriedly handed him the pastry box prepared for the Emperor on the table. “Yu’er said that you like the pastries in the palace.”
Jiang Changsheng did not stand on ceremony. He did miss the palace’s desserts. Before he left, he felt compassion and used his spiritual energy to send a voice transmission to the Empress.
The Empress widened her beautiful eyes and turned pale. Jiang Yuan walked out of the imperial study with his back facing her and did not notice the change in her expression.
Jiang Changsheng left. The Empress looked at his back with shock, but it soon turned into pleasant surprise and worry.
In the end, she made up her mind and walked to Jiang Yuan to support him.
After Jiang Changsheng left the palace with Eunuch Li, the Empress said to Jiang Yuan, “Your Majesty, I wish to betroth Minister Yang’s granddaughter to the King Wei. Even though Minister Yang and I are both from the Yang Family, our bloodlines are very far apart. If Your Majesty allows it, this matter can be discussed both internally and externally.”
Jiang Yuan was stunned. He looked at her in surprise and said, “He is only Changsheng’s disciple. Are you willing to involve the Yang Family?”
The Empress smiled and said, “The Yang Family should also find a backer. Your Majesty, all these years… I hope Your Majesty can fulfill my wish.”
Jiang Yuan felt uncomfortable when he heard that. The Yang Family had indeed contributed greatly, and he had suppressed them badly over the years. Other than the Empress, only Yang Che was still the Minister of Justice. The Empress was blaming him.
When he thought about how he was about to die, what should the world do?
Forget it.
“After the New Year, I will issue a decree.” Jiang Yuan sighed.
The Empress said happily, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for fulfilling my wish!”
Snow fluttered and covered the entire palace, making it seem vast and boundless. A tender green tree bud suddenly sprouted from a gap in a corner.
…
It was the 40th year of the Jing Dynasty, and after the New Year, King Qin, Jiang Yu, had completely taken control of the Cangzhou Province. He had also won numerous battlr against Ancient Han, and the thirteen provinces of the Jing Dynasty were jubilant. Jiang Yu’s prestige had skyrocketed, and there were even many who believed that he should be the crown prince.
The new spring had just arrived.
Longqi Temple welcomed uninvited guests.
“I am Yan Long. People in the martial arts world call me Killing Blade. I heard that Daoist Master Changsheng is not an ordinary person and had set up a hero’s tomb on Longqi Mountain. Today, Yan Long specially came to consult you. If I die in battle, I am willing to enter the Hero’s Tomb to strengthen your reputation!”
A heroic voice resounded throughout Longqi Temple. His voice was so powerful that it was deafening.
Xu Tianji, who was massaging White Dragon, looked up and clicked his tongue in wonder. “Another old fart has come. Interesting. It seems like the Hero’s Tomb will become a legend in the martial arts world.”
Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes and walked away with his sword while the others followed closely behind.
Jiang Ziyu excitedly said to Huang Chuan, “Killing Blade, that sounds very powerful. How many moves can he exchange with Master?”
Huang Chuan said proudly, “How many moves? It will definitely be like the end of the Sword Freak. Since he wants to die, let us fulfill his wish!”