Chapter 5
Seal of Life and Death, Prince Apprentice (1)
The Dao Technique was a cultivation technique. Even though what Jiang Changsheng had cultivated was true energy, the Dao Technique was aligned with nature, as this technique emphasized integration with nature. Therefore, the aura of his true energy was something a martial artist could not pry into. At most, they could sense a trace of faint true energy in his body.
Jiang Yuan looked at Jiang Changsheng who was kneeling in front of the pavilion and was in a trance. He sighed and said, “I heard from Chen Li that you have outstanding martial arts at such a young age. It can be seen that you are talented. The Great Jing needs a genius like you.”
Jiang Changsheng replied, “Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.”
It turned out that Chen Li had put in a good word for him. More than once, Chen Li had suggested that he take the martial arts top scholar examination. Even though he did not know how powerful he was, the twelve-year-old him had stunned Chen Li.
Jiang Yuan smiled and continued to leave.
Jiang Changsheng lowered his head. He had the urge to stand up and acknowledge his family, but reason told him that the time was not right. It was too dangerous.
They had not seen each other for so many years. How could they acknowledge each other? Did they have to rely on blood to acknowledge each other?
Even if he succeeded, there would be many conflicts in the palace. Moreover, once he revealed his true identity, Jiang Yuan would be furious. Once that happened, he would kill more people, which would increase the hatred he would incur. At that time, how would he deal with himself when he returned to the palace?
If he had to be on tenterhooks every day, how could he cultivate?
He had to have the strength to be fearless of any danger before he could reveal his true identity!
Jiang Changsheng suddenly felt a gaze. He did not need to look up to sense that it was the old eunuch.
There was a spy in Longqi Temple, so the old eunuch naturally knew his identity.
This gaze did not stay for long. After they left, Jiang Changsheng and the others stood up.
Meng Qiuhe excitedly said, “Sure enough, Junior Brother Changsheng, even His Majesty remembers you.”
The other disciples from the same sect were also very excited. The female disciples looked at him with extraordinary splendor. At their prime, it was inevitable for girls to be in love. Furthermore, Jiang Changsheng’s handsomeness could be said to be unique in Longqi Temple.
Jiang Changsheng shook his head and laughed. “It’s useless. There might be more trouble instead. I’ll take my leave now. You can continue chatting.”
With that said, he left.
Meng Qiuhe did not stop him. Instead, he was thinking about a problem.
How powerful was Junior Brother Changsheng right now?
He had to find an opportunity to compare notes.
…
After returning to his room, Jiang Changsheng sat on the bed and cultivated. Naturally, his Dao Technique was profound, and he did not know how many layers there were to it. Only after successfully cultivating would he unlock the memories of the next layer.
It was not until night time that Qing Ku returned.
Ever since he experienced the outside world, Qing Ku had been reticent. He was usually immersed in martial arts, and his appearance and temperament seemed to be more mature than his actual age.
Qing Ku glanced at Jiang Changsheng and did not say anything else. He also sat on the bed and meditated.
Several days later.
Chen Li came to visit Jiang Changsheng again.
Beside the Dao bell, Chen Li excitedly said, “Not bad, Changsheng. His Majesty actually praised you. Yesterday morning, His Majesty talked about the martial arts in country, hoping to recruit martial arts practitioners to become top scholars and enlist in the army. He even specially mentioned you. He said that there is a young Daoist priest in Longqi Temple who has the strength of a first-rate expert at the age of fourteen.”
“How is it? Are you going to be the martial arts top scholar? With His Majesty’s words, no one will use tricks on you. As long as your martial arts are strong enough, you will be unimpeded.”
Jiang Changsheng shook his head and said, “My martial arts are not strong enough. Moreover, I am still young and not suitable to enter the world too early.”
Chen Li was stunned for a moment before he sighed. “Changsheng, you have such foresight at such a young age. You have seen through the secular world. I even wonder if you are a god that has descended to the mortal world.”
He had never seen such a calm young man. Even in the face of great benefits, he was not moved.
Soon after, he changed the topic and said, “Your Eldest Senior Brother has made a name for himself in the martial arts world, but he is now trouble. Priest Qingxu has probably left the mountain already.”
Hearing this, Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes.
Eldest Senior Brother Li Changqing was like an elder in Longqi Temple. Even though he was obsessed with martial arts, he had a gentle temperament and took good care of his fellow disciples. Jiang Changsheng also had a favorable impression of him.
He asked curiously, “What trouble?”
Chen Li said helplessly, “Naturally, it’s because of love. For some reason, he had a relationship with a woman from the evil sect and was captured by the evil sect. The evil sect said that Daoist Qingxu had personally gone to rescue him.”
Jiang Changsheng frowned.
His first reaction was that it was a trap!
Could it be that some aristocrats colluded with the evil sect to send Daoist Priest Qingxu away so that Longqi Temple would have no experts to protect him?
He could not eliminate that possibility. Even if it was a coincidence, those guys would not let go of this opportunity.
Ever since Jiang Changsheng came to Longqi Temple, Daoist Priest Qingxu had not left the mountain. For those nobles, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Jiang Changsheng did not panic. In terms of true energy in his body, he was several times stronger than Daoist Priest Qingxu. He had also mastered martial arts, but he did not have any actual combat experience. When the time came, he would just have to be careful. After all, this was the capital; the other party should not dare to make a scene.
Chen Li continued to talk about Li Changqing. Li Changqing had brought his fellow disciples to travel the martial arts world and acted chivalrously. And by chance, he saved a woman. That woman threw herself at him and only later found out that she was a disciple of the evil cult and the daughter of the sect’s sect master, making her status very special. What’s more, was that woman actually vowed to marry Li Changqing. This news had spread throughout the martial arts world and even to the inns in the capital.
Longqi Temple was the only sect in the capital, and it had a special status in the martial arts world. When such a thing happened to Longqi Temple, the people in the martial arts world naturally found it refreshing.
Chen Li spoke for an hour, but before he left, he left behind a bag of medicinal ingredients.
These medicinal ingredient were suitable for martial arts practitioners to consume. They were very precious and could not be bought even with money.
Jiang Changsheng looked at his departing back and silently noted down this favor. Then, he began to think about how to face the possible enemy attacks.
After Daoist Qingxu left, Second Senior Brother Meng Qiuhe took charge. That night, the Longqi Temple was in chaos. It ushered in a lively night that was rarely seen in dozens of years. The disciples were jubilant and noisy.
At this moment, Jiang Changsheng was cultivating in his room. Although he was disturbed, but he was too embarrassed to go out and shout.
Suddenly!
Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes and narrowed his eyes. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
He sensed the aura of someone on the eaves, and that person did not make any sound as he crawled. If he was an ordinary martial artist, he might not have noticed it.
Not long after, a strange fragrance spread down from above.
Bewitching Fragrance!
Jiang Changsheng immediately held his breath. With Dao Technique as his cultivation method, he could hold his breath for an hour, far exceeding ordinary people.
After half an incense stick of time, he pretended to collapse on the bed.
A figure leaped in from the window. The assassin was a disciple of Longqi Temple. He was in his early twenties and had an ordinary appearance. He stared at Jiang Changsheng on the bed and thought to himself, ‘This guy is pretty skilled that he could last for so long.’
He pulled out a dagger from his sleeve and carefully walked to the bed before stabbing Jiang Changsheng’s chest.
At that moment, Jiang Changsheng suddenly raised his legs and grabbed the assassin’s arm. He somersaulted backward and lifted the assassin before smashing him onto the bed.
This series of actions was too fast. Before the assassin could react, Jiang Changsheng sat on him and subdued him.
The assassin circulated his true energy, wanting to force Jiang Changsheng back, but he was horrified to discover that he could not shake him off.
“What terrifying skills. This kid is definitely above first-rate!”
The assassin was shocked and his eyes widened.
Jiang Changsheng saw the other party’s true appearance and said, “Fifth Senior Brother, what are you doing?”
The assassin gritted his teeth and soon, blood overflowed from his mouth. He had committed suicide by consuming poison.
Although Jiang Changsheng did not have the time to stop them, he was not disappointed.
He searched the assassin’s body but found nothing. He then shouted, “There’s an assassin!”
He shouted dozens of times. Qing Ku was the first to rush in, followed by the other disciples.
Jiang Changsheng sat paralyzed on the bed, panting heavily with a frightened expression.
Meng Qiuhe squeezed through the crowd and quickly stepped forward. When he saw the deceased, his expression changed. “Fifth Junior Brother!”
The other disciples were also shocked.
Even though Fifth Senior Brother did not have a strong sense of presence, he did not make enemies with other disciples.
Meng Qiuhe noticed the dagger in the assassin’s hand and his expression darkened. He went forward to examine it and quickly came to a conclusion. “He committed suicide by consuming poison.”
He instantly realized the severity of the matter. If they were in conflict, why would he hide poison in his mouth?
He looked at Jiang Changsheng, hoping that he could say something.
Jiang Changsheng pretended to be shocked and furious. He gritted his teeth and said, “I don’t know why Fifth Senior Brother attacked me. He wanted to kill me, but I captured him. Then, he consumed poison and committed suicide.”
This was his room, so he had confidence.
Qing Ku added, “Senior Brother Changsheng usually trains alone and has no grudge against other disciples. Even if he does, it’s not right for Fifth Senior Brother to come to our room and assassinate us. Moreover, he committed suicide by consuming poison. It’s obvious that he has a guilty conscience and is afraid that he will be questioned.”
The other disciples nodded and expressed their opinions. There were also some who questioned Jiang Changsheng. After all, the dead were of great importance.
Meng Qiuhe took a deep breath and said, “Junior Brother Changsheng, from today onwards, you will stay in your room. Qing Ku will be responsible for delivering your food. Until Master returns, the disciples in the courtyard will take turns to guard and protect Junior Brother Changsheng.”
Jiang Changsheng had no objections. Although it was said to be protection, it was actually to supervise. After all, no one knew the truth.
Meng Qiuhe led his men to bring the assassin’s corpse out.
Qing Ku comforted him, “Senior Brother Changsheng, don’t be afraid. I will always guard outside.”
Jiang Changsheng nodded and watched him leave.
This incident stopped the hustle and bustle of Longqi Temple and it fell into the silence of the past.
Jiang Changsheng heard many disciples discussing this matter, and all of them felt that something was amiss. Why did Fifth Senior Brother want to kill Jiang Changsheng?
Inside the house.
Jiang Changsheng sat down again and began to cultivate.
He began to calculate what kind of experts the other party would send in the future.
“In the fourteenth year after the founding of the dynasty, an assassin attacked you and was subdued by you. The assassin consumed poison and committed suicide. You survived a calamity and obtained a survival reward—martial arts, the Seal of Life and Death.”
A notification appeared in front of him. While the disciples were still outside, he immediately accepted the inheritance of the Seal of Life and Death.
The Seal of Life and Death was a type of true energy martial arts. One could strike a mark on the enemy’s meridians and acupoints, making them wish they were dead. It was a torturous martial art. It was not fatal, but it was painful.
This martial arts was good. If he caught an enemy again, he could interrogate them.
However, Jiang Changsheng knew very well who his enemies were, so he did not need this martial arts for the time being. However, learning another martial art would be useful in the future.
For the next ten days, Jiang Changsheng was not attacked. Perhaps it was because there were disciples taking turns to guard the courtyard that the enemy did not dare to act rashly.
At noon that day.
A commotion broke out in the courtyard.
“How dare you! This Highness want to meet someone, but you won’t allow me to?”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“Junior Brother Changsheng was attacked by an assassin. We are protecting him…”
“Impudent! Are you tired of living? Do you think I want to kill him?”
After a commotion, the door was rudely pushed open and a luxuriously dressed young man angrily ran in. He looked to be eleven or twelve years old and behind him were two purple-robed men with burly physiques. Each of them held a saber.
When the young man saw Jiang Changsheng, his eyes lit up. He immediately rushed over and asked excitedly, “Are you an immortal priest?”
Jiang Changsheng’s surname was only known to himself. He usually went with the name Changsheng.
Jiang Changsheng walked down from the bed and cupped his hands. “May I know who you are…”
The young man smiled proudly and said, “I am the Fourth Prince. I am here to learn martial arts.”
Jiang Changsheng asked in surprise, “Why me?”
The Fourth Prince shot a glance at the two guards behind him and the two of them immediately retreated to the door. The Fourth Prince stepped forward and went to Jiang Changsheng. In a low voice, he said, “Father said that you are very powerful and asked me to acknowledge you as my teacher. Have any other princes looked for you?”