Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground, Chen Changsheng Becomes National Teacher

Chen Changsheng's words echoed through the grand hall, and the experts within were utterly stunned.

They had thought the helper the First Prince had invited would have some extraordinary background.

Who would have thought he was actually a coffin seller?

Even more absurdly, he had taught himself Dragon Seeking and Acupuncture Point Location.

Hearing this, the other eight Princes seized the opportunity and began attacking Zuo Xinghe one after another.

"Father Emperor, Eldest Brother found a coffin seller to muddle through this. He clearly intends to sabotage your grand plan."

"That's right. Though Eldest Brother puts on a devoted and filial appearance before others—"

"—in secret, he has likely long coveted Father Emperor's Imperial Throne."

Faced with the accusations of so many Princes, Emperor Zuo did not grow angry. Instead, he looked at Chen Changsheng with great interest.

"This gentleman's profession is rather interesting. How should I address you?"

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled. "My surname is Chen, given name Changsheng."

"Your Majesty may simply call me Changsheng."

"Changsheng?"

"A fine name. Then, may Mr. Changsheng explain what you just said?"

"All eight of them are renowned feng shui masters of the Xuanwu Kingdom. Is it not somewhat inappropriate for Mr. Changsheng to disparage them so lightly?"

At Emperor Zuo's words, everyone present sneered.

With Emperor Zuo personally questioning him, a backwoods peasant like this would surely not escape Emperor Zuo's discerning eye.

When that time came, Chen Changsheng would likely have no path left but death without a whole corpse.

In response to Emperor Zuo's question, Chen Changsheng merely smiled.

"The Dragon Lair Your Majesty seeks is a place that can allow one to live another lifetime in reverse."

"If such a miraculous place could be found so easily, cultivators across the world would not be troubled by Lifespan."

"Moreover, whether living beings can truly live another lifetime in reverse remains, even today, a matter of legend."

"These people began spouting grandiose nonsense the moment they arrived. That alone proves that everything from their mouths is a lie. And lies are nothing but trash, are they not?"

"You make some sense," Emperor Zuo said with a nod. "Then where is the Dragon Lair Mr. Changsheng has chosen?"

"I, too, would like to see what makes Mr. Changsheng's chosen Dragon Lair so different."

Hearing that Emperor Zuo wanted to see the Dragon Lair he had chosen, Chen Changsheng searched the map, then pointed to a blank spot.

"It is here. Within a radius of a hundred thousand li, this is the only place that might help Your Majesty live another lifetime in reverse."

The moment they saw where Chen Changsheng was pointing, everyone's expressions changed.

Zuo Xinghe's expression was the ugliest of all, because the place Chen Changsheng indicated was precisely connected to the Bronze Ancient Hall.

Zuo Xinghe had every reason to suspect that Chen Changsheng had deliberately pointed out that place.

"Absurd!"

"The Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground is a forbidden place acknowledged by all under heaven. How could there be a Dragon Lair there?"

A white-bearded old man loudly rebuked Chen Changsheng. At the same time, a sheen of cold sweat rose on his brow.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes.

"You people keep the word 'forbidden' on your lips all day long. May I ask, do you even know what a taboo is?"

"A taboo is a taboo. It requires no explanation."

"You intend to lead His Majesty into the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground. Your heart is truly deserving of condemnation. This old man begs Your Majesty to execute this boy."

The old man did not continue speaking with Chen Changsheng, instead directly asking Emperor Zuo to kill him.

Yet Emperor Zuo had no interest in even sparing the old man a glance. Instead, he said to Chen Changsheng,

"Why did Mr. Changsheng choose such a place?"

"The Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground admits no living being. That is a deathtrap where ten enter and none survive!"

"Moreover, from Mr. Changsheng's words, it seems you know what a taboo is?"

"Ha ha ha!"

"Your Majesty jokes. Taboos are things that have never been clearly explained from ancient times to the present."

"I merely barely managed to think of a few phrases to express them: cannot be known, cannot be defined, cannot be described, cannot be observed."

"Anything possessing these traits is what people call a taboo."

Hearing these words, Emperor Zuo nodded thoughtfully.

"Your words, sir, have truly revealed the terror of taboos."

"Since you understand taboos better, why would you still choose that place?"

"A Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land belongs to the capable."

Chen Changsheng smacked his lips and looked at the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground on the map.

"Before Your Majesty was born, this land naturally had other powerful figures as well."

"They would likewise have been troubled by Lifespan, and made the same choice as Your Majesty."

"Though taboos cannot be described, there is one thing we know: taboos are powerful."

"Their strength has reached such a level that all living things dare not even speak of them."

"The places where such powerful existences lingered must also be the very best."

"If Your Majesty wishes to live another lifetime in reverse, the Dragon Lair required naturally cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning. Those eight Dragon Lairs from before may be good, but they are still not enough for Your Majesty."

"To live another lifetime in reverse, one must seek life amid death. Only by forcibly entering the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Ground can there be a sliver of hope."

Chen Changsheng's voice echoed through the empty palace hall.

At the same time, everyone's hearts began to pound violently.

No one had expected this backwoods peasant to dare make such a bold claim.

If His Majesty truly adopted his suggestion, the entire Xuanwu Kingdom would be driven to ruin.

Silence!

After Chen Changsheng finished speaking, the palace hall fell into an eerie silence.

After an unknown length of time, Emperor Zuo, seated upon the dragon throne, spoke. "I am somewhat tired today. You may all leave."

"From this day forth, Mr. Changsheng shall be the National Teacher of the Xuanwu Kingdom. Within the Xuanwu Kingdom, Mr. Changsheng may come and go freely."

With that, Emperor Zuo rose and departed.

Meanwhile, Zuo Xinghe's eight younger brothers clenched their fists, their eyes filled with unwillingness.

The position of National Teacher, free passage throughout the Xuanwu Kingdom—this was simply a heaven-shaking favor.

Free passage meant Chen Changsheng could go anywhere he pleased within the Xuanwu Kingdom.

That included the Xuanwu Kingdom's treasure pavilion and cultivation manual secret chamber, places that only Father Emperor had ever been permitted to enter.

Now there was one more person who could enter them, and he was even an outsider. How could the Princes not be jealous?

"No, Your Majesty, you can't do this!"

"The First Prince and I agreed that I would not hold any position in the Xuanwu Kingdom."

While everyone else envied the enormous opportunity Chen Changsheng had suddenly received, Chen Changsheng himself shouted toward the direction Emperor Zuo had left.

He seemed deeply unwilling to accept the position of National Teacher.

Hearing this, everyone was completely speechless.

Everyone: "..."

I've ground my back teeth to pieces. If His Majesty did not value you, I'd kill you no matter what.

Such a good opportunity, and you can actually say something like that.

If you don't want it, give it to me!