Cultivating a Wise and Sagely Ruler, Expert Challenges

On the official road between the mountains and forests, dust flew as a group of soldiers galloped on horseback, holding military flags engraved with the character "Yu." Leading them was a silver-armored general with a handsome face, holding a long spear, full of vigor.

It was none other than the Fourth Prince Jiang Yu, the nineteen-year-old Jiang Yu!

Looking at the imperial city in the distance, Jiang Yu revealed a smile, a wild and unruly smile, as he whispered to himself, "Brother, it seems you won't be able to hold onto that throne!"

A thousand Black Armored Light Cavalry advanced like a dragon, unstoppable!

Ahead, there was a stone pavilion by the roadside. Inside the pavilion, a man was drinking wine. It was Zong Tianwu, the leader of the Heavenly Martial Bureau, and the former Martial Arts Supreme.

He put down his wine bowl, stood up, walked out of the stone pavilion, and blocked the official road.

Jiang Yu rode his horse forward, and seeing someone blocking the road, his expression did not change. He actually intended to trample over him.

The two sides grew closer and closer, but Zong Tianwu still showed no intention of yielding, calmly staring at Jiang Yu.

The warhorse's front hooves rose, about to trample Zong Tianwu. Zong Tianwu's eyes sharpened, and his true qi erupted, like a storm sweeping across the ground, dust flying everywhere. The warhorse was overturned, and Jiang Yu leaped into the air, landing on the ground, raising his spear and pointing it at Zong Tianwu.

"Under the Emperor's feet, how dare you block this prince's path?"

Jiang Yu said coldly, shocked in his heart. When did Jing City have such an expert?

This skill was too terrifying. He had seen many martial arts experts on the battlefield, but none could compare.

A thousand light cavalry quickly surrounded Zong Tianwu.

Zong Tianwu was expressionless as he said, "His Majesty wants to see the strength of your Highness's Black Wolf Cavalry."

Jiang Yu frowned and asked, "How will he see it, just by you alone?"

Zong Tianwu raised his right hand, making a gesture of asking for guidance, and said, "Heavenly Martial Bureau, Zong Tianwu."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu's pupils shrank, and the hand holding the spear trembled slightly.

Although he was on the battlefield, he had also heard of the Heavenly Martial Bureau's prestige in recent years.

Powerful!

Cruel!

Zong Tianwu continued, "Your Highness, make your move. The Black Wolf Cavalry that sweeps across the battlefield wouldn't be afraid of Zong, would they!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu's eyes instantly turned red.

Courting death!

At noon, the weather was fine and sunny.

In the courtyard, Jiang Changsheng, Jiang Yuan, and Jiang Yu sat around a stone table. Jiang Yu, his face covered in bruises, recounted the battle three days ago, where a thousand Black Wolf Cavalry were defeated by one person.

"It's too outrageous, can martial arts be so high? My brothers are all fierce men who can fight several, even dozens, of people at once!"

"And this Zong Tianwu, he showed no mercy at all. Father, aren't you going to punish him?"

The more Jiang Yu spoke, the more agitated he became, while Jiang Yuan laughed heartily.

This scene truly resembled a family of three.

Jiang Changsheng sighed inwardly.

Jiang Yuan arranged this gathering, likely to comfort his own heart. Jiang Changsheng knew the true relationship but couldn't reveal it, while Jiang Yu was completely in the dark.

Jiang Yu looked at Jiang Changsheng and said, "Brother Changsheng, can you beat Zong Tianwu? Help me teach him a lesson, and I'll give you anything you want."

Jiang Changsheng said helplessly, "Are you serious?"

Jiang Yu chuckled and said, "Of course, I'm just joking. I'm trying to curry favor with him. Although he's rude, I was indeed defeated by him. Besides, he's the Martial Arts Supreme, and it's a matter of prestige for him to serve our Jiang family."

Throughout history, dynasties have changed, but the martial world remains the same. It's influenced by the imperial court but never annexed.

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Zong Tianwu is indeed arrogant, but I need him to win over martial arts experts. Great Jing has been established for twenty-one years, and the surrounding dynasties have submitted one after another, but the more distant dynasties remain unshaken. Decades of war have greatly weakened the martial arts of this land, making it less prosperous than those distant dynasties. Although martial arts cannot single-handedly defeat a dynasty, a cloud of experts can rival thousands of troops and horses, shaking a dynasty."

His tone was filled with emotion as he thought of the mysterious person who had trespassed into the palace that day. That person's skill was truly terrifying, and he even felt that Zong Tianwu was no match for him.

Jiang Yuan changed the subject and said, "Changsheng, it seems there are others in your courtyard?"

Jiang Changsheng pretended to hesitate, then said, "Jian Xin, come out."

Hearing this name, Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, while Jiang Yu was curious.

At that moment, Hua Jian Xin walked out of the house.

Jiang Yu widened his eyes and said, "Brother Changsheng, you're a Taoist priest, yet you're hiding a woman?"

Jiang Changsheng glared at him.

Jiang Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, "Dragon Arising Temple is not a traditional Taoist temple. Qingxu Taoist Priest, the founder, positioned it as a martial arts sect. There's no strict prohibition against disciples marrying and having children, but it's best to marry after leaving the mountain. If Changsheng wants to marry, I can issue an edict allowing it."

Jiang Changsheng said helplessly, "Your Majesty, this woman has a special identity. I have a request."

Jiang Yuan said jokingly, "Speak."

Hua Jian Xin walked forward and respectfully bowed to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Changsheng said, "She was originally a White-Clothed Guard, severely injured by the Devil Master. I saved her, and she has been practicing martial arts with me these years. It's inconvenient for her to return because... I hope Your Majesty can arrange for her to rejoin the White-Clothed Guard in the future."

Jiang Yuan asked curiously, "Why in the future?"

Hua Jian Xin said, "I want to practice martial arts with the Taoist priest first."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "I've learned that you were the only one taking action on those nights. You have merit, and I should reward you. When you want to return to the White-Clothed Guard, I'll arrange for you to become a White-Clothed Guard Commander."

Hua Jian Xin was pleasantly surprised and quickly thanked Jiang Yuan.

The White-Clothed Guard has a total of fifty thousand members, led by the Chief Guard Commander, followed by the Commanders. Commander represents a salary grade and, within the White-Clothed Guard, also represents the power to mobilize a thousand people. This was a promotion, so how could Hua Jian Xin not be happy?

Jiang Changsheng then asked her to step back.

The father and sons chatted for a while, and then Jiang Yuan left with Jiang Yu, asking for pills before leaving, which made Jiang Yu widen his eyes in disbelief.

So, the Emperor hadn't awakened but had changed the person making pills?

Although Jiang Yu was full of confusion, he didn't dare to ask, because Jiang Yuan was most wary of others discussing his pursuit of immortality. For this reason, Jiang Yuan had beheaded many people.

After they left, Hua Jian Xin came out of the house again.

She came to Jiang Changsheng's side and asked in confusion, "Taoist priest, why do you want me to return to the White-Clothed Guard?"

Jiang Changsheng had refined a talisman paper containing his spiritual energy, which could help Hua Jian Xin conceal her aura, but this time, Jiang Changsheng told her not to hide it.

Jiang Changsheng picked up his teacup and said, "Haven't you always wanted to do things for me? How about joining the White-Clothed Guard and becoming my eyes in the future?"

Hua Jian Xin was stunned, not expecting Jiang Changsheng to covet imperial power. The White-Clothed Guard was directly controlled by the imperial authority.

She cautiously asked, "Who do you want to target? Or what are you plotting?"

Jiang Changsheng said, "Plotting the throne."

Hua Jian Xin paled and whispered, "Daoist Priest, the throne isn't something you can get just by killing the emperor. You also need the support of civil and military officials, and the backing of aristocratic families. You must think carefully."

No matter how powerful Dragon Arising Temple was, Jiang Changsheng was just a Daoist priest.

What could a Daoist priest rely on to usurp a country?

Rely on the Daoist priests on the mountain?

Jiang Changsheng smiled and said, "I don't want to be the emperor. I want to cultivate the Dao, but I can also let my son be the emperor. Do you know my true identity?"

Hua Jian Xin shook her head, even more confused.

"Then do you think His Majesty only comes because of my elixirs? If that's the case, why recommend the Fourth Prince to contact me?" Jiang Changsheng said with a non-smiling expression. After so many years together, Hua Jian Xin had not shown any disloyal behavior and could be trusted. He decided to reveal the truth to win over supporters for his future son.

Hua Jian Xin frowned, pondering deeply. She suddenly thought of something, and her expression changed drastically: "The Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince are both born to the Empress. The Empress used to be insane, saying 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 Jian Xin was shocked, her beautiful eyes widened.

Jiang Changsheng told her about his childhood experiences and what he knew. Hua Jian Xin was dumbfounded. She had long known that the royal family was complicated, but she didn't expect it to be so complicated, it was too outrageous.

Standing from Jiang Changsheng's perspective, she also felt indignant. He was originally the Crown Prince, but he had fallen into the mortal world.

Hua Jian Xin frowned and said, "Great Vehicle Dragon Tower, I've heard of it. It's a millennium-old martial arts holy land, difficult to find. For today's martial world, it's ethereal. I didn't expect it to really exist and be able to influence imperial power..."

Jiang Changsheng said quietly, "So I want to cultivate an emperor who is not controlled by behind-the-scenes forces, and I want a wise and virtuous ruler who cares for the people. It's not just to fight for my own sake, but also to make Great Jing's country more stable and create a prosperous age. Jian Xin, are you willing to help me?"

Hua Jian Xin remembered that night when she was blocked in front of the imperial gate, and Eunuch Li's sinister face. The fire in her heart was ignited, and she suddenly felt a strong sense of mission to die for a confidant.

"Daoist Priest, you saved me. I am willing to help you!"

"Very good, thank you, Jian Xin. I only told you about this, no one in the temple knows, not even the emperor knows that I know the truth."

"Jian Xin will definitely go through fire and water for Daoist Priest!"

"I won't let you die."

"Um... But, Daoist Priest, where is your son?"

Hua Jian Xin listened to Jiang Changsheng's words, her cheeks slightly red, and she quickly changed the subject and asked.

Jiang Changsheng showed a troubled expression and said, "That's right, I don't know where my son is yet, so you should practice martial arts well these years and wait for me to have a son."

Hua Jian Xin felt inexplicably uncomfortable when she heard this, and couldn't help but ask, "Do you already have wives and concubines?"

"Of course not, I'm still looking."

Hua Jian Xin gritted her teeth and said, "Then, am I okay!"

Jiang Changsheng looked at her in surprise, making her fair face even redder.

In fact, Hua Jian Xin had long admired Jiang Changsheng. Such a powerful and handsome young man, who had also saved her life, how could she not be moved?

It was just that she owed Jiang Changsheng a life, and she didn't dare to have any extravagant thoughts. Now that Jiang Changsheng wanted a son, she suddenly felt that her chance had come.

Jiang Changsheng was silent, carefully sizing up Hua Jian Xin's pretty face.

Not bad looks, a son born from her would definitely not be ugly.

Hua Jian Xin lowered her head, her ears turning red, extremely shy.

Kaiyuan twenty-two, a scorching sun arrived.

At the beginning of the year, the story of Jiang Changsheng's tribulation and the White Dragon's understanding of human nature began to spread from Jing City to the Great Jing world. Starting this year, Jianghu experts came to challenge Dragon Arising Temple one after another. At first, Meng Qiushuang and other disciples could still resist, but later, Peerless Experts appeared, and Jiang Changsheng had no choice but to push Hua Jian Xin out to resist for him.

Although Hua Jian Xin had not yet reached the Heaven Arrival Realm, she had learned the Jade Purity Severing Meridian Needle, and ordinary Peerless Experts were simply no match.

Until this day.

Wan Li ran over and said anxiously, "Senior Brother Changsheng, Senior Brother Meng has brought a group of experts, claiming to challenge you. If you don't take action, they will kill the White Dragon."

Remember to vote, welcome the appearance of the protagonist's son~~