On the official road through the mountains and forests, dust billowed as a group of soldiers galloped ahead, holding aloft military banners emblazoned with the character Yu. At their head was a handsome general in silver armor, long spear in hand, full of high spirits.
It was none other than the Fourth Prince, Jiang Yu—the nineteen-year-old Jiang Yu!
Looking toward the distant Imperial City, Jiang Yu smiled. His smile was wild and unruly as he murmured, "Big Brother, you won't be able to keep that throne steady much longer!"
A thousand Black Armored Light Cavalry advanced like a dragon, unstoppable in their momentum!
Ahead, beside the road, stood a stone pavilion. A man within was drinking wine. He was Zong Tianwu, leader of the Heavenly Martial Bureau and the former Martial Arts Supreme.
He set down his wine bowl, rose to his feet, walked out of the pavilion, and blocked the official road.
Jiang Yu rode toward him. Seeing someone obstructing the way, his expression did not change. He actually intended to trample straight through.
The two sides drew ever closer, yet Zong Tianwu showed no intention of yielding. He stared calmly at Jiang Yu.
The fierce horse reared up, its front hooves poised to crush Zong Tianwu. Zong Tianwu's gaze sharpened as True Qi erupted from him, surging up from the ground like wind and waves. Dust flew everywhere. The horse was overturned, while Jiang Yu leaped from its back, landed on the ground, and raised his spear at Zong Tianwu.
"Beneath the Son of Heaven's feet, you dare block this prince's path?"
Jiang Yu spoke coldly, though shock filled his heart. Since when had the capital possessed such a master?
This cultivation was far too terrifying. He had seen many martial arts experts on the battlefield, yet not one could compare.
The thousand light cavalry swiftly surrounded Zong Tianwu.
Zong Tianwu remained expressionless. "His Majesty wishes to see the strength of Your Highness's Black Wolf Cavalry."
Jiang Yu frowned. "And how will he see it? With you alone?"
Zong Tianwu raised his right hand in a gesture of invitation. "Heavenly Martial Bureau, Zong Tianwu."
At those words, Jiang Yu's pupils shrank, and the hand gripping his long spear trembled slightly.
Though he had been on campaign, he had still heard of the Heavenly Martial Bureau's fearsome reputation over the years.
Powerful!
Cruel!
Zong Tianwu continued, "Your Highness, make your move. Surely the Black Wolf Cavalry, who have swept across battlefields, do not fear a mere Zong?"
The instant Jiang Yu heard this, his eyes reddened.
Seeking death!
At noon, the weather was bright and fair.
Within the courtyard, Jiang Changsheng, Jiang Yuan, and Jiang Yu sat around a stone table. Jiang Yu, his face covered in bruises, recounted the battle from three days ago, when a thousand Black Wolf Cavalry had been defeated by one man.
"This is too absurd! Can martial arts really reach such heights? My brothers are all fierce men who can take on several opponents each, even dozens!"
"And that Zong Tianwu didn't hold back at all. Father Emperor, aren't you going to punish him?"
The more Jiang Yu spoke, the more worked up he became, while Jiang Yuan burst into laughter.
The scene truly resembled a family of three.
Jiang Changsheng sighed inwardly.
Jiang Yuan had arranged this gathering, likely to comfort himself. Jiang Changsheng knew the true relationship between them, but he could not say it. Jiang Yu was the only one who knew nothing.
Jiang Yu looked at Jiang Changsheng. "Brother Changsheng, can you beat Zong Tianwu? Help me teach him a lesson. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."
Jiang Changsheng said helplessly, "Are you serious?"
Jiang Yu chuckled. "Of course I'm joking. I can't wait to curry favor with him. Although he was terribly rude, he truly beat me into submission. And he is the Martial Arts Supreme. Having him serve our Jiang family is quite prestigious."
Since ancient times, dynasties had risen and fallen, yet the martial world remained the same martial world. It could be influenced by the imperial court, but it could never be swallowed by it.
Jiang Yuan smiled. "Zong Tianwu is indeed proud and arrogant, but I need him to win over martial arts experts. Great Jing has been founded for twenty-one years, and the surrounding dynasties have successively submitted as well. Yet the more distant dynasties cannot be shaken. Decades of warfare have caused the martial path in this land to decline considerably, making it less prosperous than that of the faraway dynasties. Though martial arts cannot let one man contend against an entire dynasty, when experts gather like clouds, they can still stand against thousands upon thousands of troops and shake a dynasty."
His tone was wistful. He thought of the mysterious person who had barged into the imperial palace that day. That person's cultivation had been truly terrifying; he even felt that Zong Tianwu might not be a match.
Jiang Yuan abruptly changed the subject. "Changsheng, it seems there is someone else in your courtyard?"
Jiang Changsheng feigned hesitation before saying, "Jian Xin, come out."
Upon hearing that name, Jiang Yuan raised his brows, while Jiang Yu grew curious.
At that moment, Hua Jian Xin emerged from the room.
Jiang Yu's eyes widened. "Brother Changsheng, you're a Taoist priest, yet you've hidden a woman here?"
Jiang Changsheng rolled his eyes at him.
Stroking his beard, Jiang Yuan smiled. "Dragon Arising Temple is not a traditional Taoist temple. Taoist Priest Qingxu founded the sect with the positioning of a martial arts sect. Disciples are not strictly forbidden from marrying and having children, though it is best to take a wife after descending the mountain. If Changsheng wishes to marry, I can issue an edict permitting it."
Jiang Changsheng said helplessly, "Your Majesty, this woman's identity is special. I have a request."
Jiang Yuan teased, "Speak."
Hua Jian Xin approached and respectfully bowed to Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Changsheng said, "She was originally a White-Clothed Guard. She was gravely injured by the Devil Master, and I saved her. Over these years, she has followed me in practicing martial arts. It is inconvenient for her to return because... I hope that, in the future, Your Majesty can arrange for her to rejoin the White-Clothed Guard."
Jiang Yuan asked curiously, "Why in the future?"
Hua Jian Xin replied, "I wish to practice martial arts with the Taoist priest first."
Jiang Yuan nodded. "I have investigated. During those nights, it was indeed only you who acted. You have rendered merit, and I should have rewarded you already. When you wish to return to the White-Clothed Guard, I will arrange for you to become a White-Clothed Guard Commander."
Hua Jian Xin was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks to Jiang Yuan.
The White-Clothed Guard numbered fifty thousand in total. At their head was the Chief Guard Commander, followed by the commanders of a thousand. A commander of a thousand represented both a salary rank and the authority to mobilize one thousand men within the White-Clothed Guard. This was a promotion, so how could Hua Jian Xin not be delighted?
Jiang Changsheng then had her withdraw.
The three men chatted for a while longer before Jiang Yuan departed with Jiang Yu. Before leaving, he even asked for medicinal pills, leaving Jiang Yu staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
So Father Emperor had not truly come to his senses—he had merely changed alchemists?
Though Jiang Yu was full of confusion, he did not dare ask. Jiang Yuan most detested others discussing his pursuit of the immortal path, and many heads had fallen because of it.
Only after they left did Hua Jian Xin emerge from the room 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 containing his spiritual power, which could help Hua Jian Xin conceal her aura. Yet this time, Jiang Changsheng had told her not to hide it.
Jiang Changsheng lifted his teacup and said, "Haven't you always wanted to do things for me? How about becoming my eyes within the White-Clothed Guard in the future?"
Hua Jian Xin froze. She had never expected Jiang Changsheng to harbor designs on 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, "The throne."
Hua Jian Xin's lovely face turned pale. In a low voice, she said, "Taoist priest, obtaining the throne is not as simple as killing the emperor. You must also have the support of the civil and military officials, and the backing of the great clans. You must think this through carefully."
No matter how formidable Dragon Arising Temple was, Jiang Changsheng was still only a Taoist priest.
What right did a Taoist priest have to steal a nation?
Would he rely on the Taoist priests on this mountain?
Jiang Changsheng smiled. "I will not become emperor. I wish to cultivate the Dao, but I can have my son become emperor. Do you know my true identity?"
Hua Jian Xin shook her head, becoming even more confused.
"Do you think His Majesty comes only because of my medicinal pills? If that were so, why would he recommend that the Fourth Prince associate with me?" Jiang Changsheng asked with an unreadable smile. After so many years together, Hua Jian Xin had never displayed any improper intentions and could already be trusted. He decided to reveal the truth and gather supporters for his future son.
Hua Jian Xin furrowed her brows and pondered hard. Suddenly, she thought of something, and her expression changed drastically. "The Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince were both born to the Empress. In the past, the Empress once went mad and claimed that the Crown Prince was not her son. Could it be..."
Jiang Changsheng said calmly, "That's right. I am the real Crown Prince. Tell me, do I have the right to covet the throne?"
Hua Jian Xin was stunned, her beautiful eyes wide.
Jiang Changsheng told her about his childhood experiences and all that he knew. Hua Jian Xin was left dumbfounded. She had long known that the royal family was complicated, but she had never imagined it could be complicated to such a ridiculous degree.
From Jiang Changsheng's perspective, she too felt indignant. He had been the Crown Prince, yet a dragon had fallen into the mortal world.
Hua Jian Xin knitted her delicate brows. "Great Vehicle Dragon Tower—I have heard of it. It is a thousand-year martial arts sacred ground, its traces difficult to find. To today's martial world, it is vague and illusory. I never expected it to truly exist, much less be capable of influencing imperial power..."
Jiang Changsheng said softly, "That is why I want to cultivate an emperor who will not be manipulated by forces lurking behind the scenes. I want a wise sage king who will show compassion for the common people. It is not merely to vent my resentment, but also to make Great Jing's realm more secure and create an age of peace and prosperity. Jian Xin, are you willing to help me?"
Hua Jian Xin recalled the night when she had been blocked before the imperial gates, as well as Eunuch Li's sinister face. The fire in her heart was ignited, and she was suddenly filled with a powerful sense of mission—to die for one who understood her.
"Taoist priest, you saved me. I am willing to help you!"
"Good. Thank you, Jian Xin. I have told only you of this matter. No one in the temple knows, and even the emperor does not know that I have learned the truth."
"Jian Xin will go through fire and water for the Taoist priest!"
"I will not let you die."
"Mm... But, Taoist priest, where is your son?"
Listening to Jiang Changsheng, Hua Jian Xin's cheeks reddened, and she hurriedly changed the subject.
Jiang Changsheng revealed a troubled expression. "Exactly. I do not even know where my son is yet, so practice martial arts diligently over the coming years. Wait until I produce a son."
Upon hearing this, Hua Jian Xin inexplicably felt uncomfortable and could not help asking, "Do you already have wives or concubines?"
"Of course not. I am still looking."
Hua Jian Xin gritted her teeth. "Then what about me!"
Jiang Changsheng looked at her in surprise, making her pretty face flush even more deeply.
In truth, Hua Jian Xin had long admired Jiang Changsheng. Such a powerful and handsome young man had even saved her life—how could she not be moved?
But she owed Jiang Changsheng her life, so she had not dared entertain improper thoughts. Now that Jiang Changsheng wanted a son, she suddenly felt that an opportunity had arrived.
Jiang Changsheng fell silent and carefully examined Hua Jian Xin's pretty face.
Her looks were not bad. If she bore a son, he would surely not be ugly.
Hua Jian Xin lowered her head, her ears red to the roots in extreme embarrassment.
In the twenty-second year of Kaiyuan, scorching sunlight descended.
At the beginning of the year, stories of Jiang Changsheng's tribulation crossing and White Dragon's human-like intelligence began spreading from the capital throughout Great Jing. From that year onward, martial arts experts came one after another to challenge Dragon Arising Temple. At first, Meng Qiushuang and the other disciples could still withstand them, but later, Peerless Experts appeared, forcing Jiang Changsheng to send Hua Jian Xin out to fend them off in his stead.
Though Hua Jian Xin had yet to reach the Heaven Arrival Realm, she had learned the Jade Purity Severing Meridian Needle. Ordinary Peerless Experts were no match for her at all.
Until this day.
Wan Li rushed over and said anxiously, "Senior Brother Changsheng, Senior Brother Meng has brought a group of experts here. They claim they want to challenge you. If you refuse to act, they will kill White Dragon."
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