"Waa—"
A loud, resounding cry rang out, echoing through the prince's residence beneath the night sky. The two Tongtian experts guarding the Princess Consort's door could not help yawning.
At last, the child had been born.
If Great Vehicle Dragon Tower had not wanted to support the Seventh Prince's ascent, how would they have fallen so low as to guard someone's door?
The two were known as the Calamity Twin Buddhas. The short, thin man was Calamity Buddha, while the tall, brawny man was Disaster Buddha. They were blood brothers and had been nearly inseparable throughout their lives.
Calamity Buddha chuckled sinisterly. "Big Brother, look. The Seventh Prince has a son, and it's drawn a sparrow."
A sparrow descended from the sky, landed on the windowsill, then squeezed through a crack in the window.
Disaster Buddha merely glanced at it without a word.
Even if beaten to death, they would never have imagined that the sparrow was a person.
After entering the room, the sparrow swiftly transformed into Jiang Changsheng. Inside were two midwives, four maidservants, and the weak Princess Consort lying on the bed.
One maidservant suddenly spotted Jiang Changsheng and instinctively opened her mouth, only to meet his golden eyes.
Illusory God Eyes!
When the others turned around, they too met his gaze. The instant their eyes connected, all of them fell under its spell and stood there blankly.
Jiang Changsheng appeared by the bedside as though teleporting. His eyes met those of the Princess Consort; the weakened woman saw only a pair of golden eyes before her whole mind became dazed.
The Calamity Twin Buddhas outside heard nothing. The infant's cries echoed within the room; this was the most peaceful state of affairs.
Jiang Changsheng cultivated the Dao Follows Nature Skill, so they could not sense any fluctuation of his True Qi. His footwork was the Nine Seeking Heavenly Dragon Steps, utterly silent.
Jiang Changsheng switched the son in his arms with the Seventh Prince's son. Holding the child and looking at his own son in the midwife's arms, he thought, Since you have come into this world, and you are a boy, rather than follow me in the temple to eat vegetarian food and cultivate the Dao, why not become an emperor? I will help you ascend the throne and stand at the peak of Great Jing. That will count as fulfilling a father's duty.
Jiang Changsheng then used the Nine Heavens Mysterious Transformation, turning into a sparrow and leaving. The sparrow's little claws clutched a thin piece of wood—the transformed Seventh Prince's son. Covered by Jiang Changsheng's spiritual power, he too fell unconscious and ceased crying.
After he departed, everyone in the room abruptly awoke. Having labored for several hours, they merely thought themselves exhausted and did not think much of it. The Illusory God Eyes had already altered their memories: they had never seen Jiang Changsheng, and the Princess Consort's son was rather unusual, with a birthmark between his brows resembling a third eye.
The Calamity Twin Buddhas had already begun discussing what to eat for a midnight snack, utterly unaware of what had happened.
Jiang Changsheng landed in an alley, transformed back into human form, and swiftly withdrew his spiritual power, afraid of suffocating the infant. He had treated the infant as clothing on his body, allowing him to transform along with him, but during the process, the child could not breathe.
"Hm? Why is he poisoned?"
Jiang Changsheng frowned, puzzled.
He carefully examined the infant and discovered residual poison within his body. The child's brain was half the size of his own son's. In other words, once he grew up, he would inevitably be a fool.
The reason the child had not died was because his meridians were unusual, leaving his body unaffected. Only his brain had atrophied. Yet judging by his bones and physique, he was absolutely a natural martial arts prodigy.
It seemed the Seventh Prince was not living so peacefully either. There were enemies around him poisoning his child.
Jiang Changsheng had originally intended to leave the child with ordinary commoners, so he could live as an ordinary person. But he had been born disabled, and his future would likely be full of hardship.
Moreover, the poison in his body had yet to be removed. Its potency was no weaker than the poison Taoist Priest Qingxu had suffered, and the child might very well die young.
Jiang Changsheng had switched the Seventh Prince's child only to retaliate against Great Vehicle Dragon Tower and Jiang Yuan's attitude—using their own way to return the favor. He would also secretly protect his own son and ensure he lived a carefree life. He had never intended to kill the Seventh Prince's child.
After the Illusory God Eyes, no one in the world besides him would know the Seventh Prince's son's true identity. Even Hua Jian Xin did not know, so there was no need to kill him.
But now that the child was born incomplete, he would likely struggle to survive in the future. His intelligence had not been clouded; his brain had atrophied. Being alive was already a miracle. He would never develop the intelligence of an ordinary person in his lifetime, much less scheme and contend with others.
Fine. I stole your fate. You should have been pitiful, but now it seems I have saved you instead.
Jiang Changsheng stared at the swaddled infant and silently thought.
A prince born foolish and simple-minded would likely not meet a good end in this capital. He would also be neglected by the Seventh Prince. Following Jiang Changsheng up the mountain to practice martial arts and becoming his disciple instead would give him a better life.
Jiang Changsheng vanished from the spot and went to find Hua Jian Xin. He planned to have Hua Jian Xin bring the child up the mountain, so it would be easier to settle his identity. They could say he had been found; otherwise, his sudden appearance would arouse suspicion.
Three days later.
Hua Jian Xin returned to Dragon Arising Temple. Since she had helped Dragon Arising Temple repel martial arts experts several times, Meng Qiushuang already knew her. Hearing that Hua Jian Xin had brought back an orphan, Meng Qiushuang was delighted. Dragon Arising Temple had gained another new member.
Every two years, disciples of Dragon Arising Temple went down the mountain, acting chivalrously while searching for orphans. The number of Dragon Arising Temple disciples had now surpassed two hundred. Mainly because there was enough incense money, Meng Qiushuang could afford to raise so many children.
Hua Jian Xin brought the child to Jiang Changsheng's courtyard.
"On the way here, I thought it over and over. It would be best to pull out the weeds and eliminate the roots," Hua Jian Xin said, her face full of worry. She had repeatedly wanted to kill the child, but whenever she thought of her own child, she could not bring herself to do it.
But as long as this child lived another day, he would pose a threat to her child—especially if he stayed by Jiang Changsheng's side and learned peerless martial arts. Would that not be disastrous?
Jiang Changsheng took the child and explained his physical condition. Hua Jian Xin was stunned. She had never expected that even the favored Seventh Prince would have someone poison his child.
Hua Jian Xin's worries vanished like smoke, replaced by pity. She also understood that without Jiang Changsheng's intervention, this child's fate would certainly have been miserable.
The royal family's dignity was greater than the heavens. They would never allow a fool to appear and disgrace the royal bloodline.
"Then give him a name," Hua Jian Xin sighed.
Jiang Changsheng teased the infant and pondered for a moment. "Call him Ping'an."
"Ping'an? Yes. If he can remain safe and peaceful throughout his life, that will be a blessing."
Hua Jian Xin repeated the name, and the more she said it, the more natural it sounded.
Thus, Jiang Changsheng gained his first disciple, named Ping'an.
Inside the imperial palace.
Jiang Yuan held his little grandson and laughed heartily. The Seventh Prince, Jiang Yu, and the Princess Consort were also in the room.
"Your Majesty, let this consort have a look at this little grandson too."
A gentle voice drifted over. A dignified and luxuriously dressed woman entered, supported by maidservants.
Jiang Yuan turned around and smiled. "Empress, come, come. Look at whether this little grandson of mine resembles me. Look at these eyes."
The Empress stepped forward to pay her respects, then walked up to Jiang Yuan and examined the swaddled infant. The moment she looked, she froze.
Jiang Yuan did not notice her abnormality. Looking toward Jiang Yu, he smiled. "Yu'er, I wish to grant your son a title. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu was instantly overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks. The Princess Consort did the same, thrilled beyond measure.
The sons of the other Imperial Sons had not received titles immediately upon birth!
"How about naming him Imperial Grandson?"
Jiang Yuan pondered. The moment those words fell, everyone in the room was moved, including the Empress.
Then he shook his head. "No, that would not follow the rules. I shall instead grant him the title Prince Wei."
At this, everyone remained shocked.
Before Great Jing was founded, the feudal lords had fought in chaos. At that time, Jiang Yuan had been Prince Wei, only changing the state's name afterward.
Granting him the title Prince Wei...
Jiang Yuan looked at the Empress and asked, "Empress, what do you think?"
The Empress stared at the child's face and, as though possessed, said, "This consort believes it is suitable."
For some reason, seeing this child made her feel very close to him. She felt that he resembled the real Jiang Qian when he was young.
Jiang Yuan laughed loudly, growing even happier.
"This boy is extraordinary. Once he grows up, this birthmark will surely frighten people. It is very imposing, as though he were the reincarnation of an immortal god. Hm, reincarnation of an immortal god... Let word spread that Prince Wei is the reincarnation of the Golden Winged Great Peng Bird from the heavens, with a heavenly eye."
Jiang Yuan smiled smugly. He was far too skilled at fabricating strange legends. Back when he rose in rebellion, he had made up countless tales about himself, always fooling many people into blindly following him.
Since ancient times, which person able to leave their name in history had not possessed a touch of mythic color?
Jiang Yu smiled. "Thank you, Father Emperor. Your son will certainly teach him well and ensure he does not disgrace the names Prince Wei and Golden Winged Great Peng Bird."
He too was very satisfied with this son. He had checked the child's meridians; he was a natural martial arts prodigy. And though only a few days old, he neither cried nor fussed, his eyes full of spirit.
Twenty-ninth year of Kaiyuan, after the New Year.
Jiang Yuan brought the Little Prince Wei, already famous throughout the capital, to visit Jiang Changsheng and requested that Little Prince Wei become his disciple. Jiang Changsheng politely declined, but faced with the emperor's majesty and a glare from him, Jiang Changsheng had no choice but to accept.
Little Prince Wei became Jiang Changsheng's second disciple.
Before Jiang Yuan left, Jiang Changsheng had Hua Jian Xin come forward and return to the White-Clothed Guard, saying, "Your Majesty, since Little Prince Wei is now my disciple, why not have Jian Xin protect him? After all, within the capital... what do you think?"
Jiang Yuan was not angered. He had tacitly approved of the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. Smiling, he said, "That makes sense. Changsheng, you are thoughtful."
Hua Jian Xin was excited, though her expression remained unchanged.
She admired Jiang Changsheng immensely. He had not only made her son an imperial grandson but also enabled her to protect him at all times. It was truly a plan that achieved both ends.
Little Prince Wei had both his birth parents to protect and teach him, and could enjoy royal treatment as well. This was much more secure than Jiang Changsheng forcibly supporting him.
Now, the entire capital was spreading rumors that the emperor intended to raise the Seventh Prince to the Eastern Palace. Little Prince Wei was the best proof.
Since the founding of the dynasty, Little Prince Wei was the first to bear the title Prince Wei, and the emperor had personally bestowed it upon him.
Thus, Jiang Yuan departed with Little Prince Wei and Hua Jian Xin.
Watching their retreating figures, Jiang Changsheng thought, Once I eliminate those powerful nobles who seek to harm me, the debts of the past will be written off. Father Emperor, they are both your grandsons anyway, so you have lost nothing. I will give Great Jing an emperor better than you—an emperor not held hostage by martial arts factions.
He rose and returned to his room.
White Dragon was coiled upon the bed, while little Ping'an lay atop it, sleeping soundly and looking utterly adorable.
Ever since Jiang Changsheng had White Dragon watch over little Ping'an, White Dragon had grown fond of the little fellow. It no longer ran around everywhere and spent all day accompanying Ping'an.
Jiang Changsheng sat cross-legged in meditation, suspended in the air. He swallowed a Spirit-Enhancing Pill and began cultivating.
He would strive to break through to the sixth level of the Dao Follows Nature Skill before Little Prince Wei grew up, surpassing the Divine Human Realm. By then, he should be able to contend against Great Vehicle Dragon Tower.
Jiang Changsheng did not know Great Vehicle Dragon Tower's strength, but he had to overestimate his enemy to ensure he stood in an invincible position.
Let Great Vehicle Dragon Tower have a hundred Divine Human Realm experts!
Once he could fight a hundred Divine Human Realm experts, he should be able to handle Great Vehicle Dragon Tower with ease.
Thanks to reader 20200206155448770 for donating 100,000 Qidian coins and becoming this book's alliance leader. Boss, remember to change your name; this ID is a little hard to recognize~~
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