One thousand and twenty-one people were now worshipping him.
So few!
Jiang Changsheng sighed inwardly. Though he had survived the Thunder Tribulation, witnessed the White Dragon's manifestation, and gained the fame of a Martial Arts Myth, the number of believers was growing very slowly. The main reason was that information traveled poorly in this world. Everything was spread by word of mouth, and people could not witness it with their own eyes.
He wondered how much of the Heavenly Tribulation's power these Incense Values could offset.
According to the novels and legends of immortals and gods Jiang Changsheng had read in his previous life, tribulation-crossing could easily cost one's life. Cultivating immortality meant fighting against Heaven, and most people died along the way.
Precisely because Jiang Changsheng possessed an infinite lifespan, he had to be even more careful. If he died to a Heavenly Tribulation, that would be far too great a loss.
He had to find a way to increase his Incense Value further. That would be safer, and for now, there were no enemies he could not resist.
If he were attacked while crossing the tribulation, that would be even worse. He had to find a way to lower the Heavenly Tribulation's difficulty.
Jiang Changsheng began pondering how to flaunt himself... Ahem, how to establish his image.
Several days later, Jiang Changsheng developed a batch of talisman papers and handed them to Meng Qiushuang. He told her to have the disciples bring them along the next time they traveled the martial world. If they encountered danger, they could use these talismans. They only needed to pour True Qi into the paper and recite an incantation before using it: "The common people wallow in misery, yet righteous qi shall forever endure in this mortal realm. Immortal Master Changsheng above, lend the power of Heaven and Earth unto my body—slay evil, eradicate demons."
It was embarrassingly melodramatic, but that was exactly what it took to fool uncultured mortals.
Jiang Changsheng stopped cultivating and instead focused on practicing the Taiqing Sword Art.
A month later, Dragon Arising Temple's disciples descended the mountain. This time, Wan Li and Ming Yue, who had followed Jiang Changsheng's cultivation since childhood, led the group. Though they were not Jiang Changsheng's disciples, he had never treated them poorly because he had used them to cultivate the Illusory God Eyes. However, limited by their aptitude, they still only possessed Spirit Sense Realm strength. In the ordinary martial world, they could still be considered Peerless Experts.
Do not be fooled by the increasing number of Heaven-Reaching Realm experts appearing in Jiang Changsheng's sight lately. That was only because he stood ever higher. Ordinary martial artists found it difficult to encounter Heaven-Reaching Realm experts, and even if they did, they would not notice unless those experts made a move.
Every disciple carried Jiang Changsheng's talisman papers, filling them with confidence. After all, Qing Ku had used one before, leaving the disciples traveling with him at the time awestruck.
Aside from this matter, Eunuch Li from the imperial palace came to see Jiang Changsheng once every three months to request pills. Jiang Changsheng neither withheld them nor gave him anything perfunctory. He took out pills he had refined himself, doing everything he could to prolong Jiang Yuan's life and buy time for Little Prince Wei, Jiang Ziyu.
He had secretly followed Eunuch Li before. Eunuch Li had not pocketed the pills, so he truly seemed unwaveringly loyal to Jiang Yuan.
That year passed swiftly.
The thirty-ninth year of Kaiyuan arrived. Before Gu Han could launch a war, the Can Province Governor near Gu Han in the north began a rebellion. He beheaded the departmental officials planted there by the imperial court, unified Can Province within a single month, and recruited troops on a massive scale. He proclaimed that the Great Jing Emperor was cruel and heartless, that the people lived in misery, and that he would bear Heaven's Dao, restore order to the lands of the Thirteen Provinces, and return an age of peace and prosperity to the people.
Great Jing's realm was thoroughly shaken, and the whole world was in uproar.
Inside the Golden Luan Hall, the Seventh Prince, Jiang Yu, flew into a rage and cursed the Can Province Governor. Jiang Yuan, old and frail, sat blankly upon the dragon throne. A trace of fear suddenly arose in his heart—a fear he had not felt even when suffering a crushing defeat against Gu Han.
Could Great Jing perish before even reaching its second generation—perhaps even within its first?
Jiang Yuan looked at Jiang Yu, who was still cursing endlessly in the hall, and at the civil and military officials with their heads lowered. Suddenly, he felt that he could not die like this. Jiang Yu lacked the arts of rulership. The Three Departments and Six Ministries only submitted to him out of respect for the Crown Prince's status.
"Which of you generals will go and quell Can Province?" Jiang Yu asked directly, not even seeking Jiang Yuan's opinion.
The generals all lowered their heads. No one dared answer.
Can Province bordered Gu Han. No matter who went, they would be caught between two armies. This was a journey to certain death!
Jiang Yu's gaze swept over the Chu People generals he had promoted, but they lowered their heads as well, nearly angering him to death.
"Convey My decree. The military forces of Shun Province and Hong Province shall all fall under Prince Qin's command. Prince Qin may recruit troops as he sees fit. Within one year, he must quell the Can Province rebellion!"
Jiang Yuan suddenly spoke. He spoke slowly, yet every word carried an overbearing presence that could not be refused.
Though half his body was already in the grave, the majesty of the Great Emperor Kaiyuan remained. The Great Jing Emperor who had once swept across the Thirteen Provinces was still there.
Jiang Yu was moved, but his expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Though he was already the Crown Prince, Jiang Yu had resisted Gu Han like a God of War over the years and become the hope of all people under Heaven. Once his achievements grew too great, the stability of Jiang Yu's position as Crown Prince would no longer be certain. After all, Prince Qin was older than him!
Once Jiang Yuan spoke, no one dared object. They even secretly breathed sighs of relief.
Handing it to Prince Qin, Jiang Yu, was fine. That boy was a reckless brute and would surely accept.
Compared to establishing merit and making a career, the civil and military officials feared death more at the moment.
Green mountains rolled endlessly, and small bridges spanned flowing streams. An inn stood upon a stretch of mountainous land.
Taoist Priest Qingxu sat at a table drinking tea, with a young Taoist boy at his side who looked only a little over ten.
"Have you heard? Recently, Dragon Arising Temple's disciples have been traveling the martial world with Immortal Master Changsheng's talismans in hand. Any one of them can unleash the destructive power of a Peerless Expert."
"I have indeed heard. Changsheng Taoist Priest truly is an Immortal Master. At any rate, I have never heard of a second person in this world capable of creating such talisman papers."
"I heard some sects have already gone to the capital, hoping to purchase the Immortal Master's talismans in bulk."
"Changsheng Taoist Priest probably will not sell them. Dragon Arising Temple is an officially designated Taoist temple of the Emperor and receives a court salary. It does not lack money at all."
Listening to the discussions of the other martial artists, the little Taoist boy could not help looking at Taoist Priest Qingxu. He asked softly, "Master, is Changsheng Taoist Priest truly your disciple?"
Taoist Priest Qingxu blew away the steam rising from his teacup and said, "Only in name. I did not teach him his martial arts or abilities. I once thought some great expert had guided him, but now it seems perhaps he truly relied on himself. His talent is simply too high, beyond what mortals can reach—or even imagine."
The little Taoist boy seemed to understand, yet not fully. He asked, "Then is he truly the reincarnation of an immortal or god?"
Taoist Priest Qingxu said, "Perhaps. When you go to Dragon Arising Temple in the future, judge with your own eyes."
The little Taoist boy revealed an expectant expression.
Just then, dust rose in the distance as a great number of cavalry charged over. At their head was Jiang Yu, clad in silver armor and wearing a silver crown with phoenix wings. He was broad and imposing, handsome of face, holding the reins in his left hand and a crescent-bladed halberd in his right. Even from afar, one could sense that domineering aura of none beneath Heaven being his equal.
By now, Jiang Yu was the renowned Prince Qin, the hope of the Great Jing Dynasty.
"That is Prince Qin's army. It looks like they are rushing to Can Province. Sigh, His Majesty is truly muddleheaded. Why did he make the Seventh Prince Crown Prince? Prince Qin was also born of Her Majesty the Empress. After the Crown Prince died, Prince Qin should have become the eldest legitimate son."
A wandering hero spoke indignantly, and his words won the approval of the others. After the Seventh Prince began overseeing the state, he had not displayed any talent, and Great Jing continued to worsen with every passing day.
Jiang Yu clearly possessed extraordinary martial prowess, yet he remained cooped up in the capital, not daring to personally lead an expedition like Jiang Yu.
By year's end, another winter had arrived.
Beneath the Earth Spirit Tree, Chen Li excitedly recounted Jiang Yu's military exploits. After recruiting troops for two months, Prince Qin personally marched into Can Province, proving to the world that Great Jing was still a dynasty of true dragons. The Can Province Governor's army was no match for Prince Qin at all. Gu Han sent two hundred thousand troops as reinforcements, only for them to return with feathers scattered and wings broken.
The former Martial Arts Supreme, Zong Tianwu, had been unstoppable. He stormed into the governor's residence and successfully beheaded the enemy leader.
"I have to say, Zong Tianwu is truly formidable. Prince Qin has repeatedly achieved military merit largely thanks to him. Once martial arts experts exhaust their True Qi, they can still be worn to death, but Zong Tianwu is clever. Every time he strikes, he goes straight for the enemy commander, crushing the enemy army's morale."
Chen Li sighed with emotion. Prince Qin and Zong Tianwu had proven to the people of the world that the martial world and the military could also be united.
Jiang Changsheng was also filled with emotion. He had not expected those two to become so close. Back when they first met, they had hardly been friendly.
This was good as well. With Zong Tianwu around, the safety of Jiang Changsheng's biological younger brother could be assured.
"Though Prince Qin is strong, Great Jing lacks an enlightened ruler."
Little Prince Wei, Jiang Ziyu, suddenly leaned in and spoke with a solemn expression.
If these words spread, he would certainly be beheaded. Yet Chen Li was just as audacious. He and Jiang Ziyu had hit it off at first sight, and Chen Li even felt as though he had been born at the wrong time.
Chen Li smiled and asked, "Your Highness Prince Wei, if you were ruler, what would you do?"
Nearly ten-year-old Jiang Ziyu answered seriously, "Gu Han is a land of deserts, poor in resources and far inferior to Great Jing. They have already seized considerable Great Jing territory. Great Jing should not recuperate and gather strength. Instead, it should stake everything on one throw and swear to crush Gu Han. As long as Gu Han is beaten into fear, the surrounding dynasties will not dare invade."
"Grandfather Emperor and Father underestimate the lands of the Thirteen Provinces too much. We are the divine land, rich in population and with resources beyond counting. As long as the Emperor reveals his resolve, the world can naturally produce an army of a million heroes. Recruiting soldiers is not difficult now, but we have not yet reached the limit. The Jing Dynasty lacks resolve—a resolve capable of mobilizing the common people."
Chen Li sighed. "Resolve? How can it be so easy? The people only care about their own food and clothing, unless the nation is destroyed and their homes are lost..."
Jiang Ziyu planted his hands on his hips and huffed. "That is why it depends on the ruler. The ruler's will is the will of the world. If the ruler looks ahead and behind, wanting everything and fearing everything, then the people will naturally be the same."
Chen Li found that reasonable and could not help nodding.
Back then, when he first met Jiang Yuan, he had been conquered by Jiang Yuan's domineering presence. At that time, Jiang Yuan had seemed to have the entire world beneath his feet, as though any dynasty could be taken.
He turned to Jiang Changsheng and said with a smile, "Changsheng, you have taught His Highness Prince Wei very well. At such a young age, he already possesses such grand ambition."
Jiang Changsheng smiled and asked, "When the Seventh Prince ascends the throne in the future, which of his sons will your Chen family support?"
Chen Li froze and furrowed his brow.
Jiang Ziyu waved his hand. "Naturally, support me. My eldest brother has gone to the Martial Arts Holy Land to practice martial arts. When he returns, he will not be suited to court affairs and will possess only martial skill. I am different. I practice martial arts, but I also study state affairs."
His words applied not only to his eldest brother, but also to the current Crown Prince.
Ping'an leaned over, bursting with excitement. "Li Shimin! You are Li Shimin! I am Li Yuanba!"
Chen Li did not know who Li Shimin and Li Yuanba were, but he truly saw hope in Jiang Ziyu. If Jiang Ziyu continued growing according to the current trend, he might not be unable to become the next Jiang Yuan.
It was only that Jiang Ziyu was too young, and the future remained uncertain. Since ancient times, how many genius imperial sons had lost their talents after growing up?
In the end, Chen Li gave no answer, and Jiang Changsheng was in no hurry. It was indeed still too early.
That night, Jiang Changsheng checked his Incense Value in his room.
Current Incense Value: 2809
Sure enough, he still had to rely on bluffing and swindling!
Jiang Changsheng thought delightedly. He decided that he could begin his breakthrough.
He rose to his feet, left the room, and flew on his sword, patrolling inside and outside the capital. Once he confirmed there were no experts around, he would cross the tribulation at Dragon Arising Temple tomorrow and absorb a massive amount of incense once more.
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