Reincarnation Mark, Hero's Graveyard

Jiang Changsheng consolidated his cultivation while examining the incense calculation function.

Incense Calculation: Incense value can be consumed to deduce the essence and karmic causality of things. The required incense value depends on the extent of the calculation.

Current incense value: 0

Jiang Changsheng asked inwardly, "Can I easily suppress the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower?"

1000 incense value required. Continue?

Continue.

Insufficient incense value. Calculation failed.

Damn it, then why did it even prompt me to continue?

Jiang Changsheng shook his head and focused on consolidating his cultivation.

It was not until deep into the night that he returned to his room and began inheriting the Reincarnation Mark.

Anything bearing the word reincarnation sounded extraordinary, not to mention that he had obtained it by breaking through the sixth level of the Thunder Tribulation.

The Reincarnation Mark was a soul technique. He could implant this mark into another person's soul; it would endure through reincarnation. Once that person entered the range of his divine consciousness, he would be able to capture their Reincarnation Mark. Enemies would find it difficult to detect the mark, making it a tracking technique.

What was this called?

Chasing you down through lifetime after lifetime?

Jiang Changsheng found it amusing. He also thought of another wonderful use: he could apply it to those around him. That way, even if they crossed through reincarnation, he might still have hope of finding them. As for whom he would use it on, he would decide later. If he used it for protection, it could only be on those truly close to him.

Over the next few days, news of Changsheng Taoist Priest undergoing tribulation spread throughout the Thirteen Provinces. In these war-torn times, such tales were hardly rare. Many people, when raising banners in rebellion or recruiting disciples, would weave mythic colors into their own legends.

A full half month passed before Jiang Changsheng's incense value rose to 15.

That day, Eunuch Li came to announce that the Emperor had summoned Jiang Changsheng to the palace. Jiang Changsheng followed him down the mountain. When the disciples learned of it, they were all excited, thinking the Emperor was going to reward Dragon Arising Temple again. After all, everyone knew that the Emperor and Jiang Changsheng were close.

Following behind Eunuch Li, Jiang Changsheng stared at his back and wondered whether he should kill him.

It was ironic, really. Of the dignitaries who had switched him at birth, everyone except Eunuch Li was dead, all of them killed by the Emperor. Especially when the Devil Sect had caused trouble back then, the Emperor had used the opportunity to slaughter many people. At present, only Eunuch Li remained alive.

Eunuch Li had served Jiang Yuan faithfully for years. Jiang Changsheng wanted Jiang Yuan to live a few more years, so he had not acted against him.

Forget it. At the end of the day, this old dog is just a blade. Once the Emperor dies, I'll grant him a swift end.

Jiang Changsheng thought silently. Eunuch Li had no idea what was on his mind. From time to time, he turned back to chat with him so as not to leave him feeling neglected, his attitude exceedingly warm.

Naturally, Eunuch Li knew Jiang Changsheng's true identity, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. If Changsheng Taoist Priest were still the Crown Prince, would Great Jing have been better, given his talent for martial arts?

Changsheng Taoist Priest appeared to cultivate the Dao and ignore worldly affairs, yet no few martial arts experts had died at his hands. His decisive, ruthless nature was far too much like Jiang Yuan's.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs.

Eunuch Li also knew why Jiang Yuan had switched Jiang Changsheng. Some matters could rot in one's belly forever; there was no need to dig them up.

Half an hour later, they entered the imperial palace and arrived at the Imperial Study.

Jiang Yuan was writing, while the Empress ground ink for him at the inkstone. When she saw Jiang Changsheng and Eunuch Li enter, she instinctively looked up. The moment she saw him, she froze.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Changsheng Taoist Priest of Dragon Arising Temple has arrived."

Eunuch Li bowed respectfully, then withdrew, closing the door behind him.

The Empress's gaze toward Jiang Changsheng was incomparably complicated. Her emotions were clearly agitated, but she restrained herself well.

Jiang Changsheng cupped his hands and bowed. "This Taoist Changsheng pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

It seemed the Empress had also learned his true identity.

But at this point, Jiang Changsheng had no thoughts of acknowledging his family. He was already nearly forty years old. Why bother recognizing relatives now?

Jiang Yuan set down his brush, looked up, and smiled. "Changsheng, come take a look. How is my calligraphy?"

Jiang Changsheng walked over and saw four large characters written on the long sheet of paper.

I Am Heaven's Mandate.

It was very good. The brushstrokes were sharp enough to bare their edge, full of grandeur.

Jiang Changsheng praised it honestly.

Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue in wonder. "A pity I only have a few years left to live. Changsheng, do you understand calligraphy and painting? Come, let me see your writing."

Jiang Changsheng did not stand on ceremony. He had learned Years Calligraphy in his early years, yet rarely had a chance to show off. Before his biological parents now, there was nothing worth hiding.

Jiang Yuan stepped aside. The Empress watched Jiang Changsheng, her eyes reddening slightly as she quietly wiped away the tears at their corners.

Jiang Changsheng gripped the brush, rolled up his left sleeve, and wrote with sweeping strokes. Jiang Yuan looked on and was moved as well.

"Under all Heaven, is there any land that is not the king's land? Along the shores within his borders, is there any who is not the king's subject..."

Jiang Yuan recited, his expression growing complicated.

The force behind those four lines was vast and majestic, yet every character concealed killing intent at its end. Looking at the calligraphy, Jiang Yuan saw epic battle after epic battle within the long river of history, until they finally piled into the image of a towering emperor, holding the realm in his hand and standing tall enough to prop up Heaven.

The Empress praised, "The Taoist Priest's calligraphy is even more domineering than his bearing, and better than His Majesty's. These lines are excellent as well. I shall have this piece mounted and hang it in the Imperial Study from now on."

Jiang Yuan said with feeling, "It is indeed excellent. Changsheng's calligraphy can rank among the top three in Great Jing. What a pity he never entered literary circles."

Suddenly, he felt the same regret Eunuch Li had felt.

If the Crown Prince had not been switched back then, what would things be like now?

Ever since the Seventh Prince had become Crown Prince, his flaws had begun to show. In the past, he had not needed to handle state affairs. Relying on his silver tongue, formidable martial arts, and the backing of the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower, Jiang Yuan had favored him greatly. Yet his ability to govern was far inferior to that of the false Crown Prince. Though clearly highly skilled in martial arts, he was timid and overly cautious, forever afraid of losing his position as Crown Prince. He had remained huddled in the capital, unlike Jiang Yu, who had brought glory to Great Jing.

Jiang Changsheng's talent surpassed Jiang Yu's by far.

The more Jiang Yuan thought about it, the more bitter he became. He grasped Jiang Changsheng's hand and kept patting it, muttering about the past until his words were nearly incoherent.

The Empress saw through his thoughts, and resentment filled her eyes. Over the years, he had also told her what he thought of Jiang Yu.

After talking for quite a while, Jiang Changsheng was about to ask why Jiang Yuan had summoned him.

"Changsheng, among the Seventh Prince's sons, who do you think can shoulder the throne as Great Jing's third monarch?" Jiang Yuan sat down, then suddenly turned his head and asked.

In the past, Jiang Changsheng might have answered vaguely, but now he spoke frankly. "Prince Wei, Jiang Ziyu. He was originally the son of the principal wife and counted as the eldest legitimate son. Yet because the Princess Consort died too early and His Highness the Crown Prince took another Princess Consort, Prince Wei was no longer the eldest legitimate son. That is unfair. Moreover, Prince Wei is intelligent and gifted. Not only is his martial talent exceptional, but his conduct, his dealings with others, and his ambition and aspirations all surpass those of the Crown Prince's other sons."

Jiang Yuan nodded. He also greatly favored Jiang Ziyu. Coupled with the guilt he felt toward Jiang Changsheng, an idea formed in his heart.

Jiang Yuan sighed. "Ziyu is good, but he still suffers in terms of legitimacy. His elder brother also has a Martial Arts Holy Land behind him. It will be difficult for him to contend in the future. If an eminent figure were willing to support him, I could pave the way for him."

Since he had put it so plainly, Jiang Changsheng said, "Dragon Arising Temple is willing to support Prince Wei."

Jiang Yuan looked directly at him, and Jiang Changsheng met his gaze calmly.

The Empress said, "I also like Ziyu. Changsheng Taoist Priest is Ziyu's master, so he will certainly support him. Your Majesty, why not pave the way for Ziyu?"

Jiang Yuan turned and walked toward the door, his hands clasped behind his back as he sighed. "Ziyu's mother died early, and his Lineage was driven to the frontier by Yu'er. It is truly difficult to support him in this capital. Let us see how much longer I can live. Changsheng, return and teach Ziyu well."

Jiang Changsheng cupped his hands in salute, then prepared to leave.

"Changsheng... Taoist Priest..."

The Empress suddenly called after Jiang Changsheng. He turned around, and she hurriedly handed him the box of pastries on the table that had been prepared for the Emperor. "Yu'er once said that you liked the palace pastries very much."

Jiang Changsheng did not stand on ceremony. He truly did miss the imperial palace pastries. Before leaving, he was moved by compassion and used spiritual power to transmit his voice to the Empress.

The Empress's beautiful eyes widened, her lovely face paling in shock. Jiang Yuan had his back to her and was walking toward the exit of the Imperial Study, so he did not notice the change in her expression.

Jiang Changsheng left just like that. The Empress watched his retreating figure, her eyes full of shock. It then turned to joy, before becoming worry.

At last, she made up her mind, stepped forward, and supported Jiang Yuan.

After Jiang Changsheng followed Eunuch Li out of the palace courtyard, the Empress said to Jiang Yuan, "Your Majesty, this consort wishes to marry Minister Yang's granddaughter to Prince Wei. Though Minister Yang and this consort both come from the Yang family, our bloodlines have long grown distant. If Your Majesty permits this, it will be easy to justify both within and without."

Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment. Looking at her in surprise, he said, "He is only Changsheng's disciple. Are you willing to stake the Yang family on him?"

The Empress smiled. "The Yang family should also find itself a patron. Your Majesty, these past years... I hope Your Majesty will grant this."

Jiang Yuan felt deeply uncomfortable hearing that. The Yang family had indeed rendered immense service, yet he had suppressed them harshly over the years. Aside from the Empress, only Yang Che still held the post of Minister of Justice. The Empress was blaming him.

Thinking of how soon he would die, and where the realm would go afterward...

So be it.

"After the new year, I will issue the decree," Jiang Yuan sighed.

The Empress said joyfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this!"

Heavy snow drifted down, blanketing the imperial palace in a vast, desolate expanse. From a crack in one corner of the wall, a tender green shoot suddenly emerged.

In the fortieth year of Kaiyuan, after the New Year, Prince Qin Jiang Yu had completely taken control of Can Province and launched an offensive against Gu Han. Victorious reports arrived one after another, and the Thirteen Provinces of the Jing Dynasty rejoiced. Jiang Yu's prestige surged, and many voices even began to say that he should be Crown Prince.

The new spring had just arrived.

Dragon Arising Temple received an uninvited guest.

"I am Yan Long, known in the martial world as the Mad Blade. I have heard that Changsheng Taoist Priest is no ordinary man and has established a Hero's Graveyard upon Dragon Arising Temple's mountain. Today, Yan Long has come to seek instruction. Should I die in battle, I am willing to enter the Hero's Graveyard and magnify its heroic fame!"

A bold voice resounded throughout Dragon Arising Temple. Its profound inner power was deafening.

Xu Tianji, who was massaging White Dragon, looked up and clicked his tongue in wonder. "Another old immortal has come knocking. Interesting. It seems Hero's Graveyard is going to become a strange tale of the martial world."

Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes, picked up his sword, and walked out. The others followed closely behind.

Jiang Ziyu excitedly asked Huang Chuan, "Mad Blade sounds powerful. How many moves can he last against Master?"

Huang Chuan said proudly, "How many moves? He will surely meet Sword Madman's fate. Since he has come seeking death, then we shall grant it to him!"

Thanks to The Third Step Under Heaven and Not Carrying an Umbrella on Rainy Days for the 500 Qidian coin reward~~