At nightfall, a figure leaped in through the window, the candlelight within illuminating her silhouette.
It was Hua Jian Xin.
Hua Jian Xin removed her mask, walked over to Jiang Changsheng, and sat beside him. "The chief guard is also dissatisfied with the emperor restoring Chu. He has decided to support Ziyu. I told him to lie low and wait until the time is ripe."
Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes and said, "He knows how to read the times. The Punishment Head had his reasons for yielding his position to him."
The White-Clothed Guard had once been under the Punishment Head's command. Before Jiang Yuan passed away, the Punishment Head had relinquished his post, avoiding the risk of Jiang Yu forcibly kicking him out. By choosing his own successor, he could still retain some room to maneuver.
Hua Jian Xin sighed. "Ziyu has finally grown up. Though he has Ping'an, Xu Tianji, and the Punishment Head helping him, no matter how many achievements he earns, he is ultimately only Prince Wei. How can he become Crown Prince in a manner that is right and proper?"
Jiang Changsheng gazed at the bright moon beyond the window. "I have my own way. The reason I have not acted against Jiang Yu is not because I fear the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower. I am merely giving Ziyu time. He was too young before. Once his name is known throughout the land, I will give him an opportunity to become Crown Prince openly and legitimately."
He was already comparable to a martial artist in the Universe Realm. After calculating through incense offerings, he could easily suppress the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower. Thus, he had no misgivings now; all this was simply so Jiang Ziyu could ascend the throne more smoothly.
If he directly killed Jiang Yu now, or forced him to abdicate, heroes would surely rise everywhere beneath heaven. Too much chaos would only make things worse.
To prevent the world from descending into chaos, then let Jiang Ziyu's merits overshadow his ruler!
Hua Jian Xin nodded. She stared blankly at Jiang Changsheng's profile, lost in thought.
Jiang Changsheng turned his head and asked, "What is it? Do you have something on your mind?"
Hua Jian Xin sighed. "Though I took a Youth Preservation Pill, I am already over fifty. I do not know how much longer I can stay by your side. Over these past two years, too many old acquaintances have passed away. It always leaves me feeling rather sad."
For some reason, she always felt that Jiang Changsheng would live longer than she did.
Jiang Changsheng shook his head. "Birth, aging, illness, and death each have their own Heavenly Fate. They cannot be forced. You will get used to it. How is your cultivation of the Universe Heaven Scripture?"
Hua Jian Xin replied, "It is difficult to improve any further. I am even less able to cultivate the higher level of True Qi you spoke of."
Jiang Changsheng was slightly disappointed. The Universe Heaven Scripture was a weakened version of the Dao Follows Nature Skill that he had created. Though it was far inferior, it still provided a method for cultivating spiritual power. If she could not do it, that meant she lacked the talent for immortal cultivation.
Perhaps it had nothing to do with talent. Perhaps martial artists in this world simply could not cultivate immortality, restrained by the rules of heaven and earth.
He and Hua Jian Xin would eventually part ways.
He had not fallen for Hua Jian Xin at first sight, but after more than twenty years together, there were feelings between them after all. Through the long years, he occasionally hoped someone could remain by his side forever. Now it seemed only the Earth Spirit Tree could accompany him for all time.
Seeing his silence, Hua Jian Xin felt somewhat ashamed as well. She knew her talent was lacking. Reaching the Heaven-Connecting Realm had already been thanks to Jiang Changsheng's guidance.
She could not help leaning against Jiang Changsheng's shoulder. Jiang Changsheng did not avoid her and allowed her to rest there.
"Will you marry a wife in the future?" Hua Jian Xin suddenly asked.
Jiang Changsheng said, "Perhaps I will. Perhaps I will not."
A trace of bitterness rose in Hua Jian Xin's heart. There was something she had never managed to say aloud.
Jiang Changsheng was not a block of wood. How could he fail to understand what she wanted? He reached out, wrapped an arm around her back, and planted a Reincarnation Mark within her.
Hua Jian Xin felt an unfathomable force pour into her body, yet it caused no discomfort. She did not struggle, merely asking softly, "What is this?"
"Do you believe in reincarnation?"
"Of course I do. As the saying goes, when people die, they are reborn; all things turn through reincarnation."
"Then believe that there will surely be another life."
"If there is another life, and you and I have lost our memories, what meaning would there be?"
"I will still have mine."
"Then can you find me?"
"It is not impossible."
Hua Jian Xin could not help laughing. She felt Jiang Changsheng did not understand romance, yet he had a charm of his own.
In her eyes, a next life was merely comfort Jiang Changsheng offered her. Even if it was only comfort, she was satisfied.
At least he had learned how to comfort her.
In July, Prince Wei Jiang Ziyu recruited soldiers in the three southern provinces of Qian, Yu, and Fang in Great Jing, declaring that he would defend Great Jing's lands to the death. After that, the other Imperial Sons also left the capital one after another, seeking to emulate the Crown Prince and Prince Wei by going to the front lines to earn merit.
For a time, Great Jing was swept by a spirit of resistance against the Han and Jin dynasties. With the nation on the brink of ruin and homes about to be destroyed, the Imperial Sons personally went to war, stirring the blood and courage of the people of Great Jing.
Hah! Hah! Hah...
Within the courtyard, Huang Chuan launched a barrage of fists and kicks at Jiang Changsheng. His attacks were fierce, yet no matter how swift he was or how tricky his angles, he could not even touch the hem of Jiang Changsheng's robe.
Huang Chuan had already grown accustomed to it. He was not discouraged and still gave it his all.
Wang Chen was beneath the tree, helping the White Dragon shed its skin. The White Dragon had entered its molting period. Its intelligence was already comparable to that of an eight- or nine-year-old child, yet it actually made Wang Chen help it shed. It was far too lazy.
After a long while.
Huang Chuan stopped, bracing both hands against his knees as he panted heavily. At seventeen, he had fully grown into his frame, tall and straight. His long hair was tied behind his head with a grass cord, revealing a handsome face. His brows were like blades and his gaze sharp, carrying quite a bit of the Devil Master's bearing.
Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Chuan'er, you have improved quite a bit. You were just a little short of touching your master."
Naturally, those were words of encouragement. The gap between their realms was immense; Huang Chuan could not possibly touch him.
Huang Chuan asked excitedly, "Was I really only a little short?"
Jiang Changsheng smiled and nodded. Huang Chuan was immediately filled with strength.
At that moment, Qing Ku entered the courtyard. Already past forty, he looked weathered by life. Dense stubble covered his cheeks, and coupled with his missing arm, he looked like a man with countless stories to tell.
"Senior Brother, someone calling himself Four Seas Sage has come to visit. He says he wishes to see you and discuss the matter of Heavenly Fate."
Qing Ku spoke with a strange expression. The man's words made him seem like a wandering swindler. Qing Ku had even tried shoving him away, only to be toyed with.
Jiang Changsheng walked to the stone table and sat down. "Let him in. Wang Chen, brew some tea."
He had heard Eunuch Li mention Four Seas Sage before. The Punishment Head had been created by Four Seas Sage.
He had already sensed Four Seas Sage's aura. He possessed Heaven-Connecting Realm cultivation and was indeed powerful. More importantly, Four Seas Sage's power differed from that of ordinary martial artists. His True Qi was not violent, but gentle as water.
No, he was not merely Heaven-Connecting. An even more powerful force was hidden within his dantian. Though it posed no threat to Jiang Changsheng, within Great Jing, he was absolutely an unparalleled powerhouse.
After a while.
Qing Ku brought Four Seas Sage into the courtyard. Four Seas Sage was fat, appearing to be in his forties or fifties. He resembled a Maitreya Buddha, holding a wine gourd in one hand and carrying an enormous wooden case on his back.
"Immortal Master Changsheng truly possesses extraordinary bearing. This sort of youth-preserving art is something this old man has never seen, even after traveling through the ten directions of dynasties."
Four Seas Sage chuckled, then walked over and sat down before Jiang Changsheng without waiting for an invitation.
Qing Ku wanted to say something, but when he saw Jiang Changsheng wave his hand, he could only leave.
Four Seas Sage picked up a small bowl and poured wine from his gourd. Smiling, he said, "Immortal Master Changsheng, to cultivate such power in a dynasty controlled by the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower truly earns this old man's admiration. But you have remained in the capital all this time. Could it be that you wish to interfere with the universe?"
Jiang Changsheng smiled and asked, "May I ask what Heavenly Fate you speak of?"
Four Seas Sage drained the wine in his bowl in one gulp, then said, "Heavenly Fate lies with Chu."
He fixed his gaze upon Jiang Changsheng, his eyes turning sharp.
Jiang Changsheng remained unmoved. "Who determined this Heavenly Fate? You, or the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower?"
Four Seas Sage shook his head. "Neither. It was determined by the martial dao itself. Immortal Master, your cultivation is likely close to reaching the Divine Human Realm. There are some things you may be told. Since ancient times, every change of dynasty has been controlled by martial forces behind the scenes. These Thirteen Provinces are controlled by the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower, but do you know that the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower has Divine Humans?"
Wang Chen could not help turning his head. The words Divine Human greatly interested him.
Four Seas Sage continued, "If Immortal Master insists on acting, calamity will find you sooner or later. Let it go. This land already has its ordained fate. Why not leave with this old man?"
"Where to?"
"To roam the world, to behold a broader heaven and earth, to pursue a higher martial dao within the Manifest Saint Grotto-heaven."
"Is there an even higher realm beyond the Divine Human Realm?"
"Naturally. The martial dao has no end. Beyond the Divine Human Realm lies the Golden Body Realm, a realm that ninety percent of martial artists cannot reach even after exhausting their entire lives. It is a realm where one can sweep across the dynasties beneath heaven, invincible."
Four Seas Sage stroked his beard and smiled. Seeing Jiang Changsheng moved, the smile on his face deepened.
The Golden Body Realm?
So there was another realm wedged between the Divine Human Realm and the Universe Realm.
Jiang Changsheng shook his head. "Thank you for your kind intentions, but I still wish to remain here and cultivate the Dao in peace."
Four Seas Sage frowned. "When Jing Martial Ancestor rose in rebellion, I once lent him aid. I still hold some affection for Great Jing. You are the most outstanding martial artist in Great Jing's martial world. Great Jing is about to perish. I invited you because, for the late emperor's sake, I wish to leave behind an inheritance for Great Jing's martial world."
Jiang Changsheng raised a brow. "The late emperor sent you?"
Four Seas Sage snorted. "Two years ago, he sent this old man a letter, asking me to come to the capital and take the Changsheng Taoist Priest of Dragon Arising Temple away. This old man originally thought you were merely an ordinary martial prodigy. Who would have thought you had already become a legend of Great Jing's martial world?"
Jiang Changsheng thought of Jiang Yuan and felt deeply moved.
Jiang Yuan had still remembered the bond between father and son.
Jiang Changsheng said, "Thank you for your kindness, and apologies for making you travel so far. But I do not wish to leave."
Four Seas Sage frowned, staring intently at Jiang Changsheng. "The Great Vehicle Dragon Tower has not descended upon the capital yet, not because they fear your martial arts. They are simply tied up by other matters. Sooner or later, they will come and force the current emperor to restore Chu. By then, the people of the Jing Dynasty will become slaves, while the entire court and imperial family will surely be slaughtered by the Chu People. This is the hatred of a fallen nation, irreconcilable beneath the same sky."
Wang Chen listened from the side, his heart shaken. He already knew of the Great Vehicle Dragon Tower's existence, but he had not expected them to be so ruthless.
Jiang Changsheng said, "My mind is made up. It will not waver."
Upon hearing this, Four Seas Sage slammed the table and rose. "Foolish!"
He picked up his wine gourd and turned to leave, but after taking two steps, he stopped. "Jiang Yuan was half this old man's disciple, after all. This old man cannot go back on his word. How about this? Exchange one palm strike with me. If you win, this old man will not urge you further. If you lose, you will leave with this old man."
Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Why bother?"
Four Seas Sage kept a straight face and looked at Jiang Changsheng provocatively.
Jiang Changsheng found it amusing. This old man had a bit of an old urchin's air about him.
He rose to his feet and suddenly appeared before Four Seas Sage. His right palm stopped in front of the man's forehead. The gust of force tugged Four Seas Sage's robes backward, even pulling the fat on his face back and distorting his features.
Once the gust dissipated, beads of sweat the size of beans seeped from Four Seas Sage's forehead. His eyes were wide and blank, his heartbeat booming like war drums, every beat clear to Jiang Changsheng's ears.
Jiang Changsheng smiled and asked, "Do you truly wish to exchange palm strikes?"
Four Seas Sage forced a smile. "This old man... was only joking... Immortal Master is truly formidable... Do as you please... do as you please. Just treat it as this old man having drunk too much wine and spoken nothing but nonsense."
As he spoke, he backed away, then hurriedly ran out of the courtyard in a most comical manner.
Thanks to Rainy Days Don't Carry Umbrellas for the reward of 2,500 Qidian coins, Book Friend 20180218205224386 for the reward of 1,500 Qidian coins, and Meow Meow Hello for the reward of 500 Qidian coins, among others~~
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