"If I really get a reward, help me ask for a sword. I've recently gained a little insight into swordsmanship and want to see whether I can create a sword technique."
Jiang Changsheng smiled. Chen Li was, after all, the top scholar, and his family head was the Great Jing Dynasty's Minister of Revenue. He truly had some influence in court.
Chen Li readily agreed. The two did not talk for long, since Minister Yang was still waiting outside.
Once the door closed, Jiang Changsheng was left alone in the room. The smile vanished from his face as he began to worry whether his enemies would send even stronger experts after him.
Hopefully, the enemy would not be too strong. That way, he could still fleece them for survival rewards.
Judging from Chen Li's words, Peerless Experts were powerful, but not rare. That meant there were higher realms beyond them. After all, Peerless Expert was merely a title used by martial artists, not the name of a realm. Jiang Changsheng needed time to grow stronger.
Fortunately, Jiang Changsheng's concerns proved unnecessary. Over the following days, soldiers came every day, and Jiang Changsheng was questioned repeatedly. He was righteous and confident, completely unafraid, because Ghost Eye Evil King's surprise attack had also provided a conclusion to Fifth Senior Brother's death.
He had fought back in self-defense!
It was reasonable, lawful, and supported by ample evidence!
The logic held up as well!
Only the motive was lacking. The officials from the authorities, the Ministry of Justice, and the Heavenly Prison were all puzzled. Who exactly had been pushing all this from the shadows, and why did they want Jiang Changsheng dead?
Jiang Changsheng had originally hoped Jiang Yuan would come see him in person, so he could use the opportunity to draw out the truth. Yet Jiang Yuan never came. The emperor handled countless affairs each day and had not been drawn in by a case like this.
Five days later.
Fourth Prince Jiang Yu arrived and asked excitedly, "Brother Changsheng, was the leg technique you used to kill Ghost Eye Evil King the Shadow Leg you taught me?"
Jiang Changsheng nodded. Jiang Yu became even more excited and began describing the uproar this matter had caused. Even the imperial palace was discussing it. Reportedly, word had already spread through the martial world.
Dragon Arising Temple's Daoist Changsheng had killed Ghost Eye Evil King at the age of fourteen!
At such an age, with such a record, it was indeed astonishing.
Jiang Changsheng secretly reveled in it, but he also worried that it would bring even more trouble.
"Even my eldest brother has taken an interest in you. He said he would come visit when he had the chance," Jiang Yu said with a smile.
Jiang Changsheng's expression did not change, but killing intent rose in his heart.
The fake Crown Prince wanted to come looking for him too?
It was not a good time to make a move.
He still had to lie low for a while. Once he was strong enough, he could take his revenge to his heart's content.
The two chatted for a while longer before Jiang Changsheng began answering Jiang Yu's questions about the Shadow Leg. Jiang Yu listened attentively. After half an hour, he had gained greatly, and after offering his thanks, he left.
This time, Jiang Yu had not come empty-handed. He had brought pastries from the imperial palace. Jiang Changsheng tasted them and found them quite good. Compared with Dragon Arising Temple's bland meals, they could be called a delicacy.
Not bad, not bad. Next time, I'll have him bring more.
Jiang Changsheng thought happily.
That day, a troop of soldiers was stationed at the foot of Dragon Arising Mountain to guard it, ending the days when the disciples had lived in constant dread.
A month later, Taoist Priest Qingxu returned, and the troop withdrew.
All the disciples gathered in the Hall of Bright Mind, heads lowered before Taoist Priest Qingxu. The hall was steeped in gloom. Jiang Changsheng lowered his head as well, while Meng Qiuhe and Meng Qiushuang knelt before Taoist Priest Qingxu with their foreheads pressed tightly to the floor.
Taoist Priest Qingxu had clearly aged greatly since going down the mountain. Wrinkles had appeared between his brows; he must have been burdened by worry every day.
"Alas."
A heavy sigh shattered the silence in the Hall of Bright Mind.
Taoist Priest Qingxu said, "Get up. Against a Peerless Expert like Ghost Eye Evil King, even your master could not claim absolute confidence. You have already done well enough. The dead are gone; from now on, do not keep this in your hearts."
Meng Qiuhe and Meng Qiushuang rose, yet still did not dare lift their heads. Meng Qiuhe in particular had both fists trembling inside his sleeves. Over this past month, his temperament had changed drastically. He was no longer as cheerful as before, wearing a dark expression all day. None of the disciples dared speak to him.
Taoist Priest Qingxu looked at Jiang Changsheng and said, "Changsheng, you performed well. You saved Dragon Arising Temple."
Jiang Changsheng hurriedly bowed and said it had only been his duty.
Taoist Priest Qingxu did not dwell on the matter. Instead, he said, "Your eldest senior brother has already defected to the Devil Sect. From now on, he is no longer Dragon Arising Temple's eldest disciple. Qiu He will be the eldest disciple, Qiushuang the second disciple, and Changsheng the third disciple."
At these words, the disciples all raised their heads and began asking questions excitedly.
Li Changqing had been like the head of the household in Dragon Arising Temple, close to all the disciples. Including Jiang Changsheng, no one disliked him.
Meng Qiuhe's face was extremely unsightly. There was no joy at being elevated to eldest disciple.
Jiang Changsheng was not surprised by his promotion to third disciple. His achievements were there for all to see. The rankings among Dragon Arising Temple's disciples could change, though ordinarily, only when a disciple died would another take their place.
He could understand Li Changqing's betrayal.
The single word love harmed people deeply.
As long as it did not endanger his own safety, it was fine.
He was a cultivator. A hundred years from now, everyone around him would turn to yellow earth and sleep forever beneath the ground.
Taoist Priest Qingxu said no more. He waved his whisk, signaling for the disciples to leave.
Though the disciples were stirred with indignation, they had no choice but to withdraw.
Jiang Changsheng hesitated slightly. He had thought Taoist Priest Qingxu would speak with him privately, but he did not. It was as though he had not taken the disciples' deaths to heart.
He returned to his room alone, still deeply confused.
Taoist Priest Qingxu's attitude toward him was clearly strange.
Could Taoist Priest Qingxu know his identity?
He had specially permitted him not to attend Dao lectures, and even after such a major incident had happened because of him, he had not held him accountable. Something was truly not right.
Jiang Changsheng considered many possibilities. He even wondered whether Taoist Priest Qingxu might be an enemy as well. Of course, that thought was somewhat dark, but in this life, no matter what, he had to pursue immortality!
Eternal life without death, becoming immortal and ascending to godhood—those were his goals!
After Taoist Priest Qingxu returned, Dragon Arising Temple finally settled down completely. The disciples no longer worried, and life returned to normal. The disciples were all orphans, and more or less had experienced the pain of parting through life and death. None remained immersed in grief forever. Only one person was deeply affected.
Meng Qiuhe.
He began training martial arts like a madman. He was also granted the same treatment as Jiang Changsheng and no longer attended Dao lectures. He devoted himself to martial arts at the cliffside, so fervently that even Qing Ku remarked to Jiang Changsheng that the new eldest senior brother trained as though he did not care whether he lived or died.
Jiang Changsheng did not meddle by trying to comfort Meng Qiuhe. He did not have that ability either.
Time continued to pass.
Before he knew it.
The fifteenth year of Kaiyuan arrived, and Jiang Changsheng turned fifteen.
His True Qi had continued to grow, but he always remained one step short of the fourth layer of the Dao Follows Nature Skill.
Before the winter snow had fully melted, Chen Li came to visit. This time, he brought a grand gift.
"Hahaha, Changsheng, you've picked up a treasure. I asked His Majesty for a treasured sword on your behalf. With a single command from His Majesty, they spent several months seeking out a famed sword from the martial world. This sword is called the Taihang Sword. It is said to rank among the martial world's ten great famous swords."
Chen Li laughed as he placed the sword on the table, where it struck with a crisp clang.
Jiang Changsheng asked in surprise, "His Majesty made such a big fuss over this?"
Chen Li shook his head. "His Majesty only spoke a single sentence; it was the people below who ran their legs off. Dragon Arising Temple is in the capital and is a Daoist temple personally designated by His Majesty. Its disciples were slaughtered by death-row prisoners from the Heavenly Prison, and too many departments of power were involved. Naturally, those below had to do everything they could to curry favor with His Majesty. They also wanted to smooth over His Majesty's anger. Besides, swordsmen are weak in today's martial world. The prestige of the ten great famous swords is no longer what it was in the previous dynasty."
Jiang Changsheng suddenly understood. He walked to the table, picked up the scabbard, and drew the Taihang Sword. Sword light flashed brilliantly, making him narrow his eyes.
Chen Li's eyes were also dazzled, and he exclaimed, "Taihang is absolutely a divine weapon. I've tried it—it cuts iron like mud. This sword light can even confuse an enemy."
Jiang Changsheng examined the Taihang Sword. It was over three feet long, its blade three fingers wide. It appeared slender overall. Strange patterns were carved down the center of the blade, while the edges on both sides carried a faint blue-green hue. The hilt was just as finely crafted. It did not dig into his hand; instead, it felt very comfortable to hold.
"Not bad, not bad. I like it. Many thanks, Brother Chen."
Jiang Changsheng praised it. The sword was handsome and worthy of his looks.
Chen Li smiled, then spoke of the outcome of the case.
The Heavenly Prison would be rebuilt in pursuit of greater defenses. More than thirty officials of varying ranks had been stripped of office, and no fewer than five people had been beheaded. The highest-ranking official implicated had been a third-rank grand official. During this time, the capital had been swept by wind and rain, with everyone fearing for themselves. Government agents inspected the city districts daily. The emperor suspected that someone else stood behind Ghost Eye Evil King, but in the end, they still failed to uncover the true culprit. Thus, the case came to a close.
As for Dragon Arising Temple, the emperor bestowed much grain and money as consolation.
Jiang Changsheng had no objection, nor was he qualified to voice one.
After Chen Li finished speaking, he hurried away. He had recently been promoted and was at his busiest.
Jiang Changsheng did not remain in his room. Instead, he headed to the Dao Bell Tower. There were few disciples nearby because the surrounding buildings were all storehouses for firewood, grain, and other supplies.
Following the mental method of the Sword Control Art, he began using spiritual energy. He first had to make the Taihang Sword rise into the air before he could control it. The process was difficult, but it felt fresh to him, and he was full of fighting spirit.
Sword control—that was what cultivation truly was!
How could a dignified cultivator always use the moves of a mere martial artist against his enemies?
After the Dragon Arising Temple massacre came to an end, the powerful nobles who had wanted Jiang Changsheng dead also quieted down. Jiang Changsheng's fifteenth year passed peacefully, without further assassination attempts or calamities.
In the sixteenth year of Kaiyuan, Jiang Changsheng turned sixteen.
One summer afternoon, he finally cultivated the fourth layer of the Dao Follows Nature Skill. The True Qi within his body began transforming into a stronger form of energy.
Spiritual power!
The energy of a cultivator!
From that moment on, he had truly cast off mortality. From then on, he could cultivate spells and use magical artifacts.
The magical artifact he had obtained at the age of six, the Kirin Whisk, was still in his mind. He had never used it, and he had long looked forward to doing so.
Jiang Changsheng compared them and found that his spiritual power was roughly ten times stronger than his True Qi before the breakthrough. It was immense. His senses had also multiplied; his hearing could cover the entirety of Dragon Arising Temple. At the same time, he had developed divine sense. Divine sense was the sight of the soul, capable of penetrating matter, observing the outside world, and glimpsing the true essence of things.
A transformation in a single day!
Jiang Changsheng felt refreshed and delighted. He believed that if enemies came again, he would no longer need to worry.
Compared with when he had slain Ghost Eye Evil King, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. It could even be described as shedding his mortal body and exchanging his bones.
After spending two days consolidating his cultivation and becoming proficient with spiritual power, Jiang Changsheng could even fly on a sword. He simply did not dare be too ostentatious, so after trying it briefly, he stopped.
He still was not certain whether there were other cultivators in this world, or martial artists capable of matching him. He could not act recklessly.
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