Chapter 12

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Demonic Priest wanted to open a Daoist temple?

Jiang Changsheng’s expression turned cold. He felt that someone was pushing him from behind, so he immediately followed Qing Ku.

At the same time, under the mountain gate, the disciples of both sides were confronting each other.

Daoist Master Qingxu, Meng Qiushuang, and a group of disciples stood in front of a small bridge. There was also a group of Daoist priests outside the gate. The leader was a middle-aged Daoist priest with a thin body and a crafty expression. He had his right hand behind his waist and his left hand pinching his goatee as he stared at the Daoist priests of Longqi Temple with arrogance.

The middle-aged priest was the Demonic Priest, who was favored by the Emperor. He called himself Old Immortal Huanyang, and he had dozens of disciples under him. Most of them were children of nobles from the capital.

There was also a young man by his side. He looked to be sixteen to seventeen years old and was dressed in purple clothes. He was exquisitely dressed and wore a jade crown embedded with pearls. He had a handsome appearance and with a single glance, one could tell that he had an extraordinary background.

Daoist Master Qingxu expressionlessly said, “Fellow Daoist, are you really going to force Longqi Temple to their death?”

Behind him, four disciples were supported by other disciples. These four disciples were all injured as they stared at the middle-aged priest in shock and anger.

Old Immortal Huanyang smiled and said, “Why do I have to force them to their deaths? Fellow Daoist Qingxu, just give up this mountain. The disciples under you are too weak. I suspect that Fellow Daoist did not teach them seriously. Since you do not have the heart to impart martial arts, why do you have to occupy the mountain?”

As soon as he said that, his disciples clamored one after another, each saying more unpleasant words than the other.

“Longqi Temple should have been uprooted a long time ago. It’s just that His Majesty cares about his old friendship.”

“That’s right. Longqi Temple has contributed nothing to the court. Even the newly appointed top scholar has abandoned Longqi Temple.”

“In my opinion, they are all a group of good-for-nothings without any ability. Even His Majesty rarely comes. It would be better for you master to give up his position and let the real immortal master teach.”

“According to the rules of the martial arts world, if you are no match for us, you should give up unless Longqi Temple does not reside in a martial arts sect.”

“It’s not that His Majesty has gone back on her words, but Longqi Temple is too useless. You should just excuse yourself and get out.”

In the face of the clamor, the disciples of Longqi Temple were furious. They retaliated and both sides started to bicker.

Old Immortal Huanyang raised his hand and the disciples behind him immediately shut their mouths.

Seeing this, Meng Qiushuang also told his junior brothers and sisters to stop. If they continued to curse, it would tarnish the image of the Longqi Temple.

Old Immortal Huanyang chuckled and said, “Fellow Daoist, do you want to take action? If you can defeat me, I will immediately leave the mountain. However, if you lose, forget about the rules of the pugilistic world.”

Daoist Master Qingxu sighed. Just as he was about to speak, a voice sounded.

“I wonder what will happen if someone dies in the spar?”

The disciples turned to look. When they saw who it was, their expressions brightened and excitement surfaced on their faces. Senior Sister Meng Qiushuang also revealed a smile.

Jiang Changsheng slowly walked over. Behind him, Qing Ku took advantage of the tiger’s might and glared at Old Immortal Huanyang.

Old Immortal Huanyang stared at Jiang Changsheng and asked with a smile, “Are you the Daoist Master who killed the Ghost-Eyed Evil King at the age of fourteen? Your killing intent is really heavy.”

The purple-clad young man looked at Jiang Changsheng with a teasing expression. No one knew what he was thinking.

Jiang Changsheng pressed his right hand on the hilt of the Taihang Sword and held the Qilin Horsetail Whisk in his left hand. He chuckled and said, “The rules of the martial arts world are to compare notes. Life and death are up to fate, right?”

Old Immortal Huanyang’s true energy was only slightly stronger than the Ghost-Eyed Evil King. If the two of them were to fight to the death, the Ghost-Eyed Evil King might not lose.

However, ever since Daoist Master Qingxu was poisoned, his vital energy had been dissipating and he was no longer the opponent of Elder Huanyang.

Old Immortal Huanyang could not see through Jiang Changsheng’s strength. He even felt that Jiang Changsheng was an ordinary person, but his achievements in killing the Ghost-Eyed Evil King were obvious.

Just as Old Immortal Huanyang hesitated, his disciples began to encourage him. These disciples were all good-for-nothings. Other than blind worship, some of them were arranged by their elders in their families. Therefore, they did not care about his life or death.

Jiang Changsheng stared at Elder Huanyang teasingly and was not anxious at all.

Now, it was Old Immortal Huanyang’s turn to be in a dilemma.

Old Immortal Huanyang seemed arrogant and conceited, but he was actually very cautious. Otherwise, he would not have become the Emperor’s favorite.

“Since you don’t dare, then get lost!”

Qing Ku could not help but curse, and the other disciples followed suit.

They were full of confidence in Jiang Changsheng. After all, they had witnessed the insufferably arrogant Evil King being kicked to death by Jiang Changsheng, and it was still fresh in their minds.

Old Immortal Huanyang revealed a smile and said, “The capital is an important place. How can we discuss life and death? If I were to kill you, it would not be easy. Forget it, come again next time.”

With that said, he raised his hand and prepared to call for his disciples to retreat.

Jiang Changsheng released the hilt of his sword with his right hand and sneered. “Do you think you can come and leave the Longqi Temple just as you like?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Taihang Sword suddenly unsheathed. The light of the sword dazzled, causing everyone to subconsciously close their eyes. The same went for Old Immortal Huanyang. He also felt the sharp pain and opened his eyes in fright.

The others only heard the sound of the blade penetrating flesh. They opened their eyes and saw Elder Huanyang half kneeling on the ground. Jiang Changsheng was still standing on the spot as if he had not attacked, but the Taihang Sword on his waist had disappeared.

The disciples of Longqi Temple were all dumbstruck and revealed expressions of disbelief. Even Daoist Master Qingxu was moved.

The sound of air being torn apart could be heard. The Taihang Sword flew past the head of Old Immortal Huanyang, cut off a strand of long hair, and flew into the scabbard on Jiang Changsheng’s waist.

The Longqi Temple was silent!

Everyone was stunned. Even the purple-clad young man was moved as he looked at Jiang Changsheng in a daze.

What kind of martial arts was that?

Old Immortal Huanyang widened his eyes and stared at Jiang Changsheng. His eyes were bloodshot and cold sweat the size of beans overflowed from his forehead. Just now, he felt the aura of death. This feeling reminded him of the chaotic times before the Jing Dynasty was founded. There was once a thief who wanted to behead him. At that time, the blade was not far from the back of his neck and that chill was exactly the same as now.

Jiang Changsheng said expressionlessly, “Don’t come near here in the future.”

The Taihang Sword pierced through Old Immortal Huanyang’s shoulder and cut off some of his meridians, causing his true energy to dissipate. For this injury, it would take him a year and a half to recover.

Old Immortal Huanyang gritted his teeth and said, “Help me away!”

In the face of the terrifying Jiang Changsheng, he did not even dare to utter a single harsh word.

The disciples hastily supported him down the mountain. All of them were in an extremely sorry state and were frightened out of their wits by Jiang Changsheng’s Sword Control Technique.

Jiang Changsheng glanced at the young man in purple. There were four guards behind him, and it was obvious that his identity was not simple. His sharp gaze woke the latter up.

“How dare you! Don’t be rude to His Second Highness!”

One of the guards shouted angrily, but his voice was trembling.

Jiang Changsheng’s Sword Control Technique shattered his understanding.

Could martial arts be like this?

When Jiang Changsheng heard that, he cupped his fists at the purple-clad young man and said, “Your Second Highness, do you want to be a guest?”

The prince who competed with the fake prince for power.

Jiang Changsheng had heard from the fourth prince, Jiang Yu, that the second prince, Jiang Ming, was younger than the Crown Prince by half a year. His mother was the younger sister of Hong Lie, the number one general in the Great Jing. After Cao Hubao rebelled, Hong Lie became the commander-in-chief of the three armies, and his status was comparable to a second-ranked official. It could even be said that he was second only to one person and above tens of thousands of people.

Naturally, Hong Lie supported the Second Prince. Therefore, the Second Prince’s faction was also very powerful and was not inferior to the Crown Prince at all. It was uncertain who would inherit the throne in the future.

Jiang Ming stared at Jiang Changsheng with a burning gaze and said, “Daoist Master Changsheng, you’re really amazing. The sword technique just now was really… magical. Even though I’ve never roamed the world, I can still see the power of Daoist Master Changsheng. I want to invite Daoist Master Changsheng to be my guest. In the future, I’ll fight for an official position for you and enjoy a great salary. As long as I’m here, I guarantee that Daoist Master Changsheng will have nothing to worry about in his life. I’ll try my best to satisfy whatever you want.”

The moment he said that, the disciples of Longqi Temple looked at Jiang Changsheng enviously.

Previously, the Fourth Prince had come to acknowledge him as his teacher. Now, the Second Prince was also here.

The Fourth Prince could not be compared to the Second Prince!

Jiang Changsheng smiled and said, “Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I only wish to comprehend the Dao here. My greatest pursuit is my Daoist name. The wealth and status of the secular world have nothing to do with me.”

Jiang Ming stepped forward and warmly held Jiang Changsheng’s hand as he started to say all sorts of beautiful words. His words sounded like flattery, but his identity was not low so the effect of his words was different.

Jiang Changsheng’s polite response did not embarrass the Second Prince.

Last year’s top scholar had submitted to Jiang Ming. Jiang Ming did not lack civil servants and generals, but he lacked experts like Jiang Changsheng.

No matter how much he said, Jiang Changsheng still refused. Jiang Ming felt regretful, but he was not angry. Instead, he instructed his subordinates, “From today onwards, Longqi Temple’s Daoist Master Changsheng is my friend. Go back and tell Old Immortal Huanyang that he is not allowed to cause trouble again. Also, tell the entire capital that whoever dares to provoke Daoist Master Changsheng is not giving me face.”

“Yes!”

The four guards immediately agreed.

Jiang Ming smiled at Jiang Changsheng and turned to leave.

After the five of them left, the disciples of Longqi Temple immediately surrounded him; all of them extremely excited.

Daoist Master Qingxu did not say anything else and turned to leave.

Meng Qiushuang walked to Jiang Changsheng and said, “Junior Brother Changsheng, you have saved the Daoist temple again.”

Jiang Changsheng smiled and said, “Senior Sister, what are you talking about? I am also a member of Longqi Temple. Compared to your usual busy schedule, I am nothing.”

Meng Qiushuang revealed an approving smile as she lamented in her heart. The child from back then had already propped up the Longqi Temple by himself. Time passed really quickly.

After dealing with his fellow disciples, Jiang Changsheng quickly returned to his room.

“In the seventeenth year of the founding of the dynasty, the Demonic Priest, Old Immortal Huanyang, invaded. You repelled him and survived a calamity. You received a survival reward—the spell, ‘Phantom God’s Eye’.”

Jiang Changsheng looked at the notification and was in a good mood.

It was also a good thing for someone to find fault with him, as it could make him stronger.

As his spiritual force increased and the gap between him and the martial artists increased, the pressure he felt was far less than before. Even if the army surrounded Longqi Temple tomorrow, he was not afraid. As long as he used the Sword Control Technique, who in the entire capital could stop him?

After inheriting the memories of the Phantom God’s Eye, Jiang Changsheng marveled at how terrifying it was.

After cultivating the Phantom God’s Eye, one could change the memories of others as long as they looked into their eyes. This process would consume spiritual force according to the amount of information tampered with. The other party must also have a cultivation level lower than his. Otherwise, it would be easy to see through and it would also cause a backlash to the caster.

A godly skill!

However, he would only know the practical effect after cultivating it.

Jiang Changsheng became excited and began to cultivate the Phantom God Eye.

In the following month, Jiang Ming sent someone five times, and every time, he would bring generous gifts. There were grains, medicinal ingredients, books, jade, and so on. This news also spread throughout the capital.

Jiang Changsheng knew what Jiang Ming meant. He had no choice but to board the ship!

Unfortunately, he had underestimated Jiang Changsheng.

Jiang Changsheng naturally accepted these generous gifts and then gave them to the Daoist temple.

More than half a month after the fifth gift, Jiang Changsheng received shocking news.

Jiang Ming was assassinated and was severely injured!