Chapter 37

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

1021 people now worshipped him.

So few!

Jiang Changsheng lamented internally. Even though he had transcended the lightning tribulation, White Dragon appeared, and coupled with the reputation of a martial arts legend, the number of believers had grown very slowly. It was mainly because the information in this world was not transmitted well. It was all passed down by word of mouth and could not be witnessed with one’s own eyes.

He wondered how much of the power of the heavenly tribulation this bit of incense value could offset.

According to the novels and legends Jiang Changsheng had read in his previous life, transcending the tribulation was not easy. Cultivation was a battle against the heavens, and most people would die on the way.

Precisely because Jiang Changsheng had an unlimited lifespan, he had to be even more careful. If he were to die from the heavenly tribulation, it would be a huge loss.

He had to think of a way to increase his incense points. In that case, it would be safer. In any case, there were no powerful enemies that he could not resist for the time being.

If he was attacked during the tribulation, it would be very bad. Therefore, he had to think of a way to reduce the difficulty of the tribulation.

Jiang Changsheng began to think about how to show off… cough cough, how to build up his image.

A few days later, Jiang Changsheng developed a batch of talismans and handed them to Meng Qiushuang. He told his disciples to bring them with them the next time they traveled the martial arts world. If they encountered any danger, they could use this talisman to infuse their true qi into the talisman. Before they used it, they had to chant, “When the common people smear it, the human world has its own righteous energy that will last forever. By the immortal master, borrow the power of heaven and earth to slay evil and eliminate devils.”

It was very childish, but that was the only way to scare uneducated mortals.

Jiang Changsheng no longer cultivated. Instead, he focused on practicing the Taiqing Sword Technique.

A month later, the disciples of Longqi Guan went down the mountain. This time, the leader of the team was Wan Li and Mingyue, who had trained with Jiang Changsheng since they were young. Even though they were not Jiang Changsheng’s disciples, Jiang Changsheng had never mistreated them because he wanted to use them to cultivate the Phantom God’s Eyes. However, due to their limited talent, they were still at the Spiritual Sense realm and could be considered top experts in ordinary Jianghu.

Recently, more and more Heaven Arrival realm experts had appeared in Jiang Changsheng’s line of sight, but that was only because he was standing higher and higher. It was rare for ordinary martial artists to encounter Heaven Arrival realm experts, and even if they did, they would not notice it if the other party did not attack.

Every disciple had Jiang Changsheng’s talisman paper, which made them full of confidence. After all, Qing Ku had used it before and it shocked the accompanying disciples.

Other than that, Eunuch Li in the palace would come to Jiang Changsheng every three months to ask for medicinal pills. Jiang Changsheng was not stingy or perfunctory. He took out the medicinal pills he had concocted and tried his best to prolong Jiang Yuan’s life and buy time for Jiang Ziyu, who was Little King Wei.

He had secretly followed behind Eunuch Li and found out that he did not take the medicinal pill. It seemed like he was really loyal to Jiang Yuan.

A year passed quickly.

It was the 39th year of the Jing Dynasty, and Ancient Han had yet to start a war. The provincial governor of the northern prefecture, who was close to Ancient Han, launched a rebellion and killed the officials planted by the imperial court. In a short month, he unified the prefecture and recruited troops and horses without restraint, declaring that the Emperor of Great Jing was cruel and heartless and that the people were suffering. He wanted to rebuild the thirteen prefectures and restore peace to the people.

Great Jing was completely shaken, and the world was in an uproar.

In the throne room, the Seventh Prince, Jiang Yu, was furious. He cursed at the provincial governor. The old and weak Jiang Yuan sat on the dragon throne in a daze. All of a sudden, a trace of fear surfaced in his heart. It was the fear he did not feel when he was defeated by Ancient Han.

Great Jing might not live to the next generation, or even this generation.

Jiang Yuan looked at Jiang Yu who was cursing incessantly in the hall and the civil and military officials who lowered their heads. All of a sudden, he felt that he could not die just like that. Jiang Yu did not have the skills of an emperor, and the three provinces and six ministries only submitted to him on account of the crown prince.

“Generals, who will go flatten the Shenzhou Province?” Jiang Yu asked directly without even asking for Jiang Yuan’s opinion.

The generals lowered their heads one after another. No one dared to answer.

The Shenzhou Province was close to Ancient Han. No matter who went, they would be attacked by two armies. That would be courting death!

Jiang Yu’s gaze swept across the Chu military officers he had promoted, but they all bowed their heads in the same way, which almost angered him to death.

“Pass down my decree. The armies of Shunzhou and Hongzhou are under the control of King Qin. King Qin can recruit soldiers on his own. Within a year, we must quell the chaos in the Shenzhou Province!”

Jiang Yuan suddenly spoke. He spoke slowly, but he exuded an irresistible domineering aura.

Even though half of his body was about to be buried, the prestige of Great Emperor was still there. The Great Emperor Jing who swept across the thirteen prefectures was still there.

Jiang Yu was moved and his expression was ugly.

Even though he was already the Crown Prince, Jiang Yu had resisted Ancient Han like a god of war all these years and was already the hope of all the citizens in the world. Once his contributions were too great, his position as the Crown Prince might not be stable. After all, King Qin was older than him!

No one dared to refute Jiang Yuan’s words and they even breathed a sigh of relief.

It was good to hand it over to King Qin, Jiang Yu. That kid was a boorish man and would definitely accept it.

Compared to making contributions, the civil and military officials were more afraid of sending themselves to their deaths.

…

Green hills stretched endlessly, and there was a small bridge with flowing water. There was an inn on the mountain.

Daoist Master Qingxu sat at the table and drank tea. A young Daoist priest followed him. He looked to be in his early teens.

“Have you heard? Recently, the disciples of Longqi Temple have been wandering around the world with Immortal Master Changsheng’s talismans in their hands. Any one of them can display the lethality of a top expert.”

“I have indeed heard of it. Daoist Master Changsheng is indeed an immortal master. In any case, I have never heard of a second person in the world who could develop such a talisman.”

“I heard that some sects have gone to the capital to purchase a large number of Immortal Master’s talismans.”

“Daoist Master Changsheng won’t sell it, right? After all, Longqi Temple is a Daoist temple appointed by the Emperor and enjoys the imperial court’s salary. It doesn’t lack money at all.”

When he heard the discussion of the other martial artists, the little Daoist looked at Daoist Master Qingxu and asked in a low voice, “Master, is Daoist Master Changsheng really your disciple?”

Daoist Master Qingxu blew away the steam on the teacup and said, “It’s just a status. His martial arts were not taught by me. In the past, I thought he had the guidance of an expert. But from the looks of it, he might have relied on himself. His talents are too great. It’s not something ordinary people can compare to or even imagine.”

The little Daoist did not fully understand and asked, “Then is he really the reincarnation of an immortal god?”

Daoist Master Qingxu said, “Perhaps. When you go to Longqi Temple in the future, use your own eyes to judge.”

The little Daoist revealed an expectant expression.

At that moment, dust rose from afar and a large number of cavalry galloped over. The leader was Jiang Yu, who wore silver armor and a silver crown with phoenix wings. He had a burly figure and a handsome face. He held the horse rope in his left hand and a halberd in his right. Looking from afar, one could sense his domineering aura.

Right now, Jiang Yu was the famous King Qin, the hope of the Great Jing Dynasty.

“That’s the Qin King’s army. From the looks of it, they’re heading towards the Canzhou Province. Alas, His Majesty is so muddle-headed. Why did he appoint the Seventh Prince as the crown prince? King Qin was also born by the Empress. After the Crown Prince died, he should be the eldest son of the first wife.”

Some of the swordsmen were indignant. These words had been recognized by others. The Seventh Prince did not display his talents after he oversaw the country, and the situation continued to deteriorate.

Jiang Yu clearly had powerful martial arts, but he had always stayed in the capital and did not dare to lead an army like Jiang Yu.

…

It was winter at the end of the year.

Under the Earth Spirit Tree, Chen Li excitedly talked about Jiang Yu’s achievements. Two months after the conscription, King Qin personally went to the Shenzhou Province to prove to the world that Great Jing was still the dynasty of the True Dragon. The army of the Shenzhou Provincial Governor was not the Qin Emperor’s opponent at all. Gu Han sent 200,000 troops to support him, but they returned in defeat.

Zong Tianwu, the previous supreme of the martial arts world, was unstoppable. He killed his way into the Provincial Governor’s Mansion and was successfully beheaded him.

“I have to say, Zong Tianwu is really strong. It’s all thanks to him that King Qin can make contributions time and time again. Once a martial arts expert exhausts their true qi, they will also be exhausted to death. However, Zong Tianwu is smart. Every time he attacks, he will attack the enemy’s leader and severely damage their morale.”

Chen Li lamented. King Qin and Zong Tianwu had proved to the world that the martial arts world and the army could be integrated.

Jiang Changsheng was also filled with emotions. He did not expect the two of them to be so close. Back then, the two of them were not on good terms when they first met.

That was good too. With Zong Tianwu here, the safety of Jiang Changsheng’s biological brother could be guaranteed.

“Even though King Qin is powerful, Great Jing lacks a wise ruler.

Little King Wei, Jiang Ziyu, suddenly came over and said with a solemn expression.

If these words were to spread out, he would certainly be beheaded. However, Chen Li was also extremely bold. He and Jiang Ziyu could be said to have hit it off at the first meeting. Chen Li even had a feeling that he was born many years too early.

Chen Li smiled and asked, “Your Highness, if you were the emperor, what would you do?”

Jiang Ziyu, who was almost ten years old, said in all seriousness, “Ancient Han is a desert and lacks resources. It is far inferior to Great Jing. Now that they have occupied many of Great Jing’s territories, Great Jing should not be recuperating. Instead, we should be risking everything and vowing to defeat Ancient Han. As long as we scare them, the surrounding dynasties will not dare to invade.”

“Imperial Grandfather and Father have underestimated the thirteen prefectures. We are the Divine Land, and we have a large population. We have countless resources. As long as the Emperor shows his determination, the world can naturally produce millions of soldiers. It is not difficult to recruit soldiers now, as we had yet to reach the maximum capaciity. It’s just that the Jing Dynasty lacks the determination to mobilize the people.”

Chen Li lamented, “Determination? How can it be so easy? The people only care about their food and clothing, unless it’s to the extent of their country collapsing and their family dying…”

Jiang Ziyu put his hands on his hips and snorted. “So we have to rely on the emperor. The will of the emperor is the will of the world. If the emperor is overcautious and afraid of everything, the people will naturally be the same.”

Chen Li felt that it made sense and could not help but nod.

Back then, when he first met Jiang Yuan, he was convinced by his domineering aura. At that time, it was as if the entire world was under his feet and no dynasty could take him down.

He turned to look at Jiang Changsheng and said with a smile, “Changsheng, you’ve taught His Highness Wei well. He’s so ambitious at such a young age.”

Jiang Changsheng smiled and asked, “When the Seventh Prince goes on stage in the future, who will your Chen family support?”

Chen Li was stunned and frowned.

Jiang Ziyu waved his hand and said, “Naturally, he supports me. My brother has gone to the holy land of the martial arts world to train in martial arts. When he comes back, he will not be used to the state and will only have martial arts. I am different. I am not only training in martial arts, but I am also learning the state.”

His words did not only apply to his brother, but also to the current crown prince.

Ping’an leaned over and excitedly said, “Li Shimin! You’re Li Shimin! I’m Li Yuanba!”

Chen Li did not know about Li Shimin and Li Yuanba, but he did see hope in Jiang Ziyu. As long as he continued to grow, Jiang Ziyu might become the next Jiang Yuan.

However, Jiang Ziyu was still too young, and his future was uncertain. Since ancient times, how many genius princes had died when they grew up?

In the end, Chen Li did not give an answer, and Jiang Changsheng was not in a hurry. It was indeed still early.

That night, Jiang Changsheng checked his incense points.

[Current incense points: 2,809]

As expected, he still had to rely on swindling!

Jiang Changsheng happily thought. He decided to begin his breakthrough.

He stood up and left the house. He flew on his sword and patrolled both inside and outside the capital. Once he confirmed that there were no experts, he would transcend the tribulation at Longqi Temple tomorrow and absorb a large amount of incense.