Chapter 305 - Chapter 305: True Dragon Emperor, No Way Out

Chapter 305: True Dragon Emperor, No Way Out

In the 10th year of the De Huang Era, the Emperor issued an edict to the world, listing many crimes committed by King West Jin and removing his position as a vassal king. Unconvinced, King West Jin gathered his troops in an attempt to gain independence that month. However, he was jointly attacked by the King of the Northern Frontier and King Han, Jiang Luo. The war lasted for less than a month before King West Jin was captured.

This matter caused a huge commotion in the land. It had been a long time since Great Jing experienced such internal strife.

However, the Emperor’s actions did not stop.

In the 11th year of the De Huang Era, the Emperor once again abolished the two great vassal kings, causing turmoil in all the provinces. Even though the Emperor had released the extent of their crimes, many people felt that it was just an excuse. This was because one of the vassal kings that was abolished was deeply loved by the people there, so his actions had aroused a lot of resentment.

In the second half of the year, the seven aristocratic families were raided. All of them either had a merchant background or a martial arts background,

In the 12th year of the De Huang Era, at the beginning of January, the Emperor was almost assassinated. Even though the assassin was arrested and interrogated about the culprit, the Emperor had to recuperate for several months. As for the aristocratic families that attempted to assassinate him, their nine generations were implicated and their heads were said to have piled up like a mountain outside the city.

This year, Jiang Changsheng was exactly 300 years old.

As Bai Qi already knew Jiang Changsheng’s true identity, she called for everyone to celebrate the Dao Ancestor’s birthday. His lifespan was very easy to remember. He was the same age as the Great Jing. Coincidentally, the Emperor was currently organizing the 300th year anniversary.

Jiang Changsheng never celebrated his birthday, but Bai Qi brought Mu Lingluo out. About this, Mu Lingluo was very enthusiastic, so he could only accommodate her.

Even though it was a birthday celebration, it was not held wantonly. However, in the courtyard, Chen Li also came. It was also Bai Qi who called him over. When she saw him bringing a large number of wine and delicacies, Bai Qi’s face broke into a smile.

Qing’er also came, making the courtyard very lively.

After a round of toasts, Chen Li talked about the court. He lamented, “After His

Majesty obtained the support of the King of the Northern Frontier and King Han, he became more and more unrestrained. I’m afraid this butcher knife will not stop.”

Ji Wujun said, “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Venerable Bai was not here, but Ji Wujun, Ye Xundi, and the Sword God were very interested in the affairs of the court. They could chat together happily.

Chen Li shook his head and said, “Such wanton violence will certainly cause the vassals and the aristocratic families to gather together. The assassination attempt of the Emperor is a sign. Moreover, the Emperor adhered to the will of Taizong and did not dare to kill the vassal kings, but just dismissed them. However, if he were to eliminate them, the vassal kings would certainly bear a grudge and would definitely wait for an opportunity to take revenge. If this continues, the dynasty will definitely be in chaos.”

“It’s all the fault of the previous emperor. He just insisted on moving the capital. If Jingcheng was still the capital, how could such a thing happen?” Ye Xun shook his head.

Everyone agreed. They were not flattering the Dao Ancestor. That was the truth. With the protection of the Dao Ancestor, who would dare to assassinate the Emperor?

Chen Li looked at Jiang Changsheng and said, “Dao Ancestor, please don’t take action. Great Jing needs a huge change. Coincidentally, the people also need to recognize your importance to Great Jing. Perhaps in the next few decades, Great Jing will suffer, but this can also be exchanged for three hundred years of prosperity.”

Jiang Changsheng did not answer. He was also thinking about this problem.

The problem with the dynasty was indeed not as simple as him replacing the emperor. If he did that, it would only cure the symptoms but not the root cause.

At the same time, he was also looking forward to the future.

Could the future emperor turn the tide?

Ever since Jiang Che, the people’s evaluation of the Jing Emperors had worsened. This included the people in the courtyard. Even though he seemed unconcerned, he felt uncomfortable deep down. After all, they were his descendants.

“Only chaos can allow Great Jing to gain a new appearance and new laws can force out the True Dragon Emperor.”

At this point, Chen Li revealed an expectant expression.

Bai Qi smiled and said, “Then let’s make a bet. Let’s see if we can force out the True Dragon Emperor?” Ye Xun said, “Then I’ll bet on it!” Bai Qi’s expression collapsed. “Then let’s bet on how many years!”

“I’ll bet 50 years.”

“I bet it will take 30 years. Isn’t there still the little imperial grandson who has the fate of Mourning Heaven?”

“Even if he has a powerful fate, it will take a long time for him to ascend the throne, right?”

Everyone was attracted by Bai Qi’s topic and started to place their bets.

Mu Lingluo noticed that Jiang Changsheng had been drinking and felt that he was not as calm as he seemed.

After the birthday celebration, night fell. Jiang Changsheng returned to the Purple Cloud Palace to train while Mu Lingluo followed him.

After Mu Lingluo sat down, she asked, “Brother Changsheng, can it be that you are reluctant to do this?”

Jiang Changsheng said, “A little, but I do understand that what Chen Li said makes sense. Even though I am strong and can suppress everyone in Great Jing, I am not the emperor. It will take time to change Great Jing.”

Mu Lingluo grabbed his hand and said, “In fact, you don’t have to worry too much. I know that you’re not only worried about the descendants of the Jiang Family, but you’re also worried about the common people who believe in you. In fact, those who believe in you are no longer common people by relying on the ultimate techniques in the Mental Wander Realm. Even if chaos comes, they have the ability to protect themselves.”

“As for the common people, if they want to prosper, they shouldn’t have to rely on you. Instead, they should rely on the Emperor, the officials above them, and the government of Great Jing. Right now, it seems peaceful, but in fact, the common people are suffering. The disparity brought about by martial arts is getting larger and larger, and the common people have become tools to serve martial artists. This is something you can’t change. You can’t bring out wealth and make everyone worry about food and clothing.”

Jiang Changsheng shook his head. He understood the logic, and he was not so soft-hearted.

He sighed and said, “Until now, he has not come to find me.”

“Him?”

Mu Lingluo was stunned for a moment before she came to a sudden realization. Only then did she understand what Jiang Changsheng really cared about.

Jiang Changsheng said, “Humans are contradictory existences. This is also the process of condensing a Dao heart. You don’t have to comfort me. On the contrary, it is this contradiction that can bring me more insights.”

He was not talking nonsense. Recently, his understanding of the world had deepened, and so had his understanding of Dao. There was no right Dao, only what was suitable for him.

Right now, he was no longer at the stage of accumulating magic power. Instead, he was comprehending his own Dao and allowing his soul to transcend the five elements and the three boundaries. Only then could he truly become a carefree immortal.

Mu Lingluo nodded and said with a smile, “When Brother Changsheng returns to the realm of immortal gods, perhaps he can bring about a change in this world and greater hope.”

In fact, Jiang Changsheng was only pursuing the Immortal Dao. Of course, the essence of both paths was the same.

Jiang Changsheng pinched her face and focused on his cultivation.

Year 13 of the De Huang Era, Shuntian City, inside the palace.

“Pfft—

Jiang Han, who was lying on the dragon couch, spat out a mouthful ot blood, scaring the palace maids into turning pale. The Empress became even more anxious and hastily called for the imperial physician.

Jiang Han did not practice martial arts after he ascended the throne, so his realm was not high. The assassination last year had severely injured him, and his health was deteriorating day by day.

“Call… the Crown Prince…

Jiang Han said with great difficulty. His face was pale and he felt very uncomfortable.

When the Empress heard that, she immediately ordered someone to look for the Crown Prince.

Not long after, the imperial physician came and used acupuncture to stabilize the Emperor’s Blood Qi.

When the Crown Prince arrived, Jiang Han chased everyone out, leaving only the father and son in the bedroom.

“Father, don’t work so hard anymore and just rest in peace,” the Crown Prince complained.

Over the years, many officials and vassal kings had sought his help. No one knew when the Emperor’s blade would land on their heads. However, he did not have any real power, which made him miserable.

Jiang Han looked at his son with helplessness in his eyes.

This child definitely did not have the talent of a wise ruler, but he had no choice.

Jiang Han took a deep breath and said, “I called you here today to tell you the Jiang Family’s greatest secret. This concerns your future imperial power.” Hearing this, the Crown Prince sat upright with a curious expression.

As Jiang Han slowly explained, the Crown Prince soon revealed a shocked expression before it turned into ecstasy!

The Dao Ancestor he admired the most was actually his ancestor!

No wonder the Dao Ancestor had been protecting Great Jing!

So that was it!

The entire world was singing praises for the relationship between the Dao Ancestor and Taizong. However, many people were puzzled and even felt that the Dao Ancestor had ulterior motives.

It turned out that he was guarding the land of his descendants!

When he saw his excited appearance, Jiang Han was furious and said in a deep voice, “Put away your thoughts. Unless the dynasty is about to collapse, you are not allowed to disturb our ancestor’s cultivation. Moreover, can’t the descendants of the Jiang Family rely on themselves to suppress their land?”

The Crown Prince said with dissatisfaction, “The Dao Ancestor is our ancestor, but he is also a member of the Jiang Family.”

Jiang Han sighed and said, “It’s different. The Dao Ancestor has no intention of controlling the dynasty. He is focused on cultivating on the mountain. Don’t place your hopes on him forever. Think about the previous war with the Qiangliang Race. If the Dao Ancestor cared about Great Jing, why didn’t he take action directly, but waited for millions of soldiers to die before taking action? That’s because the Dao Ancestor’s heart is not in Great Jing at all. The only reason why he took action was because Great Jing was too weak and could not withstand the strength of the Qiangliang King.”

“But how much patience does the Dao Ancestor have for the current Great Jing? As an immortal who is not greedy for power or fame, the Dao Ancestor cannot help Great Jing forever. However, the Dao Ancestor’s strength has also planted many hidden dangers for the Great Jing. Once the Dao Ancestor leaves, how can the Jiang Family suppress the aristocratic families, sects, and foreign races?”

“You have to rely on yourself… If you still think like that, Xuannian will also think the same way… Don’t let our ancestor look down on us. Don’t let the people think that the Jiang Family can only rely on the Dao Ancestor…”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became and he began to cough.

The Crown Prince was touched. He had heard such words before. In the past, he did not care. Instead, he just blindly worshiped the Dao Ancestor’s Immortal Dao. However, after hearing his father’s words today, his mentality began to change.

That’s right.

Without the Dao Ancestor, could the Jiang Family stabilize their own land?

Jiang Han gritted his teeth and said, “I killed so many people because I didn’t want to give you a way out. You have to give up your delusions and be a good emperor. If you continue to be obsessed with the illusory goal of longevity, those aristocratic families and vassal kings will place a knife on your neck sooner or later. Do you understand?”

The Crown Prince was silent and frowned.

“I’ve pampered you for so many years, so you should learn how to be an emperor. I’ll help you for another three years at most, and then it will be up to you. Even if you are not doing it for yourself, you have to do it for Xuannian and Xuanzhen. If someone overthrows your throne, they will all die. If you go to the Dao Ancestor for help, he might just appoint another emperor if you don’t have any achievements and only know how to enjoy life.”

“You either make some contributions or your lineage will be erased. Think about it carefully.”

When he heard Jiang Han mention Jiang Xuannian and Jiang Xuanzhen, the Crown Prince could no longer maintain his calm.

He took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Han. “Father, I will not let you down, let alone the Dao Ancestor’s expectations.. Rest assured that I will make Great Jing better!”