Chapter 4: The Killing Game Returns, The True Dragon Appears for the First Time

To ascend the dragon and observe the path, if one wishes to establish a family, one must leave the observation and descend the mountain

As expected

Li Changqing left in disappointment, after all, one cannot force the matter of descending the mountain

The voice of Daoist Qingxu resounded: "Changsheng, His Majesty is calling for you"

After all, life here is truly monotonous aside from practicing martial arts

The word '拜' is spoken with a certain level of proficiency

Jiang Changsheng had been waiting for a prompt

Three characters are written on the white paper

He is accustomed to practicing alone, which gives him a sense of security

His body is in the prime of youth, which evokes in him a sentiment of a day on the mountain equating to a year in the valley

The Daoist Qingxu merely happened to save him outside the imperial palace

Jiang Changsheng has fully mastered the Vajra Howl and Qi Finger, focusing intently on the Daoist practice of naturalism

The three great disciples of Longqi Temple are all martial arts enthusiasts. The eldest disciple, Li Changqing, possesses exceptional talent, while Meng Qiuhé has average aptitude. However, through diligence, he compensates for his shortcomings and has achieved victories during his sparring sessions with Li Changqing

Just as Jiang Changsheng was in a state of confusion, Jiang Yuan's voice came through. He did not raise his head, thinking that Jiang Yuan was calling other disciples

At noon the next day, Jiang Changsheng walked along the stone path in the courtyard. He had just finished his cultivation practice and was preparing to visit his father, the emperor

The closer Jiang Changsheng got to the Mingxin Hall, the fewer words he could hear, and soon he overheard a conversation between Emperor Jiang Yuan and Daoist Qingxu

A group of golden-armored guards approached, and the figures of Daoist Qingxu and Jiang Yuan appeared in the sight of the disciples. The disciples all stepped out of the stone pavilion, kneeling in respect, and Jiang Changsheng did the same, bowing to his biological father, which was not inappropriate.

Martial arts emphasize internal strength; with powerful internal strength, practicing external martial arts becomes quite easy. However, Jiang Changsheng practices cultivation techniques!

Half an hour later

It is also quite good to cultivate one's sentiments during leisure time

Meng Qiuhai is very curious about Jiang Changsheng's current strength. He sought out Jiang Changsheng last year, proposing to engage in a friendly competition in calligraphy. However, Jiang Changsheng directly conceded, stating that he was not worthy enough. As a senior brother, he could not force a match, so he had to give up.

This is already the second time. Is there a way to identify the traitor? After all, it was twice that he urged Jiang Changsheng to descend the mountain. He only needs to inquire with the senior brother and the second senior brother to cross-reference the information.

In the fourteenth year of the Kaiyuan era, a traitor persuaded the senior disciple, intending to lure you down the mountain. You refused, thus avoiding a deadly disaster and receiving a survival reward—Miscellaneous Arts 'Calligraphy of Time'

Upon hearing this, Jiang Changsheng's right hand trembled slightly, and he calmly asked: "What is there to see about the emperor? Is it that he has one more mouth than us?"

The killing game has returned again

The next day, Qing Ku began practicing martial arts early in the courtyard. The disciples in the same courtyard were already aware of his ordeal and did not disturb him. After Jiang Changsheng finished ringing the tower bell, he practiced his skills nearby

The three seated disciples quickly stood up, and the other standing disciples also made way.

He noticed an old eunuch behind Jiang Yuan, with his head lowered, back bent, and his body exceedingly frail, as if half of him had already been buried in the ground

At the bell tower, Chen Li sat on the ground, wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face full of worry, and said: "Changsheng, aren't you hot? Why don't you stay indoors to escape the heat?"

He is not indulged; true energy is only one aspect, and strength must also take other factors into account, especially considering that his body is still in the growth stage

Although Jiang Changsheng is only 14 years old, the combined experiences of his past and present lives exceed 40 years, making him very sensitive to the passage of time

Outside the courtyard near the Mingxin Hall, there are golden-armored guards standing vigilantly, and unauthorized individuals are not permitted to approach

On that day, Jiang Changsheng needed to gather writing materials, and he practiced calligraphy indoors while contemplating matters related to spies

Meng Qiuhua smiled and said: "Naturally, I have come to catch a glimpse of the true spirit of the dragon. It is said that His Majesty possesses the form of a dragon; how could I not pay my respects?"

Chen Li left after an hour, as he truly could not endure any longer and was on the verge of fainting from the heat

Jiang Changsheng instinctively looked up, once again meeting Jiang Yuan's gaze. He did not hide his nervousness, noticing that the emperor was calm, which only made him more suspicious.

Senior brother, you are right. The situation at the foot of the mountain is not as good as that at the top. There is no war, yet the hearts of people are hard to fathom

Is that the Emperor? Truly wise and mighty!

The Emperor's pursuit of immortality has become increasingly severe, often leading to his anger in the court, resulting in officials being dismissed at a moment's notice, causing turmoil among the ministers in the court

Jiang Changsheng raised his hand, admiring his own writing, and said with a smile: "It's not that I'm not going, after all, there's nothing else to do"

Chen Li's visit this time was merely to bring some gifts; after chatting with Jiang Changsheng for two hours, he took his leave. It is indeed not easy for him to find time to visit, as he is already serving in the capital.

Jiang Changsheng was disappointed, as it seems that the magnitude of the tribulations will also determine the size of the rewards

Longqi View is a place for cultivating the Dao, and the New Year is not lively

If this continues, we will have to go to war again, attacking other neighboring dynasties. Alas, the prosperous era is no more

After the New Year, Meng Qiuhua returned with his disciples. There were sixteen people when they left, and twenty when they returned, including three infants in swaddling clothes and five scruffy youths. This means that four disciples were lost.

Jiang Changsheng began to chat casually with his fellow disciples. The arrival of him was a novelty to the group of disciples, especially for Meng Qiuhé.

Do not speak carelessly, for if it is overheard, one could be beheaded

The young Taoist priest looked up

Chen Li spoke with a face full of concern for the country and its people, and in response, Jiang Changsheng found it difficult to offer any words of comfort

He had fantasized about countless scenarios of meeting Jiang Yuan, even considering confronting him directly, but how could he make Jiang Yuan believe him

I am rather curious whether the Emperor has sought out the *illustrated* books on elixirs.

Half a month after Chen Li's departure, the New Year arrived

Indeed, it is said that the Emperor has cultivated the true dragon energy, living like a dragon among men

The fourteenth year of the Kaiyuan era

calligraphy

He cannot guarantee that Chen Li is not an enemy, so he is very cautious during social interactions

Jiang Changsheng opened his eyes, his expression peculiar

Chen Liyue expressed increasing indignation, stating that the construction of the canal requires an excessive amount of manpower, resources, and financial investment. Not only is the national treasury under strain, but the people are also struggling to make ends meet

One month later

Master Li Changqing found Jiang Changsheng and inquired whether he would be willing to descend the mountain for training

At the age of fourteen, Jiang Changsheng is already nearly 1.7 meters tall, with a handsome appearance. His long hair is casually tied back with a straw rope, revealing his forehead, while his sideburns reach his shoulders. His looks are exceptionally outstanding within the Longqi Temple, and several female disciples have secretly developed feelings for him, but he is solely devoted to his training.

Jiang Changsheng remembered him; it was this old dog who had brought him out of the palace. However, it was not this old dog who had fought against Daoist Qingxu, as he had been passed around by many people along the way

It is essential to seize the time to cultivate the fourth level of the Daoist natural law skill

Qing Ku expressed a feeling of melancholy, and Jiang Changsheng could not find the right words to comfort him, so he could only pat him on the shoulder

Canal

Indeed, time slips away

Jiang Changsheng felt a sense of urgency in his heart. Although his true energy had far surpassed that of Daoist Qingxu, he had many enemies.

Isn't this the operation of Yang Guang in the history of Huaxia

Qing smiled wryly and said, "Don't say it like that, be careful not to let it spread. Since you don't want to go, then don't go."

From a distance of one hundred zhang, he could already hear the discussions of his fellow disciples

Jiang Changsheng directly refused

Chen Li maintained a frequency of once every six months; each time he met him, Jiang Changsheng could sense his exhaustion. The once spirited and confident scholar who pointed out the murderer had transformed into a weary and burdened official

Chen Li expressed his feelings and then began to complain: "The Emperor, His Majesty, is becoming increasingly foolish. He actually ordered the digging of a canal that would connect the north to the south, extending all the way to the seaside. This is not something that can be accomplished in ten or twenty years. I heard that he only wants to facilitate the transportation of elixirs, which is simply absurd and outrageous!"

Jiang Changsheng did not pay much attention to the old eunuch, but instead lowered his gaze and said: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty"

Meng Qiuhé and a group of disciples were waiting along the emperor's route. This was a small stream that ran through Longqi Mountain, with a small bridge spanning across it. The flowers and grasses on both sides of the stream were exceedingly lush. The group, numbering more than ten, was gathered in a stone pavilion beside the bridge, so crowded that the small pavilion could hardly accommodate them.

Jiang Changsheng watched him leave and noticed that Chen Li was beginning to hunch his back

Meng Qiuhai was boasting about his experiences during the last training session when he saw Jiang Changsheng approaching. His eyes lit up, and he said, "What a rare guest, Junior Brother Jiang! What brings you here? Come in quickly, everyone, please make some room."

Jiang Yuan was dressed in a golden dragon robe, wearing a light imperial crown, his expression imposing, with streaks of gray in his sideburns. As he approached, his gaze was lowered, and it coincidentally met Jiang Changsheng's raised eyes. Jiang Changsheng stiffened and quickly lowered his head

Jiang Changsheng is the only disciple of Qingxu Daoist who has been granted the freedom to cultivate without the need to attend teachings, which places him in a unique position. Additionally, his solitary nature creates a sense of distance among the disciples, making them hesitant to offend him easily

The next day at noon, a line of text suddenly appeared before him

The Jing Dynasty also observed New Year rituals, symbolizing the transition between the old and the new

The return of this group of disciples caused a long-lasting shock to Longqi Temple, as even the second senior brother was injured; the dangers of the martial world far exceeded their imagination

Qingku had lost an arm and was no longer as lively as before. When Jiang Changsheng saw him, he was taken aback and inquired with concern. However, Qingku laughed it off, recounting his adventures in the martial world with a light and carefree demeanor.

This year, summer

As the two reminisced about the glorious and illustrious years, it was mostly Jiang Yuan who spoke, filled with sentiment, while Qing Xu Daozhang chimed in, with a demeanor as light as a gentle breeze.

Given the current situation, if the Jing Dynasty truly descends into chaos, Longqi Temple will also be unsafe

Jiang Changsheng sat cross-legged on the railing, seemingly on the verge of falling, yet as steady as Mount Tai. With his eyes closed, he replied: "When the heart is calm, it naturally cools."

As Jiang Yuan approached, Jiang Changsheng could not help but look up, and their gazes met.

Jiang Changsheng's senses have become extraordinarily powerful. He has sensed that the true energy of his three major disciples is less than half of his own, and even the true energy of Daoist Qingxu is only comparable to his. This is sufficient to demonstrate the disparity between the cultivation methods of immortality and martial arts.

Such powerful true energy, even stronger than that of the Qingxu Daoist!

It took a full month for the topic of the rivers and lakes at the foot of the mountain to completely fade away, and Longqi Temple also became lively, as eight new disciples joined, along with three young children, which often drew the disciples to gather around them.

Time flies swiftly

Three days later, Li Changqing descended the mountain with fifteen disciples, the youngest of whom was thirteen years old

There are no witnesses

The calligraphy is quite good, and Longqi Pavilion has always been a place where high-ranking officials and distinguished guests come to compose poetry and enjoy music. Inside the pavilion, there are many writing implements, all of which have been gifted by the guests.

During this period, Chen Li also inquired about his martial arts skills recently. He was very modest and stated that he was still making progress, without specifying how strong he had become

Not a gentleman

In his leisure time, he has completely mastered the alchemical arts he previously acquired, but unfortunately, he lacks a cauldron for refining medicine

Jiang Changsheng sat down in the pavilion and asked with a smile, "How does Second Senior Brother have the leisure and interest to tell a story?"

... ...

In the evening, Qing Ku returned home. He had just washed his feet and was sitting on the bed, wiping his feet with a cloth while saying: "Brother Changsheng, the Emperor will visit Longqi Temple tomorrow. Do you want to go and have a look? It is indeed a rare opportunity to see the current sovereign in one's lifetime"

You, you are becoming more and more like the Daoist Master Qingxu