Chapter 3: Jianghu affairs, watching the spies
"If Mr. Chen is interested, he can just give it to Longqi Temple. Why did he give it to me alone?"
Jiang Changsheng asked, staring at Chen Li.
Chen Li was stunned. Although he had experienced the boy's unusual maturity, he was still shocked. He shook his head and laughed, "Longqi Temple is of such a high status that I cannot make friends with it alone. It is not in accordance with etiquette and is even more unrealistic. I just want to make friends with the young Taoist priest. The young Taoist priest has such martial arts skills at such a young age. He will definitely be a leader in the martial arts world in the future, and may even become the number one martial arts scholar and serve the court."
He was the top scorer in the imperial examination last year, and his life experience caused controversy among the people. However, books are the most important books for inheritance, and most of them are in the hands of the gentry. How could a commoner pass the imperial examination better than the gentry? This year, the emperor specially promoted the appointment of two top scorers, one civil and one military.
The cost of learning martial arts in this world is not high. There are many sects in the world that recruit people. However, learning martial arts requires talent, but the same goes for reading. In comparison, it is easier for common people to succeed in martial arts.
Longqi Temple is a Taoist temple ordered by the emperor himself. The Chen family dare not make friends directly with Taoist Qingxu, as it may easily arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Jiang Changsheng felt that what he said made sense. In life, just hiding all the time would not bring you a peaceful life. Instead, it would be beneficial to make friends with some powerful people.
More importantly, although Jiang Changsheng accepted his fate, he was unwilling to accept it. The fake prince must be killed, and the powerful people behind him must not be let off either.
He recalled his memories from twelve years ago, and there was indeed no one with the surname Chen among the dignitaries he had heard of.
Jiang Changsheng nodded and said, "Then I will accept it. I am just a small Taoist priest and I cannot let you down as the top scholar."
Chen Li smiled and did not feel mocked. As long as the other party accepted it, it would be a good start.
The reason why he was so enthusiastic was also influenced by his family. The Chen family needed powerful warriors. They had tried to win over many warriors, but each of them was swayed by interests. Jiang Changsheng was different. He was still young. As long as he was given resources, he would be loyal to the Chen family sooner or later.
Chen Li began to talk about the murder case. It turned out that Xue Hai wanted to assassinate him, but he had been staying with Taoist Qingxu, seeking Taoist teachings. Xue Hai was also caught sneaking around by the deceased. With the mentality that officials are superior to businessmen, the deceased interrogated Xue Hai. Xue Hai became annoyed and killed him. As for Jiang Changsheng, he was completely framed. It turned out that Xue Hai had seen Jiang Changsheng practicing leg techniques from a distance at night.
Jiang Changsheng recalled that he did have the feeling of being spied on, but it was fleeting and he didn't really see the other person, so he didn't take it to heart.
"I am too inexperienced and was misled by Xue Hai's few words. I thought I was smart and saw through the truth." Chen Li sighed, looking quite ashamed.
Seeing that he could admit his mistake, Jiang Changsheng's impression of him changed, and he asked curiously, "Why did Xue Hai want to kill you?"
Chen Li glanced at Qing Ku. Qing Ku was stunned for a moment, then sensibly left and closed the door.
"This matter involves the previous dynasty. My Chen family was originally officials of the previous dynasty, but later on we came to our senses and returned to the right path. Xue Hai is the remnant of the previous dynasty. He killed me just to put the blame on the current dynasty and let those surrendered nobles realize that the court is not friendly to the families that surrendered from the previous dynasty. Unfortunately, he failed." Chen Li said helplessly.
The Chen family was really feeling aggrieved. Not only did they feel awkward in the current dynasty, but they also had to face revenge from the previous dynasty.
Jiang Changsheng had no sympathy. After all, you were the first top scholar, and the first one to stick his head out gets shot.
It is understandable from Xue Hai's perspective that traitors are much more hateful .
Chen Li did not say much about the disputes in the court. Knowing that Jiang Changsheng had not yet come down the mountain, he talked about the interesting things in the martial arts world.
The martial arts master fought against the eight major sects alone and shocked the martial arts world.
The holy monk was injured while subduing the demon and was brutally poisoned to death by the waiter at the hacker inn.
The Saint of Xuanyin Tower was sneaked into the boudoir by the Thief Saint, who stole her belongings.
The Ghost-Eyed Evil King was captured by the imperial court and thrown into the Heavenly Prison.
Jiang Changsheng listened to stories like these with great interest.
Chen Li also introduced to him the levels of martial artists, from low to high, they are third-rate, second-rate, first-rate and Zhenyuan realm. If one can use the true energy in the body to attack the enemy in a martial arts way, then he is considered to have entered the Zhenyuan realm. Xue Hai is a master of the Zhenyuan realm and has practiced martial arts for nearly twenty years.
Jiang Changsheng made a comparison and felt that it would not be difficult for him to kill Xue Hai. Thanks to the Taoist natural energy, after only practicing the second level, the true energy in his body was enough for him to use the Divine Shadow Kick and the Nine-Seeking Sky Dragon Step.
It’s still better to cultivate immortality.
Half an hour passed before Chen Li left.
Jiang Changsheng looked at the secret book on the table and fell into deep thought.
Is this secret book poisonous?
…
Spring went and autumn came. Several months had passed since Chen Li left. The leaves on the Longqi Temple gradually turned yellow. Jiang Changsheng's life returned to normal. His disciples were no longer curious about him. His fellow junior brother Qing Ku seldom disturbed him, because Qing Ku was also immersed in martial arts and could not extricate himself.
Speaking of changes, the biggest change is that Jiang Changsheng can practice martial arts openly in the daytime. His true energy has been growing, and he has initially mastered the Vajra Roar. As for the Qi Finger, he has not yet practiced it.
He wanted to fully master the Vajra Roar first, and then practice the Chi Finger.
Chen Li never came again, and after the murder, Taoist Qingxu never met Jiang Changsheng alone.
This day.
Jiang Changsheng finally reached the third level of Taoism. His senses were greatly enhanced. He could even hear the sound of mosquitoes a hundred feet away. He could even hear the breathing of other disciples clearly. This feeling was incomparably wonderful.
His own true Qi did not improve, but he clearly felt that it was changing slightly, perhaps transforming into spiritual power.
A few hours later, he came to the courtyard. His disciples had not returned to the courtyard yet and were still listening to the teachings in the Taoist temple. He began to practice Vajra Roar.
To practice Vajra Roar, one does not need to roar with all one's voice, one only needs to open up the meridians hidden in the throat. When the true Qi resonates, he can judge the power of the roar. In the past, the invisible meridians were difficult to activate. After the breakthrough in the technique, he found that the process of infusing the true Qi into the invisible meridians became smoother, and there was no previous pain.
Jiang Changsheng was very happy. As expected, martial arts was the foundation and he would still have to spend most of his time on it in the future.
In the evening, Qing Ku returned to the house.
"Brother, Second Brother plans to bring 15 disciples down the mountain for training, and he specifically asked me to ask you, are you willing to go?" Qing Ku asked excitedly.
Almost all of their disciples are orphans, and they bring back a group of new disciples every time they go through training.
After going up the mountain, Qing Ku has never gone down the mountain. He is curious about everything down the mountain. He has heard from the guests that a prosperous era is about to come and there will be no war in the world anymore.
Jiang Changsheng shook his head and said, "I won't go."
Qing Ku tried to persuade him a few more times, but he just refused to go, so Qing Ku had to give up.
Go down the mountain?
impossible!
Unless his martial arts power is invincible, Jiang Changsheng would not go down the mountain. Longqi Temple is in the capital city, and those dignitaries who are spying on him must be keeping an eye on him.
After all, if his identity is exposed, he will be beheaded. The real dragon will be furious and no matter how high the official is, he will have to be removed from his post.
During these years, the emperor purged factions, and countless founding heroes died.
On the morning of the second day, the second senior brother Meng Qiuhe led a group of disciples down the mountain, including Qing Ku. Jiang Changsheng did not go to see them off, but practiced martial arts facing the scorching sun in front of the Taoist bell tower.
It was not until night that Jiang Changsheng was about to get up.
[In the 12th year of Kaiyuan, the spy persuaded the second brother to lead you down the mountain, but you refused, thus avoiding a murder and obtaining the survival reward - Miscellaneous Skills 'Alchemy']
Seeing this line of prompt, Jiang Changsheng was stunned and almost blurted out a swear word.
spy?
Is there a spy in Longqi Temple?
First, let’s rule out the second senior brother Meng Qiuhe. When he was two years old, he was almost killed by his eldest senior brother who practiced martial arts. It was Meng Qiuhe who saved him, and this time Meng Qiuhe was persuaded.
etc!
Could it be the eldest senior brother?
That time when I was two years old was not a mistake, but was intentional?
Jiang Changsheng began to think about who looked at him strangely and who might be the one, even Qing Ku was under his suspicion.
After thinking about it for a long time, he still couldn't figure it out.
However, it is certain that going down the mountain will be dangerous, and inside the Taoist temple, as long as Taoist Master Qingxu is still there, the evil people will not dare to act recklessly.
What Jiang Changsheng needs to do now is to work hard to grow and hide his strength.
In the last murder, he only showed his talent in martial arts and attracted the actions of spies. He must not show his Shadow Kick, Vajra Roar and Taoist Natural Power.
Fortunately, he seldom shows off in his daily life.
Jiang Changsheng stood up and walked towards his own courtyard. Disciples greeted him along the way. He responded with a smile and then made silent judgments.
He refused to go down the mountain, so the spy should still be there.
These people are possible!
…
The autumn leaves in Longqi Temple were covered with white snow. After nearly a hundred cycles of the sun and the moon, the snow melted and the new year arrived.
In the 13th year of Kaiyuan, Jiang Changsheng was 13 years old.
This year, the emperor went insane and began to pursue the art of immortality, recruiting talented people make elixirs for him.
"There are no immortals in this world. Those evil spirits are just spirits in disguise. Your Majesty has even ignored state affairs for the sake of his immortal arts. Fortunately, the Crown Prince is naturally intelligent and well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics. He has already begun to help with some government affairs."
Chen Li sighed, his words full of admiration for the prince.
Jiang Changsheng remained calm, but felt a little unhappy in his heart.
He can take power at the age of thirteen. This little bastard is quite capable.
Jiang Changsheng asked curiously: "Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince so outstanding? Can you tell me about him?"
Chen Li smiled and said, "Of course you can. Your Highness the Crown Prince has a tragic fate. He was designated as the Crown Prince by His Majesty before he was born. He was the Crown Prince before he was born. Throughout history, this is the only one. However, the Queen fell seriously ill after giving birth to the Crown Prince. She was in a coma for several months before she woke up. After waking up, she lost her mind and said that Your Highness the Crown Prince was not her son. Without the love of his mother, and with the birth of other princes, Your Highness the Crown Prince has experienced the warmth and coldness of human nature in the palace. Even Your Majesty has treated him coldly. Fortunately, he is very intelligent. He can recognize a thousand words at the age of three, and can compose poems based on scenes at the age of five. He has won the favor of Your Majesty again."
Hearing this, Jiang Changsheng couldn't help but think of his mother in this life. When he was in the womb, he often heard his mother talking to herself, saying how good she would be to him in the future and complaining about how reckless the emperor was.
He felt a little sad.
It turns out that besides the evil people in this world, there are also people who talk about him.
Jiang Changsheng asked curiously: "How is the Queen now? Is she... still the Queen?"
Chen Li glared at him and said, "Of course. Your Majesty and the Queen are so loving and loving. God has mercy on them. Now the Queen has recovered her health and her relationship with the Crown Prince has been restored. The country is peaceful and prosperous, and the Queen has contributed to this."
Jiang Changsheng was speechless and felt a little relieved.
Anyway, at least she was alive and well.
