Chapter 55: Emperor Yuanwu

Hearing this question, Fu Qiwen gently shook his head and said ambiguously:

"This subject believes that perhaps the Juan Sect's records contain errors, or perhaps this subject's own investigation was at fault."

As he spoke, he paused, then continued:

"However, before this subject had an audience with Your Majesty, Eunuch Sun Changyu, who manages the affairs of the Aurora Pavilion, did mention something to this subject."

Then, without any concealment, Fu Qiwen recounted everything Sun Changyu had told him — how he had been ambushed on the road by five Wudaoda Sect master-level experts, and how those five experts had in turn been killed in an instant.

After hearing his words, Emperor Yuanwu's previously calm and unruffled emotions stirred just a little, and he murmured thoughtfully:

"A single blade strike near the Heaven-and-Mortal Realm killing two swordsmen, and silently using finger force to execute three Wudaoda Sect masters from a distance…"

Emperor Yuanwu spoke softly, but offered no further comment on the matter.

"This subject believes that His Highness may not be as simple as he appears on the surface."

Fu Qiwen recalled for a moment, then said:

"When His Highness faced this subject, in both his actions and his words, there was not the slightest constraint or formality. On the contrary, whether speaking with others in the Tianjin Guard or with this subject, his manner was quite casual. In fact, this subject even had a vague feeling…"

At this point, Fu Qiwen's normally expressionless face paused slightly, the deeply lined brow on his forehead creasing, as if he were weighing his words.

Seeing this, the figure behind the bamboo curtain seemed to grow a little interested and asked of his own accord:

"Tell Us — what kind of feeling? That it could leave you so conflicted."

Hearing this, Fu Qiwen was silent for a moment, but still spoke:

"This subject is not certain, but he felt that His Highness seemed somewhat… contemptuous of this subject, never once taking this subject seriously from beginning to end."

At these words, the figure behind the bamboo curtain visibly froze for a moment, and only after a while spoke flatly:

"He is actually so overbearing, so arrogant?"

Fu Qiwen thought for a moment, then shook his head and said:

"It's not exactly that His Highness is arrogant and domineering. This subject has never encountered this feeling in anyone before. His Highness's conduct toward others shows nothing out of the ordinary — he simply seems to have an instinct in his bones to look down on everything."

At these words, the great hall fell silent for a moment.

The figure behind the bamboo curtain said nothing, deliberating. Fu Qiwen, seeming to feel his own words had been too harsh, immediately cupped his fists and said:

"Your Majesty need not mind it. This may simply be a misperception on this subject's part. His Highness has been confined to a small city for so many years; he may have had some fortunate encounters, but perhaps his experience is still shallow, and he has not seen the broader world. Such a circumstance would be understandable."

Hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu nodded slightly, seeming to find some approval for Fu Qiwen's explanation.

His gaze shifted to the jade box in the old eunuch's hand not far away. His eyes grew heavy and restrained as he said:

"Originally, We had only thought him a disciple of a small martial arts hall, and intended to let him be an idle Imperial Prince, granting him inexhaustible wealth and glory — enough to make up for twenty years of lonely hardship."

"But from what Qiwen has said, he likely will not be content to settle for that so easily."

As he spoke, his gaze passed through the bamboo curtain toward Fu Qiwen:

"What do you think We should do with him?"

Fu Qiwen's eyes flickered briefly, then he gently shook his head:

"This subject dare not speak presumptuously."

Hearing this, Emperor Yuanwu did not press further. His gaze turned instead to three bright-yellow scrolls laid out on the small desk before him.

After a moment's thought, his gaze settled on the scroll in the very center. The old eunuch who had been waiting nearby immediately stepped forward and picked it up.

"Hand this thing to Qiwen. As for the matter of the Eighth Imperial Prince, We entrust it entirely to Qiwen."

Emperor Yuanwu watched the old eunuch deliver the scroll into Fu Qiwen's hands, then said slowly:

"We will need to enter closed-door cultivation for some time to come and have no leisure to handle this matter. The arrangements for the Eighth Imperial Prince that We have provisionally drafted are all written above. We hope Qiwen will give it due attention."

At this moment, Fu Qiwen, scroll in hand, clearly looked somewhat surprised, and asked:

"Why does Your Majesty speak of the Eighth Imperial Prince?"

The figure behind the bamboo curtain seemed to have anticipated his question long before and explained calmly:

"The truth of the swapped Imperial Prince has not yet been settled for good. The bond between Us and Zhi'er over so many years cannot be measured by blood alone."

"Besides, twenty years ago Zhi'er was still an infant; the swapping of the Imperial Prince had nothing to do with him. Over these years Zhi'er has rendered much meritorious service for the court's affairs. If We were to vent anger on him over this matter, it would only make Us seem petty and ungrateful."

"Therefore, We must still consider this matter further. For now, We can only temporarily wrong Consort Jing's son."

Hearing this, Fu Qiwen fell into thought, his expression returning to normal, and he bowed with cupped fists:

"Your Majesty is benevolent at heart. Such consideration is only fitting. It is this subject who failed to think it through."

Emperor Yuanwu glanced at him through the bamboo curtain and said:

"Qiwen, you are the person We trust most. Between us, there is no need for such formality."

"I am grateful for Your Majesty's favor, but ruler and minister must keep their distance. This subject dare not overstep."

Fu Qiwen bowed slightly, then, after a moment's thought, asked:

"Might I ask if Your Majesty has any other instructions regarding the Eighth Imperial Prince?"

Emperor Yuanwu considered for a moment, then said:

"Based on what you have just said, it seems his temperament will need to be ground down first. If you have any troublesome matters under your command, you may hand them to him to try."

"Observe his performance first. As for other matters, We shall decide after We emerge from closed-door cultivation."

……

Tianjin Guard Headquarters.

Li Musheng sipped the tea brewed by Commandant Yu Jin, leaning back in a great armchair.

For the moment, he did not study the talismans' martial art, but was thinking — once he became an Imperial Prince, how should he use that identity to serve his own ends, to seek out that realm beyond martial arts?

He had tried before, using people and affairs of the jianghu to search for news of transcendence beyond martial arts.

But talk of the Heaven-and-Mortal Realm was an extremely lofty subject; those who roamed the jianghu hardly ever discussed it, let alone transcendence beyond martial arts.

After all, many people could not even reach the Pre-Heaven Realm. Even some Pre-Heaven martial artists were wholly bent on becoming Grandmasters or Wudaoda Sect masters, and their discussions stayed at that level.

As for those Grandmasters and Wudaoda Sect masters themselves, they certainly had no idle inclination to wander the jianghu chatting about anything.

Moreover, at their level, the Heavenly Being realm was like a heavenly chasm; many people spent decades unable to cross it, let alone spare any thought for those ethereal things beyond the Heavenly Being realm.

Therefore, the transcendence of the martial Dao was very likely a question that only Li Musheng himself was pondering.

Sometimes, he even felt that this concept might be something he had imagined entirely on his own.

That so-called transcendence of the martial Dao from a thousand years ago was very likely not the same as what he had in mind.

"Regardless, this matter still requires more attempts. Now that I have the status of an Imperial Prince, it is quite a bit more convenient."

Li Musheng's face showed a contemplative look. Of course, if being this Imperial Prince came with too much trouble, he would definitely slip away at the first opportunity.

(End of chapter)