Chapter 73: Is There Transcendence?

At that moment, a Tianjin Guard soldier hurried into the courtyard, bowed to Li Muxian, and said:

“Your Highness, Vice Minister Zhang and the others have arrived. Shall we receive them now?”

Li Muxian’s expression shifted as he remembered the three teachers Emperor Yuanwu had assigned him; he nodded and said:

“Bring them here to see me. I have some questions for them.”

Upon hearing this, the soldier replied and prepared to bow and withdraw.

But Li Muxian suddenly called him back and said:

“After this is done, find your Guard Commander and tell him to come see me—I have matters to discuss with him too.”

The soldier paused slightly, then nodded and turned to leave quickly.

Not long after, the soldier led three men into the courtyard.

“Your Highness!”

The three halted before Li Muxian and bowed in unison.

Li Muxian glanced at the three; their identities were easy to discern.

Zhang Song, Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Left Vice Minister of Rites, was a middle-aged man over fifty, dressed in official robes and wearing a black gauze cap, exuding a refined scholarly air.

General Guo Zhenang wore casual attire, tall and broad-shouldered, with a powerful build, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with an aura of quiet authority.

Master Xuan Yi, Deputy Head of the Tianwu Tower, wore a saffron monk’s robe draped loosely over one shoulder, his slender yet upright frame like a pine tree, his face serene and calm as he continuously turned his prayer beads.

“Please sit.”

Li Muxian gestured for them to sit, his gaze lingering on Guo Zhenang.

This man’s true qi was robust and forceful; his martial cultivation was decent, roughly equal to Master Xuan Yi’s.

As for Vice Minister Zhang Song, he too possessed martial cultivation, though it was weak—barely entered the Primordial Realm.

Meanwhile, the three men were also studying the eighth prince, who had spent years exiled among the common folk.

But upon sensing no trace of true qi emanating from him, all three subtly frowned.

After all, even a half-hearted martial cultivator like Vice Minister Zhang had become a Primordial expert.

Yet Li Muxian hadn’t even reached the Primordial Realm—this was hard to explain.

Of course, none of them would reveal their thoughts.

General Guo Zhenang, noticing Li Muxian seemed particularly interested in him, narrowed his eyes and spoke first in a low tone:

“Your Highness is interested in military affairs? I have some modest achievements in troop deployment and strategy; I can impart my ‘Guo Family Military Art’ in full.”

Li Muxian glanced at him and waved his hand.

“You misunderstand—I have no interest in this.”

Then he rubbed his chin, looked around at the three, and said:

“To be honest, my standards are high. Since you three have been ordered to teach me, I’d like to test whether you truly possess real talent.”

Hearing this, Zhang Song and the others exchanged glances, their expressions startled.

But Zhang Song reacted quickly, bowing slightly to Li Muxian:

“Your Highness’s doubts are natural—but what exactly would you like to test us on?”

Li Muxian narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up a teacup from the tray, poured tea for each of them, then spoke slowly:

“I want to know: what are your views on the martial realm beyond the Heavenly Human stage?”

At these words, the three, who had just raised their fragrant teacups to their lips, froze, their eyes snapping up to Li Muxian.

Seeing his calm expression, as if he weren’t joking, they exchanged glances, dumbfounded, even forgetting to drink their tea.

General Guo Zhenang was the first to set his cup down, his face clearly showing displeasure.

You asked to test us—and you start with this? Who can answer that?

Isn’t this clearly deliberate provocation?

He doesn’t even understand the Heavenly Human Realm—how could he know what lies beyond?

“Amitabha, Your Highness, unaware: the martial path has only three realms—Post-Heaven, Primordial, and Heavenly Human. Heavenly Human First Rank is the peak a martial cultivator can reach; nothing lies beyond.”

Master Xuan Yi shook his head and explained to Li Muxian.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Song and Guo Zhenang nodded in agreement, clearly endorsing Master Xuan Yi’s words.

Li Muxian frowned, his gaze suspiciously fixed on the three.

“Don’t you know there exists a true realm of martial transcendence beyond the Heavenly Human stage?”

The three paused, exchanged glances, then all shook their heads.

Zhang Song set his cup down and said:

“Since childhood, I’ve read countless texts. Though my martial cultivation is low, I’ve studied many martial treatises—and I’ve never encountered any mention of transcendence.”

Master Xuan Yi softly chanted a Buddhist mantra and added:

“I, too, have never heard of it.”

Li Muxian fell into thought, tapped the table, and narrowed his eyes:

“You’re certain?”

“Could it be your knowledge is limited? I’ve personally seen an ancient text that clearly records someone reaching the realm of martial transcendence a thousand years ago—only in the past millennium has martial cultivation declined, and no one has achieved it since.”

At this, Zhang Song’s brow furrowed deeply; he pondered for a moment before saying:

“I’ve read many ancient texts. Could Your Highness tell me the title of the one you saw, so I may verify it?”

Li Muxian thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I recall the title was ‘Martial Path Historical Records’—it chronicled many martial legends and the deeds of numerous martial masters. Clearly a legitimate historical text.”

At this, Zhang Song’s face twisted into an unmistakably strange expression; he looked at Li Muxian.

After a long hesitation, he said:

“Your Highness may be mistaken. What you saw wasn’t a historical text on martial arts at all—it was merely a fictional novel.”

“The author’s name was Wu Dao Shi. He wrote this novel, so he titled it ‘Martial Path Historical Records.’”

Li Muxian: …

…

Guo Zhenang and Master Xuan Yi, now aware of the truth, stared at Li Muxian with odd expressions.

They hadn’t expected he’d confused fiction with reality and invented this idea of martial transcendence.

After a moment of silence, Li Muxian stood abruptly and turned away without looking back.

As he reached the soldier standing nearby, he coldly said:

“See them out.”

Then he left them with only the back of his head.

Wu Dao Shi!

His parents really knew how to name someone!

Li Muxian was utterly exasperated.

(End of Chapter)