Immortal Travel of Longevity

Before they could continue their conversation, someone else arrived from outside.

Lord Xu had yet to return. Chen Changsheng excused himself from Ji Xingsheng and walked back to the table.

When he looked back, Ji Xingsheng had already left, leaving only an empty teacup on the table.

The elderly minister had only been looking for someone to chat with, exchanging a few casual words.

Chen Changsheng sat down and looked at the newcomer.

The man was dressed simply in a martial arts uniform, yet struck Chen Changsheng as inexplicably familiar.

He stepped forward, took a seat, and announced his name.

"Shangguan Ningjing."

Chen Changsheng glanced at him and murmured, "Shangguan Ningjing..."

Chen Changsheng shook his head, then nodded. "I've heard of your father."

Shangguan Ningjing stared blankly for a moment. He opened his mouth, but offered no reply.

Chen Changsheng didn't press the matter, asking instead, "Did you come here to participate in the Investiture of Immortals Assembly as well?"

Shangguan Ningjing nodded. "Are martial artists not allowed to participate?"

"Naturally, you can," Chen Changsheng said. "According to Lord Xu, other martial artists have also taken Waist Tokens over the past two days. However, compared to Immortals and demons, martial artists fall woefully short. I fear it will be difficult to achieve a good result."

Shangguan Ningjing blinked. "Are there really Immortals and demons in this world?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't think there are."

"I've practiced martial arts for many years," Shangguan Ningjing continued. "I've walked past ominous tombs, visited haunted houses, crossed the Mass Grave at night, and ventured deep into remote, ancient forests. I've never encountered any ghosts or demons, let alone Immortals."

"Martial artists have a baleful aura and blood vigor protecting them, so evil spirits and demons naturally cannot get close," Chen Changsheng said. "If an ordinary person did those things, the grass on their grave would likely be growing tall by now."

Shangguan Ningjing chuckled. "Even if demons and evil spirits really do exist, they should be the ones afraid of me. Moreover, I don't believe martial artists are necessarily incapable of killing demons."

"That last part is certainly true," Chen Changsheng said.

Martial artists could indeed slay demons and destroy evil spirits.

But the prerequisite was possessing a reserve of baleful aura and blood vigor.

Just as veteran soldiers steeped in the blood of battle would gather a baleful aura that terrified demons and ghosts, the same principle applied to martial artists.

Chen Changsheng asked, "But since you don't believe in such things, why come to the Investiture of Immortals Assembly? This is to bestow the positions of Righteous Gods, after all."

"I had some free time, so I came for the fun of it," Shangguan Ningjing said.

"Is that so..."

Chen Changsheng murmured. He didn't question the matter further and handed over a Waist Token.

"Many thanks."

Shangguan Ningjing offered his thanks and immediately strode away.

Things quieted down significantly after that.

Lord Xu returned with some noodles and sat down at the table to eat.

"Lord Ji left?" Lord Xu asked.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Perhaps the Ministry of Revenue had some matters to attend to."

Lord Xu didn't press for details, simply nodding in response.

Chen Changsheng continued, "I heard Lord Ji say that he came up through the Palace Examination and slowly climbed his way up to the position of Minister."

Lord Xu paused for a moment. "Please forgive me, Mister, but I truly don't know much about those matters."

His rank was far too low; even if he wanted to learn about such things, he wouldn't have access to the information.

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng didn't ask anything else.

Lord Xu truly didn't know much.

By the afternoon, a thick patch of clouds drifted across the sky, temporarily obscuring the sunlight and bringing a welcome trace of cool shade.

Fewer people arrived, giving Chen Changsheng some free time.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and rest for a moment, a sudden clamor echoed from outside, sounding as if a large crowd had arrived.

A subordinate official hurried forward and whispered something into Lord Xu's ear.

Lord Xu was instantly alarmed.

"What?!"

Chen Changsheng opened his eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

Lord Xu stammered, "Your... Your Majesty is here..."

Just as he spoke, a man in casual clothes strolled in from outside, accompanied by a powdered, effeminate man. It was Yan Ruchu and his eunuch attendant.

Lord Xu immediately dropped to his knees, and the nearby bailiffs quickly followed suit.

"This humble official greets Your Majesty!"

"We greet Your Majesty!"

In an instant, everyone was kneeling on the ground.

This hadn't been Yan Ruchu's intention; otherwise, he wouldn't have slipped out in casual attire.

Seeing Chen Changsheng still seated, Lord Xu panicked. He frantically tugged at his pant leg, hissing, "Mister Chen, kneel, hurry up and kneel..."

Chen Changsheng merely paused, offering no explanation.

Yan Ruchu raised a hand. "All of you, rise. I have left the palace in disguise; do not draw attention to me."

Inwardly, he thought that this official was rather thick-headed.

Couldn't he see the obvious?

But since it had already happened, there was nothing he could do about it.

He simply felt that with Mister present, putting on such a grand display was inappropriate.

However, it appeared that Mister Chen didn't mind.

The group stood up.

Lord Xu's heart pounded with worry for Mister Chen. He couldn't help but whisper, "Mister Chen, refusing to bow to the sovereign is a grave offense..."

"It's fine," Chen Changsheng replied.

Lord Xu glanced up, only to see His Majesty's gaze fall upon Chen Changsheng.

Lord Xu sighed inwardly. Why was Mister Chen being so stubborn?

He prayed that he wouldn't be dragged down with him.

Yan Ruchu stepped forward and stopped in front of Chen Changsheng. "What does Mister Chen think of this place? Do you find it interesting?"

"It's quite nice. I've broadened my horizons a fair bit," Chen Changsheng said.

Yan Ruchu smiled, then glanced at the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch immediately stepped forward and brought over a chair.

Yan Ruchu sat down right beside Chen Changsheng, placing them on equal footing.

Chen Changsheng said, "What put you in the mood to take a stroll outside the palace?"

Yan Ruchu replied, "If I didn't come out for a walk soon, these legs of mine would have rusted."

He lightly tapped his leg as he spoke.

Chen Changsheng chuckled. "Otherwise, This Chen could teach you a couple of fist techniques. Practicing them in the palace on a regular basis wouldn't be a bad idea."

Yan Ruchu playfully retorted, "Could it be that Mister Chen doesn't want me coming out anymore?"

Chen Changsheng smiled and replied, "Nonsense."

Off to the side, Lord Xu listened in fear, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

His Majesty had actually referred to himself as "me" instead of his imperial title in front of this Mister Chen?!

This casual exchange rang in Lord Xu's ears like an earth-shattering thunderclap. His mind roared, and his eyes glazed over in complete bewilderment.

Yan Ruchu let out a breath and glanced around.

The eunuch beside him instantly understood his intent.

He immediately stepped forward and whispered into Lord Xu's ear.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Lord Xu hastily scrambled to his feet, directing the bailiffs to retreat far away—so far that they wouldn't be able to hear a single sound.

Yan Ruchu glanced at the returning eunuch and said, "You step down as well."

The eunuch hesitated. "Your Majesty, this..."

Yan Ruchu waved a dismissive hand.

The eunuch bowed his head and withdrew. He didn't go too far, however, ensuring he could still rush over at a moment's notice.

Lord Xu sidled up to him, trembling as he asked, "Eunuch, this Mister Chen... just what is his background..."

The eunuch shot him a glance. "Is Lord Xu particularly fond of prying into such matters?"

Lord Xu stiffened, frantically shaking his head. "No, I—I wouldn't dare! This humble official misspoke! I will slap my own mouth!"

With that, he began to slap his own face.

The eunuch made no move to stop him, simply standing there in calm silence.

In truth, he too desperately wanted to know just what kind of relationship this Mister Chen had with His Majesty.

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