Immortal Travel of Longevity

Early in the morning, Layman Mu arrived at the tavern.

Truth be told, he had no desire to come.

The life or death of these men shouldn't have been his concern.

Yet they were his former subordinates. They had never offended him and had always defended him at every turn. Now that they had stumbled into trouble, if his intervention could buy their freedom, that would naturally be for the best.

He was accompanied by a large group. They surrounded the entire tavern upon arrival, making for quite an imposing display.

Layman Mu let out a breath and stepped into the tavern.

Inside, he saw a Mister resting while cradling Mao'er in his arms.

He offered a polite salute with cupped hands, then stepped forward and took a seat.

Seeing this massive show of force, the tavern proprietor immediately signaled for Xiao Er, and the two of them quickly ducked out of sight.

Chen Changsheng opened his eyes and looked at him. "You are here quite early, Layman Mu."

Mu Ji offered a helpless smile. "If I didn't come early, I feared they wouldn't survive."

Chen Changsheng shook his head upon hearing this. "Though those men offended This Chen last night, I am no bloodthirsty killer. They are perfectly fine; I merely had them repair the roof last night."

"So I heard," Mu Ji said.

Someone had informed him last night.

Mu Ji then raised a hand, gesturing for the men behind him to withdraw.

The men hesitated, remaining rooted to the spot.

Mu Ji furrowed his brows, his voice turning cold. "Get lost! You stir up trouble and beg me for help, yet refuse to listen to me?"

The men lowered their heads and swiftly withdrew.

They pulled the doors shut behind them on their way out.

Once the tavern fell quiet, Mu Ji finally asked, "Mister, we only met yesterday, so I do not know why you were looking for me. Why not skip the pleasantries and speak plainly?"

Chen Changsheng looked at him. "The men last night wanted to ask me a few questions, though they ultimately failed to get the words out. This Chen is in a similar position. I called you here to ask a few things; whether you answer is entirely up to you."

"Please ask, Mister," Mu Ji said.

Chen Changsheng said, "Since you suggested speaking plainly, This Chen will be direct. You should be well aware of the real reason behind Zhao Zhen's passing. Now that the world has plunged into chaos, do you have any intention of fighting for the throne?"

Zhao Wuji chuckled and shook his head. "I went to great lengths to fake my own death and escape. Why would I ever rack my brains trying to go back?"

Chen Changsheng nodded, then asked, "The situation along the banks of the Sheng River is highly unusual. Do you know anything about it?"

Zhao Wuji paused. "I've heard a few rumors, but nothing concrete."

"Hmm."

Chen Changsheng asked another question. "Then This Chen would like you to explain something else. What is the deal with the Demonic Power on your body?"

Zhao Wuji's expression remained perfectly calm before he suddenly burst into laughter.

"You really are no ordinary man, Mister."

He fixed his gaze intently on the Mister and continued, "When I was climbing the mountain yesterday, I felt you were extraordinary. I never expected it to be so true."

Chen Changsheng looked at him. "Can you tell the truth now?"

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "Perhaps you misunderstand me, Mister. Just now, everything I said was the truth."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

Zhao Wuji explained, "I truly have no interest in the throne. That was true in the past, and it remains true now. How could the cramped Imperial Palace ever compare to the vastness of the world?"

"But you don't deny that you plan to enter the fray."

"You are mistaken, Mister."

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "I'm not fighting for the throne—I'm fighting for vengeance! I may not care about that seat, but I care very much about what happened afterward."

"The empire belongs to the Zhao family, and it is only right that a Zhao inherits it. Someone of another surname has stolen our world—that is a blood feud for the Zhao family!"

Understanding dawned on Chen Changsheng. He nodded. "You have nerve."

Zhao Wuji nodded. "You flatter me, Mister."

Chen Changsheng paused before asking, "Who told you the truth behind all this?"

Zhao Wuji smiled. "Did I need anyone to tell me?"

His gaze was perfectly steady. He didn't look like he was lying.

It seemed no one had actually told him these things.

Zhao Wuji continued, "Was it that hard to guess? That man surnamed Yan has been sitting on the throne for years, constantly working toward this exact goal. Even that posthumous edict was part of his scheme. Those kept in the dark might not understand, but I see it perfectly clearly."

"Don't forget, Mister—I am fully qualified to sit in that seat as well."

He didn't want the throne, but he was a suitable candidate for it.

Therefore, he understood. He knew exactly what Yan Ruchu was trying to do.

Putting these things together wasn't difficult to guess.

Chen Changsheng let out a breath. "A tiger fathers no dogs. The saying holds true."

Zhao Wuji nodded, fully agreeing with the sentiment.

Chen Changsheng then asked, "But the matter of the Sheng River..."

Zhao Wuji looked at him. "Mister, if I didn't keep a few things hidden, how could I strike a fatal blow at the critical moment? There is no greater agony in this world than having your arm chopped off just as you are about to touch your prize. For me, wouldn't that be incredibly satisfying?"

Chen Changsheng said, "Your father is a prime example of where that path leads."

"I know."

Zhao Wuji laughed. "It's just the loss of a few years of Lifespan, isn't it? It's not a price I can't bear. If my father had the courage to do it, how could his son dare not to?"

Watching Zhao Wuji, Chen Changsheng suddenly felt a sense of realization. For some inexplicable reason, he found him remarkably similar to the old Zhao Zhen. The father and son shared the exact same temperament.

It was hard to judge.

Zhao Wuji added, "Besides, that man surnamed Yan has gone completely mad. If I don't go mad, how could I ever exact my revenge? Am I supposed to just sit back and watch his scheme succeed? Watch him replace the character Xiang with the character Jing? The years flow onward like water—how can they be forced to flow backward?"

Chen Changsheng looked at him. "This is not as simple as losing a few years of Lifespan."

Zhao Wuji spread his hands. "So what?"

He simply didn't care.

"I've had my fill of fun over the years."

If this had been earlier in his life, he naturally would have refused.

It was only after leaving the deep Imperial Palace that Zhao Wuji had truly experienced the splendor of the world. He had traveled everywhere and seen everything. He had tasted the full spectrum of the seven emotions and six desires. At least in his own eyes, his life was deeply fulfilling. Now, at his age, he no longer harbored any attachments to worldly sentiments, and he had cast aside all concern for life and death.

Chen Changsheng was momentarily taken aback before giving an appreciative nod. "Quite open-minded. You live with far more clarity than This Chen."

These words caught Zhao Wuji off guard. He shook his head. "There is no need to say that, Mister. I am but a mere mortal. How could I ever see through life as clearly as you do?"

Chen Changsheng smiled. "You are mistaken. This Chen truly does not live with your level of clarity. Even now, This Chen has not been able to see past life and death. This Chen remains stubbornly attached to living—to an ordinary, mundane existence."

Zhao Wuji didn't quite understand; the sentiment was likely a bit too profound.

Chen Changsheng did not explain. He simply waved a hand and shifted the topic. "There is one more thing."

"Please ask, Mister."

"Regarding the affairs north and south of the Sheng River—who helped you?"

"Hmm..."

Zhao Wuji looked at the Mister and replied, "A demon."

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