In his previous life, Lu Chang’sheng had once sunk into the noise of singlehood, figuring that a lifeti without marriage or children wouldn’t be unbearable—until age thirty-one, when a congenital genetic disorder took his father, followed by his mother’s unexpected death. The whole world seed to cast him aside all at once. That was when he felt an unimaginable loneliness.
Afterwards, he moved back to the big city, drifting day to day with a crowd of drinking buddies. Only then did that sense of isolation fade a little.
But he knew as ti passed, that loneliness would grow heavier. That worried him.
Maybe so people don’t regret their choices—but he wasn’t one of them.
Sadly, when he later wanted to find a woman to spend his days with, it simply wasn’t possible anymore.
Of course, he had no idea if true longevity would change his perspective. All he could say for now was that his feelings about family had grown deeper than before.
"Scholar Lu, my father is looking to form an elite team lately. I wonder if you’d be interested?"
Once he returned to the town’s inn, Xu Zhuqing ca to see him and asked.
"An elite team? For what purpose?" Lu Chang’sheng’s heart stirred.
Hong Yuan rarely bothered with the affairs of the prefecture yan, so he wasn’t fully up to date on the current situation. If he could get a sense of things from Xu Zhuqing, it would benefit his plans moving forward.
Before leaving, the Martial Artist Council’s latest ssages had all been affected by various influences. Chances were, news would beco harder and harder to co by. Soon, he’d have to find ways on his own.
"I can’t tell you that just yet. But if you’re willing to join, I can promise on my father’s behalf that your current official position will beco a substantive post. Plus, you’ll have solid support regarding the imperial exams—so long as you’re strong enough, no one will tamper with your ranking."
"And afterwards, you could be recomnded to enter the Saint Institute in Jinghua Prefecture."
This was Xu Zhuqing’s real reason for daring to recruit Lu Chang’sheng.
Even Hong Yuan himself had never been inside the Saint Institute; rumor had it so of the dynasty’s martial archives left by the founding emperor of Great Yuan were kept there.
Lu Chang’sheng feigned a look of interest.
"What are the requirents for joining this elite team?"
"You have to be in the True Qi Realm."
Lu Chang’sheng felt a pang of disappointnt.
The Council mbers hadn’t practiced True Qi Martial Arts for long yet; otherwise, he could have spread the opportunity around and vied for rit.
He politely declined Xu Zhuqing’s overture and headed back inside his room.
"This so-called elite team is either tasked with assassinating rebel leaders, or dealing with Black Mountain Prefecture nobles. It looks like the situation here is about to blow sky-high."
Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.
He figured he’d resign his post as soon as he got back and take his family away from this place.
Though Lu Chang’sheng still had so faith in the Great Yuan authorities, he wasn’t about to risk his family’s safety on it.
"Luckily, I’ve already gathered enough dicinal herbs. Even if I’m gone from the Prefecture City for a while, my cultivation won’t be affected. Still, I should give my teacher a heads-up."
If Hong Yuan wouldn’t let him go, he couldn’t leave at all.
Hong Yuan wasn’t a fool. With war looming, letting go of a True Qi Realm fighter like him was unthinkable. If Hong Yuan tried to keep him here, he’d have to break with the authorities to get away.
High-ranking officials, in chaotic tis, often act by unusual rules. If things really went that way, Xu Yuan would probably use thunderous asures to uphold the law and yan authority—make an example of him.
Not long after, Lu Chang’sheng knocked on Hong Yuan’s door and explained his intention.
"Lord Xu Yuan did ntion this to . The Martial Artist Institute usually doesn’t get involved in official matters, but we’re still part of Great Yuan. If it cos down to it, we’ll have to act."
"But with my status, protecting an ordinary True Qi Realm cultivator like you isn’t hard. Once we’re back in Prefecture City, I’ll write a letter for you—just hand it in to Lord Xu Yuan at the Xu Mansion."
Lu Chang’sheng almost said, why not write it now and let Xu Zhuqing take it?
But then he realized it was about attitude. Even with a letter for Xu Zhuqing, she’d still want to deliver it to Xu Yuan herself after getting back. Better to hand it over personally once he returned.
Lu Chang’sheng glanced over, hesitated a mont, but ultimately didn’t try to persuade Hong Yuan to leave with him.
As Dean of the Martial Artist Institute, Hong Yuan held a noble position—but it also ca with plenty of constraints. If a student like Lu wanted to leave, it was hard enough. For soone in Hong’s place, even harder.
Of course, with Hong Yuan’s strength, he could leave alone anyti. But his family would be in real danger.
The next day, on the journey back to Black Mountain Prefecture, they crossed a stone bridge and suddenly stopped.
Lu Chang’sheng poked his head out of the coach, his brows lifting faintly.
"Lotus grant you peace!"
A monk in black robes stood atop the bridge, raising his voice with a Buddhist benediction as their carriage rolled up.
"I am Luo Yi, humble monk, greetings to you both."
This man knows his teacher and Daoist Ruyi?
Lu Chang’sheng wondered, eyeing the three coaches up ahead.
A mont later, a strong voice rang out, "A Lotus Monk from Black Temple dares show his face before ?"
Lotus Monks were notorious, and naturally enemies of Hong Yuan.
The monk seed pressured, fear flashed across his face, but thinking of his purpose for coming, he steadied himself a bit.
"Master Hong Yuan, please hear out. My master, Hei Wutian, says: Since we all seek immortality, and all paths return to one, if none of your own thods for seeking immortality have won an immortal’s favor—why not try his route?"
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