Chapter 055
Chapter 55: Emperor Yuan Wu
Upon hearing this question, Fu Qi Wen gently shook his head and answered vaguely, “Your Majesty, perhaps the records have errors, or perhaps my investigation was flawed.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, “However, before I came here to meet Your Majesty, Eunuch Sun Chang Yu, the Overseer of Aurora Pavilion Affairs, told me something.”
Fu Qi Wen did not hide anything. He recounted every detail Eunuch Sun had shared—the ambush he encountered on the road by five Great Martial Grandmasters, and how those powerful experts were swiftly slain soon afterward.
Emperor Yuan Wu’s previously calm demeanor showed a slight ripple after hearing these words. He murmured thoughtfully, “A blade strike nearing the Heavenly Union Stage instantly killed two swordsmen, and three Great Martial Grandmasters silently fell by Finger Force Remote Execution…”
The emperor spoke softly but made no further comment on the matter.
“Your Majesty, perhaps this prince is more complex than he appears,” Fu Qi Wen reflected for a moment before continuing. “When speaking with me, Your Highness was entirely unrestrained in his words and actions. He showed no caution or restraint, treating both me and others within the Heavenly Brocade Guard quite casually. In fact, I had a vague feeling…”
Fu Qi Wen paused, his usually expressionless face creased slightly, deep wrinkles appearing as he carefully chose his words.
Seeing his hesitation, the figure behind the bamboo curtain seemed intrigued and prompted gently, “Tell me, what feeling could make my beloved minister so conflicted?”
Fu Qi Wen remained silent briefly before responding, “I’m uncertain, but it felt as if Your Highness… somewhat looked down on me, as if I were beneath his notice from beginning to end.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the figure behind the bamboo curtain visibly froze. After a moment, he coldly remarked, “He is truly so arrogant and disdainful?”
Fu Qi Wen thought about it and shook his head. “Not exactly arrogant or insolent. I’ve never sensed this from anyone else before. Your Highness’s interactions were normal, but deep inside, he seems to instinctively hold everything beneath him.”
A quiet hush filled the hall.
The figure behind the bamboo curtain remained lost in thought. Realizing he might have spoken too harshly, Fu Qi Wen immediately bowed his head in apology.
“Your Majesty need not worry. Perhaps this feeling is merely my misunderstanding. Your Highness spent so many years hidden away in a small city. Perhaps he had some opportunities but hasn’t seen much of the wider world. It’s understandable he might behave this way.”
Hearing this, Emperor Yuan Wu nodded gently, seemingly accepting Fu Qi Wen’s reasoning.
His gaze shifted towards the jade box held by the old eunuch nearby, his eyes growing deep and contemplative.
“Originally, I thought he was merely a martial apprentice from a small school. I planned to grant him a leisurely life as a prince, enjoying endless riches as compensation for twenty years of hardship,” Emperor Yuan Wu explained calmly. “But from your words, perhaps he will not be satisfied with such an arrangement.”
Looking through the bamboo curtain directly at Fu Qi Wen, he asked solemnly, “How do you think I should handle him?”
Fu Qi Wen’s expression shifted slightly, and then he shook his head. “Your humble servant dares not speak rashly.”
Emperor Yuan Wu asked no further questions and turned his gaze toward three Imperial Yellow Scrolls on the table before him. After a brief contemplation, his eyes settled on the scroll placed in the middle.
Seeing this, the elderly eunuch quickly stepped forward, took the scroll, and handed it directly to Fu Qi Wen.
“Give this to Qi Wen. Matters concerning the Eighth Prince will now be entirely your responsibility,” Emperor Yuan Wu said slowly as he watched the scroll pass into Fu Qi Wen’s hands. “I must retreat for secluded cultivation soon, so I won’t be able to manage these matters myself. All current instructions regarding the Eighth Prince are detailed there. I hope you will handle them diligently.”
Fu Qi Wen seemed slightly surprised, holding the scroll carefully. “Your Majesty, why do you specifically refer to the Eighth Prince?”
As if expecting the question, the figure behind the bamboo curtain calmly explained, “The truth about the prince exchange has not yet been fully resolved. My bond with Zhi’er over these many years cannot be dismissed solely by blood ties.”
“Besides, Zhi’er was merely an infant twenty years ago. The prince exchange is not his fault. Over the years, he has done much for our court. If I were to blame him now, I would appear petty and cruel.”
“Therefore, this matter requires further consideration. For now, I can only ask the son of Consort Jing to endure.”
Fu Qi Wen pondered silently, showing no further surprise, and respectfully bowed. “Your Majesty is benevolent and wise. My thoughts were indeed shallow.”
Emperor Yuan Wu’s gaze softened slightly through the bamboo curtain. “Qi Wen, you are my most trusted advisor. There’s no need for such formality between us.”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s favor, but I dare not overstep our boundaries,” Fu Qi Wen replied gently with another respectful bow. Then he asked, “Does Your Majesty have any further instructions regarding the Eighth Prince?”
After a short reflection, Emperor Yuan Wu answered, “According to what you’ve said, his temperament likely needs to be refined first. If you have troublesome tasks at hand, let him try them out.”
“Observe his performance carefully. As for other matters, we will discuss them further once I conclude my cultivation.”
…
At the headquarters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
Li Mu Sheng leisurely leaned back on his carved chair, sipping the tea brewed by Pacification Commissioner Yu Jin.
For now, he chose not to delve deeply into mastering the Life Death Talisman. Instead, he pondered how best to use his newfound princely identity to aid his quest toward martial transcendence.
He had tried previously to find information about martial transcendence through the people and matters of the Martial World. Yet discussions about reaching the Heavenly Union Stage were already considered rare and advanced. Hardly anyone spoke openly about martial transcendence.
After all, most warriors struggled to reach even the Innate Stage. Those who did dreamt merely of becoming Grandmasters or Great Martial Grandmasters. The Grandmasters themselves had little interest in idle chatter, focused instead on their cultivation, considering Heavenly Union an insurmountable gap they might never bridge in their lifetimes. Anything beyond was too distant to even imagine.
Thus, Li Mu Sheng realized that perhaps martial transcendence was something only he pondered.
Sometimes, he even wondered if he had imagined the concept entirely. Perhaps the martial transcendence spoken of a thousand years ago was nothing like what he now envisioned.
[Still, it’s worth exploring. My new identity as a prince offers advantages for seeking answers.]
Li Mu Sheng showed a thoughtful expression. Of course, if being a prince proved too troublesome, he’d swiftly disappear without a second thought.