Chapter 073

Chapter 73: Is There Transcendence?

At that moment, a guard from the Heavenly Brocade Guards swiftly stepped into the courtyard. He bowed respectfully to Li Mu Sheng and said:

“Your Highness, Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites and the others have arrived. Would you like to meet them now?”

Li Mu Sheng’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. He remembered Emperor Yuan Wu had arranged three teachers for him, and after a brief pause, he nodded.

“Bring them here to meet me. It just so happens I have some questions to ask them.”

The guard acknowledged the order and turned to leave. Suddenly, Li Mu Sheng called him back.

“After this, go find your commander and have him come see me too. There are matters I must discuss with him.”

The guard was briefly surprised but quickly nodded before turning and swiftly departing.

Before long, the guard led three men into the courtyard.

“Greetings, Eighth Prince!”

The trio stood before Li Mu Sheng and respectfully bowed in unison.

Li Mu Sheng observed them closely, easily identifying each of them.

Zhang Song, Senior Scholar of Wen Yuan Pavilion and Vice Minister of Rites, was a scholarly-looking gentleman over fifty, dressed in official robes with a scholarly hat, exuding a refined aura.

General Wu An, Guo Zhen Ang, wore casual clothing but was tall and robust, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. His tiger-like eyes radiated a formidable authority even without anger.

Master Xuan Yi, the Deputy Head of Heavenly Martial Tower, wore a pale yellow monk’s robe draped loosely across his lean yet upright figure. His serene expression was peaceful as he continuously turned the prayer beads in his hands.

“Please sit, gentlemen.”

Li Mu Sheng motioned for the three to sit, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Guo Zhen Ang. This man’s qi was bold and domineering, his martial cultivation nearly equal to Master Xuan Yi’s. As for Vice Minister Zhang Song, he also had martial skill, but it was modest, barely reaching the threshold of the Innate Stage.

At the same moment, the three were observing this Eighth Prince, who had grown up among the common folk. Upon noticing no trace of martial qi in him, each subtly frowned.

Even a civil official like Vice Minister Zhang, who merely dabbled in martial arts, had achieved Innate Stage cultivation. Yet Li Mu Sheng had not even reached that level, which seemed puzzling. Nevertheless, none dared voice their thoughts openly.

General Guo Zhen Ang noticed Li Mu Sheng’s particular attention on him. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he spoke first in a deep voice:

“Your Highness, are you perhaps interested in military affairs? This subordinate general has some modest achievements in tactics and formations and could gladly share my family’s ‘Guo Clan Military Tactics’.”

Li Mu Sheng cast him a quick glance and waved dismissively.

“You misunderstand. I have no interest in that.”

Then he thoughtfully stroked his chin and looked around at the three men.

“To be frank, my standards are quite high. Since the Emperor sent you three to instruct me, I’d like to test your true abilities first.”

At his words, Zhang Song exchanged looks with the others, surprise evident on their faces. Still, Zhang Song quickly regained his composure, respectfully cupping his hands toward Li Mu Sheng.

“It’s understandable Your Highness has doubts, but may I ask what sort of test you have in mind?”

Li Mu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly. He lifted the teapot and poured tea into each of the three cups, speaking slowly.

“I’d like to know your thoughts about any martial dao realms beyond Heavenly Union.”

At these words, the trio paused abruptly, tea cups halfway to their lips, eyes wide with astonishment as they stared at Li Mu Sheng. Seeing his calm expression, clearly not joking, they exchanged startled glances, forgetting even the tea in their hands.

General Guo Zhen Ang was the first to set down his cup, his expression showing barely hidden annoyance.

[You say you want to test us, yet you immediately ask a question that no one could possibly answer? Isn’t this clearly meant to embarrass us?]

He hadn’t even fully understood Heavenly Union, much less anything beyond it!

“Amitabha,” Master Xuan Yi chanted calmly, shaking his head. “Your Highness may not be aware, but martial dao includes only three realms: Acquired Stage, Innate Stage, and Heavenly Union. First-grade Heavenly Union is already the highest known realm. Nothing exists beyond it.”

Zhang Song and Guo Zhen Ang nodded their agreement, supporting Master Xuan Yi’s explanation.

Yet Li Mu Sheng’s brow furrowed doubtfully, staring skeptically at them.

“Do you truly not know there’s a realm beyond Heavenly Union—true martial dao transcendence?”

Again, the three looked at each other, shaking their heads decisively.

Zhang Song lowered his cup and spoke earnestly.

“I’ve been reading extensively since childhood, Your Highness. Although my martial cultivation is limited, I have studied numerous texts on martial dao, and never have I encountered mention of this transcendence.”

Master Xuan Yi echoed gently, “This humble monk also has never heard of such.”

Li Mu Sheng tapped lightly on the table, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

“Are you certain? Perhaps your knowledge is just shallow. I clearly remember reading an ancient text that specifically mentioned someone who achieved martial dao transcendence a thousand years ago. It’s merely that martial dao has declined over these centuries, with none able to attain it again.”

Zhang Song’s brows knitted in contemplation. After a thoughtful pause, he responded carefully.

“I’ve indeed studied many ancient texts, Your Highness. Could you perhaps tell me the name of the ancient text you read, so I might verify it?”

Li Mu Sheng thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“As I recall, it was called ‘Martial Dao Historical Records.’ It contained extensive historical details from the Martial World and many renowned martial masters’ exploits. It certainly appeared to be a genuine historical record.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Song’s face turned quite peculiar. He hesitated for a long moment before finally saying:

“Your Highness, I fear there’s been a misunderstanding. To my knowledge, the text you speak of isn’t an authentic historical record. It is actually just a fictional novel.”

“The novel’s author’s family name was Wu, given name Dao Shi. Since he authored the stories, it was humorously titled ‘Martial Dao Historical Records.’”

Li Mu Sheng fell silent.

Nearby, Guo Zhen Ang and Master Xuan Yi glanced oddly at Li Mu Sheng. Clearly, they hadn’t expected him to confuse fiction for reality, thus inventing a so-called martial dao transcendence.

After a moment’s silence, Li Mu Sheng abruptly stood and walked away without looking back. As he reached the guard standing not far away, he coldly left behind one final order:

“Show them out.”

He offered the stunned group only the sight of his retreating back.

[Martial Dao Shi!]

[Truly, his parents must have been masters at naming their children!]

Inwardly, Li Mu Sheng was utterly speechless.