Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 138 - 114: Qi Slash Pierces the Rain, Sending Off the General!

Chapter 138: Chapter 114: Qi Slash Pierces the Rain, Sending Off the General!

Before long, Lu Chang’sheng and Yu Hai met Hong Yuan.

"Teacher, this is—"

Hong Yuan was no longer living in his previous quarters, but had moved to the faculty’s general residence.

"I’ve already stepped down from the position of Dean," Hong Yuan said.

He was now close to eighty, and his face was covered in the marks of time.

Lu Chang’sheng could tell at a glance that Hong Yuan’s vitality was dangerously depleted.

This was the power of time; as an Innate Martial Artist, he simply could not defy it.

"The new Dean will soon succeed my position." Hong Yuan looked regretfully at Lu Chang’sheng.

He originally held the right to recommend someone, and he’d wanted to nominate Lu Chang’sheng as the next Dean of the Martial Artist Institute, but sadly, when his recommendation was delivered to the Saint Institute, it was rejected.

Lu Chang’sheng was somewhat aware of this.

But he didn’t think much of it.

He himself was an Innate Martial Artist; if he remained Dean of the Martial Artist Institute in a remote place like Black Mountain Prefecture, it might not sit well with the larger Prefecture Cities.

"By the way, if you have time in the next couple days, come meet someone with me."

"Who?"

"Zhou Dingyuan."

Hong Yuan took a deep breath and said this. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

With his top-level True Qi Martial Artist strength, even mentioning Zhou Dingyuan brought an immense pressure—clearly, Zhou Dingyuan’s fearsome reputation was well-earned.

Lu Chang’sheng briefly recalled what he knew of Zhou Dingyuan, and then felt that his teacher’s request made sense.

"Alright."

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

He was a bit curious about Zhou Dingyuan, too.

Holding great power, and after nearly ten years of quelling rebellion, his prestige had soared to new heights.

And since that battle in Black Mountain Prefecture eight or nine years ago, there had been no large-scale unrest; for someone of Zhou Dingyuan’s stature, why would he come to Black Mountain Prefecture?

Honestly, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t have to go if he didn’t want to.

With his current strength, if he didn’t wish to do something, no one could force him—but to go along out of courtesy was no real trouble.

At present, only Zhuqing, Daoist Ruyi, Yu Hai, Lu Chang’sheng, and Teacher Hong Yuan had arrived for the gathering.

So, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t feel any rush.

The next day, he and Hong Yuan went to the Xu Mansion.

"Lord Xu!"

Xu Yuan was now silver-haired; it was said that in a couple of years, he would be promoted to Jinghua Prefecture, officially stepping onto the imperial court stage.

But even such a figure did not dare to be arrogant before Lu Chang’sheng.

"Ah, so it’s Scholar Lu. I heard that our Black Mountain Prefecture produced a twelve-year-old Child Scholar named Lu Chang’an. I wonder—"

"That’s my son,"

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t hide it.

It was easy enough to find out, and besides, Wang Heihou had already brought it up yesterday.

Xu Yuan laughed heartily and praised Lu Chang’sheng for having a fine son.

The group chatted and soon entered the inner mansion.

Just then, a group emerged from within, led by an imposing old man in his seventies who looked their way.

His eyes were tiger-like and gleamed with energy.

"You must be Scholar Lu?"

"I am,"

"Zhou Dingyuan."

The old man before them was indeed Zhou Dingyuan.

He looked naturally imposing even without anger; even Hong Yuan beside him seemed to tense up.

Yet his attitude was quite cordial, and he chatted with Lu Chang’sheng about many things, mostly concerning the Empress on the imperial court and the hardships each prefecture faced.

Finally, Zhou Dingyuan’s expression grew serious, and he said sincerely, "This time, I’ve come bearing an edict from Her Majesty."

He paused, his gaze resting on Lu Chang’sheng for a moment, and continued, "Her Majesty has specially granted Scholar Lu the title of Duke Wei, hoping that you will understand her good intentions."

Xu Yuan, Hong Yuan, and the others were all shocked in their hearts.

The three words ’Duke Wei’ carried immense weight for anyone.

This title was no mere official status—it was a great honor.

"Duke Wei" and "Minister"; even for a renowned general like Zhou Dingyuan, gaining such honors was incredibly difficult.

Xu Yuan immediately bowed in salute.

A gesture of respect for the title Duke Wei.

Hong Yuan did likewise.

Yet hidden concern also crossed their hearts.

Of those present, he understood Lu Chang’sheng’s wishes best—his only goal was Seeking Immortality.

Now Zhou Dingyuan had announced this openly; if Lu Chang’sheng refused, it would surely disgrace Zhou Dingyuan and Her Majesty in public.

Though an Innate Martial Artist is formidable, the Royal Family’s depths are unfathomable—who’s to say they don’t have ways to counter him?

As expected, Lu Chang’sheng shook his head with a wry smile. "Chang’sheng is wholly devoted to Martial Dao, and fears he cannot take up the post in Jinghua Prefecture!"

The Empress likely wanted to use his strength to stabilize her throne.

After all, in this world, women were generally of low status; among wealthy families they were relatively protected, but when it came to family inheritance, women could never gain a foothold.

Lu Chang’sheng remembered that the previous ruler was a young Prince, but now the one in charge of Jinghua Prefecture was a woman—the Empress.

"This woman is quite a remarkable person,"

Lu Chang’sheng thought in surprise.

Throughout history, for a woman to ascend to the highest heights, she must be exceptional.

Unfortunately, his ambitions lay elsewhere.

If she’d let him arrange his own schedule, he would consider it—but judging by Zhou Dingyuan’s words, that was unlikely.

"What a pity," Zhou Dingyuan sighed, chatted with Lu Chang’sheng a while longer, then took his leave.

That night.

On the way home, Hong Yuan’s heart was full of worry. He said, "That Empress seized state power from the Third Prince—she’s a decisive woman. Now that you’ve declined her gracious offer, I fear she won’t let the matter rest so easily."