Taoist Myth: I am the last true immortal in the world

Chapter 488 May I ask if you are Grandmaster Chen Pu?
Prince Lu Li Congke was the adopted son of Emperor Mingzong of Tang and had followed his father in battles since he was young.

He made many military achievements in the battle between Later Tang and Later Liang, and was promoted to the governor of Fengxiang.

Shi Jingtang, the governor of Heyang, was the son-in-law of Emperor Mingzong. He also had outstanding military achievements and was deeply loved by the army.

Their official positions and reputations were higher than Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun, so they were deeply feared.

When Li Congke went to Beijing to attend the funeral, he immediately learned of the new emperor's suspicion, so he kept a low profile.

In fact, it was hard for him not to know that the new emperor was suspicious.

His eldest son Li Chongji served as the commander-in-chief of the imperial army Konghedu.

Her daughter Li Huiming, also known by the Buddhist name Youcheng, became a nun in Luoyang.

As a result, Zhu Hongzhao instigated the new emperor to send Li Chongji to Bozhou as a training envoy, stripped him of his military post in the imperial guards, and summoned Li Huiming into the palace, actually as a hostage.

When Li Congke saw that his son was transferred out and his daughter was summoned to the court, he knew that the court was suspicious of him and he was always suspicious and uneasy.

Just for the sake of his family's safety, he endured it for the time being.

Yes, Li Congke really had no intention of usurping the throne at the beginning.

It was not until today, after listening to the fortune-telling, that an idea inexplicably came to his mind.

His martial arts and civil administration were far superior to Li Conghou, but he was inferior to him. Wasn't he unwilling to accept this?

"If Li Conghou can sit on the throne, why can't I, Li Congke?"

As soon as this thought came to mind, Li Congke himself was shocked.

This is an act of great treason.

If others find out.

Everyone in the house has to play Candy Crush.

No, I can't be deceived.

Li Congke tried his best to comfort himself and not think about "replacing him".

Maybe I'm just feeling heavy-hearted.

As soon as he returned home, his wife Liu found out.

Liu asked, "Husband, why do you look so worried?"

Li Congke couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, I can't sleep or eat well."

Liu thought he was talking about his son and daughter, and she comforted her husband with a little sadness: "Although Chongji and Huiming are in prison, they are lucky to be alive. My husband, please don't have any other thoughts, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable."

Li Congke said helplessly: "How could I not know that? But today a divine man told my fortune..."

He told his wife everything that happened during the fortune-telling today.

Finally, Li Congke added: "What the Taoist priest meant is that when bad times are over, good times will come and I can take his place."

"What nonsense!" Liu didn't believe it at all. "Although our family has gone through many setbacks, it is not yet the worst. That Taoist must be talking nonsense."

As soon as the words fell, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Then, the panicked voice of the second son, Li Chongmei, came from outside, "Dad, Mom, it's not good!"

With a bang, the door was broken open.

If his son was usually so rude, Li Congke would definitely scold him.

But he knew that his second son was always steady and collected, so if he behaved like this, it was most likely that something big had happened.

Li Congke's heart skipped a beat, and he hurried forward and asked, "Zhongmei, why are you so flustered?"

Liu also quickly pricked up her ears.

Li Chongmei was extremely panicked at the moment. He said with a slightly fearful look in his eyes, "I just heard that His Majesty followed the advice of those two old villains, Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun, and issued a transfer order from the Privy Council to relocate the Jiedushi of Fengxiang, Heyang, Chengde, and Tianxiong. The order will be issued on a chosen day. Among them, you, Dad, will be transferred from Fengxiang to Heyang!"

"Wha...what?"

"Your Majesty, do you really want to kill them all?"

Li Congke and Liu were both shocked.

Anyone can see clearly that the new emperor Li Conghou's actions were intended to weaken the power of Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and others.

If they are really transferred, then the power will fall into the hands of others and they will be at the mercy of others!
In addition, the reason why the new emperor is discussing this matter with Zhu and Feng now.

He must have wanted to take advantage of the fact that Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and others were in the capital to give the order directly.

If Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and others do not obey, they will be killed without mercy!

Liu was so frightened that she almost fainted.

Li Congke was the same at the beginning, his face was extremely pale.

However, this situation did not last long.

Chen Pu's face involuntarily appeared in his mind again.

Li Congke finally understood why the gods said "after adversity comes good times".

It turned out that he had no way out.

The only option left is destruction!
At this moment, Li Congke's ambition gradually took root and he wished he could start a rebellion immediately.

But he was not sure of winning, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

Thinking about this, Li Congke couldn't help but feel secretly regretful.

If I don’t act rashly today, I will overturn the stall of the God.

Maybe he could ask God for some guidance.

Unfortunately, it’s too late to say anything now, the god has already disappeared.

Li Congke had nowhere to look for it and could only regret it secretly in his heart.

……

The next day, the Khitan mourning team entered the palace.

Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and others, as important officials of the empire, were all invited to attend the morning court.

Because all the ministers had to arrive early for the morning court, but it was still early, so they usually waited in the east wing, and only when someone came to call them could they go to the Taiji Hall for the morning court.

Taiji Hall was where the emperors of the Later Tang Dynasty mainly held court.

Generally, on the first and fifteenth day of every lunar month, the emperor would come to this hall to meet with his ministers to discuss state affairs.

Of course, this was a routine morning court session.

In fact, the emperor's enthronement ceremony, the enthronement ceremony of the empress, the crown prince, the kings and princesses, and the banquets for tribute envoys were often held in this hall.

Now that the Khitans have sent people to pay their respects to the late emperor, out of respect they must be received in the Taiji Hall.

Li Congke and Shi Jingtang were actually in similar situations. So, when they met in the East Veranda, they looked at each other and showed a mutual respect.

But they didn't dare to talk about anything, for fear that they might accidentally say something wrong and be found guilty by the new emperor, and end up being put under house arrest.

Because he didn't dare to talk to anyone, Li Congke sat there, secretly regretting his wrongdoing of letting the divine man go the day before.

At 11:00 a.m., a master of ceremonies came and called everyone to go to the Taiji Hall for the morning court session.

Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and other civil and military officials, as well as royal relatives, all stood up and headed towards the Taiji Hall.

Soon, we arrived at our destination.

A group of civil and military ministers, as well as royal relatives, found seats according to the level of their positions.

I have to mention one thing here.

Before the Song Dynasty, ministers had seats to sit on during morning court sessions, and they did not have to stand during court sessions as shown in movies and TV dramas.

Even when the emperor asked him a question, he would usually stand up and answer, without having to kneel down like the actors with pigtails.

Li Congke, Shi Jingtang and others, as important officials of the empire and royal relatives, naturally sat in the front row.

After waiting for about ten minutes, drums and music started playing.

Li Conghou, dressed in a dragon robe, walked out and slowly sat on the dragon throne.

There were about 300 officials present, and they all stood up and saluted, saying, "Greetings to the Emperor."

After the courtesy.

Li Conghou asked everyone to stand up, and then said slowly: "Today, the Khitan sent an envoy to pay tribute to the late emperor. As a courtesy, I specially summoned you to come and meet the Khitan envoy together."

It's different from the serious scene on TV.

The officials of the Later Tang Dynasty spoke a little casually.

"It is a big deal that the Khitan envoys came to offer condolences."

"The Khitans are now so powerful that we cannot lose our manners. Otherwise, they will find an excuse to start a war, and the consequences will be disastrous."

"I wonder which envoy the Khitan sent?"

Everyone was guessing.

Li Conghou chatted with everyone for a while.

A ceremonial officer came forward to say that the Khitan mourning team was waiting outside the door.

He immediately asked someone to come in.

The next moment, bells and chimes were struck, and eight sounds rang out simultaneously, spreading into the hall.

Yelu Wa led a group of Khitan officials and magicians into the hall.

As soon as Yeluwa came in, he bowed and said, "Khitan envoy Yeluwa greets the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

The officials and magicians behind him all saluted.

Only three people stood there proudly, without any gesture of greeting.

The three men were a tall and majestic young Taoist, another one was as skinny as a skeleton, and the third one was slightly fat with a fierce face.

A number of Later Tang officials were unhappy when they saw this and felt that these three men were putting on airs.

Only Li Congke shuddered when he saw the young Taoist priest.

He never imagined that the god he had long dreamed of would appear in the Khitan mourning team!

Li Congke was delighted at first, but then he became confused and uncertain.

Some even suspected that this divine man was sent by the Khitan to seduce him.

Just when he was feeling complicated.

Li Conghou smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Messenger, no need to be polite."

Only then did Yelu Wa and the others straighten up.

Afterwards, Li Conghou asked someone to give Yelu Wa a seat.

As for the others, they should have been given seats as well according to the rules.

However, he was secretly angry that three people in the entourage did not salute. He felt despised and deliberately did not offer seats to everyone.

Yelu Wa, who had never expected to be given a seat, said tremblingly: "Your Majesty, you only gave me one chair, I dare not sit down."

You lead the mourning procession.

Obviously the highest status.

Why don't you dare sit down?

Shi Jingtang and all the civil and military officials were somewhat puzzled.

Only Li Congke vaguely understood something.

Li Conghou was also quite surprised and asked, "Messenger Yelu, why don't you dare to sit down?"

Yelu Wa pointed at the three people who had not saluted before and said, "My emperor invited three immortals to come here to pay his respects. These three immortals are standing. How dare I sit down?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was shocked.

Li Conghou and all the civil and military officials had never imagined that the Khitan emperor attached so much importance to the condolences to Mingzong that he even invited three immortals.

At this moment, they finally understood why there were three people in the entourage who refused to meet the emperor.

If immortals pay respect to mortals, wouldn't that shorten the mortals' lives?
Li Conghou quickly stood up and asked, "May I ask what the three immortals' names are?"

Yeluwa was the first to point at the man who looked like a skeleton and said, "He is our Khitan Shaman leader, Venerable Nihe."

Li Conghou was moved and bowed immediately, saying, "So it is Master Nihe who has come in person. Please forgive me for not welcoming you in person."

All the ministers also saluted hurriedly.

He said, "Your Majesty is a noble man. I dare not, I dare not."

Yeluwa introduced the second person, "This is our Khitan Shamanism deputy leader, Venerable Hehe."

Li Conghou and the ministers saluted again.

Yehe also returned the gift.

Finally, Yeluwa introduced the last Taoist priest and said, "This is Mr. Chen Pu, the great Taoist priest who protects the Khitan nation."

Li Conghou didn't have time to speak.

A Taoist priest in the crowd was so surprised that he lost his voice and asked, "Excuse me, sir, are you Grandmaster Chen Pu, a disciple of Zhenren Zhengyang of the Taoist Temple in Ningyang Cave, Zhongnan Mountain?"

(End of this chapter)