After fifteen years of cultivation, he finally reached the pinnacle of the first rank!

Chapter 79 Can’t guess

Hearing this, Li Zhu's expression changed for a moment, and he asked:

"Is Li Zhi truly so valuable that he deserves such special treatment from my father?"

Li Que shook his head and said:

"In my opinion, he is definitely a formidable opponent. He possesses both civil and military skills, and is an impeccable ruler."

"When our father sent the seven of us brothers to serve in the imperial court, except for the sixth brother, who was unwilling to do anything, the other six were appointed to lead the six ministries. I'm sure you still remember the astonishing achievements Li Zhi made in the Ministry of Revenue."

"It can be said that even my elder brother and I are inferior to him."

Hearing this, Li Zhu's face showed shame, and a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes. He said:
"I have to admit that. When I was in charge of the Ministry of War, even without the Izumo Province mutiny, my achievements would still be far behind the three of you, my second brother."

Three years ago, Emperor Yuanwu issued an order to give every prince a fair opportunity to participate in state affairs, which was also an assessment of the princes.

Although it was not stated explicitly, everyone in the court knew that His Majesty's move was aimed at selecting a prince with outstanding abilities, which was closely related to the unresolved position of the crown prince of Dali.

In the end, Emperor Wu of Yuan Dynasty dismissed three princes including Li Zhu whose political achievements did not meet the requirements, leaving only the eldest prince, the second prince and the fake prince Li Zhi to continue to be in charge of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Revenue among the six ministries in the court.

However, just as Emperor Yuanwu was preparing for the next round of considerations on the three princes, it was suddenly revealed that the seventh prince had been replaced twenty years ago.

This led to Li Zhi being thrown into the Dali Heavenly Prison. Several months have passed, and the matter has not yet been settled.

At this time, Li Que looked at Li Zhu with a smile and said gently:
"Don't be discouraged, Third Brother. You're just unlucky. From now on, my two brothers will work together and create great achievements for Dali."

Li Zhu nodded heavily and said with a folded hand:

"I will follow the lead of my second brother."

"Third brother, you are too kind. The relationship between you and me is one of brotherhood, not a relationship of subordination."

Li Que waved his hand, then narrowed his eyes slightly, thought for a while, and said:
"Third brother, you just mentioned Li Zhi. Actually, I have some doubts. I understand that the emperor valued his talent and did not kill him, but I am quite surprised that he left the position of Seventh Prince vacant for him."

"Even if the emperor wanted to show him favor and make him a marquis or prime minister, it would be enough, but retaining his title as a prince is really too much."

Hearing this, Li Zhu just frowned, shook his head, and sighed:
"I really can't guess what the emperor is thinking."

Li Que glanced at him, shook his head as well, and said:

"If you can't figure it out, then forget it. Fortunately, Li Zhi is not of our royal bloodline. Even if he is favored by our father, he will not pass the throne to him. He poses no threat to us."

Li Zhu nodded, and at this time, a deafening gong sounded in the martial arts field.

The master who had faced the siege of three martial arts masters alone and had an unbreakable defense has returned.

This person had a feminine face, and was wearing a long robe with green embroidery and a green jade ribbon. He walked with his hands behind his back, stepping on the green lotus water on the lake, and landed lightly on the martial arts field.

Then, several sounds of breaking through the air were heard, and several martial arts masters of varying strengths followed closely and landed not far from the feminine man.

However, they did not pay attention to the feminine man, but turned their heads like him, looking nervously at the other end of the road leading to the martial arts field.

At this time, there was a hunched figure, holding a rotten wooden crutch in his hand, walking slowly and staggeringly from the end of the road.

Seeing this, everyone, including the feminine man, felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Not long after, the hunched figure walked to the edge of the training ground, stood still, and slowly raised his head.

It was a very ordinary old man's face, but for some reason, when people looked at it, they always felt that it was a little unclear.

After a while, his face changed completely. When he blinked again, it was a completely different face again, which looked strange and inexplicable. "Ahem, young men, do you want to come together? Or do you want to fight me, an old man, individually?"

The hunchbacked old man coughed a few times and then slowly asked.

The people in the martial arts arena looked at each other with fear in their eyes, and said in unison:

"I would also appreciate your guidance, senior."

However, before he could finish his words, several martial arts masters suddenly attacked.

There was no awareness at all that it was unethical to bully the seniors.

All of a sudden, knives flashed and sword energy appeared. Everyone used their signature moves and thunderous killing blows, as if they wanted to cut the old man in front of them into pieces.

"Ahem, you guys are really enthusiastic."

The hunchbacked old man coughed and slowly raised his hand, which was as dry as a piece of dead wood.

In an instant, all the sword lights and sword auras disappeared.

Then, all those who had taken action suddenly raised their hands high, and knelt down in front of the hunchbacked old man with their limbs prostrated on the ground. They kept knocking their heads, and soon their heads were bleeding, like crazy believers who were bowing devoutly.

In the entire martial arts arena, only the feminine man who mastered the Golden Light Giant Cauldron Technique did not move.

At this moment, his whole body was shining with golden light, as if he was shrouded in the shadow of a huge golden tripod, and his whole body was airtight and solid as a rock.

The feminine man looked at the hunchbacked old man and said coldly:

"I'll just stand still and see if you can break through my defense..."

However, before he could finish his words, the golden light around him suddenly dissipated.

He followed the others and kowtowed to the hunchbacked old man, until his skin was torn and bleeding, and he couldn't even scream in pain.

"It's actually the Formless Puppet Technique."

The exiled old man on the stands narrowed his eyes and said:

"I believe you are Elder Wuxiang. Please forgive these youngsters for their ignorant and offensive behavior. Please come forward and tell me your story."

The exiled old man seemed to speak softly, but his voice spread throughout the entire martial arts field, shocking everyone like the sound of a huge bell.

The old man Wuxiang looked up and followed the sound, then raised his hand gently and said:
"So it's the 'Exiled Immortal'. I'm honored, old man."

As soon as he finished speaking, the figure of the faceless old man disappeared from where he was and appeared in front of Li Que and the other two.

At the same time, several people from the martial arts world who had been kowtowing and kowtowed continuously finally stopped kowtowing without smashing their heads.

However, seemingly due to exhaustion, everyone collapsed to the ground and fainted.

On the stands, Li Zhu, who saw this scene, suddenly faced the old man Wuxiang who was several feet away. For a moment, he couldn't help but breathe fast.

However, when he saw the exiled old man sitting beside him, he felt a little relieved.

At this moment, Li Que and the exiled old man exchanged a glance. Li Que stared at the faceless old man in front of him, narrowed his eyes, and asked:
"Old Senior, with such amazing martial arts skills, are you really willing to serve in my mansion?"

(End of this chapter)