Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"I am well aware of the vast difference in strength between internal energy masters and ordinary martial artists."

I just didn't expect them to be so unafraid of poisoning.

Wang Ziyan sighed,

"The sect leader clearly passed on a set of internal martial arts techniques to my master, and my master also passed them on to me."

Unfortunately, neither of us, master and disciple, had this opportunity. We practiced for several years but couldn't grasp the key points, and we just couldn't develop that so-called "qi sensation."

If this operation goes smoothly, I would like to ask my master for leave to go into seclusion for three years to master that internal martial arts technique.

I heard that Elder Pang had also practiced for many years without making any progress, but he never gave up and persisted in practicing for five or six hours every day. Finally, in the seventh year, he found the feeling of Qi.

Now, thirty years later, he has finally become a master of internal martial arts.

I also want to learn from Elder Pang and see if there's any chance to defy fate.

If I cannot find the Qi sensation after three years of seclusion, I will give up on this idea for the rest of my life.

"It's good to be young."

Duan Chaoyong sighed.

"If it were twenty years ago, I would have also wanted to go into seclusion for a few years and try again."

Wu Nian and I are both old subordinates who have followed the leader since the Zhengde era. I believe that the contributions I have made to our sect are no less than his!

The cult leader did not show favoritism and taught the two of us the same set of internal martial arts techniques.

As a result, Wu Nian found the feeling of Qi in less than a year and developed internal strength. The following year, he was promoted to the position of incense master. Five years ago, he achieved great success in internal strength and became the seventh elder of my sect.

I couldn't find the Qi sensation no matter what I did, until I was sent to the capital to carry out a mission, and that's when I was promoted to the position of incense master.

I am not young anymore, and I no longer have such a mindset.

Since you're so inclined, why not try going into seclusion again?

But right now, our most important task is to complete this mission.

Chen Furong is in charge of the operation in Xiyuan. It would be a good opportunity for you and me, master and disciple, to attend the banquet at the Marquis of Wuding's residence to avoid suspicion.

Guo Xun believed he was currying favor with the future regent and crown prince, and therefore attached great importance to this banquet.

At the banquet, I would invite Guo Xun to join me in toasting the Prince of Ying in turn.

Our informants have already found out that the King of Ying doesn't have a high alcohol tolerance, so getting him drunk shouldn't be difficult.

The wines prepared by the Marquis of Wuding's residence are all genuine top-quality wines, there is absolutely no problem, and the Prince of Ying will not suspect anything.

When the Prince of Ying practiced martial arts at the Southern Military Training Ground, he often casually placed his super-heavy long sword aside. Our people have carefully memorized the appearance of the scabbard and the sword fittings, and made one that looks very similar.

Although the fake knife feels about the same weight in your hand, the scabbard is actually filled with lead, and there is no blade. If you pull it out by force, all that's left is a bare handle.

When the King of Ying was about to attend the banquet, he would not have been able to carry the knife with him; he would have entrusted it to his attendants for safekeeping.

Elder Pan is the youngest. He will impersonate my disciple and infiltrate the Marquis of Wuding's residence. You will cover for him and switch the King of Ying's double-edged swords.

By the time the banquet ended, the King of Ying was completely drunk and unable to personally inspect his sword.

. . .

The secret room of the Marquis of Wuding's residence.

"Father, you've specifically summoned your son here; is there something important you need to discuss?"

Guo Shoulu looked around.

"My son has never been inside this secret room."

"Today, Duan Chao, traveling light and without an entourage, quietly came to the Marquis's residence to have a private talk with his father."

Guo Xun looked at his son,

"I wish to invite His Highness Prince Ying to a banquet at the Marquis of Wuding's residence."

"What does this person mean by this?"

Guo Shoulu's expression changed.

"My father has been taking the 'red lead' elixir that Duan Chaoyong refined for the past two years. The effect is indeed remarkable, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the immortality he boasted to His Majesty."

Now that His Majesty is about to emerge from the pass, why is he not thinking about how to save his own life, but instead coming to urge his father to host a banquet for Prince Ying?

"Duan Chaoyong's reason for his father was that His Majesty intended to continue to let Prince Ying oversee the country and handle the daily affairs of the court after leaving the pass."

So that I can set aside time to focus on my practice.

Guo Xun sneered.

"When I first heard him say that, I didn't doubt it at all."

His Highness Prince Ying and His Majesty look so alike, even their voices are exactly the same.

Not only his father, but all the ministers who had served in the court for more than ten years could see that when His Highness Prince Ying stood in the Wenhua Hall, he was exactly like His Majesty from ten years ago.

Half-brothers, how could they look so alike?

However, His Highness Prince Ying is definitely not Empress Dowager Jiang's son!

In fact, many ministers have secretly suspected that His Highness Prince Ying is a descendant of the emperor, born from the woman His Majesty slept with when he visited Emperor Xian.

However, unwilling to bear the unfilial crime of having a son commit adultery with his father's concubine, he registered His Highness in the Imperial Genealogy under the name of his younger brother.

His Majesty's favor towards Prince Ying is indeed excessive. If His Highness is actually the eldest son of the Emperor, then everything makes sense.

"His Majesty is only twelve years older than Prince Ying!"

Quite a few ministers actually suspect that His Highness is His Majesty's illegitimate son?

Guo Shoulu was greatly surprised.

"Your Highness is so astute, how come you seem completely unaware of this matter?"

"Who would dare bring up such a thing in front of the Prince of Ying?"

Guo Xun laughed.

"Duan Chaoyong told his father that he wanted to curry favor with His Highness Prince Ying before he knew that he could continue to stay in the capital."

I'm not sure if what he said about His Majesty wanting Prince Ying to continue overseeing the country after leaving the pass is true.

But one thing I am absolutely certain of is that His Highness Prince Ying had long suspected Duan Chaoyong!

However, due to His Majesty's influence, he has not been touched.

You should know this better than your father!

You don't actually think that I, your father, was completely unaware that you've been secretly working for His Highness Prince Ying for the past two years, do you?

"It is truly shameful for a son to try to teach his father something he doesn't know."

Guo Shoulu looked embarrassed and bowed to Guo Xun.

"We are father and son, bound by blood; there's no need for this."

Guo Xun waved his hand.

"Now that we've come to this, I won't hide anything from you."

That day you told me that a young man named Lin, whom you met at a brothel, gave you a genuine "red lead" elixir.

I knew it! You'd met His Highness the Prince of Ying!

"But didn't Father say that I had encountered Yan Song's son, Yan Shifan?"

Guo Shoulu looked puzzled.

"After all, Yan Song was also bestowed with the 'Red Lead' elixir, so it's entirely possible that he gave it to Yan Shifan."

"Yan Shifan might indeed possess the 'Red Lead' elixir, but how could he possibly give away such an imperial gift to someone he'd just met at a brothel?!"

Guo Xun laughed,

"Only His Highness Prince Ying, who was rumored to be celibate at the time, could possibly consider this thing as a useless trifle."

However, whether it is a prince regent visiting a brothel or casually giving away the "red lead" elixir bestowed by His Majesty to others, it will bring disaster upon himself.

It would be better to play dumb and let Yan Shifan take the blame.

However, I still underestimated you.

I never imagined that my third son, who always acted like a spoiled brat, would take this opportunity to secretly pledge allegiance to His Highness the Prince of Ying.

For more than a year, I have been pretending to be confused.

You frequently draw money from the accounting office to treat Duan Chaoyong's top disciple, Wang Ziyan, to lavish feasts, and no one ever utters a word of objection.

Don't you find that strange?