Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 361 The Old Emperor Possessed by Demons?
Lu Xuan outwardly listened respectfully to the old emperor's "praise," but inwardly, a storm was brewing within him.

In the original owner's memories, this old emperor "Lu Kaijing" was an iron-blooded ruler known as "Zhenwu".

In his youth, his martial arts skills were at the pinnacle of human skill. He once single-handedly fought his way through the combined forces of fifteen tribes in the North, and won the throne through his military achievements and prestige.

Everyone in the court and among the people knew that the late emperor had originally favored the third prince.

This person was too fierce, and he fought his way out with his martial arts skills.

Facing Lu Kaijing, the fourth prince whose achievements overshadowed the emperor and whose power dominated the court.

Even the late emperor had to succumb to reality.

When the rumors first spread that the late emperor intended for his third son to succeed him, the court was thrown into turmoil.

Twelve veterans, led by the Duke of Wei, who had served three reigns, knelt before the imperial palace overnight. The Minister of War and the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards directly dispatched the Imperial Army to seal off the nine gates.

Judging from this situation, the late emperor's edict establishing an heir probably won't even leave the Qianyuan Palace before being intercepted by a group of court officials and their men.

Because the prestige of the Fourth Prince, Lu Kaijing, had long surpassed the scope of imperial power.

He was not only a prince of the Wenjing Dynasty, but also a living war god of this empire.

The northern tribes trembled at the mere mention of his name, and the three kingdoms of the Western Regions submitted at the sight of his banner.

When he returned victorious from the border, the people along the way spontaneously knelt to welcome him for three hundred li, a scene even more spectacular than the sacrificial rites of emperors throughout history.

The late emperor could only tremble as he wrote the edict establishing his fourth son, Lu Kaijing, as the crown prince.

It is said that the lights in the Third Prince's residence stayed on until dawn that night.

Meanwhile, in the military camp belonging solely to the Fourth Prince Lu Kaijing, the soldiers drank until dawn.

The fact that a prince's prestige could force an emperor to change his heir is unprecedented in history.

Now, this once powerful Zhenwu Emperor is rambling on about the matter of succession like an ordinary old man. How could Lu Xuan not be suspicious?

Strange... Lu Xuan pondered to himself.

According to the original owner's memories, this Zhenwu Emperor had indeed suffered many hidden injuries from his battles in his youth.

But given his martial arts prowess back then, living to be over two hundred years old would have been no problem at all.

He's only in his early fifties now, how could he have fallen to such a state?

Even more suspicious is!
How could a once ruthless emperor, who faced mountains of corpses and seas of blood and clung to power, suddenly become so... kind and approachable, just like an ordinary old man in the marketplace?

Emperor Zhenwu was still there, rambling on about things like "crown prince," "succession," and "imperial throne."

Lu Xuan didn't believe a single word of it.

He knew all too well these ruthless heroes who had fought their way out of a sea of ​​blood!

These people will never easily give up all the power they hold in their hands.

When you're truly at your wit's end, your first reaction will definitely be to fight with all your might.

They sought out those elixir of immortality, immortals, and magical arts... hoping to live a long and prosperous life.

Instead of what we're doing now... constantly suggesting that he should inherit the throne!
"Your subject will humbly obey Your Majesty's teachings." Lu Xuan remained calm and simply responded respectfully.

"Ugh"

Emperor Zhenwu suddenly let out a long sigh, a sigh that seemed to contain endless weariness and vicissitudes.

His withered fingers flicked lightly in the air, and his tone abruptly changed:
"My son!"

The call carried a strange intimacy, yet it sent a chill down Lu Xuan's spine.

The old emperor slowly raised his cloudy eyes, his gaze sweeping over him as if it were tangible.

"The ambergris I gave you a few days ago has been tainted by those filthy things, and it must have lost its effectiveness."

Just as Lu Xuan was about to speak, Emperor Zhenwu waved his hand gently.

"Someone is coming."

Emperor Zhenwu's voice suddenly rose a few decibels: "Bestow upon the Crown Prince ambergris incense for protection and warding off evil!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an old eunuch dressed in a scarlet python robe trotted forward.

He was hunched over, holding a gilded brocade box high in his hands.

The box was no bigger than the palm of your hand, yet it was carved with intricate dragon patterns and shimmered with dazzling golden light in the sunlight.

"Your son kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

Lu Xuan answered loudly without hesitation and respectfully accepted the gilded brocade box with both hands.

Emperor Zhenwu nodded in satisfaction, a strange smile appearing on his gaunt face: "My son, as the crown prince of the Wenjing Dynasty, my... good crown prince..."

When he said the words "good prince," his tone suddenly became exceptionally gentle, which sent a chill down Lu Xuan's spine.

Those cloudy eyes stared intently at Lu Xuan, with a dark current seeming to surge deep within their pupils.

"Now... it's time for you to share some of the burdens for this country and its people..."

These words were profound, each one seemingly the result of careful consideration.

Lu Xuan lowered his eyes, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

These words, on the surface, seemed to entrust someone with an important task, but in reality, they concealed a hidden agenda.

What exactly did the old emperor want him to "share"?
Is it the power of the court... or... something else even more terrifying?

When Lu Xuan looked up again, he saw his father staring at him with a chilling gaze.

"Qianfu Town, Jinming Prefecture in the Southern Region!"

Emperor Zhenwu suddenly raised his voice, and a strange light shone in his cloudy eyes.

"Yesterday, Governor Jinming of Jinming Prefecture sent a memorial with urgent news!"

"Half a month ago, Qianfu Town was massacred by a mysterious force."

"The entire town of 3,725 people has vanished without a trace, their remains never found..."

The hoarse voice made Emperor Zhenwu's face look even more ferocious.

He slowly raised his hand, veins bulging, fingers spread and then clenched.

Even birds and beasts were not spared... The entire town... was empty.

"I... find this very strange." The aura surrounding Emperor Zhenwu suddenly turned cold and chilling.

"Therefore, I must find the mastermind behind this and... grind him to dust! To comfort the thousands of souls in Qianfu Town!"

As he spoke the last few words, the bright yellow dragon robe on Emperor Zhenwu's body fluttered without any wind.

"But such a momentous matter..."

Emperor Zhenwu suddenly lowered his voice strangely, "I... cannot trust anyone else."

As he spoke, he pressed his withered, claw-like hand heavily onto Lu Xuan's shoulder.

"Only my crown prince... my own flesh and blood..."

Emperor Zhenwu's breathing suddenly became rapid, his breath carrying a faint stench of decay. "Only then can I...feel at ease..."

"This ambergris is for the protection of my son!"

Emperor Zhenwu stared intently at Lu Xuan, his withered fingers clenching tightly with astonishing force.

Just as Lu Xuan was about to ask about the details of Qianfu Town, he saw a strange light flash in the old emperor's eyes.

"My son, lives are at stake. Finding out the truth about Qianfu Town is of utmost urgency."

Emperor Zhenwu's voice suddenly turned cold and piercing, "You shall immediately depart for Jinming Prefecture in the Southern Region."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly clapped three times, giving Lu Xuan no room to refuse.

"Somebody come!"

Emperor Zhenwu's voice, though barely audible, resonated eerily across the vast square.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—!
Three dark figures appeared like ghosts from hundreds of meters away and instantly knelt before Emperor Zhenwu.

They were clad in black scale armor made of black iron, and their faces were covered with specially made black iron masks, revealing only pairs of cold eyes that did not resemble those of humans.

Emperors Wen and Jing guarded….
The original owner's memories instantly surfaced in Lu Xuan's mind, and he frowned slightly. These assassins, secretly trained from childhood, were said to be monsters modified with special drugs and secret techniques.

They have no human emotions; they were born solely to protect the emperor and are true killing machines.

What's even more terrifying is that each Imperial Guard possesses strength comparable to a martial arts grandmaster, and they are impervious to pain, fighting to the death.

It is said that the combined power of all of Emperor Wenjing's guards could easily kill any martial arts grandmaster.

"Lu Yi, Lu Er, Lu San."

The Zhenwu Emperor's hoarse voice carried a chilling intimacy: "From this day forward, you will guard the Crown Prince."

The three imperial guards kowtowed simultaneously, their iron armor clashing with a crisp clang.

When they looked up, three cold gazes locked onto Lu Xuan.

The look in his eyes wasn't like he was looking at a living person; it was more like he was scrutinizing an object that needed protection.

A cold glint flashed in Lu Xuan's eyes, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

He was no longer the simple-minded crown prince he once was; the series of arrangements before him were filled with chilling scheming.

He bestowed incense, dispatched imperial guards, and made an urgent investigation…
Every step was like a meticulously woven spider web, waiting for him, the moth, to fall into its trap.

But the worst was yet to come—

"deliver an imperial order."

Without any warning, Emperor Zhenwu issued an edict: "Summon Peng Guozhang to the palace for an audience immediately!"

Lu Xuan's lips twitched slightly.

This move, which cuts off their lifeline, is practically a blatant display of malice!

Throughout the entire Wenjing Dynasty, everyone knew that Peng Lie was the Crown Prince's biggest backer.

Back when he was vying for the position of Crown Prince, it was this martial arts master, the Imperial Father-in-Law, who fully supported the original owner of this body, which prevented various forces from making any rash moves.

Heh... Lu Xuan sneered inwardly.

Emperor Zhenwu's move was extremely vicious—on the surface, he sent Emperor Wenjing to guard him, but in secret, he transferred away Emperor Wenjing's greatest support.

This is no longer a hint, it's a blatant declaration: I am going to do you a disservice!
The sound of hurried footsteps came from afar, presumably the eunuch delivering the imperial decree had already rushed off.

Lu Xuan knew without a doubt that there must be even more imperial guards lying in ambush outside the palace gates, just waiting for Peng Lie to step into this carefully arranged prison.

Emperor Zhenwu, his body hunched over, wore a satisfied smile.

Not long after, Emperor Zhenwu, hunched over, left "shakily" with the help of a group of red-clad eunuchs.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to give a "concerned" instruction: "My son, please be careful on your journey..."

That hypocritical and pretentious demeanor made Lu Xuan's brow furrow.

He strongly suspected that the old emperor had either gone mad or was possessed by a demon.

The square fell into dead silence, with only three of Emperor Wenjing's guards standing like statues.

Their eyes, hidden beneath their black iron masks, gleamed with a ghostly green light in the shadows, like lurking venomous snakes.

"Your Highness, please depart immediately."

The imperial guard in the middle suddenly spoke, seemingly respectful, but in reality showing no reverence whatsoever.

The three men's seemingly random positioning actually blocked off all escape routes.

Lu Yi blocked the entrance to the palace, Lu Er blocked the side corridor, and Lu San approached Lu Xuan from behind like a ghost.

After one stick of incense!
Da da da--

The sound of orderly horses' hooves came from outside the palace gates.

Eight pure white Akhal-Teke horses, heads held high and neighing, reappeared, pulling the gilded carriage.

This time, however, three hundred black-armored cavalrymen followed behind the carriage.

These cavalrymen all wore iron masks, and the swords hanging at their waists were not ordinary swords, but a type of curved horse-slaying sword specially made in the palace.

—The back of the knife was still barbed, gleaming eerily in the sunlight.

Boom! ! !
Wherever the convoy passed, the common people in the imperial city all gave way!
The murderous aura emanating from those black-armored cavalrymen actually condensed into a blood mist that seemed to have a tangible form in the air.

Lu Xuan sat inside the carriage with a blank expression.

Behind the carriage, the three imperial guards formed a triangular formation, surrounding Lu Xuan's carriage.

Those three pairs of merciless eyes remained fixed on the carriage, like jailers guarding prisoners...

In the southern region, Jinming Prefecture, Qingming County.

The midday sun blazed down on the official road outside the city walls like a raging fire.

On the scorching hot stone pavement, distorted waves of heat rose up.

Governor Wei Yuanlang of Jinming Prefecture, along with dozens of prefectural officials, had been waiting for a long time at the reception pavilion outside the city gate.

These officials, who were used to a life of luxury, now had their official robes soaked with sweat, clinging to their backs.

Their faces were flushed red from the sun, and large beads of sweat rolled down their foreheads, but no one dared to wipe them away, nor did anyone dare to utter a single complaint.

After all, what they were waiting for was an imperial envoy personally appointed by His Majesty.

"Lord Wei..."

Judge Liu, who was over sixty years old, spoke with a trembling voice and his legs began to shake.

"The imperial envoy's carrier pigeon arrived several hours ago; it should have been here long ago..."

Wei Yuanlang frowned, squinted, and looked toward the end of the official road.

As the governor of a state, he understood the seriousness of this incident better than anyone else.

More than three thousand lives were lost in Qianfu Town. If this situation is not handled properly, his time as governor will be over.

"Silence!"

Zhao Yuanlang rebuked in a low voice, "How dare we presume to know the itinerary of the Imperial Envoy?"

Just then, a cloud of dust suddenly rose in the distance.

The guards on the watchtower shouted, "They're here! The Imperial Envoy's carriage has arrived!"

All the officials were immediately startled and hurriedly straightened their clothes.

Wei Yuanlang immediately took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart.

But little did they know.

The procession heading towards them at this moment is that of the Crown Prince's entourage.

"Ok?"

Wei Yuanlang suddenly shuddered. His eyesight, honed by his martial arts master level, allowed him to see the carriage five hundred meters away first.

Those eight pure white Akhal-Teke horses, and the five-clawed dragon embroidered on the crimson carriage curtains!

This is clearly...

"This is this!!!"

Wei Yuanlang, a dignified martial arts master, suddenly felt his legs go weak uncontrollably.

He felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

His lips trembled, and he almost used all his strength to shout, "It's...it's His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, leaving all the officials present stunned.

Wei Yuanlang had already knelt heavily on the ground with a "thud," his forehead pressed tightly against the scorching stone slab: "All of you kneel down before me! Now!"

Those officials who hadn't yet reacted suddenly woke up as if from a dream and immediately knelt down.

Wei Yuanlang's temples throbbed.

The tragedy in Qianfu Town had even alarmed His Highness the Crown Prince… This thought almost suffocated him.

(End of this chapter)