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

Chapter 360 Ascension
Judging from Zhao Kuang's reaction, the other party may not actually be lying.

After all, the other party's status as a prince is extremely noble. It's completely unnecessary for him to risk his life for a mere Daoist Qingyu.

It should be noted that the Great Xuan Emperor had many sons, and the other princes had always been eyeing his position as crown prince.

Li Musheng looked thoughtful, then pointed to Zhao Muning beside him and asked:

"who is she?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mu Ning's expression changed, and she immediately gave Zhao Kuang a wink.

Zhao Kuang glanced at Zhao Mu Ning, his gaze shifting slightly, before replying:
"She is my seventh sister, and also the seventh princess of Da Xuan."

Zhao Kuang naturally understood the meaning behind Zhao Mu Ning's eyes, but he dared not gamble at this moment, and he spoke the truth.

Moreover, with a crown prince and a group of his father's concubines all here, Zhao Mu Ning's status as a princess is completely dispensable, so it's not a big deal to mention it.

At this moment, Zhao Muning's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and she quickly looked at Li Musheng.

However, Li Musheng remained calm, after all, he had already roughly guessed Zhao Muning's identity. The reason he asked Zhao Kuang was to confirm whether the crown prince in front of him was honest.

Clearly, this person, though seemingly calm, wouldn't dare tell even a small lie; deep down, he was still very afraid of death.

At this moment, Li Musheng glanced at Zhao Muning, who was looking at him, and shook his head, saying:
"I can grab a princess with just a flick of my wrist, which means I've always had good luck."

"It's just a pity that the Great Xuan Emperor is inhuman and doesn't care about you at all."

As he spoke, Li Musheng turned and gave Zhao Kuang a deep look, narrowing his eyes slightly, and said:

"Do you know why the Great Xuan Emperor arrested Daoist Qingyu?"

Li Musheng asked this question using his martial arts internal energy, so that only Zhao Kuang and Zhao Muning could hear it in the entire palace.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang frowned slightly, then shook his head.

Li Musheng's words did not stir up his relationship with his father, but he was indeed unaware of the inside story of Master Qingyu's matter.

When Zhao Muning saw that Li Musheng knew her identity but did not attack her because she had deliberately concealed it, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, her eyes flickered slightly, and in order to ease the current situation, she followed Li Musheng's words and said:

“I have witnessed everything you did tonight, and I know that you came here only to save people and did not kill innocent people.”

"As for the matter of Master Qingyu, although we are unaware of the situation, once Father arrives, I will do my best to persuade him to release him and quell this misunderstanding tonight."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang's expression immediately changed, and he quickly nodded, saying:

"It is truly rare in the world for someone so young to possess such terrifying martial arts skills."

"Previously, I was eager to recruit your talents and had the intention to do so. If this matter can be resolved peacefully, we can turn hostility into friendship afterward. With your talents, it would be no problem for you to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister in Da Xuan."

Zhao Kuang's words were half true and half false, but his most important purpose was naturally to appease Li Musheng and buy time so that the other party would not take action against him.

Li Musheng, however, completely disregarded what Zhao Muning and Zhao Kuang had said.

He's too lazy to even be an emperor, so what's the point of bestowing titles and ranks upon him?
"It seems you truly do not know the thoughts of the Great Xuan Emperor."

Li Musheng looked at Zhao Kuang meaningfully and slowly said:

"The reason why the Great Xuan Emperor captured Daoist Qingyu was because of a secret manual called the 'Longevity Scripture'."

As he spoke, Li Musheng looked directly into Zhao Kuang's eyes and asked:

"Would you like to guess what the purpose of that Longevity Scripture is?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang's expression froze slightly.

He was not a stupid person. As soon as he heard the words "Longevity Scripture", even if he understood them literally, he could vaguely guess what this secret manual was related to.

However, although he was somewhat surprised by this, he calmly shook his head and said:

"There are countless martial arts manuals in the world, and I really can't figure out what's so special about the 'Longevity Scripture' that you mentioned, that would interest my father."

Standing beside Li Musheng, Zhao Muning frowned, her gaze fixed on him, her expression subtly shifting as she said:

"What exactly does the young master want to say?"

Upon hearing this, Li Musheng slowly glanced at Zhao Kuang and the other man, and said:
"I know you must have some guesses in your hearts. The Longevity Scripture is not an ordinary martial arts manual, but a supreme divine skill that can make people young again and prolong their lives."

As he spoke, Li Musheng paused, noticing the obvious look of surprise on Zhao Kuang's and the other man's faces.

Then, he slowly began to explain:

"The Longevity Scripture was obtained by a Taoist priest from Qingyun Temple by chance. After practicing this secret manual, he has lived for nearly two hundred years."

"Has lived for two hundred years?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang instinctively exclaimed in surprise.

Li Musheng nodded slightly and continued:

"Later, the Taoist priest passed on the Longevity Scripture to Master Qingyu of Qingyun Temple, but somehow the Emperor of Daxuan found out about it. So your father sent experts to break into Qingyun Temple and kidnap Master Qingyu to the Daxuan Imperial Palace."

"People from Qingyun Temple had tried to rescue people from the palace before, but they failed. So later, the other party begged me for help, and I reluctantly came to the Great Xuan Imperial Palace."

After saying that, Li Musheng stopped talking and waited quietly for Zhao Kuang and Zhao Muning's reaction.

Actually, he didn't want to use his brain, but that Emperor Da Xuan was too despicable.

If the other party only wants immortality and not these concubines and children, then even if he demolishes the entire Great Xuan Imperial Palace, the other party probably won't even show a trace.

At the same time, after listening to Li Musheng's words, Zhao Kuang and Zhao Muning exchanged a glance, both showing a look of surprise and uncertainty.

Clearly, they were completely unaware of Master Qingyu's involvement with the Longevity Scripture beforehand.

Zhao Kuang, in particular, was looking very unpredictable, his expression shifting rapidly. It was unclear what he was thinking.
"Is there really a secret to immortality that can extend one's lifespan by two hundred years?"

At this moment, Zhao Muning pursed her lips and stared directly into Li Musheng's eyes as she asked.

Li Musheng waved his hand and asked in return:

"if not?"

"Otherwise, would you think I'm just bored in the middle of the night and have nothing better to do than wander around the Great Xuan Palace?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Muning immediately fell silent.

Then, she turned her gaze to the white-clad woman and the white-haired Taoist nun in the palace courtyard.

Especially the woman in white.

Li Musheng's suspicion that the young man was Daoist Qingyu was probably due to the Longevity Scripture.

If Daoist Qingyu had cultivated the Longevity Scripture and rejuvenated himself, then everything would make sense, which would also suggest that what Li Musheng said might be true. At this point, after seeing the reactions of Crown Prince Zhao Kuang and Zhao Muning, Li Musheng began to appear somewhat composed.

He fixed his gaze on Zhao Kuang and said slowly:
"The Great Xuan Emperor has captured Daoist Qingyu for quite some time now, and he probably already has the Longevity Scripture in his hands. If the other party successfully cultivates that divine skill, living another two hundred years will be no problem at all."

As he spoke, Li Musheng deliberately feigned a thoughtful expression and said:

"An emperor who reigned for over two hundred years—this is unprecedented in history, even surpassing the Tianqi Emperor!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang's expression grew increasingly grim, his hands clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, and he remained silent throughout.

Seeing this, Li Musheng already knew what was going on, and immediately added fuel to the fire, saying:

"If the Great Xuan Emperor were to reign for another two hundred years, then you, the Crown Prince, would ultimately remain just a Crown Prince. But upon closer reflection, from ancient times to the present, what logic is there in anyone being a Crown Prince for two hundred years?"

Li Musheng's words were undoubtedly another heavy blow to Zhao Kuang, whose entire body visibly began to tremble slightly.

But that wasn't enough, Li Musheng continued calmly:

"If you ask me, being the crown prince for two hundred years isn't impossible, but unfortunately, the Great Xuan Emperor never intended to tell you the secret of immortality. If you want to live for two hundred years, it's probably going to be difficult."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang abruptly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at Li Musheng, and said sternly:
"I won't believe you. Your attempt to sow discord between me and my father is doomed to fail!"

Li Musheng, however, remained calm and shrugged, saying:
"I'm just telling the truth. After all, I'm not going to be the crown prince for two hundred years."

After saying that, Li Musheng looked at Zhao Kuang, who had lowered his head, with a leisurely air.

The other person's face was now extremely ugly, clearly indicating that what he had said earlier was just empty talk.

After all, if his father had truly cultivated the Longevity Scripture and lived for another two hundred years, would he still have a chance to rise in the future?
How can a crown prince who has no ambition and no desire to become emperor be considered a qualified crown prince?

"Actually, I can help you."

Just then, Li Musheng suddenly spoke up.

In an instant, both Zhao Kuang and Zhao Mu Ning looked up sharply.

However, Li Musheng turned his head and looked towards the direction of the palace gate, saying:
“Those eunuchs have been gone for some time now. If the Emperor of Da Xuan wanted to come, he should have appeared long ago.”

As he spoke, Li Musheng glanced at the two old eunuchs on the ground who had been tortured beyond recognition by the Fire Cloud Evil God.

The result was obvious: even though they were both experts guarding the Great Xuan Emperor, they had no idea where the other was.

This is enough to show that the Great Xuan Emperor was cautious, a loner, and didn't trust anyone at all.

"So, how about it? Are you interested in collaborating with me?"

Li Musheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhao Kuang and Zhao Muning.

Zhao Muning didn't speak, but looked at Zhao Kuang with a strange expression.

Zhao Kuang stared intently at Li Musheng for a long time, his thoughts unknown.

After a long while, Zhao Kuang suddenly took a deep breath before finally speaking:

"What kind of cooperation do you wish to pursue?"

"It's very simple. You just need to find the Great Xuan Emperor, and leave the rest to me."

Li Musheng spoke casually, but Zhao Kuang frowned upon hearing this and said:
"There are countless martial arts masters in the Great Xuan Imperial Palace. Even a Martial Saint might not return alive. Are you really confident that you can suppress all the masters in this entire palace?"

Li Musheng glanced at Zhao Kuang and said:
"Didn't you see it all just now? Do you think that old eunuch and Taoist priest beside you didn't want to attack me?"

As he spoke, Li Musheng shook his head and said:

"They're just too scared!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuang gave Li Musheng a deep look, then slowly closed his eyes.

He was naturally aware of Li Musheng's formidable martial arts skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked the question he just asked.

Li Musheng's words undoubtedly reassured him.

Soon, Zhao Kuang suddenly opened his eyes, suppressing all his emotions, and his face became expressionless.

He glanced at Zhao Muning beside Li Musheng, sighed softly, and said:
“I didn’t really want to do this, but my father’s mind is unpredictable. For the sake of my life and yours, my sister, I have no other choice but to save myself.”

Zhao Kuang said this not only to Zhao Mu Ning, but also to himself.

It seemed that only in this way could he convince himself to cooperate with Li Musheng.

But Zhao Muning could tell that her elder brother, the Crown Prince, didn't actually want to be the Crown Prince for two hundred years; what he wanted to be was the Emperor for two hundred years.

"Since you've helped me, there must be some conditions. What do you want?"

Zhao Kuang withdrew his gaze from Zhao Muning and then looked at Li Musheng and asked.

Hearing this, Li Musheng waved his hand and said:

"You don't need to think too much. I'm not interested in anything else. I just need Master Qingyu."

As he spoke, Li Musheng gave Zhao Kuang a meaningful look and said:
"As for the Great Xuan Emperor, you can do whatever you want with him."

Zhao Kuang stared at Li Musheng for a long while, seemingly confirming that Li Musheng truly had no other intentions, before slowly nodding and saying:
"make a deal!"

After saying that, Zhao Kuang turned around and walked out of the palace.

"Although I don't know where my father is, I can roughly guess which two secret places he is in seclusion."

At the same time, Zhao Kuang's voice rang in Li Musheng's ears.

However, the group of martial arts masters around them did not hear the conversation between Li Musheng and his two companions. When they saw Zhao Kuang suddenly walking out, they immediately tried to capture him.

Li Musheng, watching Zhao Kuang's retreating figure, raised his hand to stop the crowd and said:

"Follow him, let's go find the Great Xuan Emperor."

Upon hearing this, all the martial arts masters were stunned, only to see Li Musheng leisurely following the Crown Prince of Da Xuan.

"Young hero, what should we do with these people?"

Fire Cloud Evil God reacted immediately and asked Li Musheng's back.

Li Musheng glanced back, casually pointed to a few people, and had a group of martial arts masters take them along.

Then, he waved to Zhao Muning, who was standing in place, and said:
"I am a man of my word. I will take the girl out of the palace in the same way I brought her into it. She will be absolutely safe with me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Muning didn't say anything more, but just gave Li Musheng a deep look before taking a step to follow.

She knew that from the moment Zhao Kuang agreed to Li Musheng's request, tonight there would probably only be one of the Emperor of Da Xuan and the Crown Prince of Da Xuan.

(End of this chapter)