Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 534 There are three ways to achieve immortality.
"Brother, are you going to tell us the secret to your longevity of 120 years?" Suddenly, the eldest prince among the princes, the King of Luzon, asked Emperor Longwu with eager eyes.

After all, the King of Luzon was arguably the oldest person present besides the Dragon Emperor! With such an opportunity before him, how could he possibly let it slip by?!
Upon hearing the King of Luzon's words, countless princes present turned their fiery gazes towards Emperor Longwu. The longing in their eyes was as intense as the blazing sun!

"You could say that!" Emperor Longwu responded noncommittally after a brief silence to his brother, the King of Luzon. His words further heightened the atmosphere in the ancestral temple.

"However, I will tell you all this, but how much you can understand is up to your own fate!" Looking at his younger siblings and the burning gazes of his sons.

Emperor Longwu knew that after he had become younger for a time, the credibility of what he was about to say had been greatly enhanced!

However, this is exactly the effect that Emperor Longwu wanted to achieve!

"Please, Your Majesty, grant me the secret to immortality!"

"Please, Father Emperor, bestow upon us the secret to immortality!" In an instant, the princes in the Imperial Ancestral Temple went from sitting on prayer mats to kneeling on them. The scene was filled with clamor, everyone yearning for the secret to immortality held by the Dragon Emperor!

"Don't rush, don't rush, just listen." Looking at the anxious crowd in the ancestral temple, Emperor Longwu remained calm.

"Father, for the prosperity of our Dragon Kingdom and all the vassal states, and for the smooth implementation of the Spark Project, please forgive your son for lying before our ancestors today!" After glancing slightly at the memorial tablet symbolizing Emperor Zhuang, Zhu Gaoxu, on the altar behind him, Emperor Longwu sighed silently in his heart.

Then, Emperor Longwu turned his gaze to his son, Emperor Xixiang, who was standing beside him, as well as his younger brothers, sisters, and sons kneeling before him, and began to speak.

"Since ancient times, there have been three methods to achieve immortality!" Emperor Longwu said calmly to his younger siblings and sons.

However, Emperor Longwu's extremely calm words immediately ignited the atmosphere at the scene!

Countless princes were frantically thinking: three methods to achieve immortality—wouldn't that greatly increase their chances of becoming immortal?!
Looking at the princes who seemed to be fully engaged, Emperor Longwu revealed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes before speaking.

There are three methods to achieve immortality:
Firstly: Self-realization!

The second one: Investiture of the Gods!

Thirdly: The starry sky! "Emperor Longwu spoke as if it were an ordinary conversation, using an extremely calm tone to describe his expectations for the future Dragon Kingdom and the fiefdoms of his future descendants!
Similarly, this is also the method of achieving immortality that all the princes desire!
"Gurgle~ gurgle~" For a moment, the sound of gurgling saliva filled the Imperial Ancestral Temple! The princes seemed to want to speak, but dared not speak, which was quite amusing.

The way to immortality: to realize it in a day.

As the name suggests, this method relies entirely on one's own understanding and enlightenment!

The Taoist scriptures say: The human body contains a great medicine; if one understands it, one can become an immortal!

If you want to practice this method, it all depends on what you comprehend yourself!

After all, a thousand people cultivate a thousand paths; what one understands is what one understands, and what one doesn't understand is what one doesn't understand!

This method can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words.

"This is the first method to achieve immortality!" Emperor Longwu finished explaining the first path to immortality he had summarized in just a few words.

But after Emperor Longwu finished speaking, countless princes felt their minds go completely blank! They looked at each other, not understanding a thing! Perhaps sensing their confusion, Emperor Longwu did not continue speaking.

"Brother, you're making it sound too simple!" After exchanging glances, the King of Luzon couldn't contain himself any longer and cautiously spoke to Emperor Longwu.

It wasn't that the King of Luzon was being picky; it's just that he didn't understand anything at all!

"Third brother, the greatest truths are the simplest, and this first method of achieving immortality is just that simple."

"It's purely based on experience; if you can't figure it out, there's really nothing you can do!" Looking at the princes scratching their heads, Emperor Longwu spread his hands and said helplessly.

"Father, do you have any hints for us?" At this moment, Emperor Xixiang, who was sitting next to Emperor Longwu, also spoke with an embarrassed expression.

Originally, Emperor Xixiang wanted to maintain his imperial demeanor, but his father, Emperor Longwu's explanation was too simplistic, and he didn't understand it either. So, Emperor Xixiang had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask for clarification. "No hints, purely self-taught!" Seeing his son's puzzled look, Emperor Longwu sighed and gently shook his head.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the Imperial Ancestral Temple became somewhat awkward. After all, the method for achieving immortality existed, but they couldn't understand it!

"Although there was no hint, it is somewhat related to another school of thought among the Hundred Schools of Thought!" Looking at the princes frowning in thought, a strange expression flashed through Emperor Longwu's mind.

"Please enlighten us, Father!" The princes, who had initially given up hope, had their hopes rekindled upon hearing this.

"The method of self-enlightenment is to tap into the potential within each person in order to achieve longevity."

This path is somewhat related to the medical school among the various schools of thought during the Hundred Schools of Thought period.

If one can master medicine, whether it be internal medicine or other surgical techniques, the ultimate goal is the same.

If medicine can be promoted and developed, it will provide some inspiration and help for those seeking to achieve longevity.

Although the help is limited, it's still better than relying solely on one's own understanding. Emperor Longwu casually linked the first method of longevity with medicine.

Emperor Longwu believed that with the power of the princes at hand, they would surely achieve significant breakthroughs in medicine in the future!

Every breakthrough in medicine is a great thing that benefits everyone!
Seeing the princes lost in thought once again, Emperor Longwu spoke again.

"The Way to Immortality: The Second is the Conferment of Godhood."

Historical records state that in the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, appointed his general Ji Xin as the City God, thus pioneering the practice of emperors bestowing titles upon deities.

I do not know if anyone in history has ever been granted immortality.

But being deified after death is another form of immortality, isn't it?

Leaving aside Ji Xin, let's talk about my Dragon Kingdom. I personally bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Longhe, and he enjoys the sacrifices of all the people along the entire Longhe River!

A hundred years, a thousand years from now, we may all turn to dust and be forgotten, but this Lord Longhe will still sit on the altar, looking down on all living beings and enjoying the incense offerings of the people.

"Wouldn't this be another way to achieve immortality?" Emperor Longwu said to himself, referring to the second method of achieving immortality: the conferment of divine titles and the attainment of immortality!

Seeing the group of princes who looked disgusted and hesitated to speak, Emperor Longwu ignored them and continued to speak.

"Throughout history, the conferment of titles upon gods has always been an affirmation of those who have made significant contributions to the world!"

Confucianism worships Confucius; Taoism worships Laozi; Buddhism worships Buddha. All three are founders of the same lineage and have made great contributions to the world. They deserve the worship of all people.

The Longhe Gong repaired the river, benefiting all people, and deserves the worship of all beings.

Therefore, only those who have made great contributions to the court and the people can be granted the title of god and enjoy this way of immortality.

Just like the countless loyal ministers in the Dragon Scale Pavilion, their achievements are outstanding and will surely be admired by future generations. Whenever later generations look at them, they will praise them highly. How can this not be considered another form of immortality? After all, they will live forever in the hearts of the people.

Or perhaps, even the Empress Dowager of my Dragon Kingdom could be deified.

"You've probably heard that some women in the court and the countryside secretly pray to the Empress Dowager if they want to marry into a good family!" Emperor Longwu softly described the conditions for the conferment of immortality and deification. He even used his own wife, Lady Xia, as an example to illustrate his point.

However, judging from the pouting expressions of the princes, it was clear that they weren't very interested in Emperor Longwu's talk of bestowing divine titles and granting immortality. Only Emperor Xixiang, Zhu Qiyu, kept firmly in mind what his father, Emperor Longwu, had said about being able to bestow divine titles upon his mother, Lady Xia.

(End of this chapter)