You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

"Can becoming a tyrannical ruler really make you stronger, and even give you a chance to live forever?"

Lu Zuo lay on the bed, pondering to himself, "This talent is certainly impressive, but it can't cure poison..."

"Furthermore, under the watchful eyes of these two, will I be able to learn any martial arts techniques?"

"If I could learn that..."

"Perhaps we can finally get rid of those two bastards!"

"The problem is, even if I survive their clutches, I'll still be doomed if the Sui Dynasty invades again!"

"Never mind that for now, let's find a way to become stronger and break free from this control."

"As for the rest, let's just take it one step at a time."

Perhaps due to exhaustion from the poison, Lu Zuo thought for a while and then unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up the next day, Li Chengan was already sitting in a chair waiting for him, holding a stack of books.

……

In the following days, Lu Zuo followed Li Cheng'an to imitate Chen Shubao's mannerisms, speech patterns, and habitual expressions, and studied the classics, histories, philosophical works, and other literary collections.

On the ninth day, Li Cheng'an gave him something that made his heart flutter... a martial arts manual!

"This 'Imperial Path Ultimate Scripture' is a supreme treasure that only the emperors of our Great Chen Dynasty can cultivate."

"Although we only have a fragment here, it's enough for you to fool others."

"Turn around."

Lu Zuo nodded and did as he was told, turning his back to Li Cheng'an.

He took a deep breath, stretched out his hands, placed them on Lu Zuo's back, and slowly poured in his true energy.

In an instant, Lu Zuo felt two streams of scorching air rush into his back and surge into his meridians.

An intense, excruciating pain struck him instantly, tearing his heart apart and causing his muscles to tremble.

It's as if...

His own flesh and blood were being torn apart and crushed inch by inch by this domineering force.

He wanted to shout, but couldn't; he wanted to move, but couldn't; he could only sit there, enduring the pain...

As time slowly passed, my feelings gradually changed.

The scorching, domineering power actually had a gentle, warm feel to it.

It made Lu Zuo feel as if he were soaking in a hot spring, with his limbs and bones feeling warm and comfortable.

"call……"

After a short while, Li Chengan withdrew his hands and said, "Alright, this old servant has opened up the eight extraordinary meridians and twelve regular meridians for Your Majesty."

"When Your Majesty cultivates the Imperial Path Ultimate Scripture, the first level can be completed very quickly."

"Make preparations. We will set off for Jiankang tomorrow. Your Majesty should seize the opportunity to cultivate diligently on the way and make sure to complete your training before returning to the capital."

After a pause, Li Cheng'an continued, "From this day forward, Your Majesty must act as I have instructed you these past few days, whether in public or in private, and must not give yourself away in the slightest."

Lu Zuo nodded: "I understand. You may leave."

Heh, not bad, not bad...

Li Chengan smiled with satisfaction, bowed deeply, slowly took a few steps back, and then turned and left.

……

After he left, Lu Zuo eagerly opened the book and looked down at it.

"The Emperor awakens, his Qi gathers in his Purple Palace, his will sinks into his Dantian, like a cauldron protecting the nation, his breath rising and falling like the tides..."

After a moment, Lu Zuo closed the book and muttered to himself, "This martial art inherits the characteristics of the Huang school of martial arts, possessing both internal martial arts techniques and the profound mysteries of spiritual martial arts."

"The first level, 'Imperial Majesty Like a Mountain,' is a method of releasing mental pressure that makes people tremble with fear."

"No wonder that old man insisted that I master the first level..."

"But a single fragment is far from enough to solve my predicament. Where can I get the complete book?"

"Or I could find some other techniques that would make me stronger."

All the suffering in this world stems from a lack of strength.

As long as you have enough strength, you can turn the tide against all odds!

"well……"

After thinking for a moment, he sighed softly, "Let's master the first level first."

He sat cross-legged and, following the method of cultivation described in the mental manual, circulated the cool energy that had arisen in his dantian after his meridians were opened.

At first, that wisp of true energy was like a startled fish, wandering aimlessly through the meridians, difficult to catch.

But after Lu Zuo patiently focused his mind and used his will to guide the flow of energy, it slowly began to flow along the path of the cultivation technique.

He calmed his mind and gradually forgot everything around him, and could no longer hear the sounds around him.

Focus all your thoughts on the flow of your inner energy.

……

If you have something to say, say it at length; if you don't, say it briefly.

Time flew by, and the next morning arrived.

"call……"

After cultivating for a full day and night, Lu Zuo slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a light breath, and stood up from the bed.

At this moment, he could clearly sense a calm, restrained yet burgeoning power within him!

Although this power was still very small, it brought a glimmer of hope to Lu Zuo, who was in the name of an emperor but was actually at the mercy of others and was suffering from a deadly poison!

"Power, is this the power of martial arts?"

"It's not only miraculous and comfortable, but it also gives you a real sense of being reborn."

Get stronger!

We must become stronger at all costs!

"Your Majesty, the carriages and horses are ready; it is time to depart."

Suddenly, Li Cheng'an's voice came from outside the door.

"understood."

Lu Zuo straightened his clothes, picked up the "Imperial Path Ultimate Scripture," and slowly walked out of the room to the courtyard.

Li Chengan, Shi Wenqing, and more than a dozen members of the Black-Clad Guards were already waiting in the courtyard.

Seeing Lu Zuo walk out, Shi Wenqing was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself, "His demeanor and bearing already have a bit of an imperial air about him."

"Eunuch Li is indeed remarkable..."

"In just ten short days, a poor boy has undergone a complete transformation?"

Lu Zuo glanced at everyone and said, "Let's go."

……

For some time afterward, Lu Zuo spent his days cultivating the Imperial Path Scripture in the carriage and his nights listening to Li Cheng'an and Shi Wenqing recount the general situation of the Southern Chen Dynasty and the current state of the world.

I learned from the two of them that this world was much more complicated than I had imagined.

For example, there are many martial arts forces in the world that are no less powerful than Cihang Jingzhai, Jingnian Chanyuan, Yin Gui Sect, and Huajian Sect.

And many martial arts masters whose strength is even above that of Song Que, one of the three grandmasters of Tian Dao.

……

half a month later.

Lu Zuo finally arrived at Jiankang, the capital of Southern Chen!

He sat in the carriage, gazing at the magnificent city before him, thinking to himself, "Finally, I can activate the talent of a tyrannical and incompetent ruler..."