Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu-Chapter 436 - 253: Battle of the Twin Kings · Lost

After another fierce battle, Ji Dang sat beside the pond, suddenly looking down and seeing his own reflection.

His eyes were haggard but revealed a steadfast spirit, his hair was grey with the last remaining bits of black showing signs of hardship, even split ends.

However, his reflection was now indistinct, tainted by the bloody water.

They had fought their way here, shedding much blood, yet not many lives had been lost.

It wasn’t that the fight was not fierce; rather, it was because they had no real means to overpower each other, as both were extraordinarily skilled.

Had it been other armies, even a thousand against ten thousand, Ji Dang would have easily slaughtered his way through.

But his opponent was Chen Qing, who wielded the authority over life and death—the Chen Qing with the Undying Decree.

Twenty-five hundred and ninety-four years ago.

Back then, Ji Dang was twenty-six years old.

As the most outstanding among the princes, he defeated a grandmaster at the age of twenty-four without using his spiritual powers.

If nothing unexpected occurred, he would have been the next Emperor Donghua.

Whether in civil governance or martial prowess, he surpassed all other princes.

Without any mishaps, he was granted the status of prince during his time as a prince.

His final barrier, however, was his always-sick elder Crown Prince brother.

Honestly, back then, he didn’t think highly of his brother, who was always ill, advanced slowly in cultivation, and reportedly mediocre in martial arts talent.

To him, this brother simply wasn’t a match.

But everything changed after a rainy night battle for succession.

He defeated the distinguished Ninth Prince and the fiercely intelligent Second Prince. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

His final opponent was soon to be confronted.

On the eve of the struggle for the position with the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince invited Ji Dang over. Unexpectedly, Ji Dang found the always-ailing Crown Prince wielding a halberd in the courtyard with masterful skill, impressive even to him.

During their conversation, the Crown Prince had lotus cakes served, Ji Dang’s mother’s specialty dessert.

After taking a bite, Ji Dang knew it was his mother’s handiwork.

However, the Crown Prince didn’t threaten him but rather said, "Tomorrow, I hope you will give it your all."

"Princess Consort Rong is ill. I have invited the divine physician from the Medicine King Valley to treat and take care of her; do not worry too much."

At that moment, Ji Dang knew he was defeated.

To be able to take his mother away from their father, what kind of power was that?

Moreover, he indeed had a firm grasp on Ji Dang, the only thing Ji Dang couldn’t let go of in this mortal world.

The next day, during the battle with the Crown Prince, whether distracted by this matter or genuinely less skilled, he lost.

Now he understood, if he had fought with all his strength, he might not have lost to the Crown Prince, but he wouldn’t have won by much either.

The Crown Prince truly concealed his capabilities well and was worthy of becoming the new Emperor Donghua.

Where in the world was there such a strange loser’s preservation decreed?

The strong, if they wish to win, they win; if they wish to lose, they lose.

Three days after the decisive battle, he brought his mother back.

However, a day after returning to the palace, his mother hanged herself.

Perhaps it was out of guilt towards Ji Dang, or perhaps fearing that Ji Dang being preserved by the Crown Prince’s faction would lead to retaliation.

Holding his mother’s body, he went before Emperor Donghua, "If preservation would lead to trouble, please allow your majesty to let me accompany my mother."

However, Emperor Donghua simply glanced over lightly, "This is where you are inferior to your elder brother."

"I will personally prepare for the preservation. You need not worry; your brother may have some schemes, but he is still no match for me right now."

Ji Dang stood up and walked out of the grand hall but paused at the doorway, suddenly asking, "Father, am I truly your son?"

The aged voice of Emperor Donghua came from behind, "The moment I ascended the throne, you ceased to be my son and became a prince of Da Yan."

"When has the royal family ever had familial affection?"

"Sitting on the highest throne in this world, I only feel endless loneliness."

"The moment I took the throne, everything and everyone became mere tools."

Ji Dang responded gravely, "I understand, thousands of years later, I will be even more ruthless."

At this moment, he recalled the demeanor of Li Chonghuan entering the Death Realm, and began to understand.

He was not like him.

Perhaps it seems like he is now the Alliance Hierarch, but in reality, Li Chonghuan doesn’t care about these matters at all.

Once things go wrong, Li Chonghuan will certainly be the first to leave.

Li Chonghuan has always approached this war with an attitude of playing with the mortal world, watching over the heroes of the world.

But he is different; he must win.

Ji Dang’s thoughts returned from his memories, and he cast his gaze across the river towards Chen Qing.

He had collected much intelligence on Chen Qing and knew what kind of person he was.

A son-in-law who went from Da Yan to the south, entering Xuan Bird’s faction, step by step becoming the Foundation Establishment Lord of Nanli, step by step shattering his dream of unifying the Death Realm.

In his view, Chen Qing was sometimes overly sentimental, genuinely cared for his subordinates, and saw human nature too simply, thinking that controlling someone’s family and desires could control the person.

This might work on ordinary people, but with cultivators, how many are ordinary?

Which among them hadn’t fought their way through brambles and storms?

In Ji Dang’s eyes, Chen Qing simply did not understand that the reason he had so many followers was entirely due to his renown and terrifying strength.

Yet Chen Qing still had one advantage: he was incredibly indifferent to human lives.