Eternal Life as False Emperor

I don't know when, but the middle-aged man had already started teaching the young man cultivation techniques.

Only then did the middle-aged man finally understand what his teacher meant by a prodigious talent.

In half a month, from being an ordinary person with almost no foundation, he reached the peak of Qi cultivation.

At this rate, it would take at most another half a month to break through and have cultivation equal to his own.

"Master!" The young man, who went out to buy supplies that day, suddenly ran back gasping, with a slightly panicked expression: "I killed someone, a member of the Zhao Family. I saw them acting violently on the street and acted impulsively."

The middle-aged man was shocked.

It wasn't because he blamed the young man for killing a member of the Zhao Family, but because, if he remembered correctly, this young man was only at the peak of Qi cultivation now.

Even the most useless waste of the Zhao Family, with endless resources, could reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.

There was a whole realm of difference, and when the Zhao Family went out, they certainly had competent guards and skilled eunuchs serving them.

In such a scenario, how exactly did the boy manage to kill a member of the Zhao Family?

Seeing his master's face turn pale, the young man blamed himself more: "Master, I..."

But before he could finish, the middle-aged man burst into laughter. The laughter was filled with endless sorrow, bitterness, and even a bit of pleasure: "You did well, but now our days together might not be so smooth."

The young man felt that his master seemed to be much kinder to him than before, though he didn't know if it was his imagination.

"Let's go, we should leave here first," the middle-aged man said, packing up and taking the young man away.

Western State.

The Qingshan Army camp.

Marshal Hex Chengpi was happily drinking with a group of people.

Though they appeared to be bold and boisterous, drinking heavily and eating meat without restraint, there was no hint of true gaiety, rather a sense of finality—as if this was their last meal.

Besides these leaders, the rebel soldiers were similar, offered food without limit to eat as much as they wanted.

The camp gates were still recruiting rebels.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Qingshan Army is recruiting now, with no restrictions. If you join, just put your handprint here and get a uniform, then head to the mess hall to eat," shouted a man looking like a commander.

"Join the Qingshan Army, and you'll have three meals a day as much as you can eat!"

This condition alone stirred up excitement among those looking to join the rebel army.

"General, I want to join the Qingshan Army."

"Leader, please take me. Don't be fooled by my age, even though I'm over sixty, I can definitely fight," said an elderly man struggling to raise his hand.

At his age, he should be enjoying retirement at home; entering the army would be more of a hindrance than a help.

"Old man, you..." The leader was about to refuse when the old man said, "I participated in the Weihe Army fifteen years ago."

Realizing the old man was a veteran, the leader immediately changed his mind.

The Qingshan Army, after all, was a recent uprising and lacked experience.

Having such a veteran around could provide valuable insights. Even if the old man was just a low-ranking soldier before.

To have survived the uprising fifteen years ago means he is far more experienced than any of them.

The leader immediately assigned recruitment duties to others and took the old man directly to the room where Hex Chengpi and others were feasting.

Not waiting for the guards to announce, he pushed the door open and went in: "Big brother, good news!"

Hex Chengpi, putting down his cup, said displeased: "I've told you plenty of times, you should call me General now. We're different from before; we need rules, understand?"

The reprimanded leader didn't mind, grinned, and said: "Got it, big brother, look who I brought."

Hex Chengpi and several leaders looked at the old man simultaneously.

Seeing the grey-haired, frail, and lean old man, they all sighed in disappointment.

Hex Chengpi frowned, full of disdain: "Old man, half your foot is already in the grave. Why bring him here?"

"We are rebels, fighting against the Dog Court. Though we don't mind another mouth, no one can take care of him during a battle."

"Take him to the mess, let him eat well, give him some money, and send him home."

Hearing this, the old man snorted disdainfully: "I thought Marshal Hex of the Qingshan Army was a true hero. It turns out he's just superficial. In that case, I'll take my leave."

With that, he cupped his hands towards Hex Chengpi and others and turned to leave without hesitation.

His words, however, angered others at the table.

One muscular man slammed the table, making the bowls and plates clatter: "Old man, stop. Do you think you can insult my big brother and leave unharmed today?"

As he bent down, he pulled out a two-meter-long axe with a blade the size of a grinding disc.

Seeing the brawny man, axe in hand and seething with killing intent, heading towards the old man, the leader who brought him hurriedly intervened.

"Fifth brother, calm down, don't be impulsive."

"Big brother, despite his age, this old fellow is a Weihe Army veteran and can help us a lot."

"So what?" The fifth brother with the axe was not swayed and remained aggressive.

Hex Chengpi, however, said sternly: "Fifth brother, put down the axe."

He then poured a glass of wine and personally brought it to the old man: "Senior, I failed to recognize your value. Please don't mind me."

Since entering, the old man had been observing Hex Chengpi.

Truthfully, Hex Chengpi's appearance was less than impressive; short, a bit plump, with a face of fierce demeanor and stubble, a typical bandit archetype.

Yet despite looking foolish, he was astute and had some principles.

This was evident from his previous actions.

He initially viewed the old man as useless but didn't rudely chase him away. Instead, he offered food and travel expenses.

Faced with ridicule, no matter his true thoughts, he remained calm and unbothered, showing a certain substance.

When he realized the old man's Weihe Army background might be useful, Hex Chengpi dropped all pretenses, personally offering an apology with a drink.

The old man had met another celebrated rebel leader before, who lacked this magnanimity.

He discreetly left without revealing himself.

Within three days of his departure, Zhao Family tributor experts annihilated that rebel force.

The horrific power of the Zhao Family Tributor who slaughtered the rebels left a profound impression on the old man.

"Senior, are you unwilling to forgive me?" Hex Chengpi asked when the old man responded with silence, surprisingly kneeling with one knee in apology.

The old man hurriedly supported Hex Chengpi: "General, this is unnecessary."

Hex Chengpi, obviously not intending to fully kneel, stood up with the old man's aid.

Instead of anger, the old man grew more appreciative of Hex Chengpi.

His actions revealed teachings akin to a doctrine he learned from his mentor known as the art of Thick Black Theory.

The apparent humility was a mere performance, yet for Hex Chengpi in his position, posturing was often sufficient.

For many people, downgrading oneself to maintain a posture is crucial.

"You all carry on eating; I have matters to discuss with this senior. Old Third, guard the door; let no one in without my permission."

Entering the study, Hex Chengpi, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, asked the old man: "Brother, now that it's just us, say what you have to say."