Chapter 23: The Maze of Labyrinthine Waters Revisited

  There was indeed a murderous intention, and Li Xian would not deny it. Considering Ming Chongyan's various outrageous behaviors in his past life, Li Xian had indeed harbored a desire to kill him. However, as for how to take action, Li Xian still didn't have a clear plan, and it was just a fleeting thought that hadn't been thoroughly considered. Yet, this hidden idea was unexpectedly exposed by Li Shunfeng in one sentence. Even someone as cunning as Li Xian was startled, his hand trembling so much that the tea water spilled all over the table.

  "Oh no, scalding water! Little Wang has lost his grip! Hai Han, Hai Han!"

  No matter what the reason, killing someone is never a good thing. It's not something to be told to outsiders, let alone Li Feng, who was just an acquaintance. Even if it were his closest confidant, he couldn't say anything. So, although Li Xian's heart was in a flurry, he absolutely refused to admit it and instead pretended to have burned his hand, letting out a hiss of pain.

  "Your Highness knows it's hot, and yet you're taking your time?"

  Li Xian's move was indeed too obvious, and Li Chunfeng, being a seasoned veteran, would not have failed to notice it. However, instead of pointing it out directly, he responded with a double-edged sentence.

  "Of course, of course, Mrs. Li's tea is good, Little Wang was just being greedy for a moment, haha, let Mrs. Li see the joke, ah, right, Little Wang saw an extremely dazzling light in the backyard earlier, was it Mrs. Li and Ming Chongyan competing in swordsmanship?" Li Xian didn't want to discuss the issue of killing or not anymore, so he agreed with a few sentences and quickly changed the subject.

  "It's indeed the case, that young Master Ming is quite accomplished despite his tender years. In my time at his age, I wasn't even half as capable as he is now. Truly a formidable younger generation!" Li Chunfeng replied with a sigh, stroking his white beard.

  "Li Taishi is too humble, who under the sky doesn't know that Li Taishi not only understands astronomy and yin-yang, but also swordsmanship is the best in the world. I, Xiao Wang, have admired him for a long time." After flattering Li Chunfeng for a while, he suddenly knelt up straight, cupped his hands together in respect and said: "I, Xiao Wang, have always been weak and frail, knowing that my talent is mediocre, but my intention to learn from you is sincere. Today I came here without an invitation, it's because I want to become a disciple of Li Taishi and learn some swordsmanship, also to strengthen my body and health. I hope Li Taishi can fulfill my ardent wish."

  Li Xian's words made his intentions clear, and Li Chunfeng immediately fell silent, not uttering a word for a long time. He stroked his beard, deep in thought, making Li Xian anxious but unable to speak up. All he could do was stare at Li Chunfeng with eyes full of expectation.

  "The way of the sword is a minor path, and while it can be used to maintain one's health, it is not the true way. If Your Highness wishes to learn, I have no objections, but this old man is not worthy of being your teacher." Li Xuan had hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up, but his words were like a basin of cold water poured over his head, causing Li Xian to feel extremely disappointed and disheartened.

  "Li Taishi has spoken, and I dare not force it. Perhaps the fate is not yet arrived. Let me temporarily retreat, and I will come again another day to ask for guidance." Li Xian saw that Li Chun had politely declined his request, although he was disappointed, he did not dare to lose his manners, and with a bitter smile, he decided to take his leave and go.

  "Your Highness, please wait." Li Chunfeng saw Li Xian making a move to leave and hurriedly raised his hand, saying: "It's not that I'm hiding anything, but it's just that I have the heart but not the strength. To be honest with you, Your Highness, I've already prepared my resignation letter and will submit it after the new year. My remaining years are few, if this delays your affairs, it would be bad."

  "This...” In his past life, Li Xian had never paid attention to Li Chunfeng as a person, so he couldn't recall which year Li Chunfeng had passed away. At this moment, upon hearing that Li Chunfeng wasn't speaking politely, he was taken aback and for a while didn't know how to respond properly.

  "The way of the old man is not compatible with yours, Your Highness. If you are determined to pursue martial arts, there is one person in the court who can be your good teacher." Li Chunfeng saw that Li Xian was stunned for a long time and couldn't say anything, so he smiled slightly and spoke up to remind him.

  "Oh? Please enlighten me, Lady Li."

  Li Xian's intention to learn martial arts was actually more about showing the world that he had abandoned his literary pursuits for a military career, in order to prove that he had no interest in the throne. As for becoming Li Chunfeng's disciple, it was simply because if he had to choose a master, he might as well choose the strongest one, and while pretending to be serious about learning, he could also pick up some skills along the way. It wasn't that he necessarily had to learn swordsmanship. When he heard that Li Chunfeng wanted to recommend a good teacher to him, Li Xian immediately became interested and hastily asked questions.

  "Zuo Xiwei and Zuo Sijie Li Boyao can be a good teacher for you." Facing Li Xian's inquiry, Li Chunfeng smiled and replied.

  "Huh?"

  Upon hearing this unfamiliar name, Li Xian was taken aback - at that time, although many famous Tang generals had fallen, there were still prominent figures like Li Jing, Su Dingfang, Cheng Zhijie, and Xue Rengui alive. If Li Chunfeng's suggestion referred to one of these individuals, Li Xian would not have been surprised in the least, nor would he have followed through with it. The reason was simple: these were high-ranking officials at court, and given Li Xian's status as a prince, unless the emperor himself issued an edict, it was impossible for these dignitaries to accept a prince as their disciple. Of course, Li Xian himself could not possibly do such a thing either. However, if he really could apprentice under one of these famous generals, Li Xian would be more than happy - unfortunately, circumstances did not permit such a possibility. This did not mean that Li Xian was willing to randomly find a master, after all, who would want to find an incompetent person to guide them?

  Li Chunfeng smiled slightly and said, "Although Li Zicheng's official position is low, he indeed has real talent and learning. His father was the craftsman Li Dexian."

  "After Wei Gong? So it was, just... just, well, never mind. Little Wang can go try his luck too." As soon as Li Chunfeng spoke, Li Xian immediately came to his senses and realized that Li Bohao was actually the grandson of the famous general Li Jing. Thinking back to Li Jing's incredible military strategies, he felt a surge in his heart, but he knew that this matter wouldn't be easy to accomplish. This was because many members of the Li family were serving in the imperial court, and their family rules were very strict, rarely interacting with officials privately, let alone participating in the struggle for imperial power. This was a rule set by Li Jing himself - whether it was the Xuanwu Gate Incident or the later struggles between Prince of Wei Li Tai and Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Li Jing had always maintained a neutral attitude, and his descendants generally followed suit. It was clear that it wouldn't be easy for Li Xian to join the Li family.

  "Every sip and every drink has a fixed number, reversing heaven and changing fate is possible, but once the fixed number is changed, variables are born, and prosperity and decline are difficult to predict!" Li Xian was just worried about the matter of worshiping the teacher, while on the other hand, Li Chunfeng suddenly sighed with emotion.

  What? This old man really saw through it? Damn! Ah, right, that Ming Chongyan from before seemed to have doubts about this too. Could it be that the word "rebirth" is really written on my face? Rebirth is Li Xian's biggest secret in his heart, he never dared to speak of it to anyone. At this moment, upon hearing Li Feng's emotional words, which hinted at a change in himself, Li Xian was shocked, and although his face still managed to maintain its composure, the sweat on his forehead couldn't help but seep out.

  "What does Mr. Li mean by this, is there something wrong with Xiaowang's body?" Li Xian was indeed a seasoned person, although he was shocked in his heart, but on the surface, he didn't seem too flustered, and with a covering smile, he deliberately brought up the topic to ask.

  "It's unexpected, but whether it's auspicious or not is not for me to say." Li Chunfeng didn't hide anything and stroked his long beard: "I slightly understand yin and yang. Following the heavens may be possible, but going against fate is difficult. Your Highness' forehead is wide and full, originally a sign of great nobility, but because there's a horizontal line between your eyebrows, it belongs to a bitter and difficult appearance. You must have gone through many trials in past lives. Now, a new vertical dark line has appeared, which should indicate war, whether it's auspicious or not is hard to predict. I'm incompetent, can't make a judgment, and don't dare speak rashly."

  What's the point of divination? I'd rather rely on myself than heaven! Li Xian was no longer the timid and cowardly person he used to be. Facing an unpredictable fate, he had no intention of drifting with the tide or resigning himself to his circumstances. When faced with Li Chunfeng's ominous criticism, Li Xian not only remained calm but also felt a surge of heroic spirit. He sat up straight, gritted his teeth, and burst out laughing, his laughter filled with passion and defiance.

  "Your Highness's heroic spirit, I am deeply moved. Unfortunately, my old age is almost at an end, and I fear that I will not be able to see Your Highness's majestic appearance as you calm the turbulent waters. Alas, what a pity! "

  Li Xian burst out laughing, but didn't say a word. However, Li Chunfeng seemed to have understood the nuances of his laughter, and after a sigh, he stretched out his hand and produced a small box from nowhere. He got up, bowed, and presented it to Li Xian with both hands.

  "Li Taishi, this is..." Li Xian burst out laughing and just finished speaking when he suddenly saw Li Chunfeng presenting a small box. He was taken aback and didn't immediately reach out to take it, instead asking in puzzlement:

  "Your Highness needn't worry, this box is sealed. If someone comes with the key to see you in the future, it will definitely be opened." Li Chunfeng left behind a suspense rather than a famous quote.

  "Cháng yǒu cuì, bù gǎn cí, Lǐ tài shǐ měi yì, Xiǎo Wáng shēng shòu le." Lǐ Xiǎn xīn sī zhuàn dé fēi kuài, rèn dìng Lǐ Chún Fēng duì zì jǐ dàng wú è yì, zì yě jiù bù zài jǐn chí, shēn chū shuāng shǒu jiē guò le xiǎo xiàng zǐ, shèn zhòng dì pén zhe, hěn shì gōng jìng dì huí le yī jù dào.

  "This is very good." Li Chunfeng saw Li Xian take over the small box, his face immediately relaxed as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden, nodded and said: "Your Highness, remember that things are born from the heart, but only by being upright and righteous can one's heart be tied to the people, and there will be no place where one cannot benefit. The old man has finished speaking, Your Highness should go now."

  "Thank you, Mr. Li, for your guidance. It's getting late, I'll take my leave." Li Xian was a sensible person, and although he still had countless doubts in his mind, when he heard Li Shunfeng give the order to see him off, he didn't want to lose face either. So he stood up with the small box, bowed slightly, and bid farewell.

  "Your Highness, farewell. I won't see you off. If there's great danger in the future, remember to head north." Li Chunfeng didn't detain Li Xian, but as they turned around the screen, he suddenly spoke up and reminded him of this.

  What's wrong? Going north? Li Xian was taken aback by these words, and he couldn't help but be stunned. He looked at Li Chunfeng with a puzzled expression, opened his mouth to ask, but for a moment, he didn't know where to start asking.

  "Yu Jia, take the old man to the main hall." Li Chunfeng obviously didn't want to give Li Xian a chance to ask questions. Without waiting for Li Xian to open his mouth, he raised his voice and shouted, then bowed to Li Xian with his hands clasped together, turned around and went back into the house.

  "Your Highness, please." Before Li Xian could react, the little servant had already run up and made a "please" gesture with his hand, as if to see him out.

  "Thanks for your trouble." As things had come to this, Li Xian saw that he could no longer get an explanation from Li Chunfeng and didn't want to force the issue either. He could only shrug his shoulders in frustration and leave the Li residence with Yu Jizi by his side. Although his footsteps were as steady as ever, the confusion in his mind had increased countless times compared to when he arrived...