Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 289 - Then Why Did You Come Looking for Me?

“Clang!”

Xu Ming turned around and struck with his sword. As the blades clashed in the night, sparks burst into the air. His opponent was sent flying several meters backward.

By the time the masked man steadied himself, Xu Ming’s sword was already at his brow.

The masked man twisted his head, narrowly dodging the strike, and sent a palm strike toward Xu Ming.

Xu Ming met it with a punch. Fist and palm collided, and both were thrown backward.

Xu Ming narrowed his eyes, studying the man before him.

The ordinary iron-forged sword in his hand now had a visible notch in the blade. While this sword was decent for a common weapon, it was still not enough.

But against this man, Xu Ming was confident. Even with a mere mortal blade, he could still kill him.

The masked man stared intently at Xu Ming.

From his eyes, Xu Ming could see excitement.

To be honest, Xu Ming found this man’s mentality somewhat twisted—almost like a masochist.

“Young Master Xu, excellent swordsmanship.” The masked man’s voice carried a thrill of excitement, though Xu Ming had no idea what he was so worked up about.

Xu Ming frowned. “Who are you? How dare you attack the Xu residence at night?”

The strike earlier had no killing intent. In fact, it felt restrained—almost as if he was testing Xu Ming.

Because of that, Xu Ming had also held back. Otherwise, this man’s head would already be rolling on the ground.

But that raised a question.

Who was this man? And why was he testing him?

“Young Master Xu, have you heard of Prince Shan?” the masked man asked.

Xu Ming’s eyes darkened. “Do you realize what those two words represent?”

How could he not know?

The lowly status of concubine-born sons was largely due to the infamous struggle of the Nine Princes for the throne. And among them, Prince Shan had been the most revered and influential.

Back then, Prince Shan commanded the greatest reputation and the strongest forces.

Yet, somehow, Prince Chen had managed to seize the throne from him. The result? Prince Shan’s entire lineage was eradicated.

Although a century had passed and the event had faded into history, the current Emperor of Wu was a wise and well-loved ruler. The people supported him wholeheartedly.

However, the name “Prince Shan” remained sensitive—too sensitive.

“Hahaha! How could anyone from the Wu Kingdom not understand the weight of those words?”

Beneath the mask, the man’s eyes were as sharp as blades.

“This kingdom—this throne—should have belonged to Prince Shan! The man sitting on it now is nothing but a usurper!”

Xu Ming let out a cold chuckle. “Victory makes a king, defeat makes a rebel. He lost. He should have accepted reality.”

By now, Xu Ming had a pretty good idea of who this man was.

Prince Shan was dead.

But it was well known that, in life, he had been extraordinarily charismatic. Many of his followers had pledged their lives to him.

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Especially in Xiliang Province—his former fief—where even after a hundred years, the people still revered him.

The famed Xiliang Cavalry he had once commanded had long been disbanded and reassigned across the kingdom’s military forces.

But some of them, no doubt, had never truly sworn loyalty to the Wu royal family.

That said, so much time had passed. Whatever remnants remained, they were no longer a real threat.

And this man before him? He was one of Prince Shan’s loyalists.

Frankly, Xu Ming had some respect for them.

If Prince Shan were still alive, fighting for his return to the throne might be understandable.

But the man was long dead. His body was buried in the ground, probably already reincarnated by now.

Yet these people still refused to give up.

“A fine saying—’Victory makes a king, defeat makes a rebel’.”

The masked man exhaled deeply, his gaze burning with intensity.

“Yes, we lost. A century ago, we admitted defeat.

But we do not accept this outcome.

We will take back everything that rightfully belongs to Prince Shan’s lineage!”

‘Madman.’

That was the conclusion Xu Ming reached about the masked man. His state of mind had already crossed into obsession.

“So, what exactly do you want from me?” Xu Ming asked.

“We wish to invite Young Master Xu to join us!” The masked man finally revealed his true intentions.

“Huh?”

Xu Ming was momentarily stunned, wondering if he had misheard.

“Wait, why on earth would you think I would join you?”

He was genuinely baffled—so much so that he found the whole situation somewhat amusing.

Brother, let’s be real here.

I won’t say my life is at its absolute peak, but it’s definitely smooth sailing under clear skies.

In the Xu household, I can do whatever I please, and no one dares to say a word against me.

In the eyes of the court, I’m the Emperor’s favored minister.

Had I not refused the marriage, I would already be the husband of the Emperor’s only daughter. My future children would undoubtedly sit on the throne of Wu.

Let’s not even mention that I have zero interest in politics.

But even if I did—what do you guys have to offer me? What could you possibly give me?

The masked man frowned. “I know Young Master Xu is currently favored by Wu Li (the Emperor’s given name), but he is not the one destined by fate. You are both talented in governance and skilled in martial arts—why aid a tyrant? Why not join us and build a new empire together?”

Xu Ming sneered. “If the Emperor were a corrupt and incompetent ruler, if the people were starving in the streets, then maybe—maybe—I’d consider your words.

But after traveling across the land for a year, I’ve seen the state of the nation. It may not be as pristine as freshly fallen snow, but it’s still better than most dynasties.

The people grumble about the government, sure—but their praises outweigh their complaints.

Barring any unexpected disasters, this Emperor will be remembered in history as a wise ruler.

So tell me—why should I join you?

To throw the Wu Kingdom into chaos? To make its people suffer, lose their homes, and become refugees?

All just to fulfill your one-sided obsession and plunge the nation into war?”

There was one more thing Xu Ming didn’t say out loud.

My ‘best friend’ might very well be the future Empress. The Emperor is already making preparations for her succession.

And you want me to betray my ‘sworn sister’?

The masked man sighed deeply, shaking his head. “Hearing you say this, I must admit—I am greatly disappointed.”

Xu Ming chuckled. “If you came to recruit me, then you’ve miscalculated.

On the contrary, if you rebel, I will personally put down the insurrection.

In fact, I could capture you right now and send you straight to the palace.

But out of respect for your loyalty and devotion, I’ll let you go this time.

If we meet again—don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

The masked man gave Xu Ming a long, deep look. Without another word, he turned and vanished into the night.

“What a ridiculous situation.”

Xu Ming watched him disappear, shook his head, and turned back toward his room.

Out of nowhere, a Prince Shan loyalist tries to recruit me?

Are they insane?

...Wait.

Something didn’t feel right.

If they’re not insane—if they knew there was no way I would join them—then why did they approach me in the first place?