#535 - Do me one last favor.

The moment Xu Ming stepped into the Imperial Study, he saw a middle-aged man with white hair.

The words "white hair" and "middle-aged man" probably shouldn't appear on the same person.

But that was the reality.

The reason for the full head of white hair was simply because the Martial Emperor's lifespan was running out.

However, because he carried the destiny of the nation, the Martial Emperor's face did not appear very old, and there was no difference from before.

But this middle-aged man with white hair gave people an even stronger sense of oppression than before.

All of this pressure came from the national destiny of the Wu Kingdom.

If those Ascension Realm cultivators were to enter the palace again now, the Martial Emperor could easily kill them.

"Your subject, Xu Ming, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Xu Ming walked to the Martial Emperor and bowed deeply.

The Martial Emperor raised his head, looked at Xu Ming, and smiled, "So, Minister Xu has arrived."

"Minister Xu, there's no need to be polite. Just sit down. Let's treat this as a casual chat between elders and juniors."

The Martial Emperor's voice sounded very gentle.

"Yes," Xu Ming stood up and sat on the chair next to the Imperial Study.

"How is His Majesty's health?" Xu Ming asked.

The Martial Emperor smiled: "It's alright, at least I can live for another five or six years. If I'm lucky, I can live for eight years. These years are enough for me to do some things."

"…" Xu Ming didn't know how to respond.

Looking at the Martial Emperor's appearance, a sense of sadness for a hero in his twilight years arose in Xu Ming's heart.

How fortunate was the Wu Kingdom to have such a Prime Minister, and also to have such an Emperor.

But how sad was the Wu Kingdom?

After that Prime Minister who wholeheartedly served the people left this world, the Martial Emperor would follow suit in a few years.

"There's no need to feel sad for me. I'm already almost 50 years old, and I'm content to be able to live a few more years."

The Martial Emperor smiled, his mentality appearing extremely open-minded.

"Previously, Mo Chi said something to me: 'Death is inevitable for everyone, it can be heavier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather.'

At the time, I just felt that what Mo Chi said made sense.

But now, thinking back again, I have a deeper understanding of this sentence, and Mo Chi has been practicing this sentence throughout his life.

Many things, as long as they are done, are not in vain to come to this world. Many things, ah, if they are not done, what if you live longer?"

Xu Ming bowed and said sincerely and respectfully, "Your subject is taught by Your Majesty."

"Cough cough cough…" The Martial Emperor took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and looked at Xu Ming with a kind expression, "Let's not talk about these things. I think you must have many questions in your heart. Just ask, today, no matter what it is, I will answer you."

Xu Ming raised his head and looked directly into the Martial Emperor's eyes. The Martial Emperor just wore a smile, and that kind of frankness didn't seem to have any scheming.

In fact, the so-called scheming, the so-called tactics, are entirely because the strength is not enough, and that's why other things are used to supplement it. In reality, it's a manifestation of a lack of security.

But now, the Martial Emperor is already an emperor for the ages.

Whether it's the Martial Emperor's prestige, or the strength of the Wu Kingdom's national destiny, it makes it unnecessary for the Martial Emperor to engage in any conspiracies.

The current Martial Emperor is the heaven of the Wu Kingdom, and all conspiracies are unnecessary for the Martial Emperor.

Moreover, in the previous great battle in the palace, many fence-sitting officials were all eliminated.

The current Wu Kingdom can truly be said to have been established after destruction.

It's just a pity that Prime Minister Xiao passed away.

"Did Your Majesty and Mr. Xiao plan this long ago?" Xu Ming asked.

"Yes."

The Martial Emperor nodded, his tone carrying regret for his good friend.

"When Mo Chi was studying at White Deer Academy, he once found me. At that time, he made everything clear to me. Mo Chi's behavior back then was almost a gamble.

But Mo Chi gambled correctly, because I also really disliked those sects.

After that, Mo Chi returned from White Deer Academy and served as Prime Minister. All the reforms he made undoubtedly strengthened the national destiny of the Wu Kingdom, preparing for that day.

Otherwise, if the Wu Kingdom's national destiny was not enough, Mo Chi would not have been able to achieve his goal even if he was in the Confucian Saint Realm.

Not to mention that Mo Chi was not in the Confucian Saint Realm at the time.

Mo Chi entered the Confucian Saint Realm three years ago.

After Mo Chi entered the Confucian Saint Realm, in order to cover for Mo Chi and paralyze the court and the people of the world, I pretended to be wary of Mo Chi, as if I was at odds with Mo Chi, but in reality, we both knew exactly what the other wanted to do."

Xu Ming nodded.

What the Martial Emperor said was actually almost the same as what Xu Ming had been thinking about in the courtyard these past few days.

There were also many spies from the sects in the court.

If the Martial Emperor and Mr. Xiao had always had a very good relationship, everyone would be wary, but appropriately expressing contradictions could paralyze the other party.

"Then, what will Your Majesty do in the future?"

The current Wu Kingdom is already a brand-new Wu Kingdom, and the Martial Emperor still has a few years to set the tone for this brand-new Wu Kingdom.

The Martial Emperor smiled: "Mo Chi and I didn't just think about guarding this one-third of an acre of land. It won't be long before the Wu Kingdom will expand its territory.

As for where the Wu Kingdom's territory will eventually include, I don't know.

But what can be imagined is that the other human dynasties are now very afraid of our Wu Kingdom, and may already be discussing joining forces.

But before that, I have to establish the position of Crown Prince first."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Xu Ming knew what the Martial Emperor was talking about.

The Martial Emperor only had one biological child. At this time, establishing a Crown Prince meant…

"That's right, it's Yan Han." The Martial Emperor nodded, "Previously, I still needed to lay the groundwork step by step, slowly, but after this matter is done, no one will dare to oppose me anymore. Yan Han will be the next ruler of the Wu Kingdom!"

"Xu Ming, I know that you still have many things to do, and I also know that you and Yan Han have gone through life and death together. Although you are not husband and wife, you are already better than husband and wife.

I won't force you to stay in the Wu Kingdom. You have already done a lot for the Wu Kingdom.

But, Xu Ming, can you promise me one thing?"

"Your Majesty is too kind. If it is something that your subject can do, your subject will definitely do his best and die without regret!" Xu Ming stood up and said to the Martial Emperor.

The Martial Emperor nodded:

"Yan Han is also a very stubborn person.

If one day, after I am gone, Yan Han faces a time of life and death, I hope you can keep her safe."