My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 29: Immortal or Fraud?

The emperor of Chu Kingdom, Xiang Ying, was under forty years old and had been ruling for merely five years.

For a ruler just gaining full control of his court, this age was ideal—brimming with energy and ambition.

Thus, Xiang Ying was obsessed with power, involving himself in every matter, big or small, across the kingdom.

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A National Treasure—Detailed Plan for Promoting Football Lottery!

When Xiang Ying saw these words on the memorial, he frowned slightly. He understood each word individually, but combined, their meaning eluded him.

Still, Wei Mingze was a high-ranking official, so Xiang Ying patiently continued reading.

At first glance, he thought Wei Mingze’s ideas were whimsical, even childish. However, before long, he became engrossed, his breathing unconsciously becoming lighter.

Wei Mingze didn’t simply copy Li Ye’s data. Instead, he added his own insights, tailored to the unique circumstances of Chu Kingdom. As a native of this world, his refinements made the football lottery plan more suitable for the kingdom.

Wei Mingze even expanded the concept, proposing a multi-lottery approach alongside football.

With Li Ye’s data as a foundation, the proposal appeared exceptionally enticing.

However, Wei Mingze didn’t claim sole credit for the plan. In his memorial, he detailed Li Ye’s actions in Weining City, including accounts from military officials speculating about Li Ye’s martial arts prowess.

Li Ye was right—Wei Mingze dared not hide anything. Too many interests were entangled in this matter.

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Spiritual Energy? Advanced Civilizations? Immortals Descending to the Mortal Realm…?

After reading the memorial, Xiang Ying paused, rubbed his eyes, and glanced around, as if checking whether he was dreaming.

How could a high-ranking official submit such an absurd memorial if it wasn’t a dream?

But soon, Xiang Ying confirmed he was awake.

So, he read the memorial again—carefully and repeatedly. The more he read, the more convinced he became that this seemingly ridiculous proposal was likely true.

The football lottery was indeed a beneficial endeavor. Wei Mingze’s memorial alone was a significant contribution to the kingdom. There was no need to fabricate such an absurd story.

If the strange story were true, then Li Ye’s incongruous actions in this world suddenly made sense.

Supernatural occurrences could disrupt a nation’s governance.

But what if true immortals existed?

Xiang Ying’s imagination ran wild.

No ruler wouldn’t yearn for immortality. After all, as the most exalted being in the world, who wouldn’t want to cling to that power forever?

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Within half an hour, both Grandmaster Murong Kaixin and Chancellor Shi Wenbo arrived. Xiang Ying showed them Wei Mingze’s memorial.

After they finished reading, Xiang Ying asked, “What are your thoughts, gentlemen?”

“It benefits the kingdom and its people,” Shi Wenbo replied. “If managed well, the football lottery could generate significant revenue for the treasury without sparking civil unrest. As for the notion of immortals descending to the mortal realm, it’s baseless—more likely a ruse by Li Ye to enter the court.”

“Your Majesty, I know Gongsun Jie well. He would never cooperate in a charade, especially one that dishonors himself in such a manner,” Murong Kaixin said.

“Grandmaster, are you suggesting that the so-called descent of immortals is real?” Shi Wenbo frowned and turned to Xiang Ying, saying sternly, “Your Majesty, rather than believing in immortals, it’s wiser to suspect a conspiracy.

“Throughout history, heretical cults have often sown chaos in troubled times. This Li Ye might intend to use the league to rally martial sects to his cause. We must remain vigilant. I suggest summoning him to the capital for thorough examination.

“If he proves to be a true talent, he can be given an appropriate position after assessment. However, if he’s a fraud, he must face severe punishment. Encouraging such deviant methods to attract imperial attention is intolerable.”

“The Chancellor’s words are not without reason,” Xiang Ying sighed inwardly, then turned to the Grandmaster. “What is your opinion?”

“Your Majesty, I am willing to travel to Weining City to investigate this Li Ye in person,” Murong Kaixin said. “If he indeed possesses extraordinary talent, I will invite him to the capital. If he turns out to be a charlatan, I will execute him on the spot to restore order in Weining City.”

As a Grandmaster and a Grand Priest, Murong Kaixin’s role was to help the court suppress the martial world. Typically, court affairs had little to do with him.

This time, the emperor summoned him specifically because of the suspicious martial prowess attributed to Li Ye, tasking him to act as the imperial enforcer. Murong Kaixin understood the emperor’s intentions as soon as he read the memorial.

“Very well,” Xiang Ying nodded. “I leave it to you, Grandmaster. However, if Li Ye truly possesses exceptional talent, as evidenced by his football lottery idea and ability to win over Gongsun Jie, he is a rare gem. If he is a fraud, there’s no need to execute him on the spot. Bring him back to the capital instead.”

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Murong Kaixin, a Grandmaster representing the pinnacle of martial strength, took four days to reach Weining City, while Wei Mingze’s memorial had taken the same time to travel. The match between the Fun Seekers Club and the Xuanguang Sect was set for that very day. Nothing could be more convincing than witnessing events firsthand.

When Murong Kaixin arrived at Wolf Valley, the match had already started.

Before he even entered the valley, the thunderous cheers and passionate commentary echoed in his ears.

“…Beautiful! Another goal! With his teammates’ support, Master Gongsun seems unstoppable. This is already his second goal of the match.

“I never imagined before that being a goalkeeper could be the most dangerous position on the field.

“The Fun Seekers Club has already replaced two goalkeepers. Their substitute is now on the field—let’s see who he is.

“Kong Fan, master of the Pine Ridge Sect, known for his Silken Hand technique, a relatively unknown player.

“Compared to the Xuanguang Sect’s elites, the Fun Seekers Club’s bench players are quite lacking. At this rate, they might soon run out of substitutes.

“Fortunately, the Fun Seekers Club still has ‘Divine Dragon Hands’ Li Ye, ‘Supreme Shadow Kick’ Shi Xiang, ‘Rear Strike Master’ Liu Guangsheng, ‘Iron Foot Immortal’ Fan Jie. With their rich match experience compared to Xuanguang Sect’s lack of familiarity with football, they’re managing to maintain their lead for now.

“Brilliant! A stunning move by Liu Guangsheng! Faced with a pincer attack from two Xuanguang Sect Innate Experts, he fearlessly executed his signature Twin Dragons Dive technique. Players 8 and 9 from Xuanguang Sect are down! Judging by their expressions, they’ve suffered significant injuries and won’t be able to continue.”

Murong Kaixin slipped past the Wolf Valley guards effortlessly. Inside, he caught sight of Liu Guangsheng, clad in red, dribbling the ball. With a swift move, Liu dodged two players flanking him.

In a flash, Liu’s palms struck backward like knives, landing squarely on the vulnerable spots of his opponents.

Murong Kaixin’s sharp eyes saw it clearly—Liu’s half-palm plunged in deeply. The two players collapsed instantly, writhing in pain.

Without sparing them a glance, Liu Guangsheng passed the ball to a young man marked by a cross insignia on his back.

The youth received the ball, and Gongsun Jie immediately charged to intercept. In mere moments, the two exchanged seven or eight moves. Yet, the ball seemed glued to the youth’s feet, always moving in tandem with his agile steps, never leaving his control.