Chapter 202: Steaming the National Preceptor
On the shadow of Mount Sumeru, a Bodhisattva pressed his palms together and said, "My Buddha, the Yancheng National Preceptor said he was also injured. Why not take this opportunity…"
"True or false?" the old Tathagata asked gently, with a kind brow and compassionate eyes.
The Bodhisattva was momentarily stunned. "Disciple… disciple does not know."
The old Tathagata smiled faintly. "Those who dare to believe the Yancheng National Preceptor's words have already lost. Some are already dead. Poor Scholars, you believed he was injured, and that is why you suffered this defeat, isn't it?"
Poor Scholar and the others looked grim, especially Daoquan True Person, who was deeply self-reproachful. He had judged from Qin Mu's medicinal dregs that the Yancheng National Preceptor was severely wounded, and the others had trusted his words, thus choosing the second path.
However, this could not be entirely blamed on him.
Poor Scholar, Li Sanren, and Tian Zhenjun—three old monsters from the old era—had ambushed the Yancheng National Preceptor amidst ten thousand troops and severely wounded him. These three old monsters were the most supreme beings in the world today. Whether in strength or prestige, they stood at the pinnacle of the martial world.
No one would doubt the power of these three senior figures. Although the Yancheng National Preceptor was hailed as a once-in-five-hundred-years prodigy and enjoyed great renown, he still could not compare to any one of them.
It was out of trust in these three that everyone believed the Yancheng National Preceptor was truly gravely injured.
Subsequent details also suggested that the National Preceptor was indeed heavily wounded.
For instance, during his lecture on swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy, he spoke for less than two days and used incense to mask the foul smell of his wounds.
Another example: the Dragon King of the Dragon Gate had visited the National Preceptor's residence at night and escaped unscathed, with the National Preceptor unable to detain him.
Again, when Zhen Sanren of the Lesser Jade Capital fought the National Preceptor by the waterfall, the National Preceptor's injuries flared up, forcing him to rely on Qin Mu, the little divine physician, to accompany him day and night and regulate his body.
Coupled with Daoquan True Person's diagnosis as a divine physician, all signs pointed to the National Preceptor's wounds relapsing. Even with Qin Mu's treatment, it would take at least a month to recover.
And this, from the very beginning of the ambush, was destined to be exploited by the National Preceptor as part of a scheme.
The two paths he offered them were also part of the scheme.
From start to finish, there had never been two paths—only one.
"A once-in-five-hundred-years prodigy is not so easily dealt with."
The old Tathagata said calmly, "This 'once in five hundred years' refers not only to his wisdom, talent, and insight but also to his strategy and tactics being equally rare. If a once-in-five-hundred-years prodigy cannot become a sage, then he becomes a lawless demon, a misfortune for the world. Believe him?"
He smiled. "Ghost."
The crowd was puzzled, not understanding why the old Tathagata had said such a thing, but they felt his words were concise and profound.
Qi Dayou, the leader of the Beggar Sect, said, "He has allied with the Heavenly Demon Sect, which already marks him as a lawless demon. It's a pity we don't know who the new leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect is."
"We already know."
The old Tathagata laughed. "It's that young man who returned my greeting. Speaking of which, I have a certain connection with him. I once wanted to guide him to the Great Thunderclap Temple, but for some reason, that connection suddenly broke and was transferred to another wondrous being."
"Him?"
The many monks on Mount Sumeru and Poor Scholar and the others were startled. The old Tathagata smiled. "It is him. Those old friends are truly remarkable, having taught such a little demon. It's a pity that Xiqiluo failed to maintain that connection—just one step away, just one step away…"
"National Preceptor, you are smarter than I. Don't you know that Mount Sumeru's intentions are problematic?"
Duke Weiguo watched as the headless corpse was placed into the coffin and turned to the Yancheng National Preceptor beside him. "They are clearly here to take advantage of the situation, to rescue old monsters like Poor Scholar and strengthen the Great Thunderclap Temple's power! If these people are not eliminated, they will remain a future threat!"
"Poor Scholar and the others have only ten to twenty years of life left, not worth worrying about. Let the old Tathagata take them away."
The Yancheng National Preceptor said, "I understand the old Tathagata's meaning. He chose this moment to take advantage, and it was perfectly timed. I am injured and cannot stop him."
Duke Weiguo's expression twisted as he looked the National Preceptor up and down, suspiciously. "True or false?"
The Yancheng National Preceptor said solemnly, "True."
"True or false?"
The Yancheng National Preceptor said irritably, "Of course it's true. Try fighting a desperate battle against those sect master-level beings, including three god-like existences! Do you think you could come out unscathed?"
"I don't believe you!"
Duke Weiguo said resentfully, "Only a ghost would believe you! I won't believe a single word you say! Those who believed you are now lying stiff in coffins, not moving an inch."
The Yancheng National Preceptor was both amused and exasperated. "Sometimes I am very honest."
"That's exactly why your deception runs deep. I can't figure you out."
Duke Weiguo looked at the coffin and was silent for a moment before saying, "You should know who is in that coffin."
The Yancheng National Preceptor shook his head. "I cannot say."
"Even if you don't say, I will find out. When we reach the capital, in a few days, I'll see which old prince suddenly dies, and then I'll know who it is."
Duke Weiguo glanced around and lowered his voice. "The Ling family has more than one problem. Isn't the old Empress Dowager the same? I think you should take another step forward and just become the emperor…"
The Yancheng National Preceptor glanced at him, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Duke Weiguo was startled and quickly said, "We've been friends for over two hundred years! Don't scare me! It's not just me thinking this; it's your old brothers who follow you. Your official position has reached its peak. Even if you perform a great merit, the emperor cannot promote you further. Now that you've suppressed the rebellion and achieved great merit, how can the emperor reward you? By giving you the throne?"
The Yancheng National Preceptor shook his head. "The emperor and I understand each other. He knows I do not seek rewards. What I seek is merely the fulfillment of my lifelong aspirations."
"That's why the emperor is troubled. If he doesn't reward you, he will disappoint those with merit. If he rewards you, he has nothing left to give. Give you beauties? Would you take them? Give you wealth? Would you take it?"
Duke Weiguo lowered his voice. "The emperor understands you. But what about the crown prince? When he becomes emperor in the future, will he understand you as his father does? What can the crown prince reward you with? Moreover, your old brothers have followed you all their lives. If you take another step forward, they can also be promoted. Some are eager for promotion. To get promoted, they must elevate you to the throne. Do you think the Empress Dowager's worry is about you? No, it's about the people under your command!"
"I follow my own path. Say no more."
The Yancheng National Preceptor walked forward and said calmly, "Talking to you is exhausting. Focus on suppressing the rebellion and cleaning up the remaining rebel forces in the southern border. I'm going to find the little divine physician to treat my wounds."
"Treating wounds again?"
Duke Weiguo asked in confusion, "Are you really injured? You're not tricking me again, are you?"
The Yancheng National Preceptor waved his hand irritably and walked away.
Qin Mu led Long Qilin, Shen Wanyun, Yue Qinghong, and the others down the mountain, while the various hall masters and the left and right protectors of the Heavenly Demon Sect had already activated their teleportation flags and left.
At the foot of the mountain, Qin Mu and the others encountered the Yancheng National Preceptor.
"I am injured," the Yancheng National Preceptor said.
"Huff, huff, huff…" Long Qilin let out a snorting laugh.
The Yancheng National Preceptor glanced at the massive beast, and Long Qilin quickly shut his mouth. The National Preceptor's face was somewhat pale as he said to Qin Mu, "I am injured."
Qin Mu asked suspiciously, "True or false?"
"True." The National Preceptor's face grew even paler.
"Really?"
"Really!" The National Preceptor's forehead bulged with veins.
"Alright."
…
The city of Daxiang was now an empty city, razed to the ground. There were no medicine shops left, so they had to return to Wuyin City. This city, surrounded by lakes, was often shrouded in thick fog, appearing and disappearing within it, hence its name.
In the government office, Qin Mu diagnosed the Yancheng National Preceptor's injuries and found that he had over a hundred wounds, most of them internal. There were also Gu worms in his body, and even his divine hidden realms were injured. Fortunately, his profound cultivation suppressed the injuries.
These wounds varied, especially those that had invaded his divine hidden realms, which were particularly troublesome and tested one's medical skills. The injuries in the Spirit Fetus, Five Elements, Six Harmonies, Seven Stars, Heavenly Being, Life and Death, and Divine Bridge divine hidden realms were all extremely difficult to handle. The injuries to his soul were also a major challenge. For Qin Mu, this was a rare opportunity to learn more about the secrets of the divine hidden realms.
The physical wounds, on the other hand, were less severe.
Restoring the Yancheng National Preceptor's health was a massive undertaking. Qin Mu calculated for a long time, pondered deeply, and finally devised a treatment plan. He sent people to the medicine shops to gather herbs.
Most of the herbs in the shops were common, and some rare ones were hard to find. Although Wuyin City was a large city, many herbs were unavailable there and would need to be sought in the capital.
Qin Mu first treated the wounds for which herbs were available, leaving the rest for the capital.
In the government office, Qin Mu had people find an enormous pot, filled it with water and herbs, and placed a large steamer basket on top. He had the Yancheng National Preceptor remove his clothes and lie in the steamer basket. Then, he pierced the National Preceptor's body with over a hundred silver needles, threading the other ends into his divine hidden realms, using the needles as bridges to channel the medicinal power into his realms.
The Yancheng National Preceptor lay quietly in the steamer basket and suddenly asked, "If the emperor rewards me with beautiful women and wealth this time, should I accept them?"
Qin Mu twisted a needle into his brow. The needle was hollow, allowing medicinal power to flow through. "What else can the emperor reward you with?"
The Yancheng National Preceptor was silent for a moment. "Nothing."
"Then accept it."
Qin Mu took another needle and placed it on his heart and lungs. "Does the National Preceptor have any family?"
"Besides me, only a few old servants and guards."
"How much money do you have?"
"My monthly salary is barely enough."
"No wife or children?"
"With heavenly principles in mind, why need human desires?"
"The National Preceptor should start a family… Don't speak. Once this needle goes in, I'll cover the steamer basket and add fire."
…
Half a month later, the Yancheng National Preceptor's complexion had greatly improved. Over the course of treatment, they had passed through fifteen cities, but Qin Mu still hadn't found all the spiritual herbs he needed. However, he had treated most of the injuries.
Qin Mu was skilled in using herbs. Even without top-tier spiritual herbs, he could substitute common ones for rare ones. But some injuries required extremely precious spiritual herbs, leaving him at a loss.
When they arrived at the capital, they saw many streets hung with white banners and white lanterns. Upon inquiry, they learned that the Prince of Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, had passed away. The emperor was grief-stricken, and the entire nation mourned.
The Prince of Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, was the younger brother of the late emperor, ranked eighth, and was thus also called the Eighth Imperial Uncle. He was highly respected and beloved. In the early days, when the late emperor was conquering the realm, the Eighth Imperial Uncle had achieved great military feats, pacifying several sects and nations. He had been severely wounded, nearly dying several times, and had saved the late emperor's life on multiple occasions.
Emperor Yanfeng's smooth ascension to the throne was also supported by him. He had contributed immensely to the Ling family's rule.
— Second update. Third update at 8 PM!