AGM 533 – The Human Emperor
Within the royal palace, in the interior of the Human Emperor Hall, the Human Emperor rested on a dragon-shaped bed.
Despite lying there quietly, the Human Emperor of the Ye Country unconsciously radiated a sense of imposingness. A few strands of silver threaded conspicuously through his headful of black hair. He opened his eyes, in which hints of fatigue could be seen within, yet upon that imposing countenance, he still had a smile on his face as he glanced at the world-astounding beauty beside him.
He naturally knew that this woman was none other than the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. If it weren’t for the friendly relations between the Ye Country and the Medicine Sovereign Country, the latter would definitely not have sent their sect’s Holy Maiden over.
In this world, almost no one knew of the extent of the Medicine Sovereign Valley’s strength. They ignored all external affairs and because their forte and focus was on alchemy and medicine, the various great powers weren’t willing to offend them.
However, what made the Human Emperor feel taken aback was the sight of a young man actually beside the Holy Maiden. This young man was handsome and had an extraordinary demeanor. As the Human Emperor of the Ye Country, he had seen countless people from all walks of life in his time. Just glancing at Qin Wentian was enough for him to tell that this young man was someone who stood above the common crowd. Standing before him in his place of power, the young man’s heart remained as still as water, calmly matching his gaze directly.
Despite his harsh injuries, he still retained his majestic bearing. Just a single gaze from him was sufficient to strike fear in the hearts of those from the junior generations.
“Father, this is Qin Wentian, he’s a junior apprentice brother of mine that has recently joined the Battle Sword Sect. On the pathway to the grass hut, he broke two consecutive records—the comprehension rate of the seventh sword strike and the fourteenth sword strike. This has caused many elders to quarrel against each other, each wanting to accept him as their own disciple. Even the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign personally issued an invitation, only to be rejected by my junior brother.”
Ye Lingshuang sat on the bed, smiling at her father as she explained. The Human Emperor nodded, he knew of the legendary treasure that was Battle Sword Sect’s grass hut.
“That old demon witch… the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign is too proud of herself. Little Brother Qin’s public rejection of her might induce her to enact some terrifying consequences against you in the future.” The Human Emperor laughed. The members from the Battle Sword Sect were all stunned, daring to call the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereign an old demon witch? Probably, only the Human Emperor of ancient Ye or those elders from the seven supreme clans would dare to do such a thing.
“Junior Brother Qin and the Holy Maiden are a match made in heaven!” Ye Lingshuang held the hands of the Human Emperor and spoke with a smile on her face. Although her heart was torn by worry and sadness, she still showed her most radiant smile in front of the Human Emperor.
The Human Emperor didn’t find it strange when he heard his daughter’s words. Mo Qingcheng had already diagnosed him once, and seeing how close Qin Wentian was to her, he instantly guessed their relationship even before Ye Lingshuang had said anything. Most likely, the Holy Maiden was diagnosing him once more because of the relationship between Qin Wentian and Ye Lingshuang.
“Truly a match made in the Heavens,” The Human Emperor laughed. He wasn’t flattering them just for the sake of wanting to be healed. What sort of character was he? He was the Human Emperor of ancient Ye, unmatched under the Heavens. Even in the face of death, he was still a valiant and heroic character. He’d only said all that because the couple in front of him reminded him of the days when he was young—how free-spirited he was back then.
“Bi You, do you still remember that seven-colored phoenix feather dress?” The Human Emperor turned his gaze onto a beautiful lady standing nearby. This was none other than his wife, the Empress of Ye Country.
“I do, back then the two of us barged up the Supreme Demon Mountains and slayed an evil phoenix by using its feathers to manufacture a defensive-type divine weapon.” Empress Ye laughed.
“How about gifting it to the Holy Maiden? Let’s treat it as a congratulatory gift from us for their marriage in the future.” The Human Emperor smiled, looking at Empress Ye.
“Senior Human Emperor…” Qin Wentian was taken aback, intending to decline the gift, when the Human Emperor interjected, “Although I’m at the edge of death, I still have countless treasures. In any case, this is my gift to the bride-to-be and not to you. You have no grounds to reject me.”
Qin Wentian’s gaze flickered before he finally nodded, “In that case, we give thanks to Senior Human Emperor for his great kindness.”
He wasn’t an argumentative person, since the Human Emperor had put it across in such a way, he could only accept this gift graciously.
Mo Qingcheng’s beautiful lashes fluttered, saying nothing when Qin Wentian accepted it on their behalf. A moment later, the Empress took an embroidered box and approached them. Within the box was a striking seven-colored feather robe, the material sparkling with astral light and appearing weightless.
“This defensive-type divine weapon was something the Human Emperor personally commissioned the Divine Craftsmen Guild to forge for him, an item to present his love to Empress Ye.” A concubine of the Human Emperor laughed, the Human Emperor’s intentions were clear to all, he had nothing but the best wishes for Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.
Mo Qingcheng glanced at Qin Wentian who stood beside her, as hints of the sweetness of love flashed past her eyes. She accepted the treasure before stating with gratitude, “Many thanks to Human Emperor and Empress Ye.”
“Haha, you’ve come from so many thousand miles away just to diagnose and treat the illness of someone like me, who’s already at the boundary of death. Not only that, Little Brother is also the junior apprentice brother of Lingshuang; with such threads of fate linking us all, what’s a phoenix robe?” The Human Emperor casually laughed, however the sound of his voice gradually grew weaker and weaker as though his vitality had been drained.
“He’s infected with a type of blood poison.” At this moment, a voice drifted over from behind. Qin Wentian’s countenance changed as he turned his head, staring at Mu Feng who was behind him. “Mu Feng, you know what type of poison this is?”
“Blood Poisons have great concealment properties, but once ignited, the consequences are too dire to imagine. It hides itself within the blood vessels, silently circulating through the bloodstream as it infects each and every part of the victim’s body. It’s almost impossible to cure with medicinal herbs or pills. It would take a pill that could reconstruct one’s entire network of blood vessels and meridians, cleansing them completely in the process while simultaneously nurturing the bloodstream with healing energy. This would allow every droplet of blood to be infused with healing power, circulating this energy through the victim’s entire body. Only then can the blood poison be cured.”
Mu Feng explained, his words causing Mo Qingcheng’s heart to tremble slightly. She had known that the poison infecting the Human Emperor had already spread to all parts of his body. But because she was not proficient with poison, she hadn’t known it had originated from a type of blood poison.
Everyone in the ancient hall stared at Mu Feng, they hadn’t expected this person to be an expert on poisons.
“He is my friend Mu Feng, and his master was known as the Poison Monarch. There’s no need to doubt his expertise in poisons,” Qin Wentian introduced, then he continued, “Qingcheng, would there be such a medicinal pill as Mu Feng described?”
“There are medicine pills that can cleanse the bloodstream of poison, but since this poison can even affect the Human Emperor, it must be an extremely tyrannical one. Only fifth-ranked medicinal pills or above have such capabilities, but if the pill requires the property of infusing one’s bloodstream with healing energy—well, I’ve never heard of such a pill before. Maybe only my master would know about this,” Mo Qingcheng spoke in a low voice. The Human Emperor laughed, “What a vicious method. Since they’ve gone through such trouble to poison me, how could they allow me to recover so easily?”
However at this moment, Mu Feng’s eyes shifted onto Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian furrowed his brows as a bright light gleamed in his eyes, suddenly understanding Mu Feng’s hidden meaning. Back then he’d been poisoned by Mu Feng, yet he miraculously recovered from it. It would seem that Mu Feng had never forgotten about that scene, and since Qin Wentian could recover completely from it, this means that there was something extraordinary existing in his body.
Qin Wentian closed his eyes, quietly contemplating the existence of his second bloodline – the candle flame. Back then, it was this energy that had expelled Mu Feng’s poison from his body, as though invulnerable to all poisons.
“Holy Maiden, is there really no way to procure such a pill?” Ye Lingshuang gazed at Mo Qingcheng, her countenance flickering with hope.
However, Mo Qingcheng shook her head, “I truly have no idea. To allow the bloodstream to be infused with healing energy? I’ve never even heard of such a thing. I’m afraid even the reclusive elders of my Medicine Sovereign Valley might not be able to accomplish this either. Furthermore, the Human Emperor has just concluded a great battle, and his exertions have already caused this poison to spread to all parts of his body. Forgive my ignorance, but I’m at a loss on how to cure him.”
“No wonder they did whatever it took to force me into that battle. Apparently, they’ve already planned everything out. Right now, I’m only worried about you all. After my death, they will certainly show no mercy.” The Human Emperor stared at his wife and daughter—they were the only things he couldn’t leave behind.
“Father…” Ye Lingshuang’s eyes turned red, she couldn’t bear it any longer. The Human Emperor of a generation was coming to the end of his days, yet who knew that the Emperor wanted nothing more than the safety of his family, not caring if he died in exchange for it.
“There’s still hope.” Qin Wentian opened his eyes, his words causing everyone in the hall to stare at him.
“Senior Human Emperor just needs to quietly recuperate. Once we return, we will discuss more on trying to find methods to help you recover.” Qin Wentian didn’t wish to say too much; the recovery of the Human Emperor had too large an implication. If news were to leak out, nobody could anticipate what fearful consequences that would bring. Hence, if he wanted to cure the Human Emperor, he had to be incomparably cautious and only act with extreme confidentiality.
A bright glow flashed in the eyes of the Human Emperor. “Fine. If I don’t die, they won’t dare to act rashly. Even if I were to die, I will drag this out as long as possible. If this Emperor doesn’t close his eyes, then I’d like to witness who would dare topple the heavens from my ancient Ye Country.”
A look of respect appeared on Qin Wentian’s face. Even at the edge of death, the Human Emperor could still exude such a domineering aura. Nobody would dare rebel as long as he wasn’t dead. This powerful existence, despite being on his last breath, was still strong enough to present a serious enough threat that left everyone no choice but to take seriously. One could only imagine how awe-inspiring he was when in his prime.
Qin Wentian and the others bid their farewells and departed, returning back to the quarters the royal clan prepared for the Medicine Sovereign Valley. Upon seeing Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng walking side by side in the direction of her room, many were frowning and shaking their heads.
As the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley, Mo Qingcheng had an extraordinary status. Each and every one of her movements represented the prestige of the Medicine Sovereign Valley.
“Holy Maiden!” Thinking of this, a maiden called out, stopping Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian.
Mo Qingcheng turned her gaze back at them, “What’s the matter?”
“Once the Holy Maiden returns to her chambers, all external parties are forbidden entry.” A maiden glanced at Qin Wentian as she coldly replied.
“Impudent.” Seeing the other party target Qin Wentian, Mo Qingcheng involuntarily coldly snorted. Her response caused the countenance of everyone to change, and they instantly bowed low in apology, “Holy Maiden, this concerns your reputation and after all, this place is in the royal palace of the Ye Country. This matter would be impossible to hide from the prying eyes and ears of others.”
“Qingcheng…” Qin Wentian’s heart trembled slightly. He knew the maiden’s words weren’t without sense. Since this would affect Qingcheng’s reputation, he naturally wouldn’t be willing to do so.
Yet Mo Qingcheng continued holding his hand. She turned back and looked at him, with a smile on her face. That smile was as radiant as a young girl in the sweetness of love. Perhaps it was only when facing him, that Mo Qingcheng would reveal this side of herself.
“I’m telling all of you now that I’m his wife,” Mo Qingcheng spoke to the other maidens, and after which, she pulled Qin Wentian along as she continued on her way while adding, “Without my orders, no one is to enter to disturb our privacy.”
The expressions of those from the Medicine Sovereign Valley instantly stiffened, they didn’t know how to reply to Mo Qingcheng’s statement. The Holy Maiden’s feelings for Qin Wentian had already reached an extent that she was willing to forsake everything else—it was even more important than her own reputation, even more compared to her status as the Holy Maiden from the Medicine Sovereign Sect. This was something the other maidens had no way to accept.
“Seal this entire place, nobody is to spread a word of this outside,” a person icily commanded.