Chapter 399: Volition of the People and Core of Siderite!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"Old Forefather is strong and well. You are truly an extraordinary immortal. How can someone so mundane like this grandson possibly compare to such magnificence? It’s really the greatest blessing to be able to meet Old Forefather today!" Sun Chengfeng said with utmost deference.
"Child, just call me Elder Yun. Don’t kneel down to me anymore, I don’t like it. A man should stand tall and proud. You save people and that’s doing them a favor; you have your dignity, no matter who you face. There’s no need to kneel," Yun Yang said wisely.
"I shall follow Old Forefather’s advice." Sun Chengfeng bowed once more before he stood up.
Yun Yang said faintly, "As for this old man, I am no immortal… I’m only an old, useless, man that can barely take another breath now… I’m very comforted as well to meet someone I know today. Back in the forest, if I hadn’t heard that there was a descendant of the Physician Genius, I probably wouldn't have come out. Everything has been predestined."
He sighed slowly, as if the scenes of his life had flickered past his eyes, and said, "Of the brothers then... only this old man is left now… This mundane, secular world is filled with loneliness."
"Old Forefather must be able to live long and well, to become a true immortal of the land." Sun Chengfeng said respectfully, "Hundreds and thousands of years from now, our families will still be hoping to be blessed by Old Forefather!"
Yun Yang sighed dejectedly, "Immortal of the land, what does that even mean? Coming to see my home country again and meeting someone I used to know, my wish has been fulfilled. Due to my injuries, I shall pass on in less than ten years. That's not too bad, I can reunite with them and chat again. They’ve waited for me for far too long…"
Sun Chengfeng said anxiously, "Those medicines... hasn’t Old Forefather begun collecting them over these years?"
Sun Chengfeng was genuinely anxious.
A superior ancestor like Feng Xiange would be a testament, much like a living fossil in his family. He did not even have to do anything; just staying alive would already prove to be a great moral support to all of them!
It was best if such an Old Forefather could live as long as he possibly could.
Lan Wuxin was also anxious.
Initially, it did not matter if Elder Yun could be saved. If it worked, they would do him a great favor; that would be great. If it did not work, it did not make any difference.
However, the situation was vastly different now. The reconstruction of a soul was still waiting for this great old sir. Only he could perfect the plan peppered with loopholes; even the others, who had adequate cultivation base, could not learn nor execute it!
In addition, Lan Wuxin was honestly impressed as well. He was truly in the presence of a true predecessor – he knew about methods others did not. The experts that were akin to immortals in his eyes were just like toddlers who did not know anything before the Old Forefather.
"Old Forefather is knowledgeable indeed. It’s a waste that this junior isn’t sufficiently adequate, having only learned very little of old ancestors’ skills and knowledge. It’s an upsetting fact to stomach."
Lan Wuxin’s words came from the bottom of his heart; he was not pandering to Elder Yun. Recalling the Four Seasons Tower’s expert behaving like an idiot in front of the former yesterday, he could not help but sigh, thinking about the helpless man's dumbfounded expression.
At this moment, he actually felt that the Four Seasons Tower’s reputation did not befit its capabilities. Their legends were mostly likely tall tales, created to strike fear in the masses.
They were the so-called legendary top organization of the continent; unfortunately, each of their members was equipped with a pig’s brain and a formidable cultivation base without corresponding experience and wisdom!
It was self-explanatory that one of the Nine Supremes had still managed to escape when they had set up the ultimate trap to ambush the Nine Supremes – what a useless bunch of idiots!
Incompetent bunglers!
"It’s hard to say. Although the Four Seasons Tower’s people do not know my methods, it’s mostly just limited to their experience. Cultivators will always prioritize their own cultivation base. I believe there must be other experts in this world who are more well versed, and those who are more senior than me might be found as well… This old man doesn’t deserve to be called Old Forefather at this age... What a shame."
Yun Yang sadly shook his head.
Sun Chengfeng could not hold himself back and asked anxiously, "May I ask Old Forefather, what ingredient is still lacking? This grandson will think of a way to obtain it. You said that Physician Genius Family has saved plenty of people... the favors we have done are really abundant…"
Yun Yang kept quiet for a bit and said, "I’ve hunted the flood dragon's gallbladder from the Borderless Ocean and obtained the peacock’s tail from ParaMount as well. Roving water was easy, I collected it a long time ago. I’ve also found the snow mountain pomegranate a hundred and twenty years back. The horn of the unicorn must be given voluntarily by the beast itself; only then can it become medicine. After a hundred years, give or take a few, I’ve finally acquired it. As for the Weightless Whale, it took me a good sixty years to take it from a hibernating whale beast. I’ve collected most of the needed medicine and I should be working harder, being encouraged, but when I wanted to go for the Globule of People’s Volition, it was a difficult task. A massive amount of manpower, resources, and wealth are needed to accomplish this. Not only that, the core of siderite is also unheard of in these hundreds of years. I’ve put in a lot of effort, reading plenty of old books, and it seems that there was no mention of it in the last hundreds of thousands of years. Where do I begin searching for a medicine that has no destination? How can I not be hopeless, and give up?"
Once Sun Chengfeng heard him, he looked hopeless as well as he said, "Just by listening to Old Forefather, it is evident that Old Forefather has lived a life of a recluse for years and have had many interesting experiences. This junior is already shaken just hearing the first few items and knows that there’s no hope to obtain it, but Old Forefather has actually acquired each one of them. Your reputation truly matches your talent. However, I’d like to ask how can the Globule of People’s Volition be obtained? How does one begin with the so-called massive manpower, resources, and wealth? As for the core of siderite, what is it? Please explain!"
As soon as he finished, Sun Chengfeng raised his hand to give himself a slap.
He was ignorant indeed. He did not deserve to call himself the heir of a Physician Genius. He had actually never heard most of the rare medicinal ingredients in the prescription given by his ancestor.
Moreover, he did not even understand the principles behind the condition and it's medical treatment, thus making him deeply aware of the difference between him and his ancestor. They were worlds apart!
How could his mere skill be worthy of the title Physician Genius?
The fancy titles of God of Physician had truly made him content with his current abilities, and no longer endeavored to improve himself!
Yun Yang said faintly, "I didn’t explain it clearly just now. The Globule of People’s Volition can be obtained when the time is right, once the manpower, resources and wealth are available. It is the core of siderite that is truly troubling!"
"May I ask Old Forefather, that what is the Globule of People’s Volition? Since it needs manpower, resources and wealth, this junior can be of use here!" Sun Chengfeng asked humbly.
"Actually, there are three ways to obtain the globule; they are all different but they lead to the same result. First, it’s to have good ties everywhere, be liked by everyone, and become the symbol of a living Buddha to families. Then the people’s volition will naturally be obtained. The globule’s quality will be the best by using this method, but this will take the longest time."
"Secondly, which is what this old man wants to do, is to gather massive manpower, resources, and wealth to develop a man-made opportunity and deceive the people’s minds, so that the volition can be collected from the people in a particular area. It will take up a relatively shorter time, but its quality will be poorer since it’s not naturally made. However, I only want it as an ailment and what I do will benefit those involved too, so it can’t exactly be considered cheating. As for the third way… I'd rather not mention it."
Lan Wuxin and Sun Chengfeng were both bewildered as the latter questioned in confusion, "Why is Old Forefather only speaking half the story? What is this third method?"
Lan Wuxin spoke as well, "Listening to Elder Yun, I assume the third method must be the easiest and takes the shortest time. One must adapt according to urgency; even if it’s something that’s not supposed to be done, we should probably consider it!"
Yun Yang shook his head and said in a low voice, "The so-called Globule of People’s Volition sounds absolutely majestic, but the basis of it is simply the choice of one’s dedication."
Lan Wuxin was immediately alert; he could vaguely guess what the third method Yun Yang was reluctant to speak of was!
Yun Yang paused before resuming his explanation, "Personally, the people’s support is a taboo to be brought up, but to the royalty, it’s not a big deal. Just a royal seal alone contains a great amount of the people’s volition. With a specific method, the volition can then be extracted and condensed into a globule."
Lan Wuxin said, "That is an easy feat. His Majesty knows that Elder Yun has come and has been wanting to pay a visit. The Globule of People’s Volition is only a matter of mentioning it to His Majesty and request to use the seal momentarily. It’s not a problem."
Yun Yang sighed softly, "Chancellor Lan has no idea. This old man’s injury is severe and needs to use a lot of dedication. I’d at least use a tenth of the volition contained in the seal and the imperial jade seal is what ties the people together. How can this old man damage the nation’s wellbeing just for my own personal gain?"
Lan Wuxin grew even more assured. The old man was left with a handful of years to live, but he was still reluctant to disrupt Ziyou’s prosperity for his personal gain; his good intentions towards Ziyou was evident. If so, what was a tenth of the people’s volition? As long as this old man could be saved, he would be the Empire of Ziyou’s guardian. Every part stood to gain from this transaction.
Lan Wuxin was more than happy to say that he was willing to give Yun Yang more than the amount of dedication power he wanted, so he could tie this Old Forefather onto the Empire of Ziyou’s war chariot. As for recovering the assassin’s soul, it would only be a matter of course!
Lan Wuxin said in all seriousness, "Elder Yun, what is urgent comes first. Your injury is of the utmost priority now. I believe that His Majesty will understand and shall lend his jade seal without hesitation. It’s decided then. There's no need to be shy, Elder Yun; your reticence will only slight our good intentions!"
Yun Yang shook his head for the third time. "Who would want to die if there’s a cure available? Even if His Majesty is willing to borrow the jade seal and the globule is secured, I still lack the core of siderite. I'm still unable to achieve my goal."
Sun Chengfeng looked distressed and asked, "Yes, we’re still missing the core of siderite, even if we do secure the globule. However, what actually is the core of siderite?"
Yun Yang smiled. "There’s no need to be worked up over it. Everything in this world is destined. Of course, it would be best if we have it; that would be a blessing from heaven, but without it, this old man shall accept that fate as well. I’ve lived to this age, exceeding much of the common people’s longevity; it’s more than enough. What else can’t I let go of?"
Lan Wuxin frowned and said thoughtfully, "I seem to recall something regarding the siderite… When the Empire of Ziyou was in the making, the heavens bestowed its blessing. When a meteor fell from the sky, the continent was shaken by calamities; earthquake, fire, and tsunamis swept across half the land…"
"The founding emperor managed to tame the meteorite’s power and built this empire with his army… I just don’t know if the siderite remains. If it does, will be it the core of siderite that you need?"