Chapter 202 — Steaming Imperial Teacher Jingping

In the future, when the crown prince ascends the throne and becomes emperor, will he understand you as his father does? What will the crown prince have to reward you with? Moreover, those old brothers of yours have followed you all their lives.

If you go one step further, they too can be promoted. Some are eager for promotion. If they want promotion, they must lift you up and place you on the throne. What do you think the Empress Dowager fears? Does she fear you? She fears the people under your command! " "I seek my own path. Say no more. " Imperial Teacher Jingping walked forward and said calmly, "Talking with you is exhausting.

Just do your job quelling the rebellion and sweep away the remaining rebel forces in the Southern Wastes.

I am going to find the little miracle physician to treat my wounds. " "Treating your wounds again? " Duke of Wei asked, perplexed.

"Are you really wounded?

You are not deceiving me again, are you?

" Imperial Teacher Jingping, exasperated, waved his hand and walked away.

At the foot of the mountain, Shen Mu and the others encountered Imperial Teacher Jingping.

"I am wounded," Imperial Teacher Jingping said.

"Heh heh heh.

. . " The Dragon Qilin began to snicker.

Imperial Teacher Jingping glanced at the enormous creature, and the Dragon Qilin hurriedly shut its mouth.

Imperial Teacher Jingping's face was somewhat pale as he said to Shen Mu, "I am wounded.

" Shen Mu asked suspiciously, "True or false?

" "True," Imperial Teacher Jingping said, his face growing even paler.

"Truly?

" "Truly!

" Veins bulged on Imperial Teacher Jingping's forehead. "Very well. " . .

. Daxiang City was now an empty city, razed to the ground, with no apothecary left within. They had no choice but to return to Wuyin City. This city was surrounded by lakes on all sides and often shrouded in thick fog, appearing and disappearing within the mist—hence its name.

In the government office, Shen Mu diagnosed Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries and found that he had suffered as many as a hundred wounds, most of them internal, with gu worms still in his body. Even his spirit treasury bore many injuries. Fortunately, his cultivation was profound, and he had suppressed the wounds. These wounds were each different, and those that had invaded the spirit treasury were especially troublesome, sorely testing one's medical cultivation. The Spirit Embryo, the Five Elements Spirit, the Six Harmonies Spirit, the Seven Stars Spirit, the Heaven-Man Spirit Treasury, the Life-Death Spirit Treasury, the Spirit Bridge Spirit Treasury—these wounds were all exceptionally difficult. The wounds in the soul were also a great trial, and for Shen Mu this was also a rare opportunity to learn more of the secrets of the spirit treasury. The physical wounds, by contrast, were not so severe.

To fully heal Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries was a vast undertaking.

Shen Mu calculated for a long time and pondered for a long time before finally settling on a course of treatment and ordering men to go to the apothecary to fetch medicines. Many of the medicinal ingredients in the apothecary were common ones; some rare ingredients were hard to find. Though Wuyin City was a great city, there were still many ingredients it did not have, and they would need to be sought in the capital.

Shen Mu first treated the wounds for which medicines were available; the rest could wait until they reached the capital. In the government office, Shen Mu had men find an enormous cauldron, filled it with water and medicinal ingredients, and placed a great steamer basket atop it. He had Imperial Teacher Jingping strip off his clothes and lie in the steamer basket, then used a hundred or so silver needles to pierce through his body, the other ends of the needles entering his spirit treasury.

With the silver needles as bridges, the medicinal power was drawn into his spirit treasury. Imperial Teacher Jingping lay quietly in the steamer basket, then suddenly said, "If the emperor rewards me with beauties and wealth this time, should I accept?

" Shen Mu twirled a needle at the center of his brow—the silver needle was hollow, able to conduct medicinal power—and said, "What else could the emperor reward you with? " Imperial Teacher Jingping was silent for a moment, then said, "Nothing. " "Then accept it. " Shen Mu took another needle and pressed it to his heart and lungs. "Who is there in Imperial Teacher Jingping's household?

" "Apart from me, only a few old servants and guards. " "How much money do you have?

" "My monthly stipend is barely enough. " "No wife or children?

" "If one holds the heavenly principle in one's heart, what need is there for human desire?

" "Imperial Teacher Jingping ought to start a family.

. .

Do not speak.

Once this needle goes in, I will cover the steamer basket and add fire.

" .

.

.

Half a month later, Imperial Teacher Jingping's complexion had recovered considerably. Along the way, they had passed through fifteen cities, and Shen Mu still had not found all the spiritual medicines he needed, though he had healed the man's injuries to a considerable extent.

Shen Mu was skilled in the use of medicines.

Though he lacked superior spiritual medicines, he could substitute common ingredients for those rare ones—only, some wounds truly required incomparably precious spiritual medicines, leaving him helpless. When they arrived at the capital, they saw white banners and white lanterns hanging in many streets. Upon inquiring, they learned that the Prince of Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, had passed away. The emperor was grief-stricken, and the whole nation mourned.

The Prince of Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, was the younger brother of the late emperor, eighth in rank, and was therefore also called the Eighth Imperial Uncle. He was greatly revered and beloved. In his early years, when the late emperor was conquering the realm, the Eighth Imperial Uncle won brilliant military merits, pacified several sects and several kingdoms, and suffered grave wounds, several times nearly dying in battle.

He had also saved the late emperor's life several times. That Emperor Yanfeng had been able to ascend the throne smoothly was also due to his support. In the Ling family's realm, his merit was paramount.