On the illusory projection of Sumeru Mountain, a bodhisattva clasped their palms and said, "My Buddha, the State Preceptor of Yankang says he is also injured. Why not seize this opportunity..."
"Is it true or false?" the Old Tathagata asked, his kind face and benevolent eyes full of warmth.
The bodhisattva was slightly taken aback. "This disciple... this disciple does not know."
The Old Tathagata smiled and said, "As for the words of the State Preceptor of Yankang, those who dare to believe him have already lost, and some have already died. Master Qiong, you believed he was injured, and that is why you suffered this defeat, is it not?"
Master Qiong and the others looked pale, especially Perfected Daoquan, who was filled with deep self-blame. He had judged from Qin Mu's leftover medicinal dregs that the State Preceptor of Yankang was severely injured. Everyone believed his words, which is why they chose the second path.
However, this could not entirely be blamed on him.
Master Qiong, Li Sanren, and Perfected Tianzhen, three old monsters from the previous era, had ambushed the State Preceptor of Yankang amidst the army and severely injured him. These three old monsters were the most顶尖 existences in the world today. In terms of both strength and prestige, they stood at the absolute peak of the martial world.
No one would doubt the strength of these three senior figures. Although the State Preceptor of Yankang was hailed as a once-in-five-hundred-years genius, his prestige, while high, still could not match any one of the three.
It was precisely because of their trust in these three that everyone believed the State Preceptor of Yankang was truly severely injured.
And subsequent details also indicated that the State Preceptor of Yankang was indeed gravely injured.
For example, at the Imperial Academy's sword lecture, the State Preceptor lectured for less than two days, and there was perfume on his body to mask the stench of his wounds.
Another example was the Dragon King of Yulong Gate's nighttime infiltration of the Preceptor's residence, from which he escaped unscathed—the State Preceptor failed to detain him.
Furthermore, when Perfected Zhen of the Small Jade Capital engaged the State Preceptor in a duel by the waterfall, the State Preceptor's injuries flared up, to the extent that he needed Qin Mu, the young divine doctor, to accompany him day and night, tending to his body.
Adding to this was the judgment of Perfected Daoquan, a divine physician himself—all signs pointed to the State Preceptor's injuries relapsing, and even with Qin Mu's care and treatment, it would take at least a month to recover.
And this, from the very beginning of the ambush, was destined to be used by the State Preceptor as part of his scheme.
As for the two paths the State Preceptor offered them, that too was a scheme.
From start to finish, there were never two paths—only one.
"A once-in-five-hundred-years genius 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 comprehension, but also to his strategy and scheming, which are also once-in-five-hundred-years. A once-in-five-hundred-years genius—if he cannot become a sage, then he becomes a lawless demon king, which is no blessing for the world. Believe him?"
He smiled and said, "Ghost."
Everyone was puzzled, not understanding why the Old Tathagata would say such a thing. They only felt that his words, though brief, were full of profound meaning.
Qi Dayou, the Beggar Sect Leader, said, "He has joined forces with the Heavenly Demon Cult, which already marks him as a lawless demon king. It is a pity we do not know who the new Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult is."
"I already know," the Old Tathagata said with a smile. "It is that young man who returned my bow. Speaking of which, this old monk still has a connection with him. I originally intended to convert him and bring him to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, but unfortunately, for some reason, that connection was suddenly severed and transferred to another wondrous life."
"It is him?"
The numerous monks on Sumeru Mountain, as well as Master Qiong and the others, were all startled. The Old Tathagata laughed and said, "It is him. Those old fellow Daoists are still remarkable, having taught such a little demon king. It is a pity that the Khakkhara staff failed to retain this connection—only a step away, just a step away..."
"State Preceptor, you are cleverer than I. Could it be you did not know that the intentions of Sumeru Mountain were questionable?" the Duke of Wei said as he watched the headless corpse being placed in the coffin. He turned his head to the State Preceptor of Yankang beside him and continued, "They clearly came to take advantage of the situation, to rescue those old monsters like Master Qiong. Their strength at the Great Thunderclap Monastery will grow! Unless these people are eliminated, they will remain a future threat!"
"Master Qiong and the others only have a dozen or two decades of life left. They are not worth worrying about. Let the Old Tathagata take them away," the State Preceptor of Yankang said. "I understand the Old Tathagata's intentions. He chose this timing to take advantage, doing so at the perfect moment. I was injured and unable to stop him."
The Duke of Wei's expression was odd as he looked the State Preceptor up and down, suspicious. "Is it true or false?"
The State Preceptor said solemnly, "It is true."
"True or false?"
The State Preceptor replied in annoyance, "Naturally it is true. You try fighting a battle of life and death with those Cult Master-level existences? And among them were three god-like beings! How could one emerge unscathed from such a battle?"
"I don't believe it!"
The Duke of Wei said disgruntledly, "I'd be a fool to believe you! Not a single word you say! Those who believed you are now lying stiffly in their coffins, not moving an inch."
The State Preceptor of Yankang did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Actually, sometimes I am quite honest."
"That is precisely why your lies are so deep. I cannot see through you."
The Duke of Wei looked at the coffin and remained silent for a moment. "The person inside the coffin—you should know who it is."
The State Preceptor of Yankang shook his head. "I cannot say."
"If you won't say, I will find out eventually. Once we reach the capital, after a few days we will see which old prince suddenly passes away, and we will know who it is." The Duke of Wei glanced left and right, then lowered his voice. "Among the Ling family, the problem is not limited to just him. Is the old Empress Dowager any different? I think you should take one more step—just become the Emperor..."
The State Preceptor of Yankang shot him a glance, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
The Duke of Wei was startled and quickly said, "We have been friends for over two hundred years! Don't scare me! Actually, it is not just me who thinks this way—those old brothers of yours who follow you think so too. Your rank has reached its limit. Even if you achieve the greatest merit, the Emperor cannot promote you any further. Now you have put down a rebellion and achieved great merit—how can the Emperor reward you? By giving you the throne?"
The State Preceptor of Yankang shook his head. "The Emperor and I understand each other. He knows I do not seek merit. What I seek is only my lifelong ambition."
"That is exactly why the Emperor is in a difficult position. If he does not reward you, it will discourage others who have made contributions. If he does reward you, he has nothing left to give. Will you accept beautiful women? Will you accept wealth?" The Duke of Wei lowered his voice. "The Emperor knows you and understands you. But what about the Crown Prince? When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne in the future, will he be like his father and understand you? What can the Crown Prince use to reward you? And further—those old brothers of yours have followed you your entire life. If you take one more step, they too can be promoted. Some people are desperate for promotion. If they want to rise in rank, they will push you onto that throne. Do you know what the Empress Dowager is worried about? She is not worried about you—she is worried about the people under you!"
"I will follow my own path. You need say no more," the State Preceptor of Yankang said, walking forward. "Talking to you is exhausting. You just focus on suppressing the rebellion and clearing out the remnants of the rebel forces in the Southern Borderlands. I will go find the young divine doctor to treat my injuries."
"Treating injuries again?" the Duke of Wei asked, puzzled. "Are you really injured? Or are you lying to me again?"
The State Preceptor of Yankang waved his hand in annoyance and walked away.
Qin Mu led the Azure Dragon Qilin, Shen Wanyun, Yue Qinghong, and the others down the mountain, while the various hall masters and left and right protectors of the Heavenly Demon Cult on the mountain had already activated the Transmission Banners and departed.
At the foot of the mountain, Qin Mu and the others encountered the State Preceptor of Yankang.
"I am injured," the State Preceptor said.
"Snort, snort, snort..." The Azure Dragon Qilin snorted with laughter.
The State Preceptor glanced at the massive creature, and the Azure Dragon Qilin immediately shut its mouth. The State Preceptor's face was somewhat pale as he said to Qin Mu, "I am injured."
Qin Mu looked at him suspiciously. "True or false?"
"True." The State Preceptor's face grew even paler.
"Really?"
"True!" The veins on the State Preceptor's forehead bulged.
"Alright."
...
Daxiang City had been reduced to an empty shell, leveled to the ground. There was no longer a herbalist shop there, so they had to return to Wuyin City. This city was surrounded by lakes and was often shrouded in thick fog, appearing and disappearing within the mist, hence its name.
Inside the government office, Qin Mu examined the State Preceptor of Yankang's injuries and discovered that he had sustained over a hundred wounds, most of which were internal. There were also Gu parasites inside his body, and even his divine repositories were extensively damaged. Fortunately, his cultivation was deep enough to suppress the injuries.
These wounds were all different, especially those that had invaded his divine repositories—they were particularly difficult to treat and tested the depth of one's medical cultivation. The Spirit Womb, the Five Elements God, the Six Harmonies God, the Seven Stars God, the Celestial Man repository, the Life and Death repository, the Divine Bridge repository—these injuries were all exceptionally棘手, and the damage to his soul was also a great challenge. For Qin Mu, this was a rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the divine repositories.
The injuries to his body, however, were not as severe.
To heal the State Preceptor of Yankang's injuries would be a monumental task. Qin Mu calculated and pondered for a long time before devising a treatment plan and ordering people to fetch the necessary herbs.
Many of the herbs in the shop were common ones, and some rare ingredients were difficult to find. Although Wuyin City was a large city, there were still many medicinal materials unavailable here that would need to be obtained in the capital.
Qin Mu first treated those injuries for which the necessary herbs were available, leaving the rest to be addressed once they reached the capital.
In the government office, Qin Mu had people bring in an enormous pot, filled it with water and medicinal herbs, and placed a large steamer on top. He instructed the State Preceptor of Yankang to remove his clothing and lie down in the steamer. Using over a hundred silver needles, he pierced the State Preceptor's body, with the other ends of the needles penetrating his divine repositories. Using the needles as bridges, he channeled the medicinal power into the divine repositories.
The State Preceptor lay quietly in the steamer. Suddenly, he spoke. "If the Emperor rewards me with beautiful women, fine horses, and wealth this time, should I accept?"
Qin Mu twisted a needle between the State Preceptor's brows. The needle was hollow and could channel the medicinal power. "What else can the Emperor give you?"
The State Preceptor was silent for a moment. "Nothing else."
"Then you should accept it."
Qin Mu took another needle and tapped it on the State Preceptor's heart and lungs. "Who does the State Preceptor have in his household?"
"Besides me, only a few old servants and guards."
"How much money do you have?"
"My monthly salary is barely enough to get by."
"Do you not have a wife or children?"
"When one's heart holds the principles of heaven, what need is there for human desires?"
"The State Preceptor should start a family... Don't talk now. Once this needle goes in, I will cover the steamer and add more fire."
...
Half a month later, the State Preceptor of Yankang's complexion had recovered considerably. During this journey of treatment, they passed through fifteen cities, and Qin Mu still had not found all the rare spirit herbs he needed. However, he had treated the State Preceptor's injuries to about seventy or eighty percent completion.
Qin Mu was skilled in the use of medicinal herbs. Although he did not have access to the finest spirit herbs, he was able to substitute common ingredients for the rare ones. However, some injuries truly required precious spirit herbs, leaving him at a loss.
When they arrived in the capital, they saw white banners and white lanterns hanging in many streets. Upon inquiry, they learned that Prince Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, had passed away. The Emperor was grief-stricken, and the entire nation mourned.
Prince Zhenbei, Ling Yinfeng, was the late Emperor's younger brother, ranked eighth, and was therefore also known as the Eighth Imperial Uncle. He was deeply respected and loved by the people. In his early years, when the late Emperor was conquering the world, the Eighth Imperial Uncle had achieved numerous military merits, pacifying several sects and nations. He had been severely wounded multiple times, nearly dying in battle on several occasions, and had saved the late Emperor's life several times as well.
Emperor Yanfeng's smooth ascension to the throne had also been supported by him. He had rendered the greatest service in establishing the Ling family's empire.
---Second update. Third update tonight at eight o'clock!