“In this matter, Wuchen wouldn’t dare to lie to you, Your Majesty. One of the most dreadful properties of the Soul Snatching Cold Poison is, it will not infect a person through the blood, but will pass on to another person through sexual intercourse. There’s a short period of time wherein it is most contagious, and that is the seven days before the onset of the poison. A while ago, I happened to see the whites of Your Majesty’s eye faintly turning dark and I got bewildered… As it turns out, it has been confirmed. Originally I was wondering why somebody would poison the Empress, their ultimate target is Your Majesty, the Emperor.” Ye Wuchen said, every word was severe, like some huge rocks were smashing their hearts out one by one.
Since Ye Wuchen had entered this room, his ability to make the Medicine Expert to step down gracefully had removed all suspicions against him. Moreover, the general thought was that if he did not have absolute certainty, he would not have any reason to make these claims. Because, if in case these were not true, it would be considered a major offense to have caused a big panic. Even the Lin Family did not doubt it… For such a grave matter, who would dare to play jokes? Would the most intelligent son of the Ye Family do it? Would he even dare?
The corner of Long Yin’s mouth began to twitch continuously, he was evidently angered. “Quickly tell me, who would be in possession of such a highly toxic poison?”
Ye Wuchen glanced at Shui Nanhe’s odd look, then said in a low voice, “My teacher told me that this kind of poison naturally formed in the darkest and coldest place in Heavenly Star Continent, is in the extreme north of Cang Lang Nation. That place is both desolate and uninhabited. As for who possessed the poison, nobody knows. But this person would have had the ability to get this extremely dangerous poison, then secretly infiltrate the strictly guarded palace in order to poison the Empress. To treat the tight security of the imperial palace as if it were nothing, in the whole world, only a few people would be able to do it. Among these people, how many of them have animosity towards the Emperor or the Tian Long Nation? Although Wuchen doesn’t know them well, Your Majesty must have some suspects. Wuchen can only provide some specific persons, yet they are only a few and I’m not absolutely sure.”
Ye Wuchen made a courteous gesture and strode out. In this kind of situation, there was no need for him to stay much longer.
Make your guesses… Even if you don’t fully believe my words, more or less you will soon come to doubt the Northern Empire Clan. That’s the time you will fall into my first trap.
“Wait a moment!” Long Yin called out for him again.
Ye Wuchen halted his steps, turned around and asked, “Your Majesty, did you have any more requests?”
“I want you to do one thing for me, something serious that concerns my safety, as well as Tian Long Nation’s safety.” Long Yin said with a serious expression. His statement suddenly brought back the tension in the surrounding people. Everybody opened their eyes wide, wondering if these words implied that something serious was going to happen soon.
As expected, he had already fallen into the second trap. Ye Wuchen sneered but on the outside, his appearance was solemn as he moved his body, then he said with some surprise, “What is it be? If it is within the capability of Wuchen, I will surely comply.”
“I want you to go to the Heavenly Fire Volcano in the South and return with the Heavenly Fire Dragon Fruit for me and the Empress. If there’s a person who could reach the center of the Heavenly Fire Volcano, then it will certainly be you, Wuchen!”
Long Zhenyang, frightened, stepped forward to say, “Father, your safety is definitely as important as the sky, but…”
“You need not say more.” Long Yin waves his hand and continued, “I obviously don’t want him to die like this. That day, when Wuchen was uninjured by the mighty flames of Lin Yan, most of the people had witnessed it clearly. I had secretly asked regarding this strange situation. Old General Ye didn’t hide the truth and he directly told me that the God of Sword had let Wuchen consume an enchanted object before, enabling him to resist the power of water and fire. Wuchen, is this true?”
“Yes…” Ye Wuchen answered.
“Then, are you afraid of the fires of the Heavenly Fire Volcano?”
“I shouldn’t be.”
“Very well. Just as you’ve mentioned, this poison will flare up every two months and I’ve already been infected for more than a week. There less than two months before it flares up. Within these two months, it will be long enough for you to go and return from the Heavenly Fire Volcano. Are you willing to go to the Heavenly Fire Volcano on my behalf?”
“……” Ye Wuchen did not answer and the look on his face was somewhat troubled.
The rumors regarding how he had survived the mighty flames of Lin Yan had already spread around. It had become a fantastic story and the people who had been on the scene confirmed it. Now, they had also witnessed his saving the Empress. For a moment, all the gazes focused on Ye Wuchen.
“Ai. I obviously know that this request is quite excessive. Even if you don’t fear the fires of the Heavenly Fire Volcano, but as you journey to the South, you will certainly meet some unknown dangers mid-way. Based on the legend, the Heavenly Fire Dragon lies asleep in the Heavenly Fire Volcano with the Heavenly Fire Dragon Fruit as its food. Although it’s just a legend and nobody has seen it before, if that legend is true, there is a big possibility that the dragon will be woken. The outcome will surely be troublesome. If you agree, I will ask Elder Li to go with you, to help protect you. If you will not agree… Ai. Since you are the descendant of the God of Sword, even if you don’t follow the orders of the Emperor, nobody has the right to blame you. I will certainly use my remaining time for my funeral arrangements.” Long Yin solemnly said, his face was neither happy nor sad, as if he did not care about his life anymore.
Long Zhenyang’s face changed constantly. If Long Yin were to die like this, he might be sorrowful for a period of time, but afterwhich, he will be happy most of the time. He did not care about the imperial throne, he even somehow rejected it, but if Long Yin died, it will be one less hindrance to chase after Shui Mengchan. The father and son relationship between, during the recent years, grew weaker and weaker. Their love for each other becoming as dull as the water, with only his selfish motives took a strong hold. He told Ye Wuchen, “Brother Ye, although you possess an the ability that protects you from water and fire, there will surely be a lot of dangers on your way to the Heavenly Fire Volcano. For you to finish apprenticeship and return home not long ago only to be given such a dangerous assignment is indeed very hard for you. But my father’s safety relates to the Tian Long Nation’s safety… Ai, please do consider it carefully, brother Ye.”
Physician Li, who dared not to speak to speak too much, also proceeded to the front and said, “Master Ye, this old man here also wishes to make a shameless request. Please do consider His Majesty, consider the Tian Long Nation, just… just agree to it. The God of Sword has also brandished his sword to protect our Tian Long Nation, if the God of Sword was here, he will surely wish you could help us face this…”
“The entire Ye Family has been loyalty for so many generations. Heaven and earth will be able to attest to that. Master Ye will certainly agree… If he does not, then this old man will kneel before you until my death.” Yet another physician with a head full of white hair yelled out emotionally.
With two of them taking the lead, the other imperial physicians, unwilling to fall behind, moved forward one by one to make their appeals. Most of them had the intention to kneel until their deaths if they did not hear a response. Ye Wuchen was silent all along, while his facial expression continuously changed, as if his mind was going through a very intense struggle.
Standing at the back, Ling Kuang gestured at Lin Zhan, who immediately understood and slightly nodded his head. With a loud and clear voice, he yelled, “All of these superiors bending their waists at a man of a younger generation without hesitation have such noble characters and unquestionable integrity. I greatly admire it, but all of you don’t have to seek his approval. This son has just recently bragged about the loyalty of his entire Ye Family, yet now in order to protect himself, he completely ignores the safety of His Majesty and the Tian Long Nation. The crime of going against the order comes next, with such principles and conduct, he should be greatly despised by the people, truly unconvincing!”
Ye Wuchen abruptly raised his brows. Lin Zhan, who was yelling out angry words, suddenly felt like he was being stabbed by two ice-cold swords to the chest, so his voice suddenly stopped, yet Ye Wuchen responded with a smile. “Superior Lin, I do not understand this statement of yours. Did I already decline His Majesty?”
“In that case, does that mean you have agreed?” Long Yin asked.
Ye Wuchen calmly nodded. “Yes. Wuchen has selfish intentions as well, but for the safety of His Majesty, together with the safety of the Tian Long Nation, how can my safety be worth comparing to the safety of the nation? Wuchen, surely promises. But… Wuchen hopes that Your Majesty can agree to my request, or else Wuchen will go against the orders even if there’s the risk of being despised by all the people!”
The last statement was said in a resolute and decisive way, leaving no room for argument.
“Hahahaha. Good… I was not wrong about you. I have waited to hear these words from you for quite a while. You don’t have to worry, during the whole journey, I will have Elder Li take care of your safety. Your life is now connected to my life right now. If you really have a serious accident, my life will also not last long. Your requests, just name them. As long as it will not bring harm to the Tian Long Nation, I will give you anything.”
Ye Wuchen’s agreement made Long Yin appears happier, and most of the dark clouds that recently piled up on his face scattered. Indeed, once Ye Wuchen had agreed on this journey to the Heavenly Fire Volcano, his life became connected to Long Yin’s life.
“Wuchen will certainly not propose any request that brings harm to Tian Long Nation. But as mediator of the Ye Family, I should live for Ye Family first. Some other people tried to dishonor my Ye Family several times…” Ye Wuchen took a few glimpses at Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan. That indifferent glance bore a treacherous look, causing them to fear at the thought that something bad was going to happen next. “Forgive Wuchen for making a request with selfish motives… Wuchen wants the two of them to…” Ye Wuchen pointed at Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan, “kneel down before me to apologize to the Ye Family!”
Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan’s bodies trembled violently. They were just about to berate, when Ye Wuchen interrupted them with an unhurried tone, “For this journey to the Heavenly Fire Volcano, Wuchen is willing to sacrifice my life for the safety of Your Majesty. Won’t the two from the Lin Family kneel down before me to fulfill my simple request for the safety of Your Majesty? Wuchen has mentioned it previously that if they refused to kneel before me, Wuchen will go against the orders even if there’s the risk of being despised by all the people. Such is the dignity of the sons of the Ye Family, nobody may dishonor my Ye Family!”
Lin Kuang and Lin Zhan remained speechless on the spot, so regretful that their intestines had turned green. A moment ago, they were forcing Ye Wuchen to agree to the request by making negative remarks. They did not expect that Ye Wuchen would grab this opportunity to return the favor with a violent slap back. If they were to kneel down in front of one from the younger generation of the Ye Family, what would happen to the reputation of the Lin Family? Yet if they were to refuse… Ye Wuchen had already blocked all the remaining options for them.
Since the time Ye Wuchen reappeared after being missing for a year, their Lin Family had time and again suffered under his hands, whether big or small things. Furthermore, every time they spoke out words to mock him or the Ye Family, they were not only unable to achieve the result they wanted, but instead got beaten back multiple times and unable to even counter, with no exceptions… Thinking about this, their hearts grew cold. If they were given a chance to redo it, they would choose to remain silent and not to speak a single word to him.
Translated by:
Fatty_Uncle
Edited by:
seriouspotato patrick_father_of_dragons
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