Chapter 202: Steaming the National Preceptor
On the illusory image of Mount Tu Di, a Bodhisattva pressed his palms together and said: "My Buddha, the National Preceptor of Diên Khang said he was also injured. Why not take this opportunity..."
"True or false?" The Old Như Lai, with kind eyes and gentle brows, asked warmly.
That Bodhisattva was slightly startled: "Disciple... disciple does not know."
The Old Như Lai smiled: "When it comes to the words of the National Preceptor of Diên Khang, those who dared to believe him have all lost, and some have already died. Poor Master, is it because you all believed he was injured that you suffered this defeat?"
Poor Master and the others had grim expressions, especially Đạo Tuyền Chân Nhân, who was deeply self-blaming. He had judged from Tần Mục's herbal residue that the National Preceptor of Diên Khang was severely wounded, and everyone had believed his words, which was why they took the second path.
However, this could not be entirely blamed on him.
Poor Master, Lý Tán Nhân, and Điền Chân Quân—three old monsters from the old era—had ambushed and severely wounded the National Preceptor of Diên Khang amidst ten thousand troops. These three old monsters were the most supreme existences in the current world. Whether in strength or prestige, they all stood at the absolute peak in the martial world.
No one would doubt the strength of these three senior predecessors. Although the National Preceptor of Diên Khang was hailed as a heaven-defying genius seen once in five hundred years, and his reputation was high, he still could not compare to any one of these three.
It was precisely out of trust in these three that everyone believed the National Preceptor of Diên Khang was truly severely wounded.
And the details that followed also indicated that the National Preceptor of Diên Khang was indeed very badly injured.
For example, at the Grand Academy's sword lecture, the National Preceptor of Diên Khang spoke for less than two days, and he used incense to mask the foul smell of his wounds.
Another example: the Dragon King of the Dragon Gate secretly visited the National Preceptor's mansion at night and retreated unscathed—the National Preceptor of Diên Khang failed to detain him.
Yet another example: at Tiểu Ngọc Kinh, Tán Nhân Trăn duelled the National Preceptor of Diên Khang by the waterfall, and the National Preceptor's injuries flared up, to the point that he needed the young divine physician Tần Mục to accompany him all the way, regulating his body day and night.
Combined with the judgment of the divine physician Đạo Tuyền Chân Nhân, all these signs indicated that the National Preceptor of Diên Khang's wounds had relapsed. Even with Tần Mục's treatment and care, he would need at least a month to recover.
And this, from the very beginning of the ambush on the National Preceptor of Diên Khang, was destined to be used by the National Preceptor as a scheme.
As for the two paths the National Preceptor of Diên Khang gave them, that too was a scheme.
From start to finish, there had never been two paths—only one.
"A heaven-defying genius seen once in five hundred years is not so easily dealt with."
The Old Như Lai said calmly: "This 'once in five hundred years' refers not only to his wisdom, aptitude, and comprehension, but also to his strategy and tactics being once in five hundred years. A heaven-defying genius seen once in five hundred years—if he cannot become a sage, then he becomes a lawless demon, a misfortune to the world. Believe him?"
He smiled: "Ghost."
Everyone was puzzled, not knowing why the Old Như Lai would say such words, only feeling that the words were concise yet deeply meaningful.
The Beggar Sect's sect master Tề Đại said: "With his alliance with the Thiên Ma Sect, he is already destined to be a lawless demon. It's a pity we don't know who the new sect master of the Thiên Ma Sect is."
"We already know."
The Old Như Lai laughed: "It is that young man who returned my greeting. Speaking of it, this old monk still has a karmic connection with him. I originally wanted to convert him to the Great Thunderclap Temple, but unfortunately, that karmic connection suddenly broke for some reason and was transferred to another wondrous life."
"It's him?"
The many monks on Mount Tu Di and Poor Master and the others were all startled. The Old Như Lai laughed: "It is him. Those old daoist friends are still remarkable, having taught such a little demon. Unfortunately, Khất Khí La failed to preserve that karmic connection—just one step away, just one step away..."
"National Preceptor, you are smarter than me. Don't you know there's something wrong with the purpose of Mount Tu Di's visit?"
Duke Vệ Quốc watched as the headless corpse was placed into the coffin, then turned his head to the National Preceptor of Diên Khang beside him and said: "They clearly came to take advantage of the situation, rescuing those old monsters like Poor Master to strengthen the Great Thunderclap Temple's power! If these people are not eliminated, they will remain a future threat!"
"Poor Master and the others only have ten to twenty years of life left—not worth worrying about. Let the Old Như Lai take them away."
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang said: "I understand the Old Như Lai's intention. He came at this time to take advantage—perfectly timed. I am injured and cannot block him."
Duke Vệ Quốc's expression turned strange. He looked the National Preceptor up and down, suspiciously: "Really or fake?"
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang said solemnly: "Really?"
"Really or fake?"
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang said irritably: "Of course it's real. Why don't you try fighting those sect-master-level existences head-on? And there were three god-like existences among them! How could anyone come out unscathed after a life-and-death battle with them?"
"I don't believe it!"
Duke Vệ Quốc said resentfully: "Only a ghost would believe you! Not a single word you say would I believe! Those who believed you are now lying stiff in coffins, not moving at all."
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang was caught between laughter and tears, saying: "Actually, sometimes I am very honest."
"That's exactly why your deception runs so deep. I can't read you."
Duke Vệ Quốc looked at the coffin, was silent for a moment, then said: "The person in the coffin—you should know who it is."
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang shook his head: "I cannot say."
"Even if you don't say, I will know. Once we reach the capital, in a few days we'll see which old prince suddenly passes away, and then we'll know who he is."
Duke Vệ Quốc glanced left and right, then lowered his voice: "In the Lin family, the one with problems is not just him. Isn't the old Empress Dowager the same? I think you should go one step further—just become the emperor outright..."
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang glanced at him, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Duke Vệ Quốc was startled and quickly said: "We've been old comrades for over two hundred years—don't scare me! Actually, it's not just me who thinks this way, but those old brothers who follow you. Your official rank has reached its peak. Even if you rendered the greatest merit, the emperor has no way to promote you further. Now you've rendered great merit in suppressing the rebellion—how is the emperor supposed to reward you? Reward you with the throne?"
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang shook his head: "The emperor and I understand each other's hearts. The emperor knows me. He knows I do not seek merit. What I seek is only the ambition of my lifetime."
"That's exactly why the emperor is in a difficult position. If he doesn't reward you, it will break the hearts of those with merit across the realm. If he rewards you, he has nothing left to give. Give you beauties—do you want them? Give you wealth—do you want it?"
Duke Vệ Quốc lowered his voice: "The emperor knows you and understands you. But what about the Crown Prince? When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, will he understand you and know you like his father? What can the Crown Prince reward you with? Besides, your old brothers have followed you their entire lives. If you take one more step forward, they can also be promoted. There are those who desperately want promotion. They want to rise, so they must lift you up and place you on that throne. Do you know what the Empress Dowager worries about? Is it you she worries about? It's the people under your command!"
"I seek my own path. You need not speak further."
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang walked forward and said calmly: "Talking with you is exhausting. You focus on suppressing the rebellion and cleaning up the remaining rebel forces in the southern frontier. I'll go find the young divine physician to treat my wounds."
"Treating wounds again?"
Duke Vệ Quốc asked in confusion: "Are you really injured? You're not deceiving me again, are you?"
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang was annoyed, waved his hand, and walked far away.
Tần Mục led Long Kỳ Lân, Thẩm Vạn Vân, Việt Thanh Hồng and others down the mountain, while on the mountain, the many hall masters and left and right protectors of the Thiên Ma Sect had already activated their teleportation banners to leave.
At the foot of the mountain, Tần Mục and the others encountered the National Preceptor of Diên Khang.
"I am injured." The National Preceptor of Diên Khang said.
"Khụ khụ khụ..." Long Kỳ Lân let out muffled laughter.
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang glanced at this colossal creature, and Long Kỳ Lân quickly shut his mouth. The National Preceptor's face was somewhat pale, and he said to Tần Mục: "I am injured."
Tần Mục asked suspiciously: "Really or fake?"
"Really." The National Preceptor's face grew even paler.
"Truly?"
"Really!" Veins bulged on the National Preceptor's forehead.
"Alright."
...
Đại Tương City was now an empty city, razed to the ground. There were no medicine shops left, so they had to return to Vụ Ẩn 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, Tần Mục diagnosed the National Preceptor's injuries and found that he had over a hundred wounds, most of them internal injuries. There were also gu worms in his body, and even his divine repositories had many injuries. Fortunately, his cultivation was profound, allowing him to suppress the wounds.
These injuries were each different, especially those that had invaded the divine repositories—those were extremely troublesome and truly tested one's medical skill. The Linh Thai, Ngũ Hành Thần, Lục Hợp Thần, Thất Tinh Thần, Thiên Nhân divine repository, Sinh Tử divine repository, Thần Kiều divine repository—these wounds were all exceptionally difficult, and the wounds to the soul were also a great challenge. For Tần Mục, this was also a rare opportunity, allowing him to learn more about the secrets of the divine repositories.
As for the wounds on the body, they were comparatively less severe.
To properly regulate and heal the National Preceptor's injuries was a massive undertaking. Tần Mục calculated for a long time, pondered for a long time, and only then came up with a treatment plan, sending people to the medicine shops to fetch herbs.
Many of the herbs in the medicine shops were ordinary ones. Some rare herbs were difficult to find. Although Vụ Ẩn City was a large city, there were still many herbs that were not available here and would need to be sought in the capital.
Tần Mục first treated the wounds that could be treated with available herbs, leaving the other injuries for when they reached the capital.
In the government office, Tần Mục had people find an enormous pot, filled it with water and herbs, and placed a huge steaming rack on top. He had the National Preceptor of Diên Khang remove his clothes and lie in the steaming rack, then pierced his body with over a hundred silver needles. The other ends of the needles penetrated into his divine repositories, using the needles as bridges to channel the medicinal power into his divine repositories.
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang lay quietly in the steaming rack, then suddenly said: "If the emperor rewards me with beauties and wealth this time, should I accept them?"
Tần Mục twisted a needle at his brow—the needle was hollow, able to conduct medicinal power—and said: "What else can the emperor reward you with?"
The National Preceptor of Diên Khang was silent for a moment, then said: "Nothing."
"Then you should accept."
Tần Mục took another needle and placed it on his heart and lungs, saying: "Who does the National Preceptor have in his family?"
"Besides myself, only a few old servants and guards."
"How much money do you have?"
"My monthly salary is barely enough."
"No wife or children?"
"With heavenly principles in one's heart, why need human desires?"
"The National Preceptor should start a family... Don't speak. Once this needle goes in, I'm covering the steaming rack and adding fire."
...
Half a month later, the National Preceptor of Diên Khang's complexion had recovered considerably. During this journey of treatment, they had passed through fifteen cities, and Tần Mục still had not found all the spiritual herbs he needed. However, he had managed to treat most of his injuries.
Tần Mục was skilled at using medicine. Although there were no superior spiritual herbs, he could substitute ordinary herbs for those rare spiritual ones. It was just that some wounds truly required extremely precious spiritual herbs, leaving him at a loss.
When they reached the capital, they saw many streets hung with white banners and white lanterns. Upon inquiring, they learned that the Town-Protecting Northern Prince Lin Ẩn Phong had passed away. The emperor was grief-stricken, and the entire nation was in mourning.
The Town-Protecting Northern Prince Lin Ẩn Phong was the younger brother of the late emperor, ranked eighth, and was therefore also called the Eighth Imperial Uncle. He was highly respected and beloved. In the early years, when the late emperor was conquering the realm, the Eighth Imperial Uncle had rendered outstanding military achievements, pacifying several sects and nations. He had been severely wounded many times, nearly dying in battle on several occasions, and had also saved the late emperor's life several times.
Diên Phong Emperor's smooth ascension to the throne also had his support. For the Lin family's dynasty, his contributions were paramount.
—Second update. Third update at eight o'clock in the evening!