Chapter 159: Medical Sage

The next morning, Yun Che followed Lan Xueruo to the Azure Wind Imperial Palace.

Entering the Imperial Palace for the first time in his life, Yun Che felt a little overwhelmed by its splendor, like a country bumpkin exploring a grand estate. The palace buildings were naturally extremely grand and luxurious. Golden glazed tiles shimmered everywhere with opulent brilliance under the sun, dazzling Yun Che.

Lan Xueruo was still dressed simply. Outside the palace, her identity wouldn't be recognized easily, but within the Imperial Palace, everyone was familiar with the sole Imperial Princess. Wherever they went, various guards and palace maids continuously bowed. Upon seeing Lan Xueruo, they would quickly bow down and respectfully call out "Princess Cang Yue." Yun Che followed closely by Lan Xueruo's side, without disguising himself or dressing up deliberately. The Crown Prince and Third Prince naturally had many informants within the palace, so the fact that he entered the palace with Lan Xueruo would surely be known by them quickly. However, Yun Che didn't dwell on it. On the contrary, if he had disguised himself, the news would be that Princess Cang Yue had brought a stranger to meet the Emperor, and if the Crown Prince and Third Prince couldn't find out who this person was, it might cause trouble for Lan Xueruo.

The Imperial Palace was vast. As Lan Xueruo walked, she introduced Yun Che to the palace's important buildings. Before they knew it, they arrived in front of a magnificent palace.

"This is my Imperial Father's bedchamber," Lan Xueruo said. Her expression showed a slight nervousness. She was like a normal young girl introducing her beloved to her parents for the first time, anxious about not receiving their approval.

On both sides of the path leading to the palace, there were large ponds. The lotus flowers in the ponds were in full bloom; clear ripples spread across the water, green willows brushed the surface, lotus leaves swayed gently, and the lotus flowers danced in the breeze. A faint fragrance filled the air.

"Okay, let's go in," Yun Che said, much calmer than Lan Xueruo.

Lan Xueruo led the way, guiding Yun Che towards the Emperor's bedchamber. As they stepped through the entrance, they saw an old man approaching, dressed in a grey robe with a long beard reaching his chest. Although the old man appeared aged, his hair and beard were jet black, indicating a strong mastery of health preservation. Even from a distance, Yun Che caught a faint scent of medicinal herbs.

Two attendants followed behind the old man. Though they were just attendants, a hint of arrogance was faintly visible deep within their eyes – even within the Imperial Palace.

Upon seeing the old man, Lan Xueruo paused. She then hurried forward, bowed slightly, and politely asked, "Master Gu, you're here. How is my Imperial Father's condition?"

Lan Xueruo's actions surprised Yun Che. From the old man's attire, he was clearly not of the imperial family, yet Lan Xueruo, a dignified princess, had taken the initiative to greet him and even performed a simple bow... When Lan Xueruo uttered the words "Master Gu," Yun Che's brow twitched, and he immediately thought of someone.

"Ah, Your Highness Princess," the old man chuckled, returning the bow with a benevolent expression. "I was summoned by His Majesty this morning, so I came to check on him. Last night's breeze was a little cool, and His Majesty caught a slight chill, but it's nothing serious now. As for His Majesty's vital energy... alas, please forgive this old man's inability; I still haven't found a solution."

"Master Gu, please don't say that. The exhaustion of vital energy is a condition for which there is no known cure in this world. If my Imperial Father hadn't received your care all these years, he might have... In any case, Master Gu, please don't blame yourself. Cang Yue thanks Master Gu for his kindness once again." Lan Xueruo said with a grateful expression.

"Princess Cang Yue, your words are too kind and humble this old man. Please rest assured, Your Highness, this old man will do everything in his power to preserve His Majesty's health... His Majesty is about to rest. If Your Highness wishes to visit him, please go in quickly. This old man will take his leave."

"Farewell, Master Gu."

The old man, carrying his medicine box, slowly walked away with his attendants. Lan Xueruo watched them leave, clearly showing great respect for the old man. Only after the old man was out of sight did Lan Xueruo turn to Yun Che and explain, "He is the Master Gu I mentioned to you before. For the past few years, he has been treating my Imperial Father's illness. It's thanks to Master Gu that my Imperial Father has been able to cling to life until now."

"His medical skills are strong?" Yun Che asked casually, resting his chin on his hand.

"Master Gu Qiuhong is already 160 years old and is known as the 'Medical Saint.' His medical skills are unparalleled in the Azure Wind Empire; no one can match him. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest divine physician in Azure Wind. Furthermore, Master Gu is not only supremely skilled in medicine but also understands the art of profound channeling, enabling profound practitioners to unblock the three profound apertures of 'Kishui,' 'Zique,' and 'Xinmen' after birth. To receive profound channeling from Master Gu is almost every Azure Wind profound practitioner's dream. Even the Four Great Sacred Sects have always treated Master Gu as an honored guest with utmost respect, requesting him annually to channel profound energy for their core disciples. Therefore, Master Gu's reputation in Azure Wind Imperial City is extremely high. Countless people have sought his help, owe him their lives, or are indebted to him. Consequently, no one has ever dared to offend Master Gu. Otherwise, countless individuals would voluntarily stand up for him... including the Heavenly Sword Villa, Frozen Cloud Asgard, Xiao Sect, and Burning Heaven Clan, the four great sects."

As Lan Xueruo spoke these words, her face was filled with admiration, clearly showing not just respect but also a degree of reverence for Master Gu.

"'Medical Saint'?" Yun Che's lips curved into a slight, disdainful smirk... 'Medical Saint' was his master's title. In his heart, since his master was the 'Medical Saint', no one else in this world deserved that title!

"What about Master Gu's character?" Yun Che asked, implying something.

Lan Xueruo replied, "Master Gu is not only supremely skilled in medicine but also kind-hearted and benevolent. He never acts arrogantly because he's the greatest divine physician, nor does he consider status when treating patients. He often provides free treatment to the poor. Therefore, Master Gu's reputation within the Azure Wind Imperial family is exceptionally good; everyone admires and praises him. However, it is said that he can be a bit stubborn sometimes. If a patient offends him or he dislikes them for some reason, he will absolutely refuse to treat them, even if offered vast sums of money."

"Oh, is that so..." Yun Che nodded. "Let's go, let's see your Imperial Father."

When it came to judging people, ten Lan Xueruo's couldn't compare to Yun Che. The moment Yun Che saw Gu Qiuhong, he immediately concluded... this old man was definitely not a good person!

There was no specific reason, just a feeling. A feeling cultivated after facing countless persecutions, witnessing countless forms of ugliness, and experiencing countless brushes with death.

Upon entering the bedchamber, the middle-aged eunuch beside the Emperor immediately went in to report.

"Ever since Imperial Father suddenly fell gravely ill three years ago, he has spent most of his time in this bedchamber, rarely going out. Because his body is too weak and cannot withstand the slightest chill, even a minor ailment could become life-threatening," Lan Xueruo said with a somber expression. "In his current state, Imperial Father cannot manage state affairs. But my Eldest Imperial Brother and Third Imperial Brother have brought wolves into the house. Afterward, they not only disrespected Imperial Father but occasionally uttered coercive words, making it impossible for Imperial Father to pass the throne to them. He can only drag on day by day with his own life..."

"Don't worry," Yun Che said, gently squeezing Lan Xueruo's hand to comfort her. "I told you, no matter what illness it is, as long as it's an illness, I will definitely find a way to cure it."

These words were not Yun Che's boast. He was the Medical Saint's successor and would never allow himself to disgrace his master's name!

"I believe you," Lan Xueruo replied softly.

"Your Highness Princess, and this young brother, His Majesty is waiting for you inside. Please come in," the middle-aged eunuch said respectfully, bending at the waist at the doorway.

Upon entering the Emperor's private chambers, Yun Che immediately saw an old man leaning on the imperial couch. Lan Xueruo had just turned nineteen this year, and the Crown Prince would be thirty-three in eight days. By conventional reasoning, the Emperor should only be in his fifties or sixties, and with the pampered life and countless spiritual medicines and fruits available in the palace, an emperor at this age shouldn't show signs of advanced aging. However, the person on the bed had a withered, sallow complexion, white hair, and dull, lifeless eyes, resembling an old man in his eighties.

Yun Che's brow sharply furrowed. This was...

"Imperial Father!" Seeing Cang Wanhe's terrible complexion, Lan Xueruo felt a pang in her heart and rushed to the bedside, asking worriedly, "I just met Master Gu at the bedchamber entrance; he said you caught another chill last night... How do you feel now? Have you gotten any better?"

"Heh heh," Cang Wanhe looked at Lan Xueruo with paternal affection. At present, it was only through this daughter that he could find the warmth of being a father. "It's nothing serious now. I didn't dare tell you, fearing you would worry too much. Yue'er, won't you introduce this person you've brought to me?"

Yun Che stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Yun Che, an inner palace disciple of the Azure Wind Profound Palace, greets Your Majesty."

"Oh? You are Yun Che?" Cang Wanhe showed a surprised expression, then smiled. "Though I've long resided in my bedchamber, I have heard that the Azure Wind Profound Palace produced an astonishingly talented youth who, at a tender age, crossed seven profound ranks to defeat an inner palace disciple, and even successfully wielded the Overlord's Colossal Sword, which has been unmastered for centuries. It's truly amazing."

Yun Che smiled faintly and humbly replied, "Your Majesty overpraises me. I am merely an ordinary Profound Palace disciple, unworthy of such high praise from Your Majesty."

Yun Che's words made Lan Xueruo burst into a giggle. "Junior Brother Yun, you're usually so overbearing and arrogant wherever you go. Why have you suddenly become so humble in front of my Imperial Father today?"

If, just moments ago, Cang Wanhe had felt only a slight admiration for Yun Che upon hearing his name, then as soon as Lan Xueruo uttered those words, Cang Wanhe's gaze towards Yun Che instantly changed. He naturally understood his daughter implicitly. He had never seen her tease a young man so naturally and casually before.

As the Emperor of Azure Wind, his discernment was incredibly sharp. As Lan Xueruo spoke, Cang Wanhe saw something different in the way she looked at Yun Che...

Cang Wanhe's expression remained unchanged, and he said kindly, "Yue'er, this 'Junior Brother Yun' of yours, he must be the person you spent two years looking for, right?"

Having fully revealed her feelings and resolved her inner turmoil last night, Lan Xueruo no longer needed to hide anything about the Azure Wind Ranking Tournament from Yun Che. She nodded openly and replied, "Yes. Imperial Father has already heard about Junior Brother Yun's talent. I believe that in another three years, Junior Brother Yun can reach a very high level and certainly has the potential to break into the top hundred... However, I brought Junior Brother Yun here today not just to introduce him to Imperial Father. In fact, Junior Brother Yun not only has high profound energy talent but also understands medicine, and often even calls himself a divine physician."

"Oh?" Cang Wanhe's face showed renewed interest. "You also understand medicine? Are you perhaps planning to treat me?"

"I will do my best to try," Yun Che replied somewhat conservatively... From the moment he entered, he had been observing Cang Wanhe's complexion and gradually began to have a bad feeling.

"Heh heh, alright."

Even Gu Qiuhong was helpless, and there was no one else in the Azure Wind Empire who could provide a cure, let alone a mere seventeen-year-old youth. But Cang Wanhe did not refuse; he said gently, "It's rare for you to have such a thoughtful intention, and since you are Yue'er's guest, I naturally have no reason to refuse. However, I must first inform you that according to Master Gu, my condition is not an illness but a permanent damage to my vital energy channels caused by years of chronic overexertion. Therefore, if you don't know where to begin, there's no need to force yourself."