Chapter 43: Revealing the Imperial Edict

Chapter 43: Posting the Imperial Proclamation

“Uh, what’s wrong?” Ye Tian was startled.

“Oh, you probably don’t know—Red Wolf disbanded,” Jess suddenly recalled. “It was about half a month ago. Most of the team left as soon as they returned, so Red Wolf was forced to dissolve.”

“What about Burton? He didn’t come back?” Ye Tian asked anxiously.

“No. Rumor has it Burton went after someone. No one knows what happened—those Red Wolf members who returned refuse to say a word,” Jess tried to remember what he’d heard.

“I see.” Ye Tian fell into thought. So Burton had gone looking for him, but with the vastness of the forest, and since he’d gone the wrong way, how could Burton possibly find him? “Ah!” Ye Tian sighed. Fate was always so full of twists.

“By the way, what exactly happened on the road?” Jess asked eagerly.

“With Palistine on the way, what do you think happened?” Ye Tian pulled out the bottle’s cork and took a heavy swig.

“As expected. Most people had already guessed, but it seems the real problem was indeed with that fool. What a shame!” Jess sighed. Palistine’s incompetence was hardly a secret, but to think it led to Red Wolf’s dissolution—who knows if his father can rest in peace in the afterlife.

“Red Wolf’s legendary reputation, destroyed in the hands of a fool. What a pity!” Jess lamented, then offered Ye Tian a new bottle. “Here, try something different. Change of taste, change of mood. It’s all in the past now.”

Ye Tian smiled. “I told you, I can really hold my liquor. You didn’t believe me. Regretting it now, aren’t you?”

“Hearing such explosive news from you? Worth every drop!” Jess laughed. “By the way, is there anything else I can help with? Weapons, perhaps?” He gestured with his mouth.

“No need, I’m not fond of fighting,” Ye Tian replied with a smile.

“That’s a shame. I actually know a master weaponsmith. Want to meet him? He’s a rare talent!” Jess raised his eyebrows suggestively.

“If it’s a blacksmith, I’m interested,” Ye Tian said offhandedly.

Jess chuckled, took out paper and pen, and quickly jotted down a few lines. “Take this. You’ll be interested,” he said, handing it over.

“Such a strong recommendation—guess I’ll have to go take a look!” Ye Tian finished his drink. “By the way, since you treated me, it’s only fair I return the favor.” He uncorked the gourd at his waist and carefully poured Jess a cup.

“Mmm, sorghum red,” Ye Tian inhaled the fragrance. “Didn’t expect to have this today.”

“Amazing, amazing!” Jess dropped his cup and eagerly accepted the one Ye Tian offered, taking a slow sip before downing it in a gulp.

“Superb!” Jess exhaled in satisfaction. “Compared to your wine, mine is just water! Where did you get such good stuff, Sir Gehr?”

“Oh, found it in a small village on my travels. I spent ten full days there without leaving!” Ye Tian replied.

And it was no lie—the old man drank sorghum red for ten whole days, refusing to leave. In the end, Ye Tian had to lure him away with a wine jar. So he spoke the truth.

“Ten days? If it were me, I’d never want to leave!” Jess sighed. “Could I have another cup?”

“No way, I’ve barely allowed myself any,” Ye Tian muttered, but carefully poured Jess another.

“Wonderful, wonderful! Today is the happiest day of my life. Cheers!” Jess poured half his cup into Ye Tian’s. “It’s only right to drink together!”

“Yes, together!” Ye Tian laughed, raised his cup, and the two clinked glasses, downing their drinks in one go.

As Ye Tian left the tavern, his steps were a bit unsteady. Shaking his head, he sobered up a little, smiled, and continued onward. Unconsciously, he found himself before a sign, surrounded by a crowd.

“Excuse me, what’s happening?” Ye Tian stopped a passerby.

“Oh, the princess has fallen ill—she’s been in a deep sleep and won’t wake. Priests and alchemists are at a loss, so the Emperor has posted an imperial proclamation, summoning all capable individuals to the palace to heal her.”

Upon hearing of a patient, Ye Tian’s head swam. He strode forward and tore the proclamation down.

“Drunkard! Are you looking for death?” A nearby guard, seeing Ye Tian so inebriated, panicked and tried to snatch the proclamation back.

“Relax, I’m not drunk,” Ye Tian replied with a burp. With a flick of his fingers, a golden needle appeared between his fingertips. He deftly pricked the guard’s arm.

Slap! The guard stared in astonishment as his own arm twisted and slapped him squarely across the face.

Slap! Another resounding blow. The crowd was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Realizing the man before him was no ordinary drunk, the guard quickly begged for forgiveness. “My apologies, sir—it’s my fault. Please forgive me!” Even as he spoke, his hand landed two more slaps on his face.

“Oh, sorry, sorry,” Ye Tian quickly removed the needle, and the guard regained control of his arm.

“Sir, you are truly remarkable!” Although a bit annoyed, the guard thought if Ye Tian could really heal the princess, this would be a great merit for him as well, so he let the incident go.

“This way, please!” The guard’s attitude changed completely. Who knew—this fellow might be his lucky star. Best to get on his good side. “Sorry about earlier,” Ye Tian apologized with another burp.

“No problem at all,” the guard replied awkwardly, surprised by Ye Tian’s apology. Unexpectedly, a sense of goodwill blossomed.

“My name is Mishu, and this is my companion Murray,” Mishu introduced.

“Hello, my name is Gehr,” Ye Tian greeted, punctuating it with another burp—he’d really had too much to drink.

“Right this way, please,” Mishu said, and the three headed for the palace. Along the way, Ye Tian began asking about the princess’s illness, making a rough assessment.

Suddenly, a horse galloped toward them, and a young girl shouted, “Make way! Make way!”

“Princess Latis!” Mishu’s sharp eyes recognized the girl at once. “Sir Gehr, quick, step aside!” He pulled Ye Tian out of the way.

“Move aside! Move aside!” The girl shouted imperiously, indifferent to the crowds scattering in panic.

Just then, a little girl stumbled and fell in the horse’s path. “Move!” the rider barked, pulling the reins, but the steed was too fast to stop. The horse struck the child, sending her flying.

The bystanders were stunned. The rider yanked the reins, but the horse, instead of stopping, neighed wildly and charged ahead. Now, a woman froze in terror before it.

Whoosh! A figure darted forward, striking the horse squarely on the head with a staff, sending it crashing to the ground and halting its rampage.

Caught off guard, the princess toppled from the saddle. “Princess Latis, are you all right?” Mishu hurried to help her up.

But Murray tugged Mishu’s sleeve. “What is it?” Mishu asked.

Murray pointed at the figure who’d just intervened—it was Gehr, holding a staff, one that looked awfully familiar.

“My… spear!” Mishu’s face turned ashen. Only now did he realize his spear had somehow ended up in Ye Tian’s hands, and had been used to strike down the princess’s horse, causing her public humiliation.

Without looking back, Ye Tian tossed the spear to Mishu, who fumbled to catch it.

Ye Tian sprinted to the fallen girl, checked her breathing, and found hope. He quickly lifted her shirt, produced several golden needles, and deftly inserted them.

“Please, save her!” the girl’s mother knelt before Ye Tian, sobbing in desperate supplication.

“Quiet!” Ye Tian’s hands moved like lightning, swiftly removing the needles, tearing open the girl’s clothing, and beginning a new round of acupuncture.

The mother muffled her sobs, clutching her mouth.

Ye Tian finished the treatment, but the girl still didn’t stir.

“Sir Gehr, perhaps we should go to the palace—the princess needs urgent help,” Mishu glanced at the now-standing Princess Latis and hurried to urge Ye Tian.

“Quiet!” Ye Tian, vexed, didn’t know why the girl remained unconscious. He pulled out the needles and tried once more.

“But—” Mishu looked at the approaching princess, anxious. “Quiet!” Ye Tian snapped, turning suddenly, and Mishu’s heart skipped a beat. He fell silent at once.

“You there! How dare you injure my horse and cause me to fall!” the princess stormed over, fuming. “Insolent wretch, I’ll tell my father to have you burned at the stake!”

“Quiet!” Ye Tian removed the needles from the girl, listened to her heartbeat, then placed his hands gently on her chest and focused his energy.

“Cough, cough!” At last, the girl coughed several times—her heart meridian had finally responded.