155 The King's Condition

"A promotion to general?" Prince Tian yelled as he smashed a small table across the room. "After causing such a ruckus in the city, he gets a slap on the wrist and a promotion?" A large vein on his forehead was bulging as he vented his frustration.

"The investigation has already shown that he was not at fault," Feng Chuan said calmly. "At most, he caused some chaos in the city that reflects badly on the military. However, his rescue of the civilians has more than made up for this small loss of face. More to the point, it's a strict military rule that any officer who achieves core formation will be promoted to general, regardless of his achievements. While this has only occurred half a dozen times in the past hundred years, it is a rule that has been in place since the inception of the Song Empire that came before us."

"Of course, Marshal Feng," Prince Tian said as he regained his composure. "You must pardon me. I was just upset about his recent activities that cleaned out several years of profits from some casinos I own."

"To be fair, it's your own fault for engaging in such risky ventures," Feng Chuan said. "The person I really pity is whoever was behind that human trafficking scheme. From the investigation, we've determined that the same man owns the underground arena, and he recently suffered a loss of two million high-grade spirit stones. That's got to sting."

Feng Chuan noticed a slight twitch on the crown prince's face. The jab was a probe—he had strong grounds to believe that Prince Tian was the owner of the establishment.

"You're right," Prince Tian said with a chuckle. "There's always someone in a worse position. Many thanks for reminding me. Since Colonel Feng has reached core formation, please gift him with a red-and-gold cloak and handle his promotion immediately."

"Good," Feng Chuan said. "Now that the small things have been taken care of, there's something we need to discuss. The troop movements you've arranged recently have been… worrisome."

"How so?" Prince Tian said.

"I've noticed that they cross all the supply routes in the kingdom," Feng Chuan said. "Meanwhile, we've been receiving many complaints of intercepted cargoes and confiscated goods. Most of these complaints come from either neutral members or members from your brother's faction."

Prince Tian shrugged. "If there's something wrong with their shipments, there's something wrong with their shipments. I'm not my brother's keeper; I can't control how he conducts his business."

"I've been through a succession before, and you're not doing anything I haven't seen," Feng Chuan said. "However, the economics of a kingdom are in a precarious state. Whatever you do, you must not jeopardize the stability of the nation."

"I thank Marshal Feng for his kind words of advice," Prince Tian said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have much work to do."

***

"It's not good to keep him around the city," Zhou Li said shortly after Marshal Feng left.

"I know that, but I'd like to avoid fighting against him if I can avoid it," Prince Tian said. "He has way too much military and political clout. It's best to keep him on my side, if possible."

"Not him," Zhou Li said. "His son. General Feng is a wildcard, a variable that has the potential to destroy all our plans. A conflict with Marshal Feng is the least of your worries."

Prince Tian massaged his brow. "Let's keep him around for a while longer. I'd need a very good reason to chase him out. His father is extremely overprotective, and he might even rebel if I push him too far." He sighed. "I don't know what my father was thinking, keeping such a strong adversary within his borders."

"Marshal Feng fought many battles alongside His Majesty," Zhou Li said. "They trusted each other like brothers. It's only natural that he supported the brother who helped him solidify his crumbling kingdom."

The prince nodded and turned his attention to a thick pile of papers on his desk. "It's getting late, and I have a mountain of paperwork to take care of."

Zhou Li nodded and walked toward the door. "You know, my sister is excellent in performing clerical duties such as these. It wouldn't kill you to use her when you're overwhelmed." The door closed shut, leaving only the crown prince in his study.

"Like I'll ever trust that snake," Prince Tian muttered.

***

Cha Ming was waiting in a lobby with Wang Jun when footsteps interrupted their conversation. A young man in green-and-gold robes approached them. The third prince looked amiable and approachable but lacked the powerful demeanor of his older brother.

"Please follow me inside," the third prince said. "My name is Song Lei, and I'm happy to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine," Cha Ming replied as they entered his study. It was filled with beautiful paintings and a welcoming fireplace. The room smelled like smoky oak and aged wine.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Prince Lei asked.

"Tea would be nice," Cha Ming said.

"I see you've taken up our mutual friend's habit," Prince Lei said as he brought a gilded green tea set from a cupboard to the marble table. He glanced at a timepiece before pouring them each a cup. "We still have some time before my sister leaves my father's side. Why don't you ask me some questions? Brother Wang has told me there are some things troubling you that I might be able to address."

Cha Ming glanced at Wang Jun, who nodded. "I'm definitely troubled by the matter of the succession war. If I might be so blunt, why are you fighting with your elder brother for the throne? I have my reasons for helping you, but it would reassure me to know your own reasons."

Prince Lei chuckled. "Until a few years ago, I would have gladly let him take the throne. Such a duty is tiring and thankless—no one truly knows the troubles of a monarch."

"What sort of earth-shattering news changed your mind?" Cha Ming asked.

Prince Lei sighed and poured them another cup. "Many people would kill you for knowing such a story, so please don't share it with others."

"My lips are sealed," Cha Ming said.

"The crown prince, Song Tian, was born thirty-six years ago," Prince Lei said. "That same year, my second brother, Song Chuan, was born from a concubine in the king's harem. He was named after Marshal Feng in honor of his illustrious military service. The two brothers were close in their childhood. That is, until it became apparent that Song Chuan was far more talented than his brother Tian.

"Not only was Chuan more intelligent, courageous, and benevolent, he also excelled in any topic you could think of. Archery, swordplay, politics, and commerce—he only had strong points and no weaknesses. He was a veritable genius. Tian, on the other hand, worked harder than any prince in history. He was ruthless to everyone, including himself.

"Upon reaching sixteen years of age, their cultivation talents were evaluated. Both Tian and Chuan were identified as cultivation geniuses. However, Chuan was ultimately appointed as crown prince due to his diverse skillset and outstanding temperament. From then on, they were kept separate and groomed for different paths. All this was done to prevent them from killing each other and vying for the throne.

"Therefore, no one suspected a thing when Prince Chuan was killed in the line of duty during their traditional military assignment. He and Tian were both posted in different regiments. They were also low in the military hierarchy, so it was deemed impossible that Tian could have gathered sufficient influence to orchestrate his brother's demise."

Prince Lei sighed and poured them another cup. He also pushed a bowl of what looked like a cross between nuts and figs of a magical nature. Thick heaven and earth energy surrounded each of the odd fruits, which Cha Ming nibbled on curiously.

"The incident was forgotten, and Tian became the new crown prince," Prince Lei continued. "I had been born when he was fourteen, and my fourth brother and fifth sister were born one year after that—fraternal twins. Song Tian was very close to the them. He always spent much time with them and lavished them with gifts. I was the odd one out—I always argued with my brother, so he never paid much attention to me."

Prince Lei sighed. "One day, a dreadful explosion occurred in the palace. Tian rushed into the smoldering wreck that was the room shared by the twins and discovered my little sister, Song Guo. He saved Guo Guo and looked for Wudi. He never found him, but he returned with severely burned hands. The court physicians healed his right hand, but he refused to remove the scars from the left."

Cha Ming frowned as he sipped his green tea. "It sounds like your brother is worthy of respect and cares very much for his family. I assume there is more to this story than meets the eye."

Prince Lei nodded. "Five years ago, a senior minister lay dying. He had served the country faithfully for fifty years. One by one, people filed into his room to pay their respects. As a prince of the Song Kingdom, I did the same.

"When I stood at his feet, he burst into tears and asked me to come close, so he could share his life's greatest regret. He told the story of how, twenty-four years ago, he was advised by the late court oracle that Prince Tian was the only suitable ruler for the Song Kingdom, and that he should support him wholeheartedly. He contacted the then-twelve-year-old prince, who was very eager for the additional support.

"The prince mostly requested introductions in military circles. After all, he was bound to serve there for his princely duties. Connections would pave him a smooth path for advancement within the army. It was only once the prince reached eighteen years of age, and Prince Chuan was murdered, that the minister realized the consequences of his actions. Most of the kingdom thought it was impossible for Prince Tian to engineer Prince Chuan's death. The minister thought otherwise.

"He spent the next three years poring over military documents and gathering information before concluding that Prince Tian was responsible for Prince Chuan's death. The discovery shook him to his very core, and his health began to decline. He continued to serve the kingdom, but one thing still bothered him: Was it just the second prince, or was the fourth prince also a victim of Prince Tian's machinations?

"He searched for the answer for the next decade before halting his investigation. Desperate to discover the truth, he consulted with the Obsidian Syndicate."

Cha Ming hissed between his teeth when he heard the familiar name.

"He discovered that, a decade prior, a twice-removed subordinate of the crown prince had hired the Obsidian Syndicate to assassinate the fourth prince. But he had not purchased anonymity. The minister speculated that they were assassinated since his own mother had fallen out of favor in the harem, and the king's new favorite was the fourth prince and the princess's mother."

Prince Lei sighed. "This story of a man on his deathbed wasn't enough to warrant my change of heart. People can talk and instigate, and even a dying man's words can't be trusted. It could have been a plot to upset the stability of the kingdom. Therefore I retrieved the information the man entrusted to me and began my own investigation. What I discovered shocked me.

"Out of seventy-nine men the minister had originally introduced my brother to, sixty-three had already died, and sixteen had left the military. Of those sixteen, seven of them had joined rebel factions that caused unrest in the kingdom. I spent almost all my savings and assets to validate the information. I bought information from four different companies, and I even purchased information from the Obsidian Syndicate. I spent extra to guarantee the information wasn't tampered with by a third party. The information was delivered under the life oath of a junior partner.

"I was financially destitute by the time I confirmed everything, but the truth was unsettling. The brother I admired so deeply had caused the death of two of my siblings. I couldn't live under the same sky as him anymore. That is why I have been contesting the throne, despite the upheaval I have caused in the process."

Cha Ming, unsure of what to say, could only shake his head in sorrow. He wondered what he would do in a similar situation. Would he drive the kingdom in a civil war and vie for the throne, or would he let his brother take over to preserve peace in the kingdom? Assassinating the crown prince, while the most direct approach, would leave the kingdom heirless.

An incense time passed before Wang Jun cleared his throat. "It's time," he said.

A shadowy door appeared in the room. Wang Jun led the three of them through a shadowy corridor, which led them to a second door. It opened into a large bedroom, where they saw an old man lying in a silk-draped bed. Cha Ming noticed many basic medical instruments. They were all low level, the type that Li Yin would use to treat villagers. Cha Ming was perplexed.

Why would a spirit doctor need to use such mundane items to treat a king?

He peered at the king's body, which was little more than a desiccated husk. Brown blotches covered his yellowish skin, and little hair was left on his head. He was unconscious and barely breathing.

"How long has he been like this?" Cha Ming asked.

"Ever since the contest ended," Prince Lei replied. "He had been ill for quite some time, but it came as a surprise when he suddenly collapsed. He hasn't woken since."

Cha Ming nodded. "May I please touch your royal father?"

Seeing Prince Lei nod, Cha Ming walked up to the aged man. Just before reaching him, an unseen pressure stopped his movements.

"Who is this?" a voice said from above.

"This is Master Du, a dual formation and talisman master," Prince Lei replied. "I brought him to get a second opinion."

"There has already been a second opinion, and even a third," the voice said.

"Then a fourth or fifth won't hurt," Prince Lei replied.

The room was quiet for a moment before the figure spoke up once more. "Fine. But if he does anything slightly suspicious, I'll take his head."

The pressure on Cha Ming's body disappeared, but his sensitive resplendent force concluded he was still being closely monitored.

Cha Ming approached the king and touched his wrist. He sent his resplendent force into the man's body. "Pulse is weak," he muttered. "Breath shallow. Blood pollution high. Kidneys failing. Liver failing." He frowned. "Despite all these things, everything seems normal. Bone age indicates 160 years of age, still young for a core-formation cultivator." He looked to the third prince. "His condition is completely incongruent with expectations. There should be something wrong with him for such severe symptoms to appear. What has the chief physician said?"

"He said it makes no sense, of course," the Prince Lei said helplessly. "He and his colleagues have tried all methods at their disposal. They even invited an expert from the Quicksilver Empire for a hefty sum. They consulted with alchemists because they suspected poisoning, but they were unable to conclude anything."

Cha Ming frowned. He threw out thirty-six blue and green flags around the king's bed. Then he withdrew his Clear Sky Brush and painted blue and green runic lines to link the flags. They glowed brightly as the ink activated and displayed their inscribed formations.

Seeing that the formation required more energy, Cha Ming withdrew five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, which crumbled to dust. A green and blue haze filled the area immediately surrounding the king's bed. Cha Ming guided the formation, which amplified his spiritual force and granted him the power to apply healing runes to anyone within its boundaries.

Where to start? Cha Ming thought. His blood toxicity is the greatest threat, so the kidneys should be a primary focus.

Cha Ming's consciousness traveled to the kidneys, which were barely functioning. He used the formation to channel a large amount of healing qi in a precise fashion. It formed runes of healing that rushed toward key points in the organ. But the moment the runes contacted it, they crumbled and dimmed. The healing energy that should have treated the malfunctioning kidney disappeared as though being sucked inside a black hole. Cha Ming frowned and tried again, but to no avail.

Seeing this strange situation, Cha Ming looked to the Dantian, where he saw a small core. However, the core was dim; it exchanged no energy with the remainder of the body. Therefore Cha Ming inserted the purest creation qi inside the man's Dantian. It was violently sucked inside the dim core, which didn't change in the slightest.

Cha Ming's expression turned grim. He probed the man's heart, liver, and other organs in turn. He probed the man's bone marrow as well. Each piece of his body caused the healing runes to disintegrate on contact.

"You said the investigation didn't detect poison?" Cha Ming asked the third prince.

"Nothing traditional and nothing alchemical, according to the alchemists," Prince Lei said.

"Wang Jun," Cha Ming said, "did you try reading his story?"

"I can't," Wang Jun said helplessly. "He doesn't respond to fate qi. Which is curious given that fate qi is impervious to most tampering. I scoured the information networks and the alchemist workshops for an explanation, but to no avail."

"Hm…" Cha Ming examined the king once more. This time, he activated his Eyes of Pure Jade.

Nothing. Then, to be thorough, he activated his Demon-Subduing Eyes. He felt drained as he activated both eye techniques simultaneously. His gray surroundings instantly lit up with a faint purple light.

"What in the world," he whispered.

"What did you find?" Prince Lei asked anxiously. Cha Ming held his hand up and probed the king's body once more with his resplendent force. He noticed the tissues in the king's body were suffused with a dull purple glow.

"I found something, but I need to confirm it with my contracted beast," Cha Ming explained. "I possess an eye technique that can detect demonic energies, and they happen to be present on your royal father's body. However, I know next to nothing about demons."

Meanwhile, he reached out to Huxian. I need your help, brother. How soon can you get here?

I just remembered a transportation technique, so it won't take long, Huxian replied. Just say the word.

"May I please invite him over?" Cha Ming said to Prince Lei. The young man hesitated for a while before giving his permission.

Cha Ming sent a message to Huxian, and to his surprise, his shadow began to grow. Wang Jun looked on with interest as Cha Ming's shadow transformed to that of a many-tailed beast. Prince Lei gasped. A two-foot-long black-and-white fox suddenly jumped out of the shadow.

"Man, that was fun," Huxian said. "Can I do it again?"

"This might not be the best time," Cha Ming said while massaging his temple. "Can you please activate your Demon-Subduing Eyes and examine the king? There is something wrong with him.

"Sounds good!" Huxian said excitedly. The little fox had been bored out of his mind since they had arrived inside the city. He hopped into Cha Ming's outstretched arms, and they walked closer to the king, the purple ring around both Cha Ming and Huxian's jade irises glowed brightly.

"Oh. Oh. This is bad," Huxian said.

"It's of demonic origin, right?" Cha Ming asked Huxian. They spoke openly to avoid any suspicion.

"Yes, and if my guess is correct, it's a venom of some kind," Huxian said. "The venom has permeated his flesh. What are the symptoms?"

"His body is failing," Cha Ming said. "Any qi used to treat his body disintegrates on contact."

The small fox pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I'm not sure which beast's venom it is, but it's definitely a snake. I suggest we bring back a sample of blood back to the geomantic boa."

Cha Ming turned to the third prince.

"This…" Prince Lei said. "The physicians often need to draw blood. However, since my father's body does not heal properly, it is always drawn from the same place on his arm." The prince walked over to the bed and pulled the king's frail arm from under the blanket. It was tightly wrapped in white bandages stained with blood, which dripped from the king's exposed arm as soon as the prince unwrapped the bandages.

"Be quick about it," Prince Lei said.

Cha Ming withdrew a jade bottle and directed the blood into it. Once it was full, he used his spiritual force to temporarily stem the bleeding and rewrapped the bandage the same way as before.

"I will leave for the Silverwing Mountain Range tonight to inquire about the venom," Cha Ming said to the third prince. "Huxian is a sovereign of the mountain range and will request the aid of another sovereign who specializes in such matters. In addition, I know someone who can heal people without using qi or traditional spirit-doctor methods. Perhaps he can buy us time."

"Many thanks for all your efforts," Prince Lei said. "I only have one father. Please save him."