Chapter 26: A Truly Good Person

The Demon-Suppressing Abyss, a thousand ships set sail.

The purple sun cast its brilliance, making the golden light shimmer; the ships were like golden dragons soaring across the turquoise waves. The Gold Dragon Ship led the way, with the Soaring Chi Ships following closely behind, followed by nine triple-decked Floating Vista ships in orderly succession. Other vessels trailed in a line stretching for dozens of miles.

At the head of the golden dragon, within a pavilion on the three-decked Gold Dragon Ship, stood a sturdy, middle-aged man. His robes were embroidered with the sun and moon on the shoulders and the stars upon his back. This was none other than the master of the Great Sui Divine Empire, the Divine Emperor Yang Guang.

Turning his gaze toward a sturdy, white-haired, and white-bearded elder, he asked, "Imperial Uncle, for this campaign against Goguryeo to pursue the demon souls that have stolen the national fortune of our Great Sui, who should be appointed as the commander-in-chief?"

"Grand Marshal Yu Juluo, Prince Changping Qiu Rui, or even this old man—all three of us are capable of fulfilling this duty," the sturdy elder replied with a solemn expression.

Divine Emperor Yang Guang glanced sideways at the fair-faced, elderly scholar beside him. "Prime Minister Yuwen, what do you say?"

"Grand Historian Yuan has sent word that the soul of the Heaven-Swallowing King Python has been stolen. This is a matter of great importance. Although my grandson, Chengdu, has rushed to the Divine Capital, there is still no news of the other Great Shikigami hosts. We must rely on the Prince of Mount Tai to conduct a thorough search." Prime Minister Yuwen Shu responded hurriedly. "Grand Marshal Yu Juluo has been in seclusion for many years. Though he has returned to take charge of the Leopard Cavalry’s left and right Xiao guards, he has been away from the battlefield for too long."

"And what of Prince Changping?" the Divine Emperor demanded.

Yuwen Shu bowed again. "The heir of Prince Changping has just been graciously bestowed the Purple Gold Medical Order by the Divine Emperor. If Prince Changping were to take command now, it would surely invite criticism."

"In your opinion, who should be the commander?" the Divine Emperor chuckled.

Observing the Emperor's expression, Yuwen Shu knelt on both knees. "With the eastern and western demon-hunting camps converging, only the Divine Emperor himself is fit to lead."

"Prime Minister Yuwen, Goguryeo is a land of high mountains and treacherous paths, a place of extreme hardship," the sturdy, white-bearded elder shouted. "How can the Divine Emperor tread so lightly into such danger?"

"Prince of Mount Tai, wherever the sun and moon shine, it is the territory of the Great Sui. The Divine Emperor’s presence would allow those stubborn people to behold the divine light of our Empire and submit," Yuwen Shu quickly replied.

Divine Emperor Yang Guang laughed heartily. "A fine sentiment: 'Wherever the sun and moon shine, it is the territory of the Great Sui.' However, as for the matter of the commander-in-chief, I shall ponder it further and decide upon our return to the Divine Capital. Imperial Uncle, what do you think?"

"Divine Emperor, troops and horses move, but provisions come first. The gathering of the eastern and western demon-hunting camps in Zhuo Prefecture requires much. Prince of Yue, Yang Xuangan, can take on this responsibility." The Prince of Mount Tai, Yang Lin, bowed cautiously. "Since the troops from the two camps are arriving at different times, to avoid slackness, the training can be overseen by Prince of Beiping Luo Yi until the commander-in-chief arrives to coordinate them."

"Excellent. Your words, Imperial Uncle, are reasonable and show a deep understanding of military command," the Divine Emperor nodded repeatedly. "Any other suggestions?"

"The soldiers of the two camps come from all over the Great Sui and may suffer from the climate. The Imperial Medical Bureau should organize a medical team of at least one hundred to assist the camp physicians," the Prince of Mount Tai replied.

Yuwen Shu stood up quickly. "Following the Divine Emperor’s decree, Head Physician Chao is already selecting suitable doctors, acupuncturists, and pharmacists. I suggest Head Physician Cui leads the team."

"Is the heir of Prince Changping among them?" Divine Emperor Yang Guang asked with newfound interest. "I hear he has mastered the Taiji Acupuncture technique of the Heavenly Physicians. This would be a perfect opportunity for him to gain experience."

*Taiji Acupuncture?* The Prince of Mount Tai, Yang Lin, felt a shock in his heart. *Could it be that the old man taught him?*

***

Yuwen Shu replied immediately, "Head Physician Chao has already arranged for the heir of Prince Changping and the acupuncturist Sun Tianxin to depart ahead of time, checking the demon soul records of the various prefectures along the way."

*They have already left?* The Prince of Mount Tai, Yang Lin, stroked his long beard. *Then I shall let the Twelve Guardians test him and see if it truly has anything to do with that old man.*

Divine Emperor Yang Guang clapped in approval. "Excellent. Head Physician Chao understands my heart. Young healers should gain more experience to put their learning to use, contribute to the Great Sui, and strengthen the Imperial Medical Bureau."

"Prime Minister Yuwen, what is the current strength of Prince Changping’s heir?" the Prince of Mount Tai asked after a moment of contemplation. "How did he manage to receive the Purple Gold Medical Order from the Divine Emperor?"

"Imperial Uncle, Qiu Lingxuan has the cultivation of the Small Heavenly Cycle. While wandering the Luo River, he rooted out a Black Water Serpent soul that had been lurking for years, protecting our national fortune. This is a meritorious deed for the state." Divine Emperor Yang Guang smiled as he stroked his beard. "Bestowing the Purple Gold Medical Order allows him to put his Heavenly Physician arts to good use."

"For such a great merit, the reward is well-deserved," the Prince of Mount Tai nodded, then snorted coldly, "Prime Minister Yuwen, the defense of the Divine Capital is the responsibility of your Yuwen family. How do you account for the fact that a youth not even at the Small Heavenly Cycle was the one to handle such major incidents?"

"Imperial Uncle, calm your anger," the Divine Emperor soothed. "This matter is of great importance; let the Yuwen family redeem themselves through service. Prime Minister Yuwen, do you have anything to say?"

"I thank the Divine Emperor for his mercy. All of our 'Grey Kites' have been dispatched to Liaodong to scout for the main army." Yuwen Shu knelt, a flicker of ruthlessness in his eyes. "My grandson Chengdu has great martial prowess; after he finishes investigating the theft of the Heaven-Swallowing King Python soul, he can head to Liaodong to serve as the vanguard."

The Prince of Mount Tai glared sideways. "Prime Minister Yuwen, put more effort into proper business. If the heir of Prince Changping can achieve such things at the Small Heavenly Cycle, tell him for me: the twelve demon-hunting camps welcome him to study the demon souls."

*Does he see through my intentions?* Yuwen Shu felt a brief jolt but kept his face calm, biting back, "Does the Prince of Mount Tai intend to summon the heir of Prince Changping to the Western Camp to serve—and groom him?"

"Prime Minister Yuwen, the four techniques of the Imperial Medical Bureau—looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse—are of great use against demon souls. The Divine Emperor has tasked Head Physician Chao with compiling the 'Treatise on the Origin and Symptoms of Demon Souls.' Do you not understand the implication?" the Prince of Mount Tai snorted coldly.

Yuwen Shu’s mind raced. *Is it not just for dealing with demon souls?*

Divine Emperor Yang Guang laughed loudly. "Imperial Uncle, has the time come?"

"The 'Treatise' is already circulating in the army, and the soldiers have a deeper understanding of demon souls. Head Physician Chao deserves the credit," the Prince of Mount Tai bowed. "I propose the immediate formation of the Purple Gold Medical Guard, dedicated to hunting demon souls."

*Purple Gold Medical Guard?* Yuwen Shu was stunned. The demon-hunting camps under the Yuwen family's control had already been severely weakened by the proposals of the Prince of Mount Tai and Prince Changping, reduced to merely being the left and right guards of the eastern camp. Was the Prince of Mount Tai trying to further strip him of his military power? He looked at the Divine Emperor, whose smile seemed to indicate approval of the proposal. His mind shifted instantly. "The Imperial Medical Bureau has few members. I fear they lack the strength to form a proper guard."

"The Purple Gold Medical Guard values quality over quantity," the Prince of Mount Tai ignored him, continuing, "This pursuit of the Liaodong demon souls is the perfect opportunity to select members and verify the years of research from the Medical Bureau."

"Good," the Divine Emperor nodded repeatedly. "Your words carry much weight, Imperial Uncle. Once the Purple Gold Medical Guard is formed, it shall report directly to me, and no one else shall have authority over it."

The Prince of Mount Tai asked, "The heir of Prince Changping has already received the Purple Gold Medical Order for rooting out the Black Water Serpent soul and holds the position of Medical Overseer. May we consider him already selected?"

"Your suggestion aligns with my own, Imperial Uncle," the Divine Emperor nodded. "The Purple Gold Medical Guard may patrol the Divine Capital for demon souls."

Hearing this, Yuwen Shu finally understood. This was the Divine Emperor’s dissatisfaction with the security of Luoyang—and thus, with the patrol units under the Yuwen family’s control. His thoughts turned rapidly. "Divine Emperor, Prince of Mount Tai, the heir of Prince Changping is of too low a cultivation. I fear he lacks the strength for such a heavy responsibility."

"Young people need time to grow," the Divine Emperor laughed. "Prince Changping is resourceful and accomplished in both civil and martial arts. As his heir, he will not bring shame to the Prince Changping estate."

"The Divine Emperor is wise," the Prince of Mount Tai agreed, stroking his beard. "The Purple Gold Medical Guard requires both medical and martial proficiency. Head Physician Chao can lead, and we shall give the heir of Prince Changping time to grow and prove himself."

*Are they grooming the heir of Prince Changping to deal with my Yuwen family?* Yuwen Shu’s heart churned. It seemed he had to get Huaji and Ni'er back as soon as possible. As for Chengxiang and Chenglong, those two grandsons had managed to lose repeatedly to a country bumpkin—they were truly foolish to the core.

Yet he did not know that if it weren't for the Yuwen family, Lingxuan would not have even come to Luoyang.

But speaking of being foolish, Lingxuan felt that he was truly the one being foolish.

The carriage was as ordinary as could be, pulled by an old horse. He had asked Sun Tianxin to prepare a carriage, and this was what he had come up with. And Sun Tianxin was completely serious, claiming that as long as it worked, it was fine. There wasn't even a driver; he was driving it himself.

It worked, yes, but the carriage was occupied by Ye Ziyan, who strictly forbade him from entering, fearing that the Zixiao Divine Flute would cause the Purple Phoenix to leak its aura. Faced with Ye Ziyan, he had no choice but to sit on the carriage shaft with Sun Tianxin.

But Sun Tianxin was solemn and silent, refusing to discuss anything other than acupuncture, appearing to be entirely focused on his craft. If he had known it would be like this, why had he rushed to Zhuo Prefecture so eagerly? Wouldn't it have been more comfortable to lie around the Prince Changping estate for a few more days? Was it not just to avoid Yuwen Chengdu discovering the existence of the Purple Phoenix?

His good intentions had brought him no reward, only discomfort, and now he had to endure this suffering while braving the wind and rain.

Holding the Zixiao Divine Flute, he sat slumped to the side, bored. He looked up at the sky, where several dark shadows were circling and swooping—they were the Grey Kites of the Yuwen family.

"What are these 'Grey Kites' doing here?"

His heart tightened, but a smirk appeared on his face. Lingxuan turned his head. "Knowing I have a poor appetite, they’re sending me roasted Grey Kite so early? My lady, do you think all the young masters of the Yuwen family are such 'generous' people?"