Death… and me

"Oh, you may say that that person is a child of my old friend. Speaking of this person, it cannot be left unsaid that he is truly a kind man. He is judicious, loyal and filial. He is also courageous, sensible and skilled in martial arts. He is truly a noble man even though he is still young."

Suddenly, Du Shi Qing was flooded with emotions. He shook his head and brought up Chu Yang's story once again. He especially emphasized the ambush on him. Finally, he concluded the story with a sigh, "If he had not appeared, I'm afraid that I would not have been able to see you today. Moreover, this person is incredibly talented. He is conscientious, never forgets and is full of wisdom. He should be called a hero of our day!"

Du Shi Qing's voice clearly showed that he immensely respected Chu Yang. Indeed, he had spared no effort in putting him in a good light. Furthermore, his tone was truly sincere and every word came from the bottom of his heart.

If Chu Yang had stayed with him up till this point, the impression left behind on Tie Bu Tian would most likely not have been this great.

However, Du Shi Qing had a slight hint of regret. Along the journey, he had brought up the idea of taking in Chu Yang as his student to teach him about medicine more than once. In fact, when they were about to reach their destination, Du Shi Qing had poured his heart out, "Chu Yang… I am quite certain that this journey to Iron Cloud would be the last for me. If you do not accept my proposal to take you in as my student, I'm afraid that all of my medical knowledge will not be passed down and will be lost…"

Even with such sincerity, Chu Yang still relented and refused his offer.

Dejected, Du Shi Qing let out a sigh. Although he had no hopes of having Chu Yang as his student, he still decided to give him his 'Immortal Medicine', which was his entire life's work, as well as his incomplete 'Medicinal Herbs Bible'.

"I created this 'Medicinal Herbs Bible' using my medical knowledge. Having reached such an old age, I am still unable to fully understand more than fifty percent of all the medicinal herbs in existence. As for 'Immortal Medicine', it's my entire life's work. It will be good if you are willing to learn something from it. Otherwise, please help me to pass it on to the later generations."

Du Shi Qing seemed to have entrusted all of his life's work in Chu Yang.

These two books thus became Chu Yang's biggest and most unexpected loot from this trip!

In Du Shi Qing's mind, he had essentially passed down all of his medical knowledge to Chu Yang even though he did not become his student. Instinctively, it was expected that he would give him all that he possessed since he had such a great impression of Chu Yang.

Right beside him, Manager Gao scoffed. He thought that Chu Yang would not have entered Iron Cloud Citadel if he truly intended to leave them. However, because of his slight guilt towards Chu Yang for misunderstanding him, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself instead.

Besides, that youth's indifference towards wealth and fame did not seem bogus…

"Senior Du is truly benevolent; the world has been touched with your good deeds. After hearing your story, my respect for you has increased by one part." Tie Bu Tian smiled as his eyes lit up upon secretly mouthing the words, "Chu Yang."

Currently, it was evident that Iron Cloud Nation was desperately looking for capable people.

If it weren't for Prince Tie Bu Tian's stellar management of Iron Cloud Nation's military and creating Bu Tian Pavilion to greatly strengthen the country's power, Diwu Qing Rou would have sent his army north by now!

Tie Bu Tian could not afford to let any talent slip by his sight at this point! Let alone a 'scary' talent at that.

Suddenly, Tie Bu Tian's facial expression turned cold. He said quietly to the person in blue beside him, "Send orders for Wu Kuang Yun to come to Iron Cloud Citadel at once. Inform him that if he cannot give me a clear explanation as to why Physician Du was ambushed, his body need not come, and his head would be enough!"

Wu Kuang Yun, the Great Commander of Iron Cloud Nation, was also in charge of the Southwest Iron Cloud territory which bordered Great Zhao! He was ranked tenth amongst all the commanders of the continent!

Although he was ranked last in this list of the top ten greatest commanders, simple bravery would not have sufficed to be able to achieve such a high honor…

Clearly, Tie Bu Tian had concluded that that based on the timing and tactics of the ambush, it was undoubtedly Wu Kuang Yun's doing, since Tie Bu Tian had brought up his name at this moment.

The person in blue concurred as the edge of his mouth twitched. He thought to himself, "Oh, old Wu, you are in such bad luck now… But, I also wanted to do what you did…"

Turning back to Du Shi Qing, Tie Bu Tian returned to a friendly and calm countenance, "Senior Du must have been frightened."

Du Shi Qing continually claimed that he dared not be frightened. As he looked at Tie Bu Tian's pleasant and warm face, he somehow felt a chill go down his spine.

It was as if the guilty act that he had committed years ago, which was against his medical ethics, was being scrutinized by the very person in front of him…

Perhaps, Iron Cloud Citadel could really be my final resting place after all? Du Shi Qing stared at the tall citadel wall that was not too far away. He seemed lost. Subsequently, he went back into his carriage. With a calm face, he waved a signal to move towards Iron Cloud Citadel.

Be it a blessing or a curse, he was already here… What should not have been done had been done. Eventually, someone would have to take responsibility for it.

A group of people that appeared lost in their own thoughts unconsciously moved towards the citadel.

Upon entering the citadel, Du Shi Qing's carriage went straight to the royal palace.

Tie Bu Tian could wait no longer. His royal father's illness was becoming more serious with each passing day. He was so anxious that he had the thought of forcing Du Shi Qing to treat his father at once. He had tossed other national issues aside.

Nonetheless, he knew that being able to invite Du Shi Qing here was probably all part of Diwu Qing Rou's master plan. His allowing of Du Shi Qing to arrive at Iron Cloud Citadel was obviously not out of good intentions.

He thought, "Diwu Qing Rou probably allowed Du Shi Qing to treat my father's condition to weaken my authority."

However, even though he knew that this was a trap, Tie Bu Tian had no choice but to jump into it happily! Afterall, it was his own father! It was not just an Emperor, but his own flesh and blood!

That night, Tie Bu Tian did not return to Bu Tian Pavilion till late.

The two people who had undertaken the task of following Chu Yang earlier on had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Have you found that person?" Tie Bu Tian asked gently. He raised his left arm, which appeared slightly thin and weak, and rubbed his brows, showing his exhaustion.

"We are incompetent for we were unable to track the whereabouts of this man." One man bowed and said, "After this person entered Iron Cloud Citadel, he suddenly disappeared from our sights. We searched all over the place but were not able to pick up any scent of him."

"Send more people to search for him." Tie Bu Tian rubbed his brows again and let out a sigh. He switched his hands, rubbed his temple this time around and added, "Do not disturb the people. Right now, every little bit of strength of the people is important for Iron Cloud! You absolutely cannot create any chaos."

"Yes." They replied concurrently, before continuing worriedly, "Your Highness, I noticed that you have been overworking lately, perhaps… We should get someone to help you relax a little?"

"Good, call Lan Xiang in to give me a massage." Tie Bu Tian agreed to their suggestion. His countenance seemed to display greater weariness.

"Yes." The two men in black took their leave.

Tie Bu Tian frowned. As his brows came together, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

Inside his head, Du Shi Qing's post-examination prognosis of his father rang, "Your Highness, your father's illness has been ongoing for many years. Moreover, the poison still remains within his body. It has seeped into his bones and marrow over the years. Medicine or acupuncture would have little effect on him… I can only try my best, but I'm afraid that it will be all up to fate."

Tie Bu Tian sighed heavily.

'Seeped into his bones and marrow.''Medicine or acupuncture would have little effect on him.' These words cut deep into Tie Bu Tian's heart. "Father, is there really no hope left?"

A palace maid named Lan Xiang entered. Upon seeing Tie Bu tian in his deep thoughts, she dared not disturb hm and simply stood at one side.

After a long period of time, she heard a deep sigh from Tie Bu Tian. There was something glistening that was flowing out from the sides of his eyes.

The prince… is crying?

This strong Prince Tie Bu Tian, who held the whole of Iron Cloud Nation on his shoulders, was now in tears?

Instantly, Lan Xiang's heart was filled with sympathy.

Only people like her, who was close to the prince, would know how difficult things have been for him all these years. The price he had to pay in order to fight against Diwu Qing Rou!

For the past ten years, from his childhood till this present moment, the prince has slept less than four hours each day!

A whole nation, full of thousands upon thousands of lives, depended on him. Diwu Qing Rou and Great Zhao nation, with their superior intellect and enormous strength, were always like a large mountain pressing down on his heart.

If it were someone else, this nation would most likely have fallen apart by now!

Yet Tie Bu Tian managed to use his young body to bear this weight!

He was too tired! He needed someone to help him…