MCUS Chapter 65

When Yan Ge woke up, he found himself alone in the bed.

The palace maid heard the movement behind the curtain and said, “I offer my greetings to Yan Shiren.”

“No need for formalities. Where is the Emperor?” Yan Ge stretched lazily.

“In response to Yan Shiren, the Emperor is accompanying the envoys in the Imperial Garden, and asked this slave to inform Yan Shiren to rest well,” replied the maid.

“I see. When the Emperor returns, tell him I have returned to the Luoxue Palace,” Yan Ge said.

“Yes, Yan Shiren.”

Yan Ge returned to the Luoxue Palace and freshened up while asking the diligent Yan Jin about the current situation.

–Yan Jin excitedly said, “Master, the system has been upgraded. Not only has the space expanded, but it also has a ‘Merchant Shop’ function. Master, you can now trade with the system. But, let’s put that aside for now. Master, please take the Foundation Building Pill and start building the foundation. Once you successfully build the foundation, I will be able to manifest in human form!”

The space expanded? And there’s a new merchant shop? These two unexpected surprises made Yan Ge momentarily lose composure, and it was only with Yan Jin’s shout in his mind that he regained his calmness. “Very well, let’s build the foundation. I will take the Foundation Building Pill now.”

–Yan Jin stopped him in time. “Wait. Master, the time it takes to build the foundation varies depending on individual physique. The better the physique, the longer it takes to build the foundation, and the greater the benefits obtained in the end. You have already cultivated the Flowing Sands Sword Technique, and your physique is good. So, the time to build the foundation will not be short. I estimate at least three days. It’s best to find a way to leave the palace first to avoid arousing the Emperor’s suspicion.”

“No problem. I wonder where Yuchen is now. I’ll write him a letter, and then we’ll leave the palace,” Yan Ge said.

After leaving the palace, Yan Ge didn’t inform anyone of his whereabouts. He rented a small house in a remote area of the capital and instructed the landlord not to disturb him. After locking the doors and windows, he lay on the bed and took out a Foundation Building Pill from the system backpack.

The Foundation Building Pill was pitch black, smooth and plump, like a black pearl gleaming with a warm luster in the daylight.

A pungent smell rushed into his nostrils, making him feel nauseous. The smell of the Foundation Building Pill was indeed too unpleasant. However, he was someone who could bear hardship.

Without any hesitation, he threw the Foundation Building Pill into his mouth. After swallowing, the Foundation Building Pill, accompanied by a bitter and hard-to-endure taste, slid down his throat.

Almost simultaneously, a severe pain spread from his stomach to his entire body, sweeping through his limbs and engulfing his whole body.

Yan Ge had never experienced such intense pain before and let out an unexpected scream, falling from the bed and landing on the ground.

–Yan Jin’s solemn voice sounded, “Master, you must hold on and try not to faint. Although the Foundation Building Pill will expel impurities from your body even if you faint, it will weaken the strengthening effect on your physical body.” Though he felt distressed, Yan Jin couldn’t help in any way. Yan Ge could only rely on himself to get through this trial.

Yan Ge trembled all over, feeling alternations of cold and hot, with his sweat freezing and melting under the changing temperatures. His clothes quickly became drenched with sweat, and he managed to force out two words, “I understand…”

Then, he felt a gentle force emerging within his body, soothing his flesh and blood. Yan Jin had told him that building the foundation was a process of pain and pleasure.

The pain was due to the Foundation Building Pill purging impurities from his body and expanding his meridians, while the pleasure came from the spiritual power of the pill strengthening his physical body and nourishing his flesh and blood. However, compared to the intense pain, the sweet moments were incredibly fleeting. Despite the blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, Yan Ge could only grit his teeth, clench his fists, and struggle to remain conscious.

He didn’t know how long had passed, but his body and consciousness were numb from the pain. His entire body relaxed, his brain felt heavy and drowsy, and his consciousness sank into a profound darkness…

In a daze, Yan Ge could hear someone talking incessantly. His brows furrowed, and gradually, his awareness returned.

He opened his eyes and saw unfamiliar beams above his head and unfamiliar curtains beside him. He felt a bit confused. Where was this?

He heard someone saying, “Reporting to the Emperor, the water calamity in Jiangnan is becoming increasingly severe. It may require additional funds for disaster relief.”

Then came the voice of Huangfu Yuchen, “We have already ordered the Ministry of Works to handle this matter, and funds for disaster relief have been allocated…”

Yan Ge turned his head and looked through the hanging curtain. He saw some ministers dressed in official robes and couldn’t help but be stunned.

Was this the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Council Chamber?

–“Master, are you awake?” A familiar childish voice resounded in his mind. Suddenly, a five or six-year-old child bounced into Yan Ge’s field of vision, startling him.

The child quickly made a gesture of covering his mouth, looking extremely adorable.

“Are you Little Jin?” Yan Ge asked mentally.

The child nodded repeatedly.

Yan Ge scrutinized him curiously. This child looked good, with well-defined features. At the age of five or six, it was evident that he would grow up to be a handsome young man.

“How did I end up here?” Yan Ge sat up and felt relaxed throughout his body. He lowered his head and examined himself. The clothes he was wearing were different from before. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but it seemed like he had grown taller and stronger.

Yan Jin sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his little legs and shaking his head repeatedly. “Master, you’ve had a close call this time. You almost scared the Emperor to death.”

“Why?” Yan Ge wondered.

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Before Yan Jin could answer, Deng Mande shouted, “Court is dismissed.”

Immediately, the hanging curtain was lifted with a clamor, and a tall figure appeared before him.

Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen in astonishment.

How could he have changed so much in just a few days? His cheeks were sunken, his eyes hollow, and his cheekbones protruded. Although he still appeared well-groomed, he was noticeably less spirited, as if he had completely transformed.

“Yuchen, what happened to you? Are you ill?” Yan Ge walked over, held his hand, and looked at him with concern.

Huangfu Yuchen silently clung tightly to him, his voice hoarse as he instructed Deng Mande to call the imperial physician.

Deng Mande quickly sent a eunuch to summon the imperial physician and sighed, saying to Yan Ge, “Yan Shiren, you have finally awakened. These past few days, the Emperor has been in great distress…”

Yan Ge suddenly remembered Yan Jin and quickly turned to look. Yan Jin was still sitting on the edge of the bed, but Huangfu Yuchen and the others seemed unaware of his presence. Yan Ge guessed that only he could see Yan Jin.

“Yuchen, I’m fine. But you…” Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen apologetically, cradling his face with tender affection. He really hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Had it been many days since he took the Foundation Building Pill?

“Is there anything uncomfortable?” he asked.

Huangfu Yuchen shook his head, recalling the scene when he saw Yan Ge, and the pain in his heart and body tore at him.

That night, when he returned to the Tenglong Palace and saw the letter Yan Ge left for him, he learned that Yan Ge had left the palace and would return after three days. But three days passed, and Yan Ge had not appeared. He was filled with worry and asked Wang Xiang, Xiao Chuanzi, and even Bai Jushen outside the palace, but they had no idea where Yan Ge had gone. Yan Ge seemed to have suddenly disappeared.

Worried that something had happened to Yan Ge, he remembered that Yan Ge was carrying the scentless jade pendant with him and immediately sent out a falcon to find him.

It was only then that he found Yan Ge. But when he ordered his men to break down the door, he found Yan Ge lying on the ground, covered in dirt, curled up and motionless. Not only that, there were dried bloodstains at the corners of his mouth.

–Yan Jin also reported to Yan Ge, “When His Majesty saw you in such a sorry state, blood at the corner of your mouth, and missing for several days, his first thought was that you were already dead. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and held you tightly. The silent tears falling from his eyes were truly… heart-wrenching to see. It was only when Deng Mande felt your pulse that His Majesty realized you were still alive. After that, he brought you back to the palace. Because the medicine was still refining your body, you didn’t wake up. His Majesty was extremely worried and has almost taken you everywhere he went. He even had someone secretly arrange for you to stay behind during court sessions…”

“Please, no more…” Yan Ge’s heart ached, hugging Huangfu Yuchen’s neck tightly. “Yuchen, I’m fine. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Huangfu Yuchen caressed his hair, but remained silent.

“The imperial physician has arrived.”

Huangfu Yuchen said, “Physician Zhang, check on Yan Shiren.”

“Yes.” Physician Zhang examined Yan Ge’s pulse and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Yan Shirem is not seriously injured. He has already awakened, and I believe there shouldn’t be any problems.”

With a loud bang, Huangfu Yuchen shattered the table with a palm. Everyone in the hall immediately kneeled down. Physician Zhang was so frightened that he cowered on the ground, not daring to move.

“There shouldn’t be any problems? When Yan Shiren hadn’t woken up, you said there was no serious injury. And now that he has awakened, it’s still not serious. How can I believe you! What is the use of taking care of you wastes!”

Yan Ge grabbed Huangfu Yuchen’s hand, which had turned pale from the impact. He covered it with both hands, and he said to the others, “All of you, leave.”

The crowd hesitated, but seeing that Huangfu Yuchen didn’t object, they hurriedly retreated.

“Yuchen,” Yan Ge stood up and stood in front of Huangfu Yuchen, cupping his face, “Look, I’m really fine. Look at me.”

Huangfu Yuchen stared at him for a long time, took his hand away, sighed softly, and said, “It’s good that you’re fine. Your sudden changes were too abrupt. I will have someone send you back to the Tenglong Palace. When you move around normally, remember to disguise yourself.” After speaking, he turned and left.

Yan Ge stood there dumbfounded. He left just like that?

When Huangfu Yuchen was out of Yan Ge’s sight, he smiled self-mockingly, his eyes filled with sorrow. For four consecutive days, the scene of Yan Ge lying motionless on the ground kept replaying in his mind, causing his heart to ache each time. He thought that Yan Ge had been abducted somewhere, but the doors and windows were locked from the inside, so it was obviously not the case. He had long known that Yan Ge had many secrets, and he was willing to wait for Yan Ge to confess to him voluntarily. But Yan Ge’s sudden drastic changes clearly indicated that those secrets were extraordinary. Because he knew nothing about these secrets, he couldn’t do anything when Yan Ge was in danger. This made him feel useless and made him feel even more that Yan Ge didn’t need him. He thought he had touched Yan Ge’s heart, but in reality, he hadn’t. They could be together only because of his own pleading.

If he was destined to lose, he would rather never have gained. Otherwise, his heart wouldn’t hurt so much.

He was an all-powerful emperor, but he couldn’t force that person’s heart.