The gates of the Zichen Palace were slowly opened from the outside, and the person who entered was none other than Nangong Ce. As the imperial physician in charge of Su Mu's affairs, he was free to enter and leave the Zichen Palace.
Nangong Ce slowly walked up to Su Yuntian and bowed, "King Yun".
Su Yuntian looked up and asked, "I've heard that the Nangong Divine Sect can cure all incurable diseases in this world. Is that true?"
Nangong Ce said, "The world is vast, and there are countless diseases. It is impossible to say that there is a cure. I can only say that the diseases that Nangong Shenzong has encountered in the past few hundred years are all those that they can cure."
Nangong Ce's words were conservative, but they did indicate to some extent that Nangong Shenzong could cure any disease that had ever appeared in the world.
"The difference between saving lives and harming others is actually very thin. I wonder if Sect Leader Nangong's skill in making poisons is as powerful as this life-saving elixir?"
Upon hearing this, Nangong Ce was startled, but he did not show it on his face. Instead, he calmly asked, "What does Prince Yun want me to do?"
Su Yuntian glanced at Su Mu lying on the dragon bed with a deep look in his eyes, and continued, "I don't want to wait any longer! Soon, I will ascend the throne of Dongyue. After inheriting the throne, my first task will be to lead an expedition against the Southern Shu Kingdom."
Before entering the palace, Nangong Ce had been living at Su Yuntian's residence. When he was being chased to the point of desperation by the people of Nangong Shenzong, it was Su Yuntian who found him.
One reason he accepted Su Yuntian was that they shared a common enemy—Su Yi. After all, Su Yi had become his enemy because Mu Jin had helped Nangong Min return to the Nangong Divine Sect.
Su Yuntian placed him in the Yunwang Mansion, naturally with conditions: to gain Su Mu's trust, then control Su Mu with elixirs, and ultimately help Su Yuntian seize the throne. Once Su Yuntian ascended the throne, he would also help him reclaim the Nangong Shenzong.
However, he never expected that Su Yuntian's ambition was so great. In order to leave Su Yi with no way out, he not only wanted to seize the throne of Dongyue, but also coveted the entire Nanshu Kingdom.
At this time, the Dongyue Kingdom was only a country that was strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Its temporary peace was only achieved at the cost of ceding territory to the Beiqi Kingdom.
For the Eastern Yue Kingdom to attack the powerful Southern Shu Kingdom with its current strength is simply courting death!
"To conquer the Southern Shu Kingdom?" Nangong Ce looked at Su Yuntian with disbelief in his eyes.
However, in response to Nangong Ce's surprise, Su Yuntian merely gave a cold laugh and said, "Don't look at me like that. Let me tell you the truth, even if I don't send troops, Su Yi won't let me go. The war between Yue and Shu is inevitable."
At this point, Su Yuntian looked at Nangong Ce and said, "So I hope you can help me refine a kind of poison. This poison must be able to play a huge role on the battlefield and make the enemy lose their fighting ability in a short time."
"Of course, it would be even better if it were as contagious and difficult to cure as a plague. I wonder if you have the ability to do that?"
“It’s a bit difficult,” Nangong Ce said, but there was no sign of difficulty on his face. This meant he wanted to negotiate with Su Yuntian.
"What do you want?" Su Yuntian knew exactly what Nangong Ce was thinking.
After bowing deeply to Su Yuntian, Nangong Ce said, "I hope that after you conquer the Southern Shu Kingdom, you will help me obtain the Nangong Divine Sect and the five surrounding cities."
The five cities near Nangong Shenzong were under the jurisdiction of the prefectures and counties of the three kingdoms of Dongyue, Nanshu, and Xiliang. Although these were small cities located in border areas, taking them was by no means an easy task.
The fact that Nangong Ce dared to set such harsh conditions reveals the extent of his ambition. However, since he dared to make such a request, it meant that he could definitely provide what Su Yuntian wanted. Therefore, Su Yuntian pressed further, "So, you can make the poison I need?"
Nangong Ce nodded in reply: "If Your Highness can meet my needs, then I can not only successfully develop the poison that Your Highness requires, but also, if Your Highness is willing, I can even refine a pill that can make the soldiers of Dongyue Kingdom's internal strength advance by leaps and bounds in a short period of time, making them seem tireless and invincible in combat."
Upon hearing this, Su Yuntian was greatly shocked: "Does such a miraculous elixir really exist in the world?"
Nangong Ce smiled slightly and replied softly, "That's natural, but the lifespan of those who take this pill will be greatly affected, and they will probably not live long." Upon hearing this, Su Yuntian frowned, looked at Nangong Ce with a face full of doubt, and asked, "Not live long? Why would that be?"
Nangong Ce nodded slightly and then said, "Yes, just like His Majesty's current situation."
Upon hearing this, Su Yuntian was taken aback. His gaze slowly shifted to Su Mu beside him, and after a moment's thought, he suddenly understood something.
Su Yuntian chuckled softly and said to Nangong Ce, "That's excellent. They are valuable when I need them; once they lose their usefulness, keeping them is just a waste of food."
After speaking, Su Yuntian turned his gaze to Nangong Ce again and continued to ask, "So, how long will it take to develop these two kinds of pills?"
Nangong Ce replied, "Half a month is enough."
Upon hearing this, Su Yuntian's face showed a satisfied expression. He nodded slightly and said, "Very good! I promise you, as long as I can successfully seize the land of Southern Shu, I will grant all the conditions you have proposed."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Ce bowed deeply to Su Yuntian and said, "Thank you, Prince Yun!"
Su Yuntian slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Su Mu lying on the dragon bed. Su Mu's eyes were tightly closed, as if he were asleep, but his ashen face suggested that he was nearing the end.
Su Yuntian reached out and stroked Su Mu's brow, which was only slightly furrowed due to his exertion, and said, "Father, I know you are awake and have heard what I said. I wonder what you think of my plan?"
Then, he paused slightly, his eyes flashing with a cold light as sharp as a cold star, and continued, "When the time is right, I will personally cut off the heads of Su Yi and his maternal grandfather, and annex the Eastern Yue Kingdom and the Southern Shu Kingdom in one fell swoop!"
"Within ten years, I will sweep across the world and unify the entire land of China! At that time, you will surely be overjoyed for your son in the afterlife!" After saying this, Su Yuntian couldn't help but laugh wildly again.
Looking at the seemingly crazed Su Yuntian, Nangong Ce's lips curled into a slight smile. They were kindred spirits, and naturally understood each other's thoughts.
“Prince Yun, in two days, His Majesty will be able to take the Puppet Pill.”
"Two days?" Su Yuntian's lips twitched slightly, a half-smile on his face. "Time flies. Since returning from Beiqi, the embroiderers in the manor have been rushing to make my dragon robe. I heard it will be finished today."
Nangong Ce smiled and said, "Then I would like to congratulate Your Majesty in advance on the fulfillment of your long-cherished wish."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
