The World's Number One Medical Hall

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Sorrow of the Body

Mo Bai, who was walking among the majestic palaces and pavilions at this moment, was naturally unaware of what had happened between the Tie Xiong brothers.

In fact, from the moment he finished telling Tie Xiong what to do, he stopped thinking about whether Tie Xiong could actually complete what he had entrusted to him.

It wasn't that he was carefree, or that he trusted Tie Xiong that much.

After all, they had only met once. Even if they had some goodwill towards each other, they could not be said to completely trust each other.

But from the moment he opened his eyes, he knew clearly that he was facing certain death. Having nothing, there was no question of whether he could find a way to survive.

There was no time to plan, understand, or slowly scheme for him.

Regardless of whether Tie Xiong can actually do it, he won't have the time or the means to choose someone else. In the end, whether the outcome is good or bad, he can only accept and face it, taking it one step at a time.

This may seem somewhat negative, but in fact, quite the opposite.

Few people understand or cherish the preciousness of life as deeply as he does.

Regardless of his past or present life, resilience has been ingrained in his soul. As long as he can fight, he will not give up no matter how bitter it is. That's why, even in such a harsh environment, despite his injuries, he did not despair or panic. Instead, as long as he had a breath left, he calmly and resolutely made all the preparations he could.

But just like in his previous life, after exhausting all his efforts and doing everything he could, he still had to accept death. He would accept it more easily than ordinary people and would not be anxious until the very last moment.

He lived his life practicing the saying, "Fate is predetermined, but it can be fought for; it cannot be forced."

……

The vast palace was eerily quiet, except for the footsteps of Mo Bai and his companions.

This tranquility seems to possess a magical power, inspiring awe in those who cannot help but feel awe.

Mo Bai noticed that even the soldiers who were traveling with him became much more subdued and quiet after entering the palace, their footsteps were far less flamboyant than before.

However, he himself was not greatly affected. After all, he grew up in a civilized society. This profound sense of authority could indeed move him, but it could not truly subdue him!

His gaze would occasionally lift, taking in every corner of the palace, involuntarily comparing it with the Forbidden City in his memory.

In fact, after leaving the palace, he had already begun to observe the city and its people...

It seems to be true but is not; it is familiar yet strange.

He had previously told Tie Xiong that he didn't know the way, but when he arrived at the palace gate, a thought flashed through his mind and he realized that although the scenery along the main road was different, it clearly resembled the city in his memory.

Today, this palace is just like that. It is indeed very different from the Forbidden City in his memory, but the overall layout is clearly the palace built by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty!

"I wonder if this landscape is the same as the one I remember?" A hint of doubt flashed in Mo Bai's eyes.

He shook his head slightly. Now was not the time to ponder these things. Once he survived, he would naturally have time to understand.

Upon reaching the top of the nine steps, Mo Bai stopped and looked up at the magnificent palace before him. He took out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his brow, and his breathing became somewhat rapid.

His physical condition wasn't as optimistic as Master Zhang had described. After all, he had neutralized the potent medicine with spiritual herbs and used Master Zhang's vital energy to suppress it, preventing it from erupting instantly.

It has been quite an achievement to get here with only the traces of medicinal power that I have refined.

His back was soaked with sweat, and his chest began to ache intensely again.

Climbing those nine steps was very difficult for him.

But he did not hesitate. With a determined look in his eyes, he slowly exhaled, took a step, and endured pain that most people could not bear, climbing up step by step.

The soldiers did not follow.

Only Zhang Bangli followed by him. Although he walked very slowly, after so many things had happened today, he was sure he would not make a sound again, so they followed him slowly all the way.

Sweat dripped from his forehead as he gritted his teeth and forced himself to continue climbing.

Now he was very clear that if he couldn't hold on and the royal family found out that his physical condition was not as optimistic as Master Zhang had assured them, and that he couldn't withstand the journey, their reaction would definitely not be to abandon their original idea and let him rest!

Instead, they would probably no longer care about so many things and send him away at a faster speed and with more comprehensive secrecy measures, so as not to let outsiders know the truth that he died at the hands of Shangqing Mountain, and to make the world think that he continues to "live" in the world.

If that's the case, he'll lose the little freedom he has left, and then he'll truly have no way to survive.

Throughout history, there have been countless examples proving that the imperial family is not kinship-based. Mo Bai cannot harbor any illusions that His Majesty the Emperor will take pity on his son out of concern for his grief and allow him to recuperate in peace!

After climbing all the way up, when Mo Bai finally made it to the top of the nine steps, he still couldn't hold on.

He felt dizzy and lightheaded, and waves of tearing pain shot through his chest. His face was completely pale and bloodless.

A wave of intense weakness washed over him, causing his mind to involuntarily relax. Immediately, a buzzing sound filled his ears, and he quickly held his breath, trying to stay upright and regulate his breathing.

But no matter how strong he was, his body was too weak, and he eventually fell into a daze!

In a daze, he felt he couldn't hold on any longer, swaying precariously, when at that moment a voice seemed to ring in his ears: "Your Highness..."

He heard himself being called, but couldn't make out what was being said afterward. Feeling weak and unable to respond.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

It turned out to be the eunuch who had been waiting at the door for a long time. When he saw the King arrive, he was about to greet him when the King closed his eyes, his face turned pale, and he was covered in sweat, as if he had lost all color.

If the prince hadn't been standing, the eunuch would have thought he was already dead. Even so, he was still startled. Seeing that the prince seemed a little dazed, he quickly put his arm around the prince's arm and then shouted sharply to Zhang Bangli, who had also noticed something was wrong with the prince, "Lord Zhang, what, what's going on?"

Zhang Bangli remained silent like an ostrich, his anger towards the Ming King already burning within him. But now, his expression changed drastically, thinking to himself, "Could it be that things are about to end? If the Ming King dies here, then something terrible will happen."

He panicked immediately, but still retained some composure, and shouted in a low voice, "Don't shout! Quick, help the King inside!"

The two dared not delay. Without saying a word, they took the Ming King's arms and headed for the imperial study, without even having time to announce their arrival.

In the imperial study, Emperor Dingwu had already stood up. The commotion outside had alerted him. He fixed his gaze on the scene and saw Zhang Bangli and an eunuch supporting a figure as they hurriedly entered.

Emperor Dingwu's eyes immediately narrowed, his lips moved slightly, but he didn't utter a sound, watching as the two men helped the newcomer to a chair.

Without needing to look closely, Emperor Dingwu knew from the five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on the clothes that it must be the Ming King.

"Your Majesty, Prince Ming has fainted!" Zhang Bangli reacted quickly, helping Prince Ming to a chair. Before Emperor Dingwu could speak, he knelt down before him, his voice trembling slightly.

A glint flashed in Emperor Dingwu's eyes as he gazed at the figure slumped in the chair. He still maintained his imposing demeanor, but his voice was clearly grave: "Quickly, summon the alchemist!"

Zhang Bangli dared not delay, he scrambled to his feet and rushed out.

Emperor Dingwu stood there, staring at the pale face of the Prince Ming. Finally, he moved and walked around the desk toward the Prince Ming.

Finally standing before the King, the eunuch quickly bowed, stepped aside, held his breath, and dared not utter a sound.

Emperor Dingwu remained silent, staring intently at the Ming King's face, his eyes flashing with a mix of emotions—anger, shame, and worry…

In the end, he didn't utter a sound or touch Ming Wang, and turned to walk towards the desk.

Just as he turned around, Mo Bai slowly opened his eyes. In a daze, he saw this figure from behind, and then, little by little, it became clear.

A strange sadness suddenly rose in his heart, suppressing the intense pain and becoming the only thought in his mind.

This despair and heartache did not originate from Mo Bai himself, but rather seemed to surge forth from his physical memories.

A son, as he was drowning, saw his father's back as he turned away; the resulting emptiness in his heart was unbearable!

Mo Bai quietly watched the figure's back, feeling the pain. In his previous life, he had never experienced this feeling. His life was full of sorrow, but the love from his family and master made him not resentful of fate.

Even in his final moments, though reluctant to leave, he listened as his beloved family, though tears streamed down their faces, held his hands and said, "Son, go now. We're so grateful you've been with your parents for so many years!"

Upon hearing these words, he closed his eyes and sank into darkness. He felt reluctant to leave, but had no regrets.

The heartache quickly faded, as if it had never happened. Intense pain began to take over his nerves again, and waves of emptiness, as if his body had become extremely weak, surged towards him.

He remained motionless, focusing on regulating his breathing, his unwavering dedication to life radiating a dazzling light.

Emperor Dingwu returned to his seat, but before he could sit down, he suddenly heard the eunuch's tense yet excited voice: "Your Highness, His Highness Prince Ming..."

Emperor Dingwu paused, then suddenly raised his head, meeting Mo Bai's pure and innocent eyes.