Red Envelope Group of the Three Realms

“You disgusting urchin! How dare you say such morbid things here!” Da Wangye* shouted. “Guards! Get this kid out of here! No, throw him out of the Imperial City!”

Immediately, two half-human, half-shark guards barged in, their eyes locked on Chen Xiaobei.

“Stand down!” Ao Liancheng shouted. “Childe Chen is an honored guest of mine! Even if you don’t believe in his medical skills, you should at least treat him with respect!”

“Ao Liancheng, you really disappoint me!” Da Wangye said coldly. “You’re almost thirty already, and you still can’t tell between what’s real and what’s not? Is that kid a divine doctor or a fraud? Even a three-year-old knows the answer to that!”

Ao Liancheng refused to back down. “Father! Do I really have such bad judgement in your eyes? I have personally witnessed Childe Chen’s strength, ability, and loyalty! If he is a fraud, I am willing to die for my crime!”

“You dimwit! Have you been brainwashed by that kid?” Da Wangye bellowed. “Go out and take a look for yourself! The people kneeling outside the door are all of the most distinguished and experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors! Which one of them does not have white hair? Which one of them is not hundreds of years old and above?”

Ao Liancheng was resolute. “Heroes are made in the youth! Who stipulated that doctors need to be aged old men?”

“You unfilial son! Are you revolting?!” Da Wangye hissed. “Guards! Get rid of this unfilial son and that fraud!”

The other members of the imperial family immediately tried to salvage the situation.

“Calm down, Da Wangye! This child Liancheng was just blindsided. He has no ill intention!”

“Liancheng! You too! Your grandfather is at death’s door, and your father is burning with worry as it is. Don’t make him angry anymore!”

“Yeah! Liancheng! Listen to your father! Take that kid away, and stop causing trouble!”

“Yeah! Yeah! Liancheng! Hurry up and leave! If anything happens to your grandfather, all of Neptune will fall into chaos!”

Nearly everyone was advising Ao Liancheng to bring Chen Xiaobei away.

Common sense and logic made it difficult for them to believe that Chen Xiaobei was indeed the legendary divine doctor.

Nevertheless, Ao Liancheng was remained resolute.

“It is exactly because of grandfather’s welfare and the survival of our race that we need Childe Chen’s help! Even if Childe Chen could only bring us a little bit of hope, we have to give it a try!” Ao Liancheng spoke with total conviction. “All those doctors outside can’t do anything for grandfather! If Childe Chen leaves, our last bit of hope leaves with him too! Pardon me for what I’m about to say – but grandfather will die!”

Everyone went completely still and no one said anything. There was nothing but the sound of people’s breathing and their hearts pounding.

Even Da Wangye was rendered speechless.

It was without a question that right here, right now, Chen Xiaobei was the holy emperor’s final hope!

Although it was small uncertain hope, at least it was a chance.

But if Chen Xiaobei walked away, whatever last piece of hope left would vanish with him out the door!

As the doctors they hired could not do anything, the only thing waiting for the holy emperor and the people of Neptune was death!

“Da Wangye!” Ao Chun’er wiped away her tears, and said, “Chun’er believes that Childe Chen is not a fraud! Please permit him to try! Chu’er is willing to swear on her life!”

Chen Xiaobei’s eyes lit up.

He did not know until now that he carried that much weight in Ao Chun’er’s heart.

Initially, Chen Xiaobei was getting ready to show himself out of the door. He was not about to stay and help people who did not want or appreciate his help.

But like the saying ‘a true gentleman will sacrifice his life for a friend who understands him’ – Ao Liancheng and Ao Chun’er were willing to swear on their own lives for Chen Xiaobei – therefore Chen Xiaobei too, was willing to humble himself and help them this once.

“Da Wangye, please allow me to say a few words. It’s not too late to make a decision.” Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and looked at the emperor’s Qi. “His majesty’s sickness is in the heart. The illness is caused by some strange poison that had entered the blood! This poison inhibits the Blood Qi’s circulation. If I’m not mistaken, his majesty’s pulse and breathing are so weak that it’s almost non-existent!”

“How… How do you know these things…”

Not only was Da Wangye stupefied but everyone in the room was as well.

Chen Xiaobei’s diagnosis was on spot on.

“Brother Liancheng, did you tell these things to Childe Chen?” Ao Chun’er asked.

Da Wangye spoke before Ao Liancheng could answer. “Ao Liangcheng didn’t tell him anything! He had been cultivating in seclusion before this. When he came out, he had to prepare for the Saint Duke’s martial arts competition! To prevent him from being distracted, I gave orders that no one was allowed to tell him about his majesty’s illness!”

Ao Chun’er’s beautiful eyes widened in delight. “That means Childe Chen’s diagnosis of grandfather’s condition was all based on his own medical knowledge! Which means that Childe Chen really is a divine doctor!”

“Divine doctor! Childe Chen is a divine doctor for sure!” Da Wangye nodded. “Those people outside spent months to determine the cause of his majesty’s illness! But all it took was one look for Childe Chen to do that! He did not even have to check his majesty’s pulse! If he’s not a divine doctor, then I don’t know what he is!

The members of the royal family were all pleasantly surprised by this revelation.

If Chen Xiaobei truly was a divine doctor, the people of Neptune could then be saved!

“Childe Chen!” Da Wangye walked up to Chen Xiaobei and gave him a deep bow.

“Please forgive me for judging you by your appearance! I was blindsided! I, hereby, would like to apologize to you!” Da Wangye maintained his bowing position. “Childe Chen, I’m deeply embarrassed by myself! But please, for the sake of the millions of citizens of Neptune Starfield, help us save our holy emperor!”

The other members of the royal family bowed to Chen Xiaobei as well, asking, “Childe Chen! Please save our holy emperor!”

“Alright! Let’s put that all that behind us! Please get up!” Chen Xiaobei said as he walked towards the holy emperor’s bedside. “I will now begin treating his majesty. Everyone, please vacate the room. Leave only two to three people to follow my instructions!”

“I will stay! Just tell me whatever you need!”

Da Wangye stepped forward, unwilling to pass on his responsibility to others.

“I’ll stay too!” Ao Liancheng said.

“Me too!” Ao Chun’er cried.

When the rest of the people had left the room, Chen Xiaobei began the treatment.

Footnote:

Da Wangye*: generic title given to the high-ranking sons of Emperors.