Chapter 60 – The prince’s tears

“Oh, you can say that person is a child of my old friend. Speaking of this person, it cannot be left unsaid that he is really a good person. He is judicious, loyal and filial. He is also courageous, prudent and skilled in martial art. Even though he is still young, he truly a noble man.”

Du Shi Qing sadly shook his head, and brought up Chu Yang’s “history” once again. He was especially emphatic about the ambush. And finally concluded with a sigh, “If he were not there, then I am afraid I would not have been able to see you today. Moreover, this person is incredibly talented. He is thorough, never forgets, and full of wisdom; he could be called a hero of our day!”

Du Shi Qing’s voice was full of respect for Chu Yang. He truly spared no effort in advertisement. Plus his tone was clearly sincere and heartfelt.

If Chu Yang had remained with him up to this point, then the result would probably not be like this.

Du Shi Qing also has a touch of regret. On the way, he had more than once brought up the idea of taking Chu Yang as his student to teach him about medicine. In fact, when they were almost to their destination, Du Shi Qing poured out his heart, “… Chu Yang, I feel as if this journey to Iron Cloud would be the last for me. If you still do not accept my proposal, I am afraid all of my medical knowledge will be lost…”

With this much sincerity, and yet Chu Yang still refused.

Du Shi Qing sighed dejectedly. Even though he had no hope of having Chu Yang as a student, he still decided to give him his “Immortal Medicine,” his life’s work, as well as an incomplete “Medicinal Herbs Bible.”

“This ‘Medicinal Herbs Bible’ was created using my medical knowledge. At this point in my life, I am still not able to fully understand more than fifty percent of the medicinal herbs in existence. As for ‘Immortal Medicine,’ this is my life’s work. If you are willing to learn from it, then good. Otherwise, please help me pass it on to the later generations.” Du Shi Qing seemed to have entrusted Chu Yang with this.

These two books became Chu Yang’s biggest unexpected gains during this trip!

In Du Shi Qing’s mind, even though Chu Yang did not become his pupil, he still essentially passed down all of his medical knowledge to him. With his superb impression of Chu Yang, he would naturally give his all.

Beside him, Manager Gao snorted. He thought that if Chu Yang did really intend to leave them, then he would not have entered Iron Cloud Citadel. However, because he was currently a little sorry toward Chu Yang for misunderstanding him, he felt guilty and did not voice any objections.

Anyway, that youth’s disdain for wealth and fame did not seem fake…

“Senior Du is truly benevolent; the world is covered with your good deeds. After hearing this, my respect for you has increased by one part.” Tie Bu Tian smiled and said, but his eyes brightened as he secretly noted these two words “Chu Yang.”

Currently, it could be said that Iron Cloud Nation was desperate for good people.

If it were not for Prince Tie Bu Tian managing Iron Cloud Nation’s military and creating Bu Tian Pavilion to greatly strengthen the country’s power, then Diwu Qing Rou would have sent his army north already!

For Tie Bu Tian, he could not afford to let any talent go at this point! Let alone a “scary” talent like this.

Tie Bu Tian’s countenance immediately became cold, and said quietly to the person in blue besides him, “Send orders for Wu Kuang Yun to come to Iron Cloud Citadel. Tell him that if he cannot give me a clear explanation as to why Physician Du was ambushed, then his body need not come, 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 bordering Great Zhao! He was ranked tenth amongst the commanders of the continent!

While he only ranked last in this list of the top ten great commanders, this was not an honor that could be achieved with just simple bravery…

The fact that Tie Bu Tian had brought up Wu Kuang Yun’s name at this moment naturally meant that he had concluded, based on the timing and tactics of the ambush, it was without a doubt Wu Kuang Yun’s doing!

The person in blue concurred, but the edge of his mouth could not help but twitch as he thought to himself: Oh, old Wu, you are in such bad luck now… Although, I also wanted to do what you did…

Turning back, Tie Bu Tian’s smiling face was friendly and calm, “Senior Du must have been frightened.”

Du Shi Qing continually said he dared not; somehow, when he looked at Tie Bu Tian’s congenial and warm face, he felt a chill down his spine.

It was as if that guilty act committed against his medical ethics years ago was placed under the eyes of the person in front of him…

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

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, he was already here… What should not have been done was done, and someone would have to take responsibility.

A group of people lost in their own thoughts, unconsciously went toward the citadel. After entering the citadel, Du Shi Qing’s carriage went straight to the royal palace.

Tie Bu Tian also could not wait any longer. His royal father’s illness had become more serious with each day. He was so anxious he wanted to force Du Shi Qing to treat his father’s illness immediately. As for other national issues, he had tossed them aside.

He also knew that being able to invite Du Shi Qing was probably part of Diwu Qing Rou’s plans. He had allowed Du Shi Qing to come here; it was obviously not out of good intentions.

He probably allowed Du Shi Qing to treat my father’s condition to weaken my authority.

However, even knowing this was a trap, Tie Bu Tian could only happily jump into it! It was his own father! Not just an emperor but his own flesh and blood!

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

The two people that took the task of following Chu Yang earlier had been waiting for a long time.

“Have you found that person?” Tie Bu Tian asked gently. He raised his left arm, which seemed a bit thin and weak, and rubbed his brows, showing some exhaustion.

“We are incompetent; we were not able to find the whereabouts of this man.” One person bowed and said, “After this person enter Iron Cloud Citadel, he suddenly disappeared from our grasp. We searched everywhere but was not able to pick up any scent of him.”

“Send more people to search.” Tie Bu Tian rubbed his brows and sighed. He switched hands, rubbed his temple and added, “Do not disturb the people. For Iron Cloud right now, even the little bit of strength of the people is important! You absolutely cannot create any sort of chaos.”

“Yes,” they replied, then said worriedly, “Your highness, I noticed you have been overworked of late, perhaps… we should get someone to help you relax a little?”

“Good, call Lan Xiang in to massage me.” Tie Bu Tian did not decline, but his countenance seemed to showed more weariness.

“Yes.” The two men in black backed down.

Tie Bu Tian frowned. He seemed lost in thoughts as his brows came together in worry. Inside his head, Du Shi Qing’s prognosis after examining his father rang out, “Your highness, your father’s illness has gone on for many years. Moreover, the poison still remains in his body. Over the years, it has seeped into his bones and marrow. Medicines or acupuncture would have difficulty intervening… I can only try my best, but I am afraid it would be up to fate.”

Tie Bu Tian sighed heavily.

Seeped into bones and marrow. Medicines and acupuncture would have difficulty intervening. These words were like sharp cuts in Tie Bu Tian’s heart. “Father, is there really no hope left?”

A palace maid named Lan Xiang came in, but when she saw Tie Bu Tian was deep in his thoughts, she dared not disturb and just stood on the side.

After a long time, she heard a deep sigh from Tie Bu Tian, there was something glistening on the side of his eyes.

The prince… is crying?

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

Lan Xiang’s heart was suddenly filled with sympathy.

Only people close to the prince like her would know how hard things have been for him all these years. The price he has to pay in order to race against Diwu Qing Rou!

From his childhood until now, these past ten years, the prince has slept less than four hours each day!

A whole nation, thousands of thousands of lives depended on him. Diwu Qing Rou and Great Zhao Nation, superior intellect and massive strength, were always like a large mountain bearing down on his heart.

If it was someone else, I am afraid this nation would have fallen already!

But Tie Bu Tian used his young body to bear this weight!

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