Chapter 278: Old Emperor Meets Old Beggar Again

Three days had passed.

As soon as the Crown Prince was established, the old Emperor, who had previously put on a facade of health and vigor, immediately reverted to his feeble state from before Yin Zhaoxian's return, and even worsened.

Two years prior, the old Emperor had been confident he would live for at least another decade or two, and even more confident that he would find immortals and obtain an elixir of immortality during that time.

The old Emperor also had considerable fortune; as he dedicated his efforts to seeking immortals, much of the information he gathered revealed traces of them. Though seemingly out of reach, this was enough to confirm the existence of deities and immortals.

This led the old Emperor to conceive the idea of eternal life and everlasting imperial power. His two sons, Prince Wu and Prince Jin, were certainly not mediocre, but under these circumstances, they became irritating obstacles.

However, an unexpected Dharma assembly, rich with opportunities, severely impacted the old Emperor. His health deteriorated, and the path to immortality seemed to vanish.

Although some of the Heavenly Masters who remained in the capital possessed certain abilities, the old Emperor, having witnessed true immortal techniques, no longer held them in high regard and knew full well they could not concoct an elixir of immortality.

What made the old Emperor even more desperate was that his physical condition was worse than he had imagined. While Yin Zhaoxian was making drastic reforms in Wanzhou, he was relatively stable, but afterward, his health steadily declined.

At this moment, within the imperial palace in the capital, Emperor Yuande lay resting with closed eyes in the Son of Heaven's bedchamber.

Although the weather was not particularly cold, Emperor Yuande was now very sensitive to the chill, and his entire bedchamber was kept warm by charcoal braziers.

Though exhausted after taking his medicine, Emperor Yuande suffered from neurasthenia and could not sleep, even with his eyes closed.

Ji Yuan was currently in the bedchamber, standing by the old Emperor's bedside and observing him.

The various guards within the imperial palace were naturally ineffective against someone like Ji Yuan. However, an emperor, by virtue of his position, was connected to the nation's destiny and imbued with the energy of the Ziwei star, which could, to some extent, ward off evil spirits. But now, that aura had weakened considerably.

"Hoh... hoh... hoh..."

Unable to sleep, the old Emperor finally opened his eyes again, gazing at the canopy above his bed, breathing heavily and lost in thought.

Ji Yuan was curious about what he was thinking.

In his previous life, Ji Yuan had likely never encountered someone in such a high position. Now, observing the Emperor, he realized that whether it was a farmer who had toiled his whole life or an emperor tied to the nation's fate, they all looked the same before death. Perhaps the latter was even more desolate.

"Hoh... Is... is anyone there?"

The old Emperor suddenly asked in a hoarse voice.

The old eunuch, who had been dozing nearby, instantly awoke, took quick, small steps to the bedside, and softly replied.

"Your Majesty, your old servant is here!"

The Emperor looked at him, shook his head, and his eyes revealed a desolate expression. In reality, Ji Yuan was standing right beside the old eunuch; the eunuch was bent over, leaning close to the Emperor, while Ji Yuan stood with his hands behind his back.

"Your Majesty, what do you need?"

The old eunuch asked cautiously again. Even a dead tiger retains some of its might, let alone an emperor who was still alive.

But the old Emperor did not look at the eunuch. Instead, he widened his eyes slightly, looked past the eunuch, and tremblingly stretched out a hand, as if trying to grasp something in front of him.

Chief Eunuch Li Sizhe looked to the side, then scanned the surroundings. There was no one else there besides himself.

"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask you a question?"

Ji Yuan's calm and gentle voice suddenly entered Emperor Yuande's ears, causing the latter to open his eyes wide and his breathing to quicken slightly.

"Hoh... hoh... hoh... P-please, ask!"

Ji Yuan smiled and said.

"Old Mr. Lu should have asked you a question before the imperial court back then, but you ultimately had a connection without destiny. I can bring him here again. Would you like to see him?"

"Hoh, hoh hoh... Can, can he restore my vitality?"

Hearing the old Emperor's question, Ji Yuan shook his head.

"Life and death are cycles of the Heavenly Dao. Your Majesty is now like a lamp running out of oil. You may endure for a few more days, but it is too late to regain your vitality."

"Then... why then..."

Ji Yuan knew what the old Emperor wanted to ask and smiled again as he replied.

"Bringing him here would allow you to scold him a little, which might alleviate some of your emotional burdens. In your current state, he should still be willing to see you."

As the old Emperor spoke to Ji Yuan, a dazed look on his face, Chief Eunuch Li Sizhe glanced from the Emperor to the empty space beside him, a flicker of panic rising in his heart.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what's wrong? Your Majesty?"

The old eunuch reached out and waved his hand in front of the old Emperor's eyes, but the Emperor's gaze was entirely unfocused on him, as if he were invisible.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, who are you talking to? Your Majesty..."

The old eunuch's voice involuntarily grew louder, startling the palace maids and eunuchs waiting outside. Two maids and two eunuchs quickly scurried inside.

"Eunuch Li, what's happening?"

Li Sizhe looked at the Emperor's bed and, with an extremely grim expression, said to the newcomers.

"Prepare the royal ginseng soup. His Majesty may not last much longer. Quickly, summon all the princes, officials, and empresses and consorts from the imperial harem! Hurry!"

"Yes!" "Yes!"

The eunuchs and palace maids all looked alarmed and rushed out in a frantic hurry. The palace staff and guards outside, upon hearing the news, also quickly dispersed to spread the word.

Ji Yuan glanced in the direction the eunuchs and maids had departed, then at Chief Eunuch Li Sizhe, who stood by with a look of concern.

"Your Majesty, do you need me to find him for you?"

The old Emperor looked dazedly at Ji Yuan, then gasped a few breaths and asked.

"You, who are you?"

The old eunuch Li Sizhe quickly moved into the old Emperor's line of sight and replied with a louder voice.

"Your Majesty, it's your old servant! Your old servant, Li Sizhe! Your Majesty, do you not recognize me? Your old servant..."

The old Emperor became exasperated and, in his agitation, swept his hand towards Li Sizhe's side.

"You... get out..."

The old eunuch trembled with fear from the Emperor's glare, shrinking back and moving to the side.

Ji Yuan looked at the old eunuch.

"Given Your Majesty's current state, please do not get angry. Eunuch Li is simply flustered with concern; he cannot see me. As for who I am? Hehe..."

Ji Yuan couldn't help but smile again.

"Does Your Majesty still remember the mooncake that was not held firmly in the imperial court?"

Ji Yuan had originally intended to tease with "Did Your Majesty drink that mooncake soup?", but on second thought, decided not to provoke the old Emperor further.

"Oh... so that's it... Immortal Master, you..."

"Since I have appeared before Your Majesty, it is naturally due to some karmic connection between us, but it is not the kind Your Majesty imagines."

At this point, Emperor Yuande understood. He shakily raised a hand and bowed in a gesture of respect.

"Please, Immortal Master, trouble yourself to invite that Immortal Master Lu..."

Ji Yuan returned the gesture and said.

"Then Your Majesty must hold on. Old Mr. Lu is a master of the immortal path in this world and may not be easy to find. I shall go."

With these words, Ji Yuan walked away. In the old Emperor's eyes, Ji Yuan's figure faded within a few steps and soon vanished.

"Hoh... hoh... hoh hoh..."

The old Emperor lay back on his bed, gasping for breath due to the physical exertion caused by his earlier agitation.

Time slowly passed, and people both inside and outside the palace received the news and rushed over.

"Imperial Father!" "Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

As sincere and feigned voices of concern echoed, many imperial relatives and high-ranking officials hurried to the scene.

Previously, Emperor Yuande had been annoyed by company and allowed no one to stay with him; even Consort Ren only visited morning and evening. Now, upon suddenly hearing the palace's urgent summons, everyone rushed over.

These were only those who arrived quickly; many more were still en route.

After looking at the crowd of arrivals, the old Emperor closed his eyes again to rest, saying little.

A eunuch cautiously brought over the century-old royal ginseng soup. Consort Ren proactively picked up a spoon to feed the Emperor, but saw the old Emperor wave his hand, indicating he did not need it for now.

Outside the imperial palace, Ji Yuan purposefully headed towards the Earth God Temple. Although he had told the old Emperor that finding the old beggar would be difficult, Ji Yuan had long anticipated the beggar's whereabouts.

If the person had already left Da Zhen, it would be hard to say, but knowing they were certainly within Da Zhen's borders, Ji Yuan had predicted that Lu Niansheng would be in the capital prefecture at the moment of Emperor Yuande's impending demise.

Perhaps after their last visit to Jujian Pavilion in Jizhou, the two beggars had already made their way to the capital.

In the capital prefecture, Ji Yuan's best connection was the burly Earth God of the capital. This Earth God was arguably the most robust in build among all the Earth Gods Ji Yuan had encountered over the years.

Upon reaching the temple, he didn't even enter the hall. He merely sent a spiritual message into the temple, and shortly after, the Earth God appeared to meet him.

It was still the same burly, tall, and sturdy figure, with dark, curled beard and dark eyes, and the same rattan staff that looked capable of being used as a heavy weapon. As soon as the Earth God appeared, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting towards Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, what can I do for you?"

Ji Yuan promptly returned the bow.

"Might I trouble you, Earth God, to help me find someone? It's that old beggar; he should be in the capital prefecture."

"Oh, what's difficult about that!"

The Earth God struck his rattan staff on the ground, and a ripple immediately spread outwards. It was somewhat similar to the changes that occurred when Ji Yuan used a soul-binding spell, yet different.

"Found him. He hasn't concealed his presence. Mr. Ji, follow me!"

The Earth God placed a hand on Ji Yuan's shoulder. Their figures shimmered, and they vanished into the ground, reappearing moments later by a bridge in the west of the city. There, they saw the old and young beggars dozing beneath the bridge.

"Uh, Mr. Ji, are you in the capital too?"

The old beggar rubbed his eyes and asked in surprise.

"Hey, Old Mr. Lu, come with me."

"Where are we going?"

Ji Yuan looked at the young beggar, then at the old one, and though amused internally, asked seriously.

"The imperial palace, of course. I'm here to invite you. Will you grant me this favor?"

"Mr. Ji's favor... naturally, I must grant it!"

The old beggar hesitated for a moment, then stood up.

Half an hour later, inside the imperial palace, the bedchamber was already filled with several princes, imperial consorts, and important ministers, including Yin Zhaoxian. Outside, numerous other officials and imperial relatives also stood waiting.

Ji Yuan led the old beggar into the imperial palace, while the young beggar remained at the Earth God Temple.

As they approached the bedchamber, they saw emissaries from the Underworld already waiting outside, indicating that the old Emperor's end was truly near.

However, upon death, the old Emperor would not immediately enter the Underworld. Due to the influence of Da Zhen's national destiny, he would first enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple and then the Imperial Mausoleum.

This merely meant a more spacious tomb in the afterlife. The deeds of his life would still be accounted for. However, because his spirit tablet would enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple, protected by Da Zhen's national destiny, his soul would not be directly scattered by Underworld punishments. Instead, he would be assured of passing through this tribulation.

Compared to ordinary people, there would certainly be advantages. As long as Da Zhen endured, the imperial family in the Underworld would undoubtedly not lack paper money and offerings. But once the afterlife span ended, the earth soul would still merge with the earth and the heaven soul return to the heavens. The so-called "eternal enjoyment of the Imperial Ancestral Temple" was merely a fantasy of the living imperial family.

Ji Yuan and the old beggar entered, unseen by everyone else. Only the old Emperor could see them materialize from a blur into clarity, slowly walking to his bedside.

However, the old Emperor's condition was worse now than before; he barely had the strength to speak much.

"Gin... ginseng soup!"

The old Emperor finally spoke. The ginseng soup, which had been kept warm, was carefully spooned into his mouth by Consort Ren.

The century-old ginseng soup sustained his life. With a surge of vitality, the old Emperor's complexion immediately turned ruddy.