The third wooden box was the largest, measuring one metre by one metre, perfectly square.
“What treasure could be inside this box?” Ye Qiu wondered, curiously lifting the lid.
Instantly, an incredulous expression appeared on his face, for inside the third box was, unbelievably, a tree.
The tree was only ten centimetres tall, resembling a sapling, planted in a black flowerpot.
Its trunk, as thick as a baby’s arm, was golden yellow, gleaming like gold.
The leaves were lush and green, adorned with golden thread-like veins.
At the same time, the leaves emitted a refreshing fragrance that soothed the heart.
Ye Qiu took a gentle sniff and felt invigorated, all his fatigue vanishing instantly.
“What a treasure!”
Though Ye Qiu didn’t know what this tree was, he was certain it was an extremely rare treasure.
Otherwise, Long Yi wouldn’t have hidden it in such a secretive place.
“Sigh…”
Ye Qiu let out a long sigh, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Though he had found three extraordinary treasures and many precious items, none of them were what he urgently needed. His primary goal in coming to the Forbidden City was to find something to save Ye Wushuang.
“It seems I can only extend Father’s life against the heavens.”
Without delay, Ye Qiu quickly left the Forbidden City.
When he departed, he took all three wooden boxes with him, leaving the gold, silver, and jade items untouched.
Back at the Hades Hall.
Ye Qiu first placed the three wooden boxes in the War God’s office before heading to the secret chamber.
From a distance, he saw Old Master Ye and others sitting outside the chamber.
“Old Master, why are you here?” Ye Qiu asked.
Before leaving, he had repeatedly instructed Old Master Ye and Master Longbrow to stay in the chamber watching over Ye Wushuang.
“Jinglan has arrived and is inside with Wushuang, so Master Longbrow and I came out,” Old Master Ye explained.
“Mother came so quickly?” Ye Qiu was somewhat surprised.
The War God said, “I gave the order for Jiangzhou to send your mother over on the fastest fighter jet.”
Ye Qiu gratefully said, “Thank you, War God.”
The War God smiled, “We’re family, no need for formalities.”
Master Longbrow asked, “Little rascal, did you find anything in the Forbidden City?”
“Nothing,” Ye Qiu replied curtly.
Master Longbrow didn’t believe him, rolling his eyes, “Do you take me for a three-year-old? Come on, what treasures did you find in the Forbidden City?”
“I found no treasures, believe it or not,” Ye Qiu said, giving Ye Wudi a look, and the two stepped aside.
“Something up?” Ye Wudi asked.
Ye Qiu said, “Third Uncle, I need a favour. I found quite a few three-hundred-year-old herbs in the Forbidden City. Please go there personally and bring them back, they’ll be useful for Father’s treatment tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Ye Wudi agreed, quickly setting off to handle it.
Ye Qiu then pushed open the door to the secret chamber and entered alone.
Upon entering, he saw Qian Jinglan leaning by the exquisite white jade coffin, secretly wiping away tears.
“Mother!” Ye Qiu called softly.
Qian Jinglan turned around, wiped her tears, and with red eyes said, “Qiu’er, Old Master said you have a way to save your father, is it true?”
“It’s true,” Ye Qiu said, walking to the coffin and glancing inside.
Ye Wushuang was dressed in clean clothes, the bloodstains gone, lying peacefully in the coffin.
Ye Qiu checked Ye Wushuang’s pulse and found that, though his vitality was low, his pulse was stable. He said to Qian Jinglan, “Father’s condition is stable for now, no need to worry. I’ll treat him tomorrow night.”
“Is the treatment dangerous?” Qian Jinglan asked.
“No,” Ye Qiu smiled, “I’m the Medical Saint, you should have faith in my skills.”
Ye Qiu wasn’t entirely truthful, mainly to avoid worrying Qian Jinglan.
Unaware of the full truth, Qian Jinglan sighed in relief and said, “I thought I’d never see Wushuang again in this lifetime, but after more than twenty years apart, I can see him again.”
“Where has he been these past twenty years?”
“He must have suffered a lot!”
Ye Qiu comforted her, “Mother, no matter what, Father is back, and your years of waiting weren’t in vain. As for where he’s been, he’ll tell us when he wakes up.”
“Mm,” Qian Jinglan nodded slightly.
“Mother, since you’re here, stay with Father. I’ll go study the treatment plan,” Ye Qiu said. “Old Master and the others are outside, call them if you need anything.”
“Alright,” Qian Jinglan nodded in agreement.
Leaving the chamber, Ye Qiu said to Old Master Ye, “Father’s condition is stable, no deterioration for now.”
“I’m going to study the treatment plan.”
“Old Master, please keep an eye here and call me if anything urgent comes up.”
Old Master Ye said, “Don’t worry, I’ll stay here.”
Ye Qiu added, “War God, I need to borrow your office.”
“No problem,” the War God agreed readily, saying, “Ye Qiu, whatever you need, as long as Hades Hall has it, you can use it without asking. If we don’t have it, tell me, and I’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you, War God.”
Ye Qiu thanked him and quickly went to the War God’s office, where he began mentally reviewing the entire process of treating General Bai last time.
He was thoroughly familiar with the life-extension method, but one thing worried him.
General Bai was an ordinary person, while Ye Wushuang was a cultivator. Would extending a cultivator’s life against the heavens lead to unexpected complications?
All night, Ye Qiu didn’t sleep, sitting in the War God’s office, contemplating possible complications during the treatment.
The next morning.
After breakfast, Ye Qiu checked on Ye Wushuang in the chamber, then returned to the War God’s office to meditate cross-legged.
Tonight, he would extend Ye Wushuang’s life, and he couldn’t afford to be careless, so he needed to bring his mental state to its peak.
Time passed quickly.
At six in the evening.
Following Ye Qiu’s instructions, the War God found an open space and placed a simple camp bed on the ground for Ye Wushuang to lie on.
Forty-nine lanterns were placed on the ground around it.
A black dog and a white rooster, brought by Long Ye, were tied up nearby.
Everyone else stood at a distance, watching Ye Qiu nervously, not daring to make a sound.
Ye Qiu sat in front of the camp bed, sterilising golden needles.
Beside him were several hundred-year-old herbs and the remaining half of a thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum.
Gradually, the sky darkened.
Stars appeared in the sky.
“The time is about right, we can begin!” Ye Qiu’s eyes flashed with determination, his expression turning serious.
