Seeking Treatment, Cloud City or Jade City

Little Dumpling wanted to recognize William Wang Jinling as his adoptive father. Ninth Royal Uncle was indeed displeased, but he wasn't truly angry, much less firmly opposed.

In truth, Ninth Royal Uncle tacitly approved it. Without his silent consent, Little Dumpling and William could never have settled it, nor could William have publicly declared Little Dumpling as his adopted son.

Ninth Royal Uncle knows William Wang Jinling's character and talent better than anyone. If not for William's complicated, lingering feelings toward Serena Feng, Ninth Royal Uncle believes they could have been good friends. Unfortunately...

With Serena Feng in this life, he and William will never be friends—but neither will they be enemies.

With William Wang Jinling to educate Little Dumpling, Ninth Royal Uncle is quite at ease. Most importantly, with William as adoptive father, once he conquers Northlyn and Lyndaria, he can quickly hand over the throne to Little Dumpling and retire to the mountains with Serena and their children.

Of course, Ninth Royal Uncle would never say this aloud. He only plans in secret. When the time comes, William will have no choice but to accept—he is Little Dumpling's adoptive father, after all, and it's his duty to help manage the empire.

Outwardly, Ninth Royal Uncle seems unhappy, but secretly he's scheming how to squeeze the most out of William Wang Jinling—make him work for his son, and ideally, even for his grandson...

William himself knows that taking Little Dumpling as his adopted son means his later years will never be peaceful; Ninth Royal Uncle will never let him off. Still, knowing this, he accepts—he simply can't refuse the temptation.

All the adults are perfectly in sync, but poor Little Dumpling knows nothing. Just to make his own father happy, he accidentally signed a wildly unequal contract—the most eye-catching term: ascend the throne at age ten.

"How did I end up with such a foolish adopted son?" When William Wang Jinling found out afterwards, he nearly coughed up blood.

Is the throne really so easy to sit on?

Little Dumpling will ascend at ten, which means there are still seven years to go. In seven years, Ninth Royal Uncle might conquer Westlyn and Northlyn, but all the governance afterwards will fall to Little Dumpling.

Even if a ten-year-old child is exceptionally gifted, there's no way he can govern such a vast country well.

Ninth Royal Uncle is clearly setting him up!

Seeing Little Dumpling's clueless face, William could only sigh—he had nowhere to vent his frustration. He sent word to Ninth Royal Uncle: before the boy turns ten, he must not interfere in Little Dumpling's education.

Seven years remain. William will do his best to raise Little Dumpling as a qualified emperor—he's willing to give his all, but doesn't want to work himself to death, nor end up a high-powered regent who loses his head in the end.

Ninth Royal Uncle was just as straightforward—he gave his approval and handed Little Dumpling over to William for education.

Wasn't Little Dumpling always complaining his studies were too heavy, with endless books to memorize and characters to write? Didn't he think William's playful teaching would be more fun?

Now he'll show Little Dumpling what truly heavy studies are—where every day there's more to learn than you can ever finish.

"Son, you have to hang in there." This time, Serena Feng didn't dare plead for Little Dumpling. Besides, she trusts William—he won't push the boy too hard.

A child destined to be emperor can’t have it too easy. Better to suffer and learn young—life will be easier later.

No matter how tough it gets for Little Dumpling, it’s nothing compared to what Ninth Royal Uncle endured as a child. Even if Serena Feng’s heart aches, she can only bear it...

Little Dumpling’s adoption by William Wang Jinling made a sensation. Looking back through history, no prince has ever taken an adoptive father—let alone one who’s the guaranteed heir.

But when people realize it’s Grand Heir William, it all seems perfectly reasonable, just as it should be. At least Master Marcus Wynn thinks Little Dumpling made a smart deal by choosing William as his adoptive father.

"Your son is clever," he said. So young, and already he knows how to find himself a powerful ally.

"You flatter him, Master Wynn." Serena Feng wasn’t humble at all.

Little Dumpling really did strike it rich—William’s gift for his new adopted son was the command token of Jade City.

Eastlyn could seize Jade City with a single move, but even so, it would take hundreds of thousands of troops, and tens of thousands would die.

Ninth Royal Uncle has never acted against Jade City or Cloud City—not because he underestimates them, but because it’s tricky, and he fears driving them into Northlyn’s arms, forcing Eastlyn into a fight to the death.

Jade City and Cloud City are the richest among the Nine Cities. Ninth Royal Uncle wants them, but not at the cost of destroying their foundations or ruining their value.

Especially Cloud City—blessed with abundant medicinal herbs, it’s a true city of medicine. Ninth Royal Uncle doesn’t want to ruin Cloud City, so he’s delayed attacking.

Now, with William Wang Jinling personally securing Jade City for Little Dumpling, only Cloud City remains. And this time, Master Marcus Wynn came to Serena Feng with news about Cloud City.

"Serena, let’s make a deal. I’ll trade Cloud City for your help treating someone." After exchanging pleasantries, Master Wynn got straight to the point.

"But, Master, you’re not from Cloud City. Can you really make decisions for it?" Serena didn’t agree immediately—she’s not able to cure every illness.

"I can’t decide Cloud City’s fate, but someone else can. Just tell me yes or no." Master Wynn was easygoing, confident Serena would accept—the bait was tempting enough.

"What’s the illness?" Serena was willing, but only if she could actually cure it.

Without her smart medical kit, there are many illnesses she can’t treat—heart transplants, open chest surgery, she wouldn’t dare attempt.

"It’s difficult for most, but for you, Serena, it’s simple." Master Wynn wasn’t worried at all. "It’s just like Prince Titus of Westlyn—both legs lost, but this person’s injury is even worse. Everything below the thighs is gone."

"You want me to fit him with prosthetics so he can walk again?" Serena didn’t miss the flash of pain and guilt in Master Wynn’s eyes, but...

She was afraid she’d disappoint Master Wynn: "If that’s the case, I can’t do it right now."

"Why not?" Master Wynn’s smile faltered, his tone urgent: "Is my fee too low? I can pay you up front, or give you whatever you want—if I can provide it, it’s yours, as long as you cure him."

"You misunderstand, Master Wynn. Cloud City is a huge temptation, and your fee is generous. I’m simply not capable—I truly can’t do it right now." Without her smart medical kit, Serena would have to start from scratch; prosthetics...

She and the Valley Master are researching it, but there’s no breakthrough yet.

"Not possible now, but what about in the future?" Calming down, Master Wynn finally caught the key point in Serena’s words.

"I can’t promise anything. To be honest, the prosthetics Prince Titus of Westlyn uses—I got those by chance, and I can’t get a second pair. I’m working with the Valley Master, Poison Doctor Marcus Guile, and Divine Doctor Redwater to develop prosthetics, but I can’t guarantee when we’ll succeed. All I can say is, once we do, I’ll help you treat him—if you’re willing to wait."

Without her smart medical kit, Serena shifted her focus to medical and pharmaceutical research, hoping to contribute more useful knowledge to the Academy.

"I’ll wait." The answer didn’t come from Master Wynn, but from the man in the wheelchair—Cloud City’s former lord, believed dead by the world!