After obtaining the Jade-Flora Orchid, Dr. Marcus Guile and the Valley Master were like men injected with adrenaline—they had no patience to linger in Eastlyn. Eager to return to Jiangnan, they wanted to study the Jade-Flora Orchid thoroughly and unlock all its effects.
When Dr. Guile heard the Valley Master mention that Ninth Royal Uncle was deeply concerned about having heirs, he wondered if the Jade-Flora Orchid could be used in medicine to improve Nolan’s constitution—at least so his future children wouldn’t be so difficult to conceive.
The Valley Master wholeheartedly agreed. This would also serve as their way of repaying Serena Feng for gifting them the Jade-Flora Orchid. Owing someone a favor always feels uncomfortable.
After three days of bed rest, Dr. Guile’s wounds were nowhere near healed—he could barely get out of bed. But he immediately urged Ninth Royal Uncle to arrange for him and the Valley Master to enter the palace and examine the Emperor’s condition.
If the case was treatable, he wanted to cure the Emperor quickly and leave. If not, he preferred to know early so he could prepare and resolve the Emperor’s Gu-poison as soon as possible. His time was precious; wasting it on the Emperor was hardly worthwhile.
When Ninth Royal Uncle met with the Emperor, he framed it differently—saying the Valley Master and Dr. Guile were so concerned for His Majesty’s health that they were dragging their sick bodies to treat him, hoping to resolve the Emperor’s illness as soon as possible.
Even though he knew this was only partly true, the Emperor was still moved. His spies had confirmed that Dr. Guile was genuinely injured—and seriously so.
As for Serena Feng? She was indeed hurt, but her injuries were minor. By the next day she could move about freely—as long as she avoided touching the wound, it hardly affected her at all.
Worried about his own illness and burning for revenge against the Hsieh Clan, the Emperor naturally didn’t refuse Dr. Guile’s proposal. He immediately ordered Dr. Guile to enter the palace early the next morning, and summoned all the imperial physicians as well.
If he could get even a single hint from Dr. Guile or the Valley Master, the ultimate beneficiary would be himself—the Emperor. As for keeping Dr. Guile and the Valley Master in the palace as imperial physicians?
Do you think Eastlyn is the only country in the Nine Provinces Realm? If these two were willing to serve as imperial physicians, the emperors of all four nations would be fighting over them. Having them at your side is like having an extra life insurance policy—you think the Emperor doesn’t know that?
But unless he could guarantee control over them, even if they were willing to serve in the palace, the Emperor would never feel at ease.
Their medical skill is unmatched—saving lives is their strength, but without loyalty, it’s even easier for them to take a life.
Serena Feng originally thought this had nothing to do with her, but Dr. Guile and the Valley Master insisted she go in with them. Serena resisted: “Can I not go? I’m still sick.”
“Stop pretending. You think the Emperor doesn’t know your injuries aren’t serious?” The Valley Master tugged Serena along. “Just follow us and learn as much as you can—Old Guile’s medical skills are top-notch.”
“Got it.” Serena understood they intended to teach on the spot. With such a rare opportunity, she knew she couldn’t miss it.
The group entered the palace in grand procession—Valley Master, Dr. Guile, and Serena each carrying a large medicine chest. After a routine inspection, the guards let them through without ever opening the boxes.
“Palace security is this lax?” Dr. Guile raised an eyebrow. Had he been away from the world so long that he’d forgotten how things worked in the secular realm?
“We’re borrowing Ninth Royal Uncle’s influence.” Serena kindly explained. Everyone was smart enough to understand without further words.
This forbidden palace was completely under Ninth Royal Uncle’s control.
After multiple rounds of notification, the Emperor finally summoned the three of them. Serena Feng knelt obediently to pay her respects, while the Valley Master and Dr. Guile simply cupped their hands in greeting. The Emperor quickly told them to dispense with formalities.
"So that’s what special treatment looks like," Serena thought to herself, unable to help feeling a bit envious.
In both skill and reputation, she was leagues behind the Valley Master and Dr. Guile. It was only natural the Emperor treated them differently—if he didn’t, Serena would actually find it strange.
When Serena rose, she noticed a line of imperial physicians in the hall, several of whom she recognized. They smiled at her in a friendly way, and Serena returned the gesture.
The Emperor was getting sharper—he’d learned to have the imperial physicians supervise under the pretense of "learning." Luckily he’d been crippled early; otherwise, Ninth Royal Uncle would have had a much harder time.
The Emperor had his plans, but Dr. Guile wasn’t so easily fooled. As soon as they entered, he said, “Your Majesty, please dismiss everyone else.”
“Withdraw.” Even if he was displeased, the Emperor didn’t show it. Toward Dr. Guile and the Valley Master, he was unfailingly courteous, never putting on airs in front of them.
Everything else could wait until he was cured.
The imperial physicians left the hall slowly, looking back with every step, clearly disappointed and somewhat resentful.
In Jiangnan, the Valley Master and Divine Doctor Guile teach openly—so why were they being so secretive here?
Well... as the saying goes, some things are better left unsaid. In short, Dr. Guile dismissed the imperial physicians—not to keep secrets.
Dr. Guile performed a full traditional exam on the Emperor—looking, listening, questioning, and taking the pulse. Then he produced a gold needle, pricked the Emperor’s finger, and drew out a drop of blood that looked somewhat dark.
“Your Majesty, look…” Dr. Guile took out a piece of white cloth and wiped the blood onto it, making the discoloration even more obvious.
The blood in the Emperor’s body was dark—nothing like the blood of a living person.
“Divine Doctor, can I still be saved?” The Emperor’s eyes flashed with fear, though he tried to stay composed.
Everyone fears death—the Emperor was no exception.
“Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune. Earlier, Miss Feng used medicine to suppress the Gu-poison, preventing it from causing further damage to your body.” Dr. Guile’s words boiled down to one thing: there was hope.
“Then please, Divine Doctor, save me.” Hearing there was hope, the Emperor’s tense body relaxed.
Dr. Guile nodded. “A doctor’s duty is to heal and save lives. As a commoner, I will do my utmost to treat you. However…”
Dr. Guile looked troubled. The Emperor generously said, “If you have any requests, Divine Doctor, just say the word—I will fully cooperate.”
“Your Majesty, the Gu parasite in your body has already been activated and is now fully mature. Extracting it will be extremely painful, and if the original caster interferes during the process, your life could be at risk.” Dr. Guile was upfront, warning the Emperor in advance.
The treatment will be agonizing—if you can’t endure it, don’t blame me. If, after removing the Gu parasite, you suffer any aftereffects, it’s not due to my lack of skill, but because the caster intended to harm you.
So if anything happens to you, don’t come after me—go after the person who cast the Gu.
As soon as Dr. Guile finished speaking, the joy vanished from the Emperor’s face. He grew solemn, as if pondering something serious.
Dr. Guile stayed silent, letting the Emperor think things through.
It was the Emperor’s life—whether to proceed was ultimately his decision.
Serena and the Valley Master kept quiet as well. They exchanged a glance and smiled faintly.
Judging by the Emperor’s expression, he probably didn’t dare take the risk. Today’s visit was just a preliminary assessment.
Sure enough, after a long pause, the Emperor acknowledged Dr. Guile’s skill and agreed to try—promising not to blame Dr. Guile no matter the outcome.
Just as Serena and the Valley Master were surprised, the Emperor abruptly changed tack, putting on the air of a loving father and looking sorrowful: “Divine Doctor Guile, my youngest son has been harmed by villains like me, afflicted with Gu-poison. The little prince is so young—I cannot bear for him to suffer. Please, save my son first.”
“I obey Your Majesty’s command.” Dr. Guile bowed his head and agreed.
Serena and the Valley Master were both stunned. Before the Emperor noticed, they quickly lowered their heads to hide the disdain in their eyes…