Shen Liufeng had never traveled such an exhausting road in his life.
Xue Yan rode extremely fast. A journey that would ordinarily take more than half a day to reach Yangzhou took him less than two hours.
Shen Liufeng had always been good at riding horses, but even so, he struggled desperately to keep up. By the time they entered Yangzhou, he was already feeling like he was about to throw up.
Xue Yan, however, did not stop for even a moment. He turned his horse’s head, and it looked as though he was about to head straight into the mountains.
Shen Liufeng wanted to stop him for a moment, but when he remembered that a human life was at stake, he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.
Still, he caught up and reminded him, “Your Highness, are we going into the mountains right now? It’ll be dark in two hours.”
Xue Yan did not even turn his head.
“Go in,” he said. “By dawn tomorrow, it would be best if we’ve already brought that miracle physician out.”
Even if he had to tie him up, he would first drag the man back to Jinling.
No matter what, he did not dare let Jun Huailang wait any longer. When he had held Jun Huailang in his arms that day, the heat radiating from his body was still seared into Xue Yan’s heart, making it ache.
How could he bear to let someone he could not even stand to touch roughly suffer such torment?
Every extra moment Jun Huailang remained feverish made Xue Yan ache as though he would rather die himself.
Hearing Xue Yan’s words, and seeing the resolute way he did not even turn his head, even Shen Liufeng, who was wholeheartedly determined to save Jun Huailang, could not help but groan inwardly.
How was he supposed to know that this man was not only cold and ruthless in his everyday life, but even crazier when it came to saving someone?
If he had known earlier, he would not have forgotten to stuff a steamed bun into his robe when he hurried out that morning.
Shen Liufeng felt miserable inside. He pressed a hand against his growling stomach, raised his whip, and followed.
The mountain road was not easy to travel.
The last time they had entered the mountains, they had leisurely ridden their horses along the way, with Jun Huailang and Shen Liufeng chatting and laughing together.
But this time, as the sun gradually slanted westward, the only sounds in the silent valley were the hoofbeats of two horses, one following the other, echoing through the mountains.
Fortunately, the mountain road where the landslide had occurred the previous time they came had already been repaired.
That time, the collapse in this valley had nearly cost the Emperor’s most favored Prince Guangling his life. Thus, as soon as they had left, the Yangzhou magistrate had immediately mobilized a considerable amount of manpower and resources to repair the entire stretch of mountain road.
As a result, they were able to push straight into the mountains without much obstruction.
However, the mountains outside Yangzhou covered an enormous area, stretching farther than the eye could see. The last time Shen Liufeng had managed to find the miracle physician’s residence, it had been pure luck. This time, they might not be so fortunate.
As soon as they entered the mountains, there were forks in every direction. Shen Liufeng reined in his horse, unsure which way to go.
If they were simply wandering around for amusement, they could pick any road and stumble around until they found their way.
But this time was different.
They were in a hurry to save someone.
Shen Liufeng could only turn his head toward Xue Yan.
He saw that Xue Yan had also stopped. After looking around, he tugged on the reins and turned his horse toward one of the branching paths.
Shen Liufeng hurried after him.
“Your Highness, how did you know we should go this way?” he asked.
Xue Yan glanced to the side, looking toward another direction, and casually replied, “The terrain.”
“Huh?” Shen Liufeng did not understand.
As they traveled along the mountain path, Xue Yan still urged his horse into a light run. As he went, he searched for new paths around them.
“He was discovered once last time, so this time he’ll definitely choose the most secluded place,” he said. “But he’s alone, and he still needs to eat and drink. So the place must not only be secluded, but also open and level enough for him to dig a well and grow vegetables.”
Shen Liufeng thought about it and realized that it really did make sense.
The last time he had reached the miracle physician’s home, there had indeed been a small courtyard. Several free-range mountain chickens had been wandering around inside, pecking aggressively at anyone who came near, and behind the house were several crooked little patches of vegetables.
Indeed, no matter how miraculous the physician was, he still needed to eat.
But Shen Liufeng could not help feeling amazed.
He himself had been to the miracle physician’s home last time and had already forgotten what it looked like. How did Xue Yan know—and how did he even know where the man would choose to settle?
Shen Liufeng racked his brains and could not figure it out.
In the end, he came to the conclusion that Xue Yan truly was the descendant of the Dragon Throne and an imperial grandson. He was pretty miraculous himself.
Thus, Shen Liufeng felt completely reassured and followed Xue Yan up the mountain and into the valleys.
The two of them went deeper and deeper, winding their way through the mountains until gradually, they could no longer even see the road they had come from.
Just then, Xue Yan pulled on the reins and stopped.
He raised his head.
Before him stood a steep mountain cliff that towered into the clouds. High upon the cliff, beneath the warm glow of the setting sun, they could see a small house.
Shen Liufeng cried out in delight.
“There!”
But immediately afterward, his expression turned troubled.
“Th-this… how are we supposed to get up there?”
Xue Yan looked around.
Then he swiftly dismounted and handed the reins to Shen Liufeng.
“Take the mountain road on the western side and go around the mountain, all the way upward,” he said. “You’ll find it there.”
Shen Liufeng stared blankly as he accepted the reins.
“Then where are you going?”
Xue Yan said, “That path takes too long, and the mountain road is steep. At this speed, you won’t reach the top until after dark.”
Shen Liufeng nodded blankly.
“So?”
Xue Yan glanced at him.
“So I’ll go up first,” he said. “Once you arrive, go straight back to Jinling.”
Once they got there, they would have to explain their purpose to the miracle physician, saddle a horse for him, pack his belongings, and waste even more time.
If all that delayed them, they might not be able to return tomorrow.
Xue Yan did not want to wait a moment longer.
Shen Liufeng raised his head and looked up again.
The mountain was so high that it seemed to rise hundreds of zhang into the sky. If they did not take the mountain path, how else could they possibly get up there?
He looked at Xue Yan.
“How are you going to get there?” he could not help asking.
Xue Yan did not turn around.
“Don’t get lost,” he said.
With that, Shen Liufeng saw the tall, upright figure leap beneath the setting sun.
His toes touched the ground, and after several powerful leaps, he reached the foot of the cliff. He pushed off the ground and landed in a crack in the cliff face.
Using one hand against the cliff to propel himself upward, he immediately climbed another stretch.
In just a few breaths, he had leaped upward and disappeared into the gathering darkness.
Shen Liufeng: “…”
He really should not have asked.
He should have known long ago that this ancestor had more than enough skill at scaling walls and leaping across rooftops.
——
Sure enough, by the time Shen Liufeng rode his horse up the mountain at a light gallop, it was already completely dark.
A small courtyard had been built beside the cliff. When Shen Liufeng pushed open the gate, there were still several fierce-looking chickens wandering around the front courtyard, and the moment they saw him, they rushed over as though intending to peck him.
It was undoubtedly the miracle physician’s residence.
According to Shen Liufeng’s original expectations, Xue Yan should have already brought the miracle physician out and be waiting at the gate by now.
After all, Xue Yan was practically a bandit. Even if the miracle physician refused to go, he could still tie the man up and carry him away.
However, the courtyard was completely silent.
There was not even the sound of anyone speaking.
Shen Liufeng found this strange and had no idea what had gone wrong. Avoiding the chickens, he tied up his horse and hurried to the miracle physician’s door.
He cautiously leaned toward the door, wanting to listen for any sounds of an argument inside.
But the moment he got close, the person inside suddenly spoke.
“No need to knock. If you’re here, just come in.”
It was the miracle physician’s voice.
Shen Liufeng knew he had been discovered. Feeling somewhat awkward, he quietly pushed open the door and walked inside.
In the simple little house, there was only the miracle physician.
Yet there were two teacups on the table.
The miracle physician sat beside the table, reading a book. When he saw Shen Liufeng enter, he merely lifted his chin and gestured toward the empty chair in front of him.
“Since you’re here, sit down,” he said.
Shen Liufeng looked puzzled.
Where was Xue Yan?
He did not move. He looked at the miracle physician and was about to speak when the miracle physician spoke first.
“Oh, you’re asking about the person who came earlier?” he said.
Shen Liufeng quickly nodded.
The miracle physician said, “Wasn’t he asking me to save someone for him? So I had him go do something for me first. Once he finishes it, I’ll go to Jinling with you.”
Shen Liufeng was dumbfounded.
“He still has to do something?”
The miracle physician glanced at him and pointed at the empty chair.
“Sit down. You’re blocking my light.”
Shen Liufeng had no choice but to sit.
The miracle physician said, “Of course he has to do something. How many times have I said that I’m living in seclusion? One person after another keeps coming to find me. Don’t you think I should at least collect some payment?”
Shen Liufeng had no way to argue with that.
“Then… what does he have to do?” he asked again.
An ordinary task would be fine, but if it really took three or five days, Huailang might not be able to hold on that long.
The miracle physician turned a page.
“Why are you asking so many questions?” he said. “It’s not something you can accomplish anyway.”
This miracle physician had an especially sharp tongue. Shen Liufeng had already experienced that firsthand.
Still, hearing him say this, Shen Liufeng relaxed somewhat.
Although the miracle physician had a strange temperament, he did not seem like the sort of person who would commit some terrible crime. He probably would not make things difficult for Xue Yan.
Once his mind relaxed, Shen Liufeng’s body immediately began reminding him of its needs.
He had left with Xue Yan at noon and had not had a drop of water since. On top of that, he had ridden a horse for so long.
His throat had long since become parched and burning, and his stomach was so hungry that he was almost numb.
Seeing a teacup on the table, Shen Liufeng instinctively reached for it.
“Whose cup is this? I haven’t eaten anything the whole way. I’ll have a sip first…”
The word “water” caught in his throat.
He stared fixedly at the porcelain cup.
On the fine white celadon surface was a clearly visible smear of blood.
“…Wh-what did you do to him?!” Shen Liufeng cried in alarm.
A hundred different images instantly flashed through his mind of some strange mountain physician killing Prince Guangling, who had come all the way from Chang’an, and disposing of his corpse.
No wonder…
No wonder it was so frighteningly quiet here.
No wonder Xue Yan was nowhere to be seen!
Shen Liufeng slowly shifted his stiff gaze from the cup to the miracle physician’s face.
What he saw there was unmistakable disdain.
“Were you born with something wrong with your brain?” he asked. “I could prescribe you a medicine and see if it helps.”
Before Shen Liufeng could respond, he tapped the cup with the book in his hand.
“That’s blood from his hand,” he said.
Shen Liufeng did not believe him.
“How could his hand have blood on it?”
The miracle physician glanced at him.
“No matter how high one’s martial arts skills are, the body is still flesh and blood. That madman climbed such a high cliff just to take a shortcut, and climbed it that quickly. How could his hands not be injured?”
The miracle physician looked away.
“…And you still sent him off to do something for you?” Shen Liufeng’s voice became somewhat weaker.
Even the miracle physician finally lost his patience with this hopelessly stupid man.
“Since I’m having him do something now, naturally it’s something important. Understand?” he said.
Shen Liufeng nodded sheepishly.
“Just wait.”
The miracle physician tossed him those words, then ignored him completely.
Shen Liufeng could only sit there and stare at the teacup.
He waited until midnight.
Shen Liufeng was sitting at the table, nodding off, when the wooden door suddenly made a sound.
The smell of blood rushed toward him.
Shen Liufeng jolted awake and hurriedly looked toward the door.
Standing there was Xue Yan, covered in blood.
Half of his hair had come loose, and his robes were soaked with blood. His eyes were slightly red, and he stood at the doorway, breathing heavily.
He looked somewhat disheveled. There were also sharp wounds across his neck, yet his eyes were frighteningly bright.
In one hand, he carried a heavy leather pouch.
In the other hand, he was actually dragging the corpse of a black wolf longer than a person was tall.
He released his grip.
The black wolf’s heavy body hit the ground with a thud.
“I brought back what you wanted,” he said.
His voice was extremely hoarse.
The miracle physician froze.
Then he smiled.
“Much faster than I expected,” he said. “I have the things I need. Let’s go to Jinling.”