The town was alive with excitement. Firecrackers popped, drums echoed, and colorful banners waved in the wind. General Cao, once weak from poison, now stood strong and full of life, his power greater than ever. He had broken through to a new level of cultivation, something no one thought possible just a week ago. A grand feast was held at the military compound, with Elder Fang, nobles, officials, and powerful cultivators all gathered to celebrate General Cao's miraculous recovery.
The nobles and officials couldn't hide their admiration. One of the senior nobles raised his cup, his voice filled with respect. "General Cao, your recovery is nothing short of miraculous. Your strength and perseverance are a true testament to your dedication to the kingdom."
Another official, a renowned cultivator, added, "To break through after such a severe ailment, it's beyond anything we've seen. Truly, the heavens have smiled upon you, General Cao. Your prowess will be unmatched from now on."
Elder Fang, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, General Cao's breakthrough will inspire the entire kingdom. With him leading us, no challenge is too great."
The praises continued to pour in, each one more flattering than the last, as the guests raised their glasses to honor the general. The atmosphere was filled with admiration and hope for the future, knowing that with General Cao's strength, the kingdom was now more powerful than ever.
As the praises of General Cao's miraculous recovery filled the hall, the general himself stood tall, his chest swelling with pride. With a humble smile, he raised his hand to quiet the crowd.
"Thank you, my friends," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "Your words of praise honor me, but I have not yet earned all of your admiration. While my recovery is a blessing, it is not the end. It is merely the beginning."
He paused, his gaze hardening with determination as he looked at the gathered officials and nobles. "Once I have fully regained my strength, I will return to the front lines. Our enemies to the south have been growing bolder, and it is time we put an end to their threats once and for all. I shall lead the charge against the rival kingdom of Hei'an and ensure the safety of our borders."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words settling over everyone. The nobles exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement while others seemed more hesitant. General Cao's reputation as a warrior had been unrivaled, and now with his newfound strength, he was ready to take back control of the battlefield.
"Rest assured," he continued, his voice full of confidence, "our kingdom will not fall. I will see to it personally."
The nobles and officials broke into applause, their cheers filling the hall. The promise of General Cao's return to the battlefield, stronger than ever, sparked a renewed sense of hope and pride in the hearts of everyone present.
The Kingdom of Lianhua is a land of rivers, fertile plains, and gentle hills. Its lands are rich in herbs and resources, making it a center for medicine, agriculture, and cultivation. The capital, Shuihua, sits near the Lotus River and is known for its elegant architecture and thriving markets. Lianhua is ruled by Emperor Han Yujin, a wise and steady ruler who values peace and knowledge. He encourages scholars, cultivators, and healers to grow under his reign.
Lianhua and Hei'an have long been rivals due to their borders and beliefs. Lianhua believes in harmony and slow progress through learning and cultivation, while Hei'an values strength and dominance. Their rivalry intensified after several border skirmishes and trade disputes, with both sides blaming the other for lost resources and stolen lands
In stark contrast, the Kingdom of Hei'an lies beyond a stretch of harsh mountains and dark forests. Its terrain is colder, rockier, and less fertile than Lianhua's, which has made survival harder for its people. The kingdom is known for its iron mines, martial sects, and strong military traditions. The capital, Heiyun, is a fortress-like city built on stone cliffs, designed for war and defense.
Hei'an is ruled by Emperor Zhao Ren, a proud and iron-fisted ruler who rose to power through conquest. Under his reign, Hei'an has grown aggressive and territorial, always watching Lianhua with suspicion. Zhao Ren sees Lianhua's peace-loving ways as weakness, while Lianhua views Hei'an's hunger for power as a threat. Though open war hasn't broken out in years, tension remains high between the two kingdoms.
At this moment, a group of envoys arrived at the gates of Linhua's capital, Shuihua bearing the crest of the neighboring kingdom of Hei'an. They held no weapons, but tension hung heavy in the air. At the center of the group, slumped over a worn wooden stretcher, was a figure wrapped tightly in layers of cloth. The envoy leader stepped forward and bowed low.
"We come in peace," he declared. "This man is our prince . He fell gravely ill on the way to your kingdom. We beg your help."
But as the wind shifted and caught the edge of the cloth, those standing nearby recoiled. The man's face, gaunt and ashen, bore a sickly gray hue. Thick black veins coiled up his neck like writhing serpents, and his lips were darkened with a deathly purple tinge. His breathing was shallow, each inhale rattling like wind through dry leaves.
Whispers began to stir among the citizens as the envoys disembarked. The prince, accompanied by several of his most trusted servants, had arrived in a state of ill health, his very presence a grim omen. In the entourage were also several other dignitaries and a handful of servants, all exhibiting the same symptoms: a strange pallor to their skin, faint but ominous blackened veins coursing beneath their flesh, and a feverish glint in their eyes. The emperor of Hei'an, it seemed, had sent his son and the afflicted as envoys to Lianhua, though the true reason for their visit was far from clear.
In the quiet of the court, as the prince and his entourage were escorted into a lavishly prepared room for treatment, murmurs of suspicion spread through the Lianhua palace. The prince's ailment had begun in Hei'an, but no healer or apothecary had been able to provide a cure, and now it seemed to have spread among his servants. Some whispered that the prince's illness was a subtle weapon ,an attack from within his own kingdom, a deliberate move to weaken his nation. Others feared the sickness could spread like wildfire through Lianhua, bringing a deadly plague to their doorstep.
Despite the warnings of his advisors, Emperor of Lianhua decided to take the prince in. The ceremony of greeting was grand, but tension hung thick in the air as the envoys and their prince entered the court. The Lianhua emperor Han Yujin, despite his suspicions, was bound by his kingdom's diplomatic code. The prince had come in peace, and the emperor could not turn him away, even if the sickness that followed seemed far more malicious than a mere disease.
Meanwhile, the news of the prince's arrival spread through the kingdom like wildfire, drawing curious crowds to the palace gates. Inside the royal chambers, Lianhua's most renowned herbalists, doctors, and healers had been urgently called to examine the sick prince and his entourage. The royal guest, Prince Wei of Hei'an, was gravely ill, and the kingdom's best medical minds had gathered to diagnose the disease, but no one had seen symptoms like this before.
Dr. Li Jiao, an elderly herbalist known for his traditional beliefs and vast experience, was the first to speak, his voice gruff. "This is clearly a curse! No doubt about it. Only the heavens could bring such a fate upon the prince for the sins of his father, the Emperor of Hei'an. Mark my words, it's divine retribution!"
Xia Ling, a sharp and ambitious young healer, rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Shameless old man, always blaming curses and divine will. It's obvious this is poison, and a very potent one at that! How can you still be stuck in such archaic thinking? The prince's symptoms are far too controlled for something as random as a curse."
The two exchanged sharp glares, and Grandmaster Wei Zhen, Lianhua's chief medical officer, finally interjected, his calm voice cutting through the rising tension. "Enough! Both of you! I've seen many plagues in my day, but this? This is something new. I think we're dealing with a contagion, a disease, not poison or some petty curse."
Dr. Li Jiao scoffed. "A plague, you say? And who would you have caused such a thing, hmm? The heavens? Or perhaps the Emperor of Hei'an himself brought it here, hoping to curse us? The gods know it's their punishment for their greed."
Xia Ling snorted in frustration. "You're just too old to think straight anymore, Dr. Li! Can't you see? The prince's blackened veins are more than just 'bad luck', they're signs of poisoning. Maybe they drank from a poisoned river or were struck by some foreign toxin. And here you are, going on about curses as if they still hold any weight in the world."
Master Liu, a renowned alchemist who'd been quietly listening, shook his head in disbelief. "You're both fools. Only a real alchemist would know that the symptoms here don't fit any known poison. What's happening here is more… subtle. I've read rumors from the borderlands, there are poisons out there that work slowly, over time. It could be some rare substance we've never encountered before."
The insults flew freely, and the group of healers and doctors soon descended into a near-chaotic argument, each one fiercely defending their own theory while belittling the others. Some still clung to the idea of a divine curse, others to a strange form of poison, and a few were even starting to believe the disease might be part of a larger conspiracy. But amidst the shouting and insults, the prince lay still, helpless.
A week had passed since Prince Wei's arrival in the capital, and his condition had taken a turn for the worse. His once ashen complexion had now darkened further, and his body seemed to wither before their eyes. Despite the efforts of Lianhua's best healers and doctors, none of their remedies seemed to have any effect on the mysterious illness that plagued him. Worse still, some of the palace servants who had been in close contact with the prince began showing the same symptoms: blackened veins, a strange pallor, and an unsettling weakness.
Unaware of the danger, many of the servants returned home after their duties, carrying the disease with them. Within days, families and neighborhoods began to show signs of the illness, spreading the contagion rapidly through the city. What had once been a rare affliction confined to the palace had now begun to claim more victims, leaving the capital in a state of growing panic.
By the second week, the disease had spread like wildfire. The number of infected citizens, each bearing the same horrifying symptoms as the prince when he first arrived, had grown into the thousands. The capital, usually bustling with life, had begun to show signs of fear and confusion. Streets that were once filled with vendors and shoppers now stood eerily quiet, with homes shuttered and markets abandoned.
Emperor Han Yujin, upon hearing the extent of the outbreak, called for an urgent meeting with his closest advisors and the royal elders. The great hall of the palace was packed with worried officials, their faces grim as the news of the worsening plague spread like wildfire.
As the emperor entered the room, a tense silence fell over the assembly. His regal presence filled the space, but his eyes, usually calm and composed, were now filled with concern. The gravity of the situation was clear, and every person in the room knew the kingdom was on the brink of a disaster.
The first to speak was Elder Zhao, an elder known for his pragmatism. "Your Majesty, this illness is beyond our control. We must send word to the neighboring kingdoms for help. If we cannot contain this plague, it will destroy us."
"How dare you suggest such a thing!" barked General Wu, one of the empire's top military commanders. "We are Lianhua! We should not be begging for help from anyone. We must handle this ourselves. This disease is clearly a result of the conflict with Hei'an. The prince's arrival, and the subsequent spreading of this illness, are no coincidence."
A heated debate ensued, with accusations flying back and forth. Some officials argued that the disease was a result of divine punishment due to the kingdom's enemies, while others believed it was an intentional act of sabotage. The accusations against the Emperor grew louder, with some advisors blaming his inability to foresee the consequences of accepting an envoy from a rival kingdom.
The Emperor, his patience wearing thin, stood up abruptly. His presence commanded immediate attention as his aura expanded, filling the entire room with a palpable pressure. His voice, once calm, now resonated with an edge of authority.
"Enough!" he ordered, his words cutting through the debate like a blade. "I will not tolerate this chaos any longer. The fate of this kingdom lies in our hands. We will not stand idly by while our people suffer. From this moment forward, you will prepare for a full lockdown of the capital. We will isolate the infected and contain the disease within the city walls. Our forces will be mobilized immediately."
The room fell silent. Even the most outspoken of the officials and elders dared not speak against the Emperor in that moment. His aura, powerful and unyielding, had brought their arguments to an abrupt halt. The Emperor's command was clear: the city would be sealed off from the outside world, and no one would leave until the disease was under control.
"We will find a solution," Emperor Han Yujin continued, his voice cold and resolute. "And if anyone questions my decision now, they will answer to me."
The officials, now visibly shaken, nodded in agreement, knowing the severity of the situation. The Emperor had made his decision. The capital would be locked down, and all efforts would be focused on containing the plague.
Emperor Han Yujin, standing tall and resolute before his advisors, turned his gaze toward his most trusted messenger. His voice, firm and commanding, broke the silence that had followed his orders.
"Send word to every town and city within our kingdom," he instructed. "Gather our forces, prepare our soldiers, and ensure that the capital is sealed off completely. The disease must not spread beyond these walls. All resources must be directed to containing this disaster. No one enters, no one leaves."
The messenger, a young and loyal man, bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied before swiftly departing to deliver the Emperor's orders across the kingdom.
Meanwhile, in Dongguan Town, General Cao had just completed his miraculous recovery and breakthrough in cultivation. The news of his newfound strength had spread quickly, and the general was eager to return to the battlefield. His army, the First Sky Battalion, was already prepared to mobilize at his command. He was ready to take back control and defend the kingdom from its rivals, especially the growing threat from Hei'an.
However, just as he was about to leave for the front lines, a messenger arrived with a letter sealed in royal wax. Upon reading the Emperor's words, General Cao's face darkened.
"The kingdom is in chaos. The capital is under threat from an unknown plague, and our people are suffering. The Emperor calls upon me to return immediately," he muttered to himself, his mind racing. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Without hesitation, General Cao set his sights on the task ahead. He had just defeated a poison that had nearly claimed his life, and now the kingdom needed him more than ever. But there was another man who had proven invaluable to him: Zhang Wei, the talented healer who had saved his life. If Zhang Wei's remedies were so effective, perhaps the Emperor would find this unknown disease just as treatable.
"Elder Fang!" General Cao called, turning to his trusted advisor. "We need to find Zhang Wei. The capital is in chaos, and I intend to show the Emperor the talents of this remarkable healer. Let us bring him with us and show the world his skill."
Elder Fang, ever loyal, nodded solemnly. "I will accompany you, General Cao. With Zhang Wei by your side, there is hope for a cure. I will make sure he is ready."
General Cao's command was swift. He ordered the First Sky Battalion to prepare for immediate departure. Along with Elder Fang, Zhang Wei, and Pan Qiang, they mounted their horses and set off toward the capital.
As they rode, the urgency of their mission weighed heavily on them. General Cao knew that the kingdom was on the brink of disaster, and the Emperor needed all the help he could get. What he didn't know was that the plague, which had already begun to ravage the capital, would soon reach them. Time was running out, and they had no idea just how far-reaching the disease had already become.
As General Cao, Elder Fang, Zhang Wei, and Pan Qiang made their way toward the capital, Zhang Wei couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. He could see the urgency in General Cao's movements, the determination in his eyes, and the somber silence that hung over the group. After some time, Zhang Wei finally broke the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"General," Zhang Wei called, his voice calm but laced with concern. "Where are we headed? Why the sudden rush? It seems... urgent."
General Cao, who had been deep in thought, glanced over at Zhang Wei, his expression hardening slightly as he realized the gravity of the situation. He didn't have time to explain it all in detail right now. The lives of many were at stake, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time.
"There is no time to explain in full, Zhang Wei," General Cao replied, his voice low but firm. "We must reach the capital as quickly as possible. I'll explain everything to you on the way. For now, trust me."
Zhang Wei nodded, sensing the seriousness of the matter. He glanced toward Elder Fang, who gave him a solemn look. The journey was tense, and Zhang Wei could tell that this was no ordinary mission. He had treated General Cao's ailment before, but this time, it seemed like something far greater loomed on the horizon.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence, the group pushing forward at a rapid pace. As they neared the outskirts of the capital, General Cao finally spoke up again.
"We're dealing with a plague, Zhang Wei. It's an unknown disease, something none of our healers or doctors have been able to identify. The prince of Hei'an brought it with him when he came to the capital. What seemed like a minor sickness quickly spread, and now it's out of control. People are dying, and the city is in chaos. The Emperor has called for our forces to contain it, but we need you. Your healing skills are the only hope we have."
Zhang Wei's expression grew serious as the pieces of the puzzle clicked together. He had heard whispers of a sickness in the capital, but to hear it from General Cao himself confirmed the severity of the situation. Zhang Wei's mind immediately began racing, thinking about the unknown disease and how he could treat it. He had dealt with poisons and ailments before, but this was something new, something foreign.
"I understand," Zhang Wei said, his voice steady despite the heavy weight of the situation. "We need to find out what this disease is and how it spreads. I'll need to examine the sick and gather as much information as possible to come up with a remedy."
General Cao nodded, his eyes filled with hope. "I knew you would understand. We're counting on you, Zhang Wei. The fate of the capital, and the kingdom rests in your hands now."
As the carriage rattled toward the capital, Zhang Wei felt the full weight of the responsibility upon his shoulders. He had once saved General Cao's life, but now, he was about to face a challenge that could test every ounce of his skill and knowledge.