When Li Weimin’s decree was issued, reactions across the factions varied.
At that moment, Li Wenxing was in his study,
weighing the pros and cons of the recent trip to Southern Frontier.
Although he hadn’t stood out much, compared to
Li Guanglong and Li Juntang, he was still the more capable one.
But this minor advantage clearly wasn’t enough
to change the overall outcome.
Just then, Qian Jin rushed in and reported,
“Your Highness! A message from the palace --- His Majesty’s condition has
worsened, and he has only a short time left. He has issued a special decree:
any royal family member who can journey to Penglai Island and retrieve the
elixir will become the future crown prince!”
“Future crown prince?”
Hearing this, Li Wenxing’s spirits lifted
immediately.
But soon after, he frowned.
He had, of course, heard of Penglai Island --- but
only in legends.
Whether it truly existed in the East Sea, and
whether it held any elixir that could extend life, remained unknown.
Clearly, his father was grasping at straws in
desperation.
Even so, the throne was right before him. No
matter how uncertain or difficult the path, he had to try.
“Send my orders --- lock down every dock on the
East Coast. Bring every fisherman who’s ever been to the East Sea, regardless
of age, to the residence for questioning. Also, fetch those Persian glass
mirrors from the treasury --- they’re said to see through illusions in the
sea.” Li Wenxing issued his commands at once.
“Yes, Your Highness!” Qian Jin dared not delay
and immediately began making arrangements.
…
Meanwhile, at Li Guanglong’s residence ---
Exhausted from his previous efforts, Li
Guanglong had barely caught his breath when he heard the imperial edict had
arrived. He rushed out to receive it.
After hearing its contents, Li Guanglong was
first stunned --- then elated.
He had expected a harsh reprimand from his
father, but instead, the emperor’s worsening condition had driven him to seek a
mythical elixir.
As long as he could bring it back from Penglai
Island, he would be the next emperor!
“Wan Zhong! Relay my command --- gather elite
troops and prepare ships. I’m going to Penglai Island to fetch the medicine!”
Li Guanglong declared loudly.
“Your Highness, Penglai Island only exists in
legends. We don’t even know where it is. How are we supposed to retrieve
medicine from it?” Wan Zhong frowned slightly.
Forget the medicine --- no one even knew if
Penglai Island was real.
It could easily be nothing more than hearsay
passed down among East Sea fishermen.
“Then go investigate! Every rumor, every clue
about Penglai Island --- find them all!” Li Guanglong barked sternly.
“Understood!” Wan Zhong didn’t dare say more
and quickly departed.
…
At the same time, inside a luxury vehicle ---
Li Juntang, eyes closed in meditation, suddenly
received a phone call.
After learning everything, he couldn’t help but
laugh out loud.
“Good, good, good! This is perfect! Penglai
Island, is it? An elixir, huh? Hmph… That crown prince position is as good as
mine!”
After hanging up, Li Juntang immediately
ordered the driver to change direction and head elsewhere.
Though he had only ever heard passing mentions
of Penglai Island, he did have one distinct advantage --- he knew someone who
actually understood it.
Because that person… had been there before!
…
After receiving the edict, Margaret didn’t
respond with excitement like her three brothers. Instead, her brows furrowed
deeply.
First was concern --- her father’s worsening
illness was alarming.
Second was anger --- that he would gamble the
throne itself in exchange for a possibly mythical elixir.
She was certain: this would soon unleash a
bloody storm.
The worst part was that an emperor chosen this
way would bring nothing but uncertainty.
Thinking of the innocent people who died in the
Southern Frontier, she couldn’t help but feel a fire burning inside.
Li Wenxing, Li Guanglong, and Li Juntang --- none
of them were fit to rule.
If any one of them ascended the throne, there
would surely be catastrophe.
“Do you really think there's an elixir of
immortality on Penglai Island?” Margaret asked, her eyes fixed on Dustin, who
was cleaning his sword.
Without pausing, Dustin replied calmly,
“Ancient texts mention three celestial mountains near Penglai --- Fangzhang,
Yingzhou, and Penglai itself. But according to seafarers, the area feels more
like a rift in time and space. Those who enter see different realities.”
Placing his sword on the table, its spine
reflecting his handsome face, he continued: “A century ago, a monk set out to
spread teachings on Penglai. When he returned, he was deranged --- claimed the
inhabitants fed on the life essence of living beings. He said he saw warships
from King Wu of Zhou’s era. Stranger still, he left as a young man but returned
with white hair and a beard, as if decades had passed.”
Margaret’s eyes twitched: “No return?”
“Life or death unknown,” Dustin replied
blandly. “Some say it’s a paradise where one gains immortality. Others say it’s
a hell that strips souls and traps them for eternity.”
“Sounds pretty sinister,” Margaret narrowed her
eyes.
“All just rumors,” Dustin shrugged. “Whether
true or not --- no one knows for sure.”
“I’m planning to head to the East Sea to search
for this so-called Penglai Island,” Margaret said directly.
“I was thinking the same,” Dustin nodded
solemnly. “My old man probably doesn’t have much time left either. If we can
find Penglai and retrieve the elixir, maybe he’ll get a few more years.”
Li Weimin wasn’t the only one critically ill.
Dustin’s father, Rufus Rhys, was also nearing the end of his life due to the
Five Declines of Heaven and Man.
Now that there was a chance to seek medicine,
he couldn’t afford to miss it.
No matter the odds --- they had to try. - Ton
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