In other words, right now, Feng Jiu’er was sustaining the Ninth Prince’s life with her own.

Everyone ought not to harbor hostility toward her — on the contrary, they should be catering to her every need.

As far as Yu Jingfeng was concerned, he did indeed treat Miss Jiu’er as a master, for after all, his own master’s life depended on her blood for sustenance.

Perhaps that sounded somewhat cruel, but it was the truth nonetheless.

Leng Yue was filled with grievance. Why was it that Feng Jiu’er’s blood would work, when no one else’s would?

“Perhaps we have all been deceived by her. Perhaps she is not using her own blood at all, but rather employing some manner of trickery…”

Yu Jingfeng gave her a cool, sidelong glance. Leng Yue, at this point, was essentially a person who had lost all reason — he could not even be bothered to engage with her.

He turned his gaze to Emperor Ji and said, “My lord, regardless of the circumstances, having Miss Jiu’er remain by His Highness’s side is of nothing but benefit.”

“The Revered Master was injured because of her!” Leng Yue immediately cut him off. “If not for Feng Jiu’er, why would the Revered Master have come to this?”

Emperor Ji waved a hand. “Leng Yue, you are far too agitated today. If you continue in this manner, you should return to attend to your affairs.”

Leng Yue startled. She very much wished to argue back, but did not dare.

“Return to attend to your affairs” meant that she ought not to have followed them to the Southern Wilds — that she should have remained at the Heavenly Sovereign Sect.

If she were truly driven away, she would never be able to see the Revered Master again.

Leng Yue endured it. She endured once, then again, and again, until at last she brought herself to complete composure.

She retreated to stand behind Emperor Ji, speaking no more, no longer interrupting their conversation.

In truth, Leng Yue was not normally so impulsive a person. Yet whenever matters concerning the Revered Master were involved, she invariably lost her composure with ease.

Without Leng Yue creating a disturbance, Yu Jingfeng and Emperor Ji were finally able to converse properly.

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er mentioned previously that if she could reach the Southern Wilds and locate that particular species of venomous parasite, examining it might give her ideas for how to cure His Highness of the parasite’s poison.”

“Feng Jiu’er knows medicine?” Emperor Ji raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised.

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er is versed in the medical arts, and her skills are not inconsiderable.” Yu Jingfeng gave a nod.

Emperor Ji furrowed his brow and sank into thought for a moment before asking, “Is there any word from Mo Bai?”

“After Divine Physician Mo Bai entered the Southern Wilds, we lost contact with him for quite some time. However, word has come from some of our brothers that Divine Physician Mo Bai left signals for them, which suggests he is still somewhere within the Southern Wilds.”

The Southern Wilds was a place of mystery and uncertainty — a person losing contact after entering was not at all unusual.

So long as Mo Bai remained in the Southern Wilds, there was at least hope.

“Very well — select two of the brothers among the Twelve Riders whose lightness skill is strongest, and have them ride ahead to the Southern Wilds to make contact with Mo Bai.”

“Even if they cannot locate the person who administered the parasite’s poison originally, at the very least they should find the same species of parasite and see whether Feng Jiu’er can truly study and understand it.”

“This subordinate was thinking the same thing!” When he had seen Miss Jiu’er arrive today, this very thought had occurred to Yu Jingfeng — and to his surprise, it aligned perfectly with what the elder master had in mind.

“My lord, the people from Yemingong are likely already tracking our movements. Over these next two days, we must be especially vigilant.”

As for the black-robed man from before — it was unclear whether he was from Yemingong. If he was, then this matter would prove genuinely troublesome.

Although Yemingong and the Heavenly Sovereign Sect had always maintained a policy of mutual non-interference, still — one mountain cannot shelter two tigers. For Yemingong to monopolize the underground dealings within and beyond the imperial capital, they could not simply allow the Heavenly Sovereign Sect to continue ruling unchecked.

Although the Revered Master was now assuming the identity of the Ninth Prince, it was better to be safe than sorry — caution was absolutely necessary.

Emperor Ji nodded. He, too, harbored a measure of curiosity toward Yemingong’s mysterious Palace Master.

Why did he always feel that what Yemingong had been doing these past several years bore a curious resemblance to the Heavenly Sovereign Sect’s own methods?

Endlessly expanding underground operations — extending their reach even into neighboring kingdoms — and continuously recruiting soldiers and amassing forces… with such grand ambitions, what exactly was Yemingong’s Palace Master aiming for?

Could it be that the two of them harbored the very same intention?

“My lord, the night dew is heavy and we depart early tomorrow morning. You should retire and rest.”

So long as the elder master clearly recognized the current circumstances and set aside his prejudice against Feng Jiu’er — even accepted her presence — then the purpose of Yu Jingfeng’s discussion with him tonight could be considered accomplished.

Emperor Ji deliberated for a moment before nodding. “Leng Yue, push me back.”

“But the Revered Master—”

“It is no concern of yours.”

Leng Yue bit her lip, and at last pushed his wheelchair, making her way back toward the room.

Yu Jingfeng returned as well to his post outside Zhan Qingcheng’s door, and just as he had done every night before, he seated himself beneath the tree outside, settling in for the night with little more than a casual lean.

Feng Jiu’er did not know at what point she had fallen asleep. She had clearly still been sitting upright on the bed, leaning against the headboard, just before drifting off.

Yet when she woke, she found herself lying properly on the bed — and furthermore, lying in someone’s arms.

She opened her eyes slightly, and immediately felt a searing gaze fixed upon her.

She looked up — and instantly fell into the deep, star-bright eyes of the Ninth Imperial Uncle. Her awareness became ensnared within the depths of those dark eyes, and nearly could not find its way out.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle…” Her entire body felt soft and languid — she could not even summon the strength to raise her hand.

When beauty was right before one’s eyes, no wine was needed to intoxicate — she had woken up already drunk.

“The true energy has entered your body. You must let it assimilate slowly on its own. Do not be in a rush to wake — sleep a little more.”

His voice was as serene as a gentle breeze, yet it seeped straight into the heart. Such a sweet, honeyed feeling — sweetness that reached all the way in.

Feng Jiu’er drifted in a haze, and it seemed she had fallen asleep once more.

More time passed — she did not know how much. This time when she woke, even before she had opened her eyes, she felt a mellow, rich current of energy slowly circling within her dantian, and in an instant, it swept through her entire body.

She felt completely and utterly refreshed.

But — the true energy… Ninth Imperial Uncle!

Feng Jiu’er bolted upright. She looked down — and there, still lying beside her, was the Ninth Imperial Uncle, whose extraordinary beauty was the sort that could drive any woman to madness at any moment.

His complexion still carried the pallid fragility of severe illness. His long hair lay spread across the pillow, and at first glance, it appeared as though a layer of frost had settled over it.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle!” Feng Jiu’er was frightened. She reached out to support him, but he brushed her hand aside.

“Do you truly think this Prince is so fragile?” Zhan Qingcheng’s brow furrowed slightly, his voice still carrying the husky roughness of having just woken — an altogether different sort of allure.

“No.” Feng Jiu’er replied meekly. How would she dare call him weak? If he could be called weak, then there would be no strong person under the entire sky.

It was simply that seeing the faint frost-white color in his hair had given her such a fright.

Fortunately, it was only a subtle touch of white — it had not yet truly turned from black to frost.

But the Gu Poison within the Ninth Imperial Uncle was seeping deeper into his bones with each passing day, and the harm it was causing his body grew ever greater.

And in such a condition, he still dared to channel true energy into her. This man was truly far too arrogant for his own good!

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I do not want your true energy.” She pursed her lips, her brow creased tight.

“This Prince does.” The beautiful man propped himself up, and his large hand came to rest upon her shoulder. With a single light pull, Feng Jiu’er’s upper garment slipped down, and her fair, snow-white shoulder was laid bare before him.