The people in King Ziqi's bedchamber were all his closest relatives. His granddaughter suddenly knelt before the bed and threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
A child without a father or mother was truly heartbreaking. Bai Bingxue's grandfather and three uncles wiped away their tears, while her cousin Hong Yun sobbed along for a while. The pent-up emotions she had accumulated over the years were released considerably.
King Ziqi gently patted her shoulder. "Child, don't cry anymore. If you have any grievances, your grandfather will stand up for you. Get up first. Don't kneel." When King Ziqi looked at Bai Bingxue, he seemed to see the figure of his daughter Bai Bing. He felt guilty toward his daughter, but he had loved her most dearly, and now that love extended to her daughter.
Uncle Alu also said, "Good niece, don't cry anymore. Seeing you cry makes everyone feel awful. If something is wrong, tell us."
"I miss my mother." Bai Bingxue burst into loud sobs. Children without fathers or mothers had the most fragile hearts.
Her grandfather and three uncles felt miserable again. Hong Yun went over and tugged at Bai Bingxue. "Cousin, please stop crying. Grandfather is old and can't bear too much sorrow." Only then did Bai Bingxue slowly stand up. Hong Yun handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears and mucus.
"Grandfather, I want to avenge my mother. I want to kill Gao Mingqing with my own hands, and kill Su Xue. They caused my mother's death." Bai Bingxue spoke with reddened eyes.
King Ziqi glanced at his three sons and sighed as he said to Bai Bingxue, "Child, your mother's death has troubled your grandfather to this day."
King Ziqi stood up and walked a few steps in thought. "Bingxue, Gao Mingqing is your adoptive father. He raised you for ten years. Su Xue is your biological father. If you kill either of them, you will violate heaven's principles and human ethics."
"No, Grandfather, I want revenge!" Bai Bingxue cried out, clenching both fists and forcing down her fury.
King Ziqi sighed. "Child, all of this is your grandfather's fault. Your grandfather will take the Gao clan's lives, and your grandfather will avenge his orphaned daughter."
Bai Bingxue wiped away her tears and asked, "Grandfather, why did my mother marry Gao Mingqing? And what connection did she have with Su Xue?"
King Ziqi sighed and shook his head. He said to Abu, "Fourth, go back and tell Bingxue about it... sigh... and try to comfort her!"
"Yes, Father," Uncle Abu replied respectfully.
"Second, you and the others go back and prepare for tomorrow's court assembly. On the day of the winter sacrifice, the chiefs of the thirty-seven tribes will lead a hundred thousand warriors to Luoqie Lake to worship the Dragon King and hunt black carp."
"Yes, Father," General Age replied.
"Eldest, tomorrow you and Cang Cao melt down the Namo Zimingzun Buddha that Su Xue gave us and recast it into gold coins.
"Use the money to purchase warhorses in Tengyue, Wumeng, and other places, then resell them to Gongjiao Country at a higher price. These three thousand taels of gold will be your starting capital."
"Father, but the Buddha..." General Alu had not finished speaking when his father interrupted him.
"All of you, withdraw. I'm tired." King Ziqi waved his hand and closed his eyes.
Bai Bingxue gazed at her grandfather and sighed inwardly, My grandfather is such a hero, yet behind him are countless hardships and loneliness.
The next day, no matter how they called, they could not wake A Wei. Bai Bingxue examined him but found no cause.
General Abu invited Suni. They were shamans of Ziqi Country, and A Wei's mother begged her to save her son.
Suni fiddled with the drumstick in her hand, bent down to look at A Wei's peaceful face, and comforted her. "Don't worry, Madam!"
Suni had A Wei's mother bring over a covered soup bowl. She put buckwheat and salt inside, slaughtered an old hen, and had A Wei's mother carry the basin while she walked ahead of everyone, beating a goatskin drum and chanting as if singing:
"A Wei, return, soul return,
A Wei, return, soul return.
Return from the heights of the roof beams,
Return from beneath the floor tiles,
Return from the magpie nest in the tree,
Return from the mouse hole beneath the tree,
Return from the lofty mountains and rugged ranges..." The female Suni recited the Soul-Calling Sutra, walking from A Wei's room all the way to the place where he had lost his soul—the main hall of Ziqi Country. She bent down and drew a circle, then used pine and cypress wood to start a fire. A Wei's parents and all his relatives stood solemnly and listened:
"The wine at home is like jade nectar,
The food at home is steaming hot,
The whole family is searching for you,
Your family is waiting for you to return,
Waiting for you to come home and make us whole."
After finishing the Soul-Calling Sutra, she began walking back. When they reached A Wei's room, the female Suni loudly asked, "Has A Wei returned?" Everyone answered in unison, "He has returned!" Suni closed her eyes and murmured a chant. Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed at the air, letting out a long hiss. A tiny beetle appeared between her fingers. That was A Wei's soul, and it was blood-red.
Under the ancient incantation and within the hazy smoke, the tiny beetle seemed to possess some kind of magical power. Everyone remained devout and dared not make a sound.
Suni tossed the beetle into the soup bowl and put the lid on. She let A Wei's soul find peace among the salt, blood, and grain. Then she walked over to A Wei and asked him gently, "Prince A Wei, have you returned?"
It was nothing short of a miracle. A Wei, who had been impossible to wake, suddenly opened his eyes and softly replied, "I've returned. A Wei has returned!" He then raised his eyes to look around before falling back into a hazy sleep.
After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, pain from the wound in his abdomen woke A Wei. Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
A Wei's lost soul had been found again, and it seemed to have been properly settled back into his body. It was a wondrous matter, but no one made a fuss.
In Milu City, everyone believed in souls. They could be lost, and they could be found again. Nearly everyone had experienced something similar.
Bai Bingxue quietly followed behind Suni. She had not seen what method Suni used and sighed inwardly, Perhaps souls really do exist.
Penglai Immortal Island, garden of the White Jade Palace.
"Saving the next ruler of Ziqi Country alive has increased the Karma Value by ten thousand."
Karma Value increased by 10,000 for saving the next ruler of Ziqi Country.
White Deer Immortal excitedly clapped her hands. "Bai Yu's Karma Value increased again."
Happy Arhat replied, "The Ziqi clan melted down its own golden body and refused offerings, bringing blessings to the people of an entire country. With such good deeds, the descendants' Karma Value would naturally be much higher."
After hearing Happy Arhat's affirmation, White Deer Immortal did not even bother looking at the two Emperors lying on the chairs and snoring. She turned her head and smiled at Chen Renfeng.
It was rare for Chen Renfeng to see White Deer Immortal smile at him so happily, and he nearly lost his senses.
The White Crane slapped him from the side, and he hurriedly replied, "Immortal, Bai Yu's name in this life is Bai Bingxue."
White Deer smiled. "That's right. From now on, call her Bingxue. Bingxue sounds nice!"
Chen Renfeng replied, "Immortal, keep watching. Things are getting lively."
Toward evening, the wound in A Wei's abdomen hurt so badly that tears streamed down his face.
Bai Bingxue came over and examined him. Smiling, she said, "Cousin, pain proves that you're still alive. After taking my medicine, your injury will heal enough for you to walk in a few days."
A Wei endured the pain and nodded.
General Abu said, "A Wei, you survived a great calamity, so you're sure to have blessings afterward. Take good care of yourself. Your father and Ziqi Country need you." Tears trickled from the corners of A Wei's eyes. They held both pain and happiness. He thought inwardly, Father has never cared about me so much in all my life.
Bai Bingxue took out a bottle of Four Seasons Jade Dew Pills and gave it to Hong Lian. One pill was to be taken each morning and evening. These Four Seasons Jade Dew Pills were refined from the nectar of flowers collected throughout the four seasons and formed into pills the size of longans. They could strengthen one's foundation and were a divine medicine from Nine Dragons Valley. Only a few bottles could be refined each year.
Bai Bingxue also instructed Hong Lian, "Cousin can't eat or drink for the next few days. When he's thirsty, he can only take drops of water. For now, sustain him with the pills."
Hong Lian was obedient, and she had a deep bond with her brother. She silently memorized Bai Bingxue's instructions and followed them.
Now that Bai Bingxue had finished her duties as a physician, she thought of her own affairs and walked outside.
Before you continue