The Northern Azure King Appears!

The imperial palace.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Changning's gaze slowly swept over the Shouyang Ginseng Ji Mingyuan offered him.

Then he extended both hands. His withered arms trembled slightly, making it plain that not a trace of strength remained in them.

Yet his outstretched hands remained steady.

He took the thousand-year-old Shouyang Ginseng from Ji Mingyuan, bit into it, and slowly chewed.

A hint of color quietly returned to Emperor Changning's face, and he immediately looked much better.

He looked at Jiang Ning, then Ji Mingyue, and finally Ji Mingyuan.

"Yuan'er, stand guard outside. Without my decree, no one is to enter."

Ji Mingyuan froze for a moment, glanced at Jiang Ning and Emperor Changning, then nodded.

"Yes, Father!"

After speaking, he glanced at Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue again, turned, and left the inner chamber, gently closing the door behind him.

"Little Seventeen, where is Hai Dahe?" Emperor Changning asked.

"I don't know!" Ji Mingyue shook her head. "The Marquis Dongling and I only returned to the city today. We came all the way from the palace entrance to the Hall of Mental Cultivation without seeing Chief Steward Hai. Chief Steward Fu was guarding outside the hall just now. He tried to stop the Marquis Dongling and me from coming in to see you."

Emperor Changning nodded and continued slowly chewing the Shouyang Ginseng in his mouth. His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, then an unnatural flush appeared on his ashen face, and his eyes grew a little clearer.

"Hai Dahe is absent, and Fu Dayu is guarding the door. Heh..." Emperor Changning gave two dry chuckles.

"Marquis Dongling, how long can I last in my present condition?" he asked Jiang Ning.

"About a day and a night," Jiang Ning said.

"A day and a night?" Emperor