The emperor looked down and realized he was standing on Daoist Qianyun. Startled, he jumped backward.
He had been wondering when soft steps had been installed in the Imperial Bedchamber.
On the floor, Daoist Qianyun slowly spat out a mouthful of black blood. He opened his eyes little by little to find two faces, one large and one small, staring curiously at him.
"Wanwan, look, he's awake." The emperor beamed, all the setbacks and exhaustion he had suffered that day swept away.
"Yes, yes! I was worrying about how to get him to spit out that stagnant, poisoned blood. Who knew two steps from you would get it all out?"
Xia Wanwan nodded as she answered.
It seemed these coincidences were all the work of fate.
Daoist Qianyun spoke with difficulty. "Your Majesty, could I have some water?"
Cultivators could glimpse their own destinies. He had come to the Capital to follow the changing tides of fate.
The emperor must not die.
The emperor ordered someone to bring water, then helped him sit up and drink.
"Daoist, when can you remove the Gu Worm for me?" the emperor asked.
The thought of a dying worm still lodged in his heart sent shudders through his entire body.
"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. Let me meditate briefly to recover."
Daoist Qianyun sat cross-legged on the floor, spiritual resonance qi swirling endlessly around him.
Everyone in the chamber felt incomparably refreshed.
Soon, Daoist Qianyun opened his eyes and told the emperor, "Your Majesty, I am ready."
The Inner Chamber was cleared.
Xia Wanwan was carried away. Nestled in Mother's arms, she muttered under her breath.
"Stupid Daoist, won't let me watch."
"Fine, I won't watch. Who cares!"
Liu Wan patted her back. "Wanwan, thanks to you, Uncle Emperor is safe this time.