Before long, Li Ling and the Ninth Princess arrived at the hot spring palace outside the city.
The news had yet to spread. Only the Ninth Princess, a few favored princes, and several important ministers had hurried over.
After meeting, they exchanged few words and went straight to the royal bedchamber.
The lavish scene of beauties gathered in flocks was gone. The Mystic Xin King's enormous body reclined like a mountain of flesh on a cushioned couch. He was so fat that even lying down was difficult, leaving him no choice but to remain in that position.
When Li Ling and the others entered, they saw the royal physician directing eunuchs to lift the Mystic Xin King's leg. At the end of his swollen right leg was a diseased foot, with obvious ulceration and gangrene on the big toe.
The Mystic Xin King had no strength. He panted faintly, barely able to speak.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Seeing everyone enter, a palace maid hurried to the Mystic Xin King's side and gently shook his body. He merely narrowed his eyes to glance at the arrivals, offering no other response.
The royal physician said, "Wang is confused. I suspect he is barely conscious."
He then instructed the maid, "Give Wang some more water."
The maid obeyed. Before long, the Mystic Xin King indeed opened his eyes. "Water... water... I want water..."
The maid glanced at the royal physician and could only give the Mystic Xin King another cup.
But the Mystic Xin King soon half-closed his eyes again, drifting toward sleep in a daze.
The chancellor was sweating with anxiety. The princes exchanged helpless looks, unsure what to do.
The Ninth Princess had cultivated in an Immortal Sects blessed land since childhood and had little regard for a worldly man like