Chapter 287: Chapter 242 Dawn
Heading there personally...
Many faces in the courtyard revealed expressions of surprise.
To develop medicines in Chang’an was one thing; to go to the epidemic area and physically risk one’s life was another.
Given Li Ang’s current identity, status, reputation, and importance, there was absolutely no need for him to take such a risk. He was already revered as the Medicine King God, and no one would force him to go.
Even purely from a utilitarian perspective, the Yu Kingdom’s Court didn’t wish for Li Ang to be in danger—the role of a Natural Science scholar was greater than that of a Doctor.
"..."
Emperor Yu frowned slightly. "Gu Worms are blind. The news from Suzhou has arrived; some Cultivators have fallen ill."
"I can protect myself."
Li Ang spoke firmly, having his own reasons for needing to go to the epidemic area. Besides, he had already been parasitized by Mo Si; his internal organs were already fully occupied. Blood-sucking Worms? Could they be more vicious than Mo Si? If they came, their fate would be annihilation.
"Good."
Seeing Li Ang’s determined attitude, Emperor Yu nodded and asked, "What do you need?"
"The authority to command the Doctors in the epidemic area and its surrounding states, the power to distribute Herbal Medicine,"
Li Ang paused for a moment, "and perhaps the power to requisition common people, requisition land, and shelter the ill."
To manage the Water Poison in Suzhou, the power of one individual was ultimately limited; genuine authority was necessary.
According to Yu Law, after a flood or drought disaster, the court would send officials of the fifth rank or above to serve as Inspectors. Their duties included relieving the common people and inspecting officials. These Inspectors were also referred to as Soothe Envoys, Solicitor Generals, or Provincial Envoys.
Although Li Ang held the title of Founding County Marquis, he had neither a minor nor major position in the government, and given his young age, it was simply impossible for him to serve as an Inspector.
Let alone an Inspector, positions such as Deputy, Recorder, military advisor, or Sima were also inappropriate.
What he wanted was a different position.
"Mountain Master," Li Ang stated.
Emperor Yu, upon hearing this, turned his head to look at Lian Xuanyao, who slowly nodded and took out a Jade Pendant from his embrace, tossing it into the air.
WHOOSH—
The Jade Pendant traced an arc through the air.
Li Ang reached out to catch it, noting the tender warmth of the jade, clearly inscribed with "Academic Palace Patrol, Lian Xuanyao."
"This Jade Pendant was given to me by my mentor back in the day. Remember to return it when you come back from Suzhou."
Lian Xuanyao smiled, completely disregarding the shocked gazes of those around him.
"Understood."
Li Ang nodded solemnly, placing the Jade Pendant into his chest. His emotions inevitably surged with excitement.
In the entire history of the Academic Palace, at his age, those who had been entrusted with the Jade Pendant of the Academic Palace Patrol could probably be counted on one hand.
Emperor Yu’s eyebrows also raised slightly. There could only be twenty-two Academic Palace Patrols—no more, no less. When abroad, they represented the will of the Academic Palace.
Their authority could be extensive or minimal, and when necessary, they even had the power to take charge of a State Mansion’s military forces. It was particularly suitable for disaster relief.
He just hadn’t expected that the Mountain Master would entrust his own former Jade Pendant to Li Ang—making him feel slightly envious.
Emperor Yu chuckled self-deprecatingly to himself. He then turned his head and calmly asked Li Ang, "When can you be ready to depart?"
"Anytime," Li Ang replied. With the Academic Palace Patrol’s insignia in hand, he didn’t have to worry about insufficient authority.
"Then let’s make it tomorrow night. We’ll send someone to take you there first. The Herbal Medicine and instruments you’ll need will be sent to Suzhou in a few days."
Emperor Yu nodded, his eyes glancing over the courtyard, noticing the quiet young man in the corner. "Shan’er, as Prince Guang, you will go with Li Ang this time."
"Yes."
The young man, named Li Shan, stepped forward, bowing respectfully, his demeanor calm and tranquil, without any sign of surprise or dissatisfaction.
As the fireworks display of New Year’s Eve gradually ceased, Li Ang pushed open the grand doors of his residence in Jude Square, where the anxious crowd inside immediately rose to their feet.
"I’m fine."
Li Ang smiled and waved his hand, briefly mentioning his trip to Suzhou. "I’ll leave tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’ll be back in three months."
"Tomorrow?" Aunt Song said anxiously. "Isn’t that too rushed?"
"Disaster relief is like putting out a fire."
Li Ang didn’t explain much, saying gently, "It’s okay, I’m not going there to be a lone hero. The court has long been extremely adept at disaster relief. They will mobilize resources, conscript common people, dispatch the army, and call for cultivators. I’m just going to see what I can do."
"But..."
Aunt Song wanted to say more, but Song Shaoyuan gently patted her hand and shook his head as a sign.
Li Ang had always been decisive since childhood, so now that he had made a decision, his family and friends had no choice but to support him.
Song Shaoyuan said in a heavy voice, "The Gu Worm is blind, be careful."
"Mm."
Li Ang nodded, taking Chai Chai and leaving Jude Square.
After a night of revelry, scraps of firecracker paper littered the streets, and the smell of fireworks lingered in the air. Few people were around as dawn just began to break on the horizon. Li Ang and Chai Chai walked down the empty streets, breathing the chilly air. They walked home in silence, boiled water in silence, and washed up in silence.
Li Ang, in his soft pajamas, lay in bed, gazing at the familiar ceiling by the dim candlelight.
It had been a year and a half since arriving in Chang’an, and the events of this year and a half were more turbulent than his previous decades of life.
It’s been that long, huh...
He sighed inwardly, turning to look at the bed next door.
There lay Chai Chai, just like him, gazing at the ceiling, her clear eyes reflecting the flicker of candlelight.
When she wasn’t speaking, acting foolish, or being naive, Chai Chai was quite serene and cute...
Li Ang paused for a moment, suddenly startled by the thought that rose within him, hastily using Mo Si to calm the inexplicably quickened heartbeat and pulse.
Seemingly sensing the gaze, Chai Chai, wrapped up like a silkworm cocoon, wriggled and rolled over to meet Li Ang’s eyes.
"Young Master, is there danger in going to Suzhou this time?"
Li Ang fell silent. He had originally intended to say there was no danger, but looking into Chai Chai’s eyes, he found it impossible to lie.
After a long contemplation, he answered, "There might be. But then, even if one stays at home and does nothing, there are risks too."
"I see..."
Chai Chai nodded thoughtfully and whispered, "Then I will wait for you to return to Chang’an."
"Mm."
Li Ang smiled. "Why don’t you ask me to take you with me or something?"
"You’ve said it before, the most annoying thing is those novel scenarios where someone insists on living or dying together without considering the situation, ending up being a hindrance," Chai Chai said quietly. "Since you say there’s danger there, then it really must be dangerous. I don’t know medical skills, and my cultivation is poor. The only thing I was good at was taking care of you, but now that you have telekinesis, you don’t need me to look after your daily needs anymore..."
Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she spoke earnestly, "I will study hard at the Academic Palace, and in the future, I’ll be the one to protect you then."
"Really?"
Li Ang smiled slightly. "That would be good. Sleep now."
He released his telekinesis through the air, pinched the wick, and extinguished the candle.
The room returned to silence, leaving only the sound of even breathing.