Chapter 31: Demon Bone

Cheng Xi followed Yan Shengyu into the palace. A palace attendant immediately went to report to the Empress Dowager at Shou'an Palace, and soon, palace servants came out to lead them into the inner hall.

Upon entering the hall, the two of them bowed to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's expression was haggard yet carried a hint of anger. Seeing the two, her expression softened slightly. "No need for formalities. Sit and speak."

Cheng Xi and Yan Shengyu took their seats. Yan Shengyu looked at the Empress Dowager and spoke first, "Aunt, has His Highness Prince Jing awakened?"

The Empress Dowager sighed at length. "He woke for a moment just now, but fell back asleep very quickly." As she spoke, she looked at Cheng Xi. "Cheng Xi, would you be willing to take a look at Prince Jing?"

Cheng Xi was truly surprised that the Empress Dowager could ask so politely. The Empress Dowager had previously had a very unpleasant falling out with Li Zhi'an, which showed her temperament was somewhat overbearing.

Cheng Xi did not fear the Empress Dowager, but she did not want to offend her either. If she wanted to live a peaceful life, she had to follow the rules of the dynasty.

Unless, as Jiang Boyu said, she tested into an Academy and escaped the jurisdiction of the Imperial Court.

"Your Majesty, this commoner is not primarily trained in medicine, but I can take a look. If I cannot discern anything, I ask that Your Majesty not take offense."

"That is only natural." The Empress Dowager nodded. "Prince Jing is in the inner chamber. Follow me."

Cheng Xi rose to follow, and upon seeing this, Yan Shengyu went in as well.

Palace servants hooked up the bed curtains with jade hooks. Prince Jing was seen lying on the bed, his face pale, his eye sockets deeply sunken, with dark circles under his eyes. In his sleep, his body would twitch from time to time.

Cheng Xi's expression turned grim at the sight. "His Highness Prince Jing has suffered excessive fright; it appears to be Soul-Loss Syndrome."

"Soul-Loss Syndrome?" The Empress Dowager knew of this. When a young child is timid, they can lose their soul once frightened. "Do you have a way to treat it?"

"Using a Soul-Retrieving Talisman to call back His Highness Prince Jing's soul would suffice. It is just that this commoner's body is inherently frail, and having been injured by a Four-Eyed Demon Fox last time, my body is damaged and I cannot draw talismans." Cheng Xi said with a helpless expression.

Yan Shengyu immediately said from the side, "Chief Li has profound cultivation; I imagine he could do it."

"That depends on what Chief Li specializes in. If he is not a trained Talisman Master, he cannot form a talisman." Cheng Xi had never seen Li Zhi'an draw a talisman and assumed he did not practice this path.

"Does this mean we can only invite someone from the Four Great Academies?" the Empress Dowager asked.

Cheng Xi did not know much about affairs in Jindu, and even less about the Four Great Academies, so she looked at Yan Shengyu. "Do you know any Talisman Masters?"

Since she had awakened her talent, she should have some understanding of those in this field.

"Dean Jiang's eldest disciple, Fang Xun, is a Talisman Master, but unfortunately, he is currently traveling outside with the Dean and is not in Jindu. Lu Jinfan, the son of the Head of the Imperial Hospital, is a Talisman Master; we could invite him to try."

Hearing the name Lu Jinfan, Cheng Xi immediately remembered that it was Cheng Fenglan who had begged him to help reattach Jiang Weiran's arm.

"Invite him into the palace immediately," the Empress Dowager ordered at once.

"Yes." The attendant beside the Empress Dowager received the order and went to the Lu residence to pass on the message.

What Cheng Xi noticed was that the Empress Dowager used the word "invite." It seemed that for those who had truly entered the Academies, even the Imperial family treated them differently.

Lu Jinfan arrived very quickly. After paying his respects to the Empress Dowager, he examined Prince Jing's condition. He said with a heavy expression, "His Highness Prince Jing is still young, and having seen a Demon commit violence, he has been severely frightened. I can only do my best."

Cheng Xi was actually quite curious to see how people in this era drew talismans. From beginning to end, she did not speak, standing behind Yan Shengyu, and did not attract Lu Jinfan's attention.

Palace servants brought over a table. The table was empty, and Lu Jinfan took out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone he had brought, laying them out on the table one by one.

Cheng Xi observed closely and was quite surprised; she smelled the scent of Demon Bone.

Lu Jinfan washed his hands, burned incense, and entered a meditative state. Only after a good while did he lift his brush to draw the talisman. It was done in one continuous motion, and when the talisman was complete, a faint flowing light flashed across it.

Cheng Xi glanced at the rune, lost in thought. She looked up and saw Lu Jinfan stick the talisman onto the bed curtains, and faint golden light slowly flowed out from it.

Thinking of this, she looked at Yan Shengyu and asked in a low voice, "Did you see anything on the talisman?"

Yan Shengyu was startled. "What would I see? Isn't it just a talisman?"

Yan Shengyu could not see the golden light, so Cheng Xi knew it was because she had not yet formally cultivated; without opening her meridians, she could not see the spiritual essence.

"How long until Prince Jing can wake up?" the Empress Dowager asked, looking at Lu Jinfan.

"Your Majesty, if all goes well, His Highness should be able to wake up tonight." Lu Jinfan packed up his things and slung them over his back. "Do not remove this talisman. If the soul-calling is successful, it will disappear on its own when His Highness's soul returns."

"Talisman Master Lu, will you not stay here and wait for Prince Jing to wake up?" the Empress Dowager asked with some displeasure.

Lu Jinfan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this commoner has other urgent matters to attend to. However, I will not be leaving Jindu for the time being. If His Highness does not wake up, I will enter the palace again tomorrow."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression softened. "Then I have troubled you." After saying this, she glanced at the attendant beside her.

The attendant immediately stepped forward and presented a box with both hands. "Talisman Master Lu, this is a reward from Her Majesty."

Lu Jinfan was about to refuse when he heard the Empress Dowager say, "I heard from your father that you are about to have a breakthrough. I do not understand what a breakthrough is, but this piece of Demon Bone might be of use to you."

Lu Jinfan was somewhat surprised; he did indeed need Demon Bone, so he did not decline. "Many thanks, Your Majesty."

"Go." Seeing Lu Jinfan accept it, the smile on the Empress Dowager's face deepened.

After Lu Jinfan left, Cheng Xi also took her leave.

The Empress Dowager had someone bring over another box and smiled at Cheng Xi. "This piece is for you; I imagine you might be able to use it as well."

Cheng Xi did not decline either. She wanted to see what kind of Demon Bone it was, so she reached out to take it and thanked the Empress Dowager.

Yan Shengyu laughed from the side, "Aunt, considering I ran errands for you, I should have a share too, right?"

The Empress Dowager laughed, "How could I leave you out?"

Lingxiang, who was beside the Empress Dowager, immediately took another box and said with a smile, "The Eldest Miss's is right here."

Yan Shengyu took it with a grin. She still had to guard Prince Jing for the Empress Dowager, so naturally, she would not leave the palace, but she did see Cheng Xi out first.

Once out of Shou'an Palace, Yan Shengyu said to Cheng Xi, "Keep this item safe. It is worth a thousand gold and is extremely difficult to obtain, even in the Academies."

Cheng Xi nodded. "I understand. You should hurry back. I think Talisman Master Lu's soul-calling talisman was drawn very well; I imagine Prince Jing will be able to wake up tonight."

"Really?" Ever since Cheng Xi saved her, Yan Shengyu had trusted her implicitly. "With Demons running rampant in Jindu now, you must be careful. Would you like some guards to escort you back?"

"No need." Cheng Xi shook her head. "Demons mostly come out at night; they won't show themselves in broad daylight."

Cheng Xi did not return to the Du Mansion; she went to Ghost Street first. She intended to find Liang Popo to inquire about some news. Just as she entered the market, she saw Division Guards from the Tongtian Division storming in.

The guards, wearing dark red Dragon Fish Uniforms and carrying Long Blades at their waists, looked aggressive as they marched directly into Lao Wutou's shop.