Chapter 535: The Lonely World

Baifeng looked around; the private sickroom was in excellent condition, and it could basically be determined that it had been prepared specifically for him. In the very center of the room sat a massive basin of ice, and several Slaves were diligently fanning the cool air in all directions, so Baifeng did not feel stifled by the heat.

He rubbed his temples and, enduring the discomfort, sat up. The Doctor hurriedly placed a pillow behind Baifeng's back.

"I remember the flood had already rushed down, right? Was there any disaster?"

Changle hurriedly stepped forward: "Father, it has been successfully resolved. There wasn't too much impact, it's just that the river channel was washed wider by quite a bit, the old riverbanks have collapsed a lot, not a single waterwheel remains, and now the water level is gradually dropping."

Baifeng looked out the window; the light was poor, and he did not know if it was dusk or early morning: "How long have I been asleep?"

"Master, from the time you fainted until now, a whole night has passed. It isn't fully bright outside yet. You woke up for a moment in the middle, but you were just too thirsty, so you drank some water and went back to sleep."

Baifeng himself seemed to have no memory of this, but looking at the state of the few of them, they had likely been guarding him all night. Miaoyin was standing by the bed, her soul already lost in a dream.

Baifeng reached out and had Sui carry Miaoyin over. Miaoyin groggily called out "Daddy," then pressed against Baifeng and fell asleep again.

Everyone was not afraid of waking Miaoyin; she wouldn't wake up no matter how noisy it got now. Even Changle was struggling to stay awake. As for the Doctor, because the one lying here was the King of Huaxia and his master, if he dared to walk away for even a step and anything happened, he dared to say the first person to be held accountable would be himself, and he also felt he should stay by Baifeng's side.

Baifeng's muddled head gradually became clear: "Did the Soldiers who went to carry out the mission return safely? How is Chi? Is he alright?"

Everyone lowered their heads, and the Doctor also hesitated to speak. Baifeng guessed it was definitely not good news, but he had to know: "Speak, I know this mission was very dangerous."

The Doctor only knew the general idea; only Changle knew the details. Changle was somewhat sorrowful: "Most of the Soldiers returned safely. Eight people sacrificed themselves for Huaxia, and Uncle Chi was one of them."

Baifeng had long anticipated this result, but his heart still felt somewhat pained. Chi was the first true "person" he had met in this world. Over these many years, although Chi was a bit dull and foolish, beyond the relationship of Subject and ruler, they were more like friends.

Baifeng had always felt he was still young and could still strive for many, many more years. A person not yet forty years old should not have to experience such partings of life and death. Although the old men who had accompanied him in starting the enterprise had already begun to age, he wanted even more to watch them die of old age in their own warm rooms.

Baifeng closed his eyes and let out a long sigh: "What about Yulong? Is he still handling these matters?"

Changle replied: "Yes. You were ill, and Brother came to see you. The Doctor said there was no major problem, just heatstroke combined with being too exhausted, and you need to rest well. My brother wanted you to rest for a few more days and not worry about these things, so he went to handle the Government Affairs Department for you himself."

Baifeng did not open his eyes; he felt the world spinning: "He did the right thing. My body is still fine, I won't die. It's fine, let him keep working hard for now. I will rest for a day. Remember to comfort those Soldiers; I will handle it tomorrow."

Sui began to sob in a low voice. Every time Baifeng fell ill, she was afraid. This time, when she learned Baifeng had fainted, she was so scared she almost fainted herself. Fortunately, Chinv knew Baifeng's body was fine, which was why she hurriedly brought a few people over to see him.

Baifeng did not say any words of comfort, and Changle immediately said he would go tell his brother to let his father rest well.

Before falling asleep again, Baifeng instructed the Doctor: "In this weather, it's both hot and humid. You in the Ministry of Health must ensure the propaganda is in place. If they need to avoid the heat, let them avoid the heat; in any case, there isn't much hope for the harvest, so health is what matters. Also, first-aid measures for heatstroke must be in place. Medicines for this, as well as acupuncture, massage, and scraping, must be used properly. If you lack anything, tell Yulong."

The Doctor answered softly from the side. These were his primary duties, which he did every year. Although there were still many people with heatstroke in the summer—several every day—at least now, no one was dying from it.

Baifeng kept muttering: "Ensure the supplies for all the on-duty Soldiers are well-prepared. Our city walls are high enough and very safe, so there is no need to wear Full Armor. Appropriately set up some sunshades. Now that we have a stable source of Saltpeter, don't be stingy. Expand the supply of ice, especially for the soldiers; you must not be stingy."

Baifeng did not know who he was saying this to, and the Doctor was not responsible for these things, so Changle answered from the side that he would pass it on to Yulong.

Afterward, Baifeng waved his hand to let them leave so he could sleep again. The Doctor also hurriedly removed the pillow and laid him flat on the bed.

Baifeng felt no hunger at all, and his stomach felt uncomfortable. He knew this was dampness trapping the spleen, but he was too lazy to care about that now. He just wanted to have a good sleep. Whether due to physical reasons or the stimulation of Chi's death, he did not want to get up for the time being. He adjusted the posture of Miaoyin, who was using his arm as a pillow, and then, holding his daughter, immediately entered a dream.

In Baifeng's dream, he was still wearing a Grass skirt and playing with mud on the ground. Not far away was his small shack and the place where he smoked fish and meat; even the stone walls had turned black.

Baifeng was very afraid that he would die alone in this place, talking to a rock every day, and after a few years, become a schizophrenic, knowing only how to fish and dig for wild vegetables like a monkey, having also lost the ability to speak.

Just then, Chi walked over with a silly grin, carrying a bamboo spear, holding several large fish in his hand, and said with a smile: "The fish is so big, it's enough for you to eat for a long time."

After glancing at it, Baifeng continued to lower his head and play with the mud: "You eat more than I do!"

"I'm leaving!"

"Where are you going? To go out and feed the wild men? I escaped with such difficulty." However, no one responded.

Baifeng looked up, but there was no one in sight, and there were no big fish on the ground. A massive sense of loneliness instantly pressed down on Baifeng, pressing so hard he couldn't breathe. Baifeng only felt as if he had been abandoned once again in the boundless wilderness. He shouted in terror: "Chi! Where did you go!" But he discovered he could not make a sound.

Baifeng woke up in a start at this moment. Miaoyin was also woken up by his movement. Her entire body was pressed onto Baifeng's chest, making it difficult for Baifeng to breathe. Miaoyin rubbed her eyes, then threw herself onto Baifeng's face and began to vent her morning grumpiness.