Chapter 179: A Small Favor?

"The Emperor is hesitating."

"I don't understand what the Emperor is hesitating about."

"Human internal conflicts have erupted everywhere, outwardly harmonious but inwardly divided—but ultimately, they remain the foremost race of this age."

"In ancient times, the primordial clans were at their zenith, boldly claiming to be the foremost race of the age, while humanity then was far inferior to them!"

"Your Majesty must not hesitate any longer—this is a chance unseen in a thousand years..."

"What are you dogs talking about? A minister should ease the Emperor's burdens, not pressure him!"

At the hour of Wei, snowflakes drifted outside the imperial palace, frost clinging to every branch in a hazy white veil.

The human envoys, seeing the Yao court ministers' gazes upon them, walked slowly away from the palace grounds on their first audience with the Demon Emperor.

This audience had revealed no fierce intent from the Demon Emperor toward humanity; the envoys, who had been anxious for days, now felt considerably relieved.

In their eyes, their mission might soon be concluded.

Even several young Xia officials felt unsatisfied, chattering endlessly along the way about today's experiences.

The Xia imperial house had long declined; human officials had always held low status, often forced to shift from arrogance to servility before cultivators—how could they ever have imagined one day standing face-to-face with the Demon Emperor?

Only Ji You felt no sense of relief.

The demon race wished to reconcile with the barbarians, but that did not mean they would oppose humanity—this statement sounded gentle, yet it was not truly an answer.

Especially since these words came not from the Demon Emperor himself, but from his chief minister, it meant further complications still lay ahead.

In Ji You's view, the Demon Emperor's hesitation likely exceeded all imagination—hence he had dispatched his chief minister to offer a vague reply first.

This matter would require several more days of deliberation before the Demon Emperor himself would speak clearly...

Ji You returned to his room and, with a thud, spat out a jade bead he had held in his mouth.

Before this journey, he had paid a fortune at Qionghua Pavilion for a jade platform capable of transmitting messages back from the Snow Region—the jade bead was its activation device.

Unable to use his hands, he had kept the bead clenched between his teeth all along—luckily, he had never needed to use it.

Now, outside the window, the snow intensified, swirling down like goose feathers.

Ji You sat in his wheelchair, wrapped in a thick scholar's cloak, continuously calculating the possible complications ahead.

Demon Emperor... ministers...

There is a saying: if the sovereign commands his minister to die, the minister must die—thus, sovereign and minister should be in harmony.

But what I saw today was not so.

Two variables will generate even more variables.

After the pure white jade garden fell silent for about an hour, the sound of carriages and horses suddenly began to rise continuously.

Many demons entered the jade garden, their hurried figures shuttling about, delivering all manner of invitation slips.

Lacquered red, gilded, tasseled—each one different.

The demon race's aesthetic was never as refined or delicate as humanity's; instead, it was bolder, coarser.

This could be seen plainly from the imperial palace, which was painted only in black and white.

In truth, the Snow Region had scarce resources and could hardly develop finer aesthetics or craftsmanship—so these invitations appeared especially sincere.

Each celestial sect prodigy received several invitations, marveling at how adept the demons were at reading the situation: seeing the Demon Emperor showed no intent to wage war, they immediately extended overtures of friendship.

"These people always have sharp instincts—it seems the two races truly won't fight."

"Hey, this wooden bird seems to deal in spirit stones—I've heard before that he mines the Snow Region's demon stones."

"Not just that—there's also iron ore; that fellow Mu Luo is the demon iron merchant."

Jiang Chenfeng, Huo Hong, and others gathered in the jade garden's flower hall, examining the invitations, heads held high, discussing eagerly.

Since human-demon trade began, Snow Region demon stones—due to their exceptional quality—had always been highly sought after, yet the supply channels had long been controlled by Xia.

The celestial sects had raised no objections, but the aristocratic families had voiced complaints: in their view, purchasing directly from the demons might lower prices considerably.

Especially the core of the spirit veins—vital to cultivators—the core of the Snow Region's spirit veins was particularly enticing.

Thus, in their eyes, these banquets were worth attending.

"Huo Young Master, which invitation are you planning to accept?"

Huo Hong studied the invitation for a while: "I won't go. I plan to meet Princess Fengyang tonight."

Hearing this, Jiang Yan, Yan Qiu Bai, Jiang Chenfeng, Jiang Yuerou, Shi Junhao, Xiao Hanyan, and others couldn't help but chuckle.

Last night, Han Han had hosted a banquet in the jade garden, and Princess Fengyang had been present.

At the time, Huo Hong had shown great interest in Princess Fengyang—elegant, witty, exuding the demeanor of a noble young master.

They had all sensed it then, and understood his intentions.

Huo Hong was the illegitimate son of the Shanhai Pavilion's patriarch, half-brother to the official heir Huo Xingzhong, yet he had never been formally recognized.

His mother had once been merely a maid to the patriarch, taken by him during a spiritual deviation when dark thoughts overwhelmed his cultivation.

Thus, Huo Hong's status had always been awkward—and yet his ambitions were great.

Seeking ties with the demon race was his way of securing a powerful backer, and also laying groundwork to claim the title of Vessel-Bearer—a motive easily understood in Qingyun's world.

Meanwhile, Gongshu Chou had also received several invitations, some addressed to Ji You, which he brought over: "Invitations from various demon clans—will you go?"

Ji You took the invitations, studied them long, then frowned: "Too hasty."

Gongshu Chou blinked: "What?"

"The Demon Emperor hasn't clearly signaled reconciliation—these invitations came too soon."

Ji You looked up: "Gongshu brother, could you fetch Master Bai for me?"

Gongshu Chou stepped forward immediately: "Are you unwell again?"

"No discomfort—I simply have some questions to ask."

"Alright, I'll go get him."

Ji You thanked him, watched him leave, then turned toward the furnace glowing red-hot.

Outside the window, snow began falling again; visible cold mist rose from beyond the city walls.

Soon, the door opened.

Master Bai entered with Gongshu Chou, followed by Princess Fengyang, who stepped in gracefully, brushed the snow from her robes with quiet poise, and raised her eyes to Ji You.

After one glance, her gaze quickly averted.

Master Bai sat before Ji You: "What's wrong, Young Master Ji?"

"Master Bai, I have some questions to ask."

"I'm only a physician. Though I've served the Demon Emperor for years, I know only healing—nothing of the world's shifting tides. You're asking the wrong person."

Master Bai Shou knew the human envoys had just met the Demon Emperor—he assumed they'd been rebuffed and came seeking information, so he spoke bluntly: he wouldn't help.

Ji You shook his head: "I'm not asking about the Demon Emperor. I'm asking about my condition."

"Then that's possible. Ask."

"How long until my hands recover?"

Master Bai opened his hand, grasped Ji You's wrist, and felt his pulse for a long while: "Your recovery is faster than I expected, but full healing will take at least a month."

Ji You blinked: "Fully restored?"

"Only enough to lift simple objects. Full restoration will take much longer."

Ji You frowned slightly: "Is there any arcane method to let me use my hands now?"

Master Bai Shou looked at him: "What do you mean by 'use'?"

"As I used to."

"I cannot help."

"I don't mean full recovery—I mean temporarily usable. Even if they return to this state afterward, it's enough."

Master Bai looked at him, expression strange: "Why such a need?"

Ji You thought long before speaking: "I simply wish to relieve myself alone."

Hearing this, Princess Fengyang held her breath.

Last night, she had heard these words before—though she hadn't seen it, Xiao Rou's vivid description had left her unsettled for hours.

Now, hearing it again, the image returned uncontrollably.

Gongshu Chou was also stunned—he thought, so that's why he needed help? Why didn't he say so earlier?

Yesterday, Yan Qiu Bai and Jiang Yan had asked him: Ji You had been awake for half a day—why hadn't he gone to the toilet? They'd seemed more anxious than Ji You himself.

They'd even told Gongshu Chou: if Ji You needed anything, just say so—it's a small thing, easily helped.

Yet he'd held it in.

Master Bai Shou was also startled, then said: "The three urgent needs are natural—but you can ask someone to assist. No need to do it yourself."

"Just tell me if there is or isn't a way."

"There is."

Master Bai Shou's smile vanished: "I have a needle technique that can temporarily numb your pain and forcibly open your meridians, letting you function as if unharmed for several hours—but I will not use it on you."

Ji You leaned forward: "If it's about money, don't worry—Gongshu Chou will pay. Name your price."

Gongshu Chou: "?"

Master Bai Shou stroked his beard and shook his head: "You humans speak of Dao—flowers have flower Dao, herbs have herb Dao, and healing has healing Dao. I cannot defy Dao."

"Gongshu brother can pay more."

"It's not about money. After this needle, your injury will worsen. A healer must not harm. This is my Dao."

Master Bai's stance was firm—he refused to treat him, then rose and left.

Ji You turned to Princess Fengyang: "Help me."

Princess Fengyang, about to follow Master Bai out, froze at the words—she usually accompanied him without attendants. Hearing this, she was utterly flustered, thinking: this human is far too brazen.

Help?

How could he say that so calmly?

I am the daughter of the Demon Emperor, the Princess of Ten Thousand Demons—how could I do such a thing?

But as Ji You's gaze gradually turned sincere, the demon princess suddenly felt heat in her palms, as if she had touched something.

Finally, Fengyang, as if making a great decision, walked toward him with solemn expression, trembling fingers lifting delicately to grasp his belt.

Gongshu Chou frowned slightly beside him, thinking: Should I leave?

"?"

Why is someone else trying to look at this before the Little Master of Lingjian Mountain?

Ji You stared at the slender, delicate hands before him: "Princess, I need you to administer the needles."

Princess Fengyang: "...?"

"Master Baili said he can restore sensation to my hands for a few hours. Please help me."

Princess Fengyang stared in shock for a long moment, then her eyes widened, and she swiftly turned away, opening her personal medicine chest.

Master Baili's needle technique was indeed mysterious and exquisite, and Princess Fengyang, having received his true transmission, used it with great mastery.

Most importantly, Princess Fengyang's needling was far easier than Master Baili's.

The Demon Emperor's bloodline possessed powerful internal cultivation methods; though this demon princess was usually silent and reserved, she was in truth an extremely formidable warrior—her needlework's fluidity alone proved it.

Otherwise, his body would be nearly impossible for fine silver needles to pierce.

One needle, two needles, three needles...

Princess Fengyang held her breath, saying not a word from start to finish, continuously inserting needles into Ji You's hands.

As his arms became dotted like a hedgehog, Ji You immediately felt the stabbing pain diminish sharply—yet his arms still could not lift.

"Why can't I move yet?"

"The sixteen needles before only numbed your pain; I haven't yet opened your meridians. Don't rush..."

Because of the earlier misunderstanding, Princess Fengyang, usually cold and silent, radiating noble dignity, now spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Then she took out another silver needle, paused just before insertion, and looked up at Ji You.

Trained by Master Baili the Divine Hand, Fengyang shared his unwavering medical ethics; she knew this technique did not heal—it harmed. She had inserted the earlier needles without delay only because the misunderstanding had left her flustered.

But now, she was about to forcibly open the meridians of this human warrior—she had to be cautious.

"Continuing will forcibly stretch your meridians, but the effect will fade after a few hours—and may even worsen your injury. Are you certain?"

Ji You pressed his lips: "Will it ruin me?"

Fengyang thought long: "If you only... support it, then no."

"What if you push harder?"

"?"

Fengyang's eyes widened in shock; she stared for a long while: "What do you intend to do to it?"

Ji You: "?"

Gongshu Chou could no longer stay—he thought: I shouldn't be in this room, I should be under it—and silently stepped out, standing guard at the door.

Ji You now looked at Princess Fengyang: "Princess, do you wish for war between humans and demons?"

"Though the Snow Realm is harsh and our people can no longer grow, my father says reclaiming the Nine Provinces is the unshakable duty of the Demon Emperor's line—but I still don't want war, because war means many will die..."

"Then why did you learn medicine?"

Fengyang held the needle: "To save lives."

Ji You gazed out the window: "Medicine can save many, but not all of humanity."

"What?"

"Insert the needle."

Princess Fengyang did not understand why he said that, nor how "all of humanity" related to his hands—but since the patient insisted, she inserted the needle.

Though Ji You's arms were numb to pain, opening the meridians brought an indescribable ache and swelling.

Thus, soft groans echoed from Ji You's room—rising and falling, continuous.

Listening to the sounds, Princess Fengyang's mind flashed again with that burning size; her fair cheeks grew warm, her head sinking lower.

At this moment, the corridor outside saw the celestial sect's prodigies emerge one after another, heading for the banquet—yet they all halted before Ji You's door, their expressions turning deeply strange.

Huo Hong crossed his arms: "A mere Tongxuan Realm cultivator—what a showman."

Jiang Yan and Yan Qiubai couldn't help but open their pink, plump lips wide: "He... how could he?"

Gongshu Chou looked at them: "You're mistaken."

Huo Hong smiled faintly: "That sound can't be mistaken—but I've never heard of demon clans having brothels. Who's the girl?"

Before Gongshu Chou could speak, the soft groans inside the room ceased abruptly.

Everyone turned to the door, where a pair of delicate hands opened it—Princess Fengyang stepped out, cheeks flushed.

Seeing this, everyone froze; Huo Hong's eyes narrowed, his face darkening instantly.

Under all their stares, Fengyang regarded them coldly, said nothing, and walked away from Jade Garden, her face still tinged with fading pink.

Immediately after Fengyang left, the door opened again—Ji You stepped out.

Only now did the crowd snap out of their shock, turning to his arm as he opened the door—stunned, for his arm, which had been useless moments ago, now looked perfectly restored.

"Gongshu Brother, please ask Elder Yan to gather everyone in the West Courtyard. Something will happen tonight—no one leaves."

Ji You opened the door and looked at them: "Someone is pushing the tide ahead, acting before the Demon Emperor has decided."

(After five hours on a high-speed train, then rushing to catch a flight, I still typed four thousand words on my phone—my diligence is visible to heaven—please vote for monthly tickets!!)

(End of Chapter)