Chapter 300
Chapter 300
Inside the royal palace.
Shen Lang was relentlessly planting seeds of doubt.
"Your Majesty, as a future collaborator, I must expose a conspiracy. If my guess is correct, the reason you hastily returned to the State of Qiang before your plundering in the Western Regions was even finished is because you contracted an unspeakable disease. Am I right?"
Shen Lang stared intently at the King of Qiang as he posed the question. He had noticed the king's unspeakable ailment because the king was still instinctively scratching his nether regions. Furthermore, Shen Lang had sent Thirteen to bribe the palace servants, learning that the king had abstained from women for a month or two, only breaking his abstinence a few days ago.
Some might ask if news that the King of Qiang had avoided women for a month or two could be bought so easily with money. Yes, it could. Even in a meticulously governed great nation like the State of Yue, one could buy information and even the royal seal from a eunuch. So, in a barbaric state like Qiang, it was even more so.
The King of Qiang didn't answer Shen Lang's question, but Shen Lang already knew the answer and continued.
"And then, Zuo Baoyu appeared and saved your Majesty's... happy life. I've heard that you are particular and cautious when choosing women. Even with a plundered woman, you would have had a physician examine her several times before indulging. So why were you in such a hurry in the Western Regions?"
The King of Qiang's eyes showed he was recalling the memory, but he said nothing. It was because that woman had been dazzlingly beautiful. The crucial point was that she had been dressed like the Grandmaster Xue Yin, the woman of his dreams. Of course, it was just an imitation, and her actual disposition was far inferior. Even among peerless beauties, there are differences in appearance and bearing. But that woman had seemed so pure that he couldn't imagine she would carry a foul disease. Besides, she was a virgin. That was why the King of Qiang couldn't wait and had ravaged her. And after that, he had contracted a venereal disease.
Shen Lang said.
"I now have a serious suspicion. I believe that your contracting a disease in the Western Regions was Zuo Baoyu's conspiracy. He infiltrated your side for some ulterior motive and has likely colluded with Luo An."
The King of Qiang's suspicion flared up instantly. He asked Shen Lang in a cold tone.
"And you? Did you come to my side without any conspiracy of your own?"
"Of course, I have one. Didn't I tell you already? I came to the State of Qiang to eliminate the Su Clan."
Just then, Zuo Baoyu rushed over and said.
"Your Majesty, you must not believe whatever slander Shen Lang spouts. This man is just thrashing about before his death."
The Daoist Zuo Baoyu immediately knelt before the King of Qiang. Shen Lang sneered at his words.
"Whether it's slander or not, you know best."
"Your Majesty, there are less than four hours until dawn, and the results will be known soon. Whether I can cure smallpox in a single day will be clear tomorrow morning. But what about Shen Lang? He hasn't even entered the princess's quarantine room, and far from treating her, he's afraid of getting infected himself. Everything he has said is a lie."
The King of Qiang felt that Zuo Baoyu's words made a good deal of sense. Shen Lang kept saying he could cure smallpox, so why hadn't he treated Nana yet, or even entered her quarantine room?
"Your Majesty, I am the royal family's only hope. With me here, even if other members of the royal family contract smallpox, they can be saved. The two young princes are the best examples. Tomorrow, the Third Prince Aruhan will prove that I am the only divine physician who can cure smallpox."
The words carried a faint warning.
'Your Majesty, with smallpox running so rampant in the State of Qiang, are you not worried about becoming infected yourself? If that happens, who will save you if I am not here? Haven't I already proven my divine abilities? Compared to me, hasn't Shen Lang been all talk so far? If you listen to his slander and doubt me, aren't you cutting off your own path to survival?'
Hearing this, the King of Qiang thought it made perfect sense. What if he himself contracted smallpox? Wasn't Zuo Baoyu more reliable than Shen Lang? After all, he already had successful cases. In an instant, the King of Qiang grew angry and said.
"Guards, throw Shen Lang out."
Two warriors came forward, grabbed Shen Lang, and dragged him outside. Only the King of Qiang and Zuo Baoyu remained in the room. The king suddenly said to him.
"I was a bit rough during marital relations today, and now I'm a little itchy and swollen down there. Come and take a look."
And the King of Qiang immediately lowered his trousers. Zuo Baoyu held up a lantern and examined him carefully. Then he fell into thought.
'Is the King of Qiang just imagining the itchiness? Or is the poison in his body—the most fearsome pseudo-smallpox—about to erupt?'
After the examination, the Daoist Zuo Baoyu said.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Your life is not in danger. It's just that the skin peeled off recently, and the new skin is still relatively delicate. Furthermore, your... vigorous bedding has caused some friction and minor abrasions, which is causing the pain and itchiness. There's no problem at all, but you should exercise some restraint in that department."
The King of Qiang happily pulled up his trousers and said.
"Since it will be dawn soon anyway, let's not sleep at all. I will take you to the treasury for a look."
Zuo Baoyu was speechless. The King of Qiang had a particular fondness for showing off, and he had already toured the treasury several times.
The king then led Zuo Baoyu to the treasury with an excited expression. He especially pointed out the three-*chi*-long jade sculpture that Shen Lang had just gifted him. The Daoist Zuo Baoyu looked at it and marveled as if seeing a rare curiosity, but he quickly changed the subject.
"Your Majesty, the results will be revealed tomorrow morning. If I cure the Third Prince's smallpox overnight, will you really kill Shen Lang?"
The King of Qiang frowned. He had promised the divine maiden Xue Yin that he would not kill Shen Lang. Besides, Shen Lang kept giving him gifts. If he merely imprisoned him, couldn't he continue to extort the Jin Clan? But Zuo Baoyu could cure smallpox, so he couldn't afford to disappoint him.
"How about this? We won't kill him, but we'll cut off his hands and feet and lock him in an iron cage. We can cut off one of his hands and send it to the Jin Clan, telling them to buy Shen Lang back with money. What do you think?"
"But no matter how much money the Jin Clan offers, you must never let him go."
"Alright, let's do that."
"Those who possess rare treasures are bound to court disaster."
Once the King of Qiang started showing off his treasury, there was no end to it. Four hours passed quickly, and Zuo Baoyu, unable to bear it any longer, said.
"Your Majesty, it is dawn. It is time."
***
The morning sun rose. The King of Qiang, the Daoist Zuo Baoyu, Shen Lang, and nearly a hundred members of the Qiang royal family all stood before the palace gates. The results were about to be revealed. Previously, it had taken Zuo Baoyu several days to treat the two young princes' smallpox. But this time, he had claimed he would cure the Third Prince Aruhan's smallpox in a single night. Would a miracle truly occur? If he succeeded again, Zuo Baoyu would become a true divine physician, and the Qiang royal family would no longer be threatened by smallpox. Thus, the members of the royal family wanted to witness the scene firsthand. Luo An, perhaps to avoid suspicion or because he was too severely injured the previous night, did not rise from his bed. The Daoist Zuo Baoyu shouted loudly, ready to embrace the most glorious moment of his life.
"Your Majesty, esteemed consorts, and princes, it is time for you to witness a miracle. I, Zuo Baoyu, can completely cure the suffering of smallpox in just one night. Although I used the last of my divine medicine yesterday, I will quickly create more. The royal family of Qiang will no longer be threatened by smallpox.
"In contrast, what of Shen Lang from the State of Yue? Not only did that scoundrel harm the warriors of Qiang, but he also boasted he could cure smallpox, yet he still hasn't dared to enter the princess's room. Therefore, his words are clearly lies. Yesterday, I made a solemn vow. If I cure the Third Prince's smallpox in one night, Shen Lang will be executed. Your Majesty, will you honor this?"
The King of Qiang was taken aback. They had clearly made an agreement in the treasury, so why was he changing his tune now? Zuo Baoyu believed he could only be at ease once Shen Lang was dead. As long as he was alive, problems were bound to arise. Moreover, the king's most severe case of pseudo-smallpox was about to erupt. Soon, the King of Qiang would have to beg him. His fear of the king had already dulled considerably. The King of Qiang gave a careless nod.
Zuo Baoyu shouted loudly.
"In a moment, when it is announced that the Third Prince has been cured overnight, I ask the princes to kill Shen Lang immediately."
"Agreed!"
Several princes of Qiang responded loudly. With three of their brothers infected with smallpox, they were also anxious and felt it was especially important to curry favor with the divine physician Zuo Baoyu at a time like this. After hearing his words, the princes immediately gripped their swords. The moment they saw Aruhan cured, they would rush forward and cut Shen Lang down.
And inside the room, Big Dummy had also finished his preparations. If Shen Lang was in any danger, he was ready to leap out and help at once. Princess Arunana had awoken and was looking at Big Dummy with warm eyes. Zuo Baoyu glared at Shen Lang and sneered triumphantly.
"You wretched fool, you're a dead man. You're too young to fight me."
At that moment, Shen Lang even felt a little admiration for the Daoist.
'He truly is a remarkable figure. He almost managed to take control of the King of Qiang. Your only mistake was meeting me, Shen Lang. No, you were just unlucky!'
Shen Lang asked him.
"Master Zuo, what if you fail to cure the Third Prince Aruhan?"
Zuo Baoyu sneered inwardly.
'Is that even possible? The pox on the Third Prince's face had already receded last night. I'm just waiting for the anesthetic to wear off so he can wake up.'
Zuo Baoyu said in a clear voice.
"I have already made a solemn vow. If I fail to cure the Third Prince Aruhan, I will cut off my own head before His Majesty."
"Be sure to keep that promise!"
"I will. Shen Lang, I will watch to see how you die! Open the door and welcome the fully recovered Third Prince Aruhan!"
At Zuo Baoyu's command, a warrior guarding the outside cautiously stepped forward and opened the door. Since last night, these dozens of warriors had been guarding the two quarantine rooms without moving a single step. The warrior who opened the door carefully peered inside, then jumped back in shock. The Third Prince's face had a strange flush, and his entire body was drenched. Not only that, but a fearful smile played on his lips. He looked for all the world like a dead man.
Zuo Baoyu shouted from outside.
"Third Prince, you must be awake. Please come out."
The effects of the anesthetic should have worn off by now. Aruhan, inside, did not respond. Zuo Baoyu shouted again.
"Third Prince, come out."
He raised his voice slightly, but there was still no response from inside.