At this moment, blades were clashing in the Debauchery Arena. The several hundred private soldiers I led quickly pacified the bandits there.
Under Li Ying's *exploitation*, they had long since lost all their vitality. They were cut down with almost no resistance, and those who cooperated were quickly captured. The person who led me here was a woman named Wanrou.
When I first arrived, I was preparing to find the prefect to inquire about news. Just then, her abducted daughter returned. Seizing the opportunity to escape her discipliner's control, she ordered someone to capture him.
"Ptooey! Do you really think someone like you can conquer this young lady? If it weren't for escaping, who would cooperate with a scum like you!!"
Afterward, Wanrou led me and the hundreds of private soldiers up the mountain, breaking through the stronghold in one fell swoop. With two "insiders" guiding us, we lost virtually no men.
From the captured scum, I learned Li Ying's whereabouts and immediately rushed to that room.
"Madam! I've come to take you home!"
With that, I pushed the door open and entered!
It was a dark and oppressive scene. In a gloomy room, Li Ying lay naked on the ground, like a butterfly with broken wings. Her once lively eyes had lost their luster, and her delicate face was contorted from orgasm, limp as if utterly exhausted. Her life was like a flickering candle in the wind.
She was pinned beneath Miter, their genitals tightly intertwined. His face bore a grotesque smile, the arrogance of a demon who had succeeded. Miter's sinister gaze revealed greed and cruelty as he performed an evil cultivation method, draining Li Ying's power bit by bit. Her complexion became as pale as paper, and her voluptuous body glowed with an eerie red, whether from the climax that drained her or from the pain that made her tremble, I couldn't tell.
Seeing Li Ying's appearance, my heart sank, and my face turned ghastly pale!
"What have you done!" I roared, desperately charging forward.
However, Miter simply waved a hand, and a chillingly powerful force sent me flying, slamming me hard against the wall!
"Miter, you demon, you won't have a good end!"
Though wounded by the terrifying attack, an unyielding flame still flickered in my eyes. I had only one thought: I had to kill him!
Miter let out a wild laugh, "Hmph, you cuckold trash, now you know to cherish her? Hehe, once I absorb your wife's power, who else in this world can contend with me? Just accept your fate. She is the human cauldron that will make me the greatest under heaven. From now on, I am God!"
Just as Li Ying's flame of life was about to be cruelly extinguished, I laboriously reached behind me and fumbled for a cold steel object. I gripped it tightly in my hand. I knew that in this martial arts world, it was like a divine artifact. My heart, fueled by anger and sorrow, was utterly calm.
"Miter, let her go!"
My voice was like a demon's whisper from the Nine Underworlds, a chilling murmur echoing through the room.
Miter was startled by my state, but he quickly regained his arrogant demeanor, "You? Even the Black Emperor wouldn't dare speak to me like that. Those hundreds of men you brought can be extinguished with a flick of my finger. Why don't you kneel down and beg me to give your wife ten more days of life! Hahahahaha!"
I didn't respond to his words. I simply raised my right hand, pointed the cold steel at him.
"Bang!"
The sound of gunpowder exploding rang out, and the black steel in my hand fired a lethal copper slug. In this world where swords were revered, Miter had no idea of a handgun's power. Before he could react, the bullet, like an envoy of Death, pierced his body. Miter's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, and then he fell to the ground, lifeless.
When Li Ying was captured, I grieved for half a day. The remaining time was spent making this handgun…
I rushed over to embrace my wife, my heart filled with an unextinguishable love.
However, another fierce attack sent me flying, and a pain as if my internal organs were being torn apart swept through my entire body. Just then, a black shadow flickered like a phantom. It was a Kunlun slave, and his skin was extremely black!
A hundred emotions seemed to be in his eyes. After a sigh, he picked up Miter's corpse and said to me with a mix of feelings, "Though he was destined to die eventually, he shouldn't have died by the hand of a lowly cuckold slave like you. In his veins flows the noble bloodline of the first-generation Black Tribe! Also, I am Black Emperor Miro!"
I had no time to listen to him. I just looked at the weak Li Ying, my heart aching to the extreme. I raised the gun, ready to fire another bullet at him, but he vanished even faster. With a cold laugh, he disappeared into the darkness.
I fired many shots in the direction he left, until the magazine was empty. The only sound left in the room was my heavy breathing. I had no time to consider my own condition, and rushed to Li Ying's side.
At that moment, Li Ying's face was covered with the desire of orgasm, but her body was on its last breath. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
"Madam, my wife!!! You'll be fine, I'm taking you out of here."
I gently picked her up, pouring out all the reluctance from my future-world heart, my eyes filled with heartache and anxiety.
Li Ying opened her eyes with difficulty, looking at me. She forced a faint smile onto her lips, "Husband… you came to save me… I knew you were the most formidable person in the world… hehe… do you think your concubine is wanton enough now… will you love me more now… hehe… your concubine loves you so, so much… truly loves you… it's just…"
"Don't say anything else, Madam, don't worry. Have you forgotten, your humble husband is the most formidable doctor in the world!"
I gave a bitter smile, then held her tightly in my arms. But her gradually cooling skin was driving me crazy!!!
I put all the precious medicines into her mouth: thousand-year snow ginseng, Bodhi fruit…
Li Ying covered my hand: "Husband… it's no use… your concubine has lost her life essence… take your concubine home… I want to accompany you to see the scenery along this journey…"
I knew Li Ying didn't have much time left, but I wasn't reconciled. In her last moments, I wanted to take her on the journey she always longed for, heading west from the East Sea, traveling all the way home to Chang'an.
There, the true Divine Physician—Sun Simiao—resided!
...
After the Black Emperor left, the hundreds of Kunlun slaves he brought were quickly annihilated.
Previously, when I confronted Miter and the Black Emperor, my forces were held back by these hundred Kunlun slaves and couldn't provide timely rescue. They were like chess pieces, their only purpose to hold back my troops.
Before heading home, I found Abu. He looked as if he'd been sucked dry, his entire body emaciated like skin and bones. He seemed to shed tears of sadness, but his flesh could no longer squeeze out a single drop of fluid: "I'm sorry… Master, Mistress, I was wrong. I clearly had… had… such a good life, but I coveted power. Now I've truly met my retribution; traitors indeed come to no good end… My father just came and drained my power. The purpose of us four brothers coming out was simply to help him cultivate four abilities, and now he has finally come to reclaim them… Be careful… be careful of the Black Emperor… he's a demon… If you can save me, Abu will surely repay you."
Li Ying gently shook her head on my back, her eyes filled with uncontrollable disappointment and distress.
They say the most open path to a woman's heart is her vagina. Li Ying had been impregnated by Abu, so to say she had no feelings for him would be impossible, but it was more of a lover's or fuck buddy's affection. Now, having been betrayed by Abu, she certainly wouldn't let him off.
Abu still tried to beg for mercy, but I fired without a trace of hesitation. Abu finally died in the dirty basement.
Afterward, I took Li Ying to the East Sea coast. It was a beautiful, dreamlike sight. The azure sea stretched endlessly, waves surging one after another, crashing against the reefs on the shore, splashing white foam. The salty sea breeze gently brushed our faces. Li Ying leaned in my arms, her eyes shimmering with a faint light, "It's truly beautiful here… I've always wanted to come…"
I held her as we strolled along the beach, the sunlight falling upon us, casting long shadows.
"We can stay here for a few more days and properly enjoy this beautiful scenery."
I said softly.
During our days by the sea, we watched the sunrise and sunset every day. In the early morning, the sun slowly rose from the horizon, its golden rays gradually illuminating the entire sea. The dazzling colors were like a painting scroll. In the evening, the sun set in the west, painting the sky orange-red, and the sea mirrored these beautiful colors. A happy smile occasionally appeared on Li Ying's face, though it carried a hint of bitterness.
"If only time could stop at this moment," Li Ying murmured with a sigh.
"Don't worry, we still have many beautiful times ahead," I said, forcibly suppressing the grief in my heart, comforting her.
However, Li Ying's body grew weaker and weaker. She often fell into a coma, and each time she woke up, it took immense effort. I knew we couldn't stay by the sea for too long; we had to continue our journey, moving towards Chang'an.
Leaving the seaside, we embarked on our journey. We passed through lush, verdant forests, where sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, forming patches of light, like a fantastical fairyland. Birds in the forest sang joyfully, as if performing a symphony of life for us.
"Listen, the birds' singing is so beautiful," Li Ying said weakly.
"Indeed, they're welcoming us," I responded with a smile, though my heart was heavy as if crushed by a great stone.
In the forest, we encountered a few minor incidents. A couple of times, we were attacked by bandits, but I seemed to have become a cold-blooded killer, raising my gun and shooting without emotion. Human lives seemed to have become cheap at that moment.
Each time I overcame danger, I could see the dependence and trust in Li Ying's eyes, which further strengthened my resolve to accompany her to the very end of her journey.
As the journey progressed, Li Ying's condition fluctuated between good and bad. We also passed through bustling small towns, where people milled about in the markets, and the sounds of vendors and laughter intertwined. I led Li Ying through the crowds, buying her some local delicacies. She ate very slowly, each bite seemingly taking all her strength, but she still tried her best to savor it, not wanting to waste this rare moment of beauty.
"These snacks are so delicious, thank you…" Li Ying's eyes glistened with tears.
"As long as you like them," I squeezed her hand, my heart filled with bitterness.
We drew closer to Chang'an, but Li Ying's body grew worse. Her consciousness became increasingly blurry, and she often spoke nonsense. But whenever she was lucid, her yearning for Chang'an grew even stronger.
To keep her from fainting, I even told her about my transmigration and explained that in the future world, there was someone exactly like her, still so outstanding, beautiful, and voluptuous…
"Then do you love me more… or love her more… Husband… do you think your concubine also transmigrated, but just forgot about the future world? Do you think after your concubine dies, she'll return to the future world… and then we'll be reunited again…"
"You won't die… you won't die… We'll grow old together! We'll stay together for life!"
"Mmm…"
Finally, Chang'an's city walls faintly appeared in the distance. Li Ying trembled slightly in my arms. She used every last bit of her strength to lift her head and gaze at the city walls, a flicker of light in her eyes: "Chang'an… I see Chang'an… Our home is inside."
My heart suddenly clenched, and I quickened my pace, rushing towards Chang'an. But just a short distance from the city walls, Li Ying's life came to an end. Her eyes gradually dimmed, and her body turned cold: "I… finally… came home…"
Her voice was as light as a feather in the wind, and then she was lifeless.
I felt the entire world collapse at that moment. Holding Li Ying's corpse, I cried out bitterly. Everything around me seemed to lose meaning; only she and I remained, in this place so close to Chang'an, enveloped by endless sorrow.
Memories surged into my heart like a tide. I recalled the moment of our wedding, the tender affection and sweet feelings beneath her red bridal attire, a grand red gown, as if an immortal fairy had descended to the mortal world. Her smile was as radiant as sunlight, instantly making me want to stay with her for life.
I carried her body back to the rear courtyard. At night, I would sit in the small courtyard, gazing at the bright moon in the sky. The bright moon remained the same, but Li Ying was no longer here. I thought of the starry sky we had watched together on our journey, those dazzling stars like our dreams and hopes. Li Ying had once pointed at the stars and made me swear that I would always love her, her eyes shimmering with a light that spoke of her reluctance to part from the future.
And now, I could only search for her shadow in my memories.
Suddenly, a man dressed in common clothes flew into the courtyard from outside. I was about to burst into anger, as I had ordered that not even a single mosquito be allowed into the rear courtyard.
But upon recognizing the newcomer, my expression first brightened, then turned sorrowful, and finally, I sank powerlessly to the ground: "Mister Sun… kid…"
"Hehe… Why are you so sad, young friend Wu? You weren't even this sad when this old man forced you to learn acupuncture back then."
I knew what Divine Physician Sun Simiao meant by his words. I was only 8 years old then, and he, as my teacher, made me practice acupuncture on my own acupoints. Although that was painful, it was ultimately just physical pain. The heartache of losing a loved one was far beyond comparison to that…
Sun Simiao seemed to know my thoughts and continued, "You fool, you have a way to save her, yet you don't use it. Are you going to wait until your young lady stiffens before you regret it? Is the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" just for decoration?"
Just as I was on the verge of despair, Divine Physician Sun Simiao's words struck me like a bolt from the blue.
Like a drowning person clutching at a last straw, I quickly said, "I do have the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon", but even though the medical text is here, the medicinal ingredients recorded in it are all legendary items. How can they save my wife?"
Sun Simiao smiled slightly, a smile that seemed to contain endless mysteries. He pulled out a box from his upper garment. Opening it, he revealed the very medicinal ingredients I had thought existed only in legends.
These medicinal ingredients emitted an unusual glow; each stalk seemed to possess a mysterious power. I was momentarily dazed. If these ingredients were in my future world, they would probably be priceless!
"These medicinal ingredients are what I've sought my entire life. Today, I hand them to you. Remember, every choice you make concerns the common people of the world. If you follow the predetermined path, the people will suffer hardship for another thousand years before they can be liberated!"
After Sun Simiao spoke, he handed me the medicinal ingredients.
I took the medicinal ingredients, my eyes filled with gratitude and determination: "Mister Sun, great kindness needs no verbal thanks. Wait for me for a day or two. Once I've saved my wife, from now on, you will be the life-saving benefactor of my wife and I! I will support you and care for you in your old age!"
Then, carrying the medicinal ingredients and the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon", I began the difficult process of saving Li Ying in our bridal chamber.
The text in the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" was ancient and obscure; every character seemed to contain the mysteries of heaven and earth. I meticulously studied it, processing each medicinal ingredient according to the methods recorded in the book. The process was like a solemn ceremony, allowing for not the slightest carelessness. I could almost feel those ancient wisdoms flowing through my hands into Li Ying's body, engaging in a desperate struggle with her fading life.
Time slowly slipped away in the tense atmosphere; every minute and second felt like an eternity. I focused completely on the treatment, my forehead covered in beads of sweat, and my heart rising and falling with each step. When I finally melted the last medicinal ingredient into the broth and fed it to Li Ying, my hands were trembling slightly.
During that long wait, I stayed by Li Ying's bedside, watching her intently. Her face was still pale, but I could almost feel a flicker of vitality slowly reviving within her. I tightly held her hand, as if to transmit my own strength to her. My mind was constantly replaying every little memory of us, those sweet smiles, gentle embraces, all becoming my belief to persevere in that moment.
After I don't know how long, Li Ying's finger moved slightly. At that moment, my heart almost stopped. I held my breath, staring at her unblinkingly. Then, her eyelids trembled lightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. In those familiar eyes, light shone once again, like the breaking dawn piercing through the darkness.
"Madam, you're awake!"
My voice carried uncontrollable excitement and joy, and tears gushed out.
Li Ying looked at me, her eyes full of confusion and weakness, but when she saw my tear-streaked face, she seemed to understand everything. The corners of her mouth curved slightly upward; she wanted to speak but couldn't due to weakness. I gently embraced her, feeling her body temperature. In that moment, I felt as if I owned the entire world.
...
One month later…
"Come, Madam, have an orange…"
Li Ying lay in a rocking chair, leisurely basking in the winter sun. Li Ying's body was still very weak; due to almost complete loss of her life essence, she was like a bottomless pit absorbing "life essence" during her treatment. The life essence from the child in her womb was consequently replenished to her body, which ultimately saved her.
This meant the child in Li Ying's womb was gone, but the Black Tribe's mark remained, and an additional "soul ring" had appeared.
I attended to her by her side, holding fruit in one hand and feeding her with the other.
"So sweet. Is husband not going to see patients or teach today? You've been lounging at home for quite a while."
"No need. Everything that needed teaching has been taught. Many medical halls have been opened, and many intern doctors are seeing patients there. The cost of medicine is within what the common people can afford, almost the lowest in all of Chang'an City. Your humble husband isn't planning to do anything in the imperial court anymore. The current Emperor is a wise ruler; I just need to have the Crown Prince bring my inventions to him every month…"
I rambled on, as if I had endless things to say.
"Alright! Alright! Your concubine has heard it eight hundred times already!"
At this moment, Lin'er came in from the outer courtyard and said, "Husband, your friend Li Erlang is here."
"Finally," I sighed inwardly.
As Li Erlang entered with a smile, I knelt before him, forehead touching the ground. I could feel his condescending gaze.
He frowned slightly, seeming surprised by my action, but quickly regained his composure.
"Brother Wu, what are you doing? Get up quickly," Li Erlang said.
I slowly rose, looking into his eyes. "Your Majesty, this commoner was unaware of your true identity and committed many offenses before."
He appeared surprised. "Oh? How did you guess?"
"As expected…" I sighed inwardly, then said with a helpless expression, "Your Majesty, you borrowed quite a few soldiers from me, not only entering the city with ease but also being entertained by the local Prefect. Under normal circumstances, you would have been arrested as a rebel army long ago… Your subject isn't foolish…"
Li Erlang laughed loudly upon hearing this, then patted my shoulder and said, "Hahahahaha!!! Wu Tao, oh Wu Tao… Now that the truth is clear, do you recognize me as your Emperor, or accept me as your friend?"
After a moment of hesitation, I smiled and said, "Within the Wu Manor, I treat you as a brother. Outside the Wu Manor, you are the Son of Heaven."
"Good!! Hahahaha! Come, let us two brothers drink to our heart's content today!"
It was clear that Li Shimin was truly happy today, and genuinely regarded me as a friend. Today, he hadn't brought a single guard…
At the table, Li Shimin gave me a stack of banknotes. I didn't even need to look at the numbers to know it was an amount I couldn't spend.
"Wu Tao, I, your elder brother, am truly happy today. The 'Steam Engine' you mentioned earlier has been successfully researched by the Sixth Imperial Prince. Once it's officially put into use, it will greatly enhance the national power of our Great Tang! I truly don't know how to reward you! You truly are a lucky star sent by heaven to me!"
I took a sip and said, "Just hide my name and release it to the common people for free. I don't seek fame, only for the people of the world to live in peace and contentment, and for the nation to be prosperous. Brother Li, you are a benevolent and renowned ruler, and your good name will surely live on for generations. That is why I feel at ease entrusting these things to you."
Li Shimin laughed heartily. "What a wonderful idea: people living in peace and contentment, and a prosperous nation. I, your elder brother, truly didn't misjudge you. However, you don't seek fame, but you didn't say you don't seek profit. How about this: I betroth my eldest daughter, Li Lanxin, to you?"
Huh?
How could that be? My household is already overwhelmed…
But upon hearing my refusal, Li Shimin's gaze turned stern. "What? Are you looking down on my daughter?"
I showed a troubled expression, unsure what to do.
Seeing my dilemma, Li Shimin's expression softened slightly as he advised, "I, your elder brother, know you dislike the imperial court, but you hold vast wealth. Without backing, you would surely be a piece of fat meat. The current Great Tang is very different from the world in your stories. Although that is also my dream world, it's impossible to achieve in a short time. So, after Li Lanxin marries you, she will be able to protect you…"
"I… sigh…"
It wasn't that I disliked the Princess Royal; it was that I was thinking of my own fetish, making it hard to speak. I could only sigh.
Li Shimin seemed to know what I was thinking. "I know all about your affairs. As long as you don't publicize them, I won't pursue it. Moreover, compared to everyone else, Lanxin is the most suitable to marry you. Do not speak further on this matter; this is my command. If you disobey, it will be an act of defiance."
Although Li Shimin was approachable, he was still the high and mighty Emperor. What he decided could never be changed. Besides protecting me, Li Shimin also wanted to firmly tie me into his Li family…
I knew I had no room for refusal, so I bowed in gratitude to His Majesty.
After three rounds of drinks, Li Shimin suddenly said, "Do you know there's a Black Adoration Club in my Chang'an City? Its leader calls himself the Black Emperor!"
...