World's First Traitor System (419)

Chapter 419 - Dragon Seed

With Li Yu's death, the Southern Tang Dynasty fell.

Great Chu reclaimed Xiongzhou, and Great Ming secured Hongzhou.

Empress Yao Guang and Emperor Jiajing once again stood as the undisputed powerhouses of the mortal realm.

It was widely believed that the ninth rank of the Great Vehicle realm was the pinnacle of mortal cultivation, but not for Yao Guang and Jiajing. Rumors circulated that both Shi Jingtang and Li Yu, before their deaths, had employed Pangu's Giant Body, channeling the destiny of a province to resist their powerful foes, yet still met their demise. Even more terrifying, neither Yao Guang nor Jiajing seemed to have needed such a technique.

Within the Chao Ge Palace of Great Ci, Sage Ruler Jin De reported, "Elder Sister, in this battle, our Great Ci forces suffered over seventy thousand casualties, and the loss of weapons, armor, and elixirs, etc, is immeasurable." She paused, then detailed the specific figures.

"We won, yet suffered over seventy thousand casualties?" Sage Ruler Miaoyin frowned.

Yao Guang smiled faintly.

"Great Ci stands alone in raising an army of two hundred thousand women. This was their first battle. I also intended it as a training exercise."

"Seventy thousand casualties in exchange for the complete annihilation of Shi Jingtang's one hundred thousand troops is acceptable."

"News of the victory at Xiongzhou will spread, and more exceptional women will flock to Great Ci, replenishing our ranks. Great Ci is on the rise. To sweep across the world, we need a battle-hardened army."

Miaoyin's eyes widened in understanding. "Elder Sister's foresight is admirable!"

Yao Guang's spirits were high. This battle had also yielded an unexpected prize: a relic of Shi Jingtang, an item from the immortal realm.

"Jin De, Miaoyin! Go to Great Chu and purchase high-grade elixirs, spirit treasures, weapons, and armor to replenish Great Ci's treasury. Spend every last Baochao and Lingshi Quan I've given you!"

The two Sage Rulers' eyes lit up. Shopping was a deeply ingrained feminine pleasure, and even Sage Rulers were not immune.

"Elder Sister," Jin De said, licking her lips in anticipation, "with Baochao and Lingshi Quan equivalent to five years of Great Chu's taxes, we can buy out every shop in the kingdom!"

"Will Fan Li agree to this?"

Empress Yao Guang smiled coldly.

"I recall a motto of the Fan Clan Trading Company, supposedly coined by Fan Li himself."

"'Free trade is sacred and inviolable.'"

"Surely Fan Li wouldn't go back on his own words?"

…

Within the Dragon God Palace of Peng City, Fan Li finally welcomed Master Yusheng.

"Your servant, Imperial Physician Yusheng, greets Your Majesty!"

As Yusheng prepared to kneel, Fan Li stopped him.

"This is Great Chu. There's no need for court formalities."

Wu Gang remained unconscious on the bed. Fan Li's anxiety was evident as he invited Yusheng to examine her.

"Hmm..." Yusheng took Wu Gang's pulse with one hand, stroking his beard with the other, his demeanor thoughtful, unlike Fan Li's apprehension.

"How is she?" Fan Li asked impatiently.

Yusheng withdrew his hand, his expression confident. "Lady Wu Gang's spiritual energy is robust, her blood flow unimpeded, her heart strong. She seems to be in no danger."

"Your Majesty must have already administered high-grade elixis. Combined with her dragon constitution, her injuries have likely healed."

Fan Li was overjoyed, but then confusion clouded his features. If she was healed, why did she remain unconscious?

"Your Majesty," Yusheng continued, "I believe Lady Wu Gang's slumber is not due to her injuries, but another reason."

"What reason?" Fan Li asked urgently. "Is there a cure?"

"Hmm..."

Master Yusheng, old and shrewd, carefully considered his words. Wu Gang's situation, coupled with his position as Imperial Physician, demanded caution.

"Hehe. Your Majesty, do not worry. I will first prescribe a remedy for Lady Wu Gang. Even if it doesn't awaken her immediately, it will restore her health."

Fan Li felt this was a reasonable approach, but sensed the old physician was holding something back. However, as Yusheng began meticulously writing the prescription, Fan Li refrained from pressing him.

"Your Majesty, simply follow this prescription, brew the medicine, and have Lady Wu Gang take a dose daily. It will only benefit her."

Fan Li took the prescription, scanning the ingredients.

"Purple perilla, skullcap, white atractylodes, Eucommia, ramie root..."

A long list of medicinal herbs. Fan Li was a learned man, having read thousands of books. While his medical knowledge was limited, he wasn't entirely ignorant. These herbs, combined in this manner, seemed familiar.

Then, it struck him. He had seen a similar prescription in a medical text titled Essentials of Gynecology - Prenatal Care.

"Master Yusheng, is this a... prenatal tonic?!" Fan Li exclaimed.

"Indeed!" Yusheng replied, surprised. "Your Majesty is truly erudite. This is a secret prenatal prescription from the Qin Dynasty's imperial harem."

Fan Li was stunned. Was the old physician implying that Wu Gang was pregnant?!

…

Three days later, having learned the art of brewing medicine from Master Yusheng, Fan Li prepared the tonic himself.

Wu Gang's identity – a Great Vehicle realm dragon – was too sensitive. If news of her pregnancy spread, it might attract those who would seek to steal the dragon offspring. Neither Fan Li nor Yusheng could predict when she would give birth.

"How could she be pregnant?" Fan Li muttered.

The only explanation was the three missing dragon souls.

The Dragon God Palace held hundreds of varieties of rare herbs, most used as decoys to prevent anyone from discerning the true prescription. Only twenty or so were actually for Wu Gang.

Ding!

"Xiang Ning is requesting a video call. Accept?"

Without thinking, Fan Li accepted. He was cradling Wu Gang in his arms, gently feeding her the tonic.

"Fan Li, what are you doing? I miss you... what are you... are you doing?"

"Beast! You wouldn't even spare a female dragon?!" Xiang Ning's voice trembled, her finger pointing accusingly at Fan Li. Only she appeared on the screen; Han Yue was absent.

Fan Li froze, his mind momentarily blank. His actions were innocent; he couldn't grasp Xiang Ning's accusation.

Finally, he understood, his face darkening.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Wu Gang was injured in battle and remains unconscious. My relationship with Wu Gang, though master and servant in name, is like family."

"I am caring for her. Your Majesty shouldn't speak carelessly. Sullying my reputation is one thing, but Wu Gang is a virtuous woman."

Xiang Ning, unaccustomed to being reprimanded by Fan Li, felt a pang of guilt. Wu Gang's eyes were indeed closed, her sleep deep. Fan Li held a spoon in one hand, a bowl of medicine in the other. Had she truly misinterpreted the situation?

"I apologize, Fan Li. I spoke rashly. You are a true gentleman; please don't hold my words against me..." Xiang Ning lowered her head, like a child admitting a mistake.

Seeing her remorse, Fan Li softened. "Your Majesty's understanding is appreciated."

But as he spoke, the thin blanket covering Wu Gang slipped, revealing her simple attire and a distinctly protruding belly.

Though inexperienced in such matters, Xiang Ning instantly understood: pregnant!