Chapter 107: Decision

From Dong Prefecture to Xianyang it took a full half month, yet the men under him returned with only a tiny pinch of celestial-star fragments.
Gazing at that small dusting of fragments, Yang Wenhao fell into thought.

The Elixir of Immortality was something he was determined to obtain, but the quantity made him hesitate. He did not know how many doses could be made from so little, yet he was certain it would not be many. This was a thing that defied heaven itself; too much of it could only invite heaven’s punishment.

Once back in Xianyang, Yang Wenhao returned to the palace and reported in with the fragments in hand. After leaving, he hastened to his own residence. As expected, Elder Lü, Lady Lü Zhi, and Lü Su had already reached Xianyang. At that time, he had not yet returned, so they had only waited there.

Now that he was home, Yang Wenhao began arranging matters for Lü Gong’s family. The preparations were all already made, so there was little trouble. In only a few days, everything was ready.

That day, while he was a guest in Elder Lü’s house, an attendant came to whisper in his ear. Yang Wenhao then rose and bowed: “Elder Lü, I still have some business to handle. I will take my leave for now.”
Elder Lü nodded slightly. “Go carefully, Master Yang.”

Back at his own residence, Yang Wenhao found Li Lingyun, exhausted from travel and covered in dust. The search these past days had been a trial for her; the hint of pride that still lingered in that lively girl had all but been worn down.

“Master, Yuner is back,” Li Lingyun said, and her small crimson lips smiled.

“Mm. Where is Cui Wenzi?” Yang Wenhao asked.

At once, Li Lingyun frowned. “Master, you don’t ask after Yuner at all, but you worry about that old man. Yuner feels hurt.”

Yang Wenhao said, “All right, all right. Once I finish my business, ask for anything you want and I’ll grant it.”

“All right. Then we are settled.” Li Lingyun gave her quick, mischievous smile.

After that, Yang Wenhao went to see Cui Wenzi.

Cui Wenzi had wandered all nine provinces as a physician, carrying his medicinal cauldron and saving lives; Li Lingyun had spent considerable effort to find him.

“Master Cui,” Yang Wenhao said, bowing.

“Master Yang, why did you send for me in such haste?” Cui Wenzi asked.

Yang Wenhao handed over the star fragments. “I heard you are developing a rare medicine and are missing one crucial ingredient, so I came to bring it to you.”
Cui Wenzi glanced at it and was genuinely stunned. “Is this… celestial-star powder?”

“Your insight is sharp, as always,” Yang Wenhao smiled. “His Majesty ordered me to go to the fallen star. I thought some residue might cling to it, so I had people gather it. Meeting you today, I am giving it to you.”

After a moment, Cui Wenzi set down the little vial in his hand and looked at Yang Wenhao. “You are so young, Master Yang. You should not be in need of such medicine.”

Cui Wenzi was no fool; he knew exactly what Yang sought. If Yang had not made his meaning clear enough, he might as well have given up living these many years.

Yang Wenhao smiled faintly. “You do not know all of it. In truth, I need this badly, and there is no easy alternative.”

He truly did need the Elixir of Immortality. He had been in this world for years, and he already felt a weakening in himself. His appearance now seemed no more than that of a very young boy. Though advancing in cultivation could hold back his outward growth, each increase in attainment had to come step by step; too rapid a rise would make his foundation unstable. So this elixir had become his foremost choice. Across the ages it kept one’s looks unchanged and warded off grave diseases—one can only imagine how powerful it must be.

At last Cui Wenzi nodded. “I understand. If I can refine it, I will certainly send it to you.”

“Then I shall leave it to you,” Yang Wenhao said.

After Cui Wenzi departed, Li Lingyun came in.
“Master, that old man is gone. Are we not sending someone to follow him?” she asked.

Yang Wenhao shot her a sharp glance. “You call him ‘old man’ without the least respect? I call him Master; have you forgotten what I’ve told you?”

“Yes, Yuner remembers,” Li Lingyun said. “If one meets someone weaker, one may ignore them. If one meets someone stronger, one must address them as a senior.”

Even so, the next thing she said left Yang Wenhao rubbing his forehead: “Isn’t that what you always mean, Master?”

“Then punish yourself,” he said. “One hundred rounds of sword practice. No meal until then.”

Li Lingyun understood he was angry and did not dare provoke him. She obediently went to practice.

One day Yang Wenhao was drinking tea in the courtyard when someone hurried in.

“Forgive me, Your Highness Fusu, that I failed to receive you properly,” the man said in a low formal tone.

It was none other than Prince Fusu himself.

He entered in a rush, bowed deeply, and said, “General Yang, I beg you—please save the Hall of the Worthy.”

Yang Wenhao did not answer at once; he simply kept drinking his tea. Seeing no reaction, Fusu grew more anxious and repeated, “General Yang!”

Yang Wenhao interrupted him. “Prince Fusu, I understand your request. But tell me one thing: if your answer satisfies me, I will help you.”

“Please, General Yang.”

“Half a year ago, when I spoke to you then, did you understand what I meant?”

Fusu fell silent at those words. He was brilliant and deeply learned, so he understood every meaning in what Yang had said that day, yet he still had not done what it required.

Yang Wenhao set down his teacup. “To speak plainly, you should know the Son of Heaven has little time left. Not long ago, if I had not interceded, you might not have seen me again.”

“At this moment, I thank you, General Yang,” Fusu replied. He knew well that Yang had helped him from time to time; had it not been for his reputation and control over Xianyang’s troops, those men might even have moved against him. Of course, there were other reasons too, which could be left unspoken.

After a long silence, Prince Fusu finally said, “If it is for the peace of the realm’s common people, I am willing.”

“Good,” Yang Wenhao clapped his hands at once. “I have been waiting for that answer from you.”

Yet there was no joy in Fusu’s face.

“Then wait for my message. When the time comes, you need not bear the blame. I will carry it myself.”

As for fame and blame, Yang Wenhao had never cared for such things. He had no desire to waste more time.