Chapter 962 - 967, - 968: Treating the Leg, Learning About the Immortal Island (Part 2)

Chen Mo already had his mind set on this matter and said, "Where is he now?"

"Right in the Capital."

"Have someone bring him to see me."

"Yes."

As Geng Songfu left, hand in hand, Chen Mo watched him walk with a limp.

Chen Mo almost forgot – when they first met, Geng Songfu was already limping and had said it was an old injury that couldn’t heal. Moreover, before meeting Nalan Yiren, he had found many doctors for Geng Songfu, but indeed, no one could cure it, so Chen Mo never gave it much thought.

Thinking back now, Chen Mo truly felt guilty. While other doctors were helpless, perhaps Yiren might succeed, as he hadn’t yet asked Yiren to examine Geng Songfu.

"Geng Qing," Chen Mo called out to him.

"Does Your Majesty have additional instructions for me?"

Chen Mo shook his head with a smile and said, "I’ll talk to you later. Please wait here for a moment."

Chen Mo called Jia Yin to bring Yiren over.

When Nalan Yiren arrived, and Geng Songfu learned that Her Majesty wanted Lady Yufei to examine his leg, he felt instantly terrified and declined, saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister is unworthy of making Lady Yufei tend to such an incurable old leg."

"Geng Qing, what are you saying? You have made great contributions to the nation, to me, and to the people. I feel guilty for not asking Lady Yufei to look at your leg sooner." Chen Mo had developed to where he was today largely because of Geng Songfu’s contributions. Simply asking Nalan Yiren to examine his leg was nothing significant.

"Lord Geng, please have a seat," Nalan Yiren said.

"Please do not trouble yourself, Lady," Geng Songfu said, rolling up his pant leg.

Nalan Yiren glanced at his leg, then touched the limping area through a cloth. She already had the answer in mind: "Your Majesty, those doctors weren’t entirely wrong. It’s already healed solid; they said it couldn’t be cured because they weren’t confident they could fully restore Lord Geng’s leg."

"Can it be healed?" Chen Mo asked.

"It’s not difficult," replied Nalan Yiren.

Geng Songfu trembled at these words; he hadn’t expected that, in old age, he could have a normal leg like everyone else.

Nalan Yiren explained, "I said those doctors weren’t confident because his leg has healed solidly. It needs to be broken and the bones reconnected and fixed. Once it heals again, it will be fine. However, since Lord Geng is old, his recovery strength is not like a young person’s, so the doctors lack assurance whether he can heal again. After all, if the recovery fails, the leg wouldn’t just remain limp – it would be rendered useless.

But I have the confidence; it only requires breaking and fixing, then applying my specially made ointment."

"Hiss..."

Geng Songfu felt the pain upon hearing those words and said, "Your Majesty, Lady, actually, being limp is quite alright."

"Lord Geng, you need not fear. As long as you take my specially made Anesthetic Powder, you won’t feel a hint of pain during the process. In less than half a month, it will be fully healed," Nalan Yiren said confidently.

Geng Songfu wanted to speak further, but Chen Mo had already decided: "Then I’ll trouble Yiren. Once Geng Qing finishes his tasks, find a time to treat the leg."

Nalan Yiren nodded; it was just a small task for her.

"Thank You, Your Majesty, Thank You, Lady Yufei."

Chen Mo waved his hand.

...

Afterward, Chen Mo met with Wu Changlin.

"Immortal Island?" Upon hearing what Wu Changlin had to report, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

Wu Changlin nodded.

The Nangong Family was actively and boldly searching for Immortal Island in the sea regions of the Ancient Luo Kingdom, and so many had died. How could there be no leaks at all?

Through intentional investigation, Wu Changlin naturally learned a few things.

"Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Zhang Feng of the Nangong Family bought an Immortal Fruit from a commoner of the Ancient Luo Kingdom, which was obtained from Immortal Island." Wu Changlin speculated, "To my understanding, the matter of the Immortal Fruit is likely true, and the Nangong Family gained substantial benefits from it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t expend such manpower and resources searching for a seemingly non-existent Immortal Island; it’s very likely that Immortal Island truly exists."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was immediately intrigued.

The affairs of the Golden Xia Blood God Seal made him feel there must be beings stronger than the Celestial Human Realm, as the Blood God Seal could not be something created by the Celestial Human Realm, but Chen Mo hadn’t uncovered it yet.

Now, hearing about the Immortal Fruit and Immortal Island, it might yield insight into the unknown face of the world.

He asked, "With just this, you determine the matter of the Immortal Fruit and Immortal Island to be real?"

"In response to Your Majesty, initially, I was uncertain, but after sending someone to investigate, I learned that the commoner from the Ancient Luo Kingdom who sold the Immortal Fruit had died, along with their entire family of six. It’s evidently not a coincidence; someone is silencing them. If it’s untrue, why would the perpetrator disguise the truth?" Wu Changlin replied.

"This is all mere hearsay – do you have any tangible evidence?"

"Currently, no. Moreover, I suspect that those I planted or bought into the Nangong Family have been either controlled or killed by them; it’s been quite some time since I’ve heard from them," Wu Changlin shook his head and sighed.

"Nangong Jin..." Chen Mo frowned, "If I recall correctly, last time he didn’t come to the Capital due to illness. It seems I’ll have to devise a way to summon him here and test him."

"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

"Speak."

"Your Majesty, perhaps we could... like this..."

...

Mid-June.

River Sea, Chaoping County, Nangong Family.

"The Court wants me to go to the Capital and serve as an official." Nangong Jin looked at the appointment document from the Ministry of Personnel, delivered via various postal stations, and furrowed his brows.

"Why, out of the blue, does the Court suddenly want you to serve in the Capital as an official?" Zhang Clan also found this peculiar.

"The Court’s intention is that here at the Maritime Trade Bureau, I have made contributions, and contributions deserve rewards," Nangong Jin explained. "Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel selected me as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Selection and Purification, which is a Standard Fifth Grade official position."

"But why go to the Capital? Why not just reward you with silver?" Zhang Clan commented.

"Indeed, this seems off. The Court has transferred that fellow Wu back, replacing him with a Lower Class individual – who knows their intentions?" Suddenly considering something, Nangong Jin frowned, "At this time, Wu Changlin has undoubtedly reached the Capital. Perhaps he’s reported something to His Majesty, which is why I’m being called to the Capital."

"Do you mean to say that Wu has spoken ill of us?" Zhang Clan’s face changed.

"It’s likely," Nangong Jin was concerned about more than that.

"Should you go to the Capital?"

"I cannot. I have to send a letter to refuse this appointment."

...

Early July.

Nalan Yiren was startled; when she visited Si Song today, he suddenly fainted after saying a few words.

Nalan Yiren examined him; he was already at the end of his strength.

She could only find Chen Mo and use some century-old herbs, combined with her current blood, to forcibly prolong Si Song’s life and wake him up.

But she knew it was temporary; for Si Song to improve, the fourth metamorphosis of the Taotie Gu must succeed.

Considering the forced life extension just now, the success of the Taotie Gu’s fourth metamorphosis might indeed save Si Song.

To hasten the Taotie Gu’s completion of the metamorphosis.

As long as the Taotie Gu was not in a dormant state, Nalan Yiren spent every available moment with Chen Mo, causing a huge change in the harem concubines’ impression of her.

Once, she even encouraged Chen Mo to run a red light.

Upon finding out, Chen Mo scolded her harshly.

Entering mid-July.

The Ministry of Personnel delivered Nangong Jin’s letter to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo read the rejection words on the letter.

Claims of advanced age and lack of ability made Chen Mo believe Nangong Jin had something to hide.

This aligned with the intention behind Wu Changlin’s suggestion.

It was to test Nangong Jin.

To see if he was guilty or nervous.

Now, it seems, the test worked.