Volume Two: Travels in the State of Qi, Chapter 131: Black Mist Again

Within the Emperor of Qi’s golden spiritual energy, there lingered a faint, elusive wisp of black mist. It was identical to the dark aura associated with the Yin Spirit Sect and the Ghost Saint.

Wu Hong was deep in thought, searching for a countermeasure. This black mist had intertwined with the Emperor’s spiritual energy; attempting to forcefully strip it away would not only severely diminish the Emperor’s strength but could potentially damage his very foundation. More importantly, he did not truly understand this darkness and dared not act rashly.

Seeing Zhang Heng rush forward and grab the Emperor, Qi Sisi and Qi Xuan hurriedly pulled him away.

Wu Hong spoke up urgently, "Your Majesty, I cannot cure this affliction, but Zhang Heng can."

"You cannot cure it, but Zhang Heng can?" the Emperor asked, incredulous.

"Yes," Wu Hong replied with firm conviction.

Zhang Heng had once claimed to have saved one hundred thousand ordinary people infected by this black mist. Surely, saving the Emperor of Qi would not be too difficult.

Qi Xuan added, "That’s right, Father. Brother Zhang will certainly be able to heal you."

He remembered the ancient tomb of the Heaven-Origin Realm master, where they had been persecuted by a similar mass of black mist. Later, Zhang Heng had used his own power to suppress it and save them all. It was exactly the same as the mist within his father.

Hearing the confident words of Wu Hong and Qi Xuan, Qi Sisi and the Emperor set aside their doubts.

"Zhang Heng, I beg you, please save my father," Qi Sisi pleaded.

"I leave it to you, young brother," the Emperor added. As the ruler of the Qi Kingdom, his health was paramount; should he fall, the realm would surely descend into chaos.

Zhang Heng stepped forward to observe closely, and the others dared not interrupt.

"Your Majesty, have you experienced anything particularly strange recently?" Zhang Heng asked. He needed to determine how the Emperor had been infected.

"Strange occurrences?" The Emperor pondered for a moment before speaking. "Two months ago, something odd happened. An assassin of the Heaven-Origin Realm broke into my sleeping quarters."

"What?" Qi Xuan and Qi Sisi exclaimed in shock.

"Father, were you injured?"

It was unthinkable that a sovereign of a nation could be assassinated without anyone else even being aware of it.

"Rest assured, I am fine. The assassin was no match for me. After a few exchanges, he detonated himself and died. I found it strange at the time, as his strength was comparable to mine and he could have easily escaped. Now I understand. He was riddled with this black mist, and I came into contact with it when he detonated. He intended to harm me."

The Emperor began to cough uncontrollably again.

The Yin Spirit Sect had truly gone to great lengths, discarding a Heaven-Origin Realm expert without a second thought.

Zhang Heng was puzzled. Why go to such lengths to poison the Emperor? What was the connection between the Yin Spirit Sect and this black mist? And why did this darkness involve entities from a thousand years ago? Zhang Heng had the distinct feeling that someone was orchestrating a grand scheme, and he had been inadvertently drawn into it.

"Father, Father, are you alright?" Qi Sisi cried out in panic. "Zhang Heng, please, save my father!"

"Young Zhang, I have never encountered this kind of black mist and don't know how to treat it. I leave the Emperor's health in your hands. Do not let us down." Wu Hong winked at Zhang Heng as he spoke.

Zhang Heng understood perfectly. The man before him was the Emperor of Qi, one of the seven ancient kingdoms of the cultivation world. If he saved the Emperor’s life, he would certainly secure a valuable ally. Although the Emperor was only at the first stage of the Yuan Dan Realm, he was still a monarch and possessed the formidable artifact known as the Qingtong Mirror. His support would surely aid Zhang Heng’s growth.

Zhang Heng patted his chest, assuring him, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I am familiar with this substance. I will definitely be able to cure your condition."

This was a golden opportunity to align himself with a powerful figure—it would be a waste not to take it.

"Thank you, Zhang Heng."

"Brother Zhang, many thanks."

"Young friend Zhang, I leave it to you."

Seeing Zhang Heng’s confidence, the Qi family finally felt at ease. Zhang Heng remained calm; even if he wasn't sure if his own blood could save the Emperor, his omniscient system would surely have a way.

However, just as Zhang Heng was about to act, the cold voice of the system rang out in his mind:

*Ding. It is advised that the host does not cure Qi Huaimin at this moment.*

Zhang Heng stopped immediately. *Cannot save him? Why? Is he a tyrant?* Zhang Heng trusted the system implicitly; if it said he couldn't save him, there must be a reason.

*Ding. It is not that he cannot be saved, but that he cannot be saved yet. As for the reason, the system cannot disclose it to the host at this time.*

Zhang Heng felt helpless. The system was the boss; it spoke when it wanted and kept silent when it didn't. It was fine for the system, but Zhang Heng was left in a very awkward position.

"What is it, Brother Zhang?"

"Zhang Heng, why are you staring blankly?"

Seeing Zhang Heng standing still and hesitating to act, the group grew suspicious.

*Damn it,* Zhang Heng thought. *I shouldn't have made such big promises earlier. What do I do now?*

"Young friend Zhang, is there a problem?" The Emperor stood up.

Facing their anxious gazes, Zhang Heng had to force himself to concoct an excuse. "Your Majesty, with your level of strength, this black mist shouldn't be affecting you for the time being, should it?"

Qi Sisi grew frantic. "Zhang Heng, why are you asking such things? Hurry and act, my father is about to—"

She suddenly realized what she was saying and stopped. The others looked at her with dark expressions. It was just an infection, surely it wasn't that dire?

"Although this black mist is domineering, I am still able to suppress it for now," the Emperor replied. As a ruler, he was confident he could hold out for a while longer.

"That is good," Zhang Heng said, relieved. He then explained, "Your Majesty, the black mist within you is no trivial matter. I must make full preparations before I can treat you. If I act rashly now, I fear it will be counterproductive."

Although Wu Hong didn't know what Zhang Heng was thinking, he stepped in to smooth things over. "Your Majesty, young Zhang is right. The black mist has fused with your spiritual energy. To act now without absolute certainty could fail, and not only would it affect your strength, it could even endanger your life. It is better to be cautious."

As a fifth-grade alchemist, Wu Hong’s words carried weight.

"But will my father be alright?" Qi Sisi asked. The black mist was terrifying; the longer it remained in his body, the more dangerous it must be.

"Sisi, your father is a Heaven-Origin Realm expert. Do you not trust him?"

Wu Hong added firmly, "Your Majesty, I trust Zhang Heng." With that, the others said no more. They knew nothing of these matters and relied entirely on Wu Hong, so they believed whatever he said.

"Your Majesty, I shall go and prepare. Please, get some rest." Zhang Heng bowed slightly and turned to leave.

As he reached the door, he looked back and promised solemnly, "Everyone, rest assured. Before long, I will surely eradicate that black mist."

Once outside, Zhang Heng felt a headache coming on. What exactly was this black mist? To involve the ruler of an ancient kingdom that had survived for millennia—if he didn't uncover the truth soon, it might lead to a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

*I should ask the system,* he thought, quickening his pace.

"Brother Zhang, wait a moment," Qi Xuan called out, chasing after him.