NOVEL NEXT Chapter 381: Summoning_1
「The Imperial Capital!」
Upon returning from Cold River, Qin Wudao immediately went to the Imperial Study and summoned Li Bai and Zhang Zhongjing.
The serene Void was divided by two forces. On one side, shimmering azure Sword Qi flashed, and a green lotus condensed from Sword Qi hovered there. The other side was also enveloped by streams of azure Spiritual Energy, which transformed into countless kinds of spiritual medicines.
"Your servant, Li Bai, pays respect to Your Majesty!"
A figure garbed in white robes, seven feet tall, with a headband and a jade sash around his waist, moved through the Void and respectfully saluted. His eyes were bright and clear, incredibly captivating, as if he had strode out of a historical poem. Wine fueled his heroic spirit, manifesting as three parts Sword Qi and an aura of moonlight. From his refined mouth, a single verse could describe half a flourishing age. His countless Sword Qi swirled around him, seemingly suffused with the scent of wine. His temperament was transcendent, like a green lotus emerging from mud yet remaining unstained.
No wonder he's called an Immortal walking amongst mortals! Qin Wudao thought as he looked at Li Bai, as if seeing an Immortal treading the mortal realm.
"Your servant, Zhang Zhongjing, pays respect to Your Majesty!"
Another voice echoed. Zhang Zhongjing, adorned in gray robes, stepped out from amidst numerous medicinal herbs and offered a respectful salute. His temperament was ordinary, emanating a medicinal scent. He was a bastion of virtue, dedicated to saving myriad lives, and the power of merit that surrounded him inexplicably soothed people's minds. This was a pure practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, possessing a unique temperament.
"Both of you, please rise!" Qin Wudao extended his hand to help them up, his face full of smiles.
Name: Li Bai!
Cultivation: Great Emperor Realm of the Ancient Times
Cultivation Technique: Chaos Green Lotus Sutra
Physique: Mystical Yellow Green Lotus Body
Introduction: Known as Taibai, the Hermit of Green Lotus, or the "Banished Immortal." A great romantic poet of the Tang Dynasty, lauded as the "Immortal of Poetry" by later generations. He is also proficient in swordsmanship.
...
Name: Zhang Zhongjing!
Cultivation: Quasi-emperor Realm
Cultivation Technique: Heavenly Doctor Heart Sutra
Introduction: A renowned doctor from the end of the Eastern Han period, respectfully called the "Saint of Medicine" by future generations. He wrote the "Treatise on Cold-Induced Disorders and Miscellaneous Diseases," establishing the principle of "syndrome differentiation and treatment"—the basic principle of TCM clinical practice and the very soul of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
...
After reviewing the information about the two, Qin Wudao was somewhat shocked. Li Bai's cultivation had astonishingly reached the Great Emperor Realm of the Ancient Times. He also possessed the Mystical Yellow Green Lotus Body. From his understanding, this was a special physique from before ancient times. Affected by the evolution of heaven and earth, it had evolved into the 38th-ranked Mystical Yellow Body and the 71st-ranked Green Lotus Body. A singular physique had evolved into two special physiques, both ranked in the top hundred. This demonstrated the formidable nature of the Mystical Yellow Green Lotus Body. Although not as profound as the Chaos Divine Body, it was definitely stronger than the Spatial-Temporal Divine Body.
"Taibai, do you bear any Curse of the Great Dao?" Qin Wudao asked with worry. He couldn't help it; Li Bai's attributes were even more formidable than Guo Jia's, which concerned him.
"Your Majesty, I possess the Mystical Yellow Green Lotus Body. The Heavenly Dao is lofty and the Earthly Dao profound; even the Great Dao itself cannot curse me!" Li Bai replied with a salute.
"That's good to hear!" Qin Wudao sighed in relief. He then turned to Zhang Zhongjing and said, "In the Qin Dynasty, two officials suffered from the Curse of the Great Dao. I am appointing you as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Physician Institute. Please meet with the other two imperial physicians to discuss and formulate a treatment plan!"
Since the system stated that gathering Hua Tuo, Sun Simiao, and Zhang Zhongjing could cure the Curse of the Great Dao, he was completely assured. Now, they only needed to devise a diagnostic plan.
Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine differed from Alchemists, who could travel the world relying solely on medicinal pills. When TCM practitioners treated patients, they needed to prescribe medicine according to the symptoms. Besides pills, treatments also included dietary therapy, acupuncture, medicinal soups, and more. It was precisely because of these diverse treatment methods that practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine could heal many patients whom Alchemists had given up on.
"The Curse of the Great Dao? Let me give it a try!" Zhang Zhongjing's eyes lit up. If treating diseases were likened to overcoming difficult trials, then treating the Curse of the Great Dao would undoubtedly be the hardest. For countless years, many practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine had researched ways to break the Curse of the Great Dao, but none had succeeded. One person's energy is finite! To break the Curse of the Great Dao, collaboration among many was required.
"Dian Wei, take Imperial Physician Zhang to the Imperial Physician Institute!" Qin Wudao ordered gravely.
The palace door opened. Dian Wei, weapon in hand, walked in and made an inviting gesture to Zhang Zhongjing. "Imperial Physician Zhang, please come with me!"
"Your Majesty, then I shall take my leave!" Zhang Zhongjing saluted and followed Dian Wei out.
"Your Majesty, what can I do?" Li Bai asked, unable to contain himself. Besides his literary grace, he was somewhat of an enthusiast for officialdom. In his previous life, he had toiled fruitlessly, never managing to secure a high-ranking official post—a truly significant regret. In this life, he was determined to remedy that regret from his past and become an official who could bring order to the world.
Qin Wudao found this rather interesting. It was the first time he had encountered someone actively seeking duties. However, recalling Li Bai's introduction, it seemed quite normal.
"Taibai, what do you wish to do? But let me say this first: choose a role you are genuinely suited for!" Qin Wudao asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I want to be an official who upholds justice and pleads for the people!" Li Bai scratched his head, his face blushing slightly.
After hearing Li Bai's request, Qin Wudao pondered. He recalled a position that seemed a perfect fit. That was the Censor, who inspected the realm on behalf of the Emperor. According to the laws of the Qin Dynasty, the Censor was a third-rank official. Though not the highest in status, the Censor represented the imperial court and the Emperor, and was empowered to inspect all local officials. The Censor's duty was to patrol everywhere, which aligned with Li Bai's desire to uphold justice and plead for the common people.
"Taibai, in the Qin Dynasty, there's a third-rank official position called Censor. It involves traveling through the local prefectures and commanderies, inspecting governance, promoting or demoting based on competence, and adjudicating unjust cases. Are you willing to take on this responsibility?" Qin Wudao solicited his opinion.
He respected the personal wishes of the figures he summoned. Furthermore, given Li Bai's cultivation, even appointing him as a first-rank Imperial Messenger would be more than appropriate.
"Yes, yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Bai eagerly accepted the appointment, thoroughly pleased with the position of Censor. It felt as if it were tailor-made for him.
"Issue the decree! Appoint Li Bai as Censor, concurrently holding the position of second-rank Imperial Messenger, tasked with monitoring the localities. Let it be known!" Qin Wudao nodded and commanded in a loud voice.
Two beams of purple Fortune light shot down from the Sea of Fortune. One beam entered Li Bai's body, allowing him to enjoy the blessing of Fortune, which would enhance his cultivation and bring many other benefits. The other beam of Fortune light solidified into an official seal, which hung at Li Bai's waist, symbolizing his status as a court-appointed official.
"Your servant accepts the decree!" Li Bai quickly saluted, then said eagerly, "Your Majesty, then I shall depart to inspect the regions!"
"Go on!" Qin Wudao nodded his approval.
Having received permission, Li Bai took a step, transformed into a series of sword shadows, and vanished from the palace.
In the next instant, high in the sky outside the Imperial Capital, an azure sword-lotus appeared, rending the vast expanse.
"A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves; I'll set my cloud-white sail and cross the sea which raves!"
The heroic voice echoed between heaven and earth, reaching the ears of the world and offering endless inspiration. It implied that despite numerous obstacles, one should ride the wind and cleave the waves, hoist the cloud-like sails, cross the raging sea, and reach the shores of one's ideals.
Innumerable Martial Artists who had suffered setbacks and felt utterly lost couldn't help but clench their fists. In this poem, they found renewed confidence, courage, and strength.