Ode to Longevity

Chapter 6: People in the Drawing

Proofread by Yin Jing

"Minister Feng, I went to the meeting of four main countries some time ago and met his majesty of Snow Country. I also met the island owner of the seas of Gaya luckily and got a treasure which can help you break through barriers," says Murong Hao with a smile.

But the words of "four main countries" make nether officials' facial expressions change slightly. Nowadays the land is divided into four parts with four countries being overland while their Cloud Country is kind of puny and has been assigned to Snow Country and become its tributary.

Even so, Cloud Country has the right to speak. Every time when the meeting is held, the four main countries will allow Murong Hao to attend and discuss, which shows him enough respect.

But the next four words "the seas of Gaya" almost startle them to drop their chopsticks. Even dancing girls nearly step wrong and fall down.

Qingge narrows her eyes and whispers, "What is the seas of Gaya?"

"Shh, Miss, keep your voice down." Cuichun catches Qingge's clothes promptly, and whispers, "The seas of Gaya is a strong force which can rival Ghost Star Sect. They are both divine forces that we can't touch."

Oh? Qingge's eyes light up. She chuckles naturally, but she does have no idea of it.

Then she sees that a general walks forward quickly with a prepared gift on his hands. He bows down and says, "Sire, I successfully accomplish my mission and secure the treasure!"

"Fine. Open it." Murong Hao nods in relief.

Green glow shines out of the box, and then a fragrant smell spreads throughout Hall of First Rank.

Born keen to ingredients, Qingge is shocked. Sniffing the fragrance in air, she swallows subconsciously and mutters, "What a reckless waste of God's gifts! Inside are antler velvet, bears' paws and… Huh? There should be the most precious Purple Snow Lotus and... Hum, if stewed them with medlar, astragalus and pseudo-ginseng, it would be quite nutritious."

"What are you whispering, Missie?" Cuichun asks in wonder. Luckily, she doesn't hear what Qingge said to herself, or she must spit out blood with anger about this weird assertion.

The most agitated one must be Feng Lingyun who sits on the fauteuil. He suddenly opens his eyes real round and tries hard to control his emotion. He touches the edge of the box with that pair of old and dry hands and looks at the medicine pellet inside.

Feng Lingyun's body trembles. He says in shock, "The Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill!"

He supported Murong Yun in those days and fought a hard battle. His body was thus injured and his strength has remained stagnant since then. A Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill can help him break through it. How can he be not agitated?

"The Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill! The seas of Gaya are indeed generous."

"Only one pill can generate primordial spirit and help one rise to the Level of Earth."

"It smells so good. It must be the premier grade…"

Rustling sound keeps coming out but no one dares to do anything under the gaze of Murong Hao. Many people shift their eyes on the Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill, thinking about how to gain it.

"Minister Feng, you once fought for my sovereignty over the country but got injured and stay stagnant in your practice. I remember it all the time. Now I'd like to present the Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill to you!" With this, he stands up, fetches the Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill from the box and passes it to Feng Lingyun.

Feng Lingyun's face darkens. He dares not accept it but gets down on one knee right away, saying coldly, "Sire, how can I deserve such treatment. The Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill must not be wasted on me. I am old, and…"

"Minister Feng, receive the imperial edict!" Cold flash shines through Murong Hao's eyes. He bends down to hold Feng Lingyun up, and without a word, he stuffs the pill into his mouth.

Feng Lingyun doesn't even have a chance to resist it but gulp it down. He practices his astral power and suppresses its efficacy compulsorily.

Taking the drawing paper from his bosom conveniently, Murong Hao unfolds it and murmurs, "Cloud Country can't be without the Fengs and I cannot be without you. This time the four main countries receive an order from the seas of Gaya. I think only the Fengs have the ability to find the person in the drawing!"

Chuckling, Qingge just smiles indifferently. After all, taking others' stuff means having to work for them. The emperor is really sly. He should come up with such an idea to make Feng Lingyun work for him.

Since you have eaten the Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill, you can't bring it up and give it back.

Act first and reports afterwards. He's really something.

But after Qingge glances over the drawing, her facial expression gets a sudden change and her black pupils can't help shrinking. That is…

In the drawing, the woman in white stands up with a sword, her long hair covering the shoulders. Every twinkle and smile, even the aloof look, is surprisingly like the Qingge in her previous life.

How, how could that be! Why do they have her portrayal? Gazing at the picture in amazement, Qingge can't help but frown. Being observant, she finds that the woman seems to wear a slotted ring of jade on her neck. But the picture only shows a little. Before she could see it clearly, Murong Hao takes it back.

"This time the island owner of the seas of Gaya has employed one third of his force to search for the woman in the picture. King of Snow Country is deeply troubled. If we can solve the problem for him, the Cloud Country will raise again. Besides, with the appreciation of the seas of Gaya, our Cloud Country would break away from Snow Country sooner or later and become a dominant power!"

Murong Hao passes the drawing to Feng Lingyun swiftly, and says with a laughter, "Minister Feng, you will never let me down. Last time I feasted delicacies of every kind in Hall of First Rank, and the roundworm in my stomach is dying for them again. Serve the dish!"

"Yes…" Feng Lingyun clenches the drawing and says in a deep voice, "Let Qinger get prepared and serve the dish."

"Qinger, the little girl who danced last time. Oh, she looks smart and pretty. Hurry up and serve the dish." Murong Hao pats his belly, and sits back on his chair.

Feng Lingyun says nothing and turns back to his seat. Since Murong Hao has given him this thing, he must do the task. As expected, The Restorative and Pulp-washing Pill is not free to eat.

He suppresses the efficacy. Only after the banquet can he close himself in the door to practice.

Lively atmosphere resumes. Dancing girls dance around, looking at the sitting Murong Chu up and down from time to time. They chuckle and show off their posture even harder.

"Sire," a cutesy voice comes from the crowd. Feng Qinger steps forward lightly with the tray on her hands. Corners of her mouth upwards, she bows slightly.

She wears a long green strapless dress. With the bow, the double peaks on her chest are nearly visible. Officials sitting in the front flush and all cough to dissemble their eyesight.

"Qinger becomes even more beautiful. Are you engaged?" Murong Hao laughs, rolling his eyes. Before Qinger responds, he seems to smell the fragrance from the bowl and says promptly, "Serve it quickly and let me see the dish."

"Yes," Qinger clenches her teeth secretly. After glimpsing at Qingge, she makes up her mind and walks towards him holding the tray.

"Sire, this is Tofu Soup with Chinese Cabbage. Hope you will like it." Qinger says with a sweet smile on her face while inside she feels a crude ecstasy: eat it, eat it. How can food made by Qingge be eaten?