Chapter 40
Book 4 Chap 6 – Tending to injuries at the Observatory
Xiang Shaolong had countless nightmares.
He dreamt that the time machine sent him back to the 21st century where he was charged with the major crime of messing up history. Suddenly Shu’er and Su’er came to look for him with blood flowing from the orifices on their faces, blaming him for not avenging their deaths. And then countless different faces appeared before him.
These include his parents, relatives, friends, Mei Canniang, Wu Tingfang, the King of Zhao, Zhao Mu etc, and cries kept ringing in his ears together with the wails of souls and ghosts!
In his haze he seems to know that he is pacing at death’s door.
No! I must continue living.
For others and for myself!
I cannot give up.
His body alternated between hot and cold, his soul seems to have left his body, as if there’s unbearable pain, but it feels totally numb as well.
He does not know how long he struggled at death’s door before he finally regained consciousness.
For a moment, he seems to have returned to the safe military hostel in the 21st century.
Cheers erupted next to his bed, Zhao Qian fell on the side of the bed, tears streaming down her face as she laughed and cried.
Before Xiang Shaolong can take a close look at Zhao Qian, he felt darkness surrounding him again and he fainted.
When he regained consciousness again, his mind and body seems to be much better.
Zhao Qian is so happy that she can only cry bitterly.
Xiang Shaolong wiped her tears with his hand weakly and asked feebly, "What is this place, how long was I unconscious."
A familiar voice rang out from the door, "This is the highest level of my Heaven Viewing PaG.o.da, on the 5th level. Shaolong you were unconscious for 9 days, if it was someone else who was that seriously injured and lost that much blood, that person would have died long ago. But you’re not the average person, so you definitely won’t die. Obviously everything is planned by Heavens!"
Xiang Shaolong was momentarily stunned and saw a person walking towards the bed, and it turned out to be Zou Yan.
He never really liked this person and he cannot imagine why he would risk his own life to save him and asked in astonishment, "Why did Mister save me?"
Zhao Qian who was sitting by his bed replied, "You are really indebted to Mister Zou for saving your life. If not for his excellent healing skills and meticulous care…"
Zou Yan chortled and interrupted Zhao Qian’s words and said as he lowered his head to take a closer look at Xiang Shaolong, "The person who really saved you is Ji Yanran. I just happened to be around! This Heaven Viewing PaG.o.da is a place I use to study astrology, and also the tallest building in Daliang, I guarantee that no one will search their way here. Besides I am in no way related to you, so no one will suspect me."
Xiang Shaolong’s mood turned for the better and he slowly regained the strength to speak. He puzzled, "Mister still have not replied my earlier question."
Zou Yan smiled a little, "I’ll have to start from the beginning. 3 years ago, I found a new star in the state of Qi, moving towards Tian Chang, the area where the Zhao and Wei borders meet and I know that the new leader of this era has finally appeared. Therefore I came to Daliang to look for a new master."
Xiang Shaolong was totally befuddled, "What is Tian Chang? Is there a state of Zhao and state of Wei there as well?"
Zou Yan said proudly, "Heavens and humans are related, everything that happens on earth happens because of Heaven’s decree. My study of the 5 elements is based on the 5 stars in Heaven, wood, fire, earth, metal and water, and I deduce what will happen on earth based on Heaven’s decree. Tian Chang is how I separate the Heavens into different areas according to the layout of the states on earth. For example if a guest star happens to take over the main star of a certain area, then the ruler of that area will be in trouble."
Xiang Shaolong is in no mood now to listen to such superst.i.tious and outrageous theory so he asked, "So what has that got to do with me?"
Zou Yan looked at Zhao Qian, who was looking at him with her large pretty eyes, filled with idolization and he is all the more thrilled and started theorizing, "How can it not have anything to do with you? At the same time you arrived at Daliang, that new star happens to fly into the position of Daliang in Tian Chang, therefore I knew that the new saint has arrived. The first time I saw you, although I felt you have the aura of a dragon, I did not yet think of it until that night when you talked about the earth shattering theory about governing a country did I guess that you are the new saint. That night when you were attacked, I was convinced that I was right about you."
After he spoke, he knelt down and kow-towed 3 times respectfully.
Xiang Shaolong was amused and quickly asked him to stand, saying "I can understand the front part, but why is it that you are even more convinced of your faith when I was attacked and injured?"
Zou Yan explained, "On that afternoon that you were attacked, Miss Ji returned moodily to the little house by the lake and after my prolonged questions did she reveal that you refused to woo her. Therefore I told her: the new star in heaven is being forced aside by another star, and I’m afraid you will meet with danger that night. That’s why Miss Ji was able to save you in time and send you here. Tell me, Shaolong, if you’re not the new saint, how can things be such a coincidence?"
Xiang Shaolong was dumbfounded.
A wave of fatigue swept over him and after he forced the medicine down, he fell into a deep sleep again.
When Xiang Shaolong woke up, he felt a lot better than the last time and was able to sit up and eat. Scars have begun to form over his 10 odd wounds, leaving only the wound under his armpit still in very much pain, but the other wounds were not affecting him.
Zou Yan has gone out, and there was only Zhao Qian in the highest level of this ancient observatory.
This pretty princess happily fed him the porridge cooked with precious and expensive herbs.
Xiang Shaolong looked at her sympathetically, "Qian’er! You’ve lost weight."
Zhao Qian replied gently, "Compared to the sacrifice you made for me, this is nothing. That night I saw how you were afraid that I would be injured and thus used your own body to block the sword blows from the thieves, my heart was utterly broken." She continued worriedly, "Sister Yanran has not been here for 3 days, this is really worrying."
Xiang Shaolong felt an injection of energy, "Does she visit me often?"
Zhao Qian nodded her head, "She was so concerned about you, and comes every time to help me clean and dress your wounds."
Xiang Shaolong was stunned, "Doesn’t that mean that the both of you have seen every part of my body?"
Zhao Qian blushed and nodded her head, but her pretty eyes revealed her joy and her expression looked absolutely alluring.
Xiang Shaolong felt l.u.s.t arising and said gently as he grabbed her hand, "I must have revenge and see our Princess’s whole body."
Zhao Qian gently pulled her dainty hands away and continued feeding him the porridge, saying with a blush, "See if you want to!"
A rush of love and sweetness welled up in Xiang Shaolong. To think that the beauty will allow this, how can he not feel grateful. He said with a smile, "Not only will I see, but I want to investigate with my hands as well, will Princess object?"
Zhao Qian blushed to her