Chapter 42: The Thousand-Year Wild Ginseng!

You can't do such a thing, benefactor! Ye Tian's lack of decorum was enough to frighten Tang Long out of his wits, yet Tang Zhenguo remained smiling, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

"I like straightforward people," he said. "So I'll get straight to the point: I wonder if you have any means of prolonging life." As he broached this subject, Tang Zhenguo's expression turned solemn.

He shifted to another topic entirely: "It has been over a century since the Dragon Nation's revival, and now we're at the height of our prosperity. But as you, a learned man, surely understand, what flourishes must eventually decline—there's no need for me to elaborate."

When speaking of matters concerning the nation, the old man's demeanor changed entirely; gone was the affable elder, replaced by someone with a commanding presence. Ye Tian couldn't help but sit up straight, listening patiently.

"In recent years, the Dragon Nation has expanded its trade with many countries and absorbed a number of foreign talents. But these foreigners bring not only wealth and culture but also hidden dangers.

"Take the Eastern Islanders, for example. In the early years, it was they who invaded most rampantly! Hmph!" At this, the old man slammed the tea table, making the entire wooden house tremble. "I've long said not to let a single Eastern Islander cross our borders, but the younger generation just won't listen! They insist on learning the strengths of the barbarians... How infuriating!"

Tang Long listened quietly, well-versed in Tang Zhenguo's temper—so long as he didn't interrupt during these outbursts, the old man's anger wouldn't be directed at him.

"In short, in recent years, the Eastern Islanders have become increasingly brazen in our land, secretly stirring up all sorts of trouble. If it weren't for hawks like myself, those invaders would only grow more audacious."

With that, he turned his gaze to Ye Tian. All he had spoken of was the nation and its people, never once mentioning personal concerns. It was precisely this lack of selfishness that moved Ye Tian.

"So, what you mean is, you want to personally guard the Dragon Nation for a while longer," Ye Tian said.

The old man nodded; everything was understood without words. This was his reason for seeking to prolong his life. At the brink of a hundred years old, this man who had spent decades on the battlefield was no coward clinging to life. All he wanted was the continued prosperity of the Dragon Nation.

"To be honest, I had no such means," Ye Tian replied after listening to the old man.

"But today, fortune smiled on us—I do now." As he spoke, Ye Tian pulled an ancient sheepskin scroll from his breast and spread it open on the tea table.

"This treasure map was found at the Wu family estate. It shows the exact location of a thousand-year-old wild ginseng. If we can find it, I can extend your life by at least a decade!"

Tang Zhenguo couldn't help but lean in. The map was covered with complex grids and strange, crooked characters. After a few glances, his head spun with dizziness.

"It involves ancient cartography, a field I happen to be versed in. I can also read the writing," Ye Tian explained.

The gist of the map was this: long ago, a Daoist immortal from the Changbai Mountains achieved ascension in the Qianlong Mountains near this very city. Before departing, the immortal left several thousand-year-old wild ginseng roots in this place, protected by an array of formations. The sheepskin scroll, created through the immortal's secret arts, had survived for over five centuries.

The map hinted at several such roots, but Ye Tian mentioned only one. For one, a single ginseng was enough to extend Tang Zhenguo's life; for another, he intended to keep the rest for himself.

"A thousand-year-old wild ginseng!" Tang Zhenguo's eyes widened with hope as he looked at Ye Tian.

For thousands of years, the people of the Dragon Nation had pursued the path to immortality, but as time passed, all treasures capable of prolonging life had vanished. The thousand-year-old wild ginseng was the most potent life-extending treasure recorded in ancient texts.

He had journeyed south from the capital to this city because of rumors that an immortal had once left traces of such ginseng here. Yet he hadn't expected that, by a twist of fate, the information would come to him so directly! And the map's contents matched the legends perfectly.

Ye Tian truly was a lucky star!

Tang Zhenguo was so excited he couldn't help but ask, "Is the information reliable?"

"I'm ninety percent certain," Ye Tian replied. "The coordinates match the geomancy of Qianlong Mountain's dragon vein, and the map's craftsmanship is superb—it's not a joke. Most importantly, the Wu family treated this map as a priceless treasure, obviously after thorough verification."

"Good, very good!" Color flushed back into Tang Zhenguo's cheeks, his spirits visibly lifted by this hope.

"Tang Long!" he called out.

"At your service!" Tang Long straightened and awaited orders.

"I command you to take a small team and this map, and search the Qianlong Mountains for the thousand-year-old wild ginseng!"

"No need," Ye Tian interrupted, raising his hand. "Harvesting such a root requires highly specialized techniques. Send amateurs, and they'll come back empty-handed. You two stay here—I'll fetch it myself."

"This..." Tang Zhenguo looked embarrassed. Never had he, the great general of the Northern Expeditions, lost his composure before a young man—it was a bit humiliating.

"In that case, I must trouble you," he said.

"To save a life is to see it through to the end, as we doctors say. Instead of thanking me, perhaps you should consider how to repay me in the future." Ye Tian joked, then rolled up the scroll and drained his cup of tea.

"I'll take my leave."

Tang Long hurried to his feet. "Allow me to see you out."

"Wait," Tang Zhenguo called. "Before you go, I have something for you." He retrieved a wooden box and opened it to reveal a white jade thumb ring.

"I came by this ring during a stroll through the Changbai Mountains. It's said to be an immortal's relic, though I've worn it for years without sensing anything extraordinary. Perhaps I'm not fated for it. Since I sense something remarkable about you, I'd like you to have it."

"Thank you," Ye Tian replied, slipping the ring onto his thumb without hesitation.

Even Tang Zhenguo was taken aback. This young man didn't even bother with polite refusals—he simply accepted the gift! That thumb ring had cost him half a billion, after all!

The old man's heart bled at the thought.

Seeing his godfather's discomfiture, Tang Long couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The old man shot him a glare. "Tang Long, that's a breach of military discipline. Report for punishment later!"