Volume One: The Most Merciless Phoenix Tree Blossom Chapter Sixteen: Dragon Scale

Old Jiao followed Zhuo Hua anxiously into the main hall. Though his heart was burning with worry over Qin Ying’s injuries, when he saw Zhuo Hua’s stern expression and heard the bleakness in his tone, he forced himself to hold back his anxiety, trailing closely behind Zhuo Hua into the bedchamber.

“Old Jiao,” Zhuo Hua began, “Qin Ying’s life is not in immediate danger for now. I intend to refine a pill to hasten her recovery, but one crucial ingredient is missing. Without it, the Golden Elixir will be much less effective—it can preserve her life, but her strength and cultivation will not remain intact. And only you can procure this ingredient for me.”

Old Jiao stepped forward, bowed deeply, and replied, “Master Yuan, if it’s for saving Sister Qin Ying, just tell me what medicine you need. I, Lin Bai, will go through fire and water to fetch it for her—even at the cost of my life. Sister Qin has suffered much; abandoned since childhood, with no one to rely on, it was your compassion that brought her to Cloud Palace, raised her, and taught her the arts of cultivation. She is one of the finest souls here—everyone in the palace speaks of her kindness and loyalty. No matter the price, I will get this medicine for her. Master Yuan, have no reservations—please, tell me what it is.”

Zhuo Hua once more manipulated the Cangyue Pearl to treat Qin Ying from head to toe, then turned to Old Jiao, saying, “This medicine… is the Heart-Guard Scale of the Azure Dragon.”

Old Jiao lifted his head, staring at Zhuo Hua in astonishment.

Zhuo Hua glanced back at him, then turned to administer another Golden Elixir to the sovereign, saying, “I know you have not yet ascended to become a true dragon, so you do not possess scales yourself. The only dragon scale you can obtain now is from your father. This is a matter of your family, and that’s why I hesitate.”

“My… my father is already of great age…” Sweat beaded at Lin Bai’s temples. “He has always been strict with me, and he still resents me for what happened back then.” After a while, Lin Bai let out a deep sigh and said, “Ah! No matter. I will return to the Frost Sea at once. Give me half a day, and I will bring back the dragon scale you require, Master Yuan.”

“Take this seal,” Zhuo Hua said, handing him a yellow jade stamp. “When the Dragon King sees this, he should not make things difficult for you. Years ago, Lady Lanling and I brokered peace with the Dragon Clan, agreeing to stay out of each other’s affairs. At the same time, the Dragon Palace promised to do three things for Cloud Palace. So many years have passed—let this be the first.”

As he passed the seal to Lin Bai, Zhuo Hua added, “Remember, do not force the issue with the dragon scale. If the Dragon Palace is unwilling, do not use force. Return on time—if all else fails, I will find another way for Qin Ying.”

Lin Bai received the jade seal with both hands. “I will first speak with my father and mother. If that fails, then I will present Master Yuan’s token.”

Zhuo Hua waved his hand. “Go quickly, and send Zhuo Yun in to see me.”

Old Jiao acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Soon after, the young Zhuo girl came hesitantly to Zhuo Hua’s side. Having offered her salute, she asked, “Master Yuan, is there any danger in Sister Qin’s injuries?”

Zhuo Hua paused, turned to look at Zhuo Yun, and managed a faint smile. “Your Sister Qin is out of danger. With me here, you needn’t worry.”

Zhuo Yun’s countenance eased a little, and in a soft voice she asked, “Master Yuan, may I ask why you summoned me?”

Zhuo Hua gestured to the sovereign nearby and said, “I want you to heal him.”

Zhuo Yun was taken aback. “Me? I don’t know how to heal wounds!”

Zhuo Hua took out the remaining half of a phoenix paulownia petal from the Infinite Pouch and handed it to her. “Who says you can’t heal? You simply don’t know the method yet.”

Zhuo Yun held the half-petal in her palm, channeled her energy, and made it float above her hand. Having played for years in the swirling rivers beneath the phoenix tree, she knew the poison of the phoenix paulownia flower intimately. She lifted her head, her large eyes full of confusion as she gazed at Zhuo Hua.

Seeing her so lost and uncertain, Zhuo Hua couldn’t help but smile. “I’m tending to your Sister Qin’s injuries right now and can’t spare the time to treat the sovereign. Just do as I instruct—Little Fish, will you help me?”

Zhuo Yun nodded at first, then shook her head vigorously. “Of course I wish to help Master Yuan, but this sovereign hurt Sister Qin. I don’t want to save him. He’s a bad man.” With that, she shot a fierce glare at the unconscious sovereign.

Zhuo Hua soothed her gently, “Little Fish, you’re mistaken. Someone else harmed your Sister Qin. The sovereign was merely possessed by another’s spirit—he was unaware of his actions. In truth, he’s a victim too. Besides, he was wounded by your own master. If you injure someone, shouldn’t you be responsible?”

“But… but…” Little Fish was so bewildered by Zhuo Hua’s words that she became tongue-tied and confused.

“All right, all right. Come now, just follow my instructions,” Zhuo Hua directed her.

...

Just past noon, Zhuo Hua pushed open the doors and stepped out of the main hall. The space outside remained crowded with people, a sea of anxious faces. Su Xin, upright and sword at her side, turned and saluted Zhuo Hua. “Master Yuan, you’ve worked hard. How is Sister Qin Ying’s injury?”

Zhuo Hua nodded with a gentle smile. “Her life is safe. Old Jiao has gone to fetch medicine and should return soon.”

He then strode to the top of the steps and called out in a clear voice, “Who must be informed of the sovereign’s condition?” As soon as his words fell, the crowd parted down the middle, making way for a stately, elegantly dressed old woman, supported by Princess Guangping.

The old woman approached Zhuo Hua, intending to bow but, uncertain of his status, settled for a nod. “I am the Queen Mother of Yan, mother to the sovereign. May I be told of my son’s state?”

Zhuo Hua hurried down the steps toward her, reaching out to support her, but several guards rushed forward to stop him.

Princess Guangping cried out, “Stand down! Do not be rude!” The guards exchanged uneasy glances, then withdrew their weapons and retreated.

Zhuo Hua bowed respectfully to the Dowager. “Madam, the sovereign’s injuries are not grave. My maid is tending to him now. I will administer another Golden Elixir later, and with a month’s rest, he will recover.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, tears already streaming down her face. She extended her withered hand, grasped Zhuo Hua’s sleeve, and asked in a trembling voice, “Tell me, why has such calamity befallen us?”

It was clear she was exerting great self-control. Uncertain of their origins, wary of their might, and persuaded by Princess Guangping, she had not ordered their arrest. Still, the question clearly weighed heavily on her.

Zhuo Hua gently released her hand. “Your Majesty, do not be anxious. The sovereign was deceived and possessed by another’s spirit, who then attempted misdeeds. We intervened, and in the ensuing conflict, I inadvertently wounded him. Only after the spirit was driven out did he regain himself.”

Zhuo Hua paused, then drew from his belt a jet-black jade pendant, unmarked and devoid of inscription. “Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do everything in my power for the sovereign’s recovery.”

At the sight of the jade, the Empress Dowager’s face changed dramatically, her voice trembling. “This black Obsidian Jade… Your surname is Zhuo… You are…”

Zhuo Hua nodded, smiling, confirming her guess before tucking the jade away once more. At that moment, a piercing cry from a flying beast came from the south—Old Jiao had returned on time.