Chapter 111 – Take care of yourself

extra ko-fi chapter (8/12) for Shihane.

Sending lots of  love (*￣∇￣)

On the other side,

Imperial Palace

The second prince looked at the communication terminal and smiled satisfactorily.

Connected on the communicator was the former crown prince, Lu Wei, his voice unusually cheerful: “Even if Lu Xingwang ascends the throne, so what? Now there are outbreaks everywhere, and more and more people are starting to doubt his abilities, wondering if he’s born with a star of disaster.”

The second prince smiled and said, “Big brother still has a way.”

The crown prince snorted, “Back then, Lu Xingwang treated me like that. If it weren’t for your help, I would have died on Stan Star long ago. No, I should say, if it weren’t for that incident, I would already be sitting on the throne of this country. Why would it be Lu Xingwang’s turn?”

The second prince found it somewhat amusing to hear this.

Actually, if he had to say, he believed that even without that incident back then, the person Father favored to inherit the throne wouldn’t have been the Lu Wei. No, to be precise, if Lu Xingwang hadn’t encountered trouble back then, hadn’t been stripped of his divine power, how could it have been the Lu Wei’s turn to be arrogant?

“So, what’s Xiao Cheng planning to do next?” The second prince asked the question he cared about the most. “The epidemic has already spread nationwide.”

The former crown prince replied, “Well, he wants to punish those with divine power, wants them dead. Xiao Cheng says he wants to establish a completely new kingdom and society.”

The second prince frowned. “Dead?”

Lu Wei was unapologetic. “What’s the problem?”

“Big brother, don’t forget, our original plan was just to make the masses doubt Lu Xingwang,” the second prince had to remind him, “But now, you’re completely going against our previous path.”

The former crown prince felt indifferent. “Where’s the deviation? Isn’t this going in the direction we planned? Lu Xingwang falls, everything’s normal, just a few more deaths.”

“…”

The second prince felt that Lu Wei was getting a bit crazy.

Lu Xinci advised, “I suggest you both restrain yourselves a bit, because Lu Xingwang is not easy to deal with. And you should pay attention to the pharmaceutical families; don’t let them come up with any anti-disease drugs.”

Lu Wei dismissed it. “Those rats, they’ve always relied on divine power to live. What capabilities do they have? Aren’t you worrying too much?”

Lu Xinci didn’t think he was worrying too much. He remembered a talented child who could heal illnesses without relying on divine power, and he heard that this child recently joined the hospital.

“You’d better… pay attention to someone,” Lu Xinci spoke up.

Lu Wei asked, “Who?”

In Lu Xinci’s mind, the image of Jian Mei looking at him, serving him food, standing up for him, flashed unexpectedly. That gaze made him unable to speak the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

The former crown prince asked again, “Who?”

“Nothing,” Lu Xinci didn’t know why he gave up when the words came to his lips, but he still hung up the phone. “You take care of yourselves. As for Lu Xingwang’s side, I’ll keep an eye on any developments.”

Although what he wanted was not to destroy everything, he still had to reclaim the dignity he had lost in the past. As for the former crown prince’s plans, they were hardly reliable. As long as Lu Xingwang is not king, he would be happy!

Main Hall of the Palace

The new emperor sat on a high crystal chair, in front of him were reports from all over about the epidemic. Lu Xingwang’s expression was solemn, dressed in a dark dragon robe embroidered with intricate patterns that shimmered with a faint, dazzling silver light as he moved.

On his left, Zuo Qingshan said, “Currently, there’s been an increase in people coming to the capital, they’re refugees fleeing from all directions.”

“Fleeing?” A sarcastic smile curled up at the corner of Lu Xingwang’s mouth. He slammed one of the reports back onto the table, making a loud noise. “If this epidemic isn’t controlled, even if they escape to heaven, it’s useless.”

Zuo Qingshan knew he was angry.

“Some people are even considering leaving the planet to seek refuge on other planets,” Zuo Qingshan sighed. “But the neighboring affiliated planets have long been informed about the cause of our country’s epidemic. How could they still be waiting for them to come over?”

Lu Xingwang said, “Completely seal off the passageways and control the spread of the epidemic.”

Zuo Qingshan nodded. “That’s right. You didn’t just call me here for this, did you?”

“Jian Mei and the others have gone to Golden Town to investigate the cause of the epidemic this time,” Lu Xingwang said. “They suspected that it was because of the illness, but do you think that even if it’s just a simple epidemic, it would spread so quickly, almost as if it’s planned, and why did it break out on the day of my coronation?”

Zuo Qingshan pondered for a moment before exclaiming, “Are you suggesting that there might be someone behind this?”

“Damn it.” The Major General, thinking of this possibility, felt a surge of anger: “This is simply playing with people’s lives! Who is behind this?!”

Lu Xingwang casually said, “Didn’t Xiao Cheng run away back then?”

Zuo Qingshan looked at him in astonishment. While he had considered many possibilities, he hadn’t thought of Xiao Cheng. But with Lu Xingwang’s suggestion, it seemed possible. “But over the years, we’ve implemented various defense measures quite effectively. It would still be difficult for Xiao Cheng to make a move. How did he manage to do it?”

“Start from within. There may still be possibilities,” Lu Xingwang replied.

This statement somewhat awakened Zuo Qingshan. Indeed, Lu Xingwang was right. Xiao Cheng’s methods were notoriously sinister, as everyone had witnessed before.

Zuo Qingshan gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll investigate thoroughly!”

Lu Xingwang didn’t rush him, only saying, “If you’re going to investigate, start with those around you.”

Zuo Qingshan was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Although there are many enemies against me, those who can assist him, their numbers are limited,” Lu Xingwang lifted his eyelids, his dark eyes holding a hint of deep-seated resentment. “Find out who they are.”

Zuo Qingshan also sensed his anger this time. He nodded firmly, then respectfully took his leave.

The epidemic this time was like a dark cloud suddenly shrouding the entire Stan Star, causing many people to become homeless and many to lose their lives. However, the response from the authorities was swift, with timely funding allocated to aid the victims.

But the root of the country’s problems had already penetrated deep. Despite the relief funds allocated to the victims, the greed of corrupt officials and the opportunistic behavior of merchants across the country selling medicines at inflated prices made it difficult for most residents to breathe. With troubles pouring in, perhaps it was because of the omnipresent atmosphere of corruption that continuous rain began to fall in various places.

Jian Mei ventured out into the rain to gather herbs, getting stuck in a cave..

“Drip, drip.”

“Drip, drip.”

Water was dripping outside, the sky dimming. Beside him, Ping Ping and Xiao Ban were both gasping for air, complaining about the miserable weather.

Jian Mei asked Xiao Ban, “How’s the village doing?”

“Not great.” Xiao Ban took off his soaked clothes and said, “Everyone has sold their belongings to afford treatment. Now many people are too poor to even afford nutrient solution.”

Jian Mei was shocked. “Then, what about food?”

“The government claims to have allocated funds and rice, but there’s no sign of it,” Xiao Ban complained bitterly. “It’s all intercepted by those corrupt officials!”

Jian Mei, hearing about this for the first time, was also distressed. “How could this happen? Isn’t anyone going to do something about it? How dare they!”

Xiao Ban, looking at Jian Mei with a somewhat naive expression, said, “Do something? Who’s going to care about the lives of us commoners?”

However, grievances accumulated, and in less than a month, the country was in ruins. Where there was oppression, there was resistance. As more and more officials were infected with the epidemic and lost their divine powers, riots and uprisings occurred in some small areas.

“If we don’t help ourselves, we can’t wait for government assistance,” Xiao Ban sat inside the cave, looking at Jian Mei, and said softly, “Mei Mei, stop being so naive. There’s no fairness in this world. All fairness must be fought for!”

Jian Mei hesitated. “Xiao Ban, what are you going to do?”

Xiao Ban composed himself. He saw the medicine kit behind Jian Mei and knew what he had to do. He understood that Jian Mei was different from him; he had his own mission.

“It’s nothing, Mei Mei. Trust me, no matter what, I won’t harm you.” Xiao Ban draped his slightly dry clothes over Jian Mei. “Inside this medicine kit are the herbs you need , along with some others I have. Ping Ping and I found them all. When the rain stops, you can go back and work on your prescription.”

Jian Mei quickly asked, “What about you, Xiao Ban? Where are you going?”

Xiao Ban smiled and said, “I have to go back to the village. I’m sorry, Mei Mei. I can’t stay by your side this time. I have something more important to do.”

Jian Mei always had a bad feeling. Perhaps after this rain, they would part ways. So there were some words he felt subconsciously that if he didn’t say now, he might never have the chance.

“Xiao Ban,” Jian Mei moved a bit closer. “No matter what, we’ll always be friends, right?”

Xiao Ban was stunned. He looked up and saw the worried look Jian Mei gave him. This was still his familiar Mei Mei, still so kind. He suddenly realized that it wasn’t Jian Mei who had changed from before to now, but himself.

Jian Mei had never changed.

He was always so pure and good, untouched by dust.

Xiao Ban smiled and nodded gently. “Yes, we’ll be friends forever.”

Jian Mei felt relieved, and suddenly Xiao Ban moved closer and gave him a deep and solemn hug. It was somewhat sudden, but it was tight. Xiao Ban held Jian Mei in his arms. It was the first time he had initiated physical contact with Jian Mei, and because he was so excited, his body even trembled a bit.

Jian Mei was surprised and hesitated, but eventually gently patted Xiao Ban’s back. “What’s wrong…”

“It’s nothing,” Xiao Ban lowered his head. Jian Mei couldn’t see his expression, but he could hear his voice, low and suppressed, as if he was restraining some deep emotion. He whispered, “Take care of yourself.”

Jian Mei’s heart was touched, and he felt a bit choked up. He nodded gently. “Okay.”

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)

Guys remaining extra ko-fi chapters will be updated tomorrow.Thanks again for showing this much love and support(*⌒∇⌒*).