“Don’t touch their things randomly,” Xiang Xian said, fearing Chaosheng would cause trouble again.
Bila Ge glanced at them and authoritatively pointed at Xiang Xian with his finger, signaling not to restrain Chaosheng.
“I suffer from severe migraines,” Bila Ge said after hearing Hulü Guang’s explanation. He shifted slightly to the side, making room, and asked, “Little friend, are you a skilled physician? Come here.”
“Are you an emperor?” Chaosheng said. “You’re not like the other emperors. I can give it a try for you.”
For some reason, Bila Ge suddenly burst into laughter. “Which other emperors have you seen?”
Bila Ge had been very serious when facing Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, but upon seeing Chaosheng, he became extremely amiable. He beckoned to him and said, “Come here, who are you?”
Wu Yingzong was unsure whether to follow, but Xiang Xian signaled that it was fine.
Chaosheng approached the royal couch. Neither Elon nor Bila Ge ordered the guards to act, clearly not considering a young boy a threat.
“Lie down first,” Chaosheng instructed Bila Ge to rest his head on his lap.
Xiao Kun had intended to take his leave, but seeing this, he sat back down and began sipping tea. For a moment, the hall fell utterly silent.
Chaosheng took his pulse and said, “You think too much, and you caught a chill when you were young, so it’s migraines.”
Bila Ge narrowed his eyes and said, “Yes, your medical skills are impressive. You saw it at a glance. Governing such a vast territory is no easy task.”
Chaosheng placed his right hand on the crown of Bila Ge’s head and his left hand, glowing with green light, on his left ear.
“Are you Hulü Guang’s father?” Chaosheng asked.
Bila Ge did not answer. Instead, he said, “His childhood name is Bai Ju’er. See how fair he is?”
Chaosheng laughed. “Life in this world passes like a white colt flashing between the planks. It’s probably not because he’s white, though?“
(TL: Reference to Zhuangzi’s idiom for the fleeting nature of life.)
Hulü Guang was delighted to hear this. “Exactly! Chaosheng! You get me!”
“Not bad. I saw he runs fast, so I gave him that name. He was born to a female slave I bought,” Bila Ge said with a smile. “A merchant from Kucha brought a pregnant female slave and sold her to the Rouran descendants of the Hulü clan along the ancient Wusun path. After Gaochang subdued the Hulü, that family offered the female slave and the swaddled child to me. So, he is my slave.”
“What is a slave?” Chaosheng asked.
“A slave is…” Bila Ge himself found it hard to explain. “You can think of it as someone you capture; they must be loyal to you for life.”
Xiang Xian looked toward Hulü Guang, who knelt to the side, appearing perfectly calm about Bila Ge discussing his background.
“Do you like him?” Bila Ge laughed again. “I think there’s no one in the world who doesn’t like him. Shall I give him to you?”
“No,” Chaosheng said immediately. “He’s a person, not a thing. Come, turn your head; now the other ear.”
“Is it that you don’t like him, or are you too shy to accept? What’s your name?” Bila Ge asked again.
“I’m Li Chaosheng,” Chaosheng said. “I cultivate on Kunlun Mountain.”
“Kunlun Mountain,” Bila Ge said. “I know it. That’s a good place too—the abode of the Queen Mother of the West.”
Chaosheng said, “Wow, you know so much! I’m treating you with Azure Wood Power. How does it feel?”
“Very comfortable.” After saying this, Bila Ge fell quiet. In no time, he actually began to snore.
Excitement and joy appeared in Elon’s eyes. He made a “shh” gesture. Moments later, Chaosheng gently lowered Bila Ge’s neck and placed a soft pillow under it. “All done.”
Elon rose, leaning on his cane, and made a “please” gesture, escorting them out of the hall. He also ordered tea and snacks to be served.
“His Majesty the King has been troubled by migraines for many years,” Elon praised Chaosheng. “Young Sir’s medical skills are extraordinary. A complete cure may not be possible, but letting him sleep soundly is already a blessing from heaven.”
“No problem,” Chaosheng said. “It should get better, right? Just avoid overly cold places and drink less alcohol.”
Hulü Guang stood behind Prime Minister Elon, while Wu Yingzong stood behind Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, attending to them.
Xiao Kun glanced at Hulü Guang, who then took the initiative to explain, “My status is actually that of a slave. Sorry, I didn’t explain in detail before.”
“No worries.” Xiang Xian waved it off.
Elon spoke opportunely. “Hulü Guang is a good child. He’s run around working in the palace since he was young, never complaining about labor. For this trip to Aksu, His Majesty originally intended to assign him as your guide and to assist in assassinating the Grand Vizier.”
Xiao Kun nodded, pondering whether to buy Hulü Guang from the Gaochang King and then grant him freedom. But seeing that Hulü Guang, though a slave, did not seem to care much about that status.
In short order, a “bang” sounded from inside as Bila Ge kicked open the door with his leg. He then burst out laughing like a madman and ran out, shouting loudly in Uyghur.
Bila Ge excitedly hugged Chaosheng, rubbing his big beard fiercely against his face a few times before hurrying through the corridor.
“His Majesty says his migraine is cured!” Hulü Guang said.
