Chapter 67: Lattice Reappears

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Chapter 67: Lattice Returns

“Gell, Gell, His Majesty is calling you.” Lady Li gently shook Ye Tian, who was still fast asleep. There was nothing to be done—he’d worked late into the night again. “Let me sleep a little longer. I’ve just lain down for a moment,” Ye Tian grumbled in dissatisfaction.

“His Majesty is calling. Get up,” Lady Li said, pulling the covers off him without hesitation. “Up, now!” “Alright, alright,” Ye Tian replied reluctantly, getting up to dress and wash.

“Hurry up.” Lady Li, in a rush, hurried Ye Tian along toward the main hall. It had been seven days since the incident, and Ye Tian had spent those days and nights compounding medicines to prolong the lives of Charles V and the princess. Now, the princess was well enough to get out of bed.

“Did you stay up all night again?” Lady Li asked with concern. “It’s nothing, I can handle it. Just a bit more and I’ll be done,” Ye Tian replied with a yawn. “Are you really leaving?” Lady Li pressed. “Are you really staying?” Ye Tian retorted.

“I can’t bear to leave this place.” “And I hate it here.” “Will we meet again?” Lady Li asked quietly. “If fate decrees, even a thousand miles apart we’ll meet; if not, even face-to-face we remain strangers,” Ye Tian said with a smile. “We’ll meet again.”

“Your Majesty, I’m here. What is it?” The throne room was filled with ministers craning their necks to get a glimpse of this favored man. “Gell, come here, come here,” Charles V called cheerfully.

“What’s the matter?” Ye Tian asked. “Are you feeling unwell, Your Majesty?” “Not at all. I’m quite well. This is the White-robed Bishop of the Church of Light, here to visit.” In this world where divine authority surpassed royal authority, the church was the true sovereign, and every envoy was tantamount to an imperial inspector. Charles V could not afford to offend him, especially as the church had brought valuable gifts. He should be pleased.

“So, you are Gell?” the White-robed Bishop asked haughtily. “That’s me,” Ye Tian replied. “I don’t see what’s so special about you,” the bishop snorted. “Come with me to the church.”

“Why?” Ye Tian asked. “No reason.” “Then I won’t go.” “You dare defy me?” the bishop snapped. “Why should I go? It’s not my home,” Ye Tian responded irritably.

“I’m inviting you as a courtesy.” “Thank you, but I don’t deserve such honor. Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to return to sleep. I was busy all night and I’m exhausted.”

“You—!” The White-robed Bishop was nearly driven mad. Why was this man so stubborn? “Envoy, please don’t be angry. Gell has been working tirelessly these days. He should rest before departing,” Charles V said, a touch displeased.

“Fine, let him rest if he must. But he must come with me after,” the bishop insisted. “You’d best tell him yourself. By the way, he’s not one of my subjects; I have no authority to command him,” Charles V replied with a smile.

Ye Tian paid it no mind and went straight back to bed. Though the bishop was a plenipotentiary, even he could not lose his temper before Charles V. After all, the emperor and the church had always been locked in rivalry, and today’s audience was already a great courtesy. If the king had refused to see him, he’d have had no grounds to complain.

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Thinking on the command he’d received, the White-robed Bishop decided to swallow his pride and try coaxing Ye Tian into coming to the church. Once there, it would be his domain and Ye Tian would be at his mercy.

Ye Tian slept soundly till afternoon, undisturbed. “This is for the princess, that’s for His Majesty. Remember my instructions—measure precisely, or it could be fatal,” he told Lady Li, entrusting everything to her.

“Gell.” Mickey appeared. Ever since the prince’s rebellion, Mickey’s status had risen sharply, now rivaling the House of Braddis. Though Mickey stood alone, with effort and the attainment of Sword Saint, he could soon restore his family’s former glory.

“Gell, what do you plan to do? That guy isn’t easy to handle,” Mickey said, well aware of the church’s might. “I don’t know. We’ll see. One step at a time,” Ye Tian replied with a grin. “But…” Mickey still looked uneasy. “Relax. If I want to leave, no one can stop me.”

As they spoke, an unexpected “old acquaintance” arrived—someone Ye Tian least expected to see. “Is there something you need, General Braddis?” asked Ye Tian. It was none other than General Braddis.

“Your skills are truly astonishing, Mr. Gell, well…” Braddis stammered. “Just say what you need,” Ye Tian said impatiently. “I’ll leave you to talk,” Mickey said wisely, taking his leave. “Out with it,” Ye Tian said.

“Can you look at my father?” General Braddis waited until Mickey was out of earshot, then asked through gritted teeth. “Of course,” Ye Tian agreed immediately, rising to gather his things. “Give me a moment, I’ll be ready soon.”

He slung his treasure pouch, shouldered his medicine box, and, on a whim, stuffed the “roast meat” from his bed into his clothes. “Let’s go,” Ye Tian said to the stunned general.

“You’re willing to come?” Braddis asked in surprise. “Healing the sick is my duty. Not just for your father—even a beggar by the roadside, I would help,” Ye Tian replied calmly.

“Thank you so much! If you can cure my father, I’ll reward you handsomely!” Braddis said joyfully. Ye Tian shot him a look and smiled; after all, what could he offer that would outdo the emperor?

“Lead the way. I don’t know where your residence is,” Ye Tian said. “I’ll take you there!” Braddis replied, and together they hurried out of the palace toward the general’s mansion.

They were making haste when a horse galloped up. “General Braddis! General Braddis!” Ye Tian recognized the rider—it was Mishu, an old acquaintance.

“Sir Gell,” Mishu greeted Ye Tian warmly. “It’s been a while. How’s your health?” Ye Tian asked. “Never better!” Mishu said, flexing his arm.

“What’s the matter?” Braddis asked impatiently, barely restraining himself from throttling the oblivious fellow. “His Majesty requests your presence,” Mishu replied quickly. “Ah!” Braddis looked troubled. He’d finally secured Ye Tian’s help for his father, and now, of all times, this!

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“General Braddis, go ahead. I’ll wait for you at your mansion,” Ye Tian said. “I can’t let you do that,” Braddis protested. “It’s fine, go on.” Ye Tian pointed ahead. “That’s the way, right?”

“Yes,” Braddis confirmed. “Alright, I’m off, then.” Ye Tian pulled the reins and his horse sped away. “General Braddis,” Mishu said, “let’s go, we can’t keep His Majesty waiting.” Braddis glanced at Ye Tian’s retreating figure, then spurred his horse back to the palace.

“This must be it,” Ye Tian thought, looking at the grand house before him. He approached and asked, “Is this the residence of General Braddis? I’m here to treat the old master.”

“Who are you? Do you have an appointment?” one of the guards inquired. “No, I’ll just wait here,” Ye Tian replied, sitting down on the steps.

As he waited idly, the sound of hoofbeats approached. A fiery red horse galloped up, rearing at the gate with a sharp whinny. “Easy, easy, what’s wrong?” came a voice, soothing the steed.

Ye Tian looked up and grinned—it was none other than Princess Lattice, the very one he’d once slapped. “Hey!” Ye Tian greeted her.

“It’s you!” Lattice’s anger flared at the sight of her nemesis. “You two, kill him for me! Beat him to death—it’s on me!”

The two guards exchanged a glance, then reluctantly leveled their spears at Ye Tian. “Hey, I’m here to treat your grandfather!” Ye Tian dodged their thrusts. “Hmph, we don’t need you! I’ve invited an elder from the church—he’ll cure my grandfather. You two, beat him!”

“Oh, come on!” Ye Tian snatched a spear, twisted it behind his back, and pinned one guard’s sleeve, making him tumble like a scarecrow. The other he tossed high into the air, then pinned him to the gate with his spear.

“Careful, if you struggle, you’ll fall!” Ye Tian warned the wriggling guard, who immediately froze.

“What’s going on?” A squad of guards rushed out. “Seize him! He’s bullying me—beat him!” Lattice fumed.