22 Decision

"Young Master, I'll go prepare your medicine."

"Hmm, although it's going to be useless, but sure, go ahead and prepare it for me."

As the woman leaves, Wang Ling continues to play with the game board in front of him while casually putting back the few strands of long hair that were blocking his vision after being blown by a gentle breeze that had passed by.

"... Hmm…"

Clack… Clack… Clack…

As the gentle sound of the black pieces of Go landing on the game board continues, forming a complicated pattern, Wang Ling's usual calm and gentle eyes turn deeper, seemingly watching some scenery rather than the countless black and white Go pieces placed on the game board.

And when the black piece of Go lands in the center, an extremely interested smile slowly forms on his pale face.

"... Well, I'll do that."

Seeing that one of his aides would be back after a few more minutes, Wang Ling waves his hands, causing the three dark guards hiding their presence to instantly appear in the normal pavilion before kneeling down in a respectful manner.

"Prepare to secretly go out tonight. Aside from the three of you, no one else will come with us."

After getting a firm nod, Wang Ling lets out a gentle hum while coughing once in a while, nonetheless, his eyes continue to firmly gaze in the direction of where the Capital of the Su Empire stands.

"... The connection has disappeared… the tiny feeling I got for many years was gone…"

Although Wang Ling's has a normal expression on the surface, but inwardly, the sense of feeling loss remains in his heart as he touches the spot where his heart is.

"If I make a deal… it will be easier to make a move in another Empire without facing too much trouble…"

The chances of finding the person I desire to meet will become higher if I get his help.

While softly mumbling these words in his mind, Wang Ling reaches over his robes and takes out a letter before reading it again.

"... I'll take the gamble and meet you."

After countless calculations and predictions, Wang Ling has chosen to follow his heart rather than his mind, which will definitely make his closest aides exaggeratedly shocked if they learn his choice of actions.

And as soon as Wang Ling puts the letter back inside his robe, the woman's figure appears in the distance, carrying a tray that contains the daily medicine that she has personally concocted in order to treat the incurable illness, which doesn't really work.

Fortunately, the effect of taking it wouldn't damage the body despite the daily intake, and was acting more as a nourishment medicine.

"Young Master, please take the medicine."

"Alright."

Knowing the painstaking effort of the woman, Wang Ling doesn't hesitate to take the bitter medicine without any change in his expression, completely used to it, so much that he has grown numb about it.

Of course, no one knows how extremely bitter his heart felt in the early years after taking countless medicines that didn't show any effect in treating his incurable illness.

"I'm tired… I'll go take a rest."

I need to save energy to sneak out tonight.

Remembering the content of the letter that came straight from the hidden guards who only follow Wang Ling's order, along with the special code he has created for certain individuals, he couldn't stop the flash of unknown emotion in his eyes, which soon disappears before the woman can catch a glimpse of it.

"Please rest well Young Master, I will guard outside."

When the door to the room carefully prepared for him is closed, Wang Ling slowly stands up from the wheelchair, before calmly taking a step forward toward his bed.

As for the slight weakness that he is already feeling in his legs, well, he is used to such feelings, the helplessness and hopelessness he used to feel has vanished, and now only utter indifference remains.

Or else, he would have gone into the deep end if he still remained bitter in anger, resentment and hatred for his unusual situation.

If Wang Ling had chosen the path of constantly taking out his anger on himself and the people around him, there would have never been a peaceful day in his life, which is already complicated enough because of being born in the Royal Family.

"Illness? Heh… I'm interested to see if he could really treat it."

That confident man is probably going to fail though since what is wrecking my body isn't an illness at all.

Surprisingly, despite the murmuring of words, the woman guarding outside is unable to hear it, even though just a tiny bit of sound can instantly alert a skilled and powerful martial artist because of their sharp hearing.

Cough… Cough… Cough…!

Ah, I shouldn't have unconsciously used that power…

Wang Ling ends up opening the already closed eyes, which was a rare moment of being able to quickly fall asleep when his illness had acted out again. Before he glances at the direction where the woman is guarding his door outside who didn't show any reactions to his constant cough.

I wonder what kind of a person the Young Prince really is... Is he different from the investigation report I read before…? Somehow, I can't help but feel a bit excited to meet him…  

Surprisingly, when thinking of the similar Imperial Prince, who is younger than him by three years, somehow, Wang Ling is able to quickly and peacefully sleep before he even knows.

Soon, a peaceful and steady breath echoes out in the silent room, causing the woman guarding outside to show a surprised expression on her face before mumbling in confusion with a hint of hope in her voice.

"... Weird… did my medicine work this time?"

While a certain fragile and unhealthy Imperial Prince is sleeping, in a certain military barrack, Yusheng stands in front of the officials sent by the Royal Court, who are seriously reading the Imperial Decree in front of the kneeling people.

Yusheng ignores the secret inquiring looks of the officials who are handling the announcement, and is more focused on the command of his Father Emperor, which he had been waiting to arrive after calculating the days in which his letter would arrive in the hands of his father.

I can finally leave.

Despite the countless movements and plans he has made in order to firmly grasp the control in the military barracks after he leaves, having the Imperial decree will make it easier for him to hold the military power.

And when the night time arrives with the officials sent by the Royal Courts staying in their prepared place, Yusheng goes to meet the newly appointed Lieutenant General while also saying his goodbye.

"I will leave everything to you, Guozhi."

"Your Royal Highness, please be at ease! I promise to fulfill my duty to the best of my ability and continue to protect the Su Empire even at the cost of my life!"

"I prefer you to be alive though. It's hard to find loyal and faithful people whom I can trust."

"...!!!"

Yusheng smiles widely when the young soldier who has become the Lieutenant General shows a touched expression on his face, along with a certain understanding flashing on his eyes after hearing his words.

"Live, so that no similar person like the previous Lieutenant General would be able to take your place, once again dirtying and destroying the military reputation because of his greed and wicked ambition. Besides, isn't it time to clean up the traitors in the army, don't you agree?"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness!"

After making sure that everything is in the proper place, Yusheng silently leaves the military barracks in the middle of the night. He doesn't want to spend some more time dealing with the officials who definitely had an order to secretly inquire about his unusual movements.

… Hmph, let them become paranoid trying to figure me out.

At the same time, the already awake Wang Ling has left with his trusted dark guards after making sure to put his closest aides into a deep sleep.

Soon, the two people who didn't get to meet in person in the previous life, and yet are fated to be with each other will finally see each other in this life.