Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

Shen Chang'an was slightly taken aback, then shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Heh, immortality? That's something everyone desires, and I'm no exception."

He raised his head, his gaze frank, "But compared to immortality, my lifespan is but a drop in the ocean. Compared to ordinary people, I am only a little longer, just two cycles of sixty years."

Two cycles of sixty years – one hundred and twenty years.

Li Shimin's fingers trembled slightly.

One hundred and twenty years, while not exactly immortal, is still a lifespan that is difficult for ordinary people to achieve.

This young man in front of me is only eighteen years old, yet he dares to say that he can live to be one hundred and twenty...

Could it be due to the elixir? Or is it due to the physician himself?

Li Shimin knew that, generally speaking, physicians lived longer than ordinary people, and this was also true within his Imperial Medical Academy.

"As for that pill—" Shen Chang'an continued, "Your Majesty need not think too much about it. It is neither a magic pill nor a divine medicine. It is just a healing medicine that I refined using special methods. Its effects are stronger than ordinary ones."

"General Qin's old injuries have been aggravated by years of overwork, and his physical condition is still good, so the medicine works quickly. If it were someone who is exhausted, no amount of medicine would be of any use."

"Moreover, if it is an elixir of immortality, perhaps just one pill would not only restore General Qin Qiong's health, but also grant him eternal life."

Li Shimin fell silent. He could sense the weight in Shen Chang'an's words and knew that Shen Chang'an was telling the truth. After all, if it were truly an elixir, the effect would be different.

"Mr. Shen," his voice trembled slightly as he thought of this, "you just said you could live for two cycles of sixty years... is that true?"

"I only said 'no more than two cycles of sixty years,' not that I am certain I will live to that age."

Shen Chang'an shook his head, offering no guarantee. "Doctors can only maintain health and reduce illness, but they cannot stop aging. One hundred and twenty years is merely the upper limit under ideal conditions. Whether it can be achieved depends on fate."

In truth, Shen Chang'an knew that his ability to reach that lifespan was largely due to his cultivation.

Moreover, he didn't lie to Li Er, since he was talking about "now." As for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage in the future and doubling his lifespan, it wouldn't contradict what he said today.

After hearing Shen Chang'an's words, Li Shimin slowly nodded.

He felt much relieved, but also a little disappointed.

What's reassuring is that Shen Chang'an is not a legendary immortal; he won't live forever and won't threaten his empire.

The disappointment is that immortality is ultimately just a distant dream.

"Your Majesty," Shen Chang'an said, seeing the complicated expression on his face, "I can explain the matter of that pill more clearly."

"Sir, please speak."

"The formula for the Rejuvenation Pill is actually very similar to the healing formulas of the Imperial Medical Academy. The difference lies in the 'fire control' used during the refining process—I use my internal energy to drive the fire, which maximizes the medicinal properties of the herbs. Ordinary people do not have internal energy, so even if they know the method, they cannot achieve the same effect."

He looked at Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang: "The Grand Astrologer and the Volcano Commander should understand this."

Li Chunfeng nodded: "What Mr. Shen said is true. Those who cultivate Taoism can indeed enhance the efficacy of medicine by refining pills with true qi. I can also do this, but I am far less skilled than Mr. Shen."

Yuan Tiangang echoed, "I can testify to this."

Li Shimin finally felt completely relieved.

That pill wasn't a magic pill or a divine medicine; it was just that Shen Chang'an's internal energy was stronger than Li Chunfeng's and Yuan Tiangang's, so the medicine he refined was more effective.

This explanation is reasonable.

"Mr. Shen," Li Shimin stood up and cupped his hands in greeting again, "I was overthinking it."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Shen Chang'an returned the greeting.

……

Li Shimin sat down again, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke: "Mr. Shen, I have something to tell you."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"I have decided to bestow a title upon you."

Shen Chang'an was taken aback, then shook his head: "Your Majesty, I have said before that I do not wish to be an official—"

"A title is not an official position." Li Shimin raised his hand to interrupt him. "Having a title does not mean you have to be an official. It just gives you a title. You can still provide free medical services outside the city, and no one will bother you."

"His Majesty……"

"This is an imperial edict, and there is no arguing with it."

Li Shimin's tone was unquestionable, but he immediately softened his voice, "Mr. Shen, you have treated the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Princess, offered hemostatic powder and wound medicine, and provided high-yield crops such as corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes that benefit the country and its people. If I were to ignore these contributions, what would the people of the world think of me?"

Shen Chang'an opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a rebuttal.

"Regarding the title, I have already instructed the Secretariat to draft the decree." Li Shimin stood up. "Once the grain harvest on the imperial estates is completed and the yield per mu is confirmed, it will be officially promulgated. Until then, you can focus on practicing medicine."

Shen Chang'an sighed, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

This was the first time he referred to himself as "your subject" in front of Li Shimin.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and took his leave with Empress Zhangsun, Li Chunfeng, and Yuan Tiangang.

The carriage rumbled away and disappeared at the end of the official road.

After Li Shimin's carriage had gone far away, Shen Chang'an closed the courtyard gate, returned to the quiet room, sat cross-legged, and opened the system panel.

-

System Panel

Name: Shen Chang'an

Age: 18

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Stage 7]

[Technique: Green Wood Longevity Technique]

[Remaining Merit Points: 3520]

-

Three thousand five hundred and twenty points of merit.

Shen Chang'an took a deep breath, a sense of indescribable satisfaction welling up in his heart.

He glanced at his inventory.

Inventory

[Nourishment Pill]: 2 pills (reward for the Crown Prince and Princess quests)

Foundation Building Pill: 1 (Reward from Li Shimin's quest)

[Rejuvenation Pill]: Several (self-refined)

[Spiritual Spring Water]: Several

-

I have the Foundation Establishment Pill, I have the Vitality Cultivation Pill, and I have enough merit points.

"Next, I can focus on cultivation. When I reach the ninth level of Qi Refining, I will use the Qi Cultivation Pill to accelerate my breakthrough, and then use the Foundation Establishment Pill to try and break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm," Shen Chang'an thought to himself.

He then brought up the task panel.

[Current Task]

[Treat Qin Qiong]: In progress, 600 merit points, 1 Qi-restoring pill recipe

[Treatment of Empress Zhangsun's Illness]: In progress (rewards increased due to pregnancy), 800 merit points, one bottle of spiritual spring water.

"Qin Qiong's mission is nearing completion. Once he comes for another check-up, he should be fully recovered."

Shen Chang'an thought to himself, "Empress Zhangsun's task is not far off; one or two more treatments will suffice to complete it."

He logged out of the system, walked out of the quiet room, and stood in the courtyard.

Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, the water lilies had closed their petals, and the koi swam quietly in the water.

The green bamboo rustled in the night breeze, and everything was quiet.

Shen Chang'an took a deep breath, and the spiritual energy in the courtyard flowed into his lungs, making him feel refreshed.

"The Foundation Establishment Realm is not far off."

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