My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

On a winter night in Chang'an, the wind howled and water froze instantly.

In a bedroom deep within the Duke of Yi's mansion, a strong, unpleasant smell of medicine permeated the air.

The bedroom doors and windows were sealed tightly with thick cotton curtains. Several charcoal braziers were burning in the room, making it very hot, but they still couldn't dispel the bone-chilling cold emanating from the old man on the bed.

"Cough cough cough... cough cough..."

A series of heart-wrenching, violent coughs came from the bed.

Qin Qiong, the great Tang Dynasty war god who once wielded double maces and charged through enemy lines like a god descending to earth seven times, was now emaciated and curled up in a thick brocade quilt.

He shed too much blood and suffered too many injuries in his early years.

Now, those hidden wounds and stagnant toxins buried by time have finally unleashed themselves like wild beasts, frantically devouring his remaining vitality.

He was so thin that he was almost nothing but skin and bones, and his once black hair, which was as black as steel needles, was now completely white.

"Father, please drink some warm water to soothe your throat."

Beside the bed, a young girl of about fifteen years old, with a gentle and beautiful appearance, was carefully holding a cup of warm water and gently wiping the blood from the corner of Qin Qiong's mouth with a silk handkerchief.

This young girl was Qin Qiong's eldest daughter, who had just come of age. She should have been at the carefree age of waiting to be married, but now, because of her father's serious illness, she stayed by his bedside year after year, her brows shrouded in an unyielding sorrow.

Beside him, the eldest son, Qin Huaidao, also had red eyes, silently adding silver charcoal to the charcoal brazier. Seeing his father's painful appearance, he felt heartbroken but powerless to help.

"Wan'er, Huaidao..."

Qin Qiong took a difficult breath, grasped his daughter's hand, and spoke in a voice so weak it seemed as if he might break down at any moment.

"My health... I'm afraid I won't make it through the year. After I'm gone, you must uphold the reputation of the Qin family, and never... never bring shame to the Tang Dynasty..."

"Father! Don't say such discouraging things! The imperial physician said that as long as I take good care of myself, I will definitely get better!" The eldest daughter of the Qin family burst into tears and threw herself on the edge of the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

Just when the room was filled with desolation and sorrow.

"Bang!"

The gate to the outer courtyard of the bedroom was suddenly kicked open violently!

Immediately afterwards, a series of chaotic and hurried footsteps, accompanied by a rough and loud voice, swept into the inner courtyard like a whirlwind.

"Old Qin! Old Qin! You old rascal, wake up!"

Cheng Yaojin's signature loud voice made the paper windows in the room vibrate.

Qin Huaidao was shocked and quickly stood up.

Before he could even go out to greet the guests, the heavy curtains of the bedroom were suddenly ripped open.

Li Shimin, dressed in casual clothes with his cloak still unfastened, strode in with Cheng Yaojin, whose face was flushed and who was excitedly waving his arms and legs.

"His Majesty?!"

Qin Qiong's cloudy eyes suddenly widened, and he struggled to get out of bed to pay his respects.

"Shubao! Lie down quickly! You're so sick, what's the point of all that formality!"

Li Shimin rushed forward, grabbed Qin Qiong's shoulder, and pulled him back into bed. Seeing his former beloved general so emaciated, Li Shimin's eyes welled up with tears.

"Old Qin! You're saved! You won't die!"

Cheng Yaojin approached the bedside, as excited as a child weighing several hundred pounds, slapping his thighs with his rough hands.

"His Majesty just personally went to plead with the immortals, and they have agreed to cure your illness first thing tomorrow morning!"

The room fell silent the moment he said that.

Qin Qiong was stunned.

Qin Huaidao and his eldest daughter were also completely astonished, even wondering if Cheng Yaojin had drunk too much and gone mad.

"Your Majesty, Zhijie... what nonsense is he spouting? Where in this world are there any immortals?" Qin Qiong gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"It's not nonsense! It's true!"

Li Shimin held Qin Qiong's withered hand tightly, his expression filled with excitement and solemnity.

"Uncle Bao, do you still remember the tribulation that caused such a celestial phenomenon above Chang'an a few days ago? The true immortal disciple who underwent the tribulation was none other than my sixteenth prince, Prince Qin, Li Chen!"

"Chen'er is now a powerful immortal, and the mortal ailments of this world are utterly insignificant in his eyes. Tonight, I shamelessly begged him, and he has already personally promised to remove the long-standing toxins from your body tomorrow!"

Upon hearing these words...

Suddenly, an unbelievable light burst forth from Qin Qiong's eyes, which had been as still as a stagnant pool.

The sixteenth prince? That prince who was once unknown in the cold palace is actually that powerful immortal?!

Moreover, the immortal was actually willing to personally treat this dying man?!

"This old minister...this old minister is utterly unworthy to deserve such trouble from His Majesty, and to have the immortal personally come to my rescue!"

Qin Qiong was moved to tears, his heart overflowing with emotion.

If he weren't completely unable to move, he would have loved to immediately jump out of bed and kowtow several times in the direction of the palace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for your divine grace!"

Qin Huaidao and his eldest daughter knelt down with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably.

Especially the gentle eldest daughter, she raised her beautiful face covered with tears, her eyes filled with endless expectation and gratitude.

"The Sixteenth Prince... an immortal..."

The girl silently murmured the name in her heart.

She couldn't imagine what kind of otherworldly, compassionate, and venerable sage he was. She would gladly do anything, even be his slave, to cure her father's illness!

"Alright, stop crying! This is a joyous occasion!"

Cheng Yaojin pulled Qin Huaidao up and shouted, "Huaidao, quickly have someone prepare a carriage! Wrap old Qin up tightly. We're going to the Prince of Qin's mansion first thing tomorrow morning!"

……

That night, no one in the Duke of Yi's mansion slept.

Everyone was immersed in the immense joy of escaping from a desperate situation, counting the night watch and eagerly awaiting dawn.

however.

Some people have a significantly skewed perception of time.

The next day.

The sky remained pitch black, so dark that one could not see their own hand in front of their face. Even the morning star was still dozing in the clouds, and the entire city of Chang'an was shrouded in a deathly slumber.

Several carriages, escorted by the Imperial Guards, silently rolled through the thick snow and came to a stop outside the gate of the Prince of Qin's residence.

"We're here! Quickly, carry Old Qin inside!"

Cheng Yaojin lowered his voice and excitedly directed his followers.

Since the Prince of Qin's residence didn't even have a gatekeeper, Li Shimin was already familiar with the place. He simply pushed open the gate and led a large group of people straight in.

As soon as I stepped into the mansion gate.

Qin Huaidao and his eldest daughter couldn't help but gasp.

Outside, the air was bitterly cold, so cold that one's breath turned to ice, but inside the mansion, it was as warm as early spring! Moreover, the air was filled with a strange, refreshing fragrance that made every pore on their bodies open up.

"No wonder it's a celestial abode!" The Qin siblings exchanged a glance, their awe growing even stronger.

The group quickly walked to the backyard.

The surroundings were quiet, without a single ghost in sight, and the bedroom in the main hall was completely dark.

Li Shimin walked to the bedroom door, raised his hand without hesitation, and slammed it down on the precious carved wooden door.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Chen'er! Wake up! The sun's already high in the sky! I've brought Uncle Bao here, get up and get him treated!"

Li Shimin pounded on the door while shouting at the top of his lungs.