Chapter 12

Not long after, the imperial physician withdrew his hand.

"Imperial physician, how is my son?" Huang Zhong grabbed the imperial physician and asked.

The imperial physician ignored him, turned around, and said to Liu Yao, "Your Highness, this young master's body is weak due to congenital insufficiency. I have no way to cure him; I can only keep him alive."

"What!!" Huang Zhong was shocked, feeling as if the sky had collapsed. Lady Huang also began to cry.

Liu Yao frowned, "Is there really no way?"

"I am truly powerless," the imperial physician said, somewhat ashamed.

"Then forget it. There's no other way, but you must keep him alive."

"Yes, I will prescribe a formula. Taking it for a month will suffice. However..." The imperial physician hesitated.

"Hmph, just say what you have to say," Liu Yao said coldly.

"Yes, yes." The imperial physician wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "The herbs required for this formula are very precious and expensive." He then glanced at Huang Zhong, who was dressed very simply, not at all like a wealthy and noble person, which was why he said this.

"Alright, don't worry about that. Just write the prescription." Liu Yao said casually. Joking, the imperial treasury had sacks of hundred-year-old ginseng and even a fair amount of thousand-year-old ginseng.

"Yes." The imperial physician quickly wrote a prescription and handed it to Liu Yao, then left.

Liu Yao looked at the despondent Huang Zhong and said helplessly, "Hansheng, don't worry. I know of a divine physician who can definitely cure your son's illness. The most important thing now is to get the medicine and keep your son alive."

"Lord, are you serious?" Huang Zhong's hope was rekindled.

"Hehe, why would I deceive you?" Liu Yao said with a smile.

"Lord, that's not what I meant," Huang Zhong stammered.

"Alright, I understand. Shi A, accompany Hansheng to get the medicine. If there are any precious herbs, go to the palace to get them."

"Yes."

Time passed quickly. After drinking the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, Huang Xu improved significantly, and his coughing was much less severe. Huang Zhong became even more loyal to Liu Yao. Now, Liu Yao and Huang Zhong were in the training ground.

"No, no, how can I fight with you, my lord?" Huang Zhong waved his hands, unwilling to do so.

"Hansheng, I have been practicing martial arts with Wang Yue for many years. Although I have improved, I have never been in a real fight. You are one of the top generals of your time. Only by fighting you can I see my current level," Liu Yao said with a troubled expression.

"But, there is a difference between lord and minister. I..." Huang Zhong still refused.

Suddenly, Liu Yao became furious, "If you don't fight me, you don't have to serve under me."

"How can that be?" Huang Zhong was stunned. He was a man who repaid kindness. Liu Yao had saved his son, so he had to repay Liu Yao. If he left, how could he repay him? Wouldn't he become an ungrateful person?

Seeing Liu Yao's determined gaze, Huang Zhong reluctantly agreed, "Fine, my lord, I will fight you, but only to a point."

"Of course." Liu Yao said excitedly.

The two faced each other. Huang Zhong held a large saber, while Liu Yao chose his favorite weapon, the spear, the king of weapons. Although he had learned swordsmanship from Wang Yue, it was not suitable for the battlefield. However, there were some similarities between the sword and the spear, which was the thrust. So, Liu Yao had developed a half-baked spear technique from his swordsmanship.

Liu Yao, lacking experience, made the first move, thrusting straight at Huang Zhong's face. Huang Zhong easily dodged. Liu Yao turned and used the spear like a staff, striking down. Huang Zhong blocked the powerful strike with both hands. Liu Yao, after being modified by the tattoo, was incredibly strong.

"Such great strength. I didn't expect my lord to have such innate power," Huang Zhong thought. He then stopped using brute force and used skill to deflect Liu Yao's strength.

The two exchanged several moves.

Liu Yao knew his strength was no match for Huang Zhong and could tell that Huang Zhong was holding back.

"Hansheng, don't hold back. I want you to defeat me as quickly as possible so I can see the gap between us," Liu Yao said firmly.

Huang Zhong, seeing Liu Yao's determined gaze, knew he couldn't refuse. "Alright!!"

As soon as he said "Alright," Huang Zhong burst with a strong killing intent, the kind only experienced warriors who had faced countless battles could possess. This tangible killing aura was something Liu Yao, who had seen little blood, could not resist. Liu Yao was immediately overwhelmed by Huang Zhong's killing intent, trembling and struggling to hold his spear.

Huang Zhong didn't waste words, striking Liu Yao's spear with two rapid slashes. Liu Yao's hand went numb, and his spear flew out.

Liu Yao looked at his still numb hands and sighed bitterly, "I thought I was pretty good, but I was defeated in just two moves."

"Lord, are you hurt?" Huang Zhong asked, picking up the spear.

"No, I'm fine. Hansheng, this time you've shown me the gap between us. I'm so inadequate," Liu Yao said dejectedly. His confidence was shattered.

"No, Lord, you misunderstand," Huang Zhong said.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Lord, your strength is actually quite good. Your immense strength is already very impressive. What you lack is spear technique and real battlefield experience," Huang Zhong countered.

"Why is that?"

"Lord, to put it bluntly, your spear technique is terrible. You just rely on your strength to strike wildly. And because you haven't experienced real combat, you can't adapt to my killing intent, which is why you tremble and can't hold your weapon. If you can overcome these two points, you will at least be a top-tier warrior, if not a superlative one."

"Oh, really?" Liu Yao's mood improved. He wasn't completely useless after all.

"Really."

"Ha ha ha, I'm very happy today. Come, Hansheng, let's have a drink. I have some premium Fire Cloud Burn in my collection."

"Oh, you mean the Fire Cloud Burn that costs one gold per jar, sold by the Fire Cloud Trading Company?" Huang Zhong asked, surprised, and swallowed his saliva.

"Hey, you know it in Jingzhou?"

"Hehe, Lord, the Fire Cloud Trading Company is in Jingzhou too, but a jar costs 10 gold. I was just a small gate captain, so I couldn't afford it," Huang Zhong said sheepishly.

"Ha ha, that's perfect. The Fire Cloud Trading Company is under my name. Invite Ziyi and Yuanhao. From now on, you can drink as much as you want."

"Ha ha, Lord, I won't be shy."

The group drank until they were all drunk. Liu Yao, being younger, only tasted a little and remained sober. He sent the three men, who were completely drunk, back to their rooms and then returned to Cai's residence to prepare for the journey to Youzhou.

Now, they had supplies, weapons, and soldiers. With Huang Zhong and the others here, it was time to set out. However, mobilizing all these resources would take some time to prepare.