White light flowed from Bai Yanzhou’s fingertips, filling the clinic with an increasingly intense scent of medicine.
Director Yuan and the other two looked uneasy, stepping back another half-step in unison.
“Bai Yanzhou, do you truly intend to be our enemy?” Director Yuan shouted, trying to mask his fear, the jade tablet of the Directorate of Astronomy in his hand glowing faintly.
Bai Jimu bared his teeth, a low threat rumbling in his throat. “Want to fight? Come on! I could use a stretch!”
Ming Shu appeared silently behind the three old officials, claws glinting coldly. “Bullying with numbers? Did you ask me first?”
Coal Ball stood on Bai Yanzhou’s shoulder, a trace of disdain flashing in his golden pupils.
He gave a soft “meow,” and the invisible barrier solidified further.
In this tense standoff, the meteorite core in Ms. Zhao’s hand suddenly vibrated violently, emitting a soft starlight.
Wherever the starlight touched, the cold, gloomy aura on the three old officials actually began to dissipate.
“This is… purification power?” Director Yuan turned pale with shock. “Impossible! How can the meteorite core possess such power?”
Bai Yanzhou looked thoughtful. “So that’s it. This meteorite core isn’t just the key to Xiangliu’s resurrection. It’s also the key to restraining it.”
He extended his hand, and the meteorite core flew automatically into his palm.
The starlight intensified, forming a massive star chart within the clinic.
“I understand now.” A look of realization crossed Bai Yanzhou’s eyes. “The senior who sealed Xiangliu back then had already foreseen this day. This meteorite core is both the key and the lock.”
General Chen shouted angrily, “Stop speaking nonsense! Hand over the meteorite core!”
He raised his long halberd to charge, but was stopped by Minister Li. “Hold on! According to astrological calculations, now is not a suitable time for force…”
“Here we go again!” Director Yuan was exasperated. “You two, one reckless and one pedantic, truly…”
Before he could finish, the meteorite core shot out a beam of starlight, hitting the jade tablet in his hand squarely.
The jade tablet shattered, and Director Yuan screamed as his form began to turn transparent.
“Not good! Our source of power has been cut off!” General Chen was alarmed.
Minister Li habitually adjusted the collar of his non-existent official robe, analyzing calmly, “According to the Secret Records of Great Zhao, the meteorite core indeed has the effect of purifying evil…”
“Stop analyzing! Run!” Director Yuan shouted wretchedly.
The three old officials turned into black smoke, attempting to flee, only to find the clinic firmly locked down by Coal Ball’s barrier.
Bai Jimu wagged his tail smugly. “Trying to run? Did you ask our Coal Ball?”
Ming Shu scoffed elegantly. “It seems a thousand years have passed, and you haven’t improved a bit.”
Coal Ball meowed softly, and the barrier began to shrink, trapping the three old officials in a corner.
Bai Yanzhou approached, holding the meteorite core. “Now, can we have a proper talk?”
Director Yuan gritted his teeth. “Kill us or torture us, do as you please!”
“Who said I wanted to kill you?” Bai Yanzhou smiled faintly. “I just want to ask you three for a favor.”
The meteorite core in his hand glowed again, the starlight gently enveloping the three old officials.
To everyone’s surprise, the cold aura on their bodies gradually dissipated, and the green light in their eyes faded.
“This is…” Director Yuan looked at his hands in astonishment. “Xiangliu’s mark… is gone?”
General Chen moved his limbs. “Strange, that power controlling us is gone.”
Minister Li subconsciously adjusted his sleeves, lost in thought. “According to the law of conservation of energy, this doesn’t conform…”
“Shut up!” Director Yuan interrupted him, looking at Bai Yanzhou with a complex expression. “Why did you help us?”
Bai Yanzhou put away the meteorite core. “Xiangliu has controlled you for a thousand years. It’s time to return your freedom.”
Coal Ball jumped off Bai Yanzhou’s shoulder, walked up to the three old officials, and meowed softly.
The three old officials looked at each other, then suddenly knelt in unison. “Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Imperial Preceptor Bai, for saving our lives!”
Bai Jimu watched, dumbfounded. “Just like that… they’re subdued?”
Ming Shu narrowed her eyes. “Seems these three old guys aren’t too senile after all.”
Ms. Zhao asked timidly, “Then… the curse on me?”
Bai Yanzhou turned and smiled. “It has been completely lifted. I will keep this meteorite core safe. You can live in peace from now on.”
After sending off the profusely grateful Ms. Zhao, the atmosphere in the clinic became somewhat subtle.
The three old officials stood awkwardly in the corner, stealing glances at Coal Ball from time to time.
Bai Jimu leaned in curiously. “Are you really ministers from a thousand years ago?”
Director Yuan straightened his back. “Of course! This old man was the Director of the Directorate of Astronomy back then!”
General Chen patted his chest armor. “I am the Grand General before the Emperor!”
Minister Li habitually adjusted his lapel. “This official is the Minister of Rites.”
Ming Shu sneered. “Three old fools controlled by Xiangliu for a thousand years.”
The three old officials wilted instantly.
Coal Ball jumped back onto the counter, sat down elegantly, and meowed at the three.
Director Yuan understood immediately. “Your Highness, rest assured, we will absolutely not reveal your whereabouts!”
General Chen patted his chest in guarantee. “If anyone dares to speak of it, they’ll have to ask my halberd first!”
Minister Li adjusted his cuffs, saying solemnly, “According to the Laws of Great Zhao…”
“Stop!” Bai Jimu interrupted quickly. “Speak like a human!”
Watching this scene, Bai Yanzhou couldn’t help but chuckle. “Since the misunderstanding is resolved, what are your plans for the future?”
The three old officials exchanged glances and bowed in unison. “We are willing to follow Imperial Preceptor Bai’s orders!”
And so, Baizhou Hall unexpectedly gained three “senior employees.”
Director Yuan’s ability to identify herbs was surprisingly accurate.
General Chen had great strength and was excellent at moving things.
Although Minister Li liked to cite texts, he organized medical cases with perfect order.
By the time everything was settled, it was already late at night.
In the dead of night, Bai Yanzhou carried Coal Ball to the backyard.
Moonlight spilled onto the stone table. He gently placed Coal Ball on the table, face to face.
The atmosphere momentarily stagnated in a subtle way.
“Um…” Bai Yanzhou rarely stuttered, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the stone table. “Xuan Lin?”
Coal Ball’s body clearly stiffened. His ears quietly turned toward Bai Yanzhou, but he maintained his aloof sitting posture.
Bai Yanzhou coughed lightly, his gaze drifting. “Actually… back then in the mourning hall… I knew you came.”
The tip of Coal Ball’s tail suddenly stopped moving.
“I also know…” Bai Yanzhou’s voice grew quieter. “What you did.”
“Meow!” Coal Ball suddenly stood up, fur bristling, his golden pupils filled with shock and embarrassment.
He paced anxiously on the stone table twice, finally turning his butt toward Bai Yanzhou, the whole cat radiating an aura of “I’m ignoring you.”
Bai Yanzhou held back a laugh and continued to poke the bubble. “When I faked my death… I was actually conscious.”
Coal Ball instantly petrified, even his tail freezing in mid-air.
“So for the past thousand years…” Bai Yanzhou asked tentatively. “You’ve been looking for me?”
Coal Ball spun around, meowing excitedly, paws gesturing in the air, as if saying: You actually faked your death! Do you know how I spent these thousand years?!
Bai Yanzhou finally couldn’t help but chuckle. “How was I to know you’d wait so long? I thought you had long since…”
His words were cut off by Coal Ball swatting his hand with a paw.
Although claws were sheathed, the force wasn’t light, clearly venting dissatisfaction.
“Okay, okay, it’s my fault.” Bai Yanzhou admitted his mistake readily, reaching out to stroke Coal Ball’s head, but the cat dodged.
Coal Ball turned his back to him angrily, but the tip of his tail involuntarily hooked gently around Bai Yanzhou’s sleeve.
Watching his awkward behavior, Bai Yanzhou’s heart softened completely. “So, is this why you disguised yourself as a cat to find me?”
Coal Ball gave a reluctant “meow.”
“Then are you…” Bai Yanzhou chose his words carefully. “Angry now?”
Coal Ball suddenly turned around, jumped onto Bai Yanzhou’s shoulder, head-butted his cheek hard, then quickly jumped away to squat on the other end of the stone table, pretending to admire the scenery.
Bai Yanzhou touched the spot where he was bumped and couldn’t help smiling.
This wasn’t anger; it was clearly acting spoiled.
“Stay.” He said softly. “Whether you are the Crown Prince or Coal Ball, there will always be a place for you here.”
Under the moonlight, Coal Ball’s ears twitched slightly, and his tail quietly wrapped around Bai Yanzhou’s wrist.
Just then, Bai Jimu’s suppressed exclamation came from the crack in the backyard door. “Wow! Bro is dating Coal Ball! I knew Coal Ball wasn’t a simple kitty!”
“Shut up, dumb dog.” Ming Shu dragged him away. “Don’t disturb them.”
Coal Ball stiffened all over, immediately jumped off the stone table, reverted to his usual aloof appearance, and cat-walked back elegantly.
Only when passing Bai Yanzhou, his tail inadvertently brushed against the man’s wrist.
Bai Yanzhou watched his pretended calm retreat, the corners of his mouth rising in a gentle arc.