The Yao Emperor and His Human Doctor.

Chapter 74 - Just a Memory

The current spectator Qiang Yong, on the other hand, followed Su Ning as he crawled into one of the caves! He didn't even go that far! If he had thought about it at the time, he could have easily found him! But he thought that the human had gone down and fled through the forest... When the Yao army came to investigate the smoke, he even asked them to search the entire forest area while Su Ning was only a few zhang away!

Qiang Yong still secretly looked for him in the human settlements, he was so troubled in his heart that he barely closed his eyes. He couldn't accept this person's disappearance! What if he hadn't survived his injuries? The doubt was almost consuming him with anxiety. He was fine, but his savior could have died in a horrible way.

However, Qiang Yong was still being plagued by anxiety. Now he would finally know what Su Ning did and thought after separating from him! The doctor was worried that the yao would investigate his methods to cure him,  as there probably wasn't a single yao who didn't know about the Soul Eater. This matter was a topic that would have to be buried, even if it was with him!

He felt as if he was complicit in the deaths the swords caused. He wouldn't let anyone else die because of this, it was his wish and his shifu's last. Qiang Yong watched Su Ning crawl to the bottom of the cave with a bleeding heart. The doctor opened another one of his bottles of painkiller and drank the entire contents at once.

At the height of his despair he ripped the veil from his face and, twisting the fabric, bit it hard, stifling his screams. If the yao were nearby they could hear him and capture him, but he has never in his life endured physical pain like this! He had been cold to the point of cramps, starved until his bones were exposed, and other types of injuries inflicted when he had to fight demons.

However, nothing beat the pain of the soul being fragmented twice. He was curled up, his hands clinging to his body so tightly that his nails tore through fabric and flesh.
Qiang Yong was also suffering, it was as if he could receive a tiny fraction of this pain physically, yet his heart was torn apart. He knelt before the writhing, convulsing specter of vision.

"Why??" He cried. "Why did you go through this alone? I wouldn't pressure you. I just wanted to look at you, touch you..." He once again crossed the other's sweaty face, Su Ning's eyes were tightly closed and tears were streaming down in profusion. It was just a memory, he had no way to comfort him anymore... After what seemed like the longest hours of their lives, the medication began to take effect and the doctor passed out from exhaustion.

He even developed a high fever and woke up delirious, looking for water to drink but he left the last bottle with yao...
Su Ning was only able to recover a little three days later, Qiang Yong had already left with his army. Very weakened, he left the cave and risked returning to the group of cultivators who accompanied Lai Sze.

This part Qiang Yong knew so he exited the memory pearl. His eyes were red from crying. He saw little Su Ning sitting nearby, he was playing with the pearls floating on the spiritual sea, absentmindedly. In this form, it was as if he was watching someone else's memories. The emperor approached and the little boy turned to him smiling.

"Do you want to see one more? That one was sad, there are some really good ones."
"Actually, do you know if there are any more memories about me?" Qiang Yong hoped that at some point he might have found Su Ning again or the doctor would think of looking for him.
"Uhm..." The boy carefully observed the dragon's elegant and well-made features and again reached for the pearls.

They repeated the circular movements until he grabbed one.
"This one!" He held out the pearl in his small hand. Qiang Yong looked at that innocent face that had not yet experienced the eight sufferings of life. But as far as it was up to him, Su Ning would be spared any obstacles from now on. It hurts to take a look at the memory.

Su Ning was wearing a clean and formal set of clothes from the Medical Sect. As always, dark blue suited him very well, but Qiang Yong wanted to tear off that black veil that hid half of his face. He was waiting sitting in a room when the doors then opened and a tall figure entered. Qiang Yong recognized him at first. It was the Human  Emperor, Zhi Lu. Wearing his rich attire in shades of yellow and gold, he smiled at Su Ning sympathetically and the doctor promptly bowed.

"Dr. Su, there's no need. We're alone. You've just recovered from your injury, don't exert yourself!" He walked over and helped him straighten up. Su Ning nodded gratefully. He was still down gone and his health inspired care.
Qiang Yong was like a pot of vinegar at this scene. How could they be so close???
"What did you think of the official treaty?"
"Well-considered." He said politely.

"The Dragon Emperor didn't object either. You don't know how relieved I am!"
"Qiang Yong is fair. There is no reason for you to doubt him." Su Ning commented with absolute conviction.
"Uhm... Have you ever seen him? I'm so nervous! We're just going to sign this peace treaty but it's like I'm going to fight in the war. In fact, I feel miserable for not being there like he was."
Qiang Yong grimaced, doubting it.

"I didn't get to see you. But regarding this last sentence, the customs of the yao are different from those of humans. It doesn't mean that you didn't care, proof of that is that you took a big step to protect the population in the best way possible."
"Aren't you really going to stay? I feel a little more confident with you around."
Su Ning smiled. "I will watch discreetly from the crowd. What use could an ailing doctor be in government matters?"

"How can you say that! You are mainly responsible for us having a truce today! Dr. Su, you should accept an official position!"
"This humble one thanks you, but medicine is my life. I would die without it, like a plant that dries up without rain. I am very happy as I am today." Su Ning stood up, ready to leave.

Zhi Lu had no choice but to agree. The doctor at the beginning of his career quickly cured him of an illness that almost cost him his life. Furthermore he was diligent and knowledgeable in many subjects. Zhi Lu offered him many positions, rewards and benefits but in the end after everything was refused he realized that the doctor was a detached soul and there was no way to change that.

Su Ning went to watch as promised from the crowd that came to applaud the signing of the peace treaty. The main hall was opened to the public and the doctor hid behind a pillar. He could see well from where he was. The only reason he went even though he was unwell was to provide moral support to Zhi Lu. When Emperor Yao was introduced he was shocked.

It was the yao he had saved! Qiang Yong was carefully observing his reactions. The doctor didn't really know him when he helped him. The emperor's heart was beating fast. At that time he thought that by appearing like this, the doctor would appear to ask for something. He was full of hope. Come look for me. I'll give you the world if you want. That's what he thought. But now Qiang Yong could see a faint smile on the doctor's face. He admired the dragon for a while, saw him sign the peace treaty.

"Go to him! Go find him!" Qiang Yong said in the image's ear uselessly, he had no way of redoing the past. However, once the ceremony was over, the doctor turned to leave. He was filled with peace and a clear conscience as he left to attend to yao, leaving two shattered Qiang Yong behind. It was just another memory,  but at least a happy memory. For him.

Author's Note

How sad... Su Ning didn't think that the emperor wanted to talk to him so much and Qiang Yong wanted him anyway, even if he was just another self-interested person looking for him to obtain some benefit 🤧😥. I'm sorry A-Yong, Su Ning is not that kind of person.