The Empress's No.1 Lackey

An opportunity for rebirth? Zhao Douan's eyes lit up.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, what exactly is it?"

Xu Zhenguan didn't bother to explain, simply glanced at him and snorted,

"You won't be disappointed, just wait."

Immediately, the white-robed Empress swished her sleeve, and Zhao Douan blinked, finding himself ejected dozens of meters away, standing at the entrance of Yangxin Hall.

Such extraordinary skill... Could this be a martial arts technique?

Zhao Douan was deeply fascinated. He then clutched his stomach with a pained expression,

"I haven't even eaten."

...

With the Empress's command, Zhao Douan could only linger in the side hall, patiently waiting while devouring the fruits and pastries on the table.

Taking this opportunity to sort out the aftermath,

"Well, after today, the Imperial Court will surely be in an uproar for a while. Two vacancies in the Master Department will need newcomers to fill them. Hmm, in that case, perhaps my Lihua Hall can take this chance to move up in the rankings."

However, he was just thinking; he didn't care much for those ridiculous rankings.

As for whether there were still rebels within the Imperial Court, it wasn't his concern anymore.

Even if there were, they were probably insignificant and posed no real threat.

"But to think, even after the Second Prince's defeat and death, the Kuangfu Society still holds so much power..."

Zhao Douan smacked his lips, suspecting the rumors might be true.

There must be one of the "Eight Princes" backing Kuangfu Society.

Only then could it explain why those rebels were impossible to eliminate.

Though the Second Prince was dead, they could still back a certain prince for the throne, continuing their dragon-supporting achievements.

"Oh well, this is beyond my reach. I'm still just a pawn on the frontline."

Zhao Douan understood his role clearly.

It seemed illustrious, but he remained just a vine attached to important figures in the royal court.

Having witnessed his senior disciple brother's terrifying power, his desire to master personal martial arts grew stronger.

...

He waited till it grew dark, and just as his stomach grumbled again,

when the sun sank and night enveloped the sky, someone finally thought of him.

"Eunuch Hai!?" Zhao Douan was astonished, "Why have you come?"

Outside the side hall, an old eunuch wearing a brilliant red Python Robe, slightly hunched but with a ruddy face and powerful aura, had appeared.

He was the royal family's Tributor, Hai.

Eunuch Hai stood with his hands behind his back, followed by a lantern-holding eunuch.

This Inner Palace Expert, who rarely left the "Martial Arts Hall" and appeared elsewhere in the Imperial Palace, seemed to smile at the corners of his eyes,

"What, don't you want to see me?"

Zhao Douan stood up to greet him, smiling brightly,

"What are you saying, Your Grace? When you summon me, how dare I refuse?"

Eunuch Hai seemed to enjoy his flattery, examining him and lamenting,

"I hear you've made another accomplishment. You little rascal, how long has it been, and you've already shed a layer of skin?"

He was referring to the "Master" official robe.

Zhao Douan laughed,

"No matter where I go, what matters most, is the waist card of our Tributor."

Eunuch Hai was pleased with this show of loyalty, chuckling and scolding,

"Stop with your sweet talk. His Majesty sent me to bring you for some preparations, let's go."

With that, he turned and walked outside.

Zhao Douan hurriedly stepped to follow.

He was surprised to find that behind Eunuch Hai wasn't just a few lantern-holding eunuchs but more than thirty.

They weren't Tributor, just ordinary eunuchs.

These people stood in two rows, each holding something that resembled a food box.

Their spare hands carried lanterns, trailing silently behind, resembling two fiery red dragons in the dark of night.

"What are these..." Zhao Douan was puzzled.

The Python Robe-wearing old eunuch walked ahead, hands behind his back, calmly saying,

"You'll know later. Heh, they're all prepared for you."

Damn, each one spouting riddles... Zhao Douan wasn't giving up, staying close to the old Tributor, trying to glean information subtly.

Eunuch Hai, annoyed by his pestering, helplessly said,

"Why is your mouth so restless?"

Zhao Douan laughed,

"If Your Grace explains what this Secret Technique of 'The Book of Changes' for rebirth entails, I naturally won't ask."

The group had already left the Yangxin Hall area by then but didn't head toward the Martial Arts Hall. Instead, they turned a corner toward the southwest of the palace.

After nightfall, the entire Imperial Palace turned into a sea of lanterns.

Patrolling guards, eunuchs, and palace maids moved about like fireflies on a summer night.

Naturally, in remote areas, it was dim and devoid of light.

But Zhao Douan noticed their destination was particularly bright.

Several gold-bright buildings stood out conspicuously.

"Enough," Eunuch Hai sighed, "youngsters are always impatient. Do you know where we're heading?"

"I don't," Zhao Douan honestly shook his head.

Eunuch Hai laughed,

"When this palace was built, a hot spring was included, transformed into a natural bathing area for the palace's nobility. It's now called 'Hot Spring Palace.'"

Hot Spring Palace... Zhao Douan had heard of this name.

In popular folk paintings, there was a widely loved "Noble Consort Bathing Painting" based on the Hot Spring Palace, renowned for its terrifying sales.

Zhao Douan wondered,

"So? Surely Her Majesty isn't rewarding me with a bath in the palace?"

Eunuch Hai ignored him and continued,

"There are thirty-six hot pools in the Hot Spring Palace, nourished by Dragon Qi for hundreds of years. They are top-notch water, especially beneficial for Martial Artists."

Great water... Zhao Douan's expression subtly changed.

He wondered if she meant rewarding him with the Empress's bathwater... This perverse thought startled him.

Unaware of Zhao Douan's thoughts, Eunuch Hai leisurely commented,

"You've trained in martial arts for years, so you should know how important a solid body is for a Martial Artist."

Zhao Douan nodded, saying,

"When I began learning martial arts, my master said the path of cultivation greatly values 'root and bone.' 'Root' refers to a Magician's spirit root, while 'bone' refers to a Martial Artist's physique."

In the Great Yu dynasty, there were many more Martial Artists than Magicians.

This knowledge was also more widespread.

As the saying goes, "Poor in literature, rich in martial arts," those who walk the martial arts path must not only endure years of relentless training but also supplement it with a large amount of medication to nurture and refine the body.

In short, Body Refinement.

Eunuch Hai said, "I've examined your bones; they're only average. Though naturally not bad, the materials used for Body Refinement since childhood were very ordinary, leaving a poor foundation.

You're still young now, so it's not evident, but as you reach higher cultivation or age, you'll realize how crucial a solid physique is for your cultivation journey.

Ha, I know you might say there are many powerful Martial Artists in history who came from humble beginnings, but you should also know that these Martial Artists' lifespans are much shorter than Magicians of similar caliber, due to insufficient foundation.

Though they may appear brilliant, in reality, they're burning their lives away."

Zhao Douan frowned,

"But I've heard that 'root and bone,' once grown, cannot be changed."

Eunuch Hai corrected,

"Not impossible, just difficult.

The older you get and the higher your cultivation, the more difficult it becomes. At your age and level, it's already quite challenging to change, but not yet impossible."

"The so-called Secret Technique of 'The Book of Changes' helps reforge the body, refining and solidifying the Martial Artist's foundations."

The Python Robe old eunuch glanced at him, saying,

"I don't know how you got so lucky. With your current achievements, it's far from enough to merit a Secret Technique of 'The Book of Changes,' yet here you are granted one by Her Majesty, heh."

Zhao Douan finally understood, and his heart pounded wildly.

The Empress's reward was an opportunity to be reborn, to reforge his cultivation foundation.

From Eunuch Hai's slightly resentful tone, it was clear how rare this opportunity was.

Ignoring the future cultivation potential, the mere idea of "increasing lifespan" was enough to make him both excited and emotional.

...

While speaking, the group entered the "Hot Spring Palace."

It was a garden with white walls and black tiles, surrounded by pine trees, and in the center were hot spring pools.

The ground was paved with white stones, interspersed with bronze lamp posts.

Though it was night, the steam rising from the pools wove a thick mist, resembling a fairyland.

"Is this where the nobility bathe?" Zhao Douan wondered curiously.

Eunuch Hai glanced at him, appearing to read his mind, and said,

"Don't even think about it. Her Majesty wouldn't bathe in these open-air pools; she's ahead."

Zhao Douan cast his eyes further, where a classic, elegant pavilion stood, the signboard featuring the words "Clear Pool" in flowing script.

The largest pool was indoors, while the outdoor ones were evidently of lower grade.

Currently, this area was empty, and Eunuch Hai led him to a pool, gesturing,

"Let's begin."

Then, the thirty-something eunuchs formed a circle around the pool, opening their boxes.

They poured various invaluable, extraordinary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures into the pool with splashes and plunks.

"Wow—"

Some eunuchs even used giant wooden scoops to stir.

In no time, the pool had become a medicinal bath.

"Strip down and get in," Eunuch Hai said calmly.

Zhao Douan was stunned by the extravagance.

He glanced quickly, noting that even a single piece of material would cost at least a thousand taels,

Heavenly Mountain Seven-Colored Lotus, Six Dynasties Dragon Fruit, Golden Ganoderma Jade Leaf, Barbarian Song Flower, Immortal Ascension Grass...

Some treasures were precious enough to be the legacy-guarding treasures of Capital's Medicine Hall.

But now they were casually dumped into the pool, enough to make Martial Artists worldwide envious and decry the waste.

"Oh oh!"

Zhao Douan immediately stripped off his clothes, careless about the company of eunuchs around, preparing to jump in.

"Take it all off, not a single stitch left," Eunuch Hai said coolly.

Come on... I was trying to save you face, respecting your dignity... Zhao Douan looked at his last large underwear, shrugged, and flicked it off. The eunuchs turned away, overcome with distress and inferiority.

Thinking that the Empress's choice of Lord Zhao as a gigolo made perfect sense.

"Splash!"

Zhao Douan plunged into the pool, feeling his entire body breathe through his pores:

"Eunuch, should I meditate to absorb the medicinal power?"

Eunuch Hai shook his head, saying,

"Rebirth is a defiance of nature, and these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are just auxiliary. The key lies in having a powerful practitioner perform a head-to-head transfer, reconstructing your foundation."

Head-to-head transfer... Zhao Douan was a bit hesitant,

"Is it Your Grace who will do it for me?"

Eunuch Hai shook his head, saying,

"Though I can do it, my cultivation isn't sufficient to achieve perfection. Her Majesty truly favors you, personally performing the head-to-head transfer for you tonight. Just remain calm and wait."

After saying this, the Python Robe old eunuch waved his sleeve, leading a group of eunuchs, their hearts pricked with painful memories, away, not leaving a trace behind.

In the blink of an eye, Zhao Douan was left alone in the entire Hot Spring Palace.

He stayed dazed for quite a while before realizing what was about to happen.

Suddenly, he looked up toward the distant brightly lit pavilion.

He saw the second-floor door swing open.

A figure in white clothing, with hair flowing like a waterfall and striking beauty, a "Fairy" rode the wind towards the garden, descending gracefully.

The Empress of Great Yu seemed to have just finished bathing, her skin pink and fair with a hint of red.

Her long, loose, wet hair hung lazily over her neck.

Her bare, white, and delicate feet stepped onto the warm white stone, her tiny toes curling and then stretching.

At her feet lay the scattered clothes of Zhao Douan.

Xu Zhenguan, like a fairy descending to the mortal world, lowered her gaze, looking down at Zhao Douan, who was soaking with only his head exposed, her expression indifferent.

"Your... Your Majesty?!"