Poison Doctor Roaming the Martial World

Emperor Dongli rested one hand on his forehead, rubbing his fist together repeatedly with the other. A hint of weariness lingered between his brows as he murmured, "Is it about to appear...?"

. . .

A few years ago, the Southern Yue Kingdom provoked the people, causing widespread suffering along the border. Emperor Dongli, along with his civil and military officials, went to Anguo Temple to pray for blessings. After all the ceremonies were completed, he accepted an invitation from his friend, Master Konghui, to visit him in his abbot's quarters.

"Old friend, it's not easy to see you. I almost thought we'd have to meet again on the road to the underworld, haha." Before even entering the inner room, one could hear Master Konghui's hearty voice.

Emperor Dongli smiled and shook his head, leaving everyone waiting in the courtyard. One person pushed open the door and entered, saying, "Now that you are famous and attract attention from all four kingdoms, you should cultivate your character and show the demeanor of a reclusive master. After so many years, you have returned still as mad as ever."

Master Konghui rolled his eyes at Emperor Dongli. "Hmph, this humble monk only occasionally cast a few divinations that came true. I dare not accept the title of a hermit master. Speaking of which, it's been a few years since we last met. You've aged a lot. The wrinkles on your face are as numerous as the old pumpkins in the temple garden."

Emperor Dongli's lips twitched, and he laughed angrily, "If you have bad eyesight, go get it fixed. I'm just over thirty, and I'm clearly handsome. Old Pumpkin? You really have guts."

After speaking, he fell into deep thought. Kong Hui had been adopted by Anguo Temple since childhood. Because of his outstanding wisdom, he was often isolated by his fellow disciples. Emperor Dongli's mother would bring him out of the palace every month to pray for blessings. The two shared similar interests and talked late into the night by candlelight, thus becoming friends.

Later, the late emperor passed away suddenly, and the princes launched a series of internal conflicts in the struggle for the throne. Emperor Dongli also successfully seized the throne with the help of Kong Hui's divine calculations.

"You're the only one in the world who dares to speak to me like that," Emperor Dongli exclaimed.

Master Konghui poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, put down the cup, and stared intently at Emperor Dongli.

After a long silence, Emperor Dongli finally spoke, "You invited me here just to see me?"

Master Konghui curled his lip in annoyance: "You wish!"

Emperor Dongli didn't mince words: "Is something big about to happen? Otherwise, why would you want to see me alone?"

Master Konghui's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "Has Your Majesty ever heard of the Phoenix Star?"

Emperor Dongli also put away his playful expression, saying, "I know a little. The Imperial Observatory uses the Phoenix Star to observe the Empress's fortune."

Master Konghui scoffed, raised his index finger and shook it, saying, "No, no. The phoenix, also known as 'Fenghuang,' is the legendary king of birds. The male is called 'Feng,' and the female is called 'Huang,' and they are collectively known as the phoenix. Later, the dragon gradually became a symbol of emperors, and emperors, empresses, and concubines began to refer to the phoenix as 'Feng,' and the image of the phoenix gradually became indistinguishable between male and female. Even today, most people still think that the phoenix star refers to the empress. Hehe~~ Wrong, all wrong."

Emperor Dongli looked puzzled. "Stop beating around the bush, what is it?"

"As an emperor, you don't even have this much patience?" Kong Hui poured himself another cup.

Emperor Dongli snatched the teacup from Kong Hui's hand and said hastily, "I don't need to waste my time on you, just tell me."

Kong Hui stopped teasing and said seriously, "This humble monk observed the image last night and saw that a phoenix star has descended upon the southern part of Dongli. The Western Pan and Southern Yue have been provoking us one after another, causing Your Majesty great distress. The phoenix star descending upon Dongli is a great fortune for the country. Your Majesty must find this person as soon as possible and give him an important position."

Emperor Dongli suddenly opened his eyes wide and stared at Kong Hui. Kong Hui simply nodded and continued, "If it is a man, become sworn brothers with him and he will help you in your great cause; if it is a woman, make her fall in love with you. Even if she does not become empress, she can still bring blessings to the world and win the hearts of the people. It will be all beneficial and without any harm; if she becomes an enemy, Dongli will be powerful."

Three months later, Emperor Dongli personally brought back a woman from the south. However, the woman was crippled in both legs and entered the palace as Consort Qi. Everyone believed that Emperor Dongli had personally pacified the southern border, and the people were grateful to him. Only Master Konghui was strongly dissatisfied.

Inside the Imperial Study of the Eastern Fence Palace.

"You did this to her legs?" Kong Hui angrily rebuked the leisurely-looking man in front of her.

Emperor Dongli lowered his eyes and did not deny it. He continued to sip his tea, concealing his guilty conscience, and said lightly, "I found the person according to your instructions, but she was stubborn and unwilling to come to the palace with me. I had no choice but to forcibly bring her back and keep her by my side."

Kong Hui snorted coldly, "Do you know that the Phoenix Star has dimmed and is gradually disappearing?"

Emperor Dongli finally looked at Kong Hui properly. Kong Hui, with her back to Emperor Dongli, sighed, "I understand that you have great ambitions and want Dongli to prosper and flourish for the people and the world. But you broke her leg and you broke her heart."

At Kong Hui's words, Emperor Dongli's heart clenched, a pain he had never felt before. He had only known her for a little over two months; was she really that important to him? As an emperor, he couldn't afford to fall in love easily, lest he become vulnerable. Even surrounded by beauties of all shapes and sizes, he had never truly loved anyone. Putting aside these emotions, Emperor Dongli asked, "How can this be remedied?"

Kong Hui shook her head, looked up at the sky, and began to calculate with her fingertips. After observing for a long time, she exclaimed with delight, "The Phoenix Star has dimmed, and behind it seems a new one is rising, appearing and disappearing." She then increased the speed of her calculations.

After a short while, he turned around and said excitedly, "Within seven years, another phoenix star will descend. This star is born with good fortune and will surely bring an unprecedented golden age to Dongli. It is truly a blessing from heaven for Dongli."

"Also a woman?" Emperor Dongli asked, but his tone was certain.

Kong Hui stroked her chin and laughed, "It's a woman, but you can't accept this woman."

Emperor Dongli stared at Kong Hui without uttering a word. Kong Hui felt goosebumps all over from his gaze and curled her lip, saying, "The Phoenix Star that arises after the Phoenix Star, the Phoenix among Phoenixes, has an exceptionally strong destiny. This humble monk advises Your Majesty that if you find it, treat it well. Even if you force it to stay by your side, it can still overthrow Dongli. The Phoenix Star is currently weak and small, almost non-existent, and it is very likely to appear in its infant form. Your Majesty has enough time to consider how to deal with it."

Emperor Dongli kept his eyes fixed on Kong Hui, knowing full well that Kong Hui only addressed him as "this humble monk" or "Your Majesty" in serious matters. After a long silence, he said, "Do you know what Master Kong Hui's title represents? Your words influence the actions of the four kingdoms!"

Kong Hui's unrestrained laughter rang out, "Of course I know. It is precisely because I know that I remind Your Majesty to pay attention. We have been close friends for many years, and this humble monk is willing to devote all my efforts to assisting Your Majesty. However, there are some matters that only Your Majesty can decide. This Phoenix Star would not have appeared otherwise. It was precisely because of Your Majesty's mistake that the original Phoenix Star dimmed and fell, giving her the opportunity to appear. Her brilliance far surpasses that of the previous one. Those who receive help will dominate the world; those who are enemies will perish. This humble monk has said all I have to say. Your Majesty should consider this carefully."

"Born with a blessed destiny, he will surely bring an unprecedented golden age to Dongli."

"Those who receive help will dominate the world; those who become enemies will perish in their families and nations."

"Born with a blessed destiny, he will surely bring an unprecedented golden age to Dongli."

"Those who receive help will dominate the world; those who become enemies will perish in their families and nations."