The glazed tiles atop the gilded palace hall radiated a layer of warm yellow light in the twilight, as the palace lanterns hanging from the carved corridor pillars lit up one after another.
A warm, soft glow filtered through the carved window lattices, spilling into the depths of the bedchamber.
The furnishings inside the hall were not overly extravagant, yet every detail exuded imperial regulations.
On a red sandalwood side table sat half a cup of clear tea that had not yet gone cold.
In a bronze tripod in the corner, Soul-Calming Incense burned, its smoke curling upward, yet it could not disperse the faint gloom in the air.
Emperor Xu Jilong leaned back on a dragon couch covered with soft cloud-brocade cushions; his bright yellow casual robes were slightly wrinkled, making his already lean frame appear even more frail.
He held a yellowed ancient book in his hands, his fingertips gently stroking the edges of the pages.
Hearing soft footsteps from outside the door, accompanied by the respectful announcement of the guards, a gentle smile rippled in his eyes.
"Let them in." His voice carried the raspiness of a long-term illness.
The palace doors were pushed open gently, and two figures walked in side by side.
Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao walked to the front of the dragon couch and bowed in unison, their voices synchronized and respectful: "Your sons Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao pay our respects to Imperial Father."
Emperor Xu Jilong quickly raised his hand, his tone carrying a hint of urgency: "Rise quickly. We are father and sons; there is no need for such formalities."
He tried to prop himself up to sit higher, but it aggravated his old ailment, and he couldn't help but cough lightly twice.
Xu Tianhao was quick of eye and hand, stepping forward to support his arm and steadily helping him lean against the soft cushions.
Then, he naturally and meticulously pulled the brocade quilt by the couch up a bit higher.
"Imperial Father, has your health improved lately?" Xu Tianran knelt by the couch, his gaze fixed on Emperor Xu Jilong's face, carefully examining his complexion.
He saw that although Emperor Xu Jilong's face remained pale, there was a bit more spirit in his eyes.
He nodded slightly, his voice soft and slow: "It's the same as always. The imperial physicians all say this is an ailment of the heart, difficult to cure with medicine."
As he spoke, he gently patted the back of Xu Tianran's hand, his eyes filled with complex emotions:
"Tianran, you are the eldest brother. In the future, you must bear more responsibility, take good care of your younger brother and sister, and take good care of these Sun Moon Rivers and Mountains."
Xu Tianran's heart tightened, his eyes reddening slightly as he said in a low voice: "Your son understands. I will certainly not let Imperial Father down."
Xu Tianhao stood to the side, looking at his father's haggard appearance, his fingertips clenching slightly.
He knew all too well where his father's heart ailment came from.
Silence spread through the hall, with only the Soul-Calming Incense in the corner still curling and burning.
Xu Tianhao took a deep breath, breaking the oppressive atmosphere: "Imperial Father, your health is worsening. I have specifically brought something today that might be of benefit to your body."
Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Emperor Xu Jilong's eyes, which then transformed into a gentle smile:
"Our Tianhao has grown up and knows to worry for his father. What good thing is it? Quickly bring it out for me to see."
Xu Tianhao said no more and raised his hand to produce a drop of gold of life.
A refreshing and heart-cleansing aura of life instantly dissipated, lingering throughout the entire bedchamber.
The originally somewhat dull air instantly became vibrant.
Although Emperor Xu Jilong's talent was average, he was currently a Seventh Ring Soul Sage.
Despite his strength being diminished due to years of overwork leading to illness, his insight remained extraordinary.
The moment that drop of gold of life appeared, his eyes snapped wide open.
The pallor on Emperor Xu Jilong's face faded slightly, his eyes full of shock: "Tianhao, this... what is this?"
"This item is called gold of life." Xu Tianhao slowly held the drop of gold of life at his fingertip before Emperor Xu Jilong.
"gold of life can replenish vitality and repair a damaged Origin. I hope it can be of some help to your body, Imperial Father."
Emperor Xu Jilong looked at that drop of gold of life, then at Xu Tianhao's serious expression, his eyes filled with emotion.
Such a natural treasure was by no means easily obtained.
He wanted to voice a refusal, but saw that Xu Tianhao had already raised his hand, slowly pushing that drop of gold of life toward his lips.
"Imperial Father, please do not decline."
"You are the pillar of the Empire; your health concerns the Empire's fate. This bit of gold of life is nothing compared to your well-being."
As he spoke, he gave Emperor Xu Jilong no further chance to refuse, controlling the gold of life to slowly merge into his father's mouth.
The golden liquid melted upon entry, turning into a surging torrent of life that flowed down the throat and into Emperor Xu Jilong's body.
The Eye of Life at the center of Xu Tianhao's brow suddenly opened, helping Emperor Xu Jilong absorb this drop of gold of life.
Along with the absorption of the gold of life, Emperor Xu Jilong's originally weak body was instantly filled with the power of life.
Emperor Xu Jilong felt a wave of warmth rise from his Dantian, rapidly spreading to his four limbs and hundred bones; the fatigue and aches on his body seemed to be dispersed by this warmth.
He couldn't help but close his eyes, feeling the changes within his body in detail. Only after a long time did he slowly open them, his eyes full of complex emotions.
He looked at Xu Tianhao, his heart a mixture of many feelings.
Once Emperor Xu Jilong finished the absorption, Xu Tianhao guided the spirit power within his father's body, ensuring the power of the gold of life was fully absorbed without a single bit of waste.
"This child..." Emperor Xu Jilong looked at Xu Tianhao's focused profile, his lips curling into a helpless yet gratified smile.
In front of him, the father, his son was actually so overbearing, giving him no chance to speak at all.
Yet, this very overbearingness made his heart feel warm and full of gratitude.
Emperor Xu Jilong knew his own physical condition very well.
If he were willing, it wasn't that there was no possibility of a cure, but he could not get past the hurdle in his heart.
The reason he lingered on his last breath was simply because he couldn't let go of these ten thousand miles of territory, nor his two excellent sons.
He wanted to take a few more looks, to see if they could prop up this world, and to see if the Empire could move toward a more glorious future in their hands.
After a long time, Xu Tianhao finally withdrew his hand and lightly wiped the thin sweat from his brow.
He looked at Emperor Xu Jilong and said softly: "Imperial Father, the power of the gold of life has been absorbed by you. Your vitality has been replenished; you will surely be much more stable in the short term."
"It's just..." He paused, not continuing further.
A heart ailment still requires medicine for the heart.
The gold of life was merely a delaying tactic, yet it was also the best method at the moment.
Emperor Xu Jilong gently patted his hand, his voice carrying a trace of fatigue yet remaining gentle:
"Tianhao, I know your intentions. With you and Tianran here, I can be at ease."
The hall fell into silence once more, with only the candlelight of the palace lanterns occasionally flickering with a faint crackle.
Xu Tianran looked at his father's pale face, then at his younger brother beside him, finally sighed, and stood up:
"Imperial Father, it is getting late. Please rest well. Tianhao and I will take our leave first. If there is anything, you may summon us at any time."
Emperor Xu Jilong nodded, looking at them with a tender gaze: "Good, you two go back."
The two bowed again and turned to walk out of the bedchamber.
The evening breeze outside the hall carried a hint of chill; as it blew on them, it made both of them feel a bit more clear-headed.
Reaching the corridor, they both stopped at the same time and exchanged a glance, seeing a similar heaviness and helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Big brother, I still have some matters to handle, so I'll return to Haoyu Palace first." Xu Tianhao spoke first, his voice steady as ever.
Xu Tianran nodded and patted his shoulder: "Mm, go ahead."
Xu Tianhao turned and headed toward Haoyu Palace, his moon-white figure soon disappearing into the night.
Only Xu Tianran remained standing there, gazing in the direction he had left for a long time without moving.