Being an otaku in the world of American comics

#755 - Sitting up in shock from the dying

No sooner said than done, Teacher Jingxiang and the others quickly grabbed hoes and mattocks, digging pits and pouring water around the verdant little tree. Before long, a small pool took shape.

Meanwhile, Liang Yue left the Flowing Cloud Sect directly, riding his horse towards Bianliang City.

He traveled at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery and experiencing the myriad aspects of life along the way.

Compared to the last time he was here, Bianjing was now significantly more prosperous. Street vendors hawked their wares, stalls and shops lined the roads, and pedestrians bustled back and forth, their laughter, playful banter, and angry shouts blending into a single sound.

In addition to this, there were also many scholars dressed in traditional robes mixed in with the crowd.

It seemed these were the scholars Little Zhao had mentioned who were coming to the capital to take the imperial examinations.

Perhaps because of the frequent reports of victories from the front lines, the people of Bianliang City, both men and women, all seemed to speak with more confidence than before.

The air was filled with a vibrant vitality.

If judged according to historical records and the standards of past dynasties, this era could be considered a golden age.

Besides Emperor Renzong and his court officials' governance, Liang Yue naturally deserved some credit.

It wasn't just because of the world map and globe he had presented; in fact, his previous intentional and unintentional actions had profoundly influenced this world.

For example, the numerous industries under his Flowing Cloud Sect.

Although these were merely actions taken to maintain the sect's daily expenses, the emergence of various modern goods and antique-style production lines had greatly enriched the daily lives of the common people in this world.

Another example was how the young ladies of his household had shared some of the sect's high-quality vegetables and fruits with the surrounding farmers.

Various potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, peppers, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other items had, after years of propagation, spread throughout the entire Great Song Dynasty.

Subtly and significantly improving the people's living environment here.

Especially those high-yield crops brought from modern society, which enriched people's daily diets and provided a strong guarantee for their lives.

It should be known that in a later era, it was precisely because of the introduction and widespread adoption of these species that the population of China increased several times over.

And then there were many shameless busybodies who brazenly praised this stage as the "Kang-Qian Golden Age"…

Well, if judged by that standard, Liang Yue and the young ladies of his household had indeed performed immeasurable meritorious deeds.

By introducing high-yield species in advance, they had created a great golden age that should not have appeared here.

For example, as Liang Yue rode slowly on horseback, he saw roasted or boiled peanuts on many street stalls, as well as bowls of fiery red chili oil placed on the tables of noodle stands.

And those sweet potatoes, placed next to yellow clay stoves, emitting a fragrant aroma as they were roasted…

…

Passing through the bustling crowd, Liang Yue quickly arrived outside the imperial palace gate. After having someone announce his arrival, a small eunuch hurried over and led Liang Yue into the palace.

Compared to the lively scenes in Bianliang City, the imperial palace before him seemed somewhat rigid, with a heavy atmosphere in the air.

Eunuchs and palace maids hurried back and forth, each with a bitter face, afraid to even breathe loudly, lest they disturb someone.

"It seems that Emperor Renzong is indeed nearing his end."

Because he had no direct descendants who could inherit the throne, the next emperor could only be selected from among the members of the imperial clan.

If things had progressed according to the normal course of history, the Emperor Yingzong who was originally supposed to succeed him would probably have been inadvertently killed off by him…

Fortunately, the tradition of going to his Flowing Cloud Sect for meals, starting with Renzong, seemed to have become a habit for many imperial nobles.

For about ten days each month, a group of the old Song family would come together, traveling to the Flowing Cloud Sect.

Claiming to be refined scholars taking a trip together, or feeling depressed and unable to escape their troubles, needing a Taoist master to help them unravel their knots, and also, incidentally, visiting the noble ladies of the imperial clan who were cultivating there.

In short, since the guests had arrived, his Flowing Cloud Sect naturally couldn't refuse to provide meals.

The young ladies of his household also didn't want to drive people away.

But it was obviously inappropriate for them to come forward to entertain these guests every time.

So, over time, they established a restaurant on another small hill not far from their Flowing Cloud Sect, specifically for these people.

They invited famous chefs to take charge, and the ingredients used were all high-quality goods produced in the base world. The wines and other drinks were also extraordinary, with very good nourishing and life-extending effects.

Anyway, Yingzong Zhao Zongshi's body was now very strong.

According to Bao Yun, a few years ago, the other party seemed to have asked for a basic body-strengthening technique from the Flowing Cloud Sect. He had already made some progress in his cultivation, and his original headaches had long since been cured.

It was expected that when he ascended the throne, he would no longer die after only four years on the throne, as he had in the original historical trajectory~

…

After the little eunuch went in to report, Liang Yue was invited in shortly after.

Passing through a group of imperial clan members kneeling on the ground, and ministers standing with their hands down, he soon saw Zhao Zhen, whose face was pale and yellow.

Empress Cao was sitting beside him with a sad expression, holding Renzong's hand.

Seeing Liang Yue enter, the little old man on the bed suddenly brightened up, his originally cloudy eyes beginning to clear up. He reached out a hand towards him, his face full of excitement, and said.

"True, True Immortal, save me, I still~ can't, die, I still, have, many things, not~ uh…"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Zhen seemed to have exhausted his last strength, and his hand trembled and fell down.

Just as if the last burst of vitality had ended, the radiance on his face and the light in his eyes were rapidly dissipating.

Upon seeing this, the expressions on the faces of the surrounding people suddenly collapsed, and cries and sobs instantly resounded throughout the hall.

"This reaction…"

Seeing this, Liang Yue felt somewhat helpless.

Thinking in his heart, I can't have you die just as I arrive, right?

Those who don't know might think I'm here specifically to see people off.

So he quickly flicked his finger, and a drop of water vapor energy flashing with colorful light shot out, instantly entering Renzong's forehead.

The little old man's thin, waxy yellow face immediately began to become rosy and radiant at a visible speed.

His eyelids, which were originally slowly closing, suddenly opened wide, becoming radiant.

The next moment, he straightened up and sat up directly from the sickbed.

The people in the hall were immediately silenced, each choking on their own breath.

…