Brief Summary
This episode of "Tale of Herding God" centers on political maneuvering within the Heavely Sacred Sect and the Imperial Court. The Patriarch contemplates the sect's future, considering options like aligning with or opposing the Yankang Nation, while also assessing the potential of the Young Sect Leader. Meanwhile, Miracle Doctor Qin Mu gets involved in the Imperial Court when he is summoned to treat the Empress Dowager, who is suffering from a rare and deadly poison called Thousandfold Venom.
- The Patriarch of the Heavely Sacred Sect discusses the sect's future strategy with the Young Sect Leader, considering the influence of the Imperial Advisor and the potential for rebellion or alignment with the Yankang Nation.
- Qin Mu is summoned to the Imperial Palace to treat the Empress Dowager, who is afflicted with the Thousandfold Venom, a complex poison with no known cure.
- Qin Mu requests specific items and personnel to cure the Empress Dowager, raising doubts among the imperial physicians about his methods.
Skip Intro
The episode begins with a conversation between the Young Sect Leader and the Patriarch of the Heavely Sacred Sect. They discuss the Imperial Advisor's influence and the future of the sect. The Patriarch considers two options: turning the sect into a nation to distance it from Yankang or aligning with Yankang. The Young Sect Leader expresses concerns about the growing power of aristocratic clans and the potential for public anger, suggesting a possible rebellion.
Political Intrigue and the Way of the Sage
The Young Sect Leader and the Patriarch continue their discussion, focusing on the Imperial Academy's role in creating a divide between the rich and poor. The Patriarch reveals his belief in the "Way of the Sage," which emphasizes serving the people. He admits to influencing the Imperial Advisor to shape Yankang Nation in the image of the Heavely Sacred Sect. The Patriarch expresses his doubts about achieving the Way of the Sage and hands over the responsibility to the Young Sect Leader, tasking him with either supporting the Imperial Advisor or taking his place if he fails.
Succession and the Qualities of a Leader
The Patriarch uses the analogy of Nine-Dragon Crucian Carp to explain the qualities needed to survive in the political landscape. He emphasizes the importance of vision and leadership, revealing his plan to step down and oversee the Ascension Ceremony. The Young Sect Leader expresses concerns about his current strength, but the Patriarch encourages him to push himself and win over the sect disciples to secure his position. He stresses that relying solely on ancestral techniques is not enough in the current era.
A Summons to the Palace
Qin Mu, now known as the Miracle Doctor, is visited by Chubby Seven, who is revealed to be Yankang's Princess. She requests his help in treating her grandmother, the Empress Dowager. Qin Mu is taken to the Imperial Palace, where he is met with skepticism from the imperial physicians due to his young age.
Diagnosing the Thousandfold Venom
Qin Mu uses his Qingxiao Divine Eye to diagnose the Empress Dowager, identifying her ailment as the Thousandfold Venom. He explains the poison's complex nature, stating that it is made from 1,023 poisonous substances and that any attempt to cure it only worsens the condition. The imperial physicians confirm that they have been unable to find a cure due to the poison's constantly changing toxicity.
The Jade-Faced Poison King and a Potential Cure
Qin Mu reveals that the Thousandfold Venom was created by the Jade-Faced Poison King, a figure he claims to have encountered in the Great Wasteland. He recalls seeing the poison at Grandpa Apothecary's place, leading him to suspect that Grandpa Apothecary might be the Jade-Faced Poison King. Despite the imperial physicians' inability to find a solution, Qin Mu claims to have a way to cure the Empress Dowager. He requests a list of medicines she has taken, along with 1,023 palace maids, wooden plaques, and Emerald-Eyed Toads, raising doubts among the court about his methods.
