All the soldiers in the Marshal's tent kept silent for a while, then not knowing who was the one who started it, they exclaimed 'Long live the Emperor!' in unison.

The voices quickly spread out from the Marshal's tent and flew over the whole camp as if growing wings. For the first time in hundreds of years, two Tiger Emblems appeared in the same location, as if a sea god’s staff* was pinned on the military flag soaring in the air, unshakable by neither waves or artillery. Even though the new Emperor had not been officially crowned, he had been accepted by the generals of the four regions.

*reference to the sea god’s staff/Jingu Bang wielded by Sun Wukong in Journey to the West. Its inscription indicates that the staff follows the commands of its owner

When the Western cannons attacked the iron fence again, Gu Yun did not dare to delay any more. The generals rushed out quickly, each performed his own duties. They took orders and left one after another. The messenger retired to the outside of the tent. At last, only Gu Yun and Chang Geng were left inside.

At the last moment when all outsiders left, Gu Yun was at a loss for what to say. Chang Geng suddenly seemed as if his spine was robbed, his whole body swayed and almost collapsed. His chest heaved violently several times, he seemed to be in extreme pain and unable to breath at the same time. He covered his chest with one hand, gritted his teeth hard, his back tensed as if it was about to break.

Gu Yun was frightened. He hurriedly propped up one arm and carefully pressed it on his back: "Chang Geng, what's the matter?"

Chang Geng pulled down his hand and clasped it in his palm in a panic. He was holding it desperately like a life-saving straw, continuing to gasp for breath, unable to let out a word. The tendons on his temples became visible.

'Raising' him to this age, Gu Yun was never aware that he had any heart disease or asthma. He immediately called out: "Military doctor, come..."

The guard waiting at the door poked his head in.

Chang Geng squeezed a few words out of his throat: "Get out! Don't come in! "

The guard did not understand, but he didn't dare to disobey the imperial order and hurriedly withdrew.

Gu Yun looked at him at a loss. Chang Geng's eyes were congested. His pupils seemed to be separated, but were put together again by a needle. He turned to Gu Yun slowly. Marshal Gu tried to ready himself for a scolding.

But after waiting for a long time, Chang Geng only asked slowly, "If I came a little later, would I have not been able to see you again?"

Gu Yun: "..."