Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 63: Dormancy

Yun Province is located in the southwest, characterized by numerous towering mountains, and is divided into twelve counties.

Among them, Prince Zhen Nan’s domain comprises six counties, effectively splitting the entire Yun Province in half.

The whole of Yun Province has two actual administrative centers—one is "Zen City," where the provincial government is situated, and the other is "Nanwang Town," where Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion is located.

At this moment, in Nanwang Town.

Zhang Yao wanders leisurely down the main street, wearing a blue robe and carrying a backpack, still looking around forty.

"I never imagined that in just ten years, this place would become so prosperous."

He had toured most of Nanwang Town, feeling a bit sentimental.

Ten years ago, when Prince Zhen Nan was granted Yun Province, he did not choose to establish his mansion in any county city but instead built it on the remote "Panlong Ridge."

This Panlong Ridge used to be a desolate, sparsely populated mountain, but after the mansion was completed, many citizens gradually moved in, eventually forming a large town.

Today, Nanwang Town boasts a population of tens of thousands, and because of Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, its prosperity rivals that of some county cities.

"This Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion is truly extravagant."

Zhang Yao stands atop a pavilion, gazing at the distant, majestic palatial complex nestled by the mountains and rivers.

The lineage of Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion is less than ten people, but the number of armored warriors, guards, servants, maids, chefs, and gardeners in the mansion totals several thousand.

Several thousand people serve just one family, a level of luxury comparable to that of an emperor, far beyond anything Zhang Yao could have imagined in the past.

In fact, the entire Nanwang Town revolves entirely around Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, serving its needs.

As a prince with subdivided territory, Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, within its six-county fiefdom, can enact laws, collect taxes, and appoint or dismiss officials, virtually operating as a state within a state.

"Hah..."

Zhang Yao takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, his gaze profound.

After leaving Jiangzhou, he had already mentally prepared for a long-term dormant life here.

Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, he has no intention of meddling with.

He doesn’t need to gather intelligence, plot in the shadows, or infiltrate the lion’s den; the Emperor Yu Wenze is already handling those tasks for him.

His role is to patiently wait for the right moment and then act swiftly like a hidden hunter at the critical juncture.

"Looks like it’s time to return to old habits."

Thinking of this, a smile appears on Zhang Yao’s face.

......

In Nanwang Town, a new medical clinic, "Ren Shou Hall," has opened.

The clinic is operated by Doctor Zhang, who has excellent medical skills, quickly gaining fame and taking on several apprentices, gradually integrating into the local community.

After facing thirty years of ups and downs:

Ren Shou Hall in Nanwang Town has become a well-known establishment, and though Doctor Zhang isn’t hailed as a miraculous doctor, he can handle most ailments, earning a reputation for his medical skills and ethics.

One afternoon:

"Cough, cough..."

Zhang Yao, with white hair and murky eyes, his old face full of wrinkles, moves slowly, occasionally coughing.

He is a bit hunched, supporting himself with a cane, slowly making his way outside the hall.

"Master, slow down!"

Several apprentices quickly come forward, helping Zhang Yao to a reclining chair.

"Hmm, you all carry on."

Zhang Yao waves weakly, lounging in the chair, comfortably basking in the sun.

"Ah..."

Seeing his condition, the apprentices exchange glances, feeling a bit melancholic.

Over thirty years have passed, their master is nearing eighty, and despite his mastery in medicine and health preservation, it’s clear he doesn’t have much time left.

"Master has no children, and after he departs, who will he pass this Ren Shou Hall to..."

With such thoughts in mind, the apprentices return to the front hall, once again engaging in open and clandestine competition.

"What a handful."

Zhang Yao glances at them, retracts his gaze, and contemplates.

"Recently, those people have been increasingly active; they might make a move soon..."

He has waited for over thirty years.

In Nanwang Town, he has spent more than thirty years as an ordinary doctor on the surface, keeping his medical skills at just a good level without exceeding it.

If his medical skills were too advanced, attracting the attention of Prince Zhen Nan’s family, what if they summoned him to the mansion when needed?

He can be sure that the Elder Immortal is within Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, and his martial arts prowess is formidable, possibly arousing the other’s suspicion, a risk he dares not take.

"Initially, Prince Zhen Nan defied public opinion and insisted on building the mansion in this remote wilderness, already highly suspicious."

"In nine out of ten cases, it was to meet the needs of that Elder Immortal..."

Zhang Yao strokes his chin, his thoughts churning.

Over these thirty years, though he has been in hiding, he hasn’t been idle.

Though he never entered Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, he has subtly infiltrated from all sides, controlling first-hand intelligence within the mansion.

The officials managing Nanwang Town, the mansion’s external stewards, those handling shady dealings for the mansion, the covertly maintained mistress of a certain princely son, the prestigious merchants providing top luxury services to the Prince Zhen Nan’s family...

These people are not in the Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, but through them, he can understand every aspect of the mansion.

In this regard, Zhang Yao strives for caution, employing methods reminiscent of his control over Zhang Yong back then, to maximize his background presence.

Not only that:

Around four or five years ago, he discovered an additional batch of hidden operatives in Nanwang Town, likely sent by the Emperor Yu Wenze, also monitoring Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion through secret channels.

It’s undeniable, Prince Zhen Nan’s family originated from humble beginnings; apart from that Elder Immortal, they have no foundation and are unaware of these people’s existence.

As for that Elder Immortal—

The only intelligence Zhang Yao has gathered is that there indeed exists an extremely senior ancestor in Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, but he remains in seclusion, and Prince Zhen Nan’s descendants rarely have the chance to see him.

"Soon, it’s soon."

Zhang Yao’s gaze deepens as he looks toward Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, whispering softly:

"After waiting so many years, a little more time is insignificant..."

......

Half a year later.

Four Martial Arts Grandmasters from the north secretly infiltrated Nanwang Town.

The day they infiltrated, Zhang Yao sensed it, realizing the Emperor Yu Wenze was finally ready to make his move.

Evidently, he had confirmed through some channels that the Elder Immortal in Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion had already passed away in meditation!

Three nights later:

In Nanwang Town, at the top of Fengyu Pavilion.

Zhang Yao, dressed in black, dons a silver mask he hasn’t used in years, standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the distance.

His figure merges with the boundless night, clearly observing four figures slipping into Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion from several miles away, moving with purpose toward the rear courtyard.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yao’s lips curl slightly, his eyes displaying a hint of anticipation:

"It’s finally beginning..."