Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Ning Chan checked the condition of these individuals. Since they had consumed only a small amount, their situation wasn’t too severe—even without medication, they would likely just be unconscious for about ten minutes.

Shaking his head at Eugene, Ning Chan was about to say they didn’t need intervention and could just sleep it away when the man suddenly started bawling.

“Why did you have to be so greedy and eat so fast?! I’ve failed you all, wahhh—” Even His Holiness was shaking his head at this display. Clearly, there was no saving them—he was the guilty one!

“Wait, hold on. I didn’t say they were beyond saving—just that they don’t need intervention. It’s not serious.” Ning Chan reached down to pull the kneeling man up. The mourning was premature; those people weren’t dead yet.

“Huh? They’re fine?” Sniffling, Eugene opened his teary eyes and took another look inside the carriage, his nose running from crying. Was His Holiness just trying to comfort him? They didn’t look fine at all!

“Hehe, so many little people dancing… sparks everywhere, so lively, hehe…”

“Jellyfish… I’ve turned into a jellyfish… hehe, you’re a jellyfish too…”

“I’m dying! Quick, put me in the water! Us fish can’t survive on land!”

“Shh, don’t disturb my baby. He’s about to hatch!”

“I’m gonna be a dead egg… won’t hatch… shell’s too hard… can’t crack it…”

Luckily, the carriage was roomy enough to accommodate their antics.

The one who saw dancing figures was slumped in a corner, chuckling to himself while keeping time with his clapping at some unseen spectacle.

The would-be jellyfish had half his body hanging out of the carriage, limbs swaying limply like tentacles.

The “fish” was the most comfortable of the bunch, lying flat in the middle of the carriage, legs pressed together and arms glued to his sides, tensing his whole body like a fish gasping on dry land.

The egg-hatcher and the egg were clearly playing complementary roles. The “egg” had his back to Ning Chan and the others, curled into a tight ball on the carriage floor. The “mother” had pressed himself firmly on top of the “egg,” gripping a blanket so tightly his veins bulged—clearly determined not to let go.

Eugene’s face was the very image of “You’re just saying that to comfort me,” his tears showing no sign of stopping.

Ning Chan wanted to give them a scare—to make them understand they shouldn’t eat random things in the wild, or at least inspect them carefully first—so he had no intention of treating them immediately.

If possible, he would’ve liked to record their antics to show them later.

Too bad the technology wasn’t that advanced yet.

“Just keep an eye on them here. Fix their awkward positions, or they’ll regret it when they wake up.” Ning Chan turned to leave, intending to examine the mushrooms they’d brought earlier. He found them quite interesting.

In just the time it took him to ask a couple of questions, the mushrooms had already taken effect. And judging by the chaos, their impact on cognition was significant.

Based on his perception, consuming too much could lead to organ failure at best—or outright death at worst.

But in small doses, it seemed to induce only intoxication-like symptoms—sore limbs, a heavy head upon waking, with no serious aftereffects.

Remembering his nearly ready claypot rice, Ning Chan simply shrugged it off and walked off.

Seeing Ning Chan’s lack of concern, Eugene finally started to think his companions might not be in as dire a state as he’d feared.

Following Ning Chan’s earlier instructions, Eugene wiped his tears and climbed into the carriage, intending to separate the “mother and egg” duo.

Unfortunately, his kindness was met with resistance.

“What are you doing?! Are you trying to steal my egg, you egg thief?! Shoo!”

“Waaah, Mama, protect me! If you leave, I’ll freeze to death inside the egg!”

"My egg!"

"Oh my mama!"

Watching these two call each other "Mommy" and "Egg Baby" so enthusiastically, refusing to separate no matter what—even when pulled apart, they’d just pile back together—Eugene could only pant heavily, wiping the sweat off his face with his sleeve.

"Fine, you all can be cozy. I’m the villain here. I won’t bother you anymore."

"Quick, quick, carry me into the water! I’m drying up and losing scales!" The so-called "Madu Fish" struggled on his own, slamming his head onto Eugene’s thigh with great effort.

"Ow! You’re a freaking human, not a fish!" Eugene yelped in pain as his leg tendon took the brunt of the impact. If his leg hadn’t been pinned, he would’ve jumped right up.

"Carry me!"

"Carry my ass! I can’t even lift you!" The guy’s head was like a rock, grinding into his thigh. Clicking his tongue, Eugene shoved the "Fish’s" head off his leg.

"You heartless human! You don’t care about fish at all! Hmph, I curse you in the name of mermaids—may you never find a wife!"

"Hah, how vicious! If I can’t find a wife, neither will you!" Still a bachelor, Eugene clutched his chest and gasped dramatically. Once he got back, he’d find someone to fix him up.

"Bloop bloop bloop, Fishy no understand." Hearing Eugene’s threat, Madu turned away, puckering his lips to blow bubbles.

"Oh, so now you play dumb?!" Eugene was about to smack Madu when he suddenly noticed the guy hanging out the window had slipped even further out.

"Hey, hey, careful!" Eugene lunged forward, grabbing onto Chaduo’s clothes.

"Don’t pull me! I’m trying to catch that shiny jellyfish!" Feeling restrained, Chaduo windmilled his arms, desperately trying to wriggle free.

Still off-balance and unable to adjust his stance, Eugene could only feebly clutch the fabric, sighing as he dragged the man back. "Stop squirming! Let me reel in this jellyfish first!"

What made Eugene truly despair was that, in his lunge, he’d knocked over the "Chicken Mama" incubating her egg and crushed the bubble-blowing fish.

The "Egg Baby" rolled from the impact, smacking against the carriage wall and uncurling from his ball—then froze in place, face full of despair. "I’m done for… I’m broken!"

The "Chicken Mama," feeling the emptiness beneath her, reached down in disbelief. The familiar shape was gone. Tears spilled uncontrollably. "Pay up! Give me back my baby egg!"

The crushed "Fish" started thrashing in protest, rolling around the carriage.

"Okay, okay, I messed up! I’ll never pick up random stuff outside again!" Shaken by the "Chicken Mama" and battered by the "Fish," Eugene broke down, desperate to escape.

If he’d sinned, let the law punish him—not these morons who ate something funky.

By the time Ning Chan and the others finished their meal and checked on the group, they found them flushed red, awkwardly staring anywhere but at themselves.

"So… you remember what happened earlier?" Seeing their expressions, Ning Chan grinned mischievously.

"Ah… yeah. We know."

After grilling them about their cringe-worthy moments, Ning Chan had Eugene lead him to where the mushrooms grew, collecting some spores for potential future use.

After the mushroom incident, the group traveled with even greater caution. Coupled with the clear, sunny weather, the rest of the journey passed without further mishap, and they smoothly returned to the royal capital.

Without drawing attention, Kane quietly brought Ning Chan into the castle.

Whether out of hospitality or something else, Kane intended to let Ning Chan rest properly before formally introducing him to the capital’s citizens.

For now, it was best not to exhaust him.

Unbeknownst to the gentle, considerate Kane, His Holiness was currently frolicking in the hot springs, without a care in the world.

Although possessing pyrokinesis makes heating a pool of water no difficult task, it's still somewhat troublesome—nothing can hold a candle to a hot spring, which is also therapeutic.

Ning Chan had searched several places but hadn’t found any hot springs.

Of course, it was also possible that the hot springs were all located in private estates or homes, so even if he visited those cities, he would have missed them.

This king really knew how to live it up—his bath was nearly half as big as an Olympic pool.

Thinking of the scenes described in certain books, where emperors frolicked in hot springs with a crowd of beauties, Ning Chan smirked knowingly. Well, of course—if the pool weren’t big enough, how could it squeeze in a whole harem?

After he had his fill of swimming, Ning Chan leaned against the edge of the pool, stretching his limbs and resting with his eyes closed.

Meanwhile, Kane was fetching the new clothes he had made for Ning Chan. As for why he didn’t send someone else to do it—well, that was purely due to his own ulterior motives.

From the design, fabric selection, to the actual tailoring, everything about that outfit had been done by Kane himself. If not for the lack of time, Kane might have even started from raising silkworms.

Carrying the clothes he had made, Kane had butterflies in his stomach. He hadn’t taken exact measurements—only estimating Ning Chan’s size based on their yearly correspondence. What if it didn’t fit?

"Ning Chan, I’ve brought your clothes. May I come in now?" Thinking of the sight he was about to witness, Kane felt his body grow warm. Jeez, the temperature in the hot spring must be a little too high—he was already sweating just standing here.

"Mm, sure. Perfect timing—you can give me a back scrub. There are some spots I can’t reach." Ning Chan remembered reading about northern bathhouse culture in a travelogue, where it was said that a good scrub could be incredibly refreshing.

After being cramped up in the carriage for so long, Ning Chan felt he could use someone to massage his shoulders and work out the kinks. This was just the opportunity—surely Kane wouldn't say no to helping him out?

Already worked up, Kane grew even more agitated upon hearing Ning Chan’s request. The thought of that fair neck and elegant shoulder line made him feel blood rush to his nose.

If the clothes hadn’t been neatly packed and covered in the basket, Kane suspected all his efforts might have gone to waste right then and there.

The attendant standing outside the door widened his eyes at the sight of his king’s flushed face and nosebleed.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?!" The attendant hastily handed over a prepared towel, ready to call for a doctor at any moment.

Watching their panicked looks, Kane’s blush spread down to his neck. "Quiet! Keep your voice down. I’m fine—just overheated."