Chapter 12: A Healing Touch

Xu Feng sighed as he approached the princess's bedside. The truth was... how could he possibly know how to treat an illness? In his previous life on Earth, Xu Feng's field of study was programming and design. But given the circumstances, he had no choice but to put on an air of seasoned expertise, employing the traditional methods of observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking to assess the princess's condition.

Admittedly, on the surface, he looked quite professional. At first, everyone was fooled. But as time passed—one minute, two minutes, and soon half an hour—Xu Feng was still "deep in thought." The emperor couldn't hold back any longer and let out a heavy snort. "Well, do you have a solution or not?"

"This..."

Xu Feng's face took on a troubled expression. Baphia XV had been skeptical of this young man from the start. Seeing this scene, he became even more convinced that Xu Feng was an uneducated fraud. Enraged, the emperor waved his hand, and two imperial guards charged in from the doorway. Yet, at that very moment, a strange voice rang out in Xu Feng's mind: "Activating, disease search engine."

Then, he felt as if his eyes had transformed into scanners, rapidly searching for information about Princess Ailiya's body...

During his journey through the black hole, Xu Feng had merged with the supercomputer of the Trad Expeditionary Force. He just hadn't learned how to use the computer's abilities yet. However, in this moment of crisis, the computer's functions automatically activated.

As the most advanced computer, its memory banks stored vast amounts of information. Through the search engine, it quickly found a medical case matching the princess's condition and provided the optimal treatment plan.

"Wait!" Xu Feng turned his head. "Your Majesty, I have figured out how to treat the princess."

"Really?" Baphia XV was overjoyed, but his expression soon turned skeptical again.

"Yes!" he said. "Your Majesty, please prepare some things for me." Xu Feng didn't know how that information had appeared in his mind—perhaps it was an ability gained from the transmigration. Now was not the time to investigate; the key was to first overcome the immediate challenge.

"Very well, whatever you need, just say it."

"Silver needles, strong liquor, and skilled healing mages."

"Agreed."

Though somewhat baffled by Xu Feng's requests, the emperor immediately gave the orders. In less than two minutes, the silver needles and liquor were ready, and the women present in the room were the finest priests from the temple.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Xu Feng first sterilized the silver needles using fire and the strong liquor. To be honest, he was also quite nervous. Among the several treatment plans, injections and IV drips could be ruled out—no such things existed on Hailan Star. As for the medications listed in another plan, Xu Feng hadn't even heard of them. The only remaining viable option was acupuncture.

But holding the silver needles, Xu Feng's hands trembled. This was his first time using them, and the patient... was the princess. If anything went wrong, the consequences were unimaginable...

Taking a deep breath, Xu Feng tried his best to calm his wildly beating heart. Watching Xu Feng raise the needle towards his daughter, Baphia XV clenched his fists. He was also very tense. At this moment, he was no longer the emperor, merely a father worried about his daughter.

If there had been any other way, the emperor would never have allowed such a risky treatment for his daughter. But the Pope had said that Princess Aelia might not survive the night. Thus, he had no choice but to let Xu Feng proceed. The emperor prayed to the heavens.

The silver needle pierced the princess's delicate skin. The supercomputer continued to function, constantly updating, instructing Xu Feng on how to find the acupoints and perform the acupuncture treatment.

Time passed minute by minute. Beads of sweat formed on Xu Feng's forehead. At some point, the elf girls came to his side, and one took out a handkerchief, gently wiping his sweat.

The short half-hour felt like a century. When Xu Feng inserted the last silver needle, "Ah," the little princess made a sound.

Overjoyed, the emperor rushed over first. "Ailiya, how are you?"

"Fa... Father."

The princess's voice was very weak. After all, she had been unconscious for over ten days, unable to drink water or eat, her life sustained solely by light magic.

"Don't speak."

Xu Feng glanced at the girl. The princess, after her severe illness, appeared pitifully delicate. "Your Majesty, the princess needs proper rest. Please order the priests to perform another light magic treatment, but be careful—the process must be gentle. Her Highness is very weak now and cannot eat yet."

Without needing the emperor's command, the female priests from the church had already heard Xu Feng's suggestion. They began to pray, and beams of holy light descended, slowly infusing the princess's body.

"Liya, rest well."

The emperor and Xu Feng withdrew, returning to the main hall. Baphia XV's face still couldn't conceal his excitement. Originally, regarding his beloved daughter's illness, he had almost despaired. Believing in this young man had merely been a stroke of luck. He never expected... Praise the Light God, thank the heavens.

The emperor was in an excellent mood, and his gaze towards Xu Feng was filled with gratitude. "My esteemed subject, a heroic youth. I shall fulfill my promise. By decree, I confer upon Xu Feng the title of Viscount, and bestow upon him gold, silver, a mansion, and servants."

Viscount?

A flicker of surprise crossed Count Royt's face. It must be known that Hailan Star was a world with strict social hierarchies. Compared to ordinary commoners, nobles possessed immense privileges—they were an entirely different class. To be granted nobility, one typically needed to have performed extremely significant meritorious service...

Moreover, the empire's noble ranks were divided into six levels: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron, and Baronet. To directly skip Baronet and Baron and be granted the title of Viscount—such precedents in the empire's history were few and far between.

Though he felt such a reward was somewhat excessive, a trace of envy flashed in the count's eyes. However, firstly, Xu Feng was someone he had brought; secondly, he also knew how much Princess Ailiya was doted on by His Majesty. Curing the princess's illness, in the emperor's mind, was probably comparable to military achievements of expanding territory.

As the Court Chamberlain, Count Royt was a perceptive and astute individual. Naturally, he wouldn't say anything unnecessary at this moment. He offered a series of congratulations and flattered the emperor. Baphia XV, in high spirits, nodded at the count. "My esteemed subject, for finding this excellent physician, your contribution is also significant. By decree, a reward of ten thousand gold coins."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. To serve Your Majesty, I would die ten thousand deaths without regret!"

Ten thousand gold coins was an astronomical figure for ordinary commoners. However, Count Royt had his own family business and didn't particularly care about the money. What moved him was the emperor's great delight. The favor of an emperor was something money couldn't buy.

After leaving the palace, Xu Feng still felt as if he were in a dream. He had originally thought he was doomed this time. Who would have thought the situation would take a turn for the better, and he would instead step directly into the ranks of the nobility? Could this be the legendary "misfortune turning into blessing"?

The count had come out with him. Royt expressed friendliness and sought to win Xu Feng over in his words. Firstly, this young man's medical skills were miraculous—who doesn't face illness and pain in life? Secondly, Xu Feng had cured the princess and been granted the title of Viscount, making him one of the empire's New Nobles. Building a good relationship with such a figure offered countless benefits and no harm!

Though young, Xu Feng, having transmigrated, came from an Earth where media was far more developed than on Hailan Star. Facing the count's frequent overtures, he naturally understood the implications. He responded vaguely, as he knew nothing about the empire's official circles.

Declining the count's invitation to share his carriage, Xu Feng took the elf girl's hand and walked out of the palace.