That night, a heavenly thunder leveled the Lanzhou prefectural office to the ground. All the corrupt yamen runners under Prefect Olivia and Grace Brooks were struck dead by lightning, their bodies charred beyond recognition, while some minor officials with good reputations among the people remained unharmed. Afterwards, Lanzhou, which had always been short of rain, experienced a blood rain for three days, with the red water rising three feet. This event shocked the entire imperial court and stirred much discussion among the common people. In the end, the emperor, fully aware of the truth, suppressed the matter, but the warning from the heavens still caused many officials to restrain themselves considerably.

“If the changes brought by the demon star can truly allow the people of the world to live in peace and contentment, then I would rather sacrifice these decades of cultivation and return to the mortal world!” The eyes of Samuel Clark, which had just been dim and lifeless, suddenly shone with brilliance as he declared resolutely.

Standing to the side, Henry Smith couldn’t help but feel completely confused, but at this moment, his master’s solemn expression seemed not only familiar, but also so kind and respectable. He had no idea that this grand wish of his master would, in the near future, have a profound impact on his own life.

Traceless Chapter, Volume One: Dormancy

Chapter One: Awakening from a Long Dream

Jason Clark felt that this sleep was incomparably sweet. Once again, he dreamed of everything he desired—the feeling of being cherished like a treasure was simply too wonderful, and he wished he would never wake up. However, he still heard a faint sound. Having grown used to the changes in his dreams, he knew that this dream was coming to an end.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he was dazzled by a bright light. His own home was always pitch dark—where did this light come from? Muttering, he rubbed his eyes, only to find himself in a place he had never been before, yet it felt incredibly familiar. With trembling hands, he brushed over the carved window lattice, the luxurious brocade curtains, and the beautiful smiling face before him.

“Your Highness, you’re awake?” Emily Clark’s face turned bright red. The prince, who had always been indifferent to his maids, was acting so forward—what had gotten into him? Yet, in her heart, there was a flutter of excitement. After so many years of serving him day and night, it seemed the prince really did have some feelings for her.

“What did you call me?” Jason Clark stammered, but what he heard was a completely unfamiliar voice—he was utterly lost. This couldn’t be happening; how could things from a dream become reality? He must still be dreaming, he thought with a bitter smile. How could a poor child like him have such an extraordinary experience?

Another maid in green, seeing her master’s dazed expression, found it a bit amusing but dared not show it. She quickly raised the washbasin, knelt down, and said, “This servant Grace respectfully invites Your Highness to wash up.”

But Jason’s mind was already elsewhere and he didn’t respond. Grace had no choice but to repeat herself: “This servant Grace respectfully invites Your Highness to wash up!” She even deliberately emphasized her tone.

Still, there was no response. Emily Clark couldn’t stand it any longer. She walked up to Jason Clark, rolled up her sleeves, picked up a towel, and carefully began to help her master wash. This was something she often did—her master spent half the year bedridden, and she had always been the one to serve him, so she was quite adept at it. Still, she felt that today’s prince seemed a bit different from usual.

Jason Clark only felt that those soft, boneless hands were brushing against his skin, stirring up an indescribable feeling. He couldn’t help but open his tightly shut eyes, and that beautiful face so close to his own swayed before him—everything felt so real. Could this not be a dream? The washing was soon finished. Although Jason Clark was a bit unaccustomed to rinsing his mouth with salt, his body cooperated perfectly, as if he had always done it this way.

“Emily Clark.” The name slipped from Jason Clark’s lips, a name he had never known before, leaving him stunned. What was going on? He clearly didn’t know her!

“Does Your Highness have any instructions for this servant?” Emily Clark finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought her master was possessed, but his next words made her question that assumption again.

“Where exactly is this place?” Jason Clark asked in confusion, raising his head. “Am I dreaming?”

The maids in the room began whispering among themselves. Although the prince had always been ill, this had never happened before. Emily Clark did her best to compose herself before replying, “Your Highness, what’s wrong? This is Fenghua Palace—your bedchamber.”

“Bedchamber?” Jason Clark repeated the two meaningless words, and suddenly a flood of information surged into his mind. The abrupt impact made him cry out in pain, “Ah!” After the scream, all the maids saw their master collapse onto the bed, face deathly pale, unconscious.

“What are you all standing around for? Go get the imperial physician!” Emily Clark shouted, her heart filled with indescribable feelings. Just when there had been a hint of intimacy, was it all over already?

Matthew Brooks rushed breathlessly from the Imperial Medical Institute to Fenghua Palace. For the past three years, he had practically become the exclusive physician for the Seventh Prince—not for any other reason, but because only his medicine could be swallowed by the frail and sickly prince without causing him to vomit. Moreover, since he had no powerful connections, the head physician of the institute was more than happy to assign him this thankless task. Matthew Brooks had never planned to advance further in his official career, and he also pitied this prince who was unloved by his parents, so he made no complaints about shuttling back and forth between the institute and Fenghua Palace.