Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 372: Chapter 166: Bestowing the Name Wu’an! Ying Zheng Shocked: Are These Spirit Pills Poisoned? (Part 3)

"The toxin from a single pill isn’t very potent, but it adds up over time," Zhao Feng said.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded and immediately instructed Zhao Gao, "Go and find two rabbits."

"As you command," Zhao Gao replied, immediately hurrying away to prepare.

"Is it really as serious as you say?" Ying Zheng still looked at Zhao Feng with skepticism.

"Then the Great King is free to continue taking them," Zhao Feng retorted, glancing at him irritably.

"Now that you’ve said that, I wouldn’t dare take them without being certain," Ying Zheng immediately said, shaking his head.

"Speaking of which, how many so-called alchemists does the Great King keep in the palace?" Zhao Feng asked curiously. He recalled that when the state of Han was conquered, many alchemists had fled its palace, and the same thing happened after the conquest of Zhao.

"Not many, only about a hundred," Ying Zheng replied calmly.

"Then how many pills has the Great King consumed over the years?" Zhao Feng asked. "One a day, which is nearly four hundred a year, and that’s just for invigoration."

He looked at Ying Zheng with a strange expression, thinking to himself, No wonder the historical Emperor Qin Shi Huang died at Shaqiu in his fifties. To live that long while consuming pills like this... he was truly fated to live a long life.

"However, if these pills are poisonous, why do they have such a potent invigorating effect? And they also possess the myriad wonderful powers of Spirit Pills," Ying Zheng said, still not quite believing they could be toxic.

"Who is the chief alchemist in the Royal Palace?" Zhao Feng asked, his curiosity piqued again.

He asked because a certain person came to mind—a historical figure with a controversial reputation, but one who had a profound influence on a future era, even affecting the National Fortune of Huaxia.

"The chief alchemist is Xu Fu," Ying Zheng said with a smile. "His Alchemy is unrivaled in the world."

So it really is him. Xu Fu, the man who historically duped Emperor Qin Shi Huang time and again. He tricked the Emperor with promises of an Immortality Elixir, went searching for Penglai Immortal Island, and ultimately gave civilization to the Wo people, which became a scourge upon Huaxia. This man absolutely cannot be spared. However...

Thinking of Xu Fu, Zhao Feng immediately recalled the historical records. There were claims that Xu Fu became the first Emperor Shenwu of the Wo people, but it was without a doubt that they acquired civilization because of him. Of course, at this moment, my focus is slightly different. If this is a purely historical world, then Xu Fu is likely just a fraudulent Alchemist. But if this world isn’t just historical, if it’s a world of Cultivation, then could Penglai Immortal Island actually exist? After all, this world has Spiritual Energy, just no method of Cultivation. Zhao Feng couldn’t help but wonder.

With my current strength, it’s impossible for me to probe such secrets. I’ve traveled far and wide with the Qin Army and visited many places, but I am the only Martial Cultivator I know of. I’ve never met any other cultivators, yet the world’s nature’s spiritual energy is undeniably real. A world so rich in Spiritual Energy couldn’t possibly lack cultivators. Perhaps they aren’t in the Land of the Divine Continent, or maybe they simply exist on a different plane of existence. Of course, this is all just my own speculation.

Just then, Zhao Gao returned to the hall with two temple officials, each of whom was holding a rabbit.

"Great King, we have caught two rabbits from the palace," Zhao Gao reported respectfully.

Ying Zheng glanced at the rabbits, picked up a bottle of the so-called Invigorating Elixir from the table, and handed it to Zhao Gao.

"Feed two pills to one of the rabbits." After a pause, he added in a deep voice, "No, feed it three."

"This servant obeys." Zhao Gao immediately took the pills and handed them to the two temple officials to administer.

Soon after, both rabbits were force-fed the pills and immediately became agitated and hyperactive.

"It seems there’s nothing wrong," Ying Zheng observed, watching the two rabbits.

"The Great King should observe them carefully for a few days before drawing any conclusions," Zhao Feng suggested with a faint smile. It would be truly strange if these Spirit Pills weren’t poisonous.

"Put these two rabbits in a cage here in the palace and feed them well. I want to see for myself whether these Spirit Pills are truly poisonous," Ying Zheng said immediately.

"As you command," Zhao Gao promptly replied.

"I hear your wife is with child again?" Ying Zheng asked, looking at Zhao Feng with a hint of a smile.

"Yes, she’s been pregnant for a month now," Zhao Feng replied with a smug grin. "On this point, the Great King is inferior to his subject."

Hearing this, Zhao Gao’s already pale face turned even paler. How does he dare say such things? he thought, once again stunned.

"In what way am I inferior to you?" Ying Zheng asked, looking at Zhao Feng with confusion.

"Your subject has only one wife, and she is now pregnant for the second time. The Great King has countless Concubines in his Harem, yet you have so few children. If I had as many wives as the Great King, I’d have a hundred children by now," Zhao Feng boasted with a proud smile.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng instantly understood and chided him in annoyance, "You little rascal."

"Your subject departs for the lands of Zhao tomorrow. I must trouble the Great King to look after my mansion in my absence," Zhao Feng said, his tone pleading. "As for my sister, I have already spoken with Master Chen. She will first study at the Great Medical Hall and then join the army as a Military Doctor."

"Your sister wants to join the army?" Ying Zheng asked, slightly surprised.

"It is what she wants. She says she wants to save people," Zhao Feng explained with a helpless tone. "So I naturally granted her wish."

Ying Zheng nodded in understanding.

On this last day before his departure, Zhao Feng did not rush to leave Zhangtai Palace, instead staying to converse with Ying Zheng. The king, in a rare move, set aside his Petitions and engaged in continuous conversation with him.

Zhao Gao, meanwhile, was utterly shocked by Zhao Feng. Many remarks that would be considered presumptuous coming from any other subject were spoken freely by Zhao Feng, yet the Great King clearly did not mind. The two of them spoke like old friends, discussing everything under the sun.

That day’s conversation made Zhao Gao truly understand the high esteem in which Ying Zheng held Zhao Feng. He became more determined than ever that he must never, ever offend Zhao Feng. To do so would not only bring harm to himself but to Hu Hai as well.

...

「Evening!」

A carriage stopped outside the Zhao Mansion. The trusted aide on guard duty at the gate immediately stepped forward.

"Who goes there?" the trusted aide asked in a calm voice.

As he spoke, the other guards nearby turned to look, their gazes cautious. For the trusted aides, the defense of the General’s Mansion was naturally of the highest priority.

Just as he finished speaking, two people alighted from the carriage.

"If you would be so kind as to announce us," Li Si said with a smile, cupping his fists. "Li Si, accompanied by his son, requests an audience with the Shangjiangjun."

Upon hearing the name Li Si, the trusted aide understood immediately and bowed. "So it is Lord Tingwei. Please wait a moment."

He then hurried into the mansion to announce the visitors.

"Father, is this visit not a bit sudden?" Li You asked, standing beside Li Si with some apprehension.

"You’er," Li Si began in a lecturing tone, "all this time, I have taught you the ways of navigating the world, but you have yet to become deeply involved in the Court and the world of officialdom. This visit is twofold: first, it is a courtesy call from me, your father. Second, it is an official visit from you, as his subordinate. This protocol is something that must never be abandoned. The future of the Li Family rests on your shoulders."

Li You nodded, only half-understanding.

Just then, the trusted aide returned and announced loudly, "Lord Tingwei, my general invites you in."

At his words, the other trusted aides on duty parted to clear a path.

"My thanks," Li Si said, then led Li You into the Zhao Mansion.

「Inside the main hall!」

Zhao Feng was already waiting.

...