Presenting the Immortal Elixir

Associate Magistrate Xiao arrived far sooner than expected.

County Magistrate Zhang had only just led the people of the County Yamen outside to welcome him beyond the city when Associate Magistrate Xiao's ceremonial procession entered the city.

As Associate Magistrate Xiao was nearing Heyang County, he had suddenly heard another important piece of news.

That immortal had actually refined an Immortal Elixir a few days earlier. Rumor had it that when the elixir came into being, blazing firelight had dyed the entire County Yamen red.

That was an Immortal Elixir—an Immortal Elixir that could grant eternal life and agelessness to anyone who took it!

How could Associate Magistrate Xiao sit still after hearing that? He immediately ordered the procession to whip their horses onward and run, forcibly increasing their speed severalfold.

So when County Magistrate Zhang led everyone outside, he saw a great ceremonial procession of people covered in sweat, gasping for breath and staggering every which way.

County Magistrate Zhang was dumbstruck. If he had not received advance notice, and if the procession's size and arrangements had not been correct, he would have thought someone had dared to impersonate a court official.

"Where is the immortal?"

Seeing his superior step out of the carriage, County Magistrate Zhang was just about to cup his hands in greeting when Associate Magistrate Xiao rushed over, seized him by the arm, and asked, his gaze burning.

"Ah???"

County Magistrate Zhang was startled by his superior's unusual behavior.

You're a high-ranking official of the Principal Fourth Rank, after all. How can you be so rude and rash, without a shred of the dignity or authority of an imperial official?

"The immortal... the immortal has left."

Faced with his superior's question, County Magistrate Zhang dared not conceal anything and could only answer truthfully.

"What? Left?"

Associate Magistrate Xiao staggered, his face filled with disorientation and astonishment.

But he was, after all, an official of high rank and great power. He quickly composed himself and gave County Magistrate Zhang a long look before speaking.

"Take me to your study and tell me everything in detail. You are not to hide the slightest thing."

County Magistrate Zhang hurriedly nodded. "I understand, my lord. Please follow me."

Inside the study,

After listening to County Magistrate Zhang reveal everything about the immortal, down to the smallest detail, Associate Magistrate Xiao narrowed his eyes, but the faint trembling of his body still betrayed the unrest in his heart.

The immortal was real.

He was not a rumor born of chasing shadows and catching the wind, much less a lie Zhang Huaimin had deliberately fabricated to rise swiftly through the ranks.

It was not as though Associate Magistrate Xiao had never suspected Zhang Huaimin of lying. But the people of Heyang County had all seen the immortal with their own eyes. Zhang Huaimin might have been able to use threats and inducements to buy off the entire County Yamen, but he could not silence the thousands of people throughout Heyang County.

A casual investigation would bring the truth to light.

Zhang Huaimin was not that stupid. A stupid man could not have become a seventh-rank county magistrate.

An immortal had descended to the mortal world.

Just listening to County Magistrate Zhang's description, he could imagine how magnificent and breathtaking the phenomena in heaven and earth had been.

And how astonishing and unrivaled the immortal's bearing and appearance must have been.

Wait...

Associate Magistrate Xiao suddenly thought of the young man he had seen on the road.

But he soon shook his head.

That was only a mortal man who was a little handsome and had a slightly unworldly bearing. What virtue or ability did he possess to compare with an immortal from heaven?

"Alas, my fortune is too meager. I had no chance to meet the immortal."

Associate Magistrate Xiao slowly opened his eyes, regret on his face. When he looked at County Magistrate Zhang, his gaze held both envy and jealousy.

Hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang unconsciously straightened his bent back. Though he did his best to hold it in, he could not hide the pride and satisfaction on his face or at the corners of his mouth.

Not only had he been able to see the immortal every day, he had also spoken with him at length alone in a room. And that was not all: before leaving, the immortal had even bestowed an Immortal Elixir upon him.

Come to think of it, he, Zhang Huaimin, truly enjoyed blessings as vast as the heavens, with lucky stars shining high above him.

"I heard the immortal once refined an Immortal Elixir in the County Yamen's rear courtyard?"

County Magistrate Zhang had just thought of the Immortal Elixir when Associate Magistrate Xiao suddenly turned the conversation to it.

His heart tightened sharply, and he was struck by an ominous premonition.

"Th-this... this was all spread by the servants in the County Yamen. I did not personally see the immortal refine the elixir."

County Magistrate Zhang was not lying. He really had not been present when the immortal refined the elixir.

But how could his little scheme escape Associate Magistrate Xiao's notice?

"Magistrate Zhang, His Majesty is advanced in years and his imperial health is not what it once was. He labors over affairs of state day and night, and everyone at court is worried.

"As the saying goes, those who draw the sovereign's salary must shoulder the sovereign's worries. As His Majesty's subjects, should we not ease his burden?"

Associate Magistrate Xiao picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip before speaking in an even tone.

"Yes, yes, yes. Easing His Majesty's burden is our bounden duty as his subjects."

County Magistrate Zhang nodded vigorously in agreement, but more and more sweat gathered on his forehead.

"If there happened to be a miraculous elixir that could prolong life and relieve His Majesty's worries, what should we, as his subjects, do?"

Associate Magistrate Xiao slowly set down his teacup and gave County Magistrate Zhang, whose head was already covered in sweat, a meaningful look.

This could hardly be called a hint anymore. If Zhang Huaimin still played dumb, he would have to use other means.

Unless absolutely necessary, he did not actually want to resort to other methods. The fact that Zhang Huaimin had received an elixir from the immortal showed that he had caught the immortal's eye.

Moving against Zhang Huaimin might offend the mysterious, unfathomable immortal behind him.

The immortal might have left, but what if he returned one day?

The risk was too great; he did not dare gamble on it.

But he was determined to obtain that Immortal Elixir.

County Magistrate Zhang's heart had sunk to the bottom of a valley. He had not expected word that the exalted immortal had bestowed an Immortal Elixir upon him to have leaked out, much less reached Associate Magistrate Xiao.

If he had obtained the Immortal Elixir by chance, he would have voluntarily handed it over to the court without hesitation. He understood that an ordinary man was innocent until the jade he carried made him guilty.

But this Immortal Elixir was different. The exalted immortal had bestowed it upon him, and it held extraordinary meaning for him.

But Associate Magistrate Xiao had already gone this far. It seemed he was destined to lose his Immortal Elixir.

"I, Zhang Huaimin, magistrate of Heyang County and His Majesty's subject, wish to present the Immortal Elixir to His Majesty. May His Majesty enjoy robust health, and may his blessings and longevity endure."

Associate Magistrate Xiao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing County Magistrate Zhang's words.

"Brother Huaimin, you understand the greater good and are loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the country. When I return to the capital, I will certainly put in a good word for you before His Majesty. In the future, Brother Huaimin is sure to rise swiftly through the ranks and soar to success."

"Thank you for your high regard, my lord. I am unworthy of such praise."

"Hahaha..."

The conversation that followed was as gentle as a spring breeze and rain, harmonious and cordial.

But suddenly, Associate Magistrate Xiao seemed to remember something. "By the way, Brother Huaimin, when you went to Crouching Ox Mountain to suppress the bandits, did you happen to rescue a young woman?"

"A woman? What woman?"

County Magistrate Zhang was taken aback and spoke in confusion.

The smile gradually faded from Associate Magistrate Xiao's face, replaced by gravity and worry.

"The prefect's niece was abducted by the bandits on Crouching Ox Mountain. No one knows whether she is alive or dead, and she was taken on the very day you went up the mountain to suppress the bandits."

"Pfft... what???"

After hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang sprayed the tea from his mouth, his expression as though he had seen a ghost.