Lead and Mercury Poisoning

Seeking the Dao in the Mortal World

There are many schools of thought in cultivation.

As Liu Su once said, the Mysterious Gate also practices dual cultivation; not everyone advocates for severing desires and emotions. The key lies in different interpretations. The principle of the sun and moon interacting and yin and yang sensing each other is conventionally explained as the interaction of one's own yin and yang energies with those of heaven and earth. However, if one insists on interpreting it as male-female dual cultivation, there is also a complete system that is self-consistent. You can disagree, debate, or even denounce it as a demonic path, but that is merely a difference in paths, not a denial that it is a cultivation system.

In fact, what Dong Huazi taught the King was similar to this system—otherwise, why would he teach him aphrodisiacs? If the King had an ailment, starting from there would be the easiest way to achieve a breakthrough. If you truly advised him to clear his mind and reduce desires, it wouldn't be as easy to succeed.

Qin Yi recalled Liu Su's comment to Li Qinglin last night, "No emperor lives forever." Why can't human emperors cultivate the Dao? Because the root of their desire for longevity is their reluctance to give up everything they possess. This runs counter to the essence of immortal cultivation, and they will never achieve anything. So you are more suitable; come cultivate immortality with me...

Qin Yi also remembered his own reply: "So the essence of immortal cultivation is indeed being a repeater?"

Then Liu Su sulked.

In fact, Qin Yi's heart had long been shaken beyond recognition. He really wanted to cultivate immortality, and as his relationship with Liu Su grew closer, the vigilance he felt when he first arrived was almost gone. He truly didn't think Liu Su would harm him...

The atmosphere in the sleeping quarters was a bit strange. The King stared at Qin Yi, lost in thought, while Qin Yi's mind wandered, thinking of his staff. On the surface, they looked like two virtuous individuals discussing the Dao...

After a long while, the King slowly spoke, "The alliance between the two countries is a matter of great importance. If Daoist Qin gives up on Zhaoyang and persuades her to enter into a Marriage Alliance with the Western Wilderness, then I can bestow upon Daoist five hundred virgins to help Daoist build the foundation of the Dragon and Tiger."

Qin Yi didn't even think about it and replied, "Even if there are thousands of beauties, I only want Qing Jun."

The King narrowed his eyes, "Daoist makes me very difficult."

Qin Yi couldn't help but say, "The Crown Prince was most likely assassinated by the Western Wilderness. Qing Jun regards Mang Zhan as an enemy. Even without me, she would not be willing."

The King said lightly, "We must take it one step at a time. Daoist is the first step."

Qin Yi changed his perspective and said, "The Western Wilderness assassinated the Crown Prince, and yet we are marrying the Princess off to them. Has the King ever considered how the people of the world will evaluate this matter?"

The King shook his head and said, "The National Teacher consulted a divination, which said the murderer is in the capital."

Your son died, and you're not investigating the case, you're consulting a divination! No wonder the National Teacher insisted that Li Qinglin was suspicious, and you were actually hesitant. Qin Yi was speechless and simply said, "My divination says the murderer is in the west. How about letting the National Teacher debate it again?"

The King looked at Qin Yi for a long time and slowly said, "This divination was not performed by the National Teacher. The diviner is True Person Minghe, from the Tianshu Divine Palace First Hall."

Minghe...

You are a true cultivator, catching demons is one thing, but why are you getting involved in this mundane world!

It was truly a headache. Minghe had definitely confirmed Li Qinglin's suspicion. He just didn't know how much she had told Dong Huazi. If she only divined that the murderer was in the capital and the rest was Dong Huazi's own interpretation, that would be better. If she even mentioned that there was demonic energy in the Royal Palace, that would be terrible.

Before Qin Yi could speak, the King said again, "In fact, whose divination is accurate is not important; who the murderer is is also not important. Making the people believe that the murderer has been apprehended is just a matter of words. Truly stopping the war between the two countries from now on is a plan for a hundred years. Does Daoist agree?"

Qin Yi felt a chill in his heart.

The most heartless are those in the imperial family. This King was even more cold-blooded than Li Qinglin.

He gave up on trying to persuade him and directly took out an Azure Pill, saying, "I believe that the King's interest in this item will exceed that of the Marriage Alliance."

"Oh?" The King indeed showed a very interested expression, "What kind of pill is this?"

"Azure Fruit Pill." Qin Yi seriously made up a name, "I dare not say it can make the King live forever, nor dare I say anything about clearing the mind and sharpening the intellect as if ascending to immortality, but it has a significant effect on the King's symptoms of drowsiness, fatigue, back pain, and weakened vision."

A sharp light flashed in the King's eyes, "How did Daoist know I have these symptoms?"

Qin Yi said nonchalantly, "If I couldn't even see this, I would have cultivated the Dao of alchemy in vain. If the King suspects that someone around him leaked it, then I can also mention symptoms that even those around him cannot see... such as occasional palpitations."

The King's hands trembled slightly. He gently beckoned, and a eunuch immediately came over to take the pill and carefully handed it to him.

This medicine wasn't like the National Teacher's, which was perfectly round and bright all over. Instead, it had some strange patterns, with a faint glow flickering within them, looking full of immortal intent.

"This..." The King, having cultivated the Dao for so many years, still had some basic knowledge. "This... I can feel it, there is Dao within it... This is a True Pill!"

The eunuch cautiously said, "Let this servant try it first..."

"Get lost! How could such a precious immortal item be wasted!" The King swallowed the pill without a second thought. As expected, it melted upon entering his mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance on his cheeks and teeth. The medicinal power spread rapidly, and the waist that had been aching from sitting for a long time felt a cool sensation, immediately relieving much of the pain. The effect was incredibly potent.

The King was overjoyed. He didn't even bother with meditation, standing up abruptly and laughing heartily, "Indeed, an Immortal Pill!"

As for things like clearing the mind, sharpening the intellect, and ascending like an immortal, while those hallucinogenic drugs were addictive, their effect on relieving physical ailments was no less effective. With just this one pill, Qin Yi's standing in his heart suddenly rose by countless levels, almost on par with Dong Huazi.

Qin Yi sighed. This medicine wasn't for treating illness, but for detoxification. It was the detoxification pill he had refined before leaving the mountain. He had given it to Li Qingjun to deal with the Spider Demon on the way, and had refined a few more pills in the past few days. This King was a typical case of Lead and Mercury Poisoning, and this medicine was exactly what he needed. However, it could only dissolve new toxins and provide temporary relief. His chronic illness was too deep-seated to be completely cured by this low-grade Immortal Pill, especially since he continued to consume poison every day...

"I didn't expect that a fellow Daoist so young would truly possess genuine cultivation." The King actually cupped his hands and bowed. "I was blind and failed to recognize a great master."

Qin Yi stepped aside and stood up. "I don't deserve such praise. As fellow Daoists, we should help each other. I can also refine other pills based on the specific situation. While I can't promise eternal life, I can at least extend your lifespan."

The King calmed down slightly and nodded slightly. "So, fellow Daoist's condition is Zhaoyang?"

Qin Yi didn't dare to get carried away and said cautiously, "I wouldn't call it a condition. It's still the same words: mutual affection, willing to be Dao companions. I hope fellow Daoist will grant us your blessing."

The King found this pleasing to the ear and asked again, "The consort of this country is not allowed to enter officialdom... Do you know what you could have originally obtained?"

Qin Yi repeated, "I want nothing else, only Zhaoyang."

The King pondered for a long time and finally said, "Fellow Daoist, please return for now. I will consider this matter further."

Leaving the Royal Palace, Qin Yi couldn't help but stop and look back.

The mission was completed quite successfully, wasn't it? Meeting such a peculiar King was also strange. If he had encountered a King with great ambition and strategy, he would most likely have been treated as a royal physician. But here, he could be treated as a fellow Daoist, and even have the King bow to him.

He really didn't know how the King would choose now, between health and state affairs. Which was more important?

There was no point in thinking too much. Qin Yi quickened his pace and rushed back to the manor.

He had been away from the club for a whole morning and missed it.

As soon as he entered his guest courtyard, the strong smell of blood made Qin Yi's hair stand on end. At that moment, he felt as if something was about to explode in his heart, and he rushed towards the backyard in a panic.

Several corpses lay in the courtyard, shattered by the Wooden Sword Array.

The Wolf Tooth Club stood quietly beside the swords, as if watching him.

Qin Yi's heart relaxed, and he rushed over and hugged it tightly, not caring that the wolf teeth on the club were piercing his skin. "You scared me to death... Thankfully, you're alright..."

Liu Su, who usually mocked him, was very quiet at this moment. After a long while, she said, "Fool."