Lead and Mercury Poisoning

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There were many schools of cultivation.

As Liusu had once said, the Mysterious Gate also had dual cultivation. Not everyone preached severing all emotions and desires; it mainly came down to differing understandings. Principles such as the union of sun and moon, the resonance of yin and yang, were conventionally interpreted as the yin and yang qi within oneself and heaven and earth. But if one insisted on interpreting them as dual cultivation between man and woman, there was also a whole system that could justify itself. One could disagree, argue against it, even denounce it as heretical evil arts, but that merely meant their paths differed. One could not say it was not a cultivation system.

What Dong Huazi taught the King was actually much the same—otherwise, why give him aphrodisiacs to cultivate with? The king had an ailment, so starting there made it easiest to achieve a breakthrough. If one truly advised him to clear his heart and curb his desires, success would be far harder to attain.

Qin Yi recalled Liusu's assessment of Li Qinglin last night: "No emperor has ever achieved immortality. Why can mortal emperors not cultivate the Dao? Because the root of their pursuit of longevity is their reluctance to part with all they possess. That runs contrary to the essence of immortal cultivation, so they will never achieve anything. That is why you are suitable. Come cultivate immortality with me..."

Qin Yi still remembered his answer: "So the essence of cultivating immortality really is being a broken record?"

Then Liusu had gone off to sulk.

In truth, Qin Yi's resolve had long since wavered beyond recognition. He truly wanted to cultivate immortality, and as his relationship with Liusu grew ever closer, even the wariness he had felt upon first arriving in this unfamiliar place had nearly vanished. He truly did not think Liusu would harm him...

The atmosphere in the bedchamber was somewhat strange. The King stared thoughtfully at Qin Yi, while Qin Yi's mind had wandered into the clouds, thinking about Stickstick. On the surface, they looked like two dignified men discussing the Dao...

After a long while, the King slowly said, "The alliance between two nations is a matter of immense importance. If Fellow Daoist Qin gives up Zhaoyang and persuades her to enter a marriage alliance with the Western Wasteland, then I can bestow five hundred virgins upon you, to help you establish the foundation of dragon and tiger."

Without even thinking, Qin Yi replied, "Even if there were ten million peerless beauties, I would want only Qing Jun."

The King narrowed his eyes. "Fellow Daoist is putting me in a difficult position."

Qin Yi could not help saying, "The Crown Prince was most likely assassinated by the Western Wasteland. Qing Jun regards Mang Zhan as a mortal enemy. Even without me, she would never agree willingly."

The King said flatly, "Everything must be done step by step. Fellow Daoist is the first step."

Qin Yi tried another angle. "The Western Wasteland assassinated the Crown Prince, yet we are instead marrying the Princess off to them. Has Your Majesty considered how the people of the realm will judge this?"

The King shook his head. "The National Teacher sought a divination and said the killer was in the capital."

Your son died, and instead of investigating the case, you sought a divination! No wonder the National Teacher insisted Li Qinglin was suspicious, and you actually hesitated. Qin Yi was powerless to mock him, so he simply said, "My divination indicated that the killer was in the west. Why not have the National Teacher come debate it again?"

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

Minghe...

You're a real cultivator, damn it. Catching demons is one thing, but why are you meddling in this mundane mortal world!

What a headache. Minghe had certainly confirmed Li Qinglin's suspicions. He just did not know how much she had told Dong Huazi. If she had merely divined that the killer was in the capital, and Dong Huazi had improvised the rest himself, that would be better. But if she had even mentioned demon qi appearing in the Royal Palace, then things were truly terrible.

Before Qin Yi could speak, the King continued, "In fact, whose divination is accurate is unimportant. Who the killer truly is is equally unimportant. Making the people believe the culprit has been brought to justice is no more than a matter of a few words. What truly matters is whether the two nations can cease their warfare from this day forth—that is the great plan for a hundred years. Does Fellow Daoist agree?"

A chill crept into Qin Yi's heart.

The imperial family was the most ruthless of all. This King was even colder-blooded than Li Qinglin.

He gave up on persuading him and directly took out an Azure Pill. "I believe Your Majesty will be more interested in this than in a marriage alliance."

"Oh?" The King indeed showed great interest. "What pill is this?"

"An Azure Fruit Pill." Qin Yi solemnly made up a name. "I dare not claim it can grant Your Majesty immortality, nor dare I say it will make you clear-minded and wise, as though ascending to immortality. But for Your Majesty's drowsiness, fatigue, back pain, and weakening eyesight, it should have considerable alleviating effects."

A fierce glint flashed through the King's eyes. "How did Fellow Daoist know I had these symptoms?"

Qin Yi answered nonchalantly, "If I could not even see that, I would have cultivated the Pill Dao in vain. If Your Majesty suspects someone at your side leaked the information, then I can name symptoms even those at your side would not notice... such as occasional heart palpitations."

Even the King's hands trembled slightly. He made a small gesture, and a eunuch immediately came over, took the pill, and carefully presented it to him.

This medicine was unlike the National Teacher's pills, glossy and perfectly round throughout. It had strange patterns upon its surface, with a faint radiance flickering in and out among them. It looked brimming with immortal intent.

"This..." The King had cultivated for so many years, so he possessed basic discernment. "This... I can feel it. There is Dao within it... This is a True Pill!"

The eunuch cautiously said, "Allow this servant to test it first..."

"Get out! How can such a precious immortal treasure be wasted!" Without another word, the King swallowed the pill. Sure enough, it melted upon entering his mouth, leaving fragrance on his lips and teeth. Its medicinal power rapidly spread through him, and the faint pain in his lower back from sitting for so long was washed by a cool sensation, immediately easing by a great deal. Its effect was miraculous.

The King was overjoyed. He did not even bother meditating anymore, but abruptly rose to his feet and laughed. "It truly is an Immortal Pill!"

What clear-minded wisdom, what ascending like an immortal—though those hallucinogenic medicines were addictive, their effects in easing physical aches and pains were no less remarkable. With this one pill alone, Qin Yi's standing in his heart abruptly rose countless levels, nearly placing him alongside Dong Huazi.

Qin Yi sighed. This medicine did not treat illness; it detoxified poison. It was precisely the Antitoxin Pill he had refined before leaving the mountains. He had fed one to Li Qingjun on the road when dealing with the Spider Demon, and had refined several more over the past few days. This King was a typical case of Lead and Mercury Poisoning, and this pill was perfectly suited to him. Yet it could only neutralize recent toxins and provide temporary relief. His chronic illness had already sunk deep into his bones; this low-grade Immortal Pill could not cure it at the root, especially when he continued consuming poison every day...

"I never expected Fellow Daoist to possess such true cultivation at such a young age." The King actually clasped his hands and bowed. "I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai."

Qin Yi rose from his seat to avoid the gesture. "I do not deserve it. Since we are fellow Daoists, we should help one another. Based on the specific circumstances, I can also refine other pills. I dare not promise immortality, but I can at least prolong one's years."

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

Qin Yi did not dare become complacent and cautiously replied, "I would not call it a condition. As I said before, we are mutually in love and wish to become Dao Companions. I hope Fellow Daoist will grant us his blessing."

The King found that pleasant to hear and asked again, "A royal son-in-law of this nation may not enter official service... Do you know what you could have obtained?"

Qin Yi repeated, "I want nothing at all. Only Zhaoyang."

The King pondered for a long time before finally saying, "Fellow Daoist may return for now. Allow me to consider this matter further."

After leaving the Royal Palace, Qin Yi could not help stopping and looking back.

The task had been completed rather perfectly... Meeting such a bizarre King was truly something else. If he had encountered those ambitious, capable monarchs, he would most likely have been treated as nothing more than an imperial apothecary. But here, he could be regarded as a fellow Daoist, and could even make the King bow to him.

He truly did not know how the King would weigh things now. Between health and state affairs, which mattered more?

There was no use overthinking it. Qin Yi quickened his pace and hurried back to the residence.

He had been away from Stickstick all morning. He missed her.

The moment he entered his own Guest Courtyard, the thick scent of blood hit him, making every hair on his body stand on end. In that instant, he felt as though something inside his heart were about to explode, and he rushed toward the rear courtyard in frantic panic.

Several corpses lay in the courtyard, hacked into mangled pieces by the Wooden Sword Array.

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

Relief flooded Qin Yi's heart. He dashed over and hugged her tightly, heedless of the wolf teeth on the club piercing his skin with pain. "You scared me to death... Thank goodness you're all right..."

Liusu, who usually mocked him, was exceptionally quiet now. Only after a long while did she say, "Fool."