The Realm of Immortals

A group of people walked along a green mountain cliff, enjoying a few drinks along the way, and were slightly tipsy. The leader, dressed in a long robe that fluttered in the wind, stood atop the green mountain. With a wave of his hand, a small hall appeared out of thin air.

The poets behind them gathered here, looking at the green mountains and white clouds they had never seen before, and felt a sense of unfamiliarity. Standing on the mountain, they were filled with mixed feelings.

Birds flit past behind the screen, people wander through the painted barrier. When will I build a thatched hut, so I can listen to the sound of pines here forever?

A poet, moved by the situation, immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty; I have composed a poem that does not praise Your Majesty."

"It's alright, get up. I'm tired of hearing your poems praising me every day in the Epang Palace. It's quite refreshing to hear you write down these poems describing lofty mountains and flowing water."

The man kowtowed in gratitude, but the Qin Shi Huang felt that the sound of kowtowing disturbed the natural sounds of the mountains and forests, so he made him stop. Afterwards, everyone composed poems to their heart's content, and the Qin Shi Huang left behind the one he considered the best, which he had carved on the stone wall.

The group headed southeast, and on the road nearing the Blue Country, the Qin Shi Huang encountered several villagers who wanted to travel Blue Country. Just as those behind him thought the Emperor was about to erupt in fury, he merely sighed and smiled:

"Very well... We are also heading to the Blue Country, so why don't we travel together? Why do you wish to go? Is there something there that interests you?"

Bai Mo's words echoed in his mind, and he looked at the anticipation for the unknown in the eyes of these people—something they had never seen before. One of the men in the team spoke at length about the Blue Country.

"I've heard that the Blue Country is well-developed, and that the new emperor is a wise and virtuous ruler. I've also been able to contact my family who went to the Blue Country before, and they've invited me to work there."

I'm just a little worried; I've heard of many cases of wanton killing in the Blue Country. But I've worked the land for thirty-five years, and I really want to go and see for myself."

"It's alright, with me here... with me here, you will all be safe and sound."

The Qin Shi Huang chuckled, looking like an adult watching their child climb a tree, ready to catch them at any moment. He wouldn't interfere with their ascent, but only ensure they didn't fall.

Regardless, these are still his people.

"Your Majesty, if you are going to the Blue Country, what about the royal palace...?"

One of the attendants asked in a low voice, but the Qin Shi Huang waved his hand and said:

"No need to worry about it. I've already made arrangements over there. I've been sitting on the throne for so long, it's time for me to step down and take a walk. This trip is much more comfortable than staying in the palace all day. I hope the trip to the Blue Country won't disappoint me."

"I must go and see for myself whether that alluring place truly has substance or is just a facade."

The Qin Shi Huang, with a confident and composed expression, seemed like someone who had achieved financial freedom, completely relaxed and without pressure. Meanwhile, inside the Epang Palace, Bai Mo awoke to the empty hall and let out a frantic scream:

"Your mother! Where did she go? She just left? What's she up to? This matter isn't resolved yet, and Qin Hong is probably still hiding somewhere, preparing to do something big. And she just ran away like that?"

Bai Mo was somewhat frantic, and the Chaldea also twitched at the corners of their mouths. Even Hinako Akuta, who had some connection with the Qin Shi Huang, never expected that the Qin Shi Huang would leave while the group was resting.

"Alas, the emperor's heart is unfathomable."

Bai Mo immediately activated his power to sense things, and fortunately, the chief guard was still there.

Just as everyone was pondering what to do next, the captain of the guard strode over, carrying a box that was almost identical to the previous one, except that the previous box had a red and gold pattern, while this one had a black and gold pattern.

Upon seeing the head guard, Bai Mo immediately inquired about the Qin Shi Huang's whereabouts, to which the head guard slowly uttered two words:

"Eastern Tour."

"Are you kidding me? With his immortal body and Magnetic Field Power, an Tokiomi is enough for him to patrol all the cities in the Lostbelt. Besides, who goes on an eastern tour with a bunch of poets and artists? It's practically a vacation, isn't it?"

"That's what His Majesty said anyway; I'm just responsible for relaying it."

The head guard adjusted his reading glasses, revealing a relaxed smile, seemingly quite pleased to see His Majesty willing to go out. Bai Mo also shook his head, turning his gaze to the box in his hand.

"Alright, let him tell me about Qin Hong first. Don't tell me that even after unifying the world, he doesn't know such a place exists."

As Bai Mo spoke, he waited for the chief guard to open the box, where the communication device would allow the Qin Shi Huang to answer his questions.

Hinako Akuta chimed in, "That's right, that place was found using Xiang Yu Yu's data, wasn't it? Lord Xiang Yu served under him for so long, I don't believe he didn't know about that place."

However, the chief guard did not open the box, but nodded and replied:

"That place is indeed known. When His Majesty explored the technology of the Yin and Shang dynasties, he achieved his greatest success there— the Fusang Tree, which allowed him to extend his lifespan by two thousand years with a mechanical body."

The head guard explained, and unlike his previous taciturn manner, he was now like an old man who could chatter endlessly about everyday matters.

"That is the Realm of Immortals. All technological creations originated from there, and it was precisely because of this that the Great Qin achieved rapid technological growth, which, combined with the power of the Qin Shi Huang, enabled the swift unification of the world."

"No wonder we still have to rely on growing crops for fuel; it turns out it's technology from a pre-existing dynasty."

Bai Mo rubbed his chin. If that's the case, then the bizarre technological development here makes sense. Seeing that Bai Mo's attention was completely focused on people's livelihood, Ritsuka couldn't help but shake his clothes.

"Brother Bai, you're not paying attention. It's the Realm of Immortals. Back then, the Qin Shi Huang discovered the Fusang Tree there. Wouldn't Qin Hong have obtained some other treasures?"

Oh no! This kind of character loses someone important, inherits their will, escapes to a secret realm, and will probably use that to gain unparalleled power to seek revenge! Is that guy the real protagonist? No way!

Bai Mo pressed Ritsuka's head down, his face showing a hint of helplessness.

"You've read this type of novel? I thought you only read light novels where I'm from. But don't get your hopes up; you won't find any martial arts manuals if you fall off a cliff, you'll just die."

"Given the Qin Shi Huang's nature of squeezing every last drop of value out of even Hinako Akuta, and his tendency to leave a trace like a wild goose in flight, if he had ever been to the Realm of Immortals, he probably would have emptied it out long ago."

The head guard standing to the side also smiled and nodded, saying:

"Indeed, after His Majesty successfully entered the Realm of Immortals, he dug three feet into the ground, literally digging out three feet of soil there, until he confirmed that the remaining soil and rocks were completely indistinguishable from the outside world before he stopped."

Furthermore, the immortals had long since vanished, and that Realm of Immortals was now completely empty.

"But it's best to resolve this as soon as possible. Is there any way?"

Bai Mo remained determined not to give the Blue Country any time to develop and immediately prepared to eliminate them completely. Since the Qin Shi Huang had entered and even dug out the soil, there must be a way to get in.

"Yes, there are still a few scholars on Mount Li who have participated in research on the Realm of Immortals. The Fusang Tree is also still intact, so entering shouldn't be difficult."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's wake them up quickly!"

"You'll have to do that yourself."

Bai Mo:?