Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

In the stillness of the night, Hu Hai leaned against the window, gazing at the starry sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that every step from now on would be fraught with danger, and the slightest misstep could lead to utter defeat.

Ying Zheng, equally diligent, held daily secret meetings with his advisors to continuously refine their strategies. He knew this contest was not only a battle of wits but also a test of loyalty and loyalty. He was determined to safeguard the stability of the Qin Dynasty with his wisdom and courage.

Two forces are vying for power in the shadows, and a struggle concerning the future of the Qin state is about to unfold. In this battle without gunfire, everyone's choices will affect the fate of the Qin nation.

In this turbulent struggle, Hu Hai and the men in black began frequent activity, desperately searching for clues about the Imperial Seal. They meticulously studied the palace layout, using Hu Hai's familiarity with the palace to quietly investigate every possible hiding place for the seal. They even bribed several palace attendants, hoping to extract useful information from them.

Ying Zheng responded proactively. He ordered the gray monkey to monitor Hu Hai and the man in black's every move, while simultaneously dispatching elite soldiers to patrol the palace and key roads of the capital to prevent any unforeseen events. Ying Zheng knew that this contest would test not only his wisdom but also his patience and determination.

As time went on, the actions of both sides became increasingly frequent, and the entire capital was shrouded in a tense atmosphere. Although the people felt uneasy, they did not know what was happening. Beneath this surface, the struggle between Ying Zheng and Hu Hai intensified.

Finally, on a moonlit night, Hu Hai and the man in black discovered a suspicious clue. Rumors circulated that something unusual had been found in a secluded corner of the palace, possibly containing the Imperial Seal of the State. Hu Hai immediately decided to personally lead an investigation.

Just as they were preparing to act, the gray monkey sensed something amiss and swiftly returned to report to Ying Zheng. Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng immediately became alert, realizing it was likely a trap, but also understood that this might be the crucial moment to uncover the entire conspiracy.

Ying Zheng decided to go in person, leading his elite troops to silently surround the target location. Under the moonlight, the two sides faced off in a secluded courtyard of the palace, the atmosphere tense and ready to fight.

Hu Hai was startled to see Ying Zheng arrive in person, but quickly regained his composure, knowing he had the man in black as his backer. Ying Zheng stared coldly at Hu Hai, his voice low and authoritative: "Hu Hai, you remain obstinate to this day, even colluding with foreign traitors to plot a rebellion."

Hu Hai responded with a cold laugh, showing no weakness: "Father, it is you who have forced your son to this point. Great Qin needs a more capable and virtuous ruler."

The standoff between the two sides made the surrounding air almost freeze. Just then, the gray monkey suddenly leaped into the arena, its appearance catching everyone off guard. Ying Zheng knew that this was the crucial moment when it would play its role.

The gray monkey swiftly pounced on Hu Hai, seemingly about to attack. Hu Hai was startled and hastily retreated. In that split second, the gray monkey's true target was revealed—it snatched a seemingly ordinary but crucial object from the man in black behind Hu Hai.

It turns out that all of this was Ying Zheng's scheme. He used the gray monkey to set a trap, successfully luring out Hu Hai and the man in black, while simultaneously demonstrating his own decisiveness and wisdom. This move not only intimidated Hu Hai and the man in black, but also proved to all enemies that Ying Zheng's ruling skills were not to be underestimated.

At this critical moment, Hu Hai realized his situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. His face turned pale, and his fear reached its peak. Although he had been prepared, he still felt unprecedented pressure when facing Ying Zheng. Hu Hai knew that if he failed, he would lose everything, and even his life would be in danger.

Seeing this, the men in black immediately tightened their formation, forming a protective circle around Hu Hai. They understood that if they lost Hu Hai, the entire plan would fail completely. A stalemate ensued, with neither side daring to make a move.

At this critical moment, Ying Zheng suddenly spoke, his voice calm and firm: "Hu Hai, if you are willing to repent, I can spare your life, but you must confess to all your previous deeds." These words exploded like thunder in the tense atmosphere. Hu Hai's heart was instantly filled with turmoil; he knew this might be his only chance of survival.

"At the same time, wavering began to emerge among the men in black. Although they were loyal to their mission, they had to re-evaluate their stance in the face of Ying Zheng's power and offers of appeasement."

After a fierce internal struggle, Hu Hai finally made a decision. He slowly stepped out of the circle of guards in black, came before Ying Zheng, bowed his head and confessed: "Father, your son knows his mistake."

The scene reached its climax. Ying Zheng gazed at Hu Hai before him, his emotions a complex mix of feelings. He hadn't expected the contest to end in such a manner. But as the ruler, he had to remain calm and rational, and he already had a decision on how to deal with Hu Hai.

Ying Zheng turned to the official beside him and ordered: "Take Huhai back to the palace and keep him under strict guard. As for these men in black, capture and interrogate them all. I want to find out who is behind this."

The officials responded swiftly and orderly, taking Hu Hai away. As he left, Hu Hai glanced at Ying Zheng with a complex expression, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

At the same time, elite Qin soldiers swarmed forward and subdued all the men in black. Although these men in black were well-trained, they were no match for the elite Qin army. They were tightly bound and awaited further interrogation.

Standing beneath the moonlight, Ying Zheng witnessed the turmoil subside, yet felt no relief. He understood that although he had successfully thwarted Hu Hai and the man in black's plot, the future of Qin remained fraught with challenges and uncertainties. However, he firmly believed that with a loyal companion like Grey Monkey by his side, he had enough confidence to face any hardship.

The gray monkey leaped onto Ying Zheng's shoulder, letting out a clear cry, as if celebrating its victory. Ying Zheng smiled and gently patted its head to show his approval. He knew that this victory was inseparable from the gray monkey's invaluable assistance.

With Huhai and the man in black taken away, the palace returned to tranquility. But Ying Zheng knew this was only temporary peace. He had to work even harder to consolidate his rule and ensure the prosperity and stability of Qin. At the same time, he had to be more vigilant against potential enemies to prevent them from threatening the state again.

In the days that followed, Ying Zheng began investigating the case of Hu Hai and the man in black. He hoped to extract more information about the forces behind the scenes from them in order to better address future challenges. At the same time, he strengthened the defenses of the palace and the capital region to ensure that similar incidents would not be repeated.

The grey monkey became a national treasure and hero of the Qin Dynasty. Its courage and wisdom not only won the praise and trust of Ying Zheng, but also the respect and admiration of the people of Qin. It became a symbol and legend of Qin, inspiring people to pursue higher ideals.

However, this peaceful period was shattered once again when Ying Zheng, overworked and exhausted, fell ill again. His condition deteriorated rapidly, plunging the entire palace into unprecedented tension and anxiety. Officials searched far and wide for renowned physicians, while members of the royal family stayed by Ying Zheng's bedside day and night.

At this critical juncture, the political situation of the Qin Dynasty appeared particularly fragile. Ying Zheng's serious illness became an opportunity for both external enemies and internal troublemakers. Some ambitious ministers began to secretly plot, attempting to seize more power amidst the turbulent times. (End of Chapter)