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

Zhao Ji excitedly grasped Ying Zheng's hand: "Heaven blesses our Great Qin!"

Ying Zheng was filled with emotion and turned to the Taoist priest to express his gratitude: "May I ask your honorable name?"

The Taoist priest gracefully withdrew, saying, "I am but a man of the mountains and fields, not worth mentioning. It is already my blessing to be able to help the Great Qin achieve its great cause." After speaking, his figure gradually faded away, disappearing without a trace like mist.

Ying Zheng and Xu Fu exchanged bewildered glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Who exactly was this mysterious Taoist? Why did he appear at this crucial moment, only to vanish so quietly?

The entire alchemy room was filled with tension and anticipation. Everyone's eyes were focused on the golden elixir in Ying Zheng's hand—a precious achievement obtained after countless hardships.

Ying Zheng stood in the center of the crowd, his expression more solemn than ever before. He slowly opened the jade box containing the golden elixir, and instantly, a dazzling light shone forth, illuminating the entire palace.

The golden elixir lay quietly in its box, shimmering with seven-colored light, like a miniature rising sun. Its surface was adorned with mysterious patterns, inviting exploration.

Ying Zheng carefully picked up the golden elixir, clearly sensing the immense energy contained within. This power was like a surging torrent, poised to burst forth at any moment.

He held the golden elixir high, allowing everyone to witness this sacred moment.

"The most urgent task is to find suitable candidates to verify the efficacy of the medicine," Ying Zheng announced in a deep voice.

Xu Fu bowed and replied, "What does Your Majesty think is the best way to select them?"

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "We can first select some prisoners who have been severely punished to test the medicine. If it is indeed effective, then we can make further plans."

Xu Fu accepted the order and soon returned with several critically ill prisoners. In the presence of Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji, these prisoners took the elixir of immortality.

As time passed, the prisoner, who had been on the verge of death, gradually regained his vitality. His complexion turned rosy, and his physique grew stronger day by day, as if he had been reborn. All of this testified to the miraculous effects of the Golden Elixir.

Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji smiled at each other. The successful completion of the elixir not only brought hope to the Qin Dynasty but also provided them with immense comfort.

However, things didn't go as planned. Just as they were preparing to promote the Golden Elixir, an unexpected event occurred—

A drug-testing prisoner suddenly went insane, his body uncontrollably swelling until he exploded and died in full view of everyone. This horrifying scene shook the entire court like a thunderbolt.

Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji urgently summoned the imperial physicians and alchemists to investigate the cause. After an urgent examination, they discovered that certain components of the elixir would cause a severe rejection reaction in people with specific constitutions.

This unexpected discovery plunged Ying Zheng into deep thought. He realized that if he couldn't accurately determine who was suitable to take the elixir, this miraculous medicine would not only fail to benefit the people but might even cause disaster.

"Minister Yang, it seems we were too hasty," Ying Zheng sighed. "The Golden Elixir is indeed wonderful, but if we cannot control it precisely, it may cause even greater trouble."

Yang Ling wholeheartedly agreed: "Indeed, Your Majesty. The most urgent task is to find a way to predict the effects of the Golden Elixir on people with different constitutions."

Just as the two were discussing, a palace maid rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, a gentleman outside the palace who claims to be the most famous doctor in the world is requesting an audience, claiming that he can solve the problem of the Golden Elixir."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's spirits lifted: "Quickly invite the gentleman into the palace."

Before long, a guard led a kind-looking old man into the hall. The old man was dressed in simple cloth clothes, which were washed until they were spotless. He carried an old-fashioned medicine box on his back. Although he looked ordinary, he exuded an extraordinary air.

Upon seeing this, Ying Zheng immediately rose to greet him, bowing respectfully: "May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

The old man smiled and returned the greeting: "My name is Bian Que. I have practiced medicine for decades. Although my knowledge is limited, I specialize in treating all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases." His voice was gentle yet powerful, possessing an authority that commanded respect. Ying Zheng's heart stirred slightly, and he bowed again: "So you are Master Bian Que. I have long admired your name. I have a favor to ask of you. I wonder if you would be willing to help me?"

Bian Que nodded slightly, waiting for what was to come.

Ying Zheng took a deep breath: "I obtained a golden elixir, but its effects have been minimal after taking it. May I ask if you, sir, have any good solutions for this?"

Bian Que did not answer immediately, but instead slowly walked into the hall and took out an old medical book from his medicine chest. The pages were yellowed and the edges were worn, clearly showing the vicissitudes of time.

He turned the pages of the book and pointed to a passage, saying, “Your Majesty, the elixir of immortality is wondrous, but it is not omnipotent. To maximize its effectiveness, many factors such as the patient’s constitution, temperament, and environment must be considered. The ancient methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation recorded in this book can comprehensively grasp the patient’s condition by observing complexion, listening to breath, asking about symptoms, and feeling the pulse. Perhaps this can provide a turning point in this matter.”

A glimmer of hope flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, and he immediately ordered that a superior guest room and meal be prepared for Bian Que. He was determined to follow Bian Que's instructions and use the methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation to understand his own condition, in order to fully utilize the effects of the elixir.

Ying Zheng and Yang Ling exchanged a glance, both seeing hope in each other's eyes.

"Master Bian Que, how should we perform the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation?" Yang Ling asked eagerly.

Bian Que then explained the key points and precautions of this method in detail. Ying Zheng and Yang Ling listened attentively, asking questions about the details from time to time.

Following Bian Que's guidance, Ying Zheng decided to immediately implement this method in the palace. Under Bian Que's instruction, the imperial physicians began to examine the physical conditions of the palace women to verify the effectiveness of the four diagnostic methods: observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.

Several days later, after rigorous screening, they selected several palace servants suitable to take the elixir. Under close monitoring, these people took the elixir, and just as Bian Que had predicted, not only did they show no abnormalities, but they also became radiant and full of energy.

Ying Zheng was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked him: "Master Bian Que, with your wonderful method, I can finally use the elixir with peace of mind."

Bian Que shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, while observation, listening, questioning, and palpation are all good, they still have limitations. If you encounter someone with a special constitution, there may be hidden dangers. Unless we can find a more fundamental solution."

Ying Zheng and Yang Ling exchanged a helpless glance. They understood that Bian Que's words made sense; although this method could select suitable candidates, it ultimately lacked a complete guarantee.

Just then, a Taoist priest appeared gracefully in the hall, his figure appearing and disappearing like a hermit sage.

"May I ask your title, Elder?" Ying Zheng inquired curiously.

The Taoist priest replied with a smile, "My Taoist name is Xuanji. After many years of cultivation, I have accidentally obtained a method that may relieve Your Majesty's worries."

"I would like to hear the details." Ying Zheng's eyes regained their light.

The mysterious Taoist priest took out a spirit stone engraved with mysterious runes: "This item is called the Spirit Mirror Stone. It can detect the fluctuations of spiritual energy in a person's body, thereby determining whether it is suitable to take the Golden Elixir."

Ying Zheng and Yang Ling were both shocked, never expecting that such a wondrous thing existed in the world.

Under the guidance of the mysterious Taoist priest, the Spirit Appraisal Stone was quickly applied to the screening of those who would consume the Golden Elixir. Sure enough, with the stone's assistance, they were able to more accurately determine suitable candidates, greatly reducing the risks.

However, just when everyone thought everything was ready, an unexpected message arrived—this mysterious Taoist priest was actually an immortal from an unknown celestial realm, whose purpose on this journey was to retrieve the Spirit Stone that had been lost in the mortal world.

The Taoist priest Xuanji stood solemnly in the hall: "Your Majesty, the Spirit Mirror Stone is indeed wondrous, but it is not something an ordinary person can possess for long. Lending it to Your Majesty for now is the limit. At this moment, this humble Taoist must take it back to the Immortal Realm." (End of Chapter)