So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

"That Zhao Wenli is something else!"

Qin Hong's face turned ashen with rage. "I have treated him well, yet he dares to act like this!"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

Chen Mingyuan said in a low voice, "Zhao Wenli has always considered himself a 'pure official,' and has long been dissatisfied with the Prince's many actions in Jiangnan. This time, I'm afraid..."

Qin Hong asked, "What are you afraid of?"

"They probably heard some rumors and want to use this to gain a reputation for 'loyalty and integrity'."

Chen Mingyuan paused, then said cautiously, "Your Highness, this matter could be a big deal or a small one. If it is used by someone with ulterior motives and spreads to the capital, it could be detrimental to Your Highness."

Qin Hong took a deep breath. "Besides you, who else knows about this secret letter?"

Chen Mingyuan said, "After I intercepted it, I immediately came to report to Your Highness. No third person knew about it."

"very good."

A ruthless glint flashed in Qin Hong's eyes. "Lord Chen, you have handled this matter very well. I will remember it."

"It is my honor to be able to share Your Highness's burdens."

Chen Mingyuan bowed immediately.

"What about Zhao Wenli..."

Qin Hong pondered for a moment, "Don't alert him yet. Send someone to keep an eye on him secretly and see what else he does. Also, investigate who he associates with in the capital."

"yes!"

Chen Mingyuan agreed.

After Chen Ming left, Qin Hong sat back down on the soft couch.

Zhao Wenli's report angered him, but it also made him more wary.

This shows that his actions in Jiangnan have already attracted the attention of some people.

"We can't wait any longer..."

Qin Hong muttered to himself.

He got up, walked to his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote a letter.

The letter was addressed to Qin Yuan, the Prince of Jin.

The message was simple: they wished to form an alliance with the King of Jin to jointly plan important matters.

They also talked about Qingyang Daoist, using this to give Qin Yuan a firm resolve.

After writing the letter, he sealed it with sealing wax and summoned a trusted guard.

"Send this letter secretly to Jinyang Prefecture and personally deliver it to the Prince of Jin."

"yes!"

The guard obeyed and left.

Qin Hong stood by the window, gazing at the northern sky, his eyes gradually hardening.

"Sixth Brother, you've been sitting on this dragon throne long enough."

"It's time to change the coach."

……

Several days later, in the capital city, at the Zichen Palace.

Qin Xiao was instructing the Li sisters in their cultivation.

After several days of recuperation, Li Anning's health has improved significantly, and her complexion has become much rosier.

At this moment, she was sitting cross-legged on a futon, trying to draw qi into her body.

Li Changle sat to the side, also cultivating.

But he was clearly distracted, glancing at Qin Xiao from time to time.

These days, although she is still stubborn, her attitude has improved a lot.

"Calm your mind and focus your attention."

Qin Xiao's voice rang out calmly, "The worst thing in cultivation is to be distracted. If you continue like this, there's no need to practice today."

Li Changle was startled and quickly composed himself to focus on his cultivation.

Just then, Luo Qingluan's voice came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report."

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly: "Come in."

Luo Qingluan strode into the hall, holding a memorial in her hand, her face grave. "Your Majesty, a secret report from Jinyang Prefecture."

Qin Xiao took the memorial and unfolded it to take a look.

The memorial was secretly submitted by the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jinyang Prefecture.

Qin Xiao took the secret report presented by Luo Qingluan and unfolded it for a closer look.

This is a secret letter sealed with sealing wax.

The cover reads "To be opened by the Prince of Jin," and the signature at the bottom reads "Respectfully presented by my fifth brother, Qin Hong."

The letter had been opened and was obviously intercepted by officials of Jinyang Prefecture and then forwarded to the capital.

Qin Xiao scanned the letter quickly, reading ten lines at a glance.

In the letter, Qin Hong spoke earnestly, first reminiscing about their brotherhood.

Then, the tone shifted, and the author began to criticize the abuses of the government, implying that Qin Xiao "favored treacherous officials" and "neglected state affairs."

He then went on to talk at length about the "crisis of the nation" and "the common people".

Finally, the true intentions were revealed.

He proposed an alliance with King Qin Yuan of Jin to jointly undertake the great cause of "purging the court of corrupt officials" and "rectifying the court."

Most interestingly, Qin Hong specifically mentioned at the end of the letter: "I have recently received help from the extraordinary Taoist Master Qingyang and have gained some knowledge of the mystical arts of immortality. If you, my brother, are interested, I am willing to introduce you to him so that we may share in this destiny of immortality."

"Qingyang Daoist..."

Qin Xiao uttered the name softly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The "evil Taoist" who harmed the Li sisters is now being treated as an honored guest in the residence of King Qin Hong of Wu.

"Your Majesty, this letter..."

Seeing the change in Qin Xiao's expression, Luo Qingluan asked cautiously.

"It was written by my good fifth brother to Qin Yuan."

Qin Xiao handed the letter to Luo Qingluan, "It's a pity that Qin Yuan is already dead, so this letter has fallen into my hands."

Luo Qingluan quickly scanned the letter, her expression growing increasingly grave with each reading. "How dare the King of Wu do this! Colluding with evil sorcerers, plotting treason—this is rebellion!"

"rebel?"

Qin Xiao chuckled lightly, "Let him be. But the fact that Qingyang Daoist is with him has given me a pleasant surprise. Qingluan, immediately send someone to Jiangnan to secretly investigate Qingyang Daoist's background. Remember, do not alarm the King of Wu."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Qingluan agreed, then asked, "What about the King of Wu...?"

"Let him run wild for a few days first."

Qin Xiao said calmly, "I want to see what other tricks he can pull. Also, send my oral decree to the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jinyang Prefecture, instructing him to continue 'cooperating' with the King of Wu's secret correspondence, pretending that Qin Yuan is still alive, and see what other moves the King of Wu will make."

"I understand."

Luo Qingluan accepted the order and left.

After she left, Qin Xiao sat back down on the futon, but he had no heart to guide the cultivation.

Li Anning and Li Changle sensed that something was wrong and both stopped.

"Master..."

Li Anning asked timidly, "Did something happen?"

Qin Xiao glanced at her and suddenly asked, "An Ning, Chang Le, do you remember what that Qingyang Daoist did to you?"

The two sisters turned pale at the mention of Qingyang Daoist.

A flash of hatred crossed Li Changle's eyes. "That evil Taoist! He talked about 'opening up immortal destiny,' and as a result, Anning fell ill, felt terrible all over, and almost... almost..."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

Li Anning also lowered her head and whispered, "That Taoist priest was so strong that I couldn't break free. He pressed his hand on my forehead, and I felt a surge of heat rush into my body, and then I knew nothing more."

Qin Xiao nodded.

Sure enough.

The method used by Qingyang Daoist was probably some kind of rudimentary "qi-guiding and infusion" technique.

This method is extremely brutal and causes great harm to the patient.

If you are not careful, your meridians will be completely destroyed, and you will become a cripple.

It's only thanks to Li Anning's Heavenly Spiritual Root and exceptional talent that he's been able to hold on until now.

"Don't worry."

Qin Xiao said in a deep voice, "I will deal with that evil Taoist priest sooner or later."

"Is Master going to find him?"

Li Changle's eyes lit up.

"Um."

Qin Xiao did not hide anything, "He is currently in the residence of Prince Qin Hong of Wu. I have already sent people to investigate."

"The King of Wu?"

Li Chang Le was taken aback. "Yes, His Majesty's brother?"

"Nominally yes."

Qin Xiao said calmly, "But that won't be the case for long."

The two sisters exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Master, are you suggesting we take action against the King of Wu?

"Alright, that concludes today's training."

Qin Xiao waved his hand, "You guys go back and rest first."

"Yes, Master."

The two sisters bowed and took their leave.

After they left, Qin Xiao sat alone in the hall, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Very well, let's take this opportunity to cleanse Jiangnan!"

……

Several days later, in Jiangnan, at the Wu King's Palace.

Qin Hong sat in his study, looking at the reply in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.

The letter was written by "Qin Yuan, the Prince of Jin".

In the letter, "Qin Yuan" expressed his agreement with Qin Hong's proposal and invited him to "discuss important matters together".

He even inquired about the situation of Daoist Qingyang, showing great interest.

"It seems Qin Yuan is also tempted."

Qin Hong put down the letter and smiled at Qingyang Daoist sitting opposite him, "Daoist, even the Prince of Jin has heard of your reputation."

Qingyang Daoist stroked his beard and smiled, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. "Your Highness flatters me. My humble skills are only of your own accord to have caught the eye of Prince Jin."

"Master, there's no need to be modest."

Qin Hong said solemnly, "With the Daoist's assistance, I am like a tiger with wings, but..."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Zhao Wenli seems to have been quiet lately. Chen Mingyuan sent people to keep an eye on him for a few days, but they haven't found any evidence that he's contacting the capital again."

"Perhaps he knew he was alerting the enemy, so he's temporarily holding back."

Qingyang Daoist pondered for a moment and said, "However, this person cannot be kept alive, Your Highness. You must make a clean break."