Only after becoming emperor did he realize he was in a fantasy world of immortal cultivation.

After the court session, all the officials surrounded Prime Minister Gao Ren, chatting amongst themselves.

"Prime Minister, His Majesty is determined to build that Dan Palace, what... what should we do?"

"Yes, Wuya Mountain is the location of the imperial mausoleum... the foundation of the nation's destiny is shaken..."

"The sorcerer's lies..."

"Your Majesty's unification of the world is a monumental achievement, a feat that will last for millennia. How can we allow the Qin Dynasty to enter its golden age with such a wasteful and burdensome undertaking? The Prime Minister is a veteran of two reigns; he must persuade Your Majesty to reconsider."

"..."

In this way, Gao Ren would let one word go in one ear and another in the other, and when the voices of the people gradually faded, he would pretend to be embarrassed and say, "My lords, I never expected His Majesty to do such a perverse thing, but everyone saw His Majesty's anger in the court just now."

"Your Majesty is now listening to Gongsun Yan's words and is only interested in obtaining the elixir of immortality. To try to persuade Your Majesty now would be like adding fuel to the fire."

When Gao Ren mentioned "Gongsun Yan", the waning murmurs rose again.

"This sorcerer is clearly spreading heretical doctrines and undermining the foundation of our Great Qin Dynasty."

"This Gongsun Yan is truly hateful!"

"His Majesty must have been bewitched by this sorcerer..."

When Gao Ren heard that everyone's comments were almost entirely directed at Gongsun Yan, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

This may alleviate some of the pressure on Your Majesty without affecting Your Majesty's grand plans.

This is all he can do now.

"My ministers, I know you are all deeply worried at this moment. However, this matter is of utmost importance and requires careful consideration. You may return to your residences first and think it over carefully. Once you have considered it thoroughly, we can then discuss it further, which will surely be more effective."

Zhao Fei and Wu Qing had been walking at the back of the procession, and now that they saw the court officials dispersing, they quickly walked to Gao Ren's side.

Seeing the two men approach him from either side, Gao Ren asked, "What are you doing here, Duke of Wu and Marquis of Zhao?"

Wu Qing had a lot to say and couldn't hold back any longer, so he immediately spoke first: "Prime Minister Gao, you are a veteran of two dynasties. His Majesty always consults with you on important matters."

"Tell us whether His Majesty has any ulterior motives in this action, so that we may be at ease."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ren stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping between the two men before he stroked his goatee and asked, "Why would the Duke of Wu and the Marquis of Zhao say such a thing?"

"Your Majesty's actions are clearly aimed at obtaining the elixir of immortality, but what is the deeper meaning behind this...?"

"Prime Minister Gao, I, Old Wu, have followed His Majesty in battle for many years. I know better than anyone what kind of person His Majesty is. Even I, Old Wu, know how absurd this matter is, let alone His Majesty!"

"To say that His Majesty would do something so wasteful and disregard the fate of the nation for some elixir of immortality that may or may not even work, I, Old Wu, simply do not believe it," Wu Qing said in a loud and impassioned voice.

Zhao Fei then added, "Zhao Fei also believes that His Majesty has other plans."

Gao Ren, now looking at Wu Qing and Zhao Fei, had completely lost his feigned worry. Instead, he looked at them with a meaningful gaze and said, "Since you both believe that His Majesty has other plans, then just trust yourselves. Why bother coming to me for confirmation?"

He knew of the two men's loyalty to His Majesty, but this matter was of utmost importance, and he could not tell anyone about the plan without His Majesty's decree.

Wu Qing couldn't understand the deeper meaning and, unwilling to give up, wanted to ask more, but was stopped by Zhao Fei's words, "We understand what Prime Minister Gao has said."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave first." With that, he boarded the carriage at the palace gate.

After watching Gao Ren's carriage disappear into the distance, Wu Qing grinned at Zhao Fei with great dissatisfaction and said, "Old Zhao, we haven't even asked clearly yet, how could you let Prime Minister Gao leave?"

Seeing Wu Qing's dejected expression, Zhao Fei chuckled and said, "Didn't you hear what Prime Minister Gao just said? He wants us to believe in ourselves, doesn't he?"

"You mean..." Wu Qing suddenly realized, and his tiger-like eyes immediately became bright and piercing.

Zhao Fei nodded slightly. "We just need to wait. There's no need for further discussion."

......

Night fell, and the stars twinkled in the sky.

The moonlight cast dappled shadows on the trees in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and a figure hurried back and forth among them.

A moment later, they entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject Zhao Fei reports to Your Majesty."

No need for formalities.

The terrifying ashen complexion that had graced Lin Ye's face during the day was now completely gone.

Under the soft candlelight of the imperial study, his expression was calm, his gaze deep as a still pool, quietly resting on Zhao Fei, who stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, as if the thunderous rage that had shaken the court had never happened.

The only sound inside the hall was the ticking of the water clock, and the heavy, oppressive air was almost palpable.

Lin Ye tapped the sandalwood desk lightly with his fingertips. The sound was unhurried, yet it seemed to strike Zhao Fei's heart.

A moment later, the tapping stopped.

Lin Ye, as if suddenly intrigued, slowly spoke, "Minister Zhao," he paused, his gaze subtly observing Zhao Fei's expression. Seeing that Zhao Fei remained unchanged, he couldn't tell whether he was satisfied or not. He then continued leisurely, "At today's court assembly, the crowd was in an uproar, arguing endlessly. I remember that Minister Zhao... did not utter a single word regarding the Jian Dan Palace matter."

"Now I would like to hear your opinion."

Zhao Fei thought for a moment, then said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I have followed you in battle for many years and know that Your Majesty always acts with utmost care. If Your Majesty truly only wanted to build that Dan Palace, how could the court officials have opposed it so fiercely in court?"

"Therefore, I believe that Your Majesty must have other plans behind this move, and I am just waiting for Your Majesty's instructions."

After speaking, Zhao Fei waited for Lin Ye's instructions, just as he had said.

Looking at Zhao Fei's expression, Lin Ye felt a moment of relief; this was the strategist in his army.

With such a capable general assisting him, why should he worry about those cultivators?

"Indeed, this was a play staged by me and the Prime Minister," Lin Ye replied bluntly.

Seeing that Lin Ye spoke the truth frankly, Zhao Fei's heart stirred, and he boldly guessed, "Your Majesty's actions...are they related to demons and evil spirits?"

He recalled the news a few days ago that Consort Tao had contracted a serious illness, and at that time he had doubts: Since that demon consort was a demon, how could she easily contract a serious illness?

Now, the Taoist priest who cured Consort Tao has just proposed to refine an elixir of immortality for His Majesty.

He even suspected that Gongsun Yan, as the ministers had said, was actually a "heretical Taoist."

Thinking this, Lin Ye then spoke up: "That's right, it's precisely to deal with those evil spirits."

"That group?" Zhao Fei clearly remembered that His Majesty only mentioned Zhou Ru to him that day. Could there be other people involved?

Thinking of this, Zhao Fei couldn't help but ask aloud, "Your Majesty, what about Gongsun Yan...?"

Lin Ye nodded upon hearing this and said firmly, "He is Zhou Ru's accomplice."

"There are nine of these evil spirits in total, and I will have them all wiped out."