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

Lin Ye then changed the subject, asking, "How many people have mastered the 'Concealing Breath Technique' these days?"

Zhao Fei, still slightly alarmed by the number of demons, quickly composed himself upon hearing this and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, three people have mastered it, and I have already sent one of them to secretly monitor the Mirror of Enlightenment."

As he spoke, he slightly raised his eyes to look at Lin Ye, and asked with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes, "Your Majesty, is the Mirror of Enlightenment among these nine people?"

Lin Ye nodded, recalling the three great immortal clans Zhou Wanwan had mentioned. Since Mingxin Jing was a member of an "immortal clan," his cultivation must be extraordinary. He then said, "If we are discovered, say that I sent you to secretly monitor us. This will be the final test for the Imperial Guards."

"Yes," Zhao Fei replied immediately.

After hearing Zhao Fei's response, Lin Ye did not continue to speak, but his dark eyes were deep, as if he was thinking.

"When Gongsun Yan sets off tomorrow to find the ingredients for the elixir, send one of your men to infiltrate the group and keep an eye on him." Lin Ye then issued the order methodically.

"Send another person to Qingzhou to search for the whereabouts of two heretical cultivators named Ji Lin and Zhu Kang."

"Yes."

As for the two brothers of the Gong clan, he went to investigate them personally.

......

Xiangfu.

After pondering deeply throughout the day, the court officials could no longer contain their excitement and gathered at the Prime Minister's residence.

Those who came were all important officials in the court. After whispering among themselves and discussing the matter several times, they felt that the situation was becoming increasingly serious.

Inside the study, the flickering candlelight illuminated the troubled faces of dozens of ministers.

The Minister of Justice abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Wailing is useless! This sorcerer has brought ruin to the country and deserves to die! Tomorrow at court, we will emulate the loyal and righteous of old, spill our blood on the golden steps, and jointly petition the emperor to the death! We beg Your Majesty to execute the sorcerer Gongsun Yan to cleanse the court of corrupt officials! I do not believe that Your Majesty cannot be awakened!"

The study was deathly silent; the bloodstains from when his colleague was dragged down the golden steps during the day were still vivid in his mind's eye.

"No!" Prime Minister Gao Ren shouted sternly, his face changing drastically. "This is a path to death! His Majesty's anger today is still fresh in our minds! This sorcerer is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. If you were to remonstrate at this time, directly pointing out his wrongdoings, you would surely be convicted of 'forming cliques for personal gain and attacking the Immortal Master'!"

"Not only will it be useless, but it will also give that evil Taoist a handle to use His Majesty to wipe out us loyal officials in one fell swoop! This is absolutely unacceptable!"

The moment everyone recalled the emperor's cold eyes and the imperial guards' iron armor, their initial surge of anger vanished instantly.

"Then... how about a joint petition?" An elderly censor asked, his voice trembling with his last hope.

"Absolutely not!" the Vice Minister of Rites interrupted. "His Majesty regards this sorcerer as a celestial master! His memorials may not even reach the Emperor's desk; instead, they might be used to frame him for 'cursing the celestial master' and 'obstructing immortality'!"

"Have you all forgotten His Majesty's words, 'To neglect the Immortal Master is tantamount to treason'?!"

Utter despair, like ice water, extinguished the last spark.

The Vice Minister of Revenue slumped into a seat, while the Assistant Minister of Works trembled with fear.

Where does the road lead now?

The deathly silence oppressed everyone as if it were a tangible reality.

"Prime Minister, what good plan do you have?" A young vice minister couldn't help but look at Prime Minister Gao Ren on the seat, and asked with a hint of urgency and expectation in his voice.

Upon hearing this, Gao Ren feigned a slight frown, a thoughtful expression instantly appearing between his brows and eyes.

The study was silent, save for the flickering candlelight and the breathing of the people inside.

Time seemed to stand still as all the court officials focused their attention on Gao Ren, awaiting his answer.

However, Gao Ren just kept stroking his black and white goatee, seemingly lost in deep thought.

Time ticked by, and after everyone's gaze followed the goatee's hand up and down several times without receiving a single word from Gao Ren, an elderly minister couldn't help but ask, "Prime Minister, have you come up with any good plan?"

Gao Ren paused in stroking his beard, shook his head slightly, and sighed softly, "Alas, this matter is of utmost importance, and I currently have no good solution."

Upon hearing this, everyone was inevitably disappointed, but they also knew that this matter was indeed difficult to handle, and for now they could only force themselves to keep thinking.

Just then, a figure who had been silent all along, the Imperial Censor, slowly raised his head from the shadows.

He was known for his aloofness and uprightness, but now his eyes blazed with a dark fire, almost insane, unlike his usual self. His voice was low and icy, each word like a poisoned needle: "Plain remonstrances have failed, petitions are nowhere to be found... Public opinion is dead, the righteous path is extinct... then there is only one path left—to make that heretical sect disappear forever!"

"Assassinate...assassinate?!" someone exclaimed in shock, finding it hard to believe that such a suggestion came from the head of the censors.

"Exactly! I received word that tomorrow Gongsun Yan will lead his men to find the ingredients needed for the so-called Longevity Pill. When he sets off..." The Imperial Censor said resolutely, his dark fire burning brightly, "we can then send men to eliminate him. As long as we can kill the sorcerer Gongsun, even if His Majesty punishes us, we will... die without regret."

All eyes instantly focused on the person in charge, as if they were thorns, seeking a decision.

Gao Ren never expected that someone would suggest assassination.

Evil spirits must be killed, but never under such circumstances.

At this moment, assassination would be tantamount to suicide.

More importantly, it could very well jeopardize His Majesty's plans.

He could not allow it to develop unchecked.

After thinking it over, Gao Ren objected, saying, "Your Excellency's suggestion of assassination is too reckless. You should know that this sorcerer is able to bewitch His Majesty to this extent, so he must have some skills. Ordinary people would probably find it difficult to harm him."

"If we fail, we will alert the enemy, making it even more difficult for us to take any action in the future."

As Gao Ren spoke, he observed the expression on the Imperial Censor's face. Seeing that the "fiery temper" in his eyes had not yet subsided, he continued to advise, "Besides, since His Majesty has ordered the sorcerer Gongsun to find the elixir materials for him, he will surely send a large number of troops to protect him."

Have you all forgotten the might of His Majesty's iron cavalry?

"This..." The ministers, who had initially thought the plan was excellent, began to hesitate upon hearing Tie Qi's words.

You must know that the 100,000 iron cavalry that His Majesty personally built were able to sweep across the country and were invincible during wartime.

They simply couldn't imagine what kind of assassin could take a life from such a formidable cavalry.

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Censor's face also turned ashen, thinking of the iron cavalry...

Gao Ren had been watching the changes in the Imperial Censor's expression. Seeing his ashen face and the worry flashing in his eyes, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He knew that even if he invoked the name of the Iron Cavalry and the Imperial Censor was determined to assassinate him, he would inevitably waver.

"By the way, what about the Duke of Wu and the Marquis of Zhao?" The Imperial Censor seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes lit up again.

The ministers were also taken aback upon hearing this. One of the older ministers clapped his hands and said, "Indeed, the Duke of Wu and the Marquis of Zhao are martial arts masters. If they go, there might be a chance."

Gao Ren: "Gentlemen, the Duke of Wu and the Marquis of Zhao have set off from the capital today because they have an imperial order to protect Wuyashan."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent once more.

At this moment, an old minister suddenly stood up and said, "I served in the army when I was young and I know some martial arts. Let me test him!"

After saying this, he bowed and bid farewell to everyone.