I forge immortality with a pagoda.

Seeing that Yu Yihu's expression was becoming increasingly unpleasant, as if he was about to lash out.

Yang Yue, the old Taoist, hurriedly added, "However! I risked my life to infiltrate his capital and managed to kidnap a palace guard commander. Under strict interrogation, I learned that the virtuous minister's cultivation seemed to be at the fifth level of true qi."

"However, the commander's knowledge was not comprehensive, and he could not determine the specific type of fifth-order true qi."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Daoist Yangyue began to cough violently, looking as if he had suffered a great loss of energy.

"Your Highness, this humble Taoist priest was nearly ambushed and killed by the nephew of that wise minister while trying to gather information, and almost didn't make it back!"

Yu Yihu naturally understood the underlying meaning of his words: he was simply emphasizing his achievements and asking for a reward.

Although he was angry at this moment, he knew that he still needed to rely on these people.

He suppressed his temper and said in a deep voice, "Yes, you have done a good job in this investigation and deserve a reward."

He raised his hand to signal, and Yu Dingguan, who was standing to the side, immediately understood. He quickly stepped down and brought a jade plate containing several pills to the old Taoist Yangyue.

Upon seeing this, the old Taoist priest's eyes flashed with joy. He quickly kowtowed in gratitude, carefully accepted the jade plate, and then bowed and withdrew from the Taihua Hall.

Seeing that Yang Yue had received a reward, He Chen Sanren looked on with envy, but he also knew that he had failed to achieve anything on this mission. He was lucky to have escaped severe punishment, let alone a reward.

Sure enough, after Yu Yihu finished dealing with several important state affairs, his gaze fell on him.

He said indifferently, "He Chen, your mission to the virtuous country has ended in failure, which is a disgrace to the nation."

"Considering your past contributions, your salary will be halved for the remainder of this year as a form of punishment."

"If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Although He Chen Sanren pretended to be distressed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The mere halving of salary is an extraordinary mercy compared to the potential severe punishment; the loss of a few coins is entirely bearable.

He immediately bowed, his voice filled with gratitude: "Thank you for your magnanimity, King Yu! This humble Taoist takes his leave."

Having said that, he hurriedly left the Taihua Hall.

After all the important officials in the hall had left, Yu Yihu's imperial majesty gradually faded, and a rare trace of sorrow appeared on his face.

He raised his hand to rub his temples, his voice low and hoarse: "Guan'er, if I remember correctly, today should be the anniversary of the deaths of your two elder brothers."

Yu Dingguan, who had been standing quietly to the side, also looked somber upon hearing this.

He whispered, "Yes, Father. You remember correctly, today marks the two-year anniversary of the deaths of my eldest and second brothers."

Since Shen Yu killed Yu Mingtong and Yu Meng, Yu Yihu and Yu Dingguan have never given up the search.

After two months of arduous searching in the mountains, and the loss of countless soldiers, they finally found the two men's shattered remains at the bottom of a secluded ravine, a place rarely visited by humans.

Unable to determine the exact date of his death, Yu Yihu designated the day his remains were discovered as the anniversary of his death each year.

Now, exactly two years have passed.

"Guan'er, do you still remember when you were little, your father took you and your two brothers hunting in the Western Hills?"

"Your two older brothers always argue fiercely over the prey, but as soon as you approach them, they immediately stop arguing and always give you the best prey."

"How could I ever forget the love and care my elder brothers have shown me?" Yu Dingguan's heart was heavy with sorrow.

"Let's go," Yu Yihu took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "Let's go with Father to pay our respects. I imagine your mother has already arrived before us."

"Yes."

Yu Dingguan responded in a low voice, and the father and son walked silently together toward the mausoleum behind the palace.

The mausoleum is located in a quiet corner of the palace, surrounded by ancient cypress trees, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The park is lush with trees, and a straight bluestone path leads to the royal family. Stone beasts and statues of civil and military officials are arranged on both sides, and the resting place of the royal family is at the end.

At this moment, deep within the cemetery, in front of two brand-new white marble steles standing side by side, a beautiful woman dressed in elegant palace attire is slumped on the ground.

Yu Yihu walked to the monument, looked at the names of his two beloved sons on it, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly bowed, preparing to pay his respects.

"Get out!"

The woman in palace attire suddenly raised her head, her face streaked with tears, her beautiful eyes filled with resentment and despair.

She stared intently at Yu Yihu and snapped, "What are you doing here?! Who are you trying to fool with this pretense?!"

Yu Yihu froze, his brows furrowing slightly: "Madam, you..."

"Don't call me Madam!" the woman interrupted him excitedly, pointing to the two cold stone tablets.

"Look at them, look at our children, they've been lying here for two years, two whole years!"

"Why did you let them go to that mountain with you in the first place? All you cared about was your throne! Your cultivation! That damned spiritual spring!"

She became more and more emotional as she spoke, and tears streamed down her face.

"Have you ever come to visit them as often as you do today?"

"Do you know what I feel all alone here, facing these two cold, lifeless stones?! Yu Yihu, is your heart made of stone?!"

Yu Dingguan, who was listening nearby, was alarmed and wanted to comfort her: "Mother, Father..."

"Guan'er, don't speak!" The woman suddenly turned to Yu Yihu, her finger trembling as she pointed outside the cemetery. "Go away, you get out of here right now."

"You are not worthy to be their father! In your heart, they are probably not even worth a single elixir needed for your cultivation."

Yu Yihu's face was ashen, and he remained silent. He looked at his grief-stricken wife, then at the cold tombstone in front of him.

Then he turned around abruptly and left the place with heavy steps.

Upon seeing this, Yu Dingguan immediately stepped forward and gently comforted her for a long time. Only after her crying subsided and her emotions calmed down did he carefully hand her over to the palace maid standing beside him for care.

Then he quickly walked through the quiet paths of the cemetery and caught up with Yu Yihu, whose face was gloomy.

Yu Yihu did not turn around, and said in a low voice, "Guan'er, in your heart, do you also agree with what your mother just said?"

Yu Dingguan lagged slightly behind, responding respectfully and cautiously: "Father, I believe that to accomplish extraordinary things and establish an unparalleled foundation, one must possess decisiveness and willpower that surpasses that of ordinary people."

"Personal feelings sometimes have to be put aside."

"When Father sent my two elder brothers out to gain experience, his intention was to temper them and hope that they would become capable and shoulder great responsibilities."

"As for the misfortune that befell my brothers on their journey... such a calamity was something Father could not have foreseen, much less wished upon."

Yu Yihu paused slightly, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the towering eaves of the palace in the distance. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.

"It's good that you understand this."

"The reason why I have achieved my current status and level of cultivation is precisely because of my unwavering heart that is not swayed by personal feelings."

"Guan'er, you must remember this: in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, if you wish to survive and grow stronger, your heart... must be ruthless!"

Yu Dingguan bowed his head and replied, "Your father's teachings are etched in my heart."

Yu Yihu nodded slowly. "Have you been to your uncle's place?"

……

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