You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Upon hearing this, Hong Qigong's kind smile vanished instantly, replaced by a deep sense of grief and helplessness.

"well......"

He let out a long sigh, a sigh that seemed to carry endless suffering.

"When His Majesty asks... alas, those are all the sins committed by the Western Regions' Tantric sect and the nobles under its protection!"

Hong Qigong's voice was filled with suppressed anger: "When the old beggar saved Ah Xiu that day, she was already on the verge of death."

"Her poor parents were bitten to death by the noble dogs because they refused to offer their six-year-old daughter as the drum skin for the 'Sister's Drum'..."

"Sister Drum?"

Lu Zuo's pupils contracted. Although he had expected it, hearing these cruel words with his own ears still shocked him.

"Yes……"

Hong Qigong closed his eyes, as if unable to bear the memory: "It's said that the drum was made from the skin of a pure young girl!"

"And those 'Thangkas' hanging in the temple, some...some of them are also painted using the skin of people who have practiced Buddhism!"

"The marks on Ah Xiu's neck were left when she struggled and cried out after her parents were bitten to death, and those thugs dragged her by the neck with a rope around her neck..."

"The scar on the back of her head was from when she was slashed with a curved blade by pursuers while trying to escape; she nearly died!"

Hong Qigong grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his chest heaving slightly: "What this old beggar saw and heard during his travels in the Western Regions was truly shocking!"

"Those serfs... were called 'talking livestock,' their life and death were entirely at the discretion of the nobles and lamas."

"Stripping away tendons and skinning the body, gouging out eyes and cutting off tongues—it's all child's play!"

"Ah Xiu's family is just the tip of the iceberg; that place... it's called paradise, but it's actually a living hell!"

Lu Zuo listened quietly, his expression calm, but he felt an instinctive disgust and anger at this extremely barbaric and inhumane human tragedy.

The human tragedies described by Hong Qigong overlapped with certain vague, dark historical fragments deep in his memory, and also clashed violently with his true nature as an emperor and as a "human being".

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Hong Qigong, and looked out at the heavy sky.

After a moment of silence, when he spoke again, his voice was no longer gentle; instead, it was like the clang of metal on metal, carrying a resolute, unquestionable determination and chilling intensity:

"I have remembered what you said today, Lord Qi."

He turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, as if it could pierce through walls and reach the distant Western Plateau.

"When our Great Song Dynasty pacifies the treacherous officials within and drives out the barbarians without, and restores our land..."

"We must send our royal army westward out of Yangguan Pass, to plunder and sweep away their strongholds!"

"I will personally lead my iron cavalry to raze that so-called Buddhist kingdom on earth, and bring down those Tantric lamas who wear monks' robes and commit demonic acts, along with the noble lords they protect who treat their people like dirt and take pleasure in torture and slaughter..."

He paused, then spoke each word clearly and distinctly, imbued with a chilling killing intent:

"Leave no one alive, slaughter them all!"

"I will thoroughly cleanse that land of its filth and sins, so that the injustice done to Ah Xiu's parents and the blood and tears of countless serfs may be redressed!"

"Let the clear sky and bright earth reappear on the snowy plateau!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent, with only the resounding echo of Lu Zuo's vow seemingly still lingering among the beams and pillars.

Hong Qigong stared blankly at the figure of the young emperor before him, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.

He originally thought that this emperor was a man of exceptional talent and decisiveness, and that his desire to recover lost territories and restore national prestige was already remarkable.

Unexpectedly, this emperor possessed such fervent benevolence and unwavering righteous anger!

This blood oath, made for the suffering people thousands of miles away and whom we do not know, is by no means hypocritical or pretentious, but rather a heartfelt expression of imperial responsibility and humanitarian sentiment!

Your Majesty, he...

Not only do they have the ambition to conquer the world, but they also have a compassionate heart!

He possesses unparalleled martial arts skills and a deep, cunning mind, yet he also cares deeply for the common people and hates evil as if it were his enemy!

For this old beggar to have met such a wise ruler in his life, and to be able to follow him with his frail body, to do his part for the Han people and for all those who suffer in the world, he has no regrets even in death!

An unprecedented sense of respect and recognition surged within Hong Qigong.

He struggled to get up and solemnly bow deeply.

Lu Zuo had already suppressed his murderous aura and regained his composure. He waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Seventh Master is still seriously injured, there's no need for such formalities."

"Take good care of yourself and get well soon. There will be many important things that will require your help in the future."

"I have my own arrangements for Ah Xiu's matter, so please don't worry."

After saying that, he didn't linger, turned around and strode away, his back as straight as a pine tree.

.....

Back in a quiet side hall deep within the palace, Lu Zuo dismissed his attendants and went about alone.

He took out the yellowed manual of "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" from his sleeve, and his mind sank into his sea of ​​consciousness: "Golden finger, consume cultivation points to upgrade 'Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill' to perfection."

[Consuming 800 cultivation points, the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique has been upgraded to the thirteenth level of perfection.]

boom!

The terrifying power, more than ten times stronger than when he had advanced to the first seven levels, erupted within Lu Zuo's body like a volcano that had been dormant for thousands of years!

Crackling sounds...

His entire body erupted with a dense and terrifying roar, like popping beans. His muscles expanded, contracted, and solidified at a visible speed, and the veins under his skin meandered and shimmered like metallic luster!

The sound of blood rushing through my body is like the roar of the Yangtze River!

Three thousand catties!

A tremendous force of three thousand jin appeared out of nowhere and was perfectly integrated into every inch of his body!

This is the purest and most extreme power of flesh and blood!

He felt as if his body had transformed into a moving mountain, containing the terrifying potential to split mountains and shatter rocks.

With a casual wave of his hand, the resulting gust of wind instantly extinguished the candlelight several steps away!

Three thousand pounds of force were applied to his body...

With my existing skills and martial arts techniques, breaking through armor and sweeping away a hundred people by myself should be a piece of cake.

Even if three or five hundred elite troops formed a battle formation, they would dare to confront its sharpness head-on!

He slowly finished his practice, and the surging power within him, like a dragon and an elephant, gradually subsided and returned to his control. Feeling this transformative change, Lu Zuo's eyes shone brightly.

"Next, we must focus on collecting various martial arts techniques, learning from their strengths, and integrating them into a cohesive whole!"

......

Meanwhile, in the back garden of the residence of Zhou Xianzong, the Vice Minister of Rites, in Yingtian Prefecture.

A few old plum trees in the garden still have scattered withered flowers, while new green buds have already appeared among the rockeries and pavilions.

A small spring gathering is being held in the warm pavilion, and the guests are all sons of officials in Lin'an City who are on good terms with the Zhou family or of similar status.

Seated in the main seat was Zhou Zhilan, the only beloved daughter of the Vice Minister.

She was sixteen years old, with a beautiful face and a hint of poise and elegance in her features, like a young lady from an official family.

At this moment, she was smiling as she scanned the young men and women at the table, who were all looking on with curiosity.

"I am deeply grateful for your presence today. In addition to the usual drinks and snacks, I have also prepared something novel for you to try."

A young man in brocade robes smiled and urged, "Oh? Something new and interesting?"

"Sister Zhilan, stop keeping us in suspense! What kind of tribute is it, or some rare treasure from overseas?"

Another girl in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) asked curiously, "Yes, Sister Zhilan, could it be a new imperial pastry from the palace?"

Zhou Zhilan smiled and patted the plate gently with her hand: "You will know once you taste it."

As soon as she finished speaking, several neatly dressed maids filed in, each carrying an exquisite porcelain plate containing nothing more than ordinary dishes: a plate of stir-fried bok choy, a bowl of tofu soup, and a plate of poached chicken.

"this……"

The young man in brocade robes who had spoken earlier paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Sister Zhilan, what chef doesn't know how to make stir-fried bok choy, tofu soup, and poached chicken?"

"What's so strange about this?"

"Indeed, it looks no different from a regular family dinner." The other guests echoed, their faces showing doubt and even some disappointment.

A hint of smugness flashed in Zhou Zhilan's eyes. She didn't argue, but simply picked up her silver chopsticks and gently tapped the bok choy in front of her: "Why don't you all try it first?"

Seeing her so confident, everyone picked up their chopsticks with a mixture of belief and doubt.

The young master of the Guanglu Temple Vice Minister's family was the most impatient. He was the first to pick up a seemingly ordinary stir-fried bok choy with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

The moment the bok choy entered his mouth, his chewing motion abruptly stopped, and his eyes widened in shock!

An indescribable, intensely umami flavor, unlike anything he had ever experienced before, swept over his entire taste buds like a tidal wave!

This umami flavor is rich and powerful, yet layered and distinct, fully bringing out and even elevating the natural sweetness of the bok choy!

It's as if we're not eating ordinary vegetables, but celestial vegetables soaked in the essence of countless delicacies from the mountains and seas!

"This...this!"

He looked at Zhou Zhilan in shock, then at the unremarkable bok choy on the plate, speechless.

Seeing this, the other guests also quickly began to enjoy the dishes in front of them.

"This tofu soup! It's incredibly delicious! I've never eaten such delicious tofu soup before!" The girl in the pale yellow dress exclaimed, covering her mouth. She then eagerly scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth, her face full of delight.

"This poached chicken... the meat is tender and the skin is smooth, that's good, but the taste... ugh! What's in this dipping sauce?"

"How can it smell so delicious?"

"It completely overshadows the broth that my cook made by simmering ham and dried scallops for three days!" Another young master was also completely unsettled after tasting a piece of chicken.

A burst of suppressed gasps and chewing sounds instantly filled the warm pavilion.

Everyone was captivated by the incredible freshness contained in this seemingly ordinary dish. For a moment, no one spoke, only the soft clinking of chopsticks against bowls and plates could be heard.

Zhou Zhilan looked at everyone's reactions with satisfaction, then slowly put down her chopsticks and chuckled, "How was it?"

"Has Zhilan deceived anyone?"

"The reason this dish tastes so divine is entirely due to the addition of a flavor enhancer called 'chicken bouillon'."

"This item is a royal secret recipe, extremely rare and precious. I have only obtained a small amount myself."

"Chicken bouillon?"

"A royal secret recipe?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately erupted in excitement, their gazes towards the dishes on the plate instantly shifting from one of delight to one of burning desire.

The son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, his eyes burning with anticipation, asked urgently, "Sister Zhilan, where did this 'chicken essence' come from? Is it even possible to obtain it?"

Seeing that everyone was indeed aroused by the "chicken essence" and had a great deal of curiosity and desire, Zhou Zhilan became even more pleased with herself, but deliberately put on a reserved and mysterious look.

She gracefully picked up the round fan, gently covered her lips, and then lowered her voice to say:

"To be honest, the origin of this 'chicken essence' is indeed extraordinary."

Her eyes swept over every eager face at the table: "It was only after much effort and through numerous connections that I managed to purchase a few from Li Fu'an, a newly favored eunuch in the palace."

"Imperial production?" someone whispered.

"Exactly."

Zhou Zhilan nodded, her tone becoming more serious: "According to Eunuch Li, the method of making this item was personally taught by His Majesty, the materials used are extremely exquisite, and the craftsmanship is incredibly complex."

"Even the Imperial Kitchen produces only a few pounds a month, which is reserved for His Majesty and a few empresses. Ordinary concubines might not even receive such a gift."

She paused, then held up three slender fingers and clearly uttered the astonishing number: "Moreover, the price is extremely high."

"Eunuch Li stated clearly that this item is rare, and one tael... would cost thirty taels of silver!"

"Thirty taels?"

A few slightly surprised gasps rang out during the meal, but they quickly turned into understanding and interest.

The girl in the pale yellow dress covered her mouth and laughed, "It sounds precious, but since it's a secret recipe from the palace, it's... reasonable."

Seeing that the fire was ready, Zhou Zhilan continued to add firewood: "Eunuch Li also said that this thing not only has a wonderful effect on enhancing flavor, but also nourishes the spleen and stomach and prolongs life when eaten regularly. It is a health-preserving treasure."

"The production is limited, and the palace's demand is already insufficient, so the amount that can flow out is extremely rare."

"If it weren't for the fact that my family has some influence over him, Eunuch Li would never have been willing to part with these."

She spoke the words "thin noodles" lightly, but in doing so, she subtly elevated the status of her family.

The young master from the family of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was the first to react, eagerly asking, "Sister Zhilan, since you have connections, could you please introduce us?"

"Or tell me where Eunuch Li lives, and I, your humble brother, will personally go to his place to purchase it!"

"Price... is not a problem!" His family hosts the most banquets, and if this item is presented as the grand finale, his prestige will increase dramatically.

The others also realized what was happening and quickly echoed, "Yes, Miss Zhilan, we hope you can point us in the right direction!"

"Thirty taels it is, such a fine product is well worth it!"

Zhou Zhilan said, "Eunuch Li does indeed have a private residence outside the palace, which he uses to handle some private matters."

"I only found out by chance. Since you are all close friends, I'll reveal a little bit."

"Eunuch Li's private residence was an inconspicuous three-courtyard house with blue bricks and black tiles, located in the innermost part of Liutiao Hutong in Jishanfang, west of the city."

"but……"

"Eunuch Li has a special status and dislikes ostentation."

"If you go, you must be sincere, keep a low profile, do not make a fuss, and do not mention that it was my words."

Whether you can obtain it depends on your own karma.

"Jishanfang, Liutiao Hutong! Got it!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Zhilan!"

Having obtained the exact address, everyone was overjoyed and wrote it down. They were already calculating how much silver to bring and what gifts to prepare to visit Eunuch Li, who possessed the "divine item".

……

An hour later, in Jishanfang, west of the city, in Liutiao Hutong.

This once quiet alley is now completely congested with all kinds of luxurious carriages.

With its vermilion wheels and ornate canopy, brocade curtains and embroidered screens, the carriages were pulled by strong, healthy horses with glossy coats. Many carriages were adorned with family crests or lanterns representing different mansions, highlighting the wealth and status of their owners.

The coachman and his servants talked in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing toward the inconspicuous black lacquered wooden door at the far end of the alley.

Several carriages coming from the direction of the Zhou residence struggled to find a place to stop.

The young master of the Guanglu Temple Vice Minister's family, the girl in the pale yellow dress, and several other young men and women who had come from Zhou Zhilan's banquet got out of the car one after another.

Seeing the bustling scene before them, the group was stunned for a moment. They exchanged glances, and all saw surprise in each other's eyes.

"There are...so many people?"

The girl in the pale yellow dress exclaimed in a low voice, "Didn't Sister Zhilan say that not many people know about this?"

The young master of the Guanglu Temple Vice Minister's family frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure and urgency flashing through his mind.

He thought that with his family background and the fact that he got the news first, he could easily win the bid and buy more "chicken essence" to take home. He didn't expect there to be so many competitors!

It seems the people at Zhou Zhilan's banquet acted quickly after receiving the news; perhaps... they even...

Did the news leak out through other channels as well?

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

Another young man in fine clothes, who had come with them, straightened his collar and said, "The more people there are, the more sought-after this item is. Let's go and see for ourselves."

As soon as the group reached the black lacquered wooden door, before they could even knock, they heard a cacophony of noise coming from inside, a sound so loud it seemed to shake the small courtyard apart:

"Eunuch Li, Eunuch Li, please have mercy! I only need one jin! Just one jin! The price is negotiable!"

"One jin? Boss Zhang, who are you trying to embarrass? Eunuch Li, my Jiangnan Silk Shop wants three jin! Cash on delivery!"

"You dare to shout about something as small as three kilograms?"

"Eunuch Li, I represent the Yangzhou Salt Merchants Guild and would like five catties!"

"The price can be increased by another 20% on top of the thirty taels!"

"Don't you understand the principle of first come, first served? I was here first!"

"Bah! Is buying rare and precious items a matter of first come, first served? It's about sincerity and ability!"

The sounds were chaotic, with a high-pitched eunuch's voice trying to maintain order, but mostly various male voices filled with urgency, flattery, and even anger.

Among them are some familiar Mandarin accents, as well as merchant tones from various parts of Jiangnan.

The impatient young master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices gently pushed open a crack, and everyone peered inside. Good heavens!

The small front yard was almost full of people!

There were young officials or scions of noble families dressed in brocade robes and wearing jade crowns, wealthy merchants with shrewd faces dressed in rich man's clothes, and a few middle-aged men who looked like stewards but had an extraordinary demeanor.

Everyone looked excited, their eyes fixed intently on the person they had surrounded, standing on the steps of the main hall.

This man was none other than Li Fu'an, dressed in brand-new eunuch attire, with fair skin, but who at this moment appeared somewhat "overwhelmed with worry".

Li Fu'an held a silk handkerchief in his hand, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead from time to time, and tried to quiet the chaotic scene in a high-pitched voice:

"Quiet down! Quiet down!"

"What's all the noise about? What's all the noise about?"

"You guys have practically turned our little yard upside down!"