I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

Chapter 58 Longevity Elixir: Increases lifespan by ten years

Qin Banruo used all her strength to tighten the jade belt until her arms were sore and weak before she loosened it.

She slumped onto Zhu Houcong, looked at him with his eyes closed and motionless, and couldn't help but laugh wildly.

"Hahahaha... You dog emperor, you still died by my hand."

"I have finally avenged the Hua tribe!"

"Yeah?"

Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out, mercilessly shattering her good mood.

The two words were eerily calm, as if they were overflowing from hell.

Qin Banruo's pupils constricted sharply, her whole body trembled, and her heart almost jumped out of her throat.

"How...how...is this possible!"

She trembled all over, frozen in place as if she were being watched by a ghost.

She trembled as she slowly lowered her head, her neck bending downwards segment by segment as if it were a rusty mechanism.

Finally, he met Zhu Houcong's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't.

Those eyes held a mocking, cold light, as calm and collected as a cat toying with a mouse.

"Impossible, impossible!"

She began frantically tearing at the jade belt around Zhu Houcong's neck. Upon closer inspection, she found that Zhu Houcong's neck was as smooth as ever, without even a trace of redness.

"How is that possible? Are you a human or a ghost? Are you a human or a ghost?"

Zhu Houcong chuckled and raised his hand, his icy fingers stroking her pale cheek.

"Look, you're in such a hurry again."

"If I were so easily killed, I would have died countless times already. It wouldn't be your turn!"

Qin Banruo was in utter despair. At this moment, she finally understood that she was not facing an elderly emperor, but a monster.

Zhu Houcong gently stroked Qin Banruo's throbbing pulse with his fingertips, teasingly.

"But your way of flirting is quite unique."

"I...I..."

Qin Banruo's throat moved with difficulty under his palm, her voice barely audible.

"Tell me, how should I reward you?"

"Should I skin you alive, or... skin Prince Yu alive?"

The moment the last few words were uttered, the candlelight in the hall flickered violently.

Qin Banruo felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Before she could even open her mouth, a large, iron-like hand had already grabbed her throat tightly.

"Well!"

In a dizzying moment, she was forcefully pressed down onto the dragon bed.

Zhu Houcong's tall figure then loomed over them.

Ten thousand words are omitted here.

[Surviving Emperor Jiajing's near-death experience with a palace maid strangling him, you'll gain +1 to playing Emperor Jiajing and be rewarded with a longevity-enhancing elixir.]

Another hour passed, and a message appeared in Zhu Houcong's mind.

Qin Banruo had already fallen asleep.

Zhu Houcong was stunned when he saw the message.

No way, no way, could it be a single bet...?

Cough!

Did I accidentally unlock an achievement?

He trained his body to resemble that of a crane, so he was not afraid of palace maids strangling him.

I've become a source of amusement too?

Zhu Houcong shook his head violently and quickly examined the instructions for the Longevity Elixir.

[Longevity Elixir: Made from small pieces of ginseng fruit peel, it can add ten years to one's lifespan.]

This line of text completely stunned Zhu Houcong.

"My goodness!"

He couldn't help but shout out, his voice trembling with excitement.

May you live ten years longer!

There are such nice things?

It should be noted that although he worked diligently every day after consuming the Yellow Emperor's elixir and greatly improved his physique, his lifespan did not increase at all, which remained a fatal flaw.

Strictly speaking, he is still an old wall lamp that is about to be buried.

He was quite anxious about this.

But now, with this longevity elixir, one can live an extra ten years at once.

Zhu Houcong was so excited that his hands were trembling, and his eyes were shining with ecstatic joy.

This golden pill is like a second life; after consuming it, you won't be able to take flight!

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong glanced warily at the unconscious Qin Banruo.

After confirming that she was still unconscious, he had an idea and couldn't wait to extract the longevity elixir.

In an instant, a pill emitting a faint golden light appeared out of thin air in his palm.

"Plop!"

Without hesitation, he threw the pill into his mouth. The moment his teeth broke through the pill's coating, six words flashed through his mind.

Chicken flavor, crunchy!

As the elixir entered his stomach, a warm current surged from his dantian to his limbs and bones.

In that instant, he felt as comfortable as if he were soaking in a hot spring.

It was like a withered tree suddenly coming back to life.

Wherever that life force passed, the previously withered bodies were revitalized, like parched land receiving timely rain.

He could even clearly feel that his aging internal organs were being nourished and reshaped by this magical power.

The most amazing thing is that he didn't notice that his graying temples were turning black at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Fifteen minutes passed just like that.

"call!"

Zhu Houcong breathed a sigh of relief when he felt that power completely disappear.

He looked down at his hands, and his previously slightly loose skin had become firmer.

"Brilliant!"

He couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice that the effects of this longevity elixir were even more miraculous than he had imagined.

Then he looked at Qin Banruo, who was unconscious on the bed, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

This Hua woman is truly my lucky star.

Thinking of this, he bent down and gently straightened Qin Banruo's disheveled clothes, his movements surprisingly gentle.

That’s all!

Considering the good fortune you have brought me, I will not pursue this matter today.

Zhu Houcong shook his head, turned and walked out of the palace gate, his gait exuding imperial majesty.

Outside the hall, the rising sun cast a long, slender shadow of him.

At this time, outside Anyang City, northwest of Jinling City.

A troop of people swept across the official road like a whirlwind, the sound of their hooves shattering the tranquility of the morning.

The woman at the head of the group had snow-white hair, the front half of which was tied up high and adorned with an exquisite silver hair bun.

The latter half cascades down to the waist like a waterfall, fluttering freely in the wind.

She wore a light blue Taoist robe with cloud patterns, and the wide sleeves were embroidered with the Yin-Yang symbol. As the robe fluttered, it seemed as if flowing clouds were surrounding her.

The whisk in his hand had an extremely unique design.

More than a hundred Taoist priests in blue robes followed closely behind, each carrying a long sword, their faces solemn and stern beneath their Taoist hats.

They crossed the city gate of Anyang without stopping and headed straight for Jinling.

Gao Zhan, in the group, spurred his horse and looked at the outline of Jinling City gradually appearing in the distance, a surge of excitement welling up in his chest.

This trip to the Qin state has lasted for many days, and now we are finally returning to our homeland.

He couldn't help but look at the elegant and otherworldly figure at the very front of the group.

Her hair was as white as snow, and her Taoist robe fluttered in the morning light, making her look like an immortal descending to earth.

Gao Zhan still remembers the shock he felt when he first met her.

This legendary, extraordinary hermit actually followed him to Daliang.

At the same time, his admiration for Emperor Liang grew even stronger.

He still found it unbelievable when he recalled the resolute expression on Emperor Liang's face before his departure.

Your Majesty's insight into human nature and worldly affairs is truly unfathomable.

The sound of galloping hooves brought Gao Zhan back to his senses.

He knew that the arrival of this Heavenly Sect leader would surely stir up new waves in Daliang.

And all of this must have been part of His Majesty's plan.

Chapter 59 Gao Xiaosong? What are you doing here?

Zhu Houcong stepped out of the threshold of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and found that it had been completely cleaned up.

It was as if the rebellion of last night had never happened.

He couldn't help but admire the efficiency of these eunuchs.

At this moment, Cao Zhichun hurriedly ran over and knelt down on the bluestone slab with a thud.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot has sent a message."

"Eunuch Gao has returned with the Taoist masters of the Heavenly Sect. They should arrive at the palace gate in about half an hour."

"Um."

Zhu Houcong responded casually, his gaze thoughtfully fixed on the distant palace walls.

"Summon Yan Song."

"This servant will go right away."

Cao Zhichun quickly kowtowed, bowed his back and took a few steps back, then turned around and quickly left with small, quick steps.

Zhu Houcong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hall, waiting quietly, but the familiar notification sound never came.

He frowned slightly, a hint of regret in his heart.

pity!

He had long suspected that Jiajing's sayings would only be rewarded the first time they were uttered.

I originally wanted to try using the "salt and pepper delivery" trick to repeatedly get the reward, but it seems I still can't find a way to exploit this loophole.