Chapter 117: Elixir of Longevity

“The Emperor’s legacy of the Elixir of Longevity?” Chu Danqing’s eye twitched at the words of Emperor Taichang.

It was said the late Emperor had left behind two divine pills—consume them, and one would attain immortality.

The implication was clear: this monster and the assassin had been drawn here by the Elixir of Longevity.

The unspoken message was that Chu Danqing must find those two pills.

“Correct,” Emperor Taichang nodded. “My health has always been poor—you know this.”

“I cannot trust others to search for it.”

Chu Danqing immediately sensed trouble.

Easy to say—but where was he supposed to find this so-called Elixir of Longevity? Should I just whip up some Weak Healing Potion and mix it with Four Happiness Dumplings?

Besides, he suspected the Elixir of Longevity was nothing more than the delusion of the previous Emperor, whose sanity had been too low.

A Fine-quality item doesn’t grant immortality.

“Your Majesty speaks wisely—where should I begin my search?” Chu Danqing asked.

I’ll go look, but give me a target.

This was the perfect chance to make a scene and help complete my trial quest.

“The Taiyi Academy,” Emperor Taichang said. “The two Elixirs were stored there by the late Emperor.”

“But I previously sent Li Provincial Military Commander to search—it yielded nothing.”

“I trust you above all others—that’s why I’ve sent you,” Emperor Taichang said aloud, though Chu Danqing knew the truth: Li Wanwu was too useful as a blade to be sent on this risky errand.

“Yes, I shall not fail Your Majesty’s trust,” Chu Danqing replied at once.

Whether he could find it was another matter—he’d agree first.

The previous Emperor had gained power through the sorcery texts of Flesh Scholars; even if he truly left behind an “Elixir of Longevity,” it would certainly not be anything good.

“I give you three days to find it,” Emperor Taichang said, satisfied with Chu Danqing’s answer.

“I shall present the Elixir of Longevity to Your Majesty within three days!” Chu Danqing puffed out his chest.

He figured it didn’t exist—he hadn’t even received a mission from the Paradise.

How could he complete something that didn’t exist?

The Paradise was generous—it never issued impossible tasks.

After replying, he left immediately and learned the skill he’d obtained from Xu Yi.

【Spiritual Clarity (Passive) LV.MAX: Summoned Familiar’s Spirit +1】

A flood of knowledge surfaced in Chu Danqing’s mind.

He glanced at Dabao—his Intelligence hadn’t changed, but he noticed a faint stir in the Blood Fury energy within him.

That stir was spreading and growing.

“Looks like another high-tier attribute,” Chu Danqing muttered. This passive skill had been learned at max level—no further upgrade possible.

An Excellent-tier skill with no flaws naturally meant modest bonuses.

Back at his quarters, Chu Danqing prepared to rest.

He’d been awake for a full day and night; even with his stats and skills, he still needed rest.

But as he opened the door, he saw Zhuo Bu Fan waiting anxiously—clearly, he’d sneaked in.

A bad feeling settled in his gut—he suspected he wouldn’t sleep tonight.

“Zhuo Xiao-ge, what’s wrong?” Chu Danqing asked.

“Master Chu, you’re finally back!” Zhuo Bu Fan rose quickly. “My junior brother, Zhao Mingqian, is in trouble.”

“Didn’t he leave the capital? How could anything happen to him?” Chu Danqing asked, puzzled.

He’d left at the perfect time—avoiding every storm. How had he gotten caught?

“It’s a long story,” Zhuo Bu Fan said. “Please, Master Chu, you must save him.”

He’d encountered a group of lamas from the Susen Zanglong Sect after leaving the capital, clashed with them, and been captured.

Chu Danqing listened, speechless: “Why?”

“I’m not sure. Miss Yuan escaped and came to warn me—then collapsed.” Zhuo Bu Fan said.

He was exhausted: first his father was in trouble, barely rescued.

Now, before he could catch his breath, his junior brother was in danger.

He couldn’t rescue him himself—he was outmatched, so he’d come to beg Chu Danqing’s help.

“Fine. I’ll mobilize troops to suppress these lamas,” Chu Danqing said.

He had authority—why go alone?

Even if the lamas were strong, could they match the Imperial Guard Feather Forest Army?

Just a small squad would suffice. Under a barrage of powerful bows and crossbows, they’d surrender—or be turned into sieves.

Even a Jade-Faced Rakshasa and Iron Palm Flying Dragon, working together, would die if they faced a fully armed elite Feather Forest unit.

Zhuo Bu Fan had been waiting for exactly this reply—that’s why he’d come.

Though a man of the Jianghu, his father served in court—he knew the gulf between martial masters and armies.

“Do you know where they are?” Chu Danqing asked.

“I do. Please mobilize troops quickly—I’ll guide you,” Zhuo Bu Fan replied at once.

With that, Chu Danqing left with Zhuo Bu Fan to gather men.

He didn’t mobilize many—only fifty.

Too many would be hard to justify; he’d just started his shift, and the Feather Forest Army’s duty was palace defense.

Sending too many might invite accusations.

But fifty was enough—the Zanglong Sect lamas numbered only seven.

They marched swiftly; the Feather Forest troops breached the door and stormed inside.

About three seconds later, screams and wails erupted from within.

A minute passed—the noise ceased.

The Feather Forest troops dragged out four corpses and three badly wounded lamas.

Zhuo Bu Fan rescued Zhao Mingqian, who remained unconscious. Chu Danqing had him drink a Weak Healing Potion and swallow two medicinal dumplings.

Zhao Mingqian slowly opened his eyes.

Chu Danqing ordered the Feather Forest troops to interrogate the captured lamas about their purpose in the Taichang realm, then turned to Zhao Mingqian.

“Zhao Xiao-ge, how did you get caught by these lamas?” Chu Danqing asked.

“It was luck,” Zhao Mingqian said, glancing at the lamas. “I hadn’t even left the capital yet—I was preparing rations.”

“I overheard these seven lamas speaking of Li Provincial Military Commander.”

“We followed them and learned they were from Susen, here to find Li Wanwu.”

“Then we heard they’d been ordered by Li Wanwu to retrieve the Red Pills from the Taiyi Academy.”

“So Yuan and I rushed ahead to the Taiyi Academy, took the Red Pills, and planned to deliver them to you.”

“But these seven lamas arrived just then. We fought, I was outmatched—I gave the pills to Yuan to carry off, and stayed behind to be captured.”

So Zhao Mingqian and Yuan Shanhu had never left the capital.

Chu Danqing had just learned from Emperor Taichang that the Elixir was in the Taiyi Academy—and Zhao Mingqian had already gotten there first.

“Master Chu, Li Wanwu is indeed colluding with Susen,” Zhao Mingqian said. “The Zanglong Sect is highly favored there.”

“Bad!” Zhuo Bu Fan suddenly said. “Master Chu, your troop mobilization must have alerted Li Wanwu.”

“He’s too cunning—he’ll trace this back to my house.”

“The Red Pills…” Zhuo Bu Fan’s face paled. “They’re lost.”

“Let’s go see,” Chu Danqing said at once.

Chu Danqing ordered the Feather Forest troops to take the surviving lamas back for interrogation, then headed straight for Zhuo’s residence.

They arrived too late—Yuan Shanhu’s room had been ransacked.

The pouch containing the Red Pills was gone—clearly stolen.

After giving Yuan Shanhu a Weak Healing Potion and two medicinal dumplings, she awoke and confirmed it.

The pills were gone.

“I smelled those pills—they’re no medicine.”

“Even a healthy person would wish they were dead after swallowing them. A weak person would die within a day,” Yuan Shanhu declared firmly.

Her expertise in poison mist came from poison arts—she was highly skilled in medicine and toxins.

“Obvious enough for a court physician to detect?” Chu Danqing asked.

“The pill-maker is a master of both medicine and poison. The Taiyi Academy’s useless bunglers couldn’t tell,” Yuan Shanhu said. “Only a Sage of Medicine and a Master of Poison could uncover the truth.”

“I only noticed something odd because of the martial arts my mother left me,” Yuan Shanhu meant: no, they couldn’t.

“Could Li Wanwu be planning to offer these Red Pills to the Emperor?” Zhuo Bu Fan’s face twisted in horror.

Otherwise, why involve the Taiyi Academy?

“The Emperor is searching for these Red Pills—he believes they’re the late Emperor’s Elixir of Longevity,” Chu Danqing said, then laughed bitterly.

This wasn’t an Elixir of Longevity—it was a death potion.

“They haven’t gone far—we should chase them!” Zhao Mingqian rose to pursue.

Chu Danqing stopped him: “No need—it’s too messy.”

“Miss Yuan understands poison—surely she knows some medicine?” Chu Danqing asked Yuan Shanhu.

“I know a little… what do you mean, Master Chu?” Yuan Shanhu didn’t understand.

“Make me a potion that looks and tastes the same, then shape it into red pills.” Chu Danqing smiled sweetly.

It doesn’t matter if someone steals the red pills—Chu Danqing can simply make another batch; whoever produces theirs first is the real one.

“Remember to make two pills, then soak each one in the liquid.” Chu Danqing pulled out a Minor Healing Potion and a Minor Energy Potion.

“Make sure both pills you shape fully absorb the potions in my hands!”

Hearing this, everyone immediately understood Chu Danqing’s plan.

It’s too much trouble to retrieve them—just render Li Wanwu’s real red pills useless.

“But what if the Emperor believes Li Wanwu?” Zhuo Bufen asked anxiously.

“Then let him stew in it.” Chu Danqing spread his hands: “I certainly can’t find the red pills.”

“Then you take them?” Chu Danqing had no confidence he could retrieve the pills from the Secret Investigation Bureau.

Who knows where they’ve hidden them? Better to wait and react—let Li Wanwu play the fool first, then kill him outright. Much simpler.

(End of Chapter)