Chapter 119: Who Moves First Is the True One

Emperor Taichang didn’t wait for the eunuch to hand it over—he ran forward and snatched the red pill.

He leaned in to sniff it, feeling instantly invigorated.

It was merely an illusion caused by hormonal surges after excitement.

“Excellent—it matches precisely the color, scent, and form recorded in the late emperor’s will,” Emperor Taichang said after careful examination, a smile spreading across his face.

Chu Danqing wasn’t worried Emperor Taichang could tell the difference—only Yuan Shanhu had ever handled the real red pill.

Added to her existing knowledge and experience, the counterfeit was close enough that Emperor Taichang couldn’t distinguish truth from fake.

But Emperor Taichang didn’t take it immediately—he summoned the imperial physician for verification.

Just because his father wrote in his will that it was an elixir of immortality didn’t mean it was.

Then why didn’t his father take it himself? Why hide it in the Taiyi Academy? That doesn’t make sense.

Taking advantage of the pause, Chu Danqing explained the full story; Emperor Taichang fell silent for a long while.

The red pill was stolen from the Taiyi Academy, and the attempt to present it at court was intercepted—both by Susen agents.

“Minister, what do you propose?” Emperor Taichang asked after draining his calming tea, his demeanor calmer now.

The events couldn’t be faked—fifty Imperial Guard soldiers assisted in seizing the pill, and the City Defense Bureau witnessed its entry into the palace.

“Someone in court is colluding with the Susen, and Susen hideouts lurk within the capital!” Chu Danqing declared firmly: “I beg Your Majesty to launch a full investigation.”

Emperor Taichang had anticipated this—but he couldn’t decide who to entrust with the inquiry.

Li Wanwu was suitable, but the problem was he was currently serving as his blade to purge the Qiutan Faction from court.

The Qiutan Faction was a hundred-legged insect—dead but not decayed; its roots extended beyond the capital into the provinces.

And given how major this incident was, how could Li Wanwu’s Jishi Factory have known nothing?

Emperor Taichang, already suspicious, recalled Li Wanwu’s past habit of hedging bets.

Could someone who so readily pledged loyalty to him also switch sides when the empire teetered on collapse?

Just as Emperor Taichang was about to ask Chu Danqing who was suitable, the imperial physician spoke first.

“Your Majesty, this pill matches exactly what the late emperor’s will described—but since no testing has been done, its effects remain unknown,” the old physician hurriedly said: “There are two pills; we could split one for testing.”

Chu Danqing immediately objected: “Your Majesty, no.”

“If there are two pills, both must be taken—one for immortality, one for eternal youth.”

“If you take only one and gain immortality without eternal youth, you’ll be trapped in a decaying body—terrible,” Chu Danqing added.

It wasn’t that Chu Danqing was kind—he knew the weak healing potion and weak energy potion together produced stronger sensory effects, making Emperor Taichang more convinced of their authenticity.

Emperor Taichang found this logical.

If he gained immortality but not eternal youth, he’d live forever while his body rotted into paralysis—becoming helpless prey.

“Since the color, scent, and form match, no testing is needed,” Emperor Taichang rejected the physician’s suggestion—if Chu Danqing was right, he’d be handing immortality to someone else while losing eternal youth himself.

Still, he was cautious—he didn’t take it directly, but asked the old physician: “Why did the late emperor store the red pill in your Taiyi Academy?”

“This minister truly does not know,” the physician replied—he had no idea it had been secretly placed there by the previous Emperor Taichang.

Chu Danqing knew—he’d been driven insane by low sanity, capable of anything.

For instance, allowing the Ghost Market to transport people to Susen as laborers for profit—only a madman would do such a thing.

There was no need to analyze motives or logic; normal minds couldn’t comprehend it.

Emperor Taichang stared at the two red pills, his mind swirling with thoughts.

If he’d been crown prince, he’d have swallowed them without hesitation.

He needed a strong body to outlast his father.

But now his father was dead, and he was emperor—he no longer had that urgency.

After three minutes of struggle, Emperor Taichang finally spoke: “Bring the red pills.”

He gritted his teeth and decided to take them.

The eunuch didn’t hesitate—he delivered the pills directly to Emperor Taichang.

Emperor Taichang seized them and shoved them into his mouth, swallowing without chewing, fearing it might weaken the effect.

Instantly, a surge of heat and cold spread from his stomach through every limb and vein.

In that moment, he felt reborn—his body, once heavy with fatigue, became light and free.

His vigor, spirit, and vitality all surged.

In truth, it was all psychological—the weak healing and energy potions worked, but didn’t increase attributes.

Emperor Taichang’s problem wasn’t low health or mana—it was abysmally low physical stats.

“I have endless strength—I am truly miraculous,” Emperor Taichang murmured.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing feared Emperor Taichang would recklessly endanger himself: “Your Majesty, you are now immortal and ageless—but you must remain cautious.”

Emperor Taichang asked why.

“Your body is still mortal—blades, fire, water, poison, and plague can still kill you,” Chu Danqing warned—don’t think immortality means you’re invincible.

If he died from sheer stupidity after gaining immortality, that would be a disaster.

So far, Emperor Taichang was still reasonably human—a standard, competent emperor.

“Minister, rest assured—I understand,” Emperor Taichang listened—he wasn’t invulnerable; a knife to the heart would still kill him.

“Bring ink and paper—issue an edict: grant Chu minister the title of Marquis of a county.” Emperor Taichang, pleased, bestowed a noble title.

The eunuchs swiftly drafted the decree, which Emperor Taichang reviewed and handed directly to Chu Danqing.

“Given the urgency, Minister Chu, don’t mind the lack of ceremony,” Emperor Taichang said—he had no intention of holding a formal investiture; if Chu wanted one, he could hold it himself.

Chu Danqing didn’t take the edict: “Your Majesty, this is too great a reward.”

“Better to grant me treasures like the Hollow Valley Orchid or the Night Pearl of Boluo—I cherish such small wonders.”

What use was a petty marquisate to him? To him, it was merely an empty title.

Hearing Chu Danqing’s refusal, Emperor Taichang grew even more satisfied.

A minister who craved wealth but not power, who delivered results and remained loyal—how could he not adore such a man?

In truth, after granting him a marquisate, he’d already regretted it.

Noble titles couldn’t be given lightly—this was the perfect chance to retreat gracefully.

“Very well—Minister Chu, select three treasures from the Daying Treasury, plus a mansion and a thousand gold pieces,” Emperor Taichang changed the reward.

Chu Danqing was satisfied with this compensation—but his goal wasn’t yet achieved.

“Not enough—I request to lead the purge of Susen agents within the capital. I ask for an edict granting me authority to execute first, report later, and act as I see fit.”

“I have no trust in Director Li—the Jishi Factory failed utterly, leaking even this matter. Even if Director Li was unaware, he still bears negligence,” Chu Danqing said.

Mentioning Li Wanwu, Emperor Taichang felt a thorn in his side.

Few knew of the red pill—besides Chu Danqing and Li Wanwu, all others had been imprisoned.

Chu Danqing wouldn’t leak—he’d brought the pill himself.

The only possible leaker left was Li Wanwu—could Emperor Taichang himself have leaked it?

“Granted,” Emperor Taichang said without hesitation. “Draft the edict—and bring me my personal sword.”

“What if the investigation implicates Director Li?” Chu Danqing asked.

Emperor Taichang paused: “Submit a secret memorial—I will decide.”

Even if Li Wanwu was guilty, he couldn’t be moved yet—he must be used until worthless, then discarded.

Chu Danqing suspected Emperor Taichang planned to kill two birds with one stone.

Use Li Wanwu to purge the court, then sacrifice him to appease public outrage.

Thus, all blame fell on Li Wanwu—Emperor Taichang would control the court and preserve his reputation.

Chu Danqing merely nodded, took the edict and the sword, and departed.

Now it was simple: when in doubt, show the edict; if anyone resists, draw the sword and kill.

Mobilizing all factions in the capital to serve him was no problem.

Chu Danqing didn’t just have authority—he had troops.

Authority might invite hesitation; troops meant action—Chu Danqing would truly strike.

Having secured what he wanted, Chu Danqing hurried toward the Daying Treasury.

Mansions and gold meant nothing to him—he didn’t care.

But treasures like these could directly enhance him.

Arriving, the Daying Treasury still glowed with light; after presenting the official slip stamped by Emperor Taichang’s seal, an attendant escorted Chu Danqing inside to select treasures.

“Minister Chu, is there anything in particular you desire?” the deputy treasury official asked.

Chu Danqing didn’t hide his intent: “Beast-taming, spirit-summoning artifacts, or items like the Night Pearl of Boluo.”

Though the deputy had never heard the terms “beast-taming” or “spirit-summoning,” he understood their meaning.

“Yes, yes,” the deputy said at once. “This way, Minister Chu.”

As they walked, he explained the origins of various treasures in the treasury.

Chu Danqing verified each item using his Apostle Authority.

Not all objects could be recognized by the Paradise as attribute-enhancing items.

Most failed to meet quality thresholds.

Even those that did were mostly Common-grade; Excellent-grade items were exceedingly rare.

So far, the Hollow Valley Orchid and the box of Night Pearls were among the few truly valuable treasures.

Emperor Taichang wasn’t stingy—he rewarded generously.

The deputy led Chu Danqing deep into the treasury.

The deeper they went, the more formal the items became, and the higher their quality.

“My lord, please observe this item, called the Seven-Treasure Eagle, forged from gold, silver, lapis lazuli, coral, amber, conch shell, and agate.”

“It was a gift presented by the monarch of Sulu during the founding of the Taichang Dynasty,” said the deputy warehouse keeper, pointing to a treasure cast from seven materials.

Chu Danqing glanced at it and said directly, “Swap it.”

It was pretty, but only ordinary quality; his minimum requirement was excellent, and only then did special conditions matter.

This item belongs to the treasure category, similar to the Night Pearl, yet sells for less.

Compared to Paradise Points, he preferred directly obtaining summoning items, to avoid the middleman’s markup.

(End of Chapter)