Chapter 556

He had almost prepared to go to Sanghai City himself to welcome the return of the Mirage, but in the end, he was persuaded against it.

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment and calmed down.

If it were in the past, he could have used an eastern tour as an excuse to visit Sanghai, but now it was different. The war in the northern frontier was urgent, and the Qin army was fighting the Xiongnu; he had to remain at the center of power in Xianyang.

To show the importance he placed on the Mirage.

In the end, Ying Zheng sent Han Fei, Li Si, and the leader of the Net, Gainie, who had been in charge of the Net for several years, to Sanghai City to welcome the return of the Mirage. These people were all trusted by Ying Zheng. Now, Ying Zheng had sent them all out at once, showing how much he cared about the return of the Mirage.

The return of the Mirage stirred up vast winds and clouds.

Soon, a large-scale team quickly headed toward Sanghai City to welcome the Mirage’s return.

Because they were traveling day and night,

the team soon arrived at Sanghai, located in the eastern lands.

Sanghai City, City Lord’s Mansion.

When Han Fei, Li Si, Gainie, and others arrived, they learned that Su Xuan was at the Youjian Inn. When they rushed to the Youjian Inn, they saw Su Xuan sitting at a table with dozens of dishes of food laid out. He was eating while savoring them. Beside him, a stout man was nodding and bowing, agreeing repeatedly.

This scene left everyone who arrived stunned.

Although they knew that Su Xuan and the others had been drifting at sea for two years and might miss life on the Central Plains, this was far too extravagant.

Thinking of how they had rushed to Sanghai day and night under the Emperor’s orders, eating only dry rations on the way without a single good meal,

at this moment, smelling the aroma of the food,

Han Fei, Li Si, and the others swallowed subconsciously.

"What are you looking at? Come over and eat together!"

Su Xuan greeted the people who had arrived.

Even though they hadn't seen each other for over two years, there was no sense of estrangement.

In the end, Gainie was the first to come to the table and sit down, followed by Han Fei. Li Si, seeing his two colleagues go, sat down beside Su Xuan cautiously.

Gainie, being the first to sit beside Su Xuan, was the least reserved and started eating directly.

Although Han Fei had become much more steady in the State of Qin over the years compared to when he was in the State of Han, he would occasionally be frivolous. Just like now, he picked up some food, took a bite, and couldn't help but praise: "It really is delicious. Mr. Su really knows how to enjoy life."

Su Xuan smiled faintly: "Life is short and fleeting, so naturally, one must enjoy it as much as possible during this brief life. Enjoying good food is one of my personal hobbies."

Han Fei nodded gently.

Li Si, listening to the conversation between Su Xuan and Han Fei, also picked up some food and ate a bite silently. He felt the taste was quite good, but he was an extremely restrained person and did not praise the food directly. Compared to the food, they had other important tasks in Sanghai, which was to welcome the return of the Mirage. Of course, seeing Su Xuan here, Li Si did not mind taking the opportunity to ask Su Xuan about overseas matters, which would also resolve some of the doubts in his heart.

Li Si first glanced at Pao Ding, who was waiting on the side, and then looked at Su Xuan: "Imperial Advisor, is this a place to talk?"

Su Xuan noticed Li Si’s small action and said calmly: "Don't worry, Shopkeeper Ding is a leader of the Mohist school. The Mohist school works for our State of Qin, so they are our own people!"

He revealed Pao Ding’s background in one sentence.

This shocked Han Fei, Li Si, and Gainie once again.

They hadn't expected that this ordinary-looking fat man was one of the leaders of the Mohist school. It could only be said that one should not judge a book by its cover.

Since they knew Pao Ding was one of their own, Li Si didn't worry that their conversation might leak any secrets and asked Su Xuan directly: "Imperial Advisor, did you have any gains from this voyage?"

This question was too blunt.

So after asking, Li Si explained: "Because many people in the court criticize the Emperor, saying that building the Mirage is a waste of manpower and money, and that the Imperial Advisor riding the Mirage to sea to find immortal mountains is a fruitless endeavor, that is why I asked..."

After hearing Li Si’s words, Su Xuan understood what Li Si meant.

Not everyone recognized his status as Imperial Advisor. When Ying Zheng first conferred the title of Imperial Advisor upon him, there were many opponents. This time, after the Mirage returned, many people were prepared to watch him make a fool of himself.

It could be said that if the Mirage had returned empty-handed, these people wouldn't mind submitting a few memorials against Su Xuan, with reasons being nothing more than spreading heretical ideas, bewitching the Emperor to build the Mirage, wasting manpower and money, and consuming countless national resources for nothing.

In any case, he would definitely be the culprit.

And the Emperor could never be wrong.

Even if building the Mirage was the Emperor’s own decision, the fault would definitely be Su Xuan’s.

It could only be said that although Su Xuan’s strength was very strong, no matter how strong one was, it was impossible to make everyone submit willingly.

Especially since Qin destroyed the six states, many people from the six states were officials in Qin. As more details were revealed, they understood more and more what role Su Xuan played in the process of Qin destroying the six states.

Facing the First Emperor, they dared not have any emotions.

But toward Su Xuan, some people inevitably developed some resistance.

In the end, the so-called resistance was merely out of jealousy.

Jealousy that he was valued by the Qin Emperor, jealousy that he became the Imperial Advisor, and that the Emperor even said things like seeing Su Xuan was like seeing the Emperor.

It must be said that Li Si was a good person.

He told Su Xuan about these hidden dangers in advance.

If Su Xuan had gains from the overseas immortal mountains, then that was fine. If not, he had warned Su Xuan in advance, so Su Xuan could make preparations to stop the mouths of the public and minimize the impact on himself.

After understanding Li Si’s meaning, Su Xuan said: "I will not hide it from you, Lord Li, this voyage did indeed have some gains!"

"Oh?"

Hearing Su Xuan’s words, everyone in the room, including Pao Ding who was standing on the side, looked at Su Xuan.

They were truly curious about Su Xuan’s gains overseas.

"If I say that the immortal mountains truly exist, do you believe me?"

Su Xuan didn't say too much; he only said this one sentence.

But sometimes, one sentence was enough.

This sentence caused Li Si, Han Fei, and Gainie to have many fantasies.

Since the immortal mountains truly exist, does that mean... immortals also truly exist?

Is the true secret of the Seven Luminaries of the Azure Dragon related to immortals?

Han Fei knew some of the secrets of the Mirage’s voyage and couldn't help but think in his heart.

He couldn't help but look at Su Xuan before him.

He thought of his younger sister.

In the two years since Su Xuan went to sea, his sister Princess Honglian had often talked about Su Xuan and expressed worry for him.

If Su Xuan had truly ascended the immortal mountains and seen true immortals,

it meant that the distance between Princess Honglian and him would only grow further.

After all, immortals and mortals are different!

Thinking of this, Han Fei couldn't help but sigh.