PFC Chapter 85 King Qin Tests Xu Fu
Chapter 85 King Qin Tests Xu Fu
Zhao Gao, accompanied by Xu Fu, stood outside the Zhangtai Palace, respectfully conveying their request to the guards to see the King of Qin. The guards relayed the message inside, and the King of Qin, upon hearing it, looked up in surprise. He had almost forgotten about Zhao Gao and Xu Fu. He had only sent Zhao Gao to find Xu Fu to get rid of Zhao Gao; he hadn't expected the two to return so quickly.
The King of Qin pondered to himself, what should he do with these two men? Should he kill them both to prevent future troubles? Or should he spare them for the time being and observe whether they had any ulterior motives? This question plunged the King of Qin into deep thought.
After a moment, the King of Qin decided to meet them first to see what news they had brought. He waved to the guards to bring Zhao Gao and Xu Fu in.
Zhao Gao and Xu Fu entered the hall and knelt to pay their respects. The King of Qin looked at them coldly and asked, "What brings you two here?"
Zhao Gao bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, I have successfully completed my mission and have brought Xu Fu back. Xu Fu has now brought back the elixir of immortality and has come to present it to Your Majesty." After speaking, he looked at Xu Fu and gave him a wink.
Xu Fu understood and quickly took out an exquisite jade box from his robes and presented it to the King of Qin. The King of Qin took the jade box, opened it, and found a pill inside that emitted a strange light.
The King of Qin stared at the elixir, his mind racing with thoughts. He knew this elixir couldn't truly grant him immortality, but for years almost everyone knew he desired eternal life in order to gain wealth and power. So, was Xu Fu also there for wealth and power?
The King of Qin asked, "Xu Fu, I heard you discovered a fairy mountain. Are there really immortals on that mountain?"
Upon hearing the King of Qin's words, Xu Fu immediately replied, "This humble Taoist has indeed discovered a fairy mountain called Penglai Immortal Island. The mountain is filled with immortal energy, and I have finally found the immortals after searching for it."
The King of Qin then asked, "Oh? What did the immortals you saw look like?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Fu quickly replied, "Your Majesty, those immortals were dressed in white, with flowing long hair and an elegant demeanor, like fairies descended to earth. They held whisks in their hands and stood on auspicious clouds, giving people a sense of transcendence."
The King of Qin nodded and continued, "Then how many elixirs of immortality have you found?"
Xu Fu looked troubled and said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, I have prayed to the immortals many times for the elixir of immortality, but the immortals said that this elixir is extremely precious, like a rare treasure. Finally, after my earnest pleas, the immortals reluctantly gave me a two-year supply. For mortals to achieve immortality is already harder than ascending to heaven. If Your Majesty wishes to live forever, you must take it every day for two years to achieve immortality."
The King of Qin frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Can this medicine truly grant immortality?"
Xu Fu immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly, and said with tears streaming down his face, "Your Majesty, please believe me. If I have uttered even the slightest lie, may I be struck by lightning!"
The King of Qin looked at Xu Fu, secretly calculating in his mind. Then he said, "Hmm, I understand. You have obtained the elixir of immortality for me, your loyalty is beyond question. What reward do you desire?"
Xu Fu remained calm and said, "Your Majesty, I am a Taoist priest and have long since become indifferent to wealth, fame, and fortune. I only wish that Your Majesty, who is wise and mighty, may live forever. I have no other desires."
Hearing Xu Fu's words, the King of Qin wondered if Xu Fu was playing hard to get or if he had another purpose. He smiled and said, "Very well, haha, since Master Xu is so considerate of me, then I will not reward him for now. When I achieve immortality and ascend to heaven, I will certainly not forget Master Xu."
Upon hearing the King of Qin's words, Xu Fu's lips twitched slightly. He said, "This humble Taoist thanks Your Majesty and wishes Your Majesty's wish to be fulfilled soon."
The King of Qin said, "Very well, Xu Fu, you may leave now." Xu Fu replied, "This humble Taoist takes his leave." As he left, he glanced at Zhao Gao, who quietly nodded to him.
At this moment, only King Qin and Zhao Gao remained in the Zhangtai Hall. Zhao Gao remained kneeling on the ground, while King Qin stared at him expressionlessly. After a while, King Qin spoke, asking, "Zhao Gao, I ask you, where did you find Xu Fu?"
Zhao Gao hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, I had been adrift at sea for more than two months. Just when my food was about to run out and I was in despair, I discovered a mysterious island. After landing on the island, I was overjoyed to find the Taoist priest Xu."
The King of Qin asked with a look of curiosity, "What island is that?"
Zhao Gao replied respectfully, "I truly do not know the name of that island."
The King of Qin pressed further, asking, "What was Xu Fu doing on that island?"
Zhao Gao hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, after I arrived on the island, I encountered some natives. Those natives were poorly clothed and extremely vulgar. When I tried to communicate with them, their language was like bird language, which I could hardly understand. Just when I was at a loss, Xu Fangshi appeared. He turned out to be the messenger of the gods worshipped by those natives."
The King of Qin asked, full of doubt, "What exactly is this divine messenger?"
Zhao Gao hurriedly replied, "According to Xu Fu, the god worshipped by those natives is an eight-headed, eight-tailed snake. Moreover, there are many snakes and insects on the island, and the natives are often bitten to death by snakes. Because they worship snakes, they dare not kill them, which leads to more and more snakes on the island and more and more people being bitten to death. After Xu Fu arrived, he saved several natives who had been bitten by snakes and used medicinal powder to drive away the snakes. The natives then revered him as a divine messenger."
The King of Qin pondered for a moment, then asked, "How far is that island from my Great Qin?"
Zhao Gao said, "When I went there, I rested briefly on an island called Ryukyu, so it took me four months to get there. On the way back, I didn't delay at all and it only took me three months."
The King of Qin nodded and said, "I understand. You did very well this time. Go back and rest now."
Zhao Gao still wanted to return to the King of Qin's side, but he also knew that now that he had just returned, he must go home and rest first. Therefore, Zhao Gao replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave."
King Qin waved his hand lightly, and Zhao Gao quickly withdrew. King Qin sat firmly on the dragon throne, a symbol of supreme power, and began to ponder. After a while, he slowly said, "Go and invite Jia Yang over." The little eunuch behind him hurriedly responded and ran away like a gust of wind.
A moment later, Ying Wuyou entered Zhangtai Palace with light steps. She quietly gazed at the Qin King, who was lost in thought, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Jiayang greets Father!"
The King of Qin then came to his senses and said with a smile, "Jiayang, you've come. Please have a seat!"
Ying Wuyou sat obediently to one side and asked softly, "What is troubling Father?"
The King of Qin gazed at Ying Wuyou and said, "I previously sent Zhao Gao to invite Xu Fu to refine the elixir of immortality. Now Zhao Gao has returned with Xu Fu, who claims to have gone to that mysterious immortal mountain, met immortals, and obtained the elixir of immortality. Jiayang, take a look at this elixir and see what it is all about."
As the King of Qin finished speaking, a young eunuch carefully moved the box of pills from the King's desk to the low table in front of Ying Wuyou.