The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

"Under the heavens, all the land belongs to the Emperor; on the edges of the earth, all are subjects to the Emperor. These things were never mine; I am but managing them on behalf of Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to appoint another to manage, I shall obey the decree," Xu Qing responded to the Emperor, upright in stature and honest in speech...

Clang!

The old Emperor struck the Jade Chime again, the curtain was fully drawn, revealing the true face of the Emperor. Xu Qing bowed his head, lowering his gaze, without attempting to make eye contact with the old Emperor.

"Then who do you think can replace you in managing these wealth and properties?"

"I believe it doesn't matter who it is. As long as Your Majesty decrees, the new person, following the annual tribute of money and grain given to Your Majesty by me, should just continue to deliver the same amount... However, I have a piece of advice, though I'm unsure if it's appropriate to speak," Xu Qing hesitated.

The old Emperor: "In my presence, there is no need to hold back. Speak freely. Regardless of what you say, I pardon you from all guilt."

Xu Qing knew that such a promise was just superficial; all the Death Exemption Tokens issued by the Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty had turned into death warrants. Could he really trust the old Emperor's words?

He said earnestly, "If Your Majesty continues to entrust me with these affairs, the amount I deliver next year could be double that of this year."

"Truly?"

"In front of the Emperor, there are no jokes. I dare not deceive you."

"I've heard that you've brought a Taoist from the Fang Immortal Dao to the Capital. Can he practice Alchemy?"

"Yes, but in my view, Taoist Gu is not as skilled in Alchemy as Master Zhang of Dragon Tiger Mountain nor the Abbot Xiong Chan of the Great Zen Temple... I invited Taoist Gu to the Capital to utilize the power of the Ministry of Industry, to improve the firearms of our dynasty, as well as the tools needed by various workshops, and mechanisms..."

Xu Qing then elaborated, talking about the formidable power of firearms and the improvement of textile tools, etc... matters pertaining to military and civilian life.

He also specifically mentioned how important these things could be in both military and civic applications.

He noticed the historians were there recording detailed accounts.

Although this audience with the Emperor was of a private nature, it was essentially an exclusive meeting between ruler and subject.

Even if dynasties changed, there was a great chance that this would be passed on to future generations, for future rulers to see.

Xu Qing kept his speech straightforward and concise.

Whether the Emperor listened or not, that was up to the Emperor.

Whether Xu Qing spoke or not, that was on him.

Moreover, stating his position and stance was beneficial for establishing his character.

The Emperor asked about spirits and deities, Xu Qing talked about the welfare of the people.

There simply was no fault to be found in Xu Qing's responses.

"Alright, you may discuss these matters with the Grand Secretary. I entrust the grand affairs of the world to the Grand Secretary, to you, my Ministers, because I want you to be as devoted as this. Xu Qing, you have done well, I am pleased with you."

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, your servant is filled with trepidation."

"Alright, you may leave."

Xu Qing followed the protocol to show gratitude and, led by a eunuch, left the West Garden and headed straight back to Feng Mansion without looking back.

To be a lamb on the chopping board.

Even without the Luck Little Jiao's warning of danger, it still felt uneasy in the presence of the Emperor.

"When will the day come where I can swallow the Golden Core and my fate will be in my own hands, not Heaven's," Xu Qing was both in awe of the Emperor's authority and looking at his own fleeting lifespan in the bronze mirror.

He felt a moment of melancholy but soon recomposed himself.

One day, he would look beyond the clouds that obscured his vision, because he would be at the highest level...

...

...

"Gongming, how was it with His Majesty?" Feng Xifeng couldn't wait to know how his son-in-law had interacted with the Emperor today.

Xu Qing smiled faintly, "Today, it was not His Majesty whom I met with, but Cui Jigui."

Feng Xifeng, having extensive knowledge, immediately understood the historical reference his son-in-law made to the story "The Man Beside the Bed Grasping the Sword" from "A New Account of the Tales of the World."

The original text tells of when Emperor Wei intended to meet with an envoy from the Xiongnu; considering himself unattractively featured and insufficient to intimidate distant nations, he let Cui Jigui take his place to meet the envoy while he himself stood by grasping a sword as an attendant. After the reception, Emperor Wei commanded a spy to ask the Xiongnu envoy, "What do you think of King Wei?" The envoy replied, "King Wei is cultured and lofty, dignified and graceful, but the person holding the sword beside his bed, he is the true hero."

Xu Qing, although seeing through the subtleties, did not reveal any sign during the audience with the old Emperor.

Only to his father-in-law did he speak the truth.

Feng Xifeng: "What does His Majesty intend by this?"

Xu Qing sighed, "The so-called 'Jiangshan' (rivers and mountains) are but a name, not the actual rivers and mountains. The so-called 'Your Majesty' is but a title, not referring to the actual Emperor. I believe His Majesty's desire for longevity is strong; Teacher should wisely not provoke such matters."

The Emperor's intent, he could partly guess.

Longevity is his true nature.

Thus the one pretending to be the Emperor was the high Cultivator, the Chaotian Temple Master.

He faced Xu Qing with his true identity.

Xu Qing reciprocated to the Emperor with his true self.

The Emperor asked about longevity, Xu Qing replied with the welfare of the people, which is an immortal deed, the true form of longevity.

He reminded the Emperor of what true longevity was.

The Emperor's response was, of course, equivocal.

Without the Emperor, there is no 'Jiangshan.'

The Emperor, just a nominal figure.

Xu Qing's filter for the old Emperor shattered completely. He, a short-lived talented Cultivator, wasn't as fixated on the pursuit of longevity; this old fool, who is garbage at Cultivation - no, it's not even certain if he possesses a spiritual root - still fantasizes about longevity?

If the Great Yu does not end, who will?

These thoughts, naturally, he could not speak to his father-in-law.

...

...

In the Longevity Palace.

The black-robed Taoist was the Emperor himself, now changed back into imperial attire, and in front of him was the Chaotian Temple Master, also dressed back in Taoist robes, respectfully fearful.

"State Preceptor, what is your opinion of Xu Qing?" asked the old Emperor.

"Your Majesty, Xu Qing possesses the technique for longevity and has secret knowledge of Alchemy, yet he does not report it. I request to punish Xu Qing for the crime of deceiving the Emperor."

"Oh? I hear that Xu Qing and the State Preceptor are somewhat related by blood. The crime of deceiving the Emperor can extend to relatives. Could it be that I should also punish the State Preceptor?"