"This is the harvest of the Charming Siren?"
Within the General's Residence.
Ji Wuye held a pill in his hand, scrutinizing it from all angles. No matter how he looked at it, there was nothing remarkable about this pill.
"Yes," a man dressed in a black feather robe responded solemnly in front of Ji Wuye. "Indeed, according to the letter sent back by Lady Charming Siren, this pill was crafted by that person. The formula is unique, and the medicinal effects are miraculous. Since the King consumed it, many hidden ailments within his body seem to have been cured... During this period, his energy has been abundant, far exceeding the past, as if..."
He paused, expressing Charming Siren's description, "as if he had become twenty years younger!"
A glint of keenness flashed in Ji Wuye's eyes.
"So, it truly is an extraordinary elixir!"
"His Majesty receiving assistance from such an extraordinary person is indeed a blessing for our Han Kingdom!"
Ji Wuye congratulated the King verbally, but deep down, he harbored a profound sense of apprehension.
He regretted his misjudgment more than once.
If he had known that the person who accepted the reward would be so formidable, he wouldn't have brought him before the King that day.
Mainly because before that person, they had encountered several swindlers one after another, leading Ji Wuye to subconsciously underestimate this individual. Looking back now, that person had displayed extraordinary abilities from the start.
For instance, while others who accepted the King's reward tore off the decree posted on the city wall directly with their hands, that person simply raised his hand and beckoned the decree posted on the city wall to his hand.
The ability to manipulate objects from a distance was not impossible for a master.
But only a master could achieve it.
Even without the ability to control the wind and rain or concoct medicine, the methods demonstrated by that person were undoubtedly those of a master, fully capable of being enlisted for Ji Wuye's use rather than being sent into the palace.
As for not conjuring rain and dispelling the drought?
Ji Wuye wasn't concerned.
Under the drought, no matter how many crops were lost and how many people died, it didn't affect him much. He could still stay in the mansion, eating chilled fruits and continue being the Grand General, enjoying the company of beautiful women.
Those who died were just commoners.
Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets now.
That person had already entered the palace and received the King's favor.
If it were only about controlling the weather, there were wonders in the world, and there would always be some extraordinary individuals. However, the subsequent display of alchemy was what truly made Ji Wuye apprehensive.
Charming Siren herself was proficient in pharmacology and the art of alchemy. Since she claimed that this pill was so miraculous, it was likely true.
The aging and ailing King of Han was exactly what Ji Wuye desired.
Because of the King's feeble health and diminished energy, he needed Ji Wuye, the Grand General, to handle state affairs. At the same time, for Ji Wuye, he wished for the King's demise.
Only with the King's death could the Crown Prince ascend the throne.
Currently, although the King heavily relied on him, Ji Wuye could tell that it was merely a balancing act by the King.
If the King truly depended on him in every aspect, he wouldn't secretly support Prime Minister Zhang in the court.
Of course, compared to Zhang, Ji Wuye was still more favored by the King.
And the King's favor toward Ji Wuye was different from that toward the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was cultivated by Ji Wuye himself, and the King's attitude towards him was respectful. Moreover, since the Crown Prince was weak-willed and lacked initiative, he would have to seek Ji Wuye's opinion on everything. At that time, it would be the peak of Ji Wuye's power.
After taking the elixir, the King rejuvenated by twenty years. This was not a good sign.
"Suxuan..." Ji Wuye couldn't help but mutter this name softly.
"Do you want to take action, Grand General?" The man in black robes in front of Ji Wuye couldn't help but inquire upon hearing Ji Wuye's murmuring.
Ji Wuye understood his meaning.
After a moment of contemplation, he said in a low voice, "Let him go for now. This person possesses extraordinary skills and techniques. Let's see if we can enlist him for our use. If he refuses to serve me, it's not too late to deal with him then!"
"Yes, Grand General!"
Ji Wuye then asked, "Did Charming Siren's letter mention anything else apart from this pill?"
The man in black robes shook his head.
Ji Wuye's expression froze again, harboring some dissatisfaction with Charming Siren deep down.
Well, it seems like even she is not entirely obedient. Even you dare to disobey me?
The command I gave you was simply to probe that person. If possible, implant a Gu curse on him. Even if he's unwilling to serve me, he would still be under my control due to the curse.
For Ji Wuye, the so-called probing was just a polite term. What he truly desired was the latter.
To directly make that person his pawn.
Even if he possessed remarkable skills, what could he do if his life was in Ji Wuye's hands? He would still obediently serve him.
"Send a message to Charming Siren, asking her to keep a close eye on that person. If he shows any new movements, report to me immediately!"
Ji Wuye instructed the man in front of him again.
The man promptly went to deliver the message.
...
Madame Mingzhu quickly received Ji Wuye's letter.
From the letter, she could sense Ji Wuye's dissatisfaction.
But even if he was dissatisfied, what could she do?
She did want to implant a Gu curse on Suxuan to control him.
But she couldn't do it.
Not only could she not do it, but on the contrary, Suxuan had poisoned her. Currently, she was controlled by Suxuan.
While responding to Ji Wuye's letter, expressing her understanding, on the other hand, she prepared some precious medicinal materials and quietly went to Suxuan.
She knew that Suxuan was obsessed with alchemy, and the King had sent him many precious medicinal materials. However, the medicinal materials given by the King weren't the most valuable.
Because of her proficiency in medicine, she had intercepted a significant portion of the many precious medicinal materials sent into the palace.
Now, she took some of the extremely valuable ones, intending to use them as a gift to apologize to Suxuan.