During the fifty years of the Ming Dynasty, the empire was in full bloom and the country was unrivaled. Its influence was known far and wide, making other countries look away. Yet, amidst the splendor of the Ming court, there was a shadow of concern. The once powerful and ambitious emperor was now frail and sickly. As he aged, the court physicians were unable to cure his ailments. Desiring to live longer and secure his legacy, the Emperor clings to the ancient legend of immortality. He was obsessed with an elixir that would allow him to live forever. This quest for immortality was not new; many emperors before him had sought this mysterious elixir without success. Undaunted by the failures of his predecessors, the Emperor ordered his most trusted emissaries to scour the country for the elusive elixir. The emissary embarked on a journey through treacherous mountains, dense forests and arid deserts. Guided by mysterious maps and rumors, they travel to the remote regions of the empire and beyond. One of their stops was the legendary Kunlun Mountain, often referred to as the "Mountain of the Gods". This sacred mountain is said to hold the key to eternal life. Upon arriving in the Kunlun Mountains, the messengers were met with a mysterious landscape filled with mist. The air was filled with the scent of ancient herbs and the ground was covered with rare plants and flowers. Deep in the hidden valleys of the mountains, they found a forest of thousand-year-old ginseng, a plant highly prized for prolonging life. The ambassadors carefully picked the precious roots, their excitement overflowing. They believed they had found the secret of immortality. With reverence, they transported the ginseng back to the court of the Ming Dynasty and ceremoniously presented it to the ailing emperor. The emperor gazed at the ancient ginseng with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. The court was overflowing with anticipation, and the emperor did not hesitate to take the revered root in the hope of a miraculous recovery. Days and weeks passed, and the court waited anxiously for signs of improvement. As time passed, it became clear that the emperor's condition had not changed. Despite the legendary nature of the Millennium Ginseng, it could not stop the relentless passage of time. The emperor's health continued to deteriorate and the atmosphere of the court became somber. Even the most effective medicines could not stop the natural order of things, and the hearts of the courtiers weighed heavily. Then the emperor's pursuit of power was like a demon. He was unwilling to give up the dynasty he had personally run for so many years.
Then they sent messengers to the folk in search of able men and women, to visit the miraculous doctors and the master soothsayers, and on this day they found a man who was very peculiar .....
On one such day, the emissaries found a man who was very peculiar. He was Kongxu, the twelfth-generation sole heir of a Taoist lineage. Kongxu was renowned for his knowledge of astronomy and geography, and he could read the patterns of fate and destiny through his mastery of the compass and the stars. Such a man was encountered once in a century.
The emissaries, realizing the rarity and potential of Kongxu's abilities, approached him with utmost reverence. They implored him to leave his secluded life and come to the palace to aid the Emperor.
Kongxu, with his flowing robes and a serene expression, listened patiently to the emissaries' plea. He was a man of few words, his wisdom reflected in his calm demeanor and piercing gaze. After a moment of contemplation, he agreed to accompany them, understanding the gravity of the Emperor's condition and the desperate hope pinned on his unique skills.
Upon arriving at the palace, Kongxu was ushered into the Emperor's private chambers. The room was filled with an air of desperation and the faint scent of incense. The Emperor, lying on his ornate bed, looked frail and exhausted. His eyes, however, still held a flicker of hope as he beheld the Taoist master.
Kongxu bowed respectfully before the Emperor. "Your Majesty," he said in a calm, measured tone, "I have been told of your quest for immortality. While I cannot promise eternal life, I will do all within my power to aid you."
The Emperor nodded weakly, gesturing for Kongxu to proceed. The Taoist master set up his instruments, aligning his compass and consulting the stars. The courtiers watched in hushed silence, their hopes resting on this enigmatic figure.