Catching Monsters

Chapter 366 You kid really know how to refine pills?
Seeing this, Chang Zhixing's lips moved slightly, and he reminded him again in a deep voice, "Lord Zhang, this Jiang Yun is a third-grade Celestial Master. If we really anger him..."

"Do as instructed." Zhang Yuhu glared at Chang Zhixing and said slowly, "This commander has his own plans."

Chang Zhixing's throat moved slightly. Seeing that Lord Zhang had made up his mind, he ultimately chose to obey orders.

After Chang Zhixing left, Zhang Yuhu slowly sat down at his desk, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

He did want to deal with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but in fact, he didn't want to provoke Jiang Yun unless absolutely necessary.

But when he learned that he was about to become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a distinguished guest soon arrived at his door.

Furthermore, the distinguished guest instructed him to eliminate Jiang Yun as soon as possible.

As for the expert who can deal with Jiang Yun, that's for that distinguished guest to figure out.

Zhang Yuhu took a deep breath and calmly opened the internal documents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, specifically the information about Jiang Yun.

The document contained detailed information about Jiang Yun that was unknown to outsiders. Zhang Yuhu then copied Jiang Yun's information into a book and tied it to the leg of the carrier pigeon he had brought with him using a small bamboo tube.

Place the carrier pigeon outside the window, flap its wings, and it leaps into the air, soaring over the capital.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they quickly flew into a luxurious building.

The plaque on this luxurious building reads: The Fourth Prince's Residence.

……

In the imperial study, Xiao Yuzheng was taking an elixir refined by a Taoist priest.

This elixir has miraculous effects. Recently, after Xiao Yuzheng took it, he became much more energetic. He could only sleep for two hours a day before he could fall asleep again.

And I often feel lightheaded, and sometimes when I walk, I feel a sense of floating.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Yuhu has just taken up his post in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I heard that he dismissed Jiang Yun yesterday." Feng Yu looked at His Majesty, who had just taken the elixir and was in a good mood, and whispered, "In my opinion, isn't Lord Zhang being a bit too hasty in doing this?"

"Although Jiang Yun has not been with the Embroidered Uniform Guard for long, he has made many merits. If he is dismissed, there will probably be a lot of dissatisfaction among the Embroidered Uniform Guard from top to bottom."

Upon hearing Feng Yu's words, Xiao Yuzheng frowned slightly and asked, "Is there such a thing?"

"Zhang Yuhu has, after all, a relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion..." Feng Yu paused, then sighed, "In my humble opinion, Your Majesty might consider transferring Jiang Yun to another post..."

Jiang Yun was someone Xiao Yuzheng greatly admired.

However, Xiao Yuzheng said calmly, "Alright, Zhang Yuhu should know what he's doing."

At this point, Xiao Yuzheng stood up and stretched, then said, "By the way, let's get down to business. Prepare ten thousand taels of silver for Master Chu as a reward from me."

"This elixir has such wondrous uses; I must focus my energy on becoming an immortal during this time."

"Once my body transcends the ordinary and I become an immortal, I will slowly deal with the affairs of the court."

For all emperors, this elixir of immortality was like a Pandora's box.

Once it's started, it'll be completely out of control and can't be stopped.

In his youth, Xiao Yuzheng also scoffed at the so-called elixir of immortality, believing that many emperors in ancient times, including his ancestors, were foolish and would listen to the words of alchemists and abuse elixirs.

But as he reached that age, his health gradually deteriorated.

The fear of death gradually outweighed reason.

He initially held onto a sliver of hope, thinking, what if he had encountered a real sorcerer?
What if this method really works to produce an elixir of immortality?

After taking the elixir refined by the alchemist Chu with some skepticism, he immediately felt that many of his ailments had disappeared, and he felt refreshed and full of energy all day long.

I've stumbled upon a real elixir!

Although Feng Yu wanted to persuade him, he knew Xiao Yuzheng too well and knew that persuasion would be useless.

After leaving the Imperial Study, Feng Yu pondered for a moment and then rushed to the Sanqing Temple.

As soon as I arrived outside the Sanqing Temple, I smelled the aroma of roasted meat.

"These spices from the Western Regions, paired with roasted chicken legs, are absolutely amazing."

In the courtyard, Jiang Yun sat leisurely in a chair, roasting chicken legs with Xu Suwen and Wen Chen.

Hearing footsteps outside the temple, Jiang Yun looked up and said, "Eunuch Feng, what brings you here today? Wen Chen, go and get a chair for the eunuch."

"Yes." Wen Chen was about to get up when Feng Yu said with a smile, "You and Miss Xu can leave for a moment. I have something I'd like to discuss with Jiang Yun."

Xu Suwen's heart stirred slightly, realizing that Feng Yu might have come because of Jiang Yun's dismissal.

He then got up and left with Wen Chen.

As soon as Feng Yu sat down, Jiang Yun handed him a roasted chicken leg and asked with a smile, "Is there anything you'd like to say, Father-in-law?"

"You little rascal, are you really planning to leisurely guard this place from now on?" Feng Yu sniffed the chicken leg; it smelled delicious, so he took a bite and continued, "You really don't plan to go back to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Jiang Yun smiled faintly and said, "What are you saying, sir? It's just that the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't need me anymore, and I'm happy to have some leisure time."

"That's a good thing." Feng Yu smiled faintly and said slowly, "In that case, come to the palace and help me with some things. You rascal, when you first came to the capital, I suggested that you come to the palace and follow me..."

"Stop, stop..." Jiang Yun hurriedly waved his hand. This Eunuch Feng really hasn't forgotten his original intention.

He was still thinking about sending himself to the palace to become a eunuch.

"Father-in-law, please just say what you want to say, but please don't mention making me a eunuch," Jiang Yun said with a wry smile.

"You rascal." Feng Yu's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Young man, I know your character. You are a man of great loyalty and righteousness. I have done you a great favor, haven't I?" Seeing Feng Yu's serious expression, Jiang Yun nodded, "Of course. Since I came to the capital, I have received your kindness many times. You have naturally done me a great favor."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot be lost," Feng Yu said in a deep voice, his voice barely audible. "His Majesty's health is deteriorating, and no one knows when a major change might occur."

"At the very least, you have to find a way to take control of the Eastern Garrison."

Jiang Yun's eyelids twitched: "Father-in-law, what do you mean?"

"Over the years, I have been ruthless in my methods and have offended countless people while serving His Majesty. To put it bluntly, if His Majesty passes away and a new emperor ascends the throne, it is uncertain whether I will survive."

"Don't be fooled by the seemingly calm surface of the capital. The First Prince, the Fourth Prince, and even the Eighth Prince are all secretly contacting their ministers and trying to win them over to their sides."

"Among them, the majority of civil officials are more supportive of the eldest prince."

"The military generals were mostly won over by the fourth prince."

"As for the Eighth Prince, he is the youngest and his chances are not high, so we will exclude him for now."

"In the imperial court, every time a new emperor ascends the throne and power changes hands, many people die."

"The best way to survive this vortex is to control a considerable force, such as the Eastern Garrison Command..."

"In this way, all sides will be eager to win you over."

"You help whoever wins."

Feng Yu's words were a heartfelt confession to Jiang Yun. Ordinary people would never dare to discuss such a life-or-death matter with someone like him.
Jiang Yun, now deep in thought, asked, "Whose side is Zhang Yuhu on?"

Feng Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and he opened his mouth slightly: "I don't know. It could be someone from the Fourth Prince's side, or it could be someone from the First Prince's side."

Just then, Zidane rushed in from outside in a panic: "Something's wrong, something's wrong, Commander Jiang!"

"I just heard that the Northern Garrison Command sent people to Bailong Temple and captured Master Yunwu and Monk Wuhui."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Why capture the two of them?"

“The people from the Northern Garrison Command said that the two of them were plotting a rebellion.”

Zidane looked anxious. He knew very well why the Northern Garrison Commander would attack the two monks from Bailong Temple for no reason.

However, Zidane knew the methods used by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. These two monks wouldn't last long; once they were tortured to the point of no return...

"They're plotting a rebellion?" Jiang Yun was stunned for a moment. "It seems Zhang Yuhu doesn't know something."

"His Majesty now owns shares in the Hakuryū-ji Temple."

"Moreover, as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he does have the right to suspend me from my duties, but it is unrealistic to think that he can frame a mere Embroidered Uniform Guard commander without any evidence and get a confession through torture."

Zhang Yuhu's style of doing things is quite in line with the style of doing things in the military.

But he didn't understand the Embroidered Uniform Guard at all. Although torture to extract confessions was commonplace, it depended on who the target was.

Jiang Yun wasn't too worried about this; on the contrary, he felt that Zhang Yuhu was being too impatient, as if he couldn't wait to get rid of him immediately.

This unusual behavior only added to Jiang Yun's confusion.

Although Zhang Yuhu is not as capable as Xu Dingwu, he has risen to his current status as a big shot through his own abilities.

Is there some hidden story that I don't know about?
Thinking of this, Jiang Yun paused, then turned to look at Feng Yu beside him: "Eunuch Feng, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to inform His Majesty."

“I…” Feng Yu’s lips moved slightly, then he said, “His Majesty is now focused on alchemy… even worldly gold and silver have become somewhat uninteresting to him.”

At this moment, Jiang Yun remembered that he had heard Feng Yu mention this matter before, and he asked curiously, "When I asked last time, you didn't tell me how this alchemist refined elixirs for His Majesty?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu slowly said, "Speaking of which, this sorcerer's methods are quite peculiar..."

Jiang Yun listened to Feng Yu's description with his mouth agape. After hearing it, he was dumbfounded. No wonder His Majesty the Emperor's health was deteriorating.

If he continues to eat like this, he probably won't live more than a few days.

Mercury poisoning from mercury in alchemy is no joke.

As for what Feng Yu said, Xiao Yuzheng has been in a state of high excitement recently and can't sleep for long each day.

That is also an early symptom of mercury poisoning.

Your Majesty eats like this and is still alive. If you don't recklessly abuse your body, you could probably live for another ten years or so without any problems.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun clasped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, I also know a little about alchemy. If Your Majesty is interested, I can help you refine some elixirs."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly somewhat surprised: "Is this really true?"

That sorcerer from Chu has recently gained the Emperor's utmost trust.

In the past, whenever His Majesty had any doubts or questions, he would always ask Feng Yu for his opinion.

Although Feng Yu claimed that he was a eunuch and it was inconvenient for him to interfere in court affairs, he would still offer some advice whenever appropriate...

But now His Majesty often stays in the alchemist's room with that alchemist Chu, and he will consult this overseas alchemist about anything.

“If you can really refine pills, then Zhang Yuhu’s problem is a minor one.” Feng Yu paused, then took out a waist token from the side and handed it to Qi Da: “This is my personal waist token. Take it to the Northern Garrison and tell them that I, the eunuch, will protect those two monks.”

"Jiang Yun, pack your things immediately, along with the materials for alchemy, and come with me to the palace right away."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and quickly wrote out a prescription: "Just buy these materials."

(End of this chapter)