Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 203, Section 202: Utterly Loyal

Nowadays, there are actually no complete alchemical texts.

For example, alchemists like Mao Sheng learned alchemy techniques that were always passed down secretly within their schools.

But at its root, it was nothing more than relying on Taoism, Lao Tzu, and the scattered mineral records in the Classic of Mountains and Seas or the Fifty-Two Prescriptions, and exploring the way to refine elixirs.

This is why the failure rate of alchemy is not only high, but also often involves a trial-and-error process.

If one could successfully create the elixir, one would naturally boast of great accomplishment.

In addition, the common use of sulfur and realgar, which are taken to induce euphoria and boost spirits, naturally leads to the perception of successful cultivation in the absence of effective medical treatments.

Mao Sheng gradually became complacent because of this.

Among all the Taoist sects, he may not be the most talented, but he certainly has the most opportunities!

And now...

He silently straightened his back, which had slumped due to hunger, and tried again to maintain his posture.

Looking at the queen walking slowly ahead, he felt resentful:
Even if he doesn't achieve the Golden Core stage, he's still the most promising member of his sect!

If he dies in the Qin King's palace, the entire Taoist sect will stop refining elixirs for the Qin nobles, which will cause widespread condemnation and make the Qin King very anxious.

After all, whether it was the Qin state of the past or the Qin state formed by the merger of the six states, everyone firmly believed in becoming immortals after death.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily swayed by the flattery.

but.

The queen now wants to see the secret formulas passed down through his sect, and he is determined to fight to the death to comply.

Her waist was taut but her belly was empty. When she opened her mouth, she didn't know whether saliva or her own pride would come out first.

Mao Sheng silently began to feel vulnerable.

Grit your teeth! Persevere! Maintain your integrity! He is an enlightened being!

Although there are some minor side effects from refining the Golden Elixir, it has indeed been successfully completed!

He's really talented!
However, at this moment, the Queen asked:

Which way is the alchemy room?

In a moment of impulsiveness, Mao Sheng said with difficulty:

"Your Majesty, the alchemy room is my sacred cultivation space, and outsiders are not allowed to enter lightly."

The queen, however, took an unconventional approach: "What if we really slipped in?"

Mao Sheng: ...

How about we treat him to a bowl of bone broth noodles first... No, wait!
His mind went blank for a moment, and he finally remembered his integrity!
At this moment, he said seriously, "If you enter lightly, it will disturb the energy flow in the alchemy room, and then it will be difficult to achieve great success in the various golden pills."

He sighed and lamented for a long time, as if being disturbed by anyone would be a grave offense.

Qin Shi smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "Could it be that he hasn't spent enough time, which is why Mao Sheng is still so stubborn?"

That's not good.

If she doesn't submit soon, how can she present the king with gunpowder in time for the New Year?

Seeing that the Queen remained silent, the eunuch serving Mao Sheng lowered his eyelids and spoke respectfully:
"Your Majesty, since the alchemist Mao Sheng entered the palace, no one has entered the alchemy room without permission, yet the elixir has still not been completed."

The implication was that even if the queen went inside, it wouldn't cause any problems.

Oh?
What a clever person.

Seeing Mao Sheng's face grow increasingly pale after hearing his words, Qin Shi watched this unknown young eunuch with great interest:

"What's your name?"

“My name is Danpu, and I am a eunuch in the palace.”

He is quite cunning.

Since the Queen is asking, she probably wants to promote me. I am a eunuch, and there aren't many of us in the palace these days. If she asks, it might be interesting, and I might be transferred to the Queen's side!
After all, the king has no particular likes or dislikes.

Whether they are eunuchs or not, the king has always only looked at those he can see and who are useful.

Now, the Queen herself has arrived at this remote Taoist palace, and she has curiously asked him his name—

A casual remark from someone in a higher position can be a stepping stone for someone at the bottom to climb the social ladder.

Qin Shi was unaware that the other party was thinking so much.

She merely raised an eyebrow slightly—though she herself didn't realize it, this gesture was indeed more like Ji Heng's.

"Danpu? What a nice name."

He was involved with the Golden Elixir and the "Baopuzi," and coincidentally, he served a Taoist priest.

How can we not say it's fate?

Qin Shi glanced at Mao Sheng, who was basking in ecstasy yet still gritting his teeth and refusing to budge, and then smiled slightly, his expression casual:
"Since the alchemy room is so carefully maintained, may I ask which volume of alchemy scripture you are practicing, Mao Sheng?"

"The Master Who Embraces Simplicity?"

"Or is it the *Zhouyi Cantongqi*?"

"Could it actually be the *Huang Ting Jing*?"

"What kind of method is used to refine the golden elixir? The Nine Cauldrons Method? The Nine-Turn Elixir Rejuvenation Method? Or the Six-One Mud Method?"

She seemed to genuinely think it was just a casual question.

At this point, he murmured to himself thoughtfully:

"That's right. Even the energy in your alchemy room can be easily disturbed. I suppose you haven't learned sealing techniques like the [Six-One Mud Technique] yet?"

She has a rather wicked heart.

Neither the "Baopuzi" nor the "Zhouyi Cantongqi" nor even the later famous "Huangtingjing" have ever appeared in the present day.

Not to mention those fancy alchemy methods.

It's essentially still about making poison pills, but it sounds like something extraordinary.

For example, at this moment, Mao Sheng's eyes were glazed over and his mind was blank.

Because the queen spoke so casually and confidently, it was as if she were discussing a very common alchemical technique.

These scriptures and sutras sound much more orthodox than the secret teachings of his master!

There are also sealing techniques, Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill... Nine-Turn Golden Pill. If the pill is nine-turned, wouldn't eating one allow one to ascend to immortality on the spot?
He was shocked and stood there speechless for a moment, already plunged into despair.

Although Qin Shi didn't know why his physical body was deteriorating so quickly, it didn't stop her from precisely targeting his spirit.

For example, at this moment, she asked again:
"I wonder if your school practices internal alchemy or external alchemy?"

"If it's internal alchemy, have you mastered the most basic Zhou Tian Gong (circulation of energy)?"

"Refine essence into qi, refine qi into spirit... and then build a foundation to embark on the path of cultivation."

These mysterious and profound words left people bewildered yet awestruck.

Not only the sorcerer Mao Sheng, but even his attendants were all deeply moved and filled with admiration.

—Their queen's identity remains a mystery to this day, yet she still enjoys the king's supreme favor...

Could it be that he is truly not a person of this world?
And then there's this internal alchemy and external alchemy, foundation building and immortal cultivation... It sounds incredibly good!

It makes your heart pound and makes you wish you could learn this secret technique too.

After diligent cultivation, he ascended to heaven in broad daylight, riding the clouds and mist, and attained immortality!
Little did they know that the concept of "internal alchemy" only came into use during the Sui Dynasty.

While the art of external alchemy is similar to the methods of Mao Sheng's alchemy, the number of alchemical formulas and classics summarized by later Taoists is much greater than that of today.

Even if she doesn't know a single word, after reading a couple more cultivation novels, she can recite them off the cuff.

Now, Qin Shi looked at the other party's bewildered expression with satisfaction.

As she instructed, no meat or fish should be consumed until the elixir of immortality is achieved.

As is well known, insufficient nutrition can lead to mental fog and sluggishness, gradually causing a loss of rationality.

Little did she know that Danpu had gone even further on top of that.

Now, Mao Sheng's brain is sorely lacking, it can't even produce the most basic sugar needed to keep the brain functioning.

And so, by a twist of fate...

She easily crushed Mao Sheng's confidence with these fancy alchemy techniques.

Seeing that the other party had been silent for a long time and his face was pale, Qin Shi finally came to his senses and asked:
"Why aren't you answering? I see no trace of refining essence into qi on you. Could it be that you've only cultivated a little bit of Daoist skills, yet you dare to come out and swindle people?"

Mao Sheng wanted to explain loudly!
—Although the golden elixir was not successfully refined, the person in question definitely possesses a legitimate lineage!
Even refining the golden elixir and attaining immortality—that certainly has a promising future!

But... but he had a thousand words in his heart, and he recalled the pride and success of his former teachers and fellow disciples, and now he thought about the unpredictable methods the Queen of Qin had mentioned...

Finally, he sobbed and two tears streamed down his face.

"I did not deceive or swindle..."

He murmured these words softly.

But once he leaves the country, it means his backbone has vanished.

For a moment, Mao Sheng's face showed even more despair, and then, filled with anguish and a broken Dao heart, he admitted:

"It's me, I'm not skilled enough..."

Woo!
Master! Senior brothers and sisters! Junior brothers and sisters!

Mao Sheng, today you are going to ruin the reputation of the Taoist sect!

The Queen spoke of various methods and techniques, including internal and external alchemy, foundation building, and cultivation...

He'd never heard of any of them!

……

I've never heard of it.

If Qin Shi had heard of it, he should have asked who the time traveler really was.
But now, seeing Mao Sheng's pale face, she stopped at the door of the alchemy room and asked again:

"If your cultivation is not proficient, I think I'd better not go to this alchemy room."

How considerate the Queen was, to be so tolerant even of someone as unskilled in self-cultivation and a fraudster!

Everyone listened in silence.

Mao Sheng gave a bleak smile.

Combined with his sunken and listless face, he now appears weak and seemingly on the verge of death.

"With the Queen possessing such a formidable lineage, what purpose does my humble alchemy room serve?"

"If you want to come in, then come in."

Qin Shi sighed softly:
"Mao Sheng must not underestimate himself."

"You were recommended to the King, so you must have some skill. It's just that you're not very proficient in alchemy."

That's what I said.

Mao Sheng wanted to smile bitterly, for his expertise lay precisely in alchemy.

But the queen continued:

"I originally thought that if you successfully refine the Golden Elixir and it is indeed effective, I would ask Your Majesty to issue an edict to invite your sect members to Xianyang."

"Then I possess a secret method, requiring skilled individuals to refine a divine elixir capable of subjugating all nations. Unfortunately..."

She hesitated, then shook her head and turned to leave without even entering the alchemy room.

Mao Sheng was momentarily stunned.

The next moment, he hurriedly lowered his waist, and his whole body was about to fall into the dust as he bowed down!

"queen!"

Seeing the Queen and her entourage stop, he asked tremblingly:

"May I ask Your Majesty, do you truly possess the formula for this so-called miraculous medicine that can subjugate all nations?"

Qin Shi thought to himself: Why isn't it there?
Therefore, he nodded firmly.

“My family has many classic texts, including not only prescriptions for pills, but even the Imperial Physician will probably have to study the various prescriptions I have given.”

Although I haven't memorized the black eyes yet, I'll be soon.

"...I had intended to entrust this to you, and then offer New Year's greetings to the King."

She didn't sigh anymore; instead, she gave the other person a reassuring smile, showing even greater understanding.

Then he turned to leave.

The next moment, a commotion broke out among the guards beside him.

When she turned around, she saw that Mao Sheng was already lying on the ground, pressing down on a piece of her skirt.

"queen!"

"Queen, look at me!"

He looked utterly miserable, on the verge of death, and with all his might, he screamed wildly:
"I can! I can! My sect can too!"

"Your Majesty, please do not give the prescription for this miraculous medicine to any other sect! Please give it to us!"

He was miserable and weeping.

Forget all principles, moral integrity, and even the hunger in his stomach; he only frantically repeated one sentence:

"I am utterly loyal to the Queen!"

"If this elixir formula is ever leaked, my entire sect will become illiterate, their minds clouded, and they will suffer a terrible death, leaving a stain on our reputation for ten thousand years!"

His sect's secret recipe has been passed down for three hundred years. He went through countless hardships to verify it, and only three people succeeded.

And now.

And now...

What internal and external alchemy, what foundation building and ascension to immortality, what divine medicine can make all nations submit?!
If such a golden elixir were refined, wouldn't it cause clouds to fill the sky, divine beasts to surround it, shocking the world, and then causing all to submit and bow down in worship?

Just thinking about it made a faint blush rise on his pale cheeks.

Then, she rolled her eyes and fainted on the ground.

Qin Shi: ...

In fact, she had prepared some words that sounded reluctant.

Unfortunately, without an audience, he can no longer continue.

Danpu nimbly took Maosheng's hand and forcefully pried open his tightly clenched fingers one by one, without hesitation.

Finally, he gently lifted the hem of her dress and carefully pressed it down with his palm, lest any creases displease the Queen.

This cautious and meticulous state...

The Red Maiden, standing beside Qin Shi, was also carefully observing him.

Danpu felt the gaze, and though he remained respectfully bowing his head, he quickly retreated to the side.

As the Queen and her entourage gradually disappeared into the distance, a servant came and attempted to drag Mao Sheng to the physician's office.

Danpu waved his hand, saying, "No need for that."

"I order the kitchen staff to prepare a cup of salt and sugar water. I need to get him sober up first. We must not waste time going back and forth and jeopardize the Queen's important business."

He was a servant who had left his name before the Queen. Although he was not of high status now, the guards did not refuse to accept him.

The salt and sugar water had barely dissolved when Danpu skillfully grabbed Maosheng's chin, who was still lying on the ground, and with a slight force, the other man opened his mouth.

It's just that he's been weak for too long, and now he can only open his mouth very little.

Danpu remained calm, his fingers slowly moving downwards, adjusting the pressure once more—

With a "click," the guards around him twitched.

The little eunuch was calmly pouring the entire bowl of salt and sugar water down the other person's throat.

Then, the person was lifted up, and with a flick of the wrist, there was another "click".

Such skillful techniques!

Everyone inwardly grimaced.

It's just a matter of giving someone a bowl of salt and sugar water, isn't that the same as giving them water? Why do you have to dislocate their jaw and then push it back in?

But then I thought: This Mao Sheng isn't a good person either. He's just trying to gain fame and reputation by boasting about himself, even saying that their Qin army's killing was too heavy-handed and that their illness was divine retribution...

Hmph, once they thought about it that way, everyone fell silent again.

When Mao Sheng slowly woke up, he saw a servant hurrying over from the Orchid Pond.

The other party looked at Danpu and said with a warm smile:
"Danpu, the Queen's Chief Secretary, Lady Chinu, has ordered that, effective today, you will be transferred to Lanchi to serve under her command."

"So, are you willing?"

Danpu replied without hesitation, "I will obey your orders."

　Hehe! I'm so hungry from writing this, I really want to eat something!
　　Unfortunately, the one next door hasn't finished writing yet...

　　(End of this chapter)