Only after becoming emperor did he realize he was in a fantasy world of immortal cultivation.

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, casting Lin Ye's tall figure onto the intricately carved swastika-patterned lattice window. Then, in a low but decisive voice, he said, "The necessary funds will come from my private treasury."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ren, who was standing to the side, did not flinch at all, his thick, dark eyebrows showing no sign of surprise. After a moment's thought, he said, "Your Majesty is wise. However, I have accumulated some savings in recent years. Although it is only a drop in the ocean, I am willing to donate it all to help Your Majesty achieve your grand plan to exterminate the demon and protect the peace and tranquility of our court."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ye slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Gao Ren's sincere dark face, and said with a smile, "Okay."

"After these evil spirits are slain, I will reward them handsomely."

Gao Ren: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

"I will put this matter on the agenda at the court meeting the day after tomorrow," Lin Ye said as he walked back to his desk and sat down slowly. His fingertips tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop. When he looked at Gao Ren, a half-smile played on his lips. "At that time, Prime Minister, you should act out this drama of 'discord between the emperor and his ministers, and uproar in the court and the country' as realistically as possible."

Gao Ren: "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

Lin Ye noticed the hesitation in Gao Ren's eyes, so he stopped tapping his fingers, looked directly at Gao Ren with piercing eyes: "Prime Minister... you seem to still have concerns? Please speak freely."

With his thoughts exposed, Gao Ren no longer concealed them. His brows furrowed slightly, and he said with a heavy tone, "Although Your Majesty's actions are a means to deal with evil spirits,... the court officials are unaware of this. As a result, there will inevitably be much controversy among the court officials, and Your Majesty's reputation may be..."

He paused, then finally voiced his heavy worry, "...I'm afraid it's hard to save him."

Lin Ye chuckled softly upon hearing this and said, "A virtuous name?"

"I can let it go and I'm confident I can take it back, so Prime Minister, you need not worry," Lin Ye said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with concern.

Looking into Lin Ye's eyes, Gao Ren saw the unfathomable confidence and the composure of someone in complete control, and the last trace of doubt in his heart melted away like ice and snow.

He let out a long sigh, his tense shoulders relaxed, and a rare glimmer of reminiscence appeared on his face. His tone was no longer gloomy, but rather filled with sincere admiration: "I was overthinking it."

"Back then, in order to deceive the monarchs of other countries, Your Majesty deliberately feigned weakness and committed foolish acts. In an instant, slander and abuse arose everywhere. However, Your Majesty had the world in your heart and remained unmoved. In the end, with your great talent and strategy, you pacified the four seas, unified the world, won the hearts of all people, and were universally admired."

"How similar this act of exorcising demons is to that!"

As Lin Ye listened to Gao Ren's impassioned "recollection," especially the part about "bewitching the monarchs of other countries," his lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He suddenly turned his head away, covered his mouth with his sleeve, and let out two short, light coughs—he knew perfectly well that the original owner's folly back then was by no means a clever strategic disguise.

"Your Majesty, have you... contracted typhoid fever?" Gao Ren's recollection came to an abrupt halt, his expression immediately turning tense.

He suddenly recalled the palace secrets of a few days ago, that the bewitching concubine Zhou Ru seemed to be suffering from a terrible illness, with symptoms including coughing and fever. Thinking of this, his eyes filled with genuine worry and fear as he looked at Lin Ye, terrified that His Majesty might truly be corrupted by that evil aura.

Seeing Gao Ren's rapidly changing expression, from excitement to surprise, Lin Ye knew what he had been thinking. Feeling both helpless and amused, he quickly lowered his sleeves, waved his hand, and said, "It's alright, I'm fine. I was just a little choked by the candle smoke in the hall."

He changed the subject, his tone regaining its usual composure, "Right now, we still need to discuss and finalize a few details with the Prime Minister..."

The emperor and his minister then spoke in hushed tones for a long time until the night deepened and the dew grew heavy.

Gao Ren bowed deeply and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

His figure blended into the night outside the palace.

Early the next morning

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, morning light filters through the exquisite windows, casting dappled shadows.

Lin Ye was already seated behind his desk, processing several important memorials. He put down his vermilion pen and said in a deep voice to the eunuch, "Summon Daoist Gongsun Yan to an audience."

"According to the order." The eunuch bowed and retreated.

About half an incense stick later, steady footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Gongsun Yan was dressed in a black Taoist robe with flowing sleeves. His steps were light yet carried an indescribable rhythm, as if he were walking on clouds.

He wore black boots with cloud patterns, and his robes fluttered as he walked, exuding an otherworldly "celestial air." He entered the hall without looking to the side, and bowed to Lin Ye on the throne with a standard Taoist kowtow, his voice leisurely: "This humble Taoist, Gongsun Yan, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities, Taoist priest."

As he spoke, Lin Ye slowly stood up and led Gongsun Yan to a sandalwood table that had been prepared for him. "Please sit down, Daoist Master."

Gongsun Yan sat down as instructed, his demeanor composed. He did not exchange pleasantries, but calmly looked at the emperor opposite him and went straight to the point: "Your Majesty has summoned me at this moment, surely you have already made a decision in your heart."

Before Lin Ye could speak, a eunuch came to announce, "Your Majesty, Consort Tao is requesting an audience outside the palace."

Lin Ye: "Let my beloved concubine come in quickly."

"Your Majesty⁓" The melodious call, carrying with it a rich scent of ambergris, drifted into the palace. Zhou Ru, dressed in a pomegranate red dress, swept across the threshold, the twin lotus flowers embroidered with gold thread flowing along the hem of her skirt with each step.

The pearl tassels in her hair swayed with a soft light, but the flush on her face was hard to tell whether it was from her hurried steps or feigned shyness.

Seeing this, Lin Ye deliberately put on a stern face and said, "My beloved concubine was only recovering yesterday, why did you leave in such a hurry?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ru bit her lower lip, her lowered eyelashes casting butterfly-like shadows beneath her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously tugging at the gold thread on her skirt: "Your Majesty, I woke up this morning and did not see Your Majesty by my side. I missed you terribly, so I came here to see you and ease my longing."

As she spoke, she was about to curtsy, but Lin Ye stopped her, saying, "My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities."

Lin Ye now understood what Zhou Ru's true intentions were behind her sweet words, but he pretended not to know and said, "I never expected my beloved concubine to miss me so much."

"In that case, my beloved consort, please stay here and look at me a few more times."

Hearing this, Zhou Ru sat down next to Lin Ye without saying anything more.

She came here not out of longing, but for her master's plan.

"I grant your request regarding what you mentioned yesterday, Daoist Master," Lin Ye said leisurely, his gaze returning to Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan smiled slightly and said, "This humble Taoist will certainly refine an elixir of immortality for Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ye feigned excitement and said, "I never imagined that I, a mere mortal, would have the chance to achieve immortality."

Seeing this, Zhou Ru thought to herself: Just as the master expected, this weed was just a pretense of consideration.

Then, with a hint of eagerness in his eyes, Lin Ye added, "Then the next step should be site selection. I wonder where the Grand Master plans to build this Pill Palace?"

"Mount Wuya," Gongsun Yan said directly.