Starting with ten elixirs of immortality, I led the First Emperor to rebel against the Qin Dynasty.

Outside the Qilin Hall, the board landed squarely on Zhao Gao's body.

At first, Zhao Gao gritted his teeth and endured it, but later, all that was left were his pitiful screams and pleas for mercy.

"Your Majesty, spare me! This servant knows she was wrong! This servant will never dare to do it again!"

However, no sound came from inside the hall.

The eunuchs carrying out the execution dared not be negligent in the slightest. After twenty strokes, Zhao Gao had already fainted and was dragged away like a dead dog, leaving a long trail of blood on the cold ground.

The eunuch in charge of the execution came in to report.

"Your Majesty, Magistrate Zhao... has fainted."

Ying Zheng waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

Inside the Qilin Hall, deathly silence returned.

His tall figure cast a long shadow in the candlelight, each step echoing hollowly on the cold floor tiles.

The sorcerer's wails and Zhao Gao's screams seemed to still linger on the palace beams.

But none of this could quell the anger in his heart.

To be deceived, to be fooled.

A group of quacks dared to offer him a highly poisonous substance as an elixir, which he consumed for many years.

If it weren't for Huan'er...

Thinking of Zhao Huan, Ying Zheng's anger at being deceived subsided slightly.

He stopped in his tracks. The hall was dimly lit, and his shadow stretched long, a mixture of imperial loneliness and majesty.

Zhang Han appeared silently behind him and knelt on one knee.

"His Majesty."

Ying Zheng spoke in a cold voice.

"How did things go?"

"Your Majesty, the area within a ten-mile radius of Zhao Family Village has been completely sealed off. All key roads in and out are guarded by elite soldiers from the Black Ice Guard, ensuring absolute safety."

Ying-Zhao-Zheng-Zheng nodded; this was within his expectations.

"How's the investigation going?"

Zhang Han took out a scroll of silk bound with fine thread from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

"Zhao Huan's background has been investigated."

Ying Zheng did not take the call, but simply gestured for him to continue.

Zhang Han then unfolded the silk scroll and respectfully reported: "Zhao Huan is eighteen years old. His father, Zhao Zheng, is indeed a native of Lantian. He left home to do business in his early years and achieved some success. His mother passed away ten years ago. Zhao Huan has been living alone since he was eight years old."

This information is largely consistent with Zhao Huan's own account.

Ying Zheng listened quietly, waiting for the most important part.

Zhang Han paused, then continued, "According to investigations, his father, Zhao Zheng, originally intended to return home soon to reunite with his son..."

At this point, Zhang Han lowered his voice even further.

"But on his way home, when he reached the mountains thirty miles east of Lantian County, he was attacked by a group of bandits. All his belongings were stolen, and he himself... was killed and his body was left in the wilderness."

So that's how it is, a twist of fate.

Ying Zheng finally understood why Zhao Huan believed that he was his father.

That foolish boy waited ten years, only to receive news of his father's death. And he himself, at that time and place, with the same name, knocked on his father's door.

Is it fate?

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Ying Zheng's heart. There was a sense of awe at the coincidence, but also pity for that "good eldest son."

He walked slowly to Zhang Han, picked up the scroll, and went to the candlestick in the hall.

The flames licked at the silk, gradually devouring the writing on it until it turned to ashes.

"That gang of bandits," Ying Zheng said calmly.

Zhang Han immediately understood: "I have already sent people to track down his whereabouts."

"I do not want any investigation," Ying-Zhao Zheng-Zheng interrupted him, his tone chilling. "I want them, and their families, to disappear from this world. Cut the weeds, eradicate the roots."

"Yes!" Zhang Han answered without the slightest hesitation.

He would only carry out the First Emperor's orders and never question them.

Ying Zheng then ordered, "Also, find Zhao Zheng's body."

"He shall be buried with the rites due to a king or nobleman, in secret and with great honors. I do not wish for anyone else to know of this except for you and me."

Zhang Han was startled.

The etiquette befitting royalty?

For an unknown businessman?

Although he was puzzled, he immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"

Ying Zheng turned his back, looking at the deep night outside the palace, and muttered to himself.

Huan'er, your father is dead.

From this day forward, I will be your father.

I have avenged you.

He decided that he would accept this "son".

It's not just for those extraordinary skills, but also for this predestined father-son bond.

He is the son of Qin Shi Huang, and cannot suffer the slightest injustice.

As his thoughts wandered, Ying Zheng recalled the mysterious "system teacher" that Zhao Huan had mentioned.

He could produce elixirs of immortality, potatoes, and other miraculous items, and he could even show Zhao Huan the future of the Qin Dynasty.

Such people could be considered immortals.

If we can find him...

"Someone come here."

Zhang Han's figure reappeared.

"His Majesty."

"I have another matter to discuss with you." Ying Zheng's voice carried an undeniable authority. "Huan'er once mentioned that he has a 'System Teacher.' This person possesses extraordinary abilities. Use all the power of the Black Ice Platform to find him for me."

"Are you searching for traces of immortals?" Zhang Han asked.

"No," Ying Zheng shook his head, "It's not a search, it's a search."

His voice turned cold.

"What I want is not worship of him. I want him to refine elixirs for my Great Qin for a hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!"

Zhang Han's body trembled.

Ying Zheng continued, "I not only want him to refine elixirs, I want everything he possesses to serve the Qin Dynasty!"

"Talented people emerge in every generation, but I cannot wait. It takes me twenty years to cultivate a Meng Tian, ​​and thirty years to cultivate a Li Si. They have devoted themselves to the Qin Dynasty, and just as they reach their prime, they grow old and fall ill. If my immortality were solely for myself, I would be utterly alone! I want my right-hand men, my trusted ministers, to accompany me, to watch as the black dragon banner of Qin flies across the four seas and eight wastelands!"

Ying Zheng's voice echoed in the empty hall, inspiring everyone.

Zhang Han's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Those who have rendered meritorious service to the Qin Dynasty can all live forever!

Who doesn't want to live forever?

Zhang Han served the Qin Dynasty and His Majesty, suppressing rebellions and overseeing the world. His hands were stained with blood, all for the sake of securing titles and honors for his wife and children, and leaving his name in history.

But what if one could live forever...?

This means that he will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the unprecedented golden age that His Majesty spoke of.

Zhang Han immediately suppressed all distracting thoughts, his heart filled with fervent loyalty.

"Your Majesty is wise! This is a grand plan unprecedented in history! Your subject is willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, searching to the ends of the earth, to bring this person before Your Majesty!"

"Go."

"only!"

After Zhang Han withdrew, Ying Zheng reviewed some of the accumulated government affairs, dismissed his attendants, and walked alone to the back of the Qilin Hall.

He walked through a corridor that no one dared to approach on ordinary days and pushed open a heavy stone door.

Behind the door, a staircase extends downwards, deep and dark.

Only the kings of Qin throughout history were allowed to enter this place.

Holding a torch, Ying Zheng walked along the steps for a long time, the air growing increasingly cold and gloomy.

Finally, he arrived at another door.

There are no guards here, because they are unnecessary.

Ying Zheng placed his hand on the door, and the heavy stone door slowly opened.

Behind the door was a spacious secret room, with luminous pearls embedded in the walls, emitting a faint glow.

In the center of the secret room, an old man sat cross-legged.