Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

"Brother Liu has worked so hard for us, and I have no way to repay you."

"I hereby present this treasure to Brother Liu, and hope that he will not find it unworthy."

Cultivating immortality also requires understanding human relationships and worldly affairs.

The emperor needs to be appeased, and so does Liu Bingxuan.

Wealth should not be flaunted. If others see your treasures and covet them, they are no longer your treasures.

Lu Junfeng took it out, prepared to lose it.

The emperor was not interested, but Liu Bingxuan was obviously blind to the fact that he was interested in this magical artifact.

From the moment Lu Junfeng took it out, his eyes never left it.

After all, not everyone is as eager for uniqueness as the emperor. Liu Bingxuan had a pleasant conversation with Lu Junfeng during the day, which showed his enthusiasm for cultivating immortality. It is only natural that he would be envious of this magic weapon.

Therefore, even if he didn't give it to the emperor, Lu Junfeng couldn't take the magic weapon back.

What kind of "generous reward" should be given to someone who has done a good deed?

With such a beautiful jade ring and pearls before him, if he gave too little, people wouldn't be satisfied; if he gave too much, Lu Junfeng wouldn't have anything left to lose.

Why not just give this jade ring to Liu Bingxuan?

Verbal camaraderie can never compare to a community where interests are intertwined.

Liu Bingxuan is a member of the pro-immortal faction, so Lu Junfeng should naturally show some appreciation. In the future, both sides will need to establish deeper ties to facilitate their sect's infiltration into the Great Xia Dynasty.

Investing in a magic weapon is definitely worthwhile!

We'll need to invest even more in the future!

"No! No!"

"How could I possibly accept this?"

Liu Bingxuan grinned and kept declining, saying, "Brother Lu, you've already done me a great favor by opening a mine. I absolutely cannot accept this treasure."

Lu Junfeng took Liu Bingxuan's hand and said solemnly, "Brother Liu! If you think highly of me, then accept it! Don't stand on ceremony with me anymore! This is nothing. My Taihua Sect has such a rich foundation that we don't need this magic treasure. Brother Liu has treated me sincerely, and I will give you even more generous gifts in the future."

He was also telling Liu Bingxuan that if they became friends, the Taihua Sect would repay them endlessly in the future.

"this……"

When two people know the truth about something, excessive politeness only makes it seem hypocritical.

"A token gesture will suffice," Liu Bingxuan reluctantly agreed, "Sigh, alright!"

"I entrust my junior brother's matter to Brother Liu!" Lu Junfeng glanced at the full moon in the sky, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Liu Bingxuan, and said, "I still need to deal with the mess my junior brother is making, so I'll take my leave now!"

"Alright! I'll take care of it. Brother Lu, you should go now. Is there anything else you need...?"

Before Liu Bingxuan could finish speaking, the person in front of him transformed into a streak of light and rushed towards the door.

It seems like they're in a real hurry.

The evening breeze ruffled his hair as Liu Bingxuan stood at the doorway, toying with the smooth, lustrous jade ring. He held the ring up to his eyes, gazing through its delicate holes at the bright, round moon in the sky, gently stroking his beard with a carefree smile.

Compared to a peaceful and stable world...

Sure enough, he's still a person who can't settle down.

Compared to his fawning and sycophantic behavior during the day, he now exudes a carefree and otherworldly air.

……

Tonight was eventful and many things happened, but the sun will rise as usual tomorrow.

The palace was bathed in the gentle shadows of trees, with ripples on the pond. The two stood one after the other by the pond, enjoying the breeze and watching the fish swim by.

"Xuanqing, you must have had a hard night's sleep. Why don't you get some rest?" Xie Cangrong asked with concern.

Liu Bingxuan smiled warmly: "I am not tired at all, Your Majesty, as I have troubled you with your concern. I have successfully completed my mission. Lu Junfeng is willing to open a spirit mine for our dynasty in exchange for his junior brother's life."

"It will take at most one month."

Unfortunately, the most despairing thing for Lu Junfeng happened.

After Shi Yu ran into trouble, whether it was Qi Xiu coming to arrest people or him going to Liu Bingxuan for help in the middle of the night... everything was under the control of the person in the deep palace.

"Haha, good, good, good!"

This small spirit mine holds immense value.

Xie Cangrong kept praising with a smile, "You are truly my right-hand man. You have handled every matter entrusted to me perfectly, which truly puts my mind at ease."

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Liu Bingxuan humbly replied, "My humble talent is nowhere near Your Majesty's."

Xie Cangrong glanced at him: "Alright, alright, stop flattering me. I know you too well!"

"What does Your Majesty know about me?"

"I know you are proud and arrogant, and no one in the world can match you."

Liu Bingxuan simply smiled and said, "Even if I am arrogant, I cannot be more arrogant than Your Majesty!"

Xie Cangrong shrugged and did not respond.

Just then, a guard came running over carrying two bamboo poles.

Upon seeing this, Liu Bingxuan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"This is yours!"

Xie Cangrong grinned, took the two fishing rods, handed one to Liu Bingxuan, and kept the other for himself.

He sat down on a stone stool by the pond and waved his hand gently: "Come on, we have nothing to do anyway, let's fish together for a while and chat."

Liu Bingxuan: ...

His Majesty was not extravagant or licentious, but he did have some peculiar hobbies. The fish in the pond were not for ornamental purposes, but for fishing.

He felt somewhat helpless, but still sat down next to Xie Cangrong.

"Tsk~ What's wrong, are you starting to look down on it?"

"Don't you remember how we met?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bingxuan couldn't help but smile: "Your subject would not forget."

Xie Cangrong held the fishing rod, looked at the calm pond water, and sighed, "When a man is over forty, his hand unconsciously goes for the fishing rod; he likes strange and unusual things."

Liu Bingxuan sighed helplessly, "Your Majesty, you're not even thirty years old yet!"

"Yeah, I'm not even thirty yet!"

Xie Cangrong raised an eyebrow, then suddenly steered the conversation back on track: "He didn't give you anything else?"

Liu Bingxuan skillfully cast his line, making no attempt to conceal anything, and nodded, saying, "I have given it to you. I originally intended to give you a jade ring, which could aid in your cultivation. Wearing it could calm the mind, nourish the heart, and prolong life; it was quite precious. However, I did not take it back and left it to you, my subject."

"What a pity~"

Xie Cangrong smiled upon hearing this: "This cultivator is quite talented."

"He's not suited for cultivating immortality; he's suited for being an official!"

Liu Bingxuan nodded: "Yes!"

Lu Junfeng's way of thinking, his behavior, and his style of doing things... all make him well-liked in officialdom.

But then, his thoughts shifted, and he said, "Your Majesty, aren't sects just another dynasty?"

Sects also have classes, administrators, and power structures... In the end, all these forces, big and small, are nothing more than another dynasty with a different name.

A person like Lu Junfeng can actually live well no matter where he is.

"Hehe~ That's true!"

Liu Bingxuan smiled and took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, cultivators have unpredictable methods. I am not yet sure if Yu Huan is a trap. Let me test her a bit more before sending her to Lord Gong."

Xie Cangrong turned to look at him and laughed, "Can't you tell whether he's lying to you or not?"

"It's always good to be cautious."

Xie Cangrong waved his hand dismissively: "He won't lie to you. Just use it as you see fit, and do as you please. There's no need to test him. A gift given to you is yours! Why would you give it away elsewhere? I'm not so petty as to steal this."

"Keep it for yourself~"