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

"So willing to part with it?"

The two had previously engaged in a polite exchange regarding Lu Junfeng's precious ring.

Now it's happening again, but this time the roles are reversed.

Liu Bingxuan said helplessly, "If Your Majesty doesn't want it, I can take it back and give it to my wife."

Xie Cangrong closed the gourd and said generously, "Since it's a gift for Madam, then take it!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bingxuan raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, you don't want it? This item is made from spiritual herbs and immortal plants, and it is by no means an ordinary thing. I saw that Lu Junfeng looked quite eager for it. This item is extremely precious. It must have been instructed by Immortal Master Xiao Zheng to be sent to him. It cannot be fake."

"What's wrong? You're not happy about giving it to your wife?"

Liu Bingxuan shook his head solemnly: "Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. I do not seek eternity; to share joy in life and death in the same grave is enough. My wife's longevity by a few years is not as good as Your Majesty's eternal reign."

It's one thing to talk about it outside, but Xie Cangrong can't really not be seeking immortality!

The new dynasty appears prosperous and thriving, but everything depends on one premise: Xie Cangrong.

With Xie Cangrong around, countless people are heroes and virtuous; without Xie Cangrong, many will turn into devils.

The Great Xia Dynasty cannot do without Xie Cangrong.

Xie Cangrong shrugged: "Aren't you afraid I'll get senile from sitting in this position for too long?"

Liu Bingxuan paused, then raised his head and gave Xie Cangrong a deep look: "I'd like to see what Your Majesty looks like when you're senile?"

"and then?"

"Then, I'll definitely make fun of you."

What's wrong with making fun of them?

This question is destined to have no answer.

Xie Cangrong wouldn't ask, and Liu Bingxuan wouldn't tell.

"Hahaha, how dare you! Then I shall punish you for deceiving the emperor!"

"Place the piece!"

Liu Bingxuan pointed at the chessboard and laughed, "Before punishing the ministers for deceiving the emperor, it's Your Majesty's turn to make a move!"

"Snapped!"

Xie Cangrong casually placed the chess piece on the chessboard.

He put down the gourd, took out two brocade boxes, and chuckled, "Compared to your gourd, the 'thoughts' of others are much more paltry."

The brocade box was beautifully decorated, but inside there was only a pitiful pill that looked very ordinary, and its fragrance was far inferior to that of Liu Bingxuan's gourd.

Liu Bingxuan was taken aback, but after a moment's thought, he understood: "Were they sent by several high-ranking officials in the court?"

Xie Cangrong said indifferently, "Yan Zhen and Zhang Cheng brought it over; they were probably frightened by He Minghao's matter."

Xie Cangrong's words when he removed He Minghao in the Mingtang were terrifying.

He knew about the connection between the He family and the cultivators; he knew everything.

Despite residing deep within the palace, he wielded such power.

He Minghao's affair has been discovered, but what about the others?

Three years after the founding of the nation, the monarch settled down and put on a smiling face, but everyone remembered how he had seized the country.

When it comes to actually doing something, this person never holds back.

When will the executioner's blade fall on someone else's head after He Minghao's execution?

Yan Zhen and Zhang Cheng went home, but they couldn't sleep no matter what. The next day, they delivered the precious medicine that the cultivator had given them.

Don't try to deceive His Majesty. If you've done something wrong, be honest about it.

At the very least, His Majesty can spare their lives out of old friendship.

Xie Cangrong examined the pills in the brocade box, sighing repeatedly, "Tsk tsk tsk, people who sincerely seek immortality are not valued as much as someone with ulterior motives like you!"

Even a fool could see the difference in treatment the cultivators gave to Liu Bingxuan compared to other officials.

Liu Bingxuan raised his eyebrows, somewhat proudly saying, "After all, my position is higher!"

It's impossible for a cultivator to completely trust Liu Bingxuan.

However, we will definitely value him.

Even if he is 70% feigning and 30% genuine, that would be enough for cultivators to go to great lengths to bribe him.

After all, Liu Bingxuan wielded considerable power and was capable of persuading Xie Cangrong.

Even with only 30% of his power, Liu Bingxuan far surpasses the likes of Yan Zhen and Zhang Cheng, who are wholeheartedly devoted to their craft.

Liu Bingxuan took the brocade box, examined it for a moment, and gently shook his head: "It would be better not to take it out."

Even if someone is somewhat close to a cultivator, they haven't acted like that idiot He Minghao, openly displaying their foolishness. Therefore, there's still room for maneuver.

But the fact that these pills have been delivered now is a clear indication that they are admitting their guilt to Xie Cangrong.

It's too obvious; it doesn't look good.

Even if Xie Cangrong still acknowledges their talents, he will no longer employ them.

Xie Cangrong laughed and said, "Do you think everyone is like you, enjoying thrills?"

Everyone has their own way of living.

He lowered his eyes and said with a sigh, "Yan Zhen and Zhang Cheng have changed too... They've lost their former spirit and now just want to save their lives and live a good life."

Xie Cangrong was able to appoint them because they all had merits.

Liu Bingxuan shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but simply placed a piece on the chessboard.

"Snapped!"

"Um?"

Xie Cangrong looked at the chessboard and frowned. "Xuanqing, are you sure you want to play here?"

Liu Bingxuan: ...

His Majesty is good in every way, but sometimes he can be quite childish when you're with him.

Helpless, Liu Bingxuan pointed to a spot on the chessboard: "Your Majesty, you could actually play here."

Xie Cangrong frowned upon hearing this, then his mind raced before he smiled broadly and said, "Tsk~ Xuanqing saw through my killing move!"

"Yes, that's right, I was just reminding you! Are you sure you still want to go down here?"

Liu Bingxuan inwardly grumbled, but still said solemnly, "Your Majesty's chess skills are superb; I only realized it belatedly! Once a move is made, there's no going back, so I can only accept it."

"Hahaha~"

Xie Cangrong laughed heartily, then picked up a chess piece and placed it where Liu Bingxuan had just pointed.

"Snapped!"

"Wow, what a thrilling and exhilarating match!"

"I've won again!"

Liu Bingxuan: ...

It was indeed a thoroughly enjoyable game of chess.

After a high-EQ business game, we've pretty much covered everything that needed to be discussed.

Liu Bingxuan should leave now.

Xie Cangrong seemed to remember something and said, "Go to the Imperial Pharmacy later. I'm poor here and don't have anything good. Pick and choose some to give to those cultivators as a token of appreciation. They won't even look at them anyway."

Xie Cangrong himself wasn't materialistic. He had some small hobbies, but none of them cost much money. He didn't engage in those grand projects that were all about saving face, like the Fengshan ceremony or traveling around the country. The palace looked impressive, but it was actually quite poor.

The national fiscal revenue was basically not embezzled; it was all invested in various construction projects of the Great Xia.

He was physically very strong, rarely suffered from serious illnesses, and never took any random supplements.

The Imperial Pharmacy mainly contained common medicinal herbs, which were usually used by the palace guards and servants. Rare items were not uncommon, but they were very rare.

The imperial physicians were scolded by Xie Cangrong for being too idle. Only two of them were allowed to take turns on duty, while the rest were sent to the Ordnance Bureau to study Penicillium and antibiotics. The Imperial Hospital was in chaos, filled with rotten and moldy fruits and food. The old imperial physicians were also tormented by His Majesty's wild ideas.

Liu Bingxuan replied, "Yes!"