Wasn’t the Crown Prince’s special envoy sent by the ruler and his heir? Why is he asking even this kind of question?

Jiao Yu stepped in smoothly from the side. “The envoy has only just arrived in our state. There are many internal matters he does not yet understand.”

The implications in those words ran deep. Xiang Yan found himself momentarily speechless, his mind racing to decipher what had just been implied.

He Lingchuan smiled. “I’m not originally from Chiyan. Ordinarily, I’d rather avoid trouble than invite it. It was Fushan Yue who begged me relentlessly to take on this case.”

Xiang Yan stared, dumbfounded.

The Crown Prince had actually appointed a foreigner as special envoy to investigate this matter? Th-this... this case must run incredibly deep.

After a long pause, he finally said, “Throughout the world, only Lingxu City can refine the elixir of youth.”

“So the elixirs of youth in the hands of the various monster kings were also bestowed by Lingxu City?” He Lingchuan understood at once. “And then they, in turn, reward their meritorious subordinates with them?”

Xiang Yan nodded.

“Then where do the raw ingredients come from?” He Lingchuan pressed before the old man could speak again. “You spent more than a decade in Lingxu City. Surely you heard some rumors circulating among the people?”

Xiang Yan opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time, and finally gave a wry smile. “How could anyone dare spread such talk? Once the source of a rumor is traced, it’s a capital offense.”

“Not even the faintest whisper?”

“I’ve only heard that some of the ingredients for the elixir of youth are purchased from other states. As for the specifics, I truly don’t know.” He lowered his voice. “Such a supreme treasure is exceedingly rare even within Lingxu City itself. Only a handful of officials are permitted to partake in it. I was fortunate enough to receive one because of meritorious service that earned the favor of the gods. Otherwise, I would never have had such luck. Ask Lord Jiao if you doubt me. Among the entire court, how many have ever taken the elixir of youth?”

He Lingchuan looked to Jiao Yu, who shook its head and said, “Over the past century or so, the ruler has bestowed only thirty-nine pills.”

In the hundred and sixty-plus years since the founding of the State of Chiyan, how many officials have there been? Yet only thirty-nine had consumed the elixir of youth.

No further explanation of its rarity was needed.

No wonder the old man looked so smug. To be among those thirty-nine who actually managed to receive the elixir of youth is an honor beyond measure.

“Why so few?”

“I’ve heard the medicinal ingredients are difficult to obtain.”

He Lingchuan recalled what Grand Apothecary Helian Chen of Panlong City had said. One of the elixir of youth’s key catalysts was something unimaginably precious: divine blood.[1]

That would certainly be hard to come by.

But no matter how rare the other ingredients were, could Beijia not marshal its full strength to obtain them?

It most likely came down to the fact that it was a rare commodity to be hoarded.

With such miraculous effects and such a tiny supply, would everyone not be scrambling desperately for it?

He Lingchuan’s eyes flickered. “Then who holds the formula for the elixir of youth?”

“That would be the heavenly gods, of course,” Xiang Yan answered as if it were obvious. “Lingxu City offers the materials, the heavenly gods refine the elixir of youth, and they personally bestow the finished pills.”

He Lingchuan momentarily felt at a loss.

If only the gods could refine it, then why was the mastermind behind this case collecting jiang beads? And this did not quite match what Helian Chen had told him. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

After a brief hesitation, Xiang Yan added, “However, I did hear a piece of gossip in Lingxu City.”

He Lingchuan perked up. Am I finally going to receive something resembling genuine inside information?

“Please, go on.”

“I can’t reveal my source, and it’s only a rumor, mind you.”

“Of course, of course, just idle talk. You say it casually, I’ll listen casually.” This old man certainly knows how to hedge.

“The rumor claims the gods once released the formula for the elixir of youth, but Lingxu City entrusted it to the wrong people, and it leaked. Enraged, the gods revoked the right to refine it. Since then, they bestow only finished pills and forbid mortals from producing them.”

This was the second time He Lingchuan had heard that claim. “And the leaked formula?”

“The Lord Emperor ordered a ruthless investigation and set a final deadline for voluntary surrender. Anyone discovered afterward would have their entire clan or line executed.”

He Lingchuan thought of what had happened to the descendants of the State of Yuān. The Beijia Monster Emperor showed no mercy when killing.

For such a greater monster, human lives meant nothing.

“How many people died in that purge?”

“I don’t know.”

“Huh?” He Lingchuan frowned. “How could you not even know that?”

“Even if the formula leaked, only a tiny handful of people would have been qualified to see it. Naturally, the number executed would also have been very small.” Xiang Yan gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Officials from vassal states such as myself are nowhere near that level.”

That was a game played at the highest tiers, a level far beyond the reach of low-ranking officials.

To die because of it? They would not even be given the chance.

“During that period, no entire clans were wiped out?”

“I really don’t know. It happened two to three centuries ago, and it was only a rumor to begin with. Who could verify what was true?”

He Lingchuan nodded thoughtfully. “If it really leaked, that makes things easier.”

Xiang Yan asked cautiously, “You believe this case might be connected to that lost formula?”

He Lingchuan gave him a sidelong glance, half smiling. “You said that, not me.”

Panicking, Xiang Yan waved his hands. “N-no, no, just the ramblings of an old fool. You heard nothing.”

“Exactly.” He Lingchuan laughed. “I heard nothing at all.”

He noticed the thin sheen of sweat on the man’s forehead.

“So what does it feel like to take the elixir of youth?” he asked, shifting to a lighter topic.

Xiang Yan visibly relaxed.

“The internal effects are immediate. Your body feels lighter, your limbs more agile, your appetite improves, and your chronic ailments vanish without treatment. Of course, severed limbs won’t grow back. I’ve heard even some monster generals couldn’t heal old injuries with it.”

He Lingchuan nodded. So its primary effect is extending longevity.

“There are internal and external effects?”

“The external effects aren’t obvious,” Xiang Yan said with a smile. “I was fifty-two when I took it. My appearance didn’t revert decades younger, but over the past thirty years, I’ve remained almost exactly as I was since then.”

So it’s more like a slow-release medicine?

He Lingchuan, now slightly versed in pharmacology thanks to A’Luo’s constant lectures, knew the best medicines worked gently and persistently over time. That was why imperial nectar was called the king of all medicines.

“So calling it a rejuvenation pill isn’t quite accurate?”

“Perhaps calling it a non-senescence pill or an elixir of immortality would be closer.”

He Lingchuan rose. “Thank you, Old Xiang. This information has been very helpful. I apologize for imposing on you today.”

“Just idle chatter between friends. What information has even been shared between us?” Xiang Yan said warmly. “Will you be staying for a meal?”

It was meant as polite courtesy, but to his surprise, He Lingchuan accepted cheerfully. “Certainly. I’ve heard from General Ling that your poached chicken is especially tender, made with a secret recipe.”

“...Very well, very well. This way, please.”

What in the world is wrong with that old ram? It’s a ram, so why is it recommending chicken?

* * *

Meanwhile, at the inn where He Lingchuan was staying.

His room, of course, was empty.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a man, who appeared to be one of the inn’s staff, slipped inside. After scanning the room to confirm no one was present, he quietly shut the door behind him.

He headed straight for the bed.

Fushan Yue had allocated generous funds for the special envoy. The inn ranked among the best in Baishajue, and He Lingchuan had rented the top suite for several days.

The furnishings were elegant, even the bed made of precious rosewood[2].

The man leaned over the pillow, eyes wide as he searched.

“Where’s the hair?”

The pillows are soft, and the distinguished guest had stayed several days, so how could there be no shed hair?

But there really is no hair...

Taking the pillow outright might alert the guest. That wouldn’t do.

He paced the room anxiously.

Hair found elsewhere might not belong to this guest. After all, it was an inn. Only bedding was changed per guest.

How could he obtain something that unquestionably belonged to He Lingchuan?

His gaze drifted toward the folding screen.

Behind it was the chamber pot.

...Maybe?

The thought was so foul it made even him recoil.

The inn changes chamber pots daily, and the next time it should happen is in about four hours.

Should I just go through with it?

He did not want to, but the payment was too generous.

At last, he pinched his nose and lifted the lid.

The job was filthy, but enough money could make anyone do anything.

Then he froze.

It was completely empty. There was nothing in the chamber pot at all.

Perhaps someone might not shed hair in their sleep, but did this guest never have to use the toilet at all?

A ridiculous suspicion crept into his mind.

Could it be that the guest was so wary that he even used public latrines outside to avoid leaving traces?

What now?

* * *

The next day, He Lingchuan visited the magistrate of Baishajue County.

County Magistrate Tian emerged with heavy dark circles under his eyes. He Lingchuan was startled. “What happened to you?”

After days of sleepless anxiety caused by this very man, he still had to force a polite smile. “Nothing. Stray cats yowled all night. What instructions does the Lord Envoy have today?”

“I need you to handle something quietly.”

“Quietly?” The magistrate understood. “Without the Touring Commissioner knowing?”

“Absolutely. Ideally, no one else in the city either.”

“Please go on.”

“Find a repair crew.”

“Ah?” County Magistrate Tian was slightly muddled at the moment. He did not know if it was because he did not get enough sleep the previous night, but he just felt rather unfocused. “For what?”

“Chao Lake Tower.”

“Oh... Okay, that’s simple enough.”

“But I have additional requirements.” He Lingchuan leaned close and whispered a few instructions. After that, he added, “Before work begins, no one in the city must know. Can you do that?”

1. I don’t think this was ever explicitly mentioned, but I guess he did say that a key ingredient could only be received from the gods. ☜

2. The specific kind should be Dalbergia odorifera, also known as Chinese rosewood. ☜