The alchemist's opening move: I'll paint a pie in the sky for Qin Shi Huang.

While Zou Yun was working behind closed doors in his small room, Shi Gong was engrossed in compiling books, and Ying Zheng was suffering from illness in Xianyang Palace.

Prince Fusu, who was located in another part of Xianyang City, and his confidants and retainers also heard about the good show in Zhangtai Palace.

"Snapped!"

With a soft thud, Fusu slammed the bamboo slip in his hand heavily onto the wooden table, his eyes filled with rage.

"What tricks are these damn liars up to now!"

As early as after His Majesty began his search for immortality, Fusu harbored resentment towards these alchemists.

Subsequently, Xu Fu spent a huge amount of money and manpower building a massive fleet of ships to search for immortals, but his voyage to Yingzhou ended in failure.

This further fueled Fusu's prejudice, leading him to believe that they were a group of swindlers.

Finally, Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng absconded with the money, which angered the emperor, who then prepared to kill these fraudulent alchemists.

Although the methods were indeed too harsh, at least His Majesty made a change, and perhaps in the future he will no longer take pointless and absurd actions in pursuit of the elusive goal of immortality.

But then suddenly a technique of disintegration appeared, how could this not enrage him?

Thinking of this, Fusu could no longer sit still, and he immediately ordered all the aristocratic retainers to be summoned.

A moment later.

In the high hall, Fusu sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the diverse crowd below the stage. He paused briefly on a burly figure before speaking solemnly.

"I wish to advise Your Majesty not to heed the sorcerer's method of self-destruction. Furthermore, the sorcerer Zou Yun should be killed swiftly. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in disbelief, their faces filled with shock.

Because these words simply don't seem like something that could come from the mouth of Fusu, who was known for his benevolence and kindness.

After their initial shock, the retainers bowed deeply and earnestly tried to dissuade him.

"Your Majesty, you have always been known for your benevolence and righteousness. How could you utter such words today? What will the world think of you now?"

Fusu sighed sadly:

"I have heard that kindness towards individuals is merely a common virtue. It is kindness towards all people and the safety of the nation that is truly worthy of praise."

"Today, I am willing to give up my personal virtues for the future of the nation."

"Gentlemen, are you trying to stop me?"

He withdrew his gaze, his eyes suddenly hardening, each word resounding with conviction.

The retainers on either side exchanged glances, all understanding the unwavering determination and sense of responsibility in Fusu's eyes.

Since that was the case, they naturally stopped arguing and instead echoed in unison, "Young Master is benevolent!"

As for Meng Yi, the Imperial Minister, he watched the drama unfold quietly and did not comment on Fusu's words and actions.

Having made up his mind, Fusu did not delay and immediately sent a charioteer to arrange a carriage.

On the way, Meng Yi and Fu Su sat side by side in the carriage, but neither of them spoke.

It seems that this trip was not a subject risking to offend His Majesty the Emperor to offer advice, but rather a son returning home to chat with his father.

Strictly speaking, as an ally assisting Fusu, Meng Yi should have dissuaded Fusu from this action.

But Meng Yi glanced to his side; the sunlight cast distinct shadows on Fu Su's calm face. He sighed inwardly, then suddenly spoke:

"Young master, is your insistence on remonstrating this time truly not for the sake of your master?"

Chunyu Yue.

The name instantly pierced Fusu's heart.

The elder with the gentle smile had already resigned from his post and returned to his hometown to live a secluded life in the countryside, completely escaping the vortex of power in Xianyang.

From now on, I only wish to write books, teach students, and enjoy my old age in peace!

However, in order to protect Fusu, the emperor's disciple who had angered the emperor by opposing the burning of books, he resolutely submitted another memorial. In the end, he angered the emperor and, for the sake of his ideals, bravely faced death.

Meng Yi still clearly remembers that on the day he died, the young master hid in his room alone for a very long time.

It was from that time that the father and son began to drift further apart.

Meng Yi sighed silently in his heart, though he knew clearly that this meeting would only add fuel to the fire and cause an even greater conflict between them.

It might even cause the already tense relationship between the father and son to snap completely!

But seeing Fusu remain silent with his lips tightly pressed together, he swallowed hard, but ultimately said nothing.

The journey to the palace is very long, so long that some people never reach it in their entire lives.

The journey to the palace was short, so short that while the two were still lost in their own thoughts, they had already arrived outside the grand hall that symbolized supreme power, waiting for His Majesty's summons.

The cold, shadowy palace, like a lurking beast, enveloped them.

Now the behemoth opens its jaws, waiting for Fusu to walk right into its trap!

"Young Master Fusu, His Majesty has granted you... an audience alone."

Zhao Gao opened the palace door, glanced at Meng Yi without making a sound, then quickly walked out and respectfully guided Fusu inside.

Without glancing at the fawning Zhao Gao beside him, or heeding Meng Yi's worried gaze, Fusu straightened his back and slowly walked into the deep palace.

A biting chill hit him, making him shiver involuntarily.

Is it time to change like this?

Fusu's gaze slowly swept over the familiar furnishings in the hall, everything seemed to overlap with his memories.

I remember back then, I didn't feel that it was that cold here.

Sunlight streamed into the main hall, warming everyone inside. Fusu's greatest anticipation each day was being led by his mother's gentle hand into this hall to meet his dignified father.

Although his father rarely smiled, Fusu could always catch a glimpse of subtle satisfaction and expectation in his deep eyes.

That was probably the happiest time of my life.

But now, the one sitting high in that great hall is only his own emperor.

"Your subject Fusu pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

A silent oppressive atmosphere permeated the entire palace. Fusu was extremely respectful, bowing deeply and performing a long bow with meticulous movements that left no room for criticism.

When did things start to become like this?

Ying Zheng remained silent, still gazing at the bamboo slips in his hand, as if he had not noticed that there was another person in the hall.

Fusu did not get up, maintaining the posture of bowing, remaining completely still.

In the empty hall, only the crackling of the burning candlelight could be heard, and the father, son, and ruler stood in silent confrontation.

Get up!

After a long while, Ying Zheng finally put down the bamboo slip in his hand and slowly spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Fusu got up as instructed, and the moment he looked up, Ying Zheng's gaze fell on Fusu's energetic face.

A strange emotion flashed in his deep pupils.

It contained a mixture of anticipation, a sense of helplessness, and a surge of disgust... and even a faint hint of murderous intent!

Yes, Ying Zheng did indeed consider killing Fusu.

As his son, on whom he had placed high hopes, grew up day by day and his brilliance shone brighter, he, in turn, felt himself fading away, clearly sensing that he was dying day by day.

For an emperor who controls the world, this feeling is an indescribable torment.

He believed that with Fusu's intelligence, he must have understood the murderous intent in his eyes.

It was from that time that Ying Zheng began to distance himself from Fusu.

His remaining rationality controlled him, causing him to deliberately ignore everything about Fusu and place the Meng brothers, whom he deeply trusted, by Fusu's side.

As for this unquenchable fear, he turned it around and poured it into his fervent pursuit of immortality.

Fusu naturally understood this tacit understanding, and he chose to retreat, deliberately avoiding appearing in front of him, so that they could maintain a fragile balance.

"Then why? Why do you insist on breaking this unspoken agreement today, deliberately provoking me?"

Ying Zheng's gaze was fixed on Fusu like that of a hawk, the vibrant life force emanating from the young body piercing his aging nerves.

The tyranny flashed briefly in Ying Zheng's eyes, and his face instantly returned to its calm and indifferent expression.