Chapter 981: Chapter 817: Overdrawing Life

That said, if Gu Chengyu can go, this will be his opportunity.

This will not only be good for the local common people; for Gu Chengyu, it is an exceedingly rare chance for promotion.

However, it was he who first discovered the breach. So even if he does not go, the Emperor will summon him.

So he nodded. "Then this humble official will go with the Crown Prince!"

The two left the Eastern Palace side by side and headed toward Chengqian Palace. Since the Crown Prince was entering the palace to see the Emperor, the little eunuchs naturally did not dare to stand in the way.

Thus the two proceeded unhindered all the way and arrived before Chengqian Palace.

"Chief Chen, has Imperial Father retired to rest?"

Seeing that the Crown Prince had come and that Gu Chengyu was actually following beside him, De’an could not help feeling somewhat puzzled.

It was almost time for the palace to be sealed for the night; how could the Crown Prince bring Mr. Gu into the inner palace?

Only, he also knew these two were not the sort of people who overstepped, so he did not dare neglect them.

"So it is Your Highness the Crown Prince and Mr. Gu. At this moment His Majesty is discussing important matters with the Phecda Grandmaster. May Your Highness and Mr. Gu please wait a moment; this servant will go report at once."

Gu Chengyu smiled faintly. He had known it: how could De’an, who had become Grand Steward, be so blind to the situation?

Just now he had handed in his name plaque; he did not know whether it had reached De’an’s hands.

But could this Phecda Grandmaster be that Taoist priest who was expert in Alchemy Technique?

It was said that he had entered the Imperial Palace more than ten years ago. Later, the Emperor learned Alchemy from him, and the two often discussed it together.

Only, Gu Chengyu did not think highly of this Alchemy Technique. Heavy metals were added into all these refined elixirs; they were all extremely poisonous substances.

Even if one would not die on the spot, the poison would hide in the body and affect a person’s lifespan.

"Taoist Phecda is a Grandmaster of the Dan Sect. All these years, Imperial Father has always been taking the elixirs he refines. Previously, the ailments on Imperial Father’s body were all suppressed by the Little Yuan Pill he developed, but lately this Little Yuan Pill seems to have no effect on Imperial Father anymore."

The Crown Prince’s voice floated out leisurely, and the moment Gu Chengyu heard it, he grew attentive.

"Little Yuan Pill? Is it only the Emperor who takes it?"

Gu Chengyu did not put it too bluntly, but he believed the Crown Prince would understand.

"Because its ingredients are precious, the cost enormous, and the pill formation rate extremely low. So at the time, apart from having someone test the medicine, each batch of elixir was only enough for Imperial Father alone. Moreover, three of the main ingredients are extraordinarily rare, which makes the elixir all the more precious."

The Crown Prince cast his gaze toward the towering palace halls ahead. Night was gradually closing in, and the palace halls were like gigantic beasts lurking in the darkness, hideous and fearsome.

"After the Small Rejuvenation Pill lost its effect, two days ago Taoist Phecda refined a Longevity Pill for Imperial Father. This elixir works even more powerfully than the Little Yuan Pill and can even extend life by five years."

Five years? Gu Chengyu was greatly astonished and could not help turning to glance at the Crown Prince.

Because the palace lanterns opposite them were blown about by the wind, the Crown Prince’s face, under their glow, alternated between light and shadow.

"Does Mr. Gu believe there is a Longevity Pill in this world? And do you believe there is an elixir of immortality in this world?"

The Crown Prince spoke softly, gently lowering his eyelids and hiding the emotion in his eyes.

Gu Chengyu steadied his mind and did not answer the Crown Prince directly. "Is there any way to obtain this Longevity Pill?"

Even his Spiritual Spring only had the effect of strengthening the body when first taken. Unless Cultivators truly existed in this world, there could not possibly be a Longevity Pill.

The Crown Prince gave a low chuckle. "What now, Mr. Gu also has an interest in this elixir? It is just a pity that Taoist Phecda exhausted countless rare treasures of heaven and earth, and after several years, only obtained two pills. He took one himself and gave one to Imperial Father."

"It is said that one of the main ingredients is extremely hard to find. Imperial Father ordered men to search outside for four years and still they found nothing, until at last Taoist Phecda discovered a single stalk."

"Then this ingredient is truly rare indeed!" Gu Chengyu raised his brows. He had originally wanted to see what medicine Taoist Phecda was selling in his gourd, but now it seemed impossible.

No wonder when he had an audience two days ago, he had felt there was something indescribable about the Emperor.

Thinking back now, perhaps that was the vitality emanating from within his body.

Not only did he seem full of spirit, he had also grown much younger.

But in Gu Chengyu’s view this was utterly unreliable, as if the man were overdrawing his life force—brilliant, yet short.

After a moment, the Crown Prince suddenly said, "The elixir itself may no longer be available, but perhaps some dregs of the medicine still remain?"

Gu Chengyu’s eyes lit up. "This humble official is indeed somewhat interested; perhaps we can look into it."

Having had frequent contact with the Crown Prince these past two days, Gu Chengyu actually felt that the Crown Prince was quite a remarkable person.

Whether in the past the Crown Prince had truly been honest and guileless, or had treated that as a protective coloration—

In any case, the Crown Prince after this change made Gu Chengyu feel that this was what a benevolent king ought to be like.

The Crown Prince broke into a grin; he actually felt regret—he should have sought out more contact with Gu Chengyu earlier.

Gu Chengyu was not at all as he had imagined before, someone who only liked to wield power.

At the very least, Gu Chengyu still had a conscience and handled matters with firm principles. Ambition was perfectly normal—what official in the court had no ambition?

Even he, as Crown Prince, was no exception!

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Mr. Gu! His Majesty summons you both into the hall!"

After they had waited a quarter of an hour, De’an finally returned.

Gu Chengyu knew that even De’an did not dare to report rashly; he had to wait for the right moment.

"Many thanks, Chief Chen!" The Crown Prince stepped forward and, using his sleeve as cover, slipped a thin sheet of paper into the other man’s hand.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu was not surprised. Even the Crown Prince had to pay heed to the face of the Emperor’s favored attendants.

Actually, as long as they mentioned that there was flooding in Changtian Prefecture, the Emperor would certainly receive them immediately. But this, after all, was solely Gu Chengyu’s one-sided report.

Besides, what did the lives of common folk amount to in the eyes of those in high positions?

"Your son respectfully wishes Your Majesty peace and good health!"

"Your subject Gu Chengyu respectfully wishes Your Majesty peace and good health!"

Off to the side, Taoist Phecda cast a glance at the two who were saluting. He was, of course, familiar with the Crown Prince; he encountered him in the palace often.

As for this youth in a fifth-rank official uniform, this was the first time he had seen him, yet the name was not unfamiliar to him—indeed, renowned like thunder in his ears.

"Rise. It is nearly time to seal the palace; for you two to come at such an hour, is there some urgent matter?"

The Emperor had been debating the Dao with Taoist Phecda, but had not expected to be interrupted by these two!

"In reply to Imperial Father! Mr. Gu has just received word that the Tianya River has breached its dikes!"

The Crown Prince did not waste words. The situation was urgent; they would likely have to summon the Ministers into the palace overnight to discuss the particulars.

At these words, the Emperor froze, then asked in disbelief, "What did you say? The Tianya River has breached its dikes?"

"Exactly so. Several villages in Changtian Prefecture, downstream from the Tianya River, have already been submerged by the floodwaters, and hundreds of commoners are dead or injured."

For now, Gu Chengyu still did not know the specific details, only the few words written on the note.

But he believed that Ding Shiliu and the others would never lie about such a matter; this was something that could cost them their heads.