Chapter 514 - 377

He quietly waited for Long Hong to speak to him in secret.

“If there’s nothing else, why haven’t you left yet?”

Seeing Liu Xu’s cunning and sly face, Long Hong felt an even bigger headache.

Wasn’t he supposed to be on leave?

How come he appeared the moment there was trouble?

“Yes.”

The princes and princesses also wished to know what matter these two ministers sought with the King, but they were just sons and daughters, not yet privy to state affairs.

As royalty, they had no official positions, and at this moment, they could stand in the great hall only because they were the King’s sons and daughters.

There were laws of the land, not meant for them to know, yet they were equally forbidden from knowing.

The princes and princesses withdrew.

Liu Xu did not dwell on the subject either.

The King’s earlier lack of response might have been an attempt to conceal something shameful.

For whom or what was Long Feifeng rushing through the Imperial Palace?

In a moment, he would investigate and know.

“Your Majesty, my leave has ended, and both my son and I are in good health,” Liu Xu reported.

Long Hong chuckled to himself.

If they weren’t well, how could they have been seen quarreling with the Chief of Staff on the main street?

Where would they put their old faces?

But he pretended to be ignorant.

Since these two had arrived a step late, wasn’t that a good thing?

It was even better that they were unaware of the Supreme Elixir.

Liu Xu was a minister he especially dreaded.

He didn’t want him to learn of the Supreme Elixir.

While it might be impossible to keep it a secret forever, he would keep it hidden for as long as he could.

Long Hong’s eyes shifted.

He needed to assign some tasks to this crafty minister, to keep him too busy to collude with outside forces.

Should a foreign enemy indeed infiltrate, it would be his responsibility.

“Hmm, lately, our country has been plagued by too many terrorists.

Prime Minister, you cannot afford to take extended leaves.

I need you to help with the investigation, especially to prevent those terrorists from disguising themselves and entering the city.”

Upon hearing Long Hong’s words, Liu Xu was somewhat reluctant.

He had other matters to attend to, and by taking on this responsibility, if something went awry, it would seem intentional, and he wouldn’t even be able to find a scapegoat.

“Your Majesty, I can assist with the investigation, but the duty to guard is the responsibility of General Shao’s family.

Unless Your Majesty is willing to entrust me with military authority.”

How could Long Hong be unaware of Liu Xu’s aims, seeking an excuse to gain military power?

He was cautious of Ye Tian’s family, yet had never retracted their military authority, knowing full well that Ye Tian’s family was committed to guarding, and without their protection, the kingdom would have long been lost.

He owed his stable reign of several decades to the Guardian God Family’s protection, and he would rely on them in the days to come!

“That cannot be done.

The general holds his troops firmly; if the Prime Minister can defeat the Young General, then the military authority can certainly be granted to you.”

The Chief of Staff listened to their exchange, both sly old foxes locked in a contest, and he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

If Liu Xu really could win, he wouldn’t have faced such an embarrassment last time.

Hearing Long Hong’s words, Liu Xu felt offended, as if his shortcomings were being exposed.

If he could defeat him, wouldn’t he have done so already?

He glanced at Tang Weiguo, the old codger who was smirking at him, and his face turned red and then green with anger, his whiskers nearly standing on end.

“Your Majesty, you can assign this task to Tang Weiguo; he’s got nothing to do anyway!”

Tang Weiguo had not expected this wily fox to dump the problem on him.

Although he was capable of handling it, he couldn’t help feeling resentful.

How could he be pleased when the King had asked him to do it, yet the work was being passed to him indirectly?

“The Prime Minister suggests this, and I also think it’s feasible, but let’s hear both of your opinions before making a final decision.

Chief of Staff, what do you think?”

King Long Hong sought to pit the two against each other, knowing that as long as they were at odds, he could pass the responsibility onto them.

Tang Weiguo glared at Liu Xu, the cunning old fox who was trying to drag him down—Liu Xu intended to offload his duties onto him, but Tang Weiguo was determined to involve him as well.

“Your Majesty, didn’t the Prime Minister just mention his robust health and leisure?

Let’s have him bring his men to assist.

After all, it’s said that someone has recently infiltrated the city.

Wouldn’t it be proper to have the Prime Minister keep watch?”

Seeing this turn of events pleased Long Hong greatly.

Let them be like dogs fighting over a bone, keeping them busy so that he could seclude himself and cultivate.

Although not completely at ease, the General’s Family would certainly not stand idly by.

If anything went wrong, these two men would take the brunt.

Long Hong felt that perhaps if he were in closed-door cultivation for a day or two, no significant issues would arise, but to be precautious, Ye Tian was sent out again.

At this moment, nothing was more important than his cultivation and his earnest desire to heal his body and increase his powers.

“Since both Ministers have said so, let your men guard the Imperial City and root out any spies.

In the next few days, I feel somewhat unwell and must enter closed-door cultivation for two days.

During this time, you all must work diligently.”

Liu Xu and Tang Weiguo became somewhat helpless; each had tried to recommend the other, but unexpectedly, both ended up taking responsibility, responsibilities that were never theirs to begin with!

Liu Xu’s eyes shone as he looked at Long Hong’s face.

A few days had not passed, and the King’s complexion had worsened, indeed his life would not last much longer.

It seemed the medicine he had administered was taking effect.

Once the King died, opportunities would surely arise.

As Liu Xu was thinking this, he wasn’t about to let the King rest easily.

The more tired the King became, the more easily his body would break down, and the more effectively the medicine would work.

“Your Majesty, you oversee countless affairs daily.

If you do not appear in court for two days and sudden issues arise, how should we cope?

Would it not be better for this minister to assist?”

Tang Weiguo did not understand why the King wanted to enter closed-door cultivation, but seeing his poor complexion, he couldn’t help expressing his concern, “Your Majesty, what has the Imperial Physician determined?

You should indeed take some rest.”

Long Hong saw the differing expressions of the two men: one genuinely concerned, the other feigning concern in hopes of seizing power.

He sighed inwardly.

He had not appointed a Crown Prince as a precaution against his sons, in case something happened that the Princes could help manage.

Regrettably, he had yet to favor any Prince to succeed the throne, feeling that there was still a chance for him to remain seated longer in his current position.

If he appointed a Crown Prince, the Crown Prince and the other Princes would fight even more fiercely, and passing on his position would become even harder.

He would rather entrust power to the cunning and sly older figures than to the Chief of Staff, who was a good choice as well.

Considering Tang Weiguo, whose son was the Consort Prince to Princess Long Feifeng, he recognized the man as a very suitable choice.

Unfortunately, his Princess Long Feifeng still did not understand the painstaking efforts of her father.

However, this was not up to Princess Long Feifeng, and these matters would be addressed once he emerged from his retreat.

“Our nation is prosperous and strong.

How could it descend into chaos in just two days of my rest?

My loyal subjects are present, so it’s decided.”

Liu Xu frowned unwillingly; with Tang Weiguo around, many things were impossible to accomplish.

A spy had infiltrated the city.

Wasn’t that someone from his household?

The Tang Weiguo before him—did he really know something, or were his words hinting at something else, blundering around?

But Tang Weiguo hadn’t thought that much.

The King looked unwell and needed to rest; as a subject, it was his duty to shoulder some responsibility.

Having arranged matters, Long Hong was about to return to his chambers.

There was no need to discuss the matters for which he had originally summoned Tang Weiguo and Ye Tian—especially not in front of Liu Xu.

So, he gestured, and the Chief Eunuch followed him back to the chambers.

Once there, he instructed the Chief Eunuch not to spread their business and requested everyone present to keep silent.

The Chief Eunuch acknowledged the order and left.

With the King not attending court, there would certainly be more things to keep him busy, though he was somewhat reluctant.

He knew one of the reasons for Long Hong’s imminent death.

But in front of Ye Tian, he dared not show any sign of this knowledge.

Later, he changed his mind; after all, it made no difference who was the King.

He too had once entertained the idea of becoming King, which was why he had agreed to Liu Xu’s plan to poison him.

Now, however, he was having second thoughts.

If a person and family like Ye Tian’s held the Kingship in low regard, it meant there was an opportunity to embark on the Path of Cultivation and become an Immortal.

He certainly coveted such an opportunity.

If he obtained those Pills, he would have a chance to gain greater abilities.

Unbeknownst to Liu Xu, the Chief Eunuch had been withholding information, simply thinking Long Hong truly could not endure and needed to take to his bed.

All he had to do was wait a few more days, and then he could make his move.

Watching the King’s faltering steps, they seemed to grow weaker by the moment.