Then Ying Zheng coldly snorted and said, "Guards! Bring Xu Fu here!"
"promise!"
"Tap tap tap—"
Escorted by two Black Ice Guards, Xu Fu, formerly the chief alchemist of the Great Qin Dynasty, was now disheveled and looked dejected as he was brought to the Ji Que Palace, completely lacking his previous arrogant and domineering demeanor.
Originally, relying on Ying Zheng's trust, Xu Fu did not act discreetly.
However, because he left no trace of his actions, and because Ying Zheng needed him to refine the elixir of immortality, he turned a blind eye to it.
However, after hearing the immortal speak of the future, Ying Zheng felt only pure killing intent.
A conman dares to swindle people in the palace!
"Isn't this His Majesty's alchemist?"
"Hmph, that guy is finally in jail. I've been wanting to get back at him for a long time."
"He's just a mere sorcerer, yet he dares to point fingers at court officials. I really don't know who gave him the guts."
"A fool who doesn't know his own limitations."
Seeing Xu Fu in such a disheveled state, everyone's faces turned cold, and not a single person stood up to plead for him; some even took advantage of his misfortune.
This shows how unpopular Xu Fu was.
Now that he has lost Ying Zheng's trust and become a prisoner, his many grievances have finally erupted.
Xu Fu ignored the surrounding noise, knelt on the ground with a pale face, and remained silent.
To this day, he still cannot figure out why the First Emperor's attitude towards him changed so drastically after he obtained the opportunity to become an immortal.
From living in luxury to becoming a prisoner, it can all happen in the blink of an eye.
Ying Zheng's expression remained indifferent as he personally questioned, "Xu Fu, do you have anything to say?"
Faced with the ruthless and cold-blooded Ying Zheng, Xu Fu felt that he could still be saved.
"Your Majesty, I do not know if you have been misled by slander, but my loyalty and devotion are as clear as day!"
Xu Fu's heart-wrenching screams were performed to the fullest extent.
However, his explanation sounded somewhat weak and unconvincing.
Ying Zheng said calmly, "Then explain the matter of the Golden Elixir."
"Ah, this... Golden Core..."
Xu Fu was immediately jolted awake.
Those who are family know their own situation. What he refined was not some kind of golden elixir, but just a bunch of random things that were put into the furnace and refined.
While ingesting it won't cause immediate death, over time, the cumulative effect will inevitably shorten one's lifespan.
Almost all the alchemists were well aware of this matter.
But no one dared to tell anyone.
"What, you dare to do it but not admit it?"
Ying Zheng turned his head slightly and said coldly, "You have quite the nerve, actually offering me a so-called golden elixir that is poisonous, causing my body to deteriorate and me to age prematurely."
Xu Furu was struck by lightning, but he still gritted his teeth and denied it.
"Your Majesty, I do not know what you are talking about."
Ying Zheng's face turned cold, and he said sternly, "Hmph, you refuse to admit it to the death. Men, bring a rabbit and feed it the Golden Elixir."
"His Majesty!"
Xu Fu's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said, "Golden pills are so precious, why waste them on livestock!"
"Today I will make you die with a clear conscience."
Ying Zheng looked at him as if he were looking at a dead man.
A soldier quickly carried a lively rabbit into the Jique Palace and then stuffed a golden pill refined by Xu Fu directly into the rabbit's mouth.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the lively rabbit suddenly stiffened its legs and died in front of everyone.
For humans, the toxicity of the so-called "golden pill" may not be fatal in a short time, but for small animals such as rabbits and mice, eating one would definitely result in instant death, with absolutely no chance of survival.
"You bastard!"
Upon seeing this, Wang Jian was instantly enraged.
He immediately rushed out and punched Xu Fu in the face, knocking out five or six teeth.
Ying Zheng frowned slightly and said, "My dear Wang."
Wang Jian immediately bowed and apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, I have committed a grave offense by attacking in public. I deserve to die."
Ying Zheng shook his head, showing no intention of punishing Wang Jian.
"It's alright, he was someone who deserved to die anyway, let it be a one-time exception."
With such blatant protection, many ministers didn't dare to say much. After all, Wang Jian was a man who knew how to survive, knowing when to show off and when to retire.