504: Chapter 372 504: Chapter 372 Long Hong was acutely aware that the Chief of Staff and the Prime Minister’s families might rebel; their continual loyalty could likely be attributed to the Guardian Family’s influence.
He also knew that the King’s authority and power might have some effect on the common folk and ministers, but in the face of the mighty ones in the Cultivation World, they could crush you with just one hand.
What Long Hong was even more concerned about was Ye Tian; he could no longer see clearly the extent of this Young General’s abilities, not to mention his interest in the Supreme Elixirs.
Ye Tian was beyond the King’s control; a Supreme Alchemist really was that powerful.
The idea of enlisting him as the State Preceptor to solely concoct Supreme Elixirs for him was now impossible.
Even one or two Supreme Elixirs could enhance his own abilities and cultivation—surely that was better than having none at all?
Initially assertive, Long Hong had changed his mind slightly; he understood that one must not rush when undertaking certain actions.
So every time he squeezed a little benefit from Ye Tian, he would increase his own power.
As for his children, he would consider them later.
Once he could match the power of a Supreme Alchemist and control that person, wouldn’t all his problems be resolved?
“Hmm, Young General, you’ve been very helpful.
Now hand over the inventory on your person to this King, and in the future, when you see that Supreme Alchemist, obtain more Supreme Elixirs,” he ordered.
Ye Tian saw greed flash across Long Hong’s face.
Such a rapid change of mind—that old fox surely had other plans, caution was necessary.
Ye Tian thought that this old fox might have further moves to play, but so what?
Tricking him wouldn’t be easy.
Was it likely that Supreme Elixirs would be handed over to him as if they were cabbages?
Long Hong seemed to want to use his authority to extract benefits, but not everyone was a government official and would bow to his authority.
Long Hong’s dream of making Jiang Tang his personal Alchemist was impossible—he clearly lacked the ability to retain such a person.
Ye Tian felt a regret giving Supreme Elixirs to this man, but as a subject, he had no choice.
As he had just said, although their family was among the Top Ten Clans and had the responsibility of a Guardian Family, they didn’t possess the wealth to buy so many Supreme Elixirs.
These were the ones he had obtained at a slightly cheaper price for his clan; in return, as a partner, he received some complimentary benefits.
Of course, he had more than one or two Supreme Elixirs on him, all of which Jiang Tang had given him as a friend.
Even if they were gifts, he didn’t want to relinquish them—that was his resource.
Ye Tian reluctantly took out two bottles from his bosom, each jade bottle containing a different pill—one was a Supreme Vitality Pill and the other a Supreme Nourishing Soul Pill.
He placed the two bottles on the table and said to Long Hong, who sat upon the Dragon Throne:
“This subject offers the two Elixirs reserved for himself to the King.
As for the King’s desire to acquire more Supreme Elixirs, please do not put this subject in a difficult position by offending a friend or expecting them to give without payment.
This subject cannot agree to such a request; perhaps the King should seek someone else.”
Long Hong had no immediate response to Ye Tian’s refusal.
He stared at the bottles Ye Tian had placed on the table, noting that the jade bottles were far from ordinary.
They were definitely not the fake jade or highly prized jade common in the Cultivation World.
Even the finest treasures in his treasury might not compare to these two bottles.
Let alone the Elixirs within the jade bottles, which were priceless treasures difficult to buy even with wealth.
Normally, when the ministers presented gifts, Long Hong was unimpressed and would have his maids or eunuchs bring them to his sight, or else have them collect the items and make a list.
But this time, the items Ye Tian presented were no ordinary gifts; Long Hong did not use a handmaid.
Instead, he rose from the Dragon Throne and walked step by step to the table in front of Ye Tian.
At that moment, Long Hong’s regal demeanor as the King seemed irrelevant.
Before even opening the two bottles, he knew they contained objects of great value.
His joy palpable, he picked up the bottles, not daring to open them for fear that someone might snatch them away.
He also feared Ye Tian might change his mind and reclaim the gifts.
So he promptly stored the two bottles inside his storage ring.
Long Hong spoke of the depleted royal treasury, yet he possessed such a treasure as a storage ring—perhaps he had already safeguarded his most important possessions upon his person.
It was the same with the Princes and Princesses; they got whatever they desired on a whim.
“So pitifully spoken, where is there a peasant in the Mortal Realm who might not have enough for three meals a day?”
Ye Tian saw the king’s greedy gaze and wondered, was this still a ruler of a nation?
It was true, even he was moved by the sight of a Supreme Elixir, how could Long Hong, a king without insight, not be greedy?
Although the king had the royal treasury, Ye Tian believed that their Noble Clan’s heritage was stronger than this king’s position without substantial power.
No wonder the Top Ten Clans looked down upon the throne, bearing such a great responsibility, it seemed lucrative but what was gained were only mundane items.
Their Cultivation Techniques and Spells were inferior, they did not strive for progress, it would be odd if they did not weaken!
Ye Tian actually regretted giving the Supreme Elixir to the king, seeing the greed in his eyes now; having received it once, he would yearn for a second time, and would never be satisfied.
Ye Tian felt it was better to find an excuse to leave this place, to depart from the Imperial City; even if Long Hong wanted trouble, he would not be able to find him immediately.
Only he worried that, once he left the Imperial City, terrorists might seize the opportunity to invade.
At this moment, Ye Tian missed the joyful, free days in the Immortal Sect all the more.
Thinking of Long Feifeng still shouting outside the door, he involuntarily thought of Yan Weiwei again.
That kind and gentle girl, he wondered how she was now, hoping she wouldn’t risk herself again for the sake of those around her, to protect them.
Long Hong, having received the Supreme Elixir, was a little eager to immediately enter seclusion and cultivate.
Just as Ye Tian had worried, at this moment, holding the Supreme Elixir in his arms, Long Hong greedily desired even more Supreme Elixirs.
Suppressing the urge to enter seclusion and practice cultivation, he flashed a smile that he deemed satisfactory, which to others seemed worse than no smile at all; it was not only insincere but also sinister.
“Young General, you have been working hard these days.
Why don’t I give you a break?
You could go and find your friend and see if you can get some more Supreme Elixirs.
Don’t worry, I won’t let your friend suffer a loss this time.
I have some resources here, to see if I can exchange them with your friend for some Supreme Elixirs.”
Long Hong was accustomed to receiving gifts from others, offerings; only those who had made significant contributions would be rewarded, but even those rewards were mundane assets.
Such as the last time Ye Tian had made a contribution, what he and the Empress had rewarded were things only suitable for the rich gentry in a commoner’s house.
Ye Tian also just distributed those things to his subordinates to sell, and the money obtained was used for charity; in their Cultivation World, someone with his skills would never use these things.
The clothes he wore and the Magical Treasures he used were all specially designed by him, and he would even draft designs, turning some of his ideas into Magical Treasures to sell in their family store.
One could say that if the people of Ye Tian’s family didn’t hold the General’s position, they would actually be at ease, focusing exclusively on cultivation without abandoning their duty as the Guardian God.
They also thought of the numerous living beings under heaven, performing good deeds and accumulating virtue, which would benefit a clan in the long run; perhaps one day they could truly ascend, as good people often find it easier than the bad.
Ye Tian, the soul who had crossed into this world, was actually just toying with this official position; he had never held an office and was merely indulging a whim!
When he truly accepted this position, and gradually sat down to it, he began to develop a sense of responsibility.
Indeed, helping others is also quite a joyous affair.
Some people make money not for the sake of wealth, but for the joy of the process of earning it.
When he understood this, he accepted the responsibility with alacrity.
Now, faced with Long Hong’s insatiable greed, desiring more and more,
Ye Tian could understand, everyone wished for eternal life; looking at Long Hong and his health, it was clear he would not live much longer.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gifted the two Supreme Elixirs; he didn’t want his son to fight over the throne and possibly instigate slaughter after his death.
There might also be people who would take advantage of the chaos to rebel, which would only bring more trouble to him.
This time, constantly undertaking missions, apart from the time taken to consume the Supreme Elixirs for cultivation, there was no other time for cultivation; it was all missions, nothing but missions.