Chang'an, bolts of lightning carve through the dark clouds as torrential rain pours down.

Liu Qi takes off his straw raincoat and walks towards the Imperial Palace's Book Room.

"Father."

As he enters, he speaks, "I heard someone from the Huaguo Mountain Sect has come!"

"Your Highness."

Zhang Liang, who is having tea with Liu Heng, stands up.

"Teacher."

Liu Qi's eyes light up, and he quickly offers a greeting, "It really has been a long time since we've seen each other!"

Zhang Liang also wears a smile, "Your Highness has grown up."

The teenager who had once lived with him had now grown into an adult, carrying an innate sense of authority.

"Qi'er."

Liu Heng puts down his teacup, "Why have you come back early?"

"I have finished my work."

Liu Qi reports, having just returned from an inspection visit to a remote place.

After reporting on his inspection, Liu Qi continues to ask Zhang Liang, "What brings Teacher here this time?"

"I've brought some Elixirs."

Zhang Liang gestures towards the Elixirs on the table and says, "The Great King sent me to deliver them personally."

Liu Qi picks up the Elixir and examines it, "What kind of Elixir is this?"

"Wind Cold Pill."

Zhang Liang answers, "It can treat wind-cold."

"Wind-cold?"

Liu Qi shows a face full of surprise.

Wind-cold is not severe yet cannot be considered mild.

It's not severe because its symptoms are much lighter compared to other fatal diseases.

But it's not mild because it, and the diseases it leads to, are among the leading causes of death for humans, especially within the impoverished classes and frail children. It is not only easily contracted but also has a high mortality rate.

"Many diseases are caused by wind-cold. With this pill, many can be greatly cured."

Zhang Liang explains the effects of the Wind Cold Pill.

Liu Heng nods, "This pill is excellent."

He has experienced turbulent times and, during those harsh periods, has seen too many people die from wind-cold.

Even now, in the Four Great Continents, there are many regions where humans lack clothing and live miserable lives.

If the Wind Cold Pill could be popularized at a low cost, it would be a deed of immeasurable merit.

"Your Majesty."

While Liu Heng is pondering this, several Taoists walk into the Book Room.

They carry gourds, "We've followed the blueprints to craft the Wind Cold Pill, and indeed, it wasn't difficult."

Liu Heng is overjoyed to hear this and quickly thanks Zhang Liang.

"No need to thank me."

Zhang Liang says, "The Great King wants you to set up an altar to thank the Jade Emperor."

Liu Heng nods in agreement.

He then asks, "After the Wind Cold Pill, does Huaguo Mountain plan on refining other medicinal Elixirs for treating diseases?"

Zhang Liang gives a slight nod; the ruler of the Southern Continent has hit the nail on the head.

"The Great King intends to popularize medicinal Elixirs and has already ordered us to continue their development."

Liu Heng is delighted, "If it's true, this indeed will be an enormous act of virtue for the world."

Zhang Liang nods in agreement, aware that if he shares some of the merit from the Elixirs, he too could become an Immortal in the future.

"Your Majesty, it's getting late, and I should leave."

Zhang Liang bids farewell to Liu Heng.

Liu Heng personally sees him to the door, watching as Zhang Liang fearlessly takes to the skies amidst the wind and rain.

"Truly an Immortal being."

Liu Heng's voice carries a hint of envy.

"Father."

Liu Qi stands beside his father, "We should send someone to Huaguo Mountain."

"What are you suggesting?"

Liu Heng inquires.

"Huaguo Mountain wouldn't send people here before," Liu Qi states. "Their initiative to deliver the Elixir today must be due to a change in the Monkey King's thoughts, expressing a desire to increase our exchanges."

Liu Heng nods.

His son sees things clearly.

"Continue then, why would the Monkey King change his mind?"

Liu Heng continues to inquire.

Liu Qi contemplates carefully, "Could it be... because he has become an Immortal Official?"

"It is certainly so."

Liu Heng laughs, "Previously, as a Demon, even though he intended to be on good terms with us, he had to be wary of the Heavenly Palace authority. Now that he's an Immortal, he's free to do as he pleases."

Liu Qi understands, "Then asking us to worship the Jade Emperor is meant to..."

"Ingratiate with the Heavenly Palace."

Liu Heng pats Liu Qi's head, "Always remember, the Monkey King values us even more than the Heavenly Palace does."

"Yes."

Liu Qi nods.

Liu Heng enters the Book Room, takes out a literacy textbook, and hands it to Liu Qi, "This is a gift from Zhang Liang to me; take it to educate the crown prince."

Liu Qi accepts the textbook, immediately recalling the first time he saw it.

Years have passed, and now Huaguo Mountain has brought the textbooks to Chang'an on their own initiative.

"Things are indeed different..."

Liu Qi caresses the textbook, sensing a real change in Huaguo Mountain's approach.

"Father, will the Monkey King teach us the techniques of Huaguo Mountain?"

Liu Qi asks.

"He will."

Liu Heng sits down and says, "The Monkey King has a broad mind and will one day change the Four Great Continents."

He feels that this day might not be too far off.

Meanwhile, many other kingdoms have also welcomed envoys from Huaguo Mountain.

For the first time, Huaguo Mountain has dispatched a large number of Demons to the Four Great Continents to distribute the Elixirs.

"The Wind Cold Pill is just the beginning; if there are other healing Elixirs in the future, we will bring them as well."

This is what the Demons say.

Some perceptive humans sense a shift in Huaguo Mountain's attitude.

And back in the Heavenly Palace, not long after the Jade Emperor has finished a court meeting, the Great Emperor Zhenwu pays him a visit in the Tongming Hall.

"I would like to adopt Wang Lingguan's suggestion."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu speaks to the Jade Emperor.

Wang Lingguan has learned much in Huaguo Mountain and is highly regarded by the Great Emperor Zhenwu, who plans to experiment with these learnings at Wudang.

"It's possible."

The Jade Emperor does not object, "But we need to postpone any changes regarding the North Heaven Gate."

"I understand."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu nods and takes his leave.

The Jade Emperor sees him off and suddenly senses something.

"So soon."

He stretches out his hand, and some golden light flies up from the Lower Realm into the palm of his hand and disappears.

"That Sun Wukong really does understand how things work."

The Jade Emperor strokes his beard.

But after a while, he frowns slightly.

"Why does it seem a bit scant?"

The merit he receives is limited; most of it seems to be heading towards Sun Wukong.

It's not strange for Sun Wukong, as the creator of the Elixirs, to experience such a phenomenon, yet somehow the Jade Emperor feels displeased.

"Although Sun Wukong means well, the speed at which he is accruing merit is thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of times faster than mine. If this continues, and a thousand years pass, I fear..."

Once such thoughts arise, they send a shiver through the Jade Emperor's heart.

The Jade Emperor shakes his head, "I must not get carried away with such thoughts."

He turns and enters the Tongming Hall.

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