My Simulated Road to Immortality

…

Zhou Qingang’s voice was not loud, but to He Zhenghao, it was like a crash of thunder.

He Zhenghao was dazed for a moment, then his face turned pale: “The Emissary has come out of seclusion? Why didn’t I know?”

Gao Yuan’s face was also filled with shock, his expression almost incredulous.

What Zhou Qingang said next, however, eased their tension slightly.

“The Emissary has not come out of seclusion yet…” Zhou Qingang stated flatly.

“But if certain individuals think that their little tricks can deceive the Emissary in seclusion, that would be rather amusing…”

Zhou Qingang’s words were laced with implications, his gaze sweeping over the two in the room.

Feeling guilty, He Zhenghao mumbled, “We all know that the Emissary’s skills are unparalleled. None of us would dare to deceive him!”

Gao Yuan, who was no longer exuding his previous confidence, was thinking fast. After noticing Zhou Qingang’s unusual behavior upon coming out from isolation, his mind raced to consider all possibilities.

With cold sweat pouring down his face and dread gripping his heart, his mind whirred as he mechanically echoed He Zhenghao’s words.

Seeing the two persist in their denial, Li Fan chuckled inwardly.

His voice immediately escalated, sternly reprimanding them, “The two of you, embezzling public funds behind the Emissary’s back; taking advantage of his absence to do as you pleased; disregarding the Rules of the Immortal Alliance, selling ranks and commissions for profit…”

“Did you think you two could hide all these deeds from the Emissary with his vast Divine Technique?”

“How could you be so foolish!”

He Zhenghao was shaking as if struck by lightning.

Gao Yuan’s face was ashen, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came.

“Hmph, don’t let the Emissary’s Gold Core Cultivation Level fool you. You should all be well aware of just how terrifying he truly is.”

“While it may not be true that he can know everything in the world without stepping out of his door, it’s laughable to think you could hide your miserable deeds from him within the small confines of Misthaven Ocean.” Li Fan bragged.

“Ever since you, Daoist He, pocketed the unclaimed fundraising capital, the Emissary has had his eye on you.”

Upon hearing this, He Zhenghao’s legs gave way, and he collapsed on the spot.

“I…” He Zhenghao opened his mouth to argue in his defense, but words failed him, all he tasted was bitterness.

Zhou Qingang sighed softly, “But the Emissary didn’t really care about that small contribution. After all, you were the first cultivator to follow him after he woke up. Therefore, the Emissary would just turn a blind eye to it.”

“Consider it a reward for your hard work, He Zhenghao.”

“But the things you’ve done over the past two years have really disappointed the Emissary.”

Zhou Qingang’s tone was frosty. “Selling ranks and commissions, was there anything wrong with that? There are plenty of people in the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals doing the same. The Emissary is not ignorant of the facts of life, so how could he stop you?”

“If you had openly applied to the Emissary and used this to amass wealth, perhaps he would even have assisted you!”

“But you shouldn’t, you just shouldn’t have taken things into your own hands. From your sales of various positions, you must’ve collected almost a million in contributions, right?”

“Did you report to the Emissary even once? All of this, after all, violates the Rules of the Immortal Alliance. If one day it all comes to light and blame is assigned, they’ll certainly point to the Emissary with the highest position in Misthaven City.”

“Your embezzlement is one thing, but expecting the Emissary to take the fall for you is absolutely reprehensible!” Zhou Qingang said sternly.

He Zhenghao, slumped on the floor, felt immensely wronged.

He wanted to argue that wasn’t it the Emissary who, before he left, had repeatedly instructed him not to disturb him unless there was an important matter?

Moreover, who would report acts of corruption and dishonest behavior to their superiors? Did he want to die faster?

But even if he was helpless, it was useless to voice these thoughts at this point.

Reflecting on his actions over these two years, He Zhenghao felt like he was in a dream.

The hard-earned contributions he once treasured had become mere numbers in his eyes, losing their intrinsic value.

Even if he had to spend over a hundred thousand contributions in an instant, he wouldn’t feel the slightest pang.

With enormous contributions at his disposal, his mindset had unknowingly transformed.

Originally, he had vowed to follow the Emissary, who might be the Immortal Sovereign reduced in status, and make something of himself.

To return in glory to Tianyu Province and reconcile with Heng Ruoshui…

But as time went by, he lost himself in the flattery of others and the seemingly inexhaustible contributions.

He forgot his ultimate goal and thought only of amassing more ill-gotten contributions for his own enjoyment.

There were so many female cultivators in the world, why did he have to have Heng Ruoshui?

With enough contributions, what kind of female cultivator couldn’t he afford?

There were even times when such thoughts would flicker through his mind.

Looking back now, it was indeed ridiculous.

But at the time, he was indeed deep in the mire, unable to extricate himself.

As scenes flashed through his mind, He Zhenghao felt as if he’d just been pulled out of the water, drenched.

“How did I end up like this?”

He Zhenghao was filled with confusion and regret.

“The Emissary…he’s not going to let me off the hook, is he?”

He shuddered at the thought, imagining himself being punished by Li Fan and wiped from existence.

However, there was still a glimmer of hope in He Zhenghao’s heart.

The reason was simple: since the truth was already out, and the Emissary had decided to punish him,

According to his usual style, he wouldn’t have sent Zhou Qingang to say so much to him.

Considering how Zhou Qingang had patiently explained and even offered to double the contribution to 160,000…

At this thought, He Zhenghao couldn’t help but look up at Zhou Qingang.

Watching He Zhenghao, who had been silent for a long time and whose eyes were full of despair and desolation, Li Fan saw him suddenly lift his head.

He smiled faintly, then spoke again, “Although your crimes are grave, you were among the first to follow the Emissary.”

“Therefore, he has decided to give you one more chance to redeem yourselves.”

At these words, both He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan’s eyes flashed with an incredible light.

“Could you please clarify what you mean?”

Gao Yuan quickly bowed and asked.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Battle of Heavenly Spirit State is almost at an end.”

“Therefore, the Emissary’s intention is…”

Li Fan paused for a moment: “Take advantage of this last opportunity.”

“And rake in another fortune!”

The resolute words echoed in the Governance Hall, lingering for a long time.

The two of them looked at each other, both with doubt in their eyes as they looked towards Zhou Qingang.