The Philosophers' Stone

Once upon a time, an emperor obsessively sought after the philosophers’ stone: a secret substance that turns base metals into gold, cures sickness, and grants everlasting life. Thus, he had all his alchemists subject to an inquiry into such substance to but fail and forfeit their life one after another. Thereafter, a mysterious sage undertakes such inquiry into the philosophers’ stone within the emperor’s castle before him, his advisor, commanding officer, guards, and subjects. The sage is rigorously inquired about such substance and is able to disclose its basic mysteries: from the secrets of substance to the furthest heavens. Nevertheless, although the emperor at last acquires knowledge of the philosophers’ stone, he shall surely live sorrowfully ever after.