Chapter 39

Chapter 39: The Second Visit

"Shi, here are the two roast chickens you ordered," the head chef of the tavern said to Ye Shi.

Ye Shi nodded in approval, replying, "Good."

Ye Shi placed the two lotus leaf-wrapped chickens into the food box. The enticing aroma wafted out, and it took all of Ye Shi's willpower not to devour them on the spot.

Watching Ye Shi emerge with the food box, Chen Da frowned slightly, remarking with a hint of exasperation, "Shi, you're just taking two roast chickens to see Young Master Mu Chen?"

Ye Shi nodded, confirming, "Yes!"

Chen Da gave Ye Shi a resigned look, asking, "Isn't that a bit too modest?"

"Not at all! Those two roast chickens cost me six yuan stones. That's six days of my wages! I hope Mu Chen isn't too hungry. I hope he leaves one for me," Ye Shi whispered, eyes shimmering mischievously.

Chen Da stared at Ye Shi, his face a picture of disbelief.

Confused, Ye Shi looked at Chen Da, inquiring, "Uncle Chen, what’s wrong?"

Chen Da shook his head, advising, "Nothing, just be careful with your words when you see Young Master Mu Chen."

Ye Shi blinked innocently, wondering, "How was I ever careless with my words?"

Chen Da gave Ye Shi a look of utter resignation.

With a sly glint in his eye, Ye Shi whispered, "Uncle Chen, I've shared all of yesterday's cakes."

Chen Da nodded, responding, "Yes, you said you couldn't eat anymore, so I distributed all of them." He had wanted to save some, but everyone loved them so much that he couldn't.

Ye Shi bit his lip, lamenting, "Such a pity."

The fruits on that cake were second-grade spirit fruits, costing five or six yuan stones each!

The ingredients of the cake were likely second-grade as well, rich in spiritual essence. He regretted his impulsive actions from yesterday; it was all Zhuang Yu's fault for putting those thoughts in his head.

As Ye Shi walked away with the food box, Chen Da watched his receding figure, a frown of concern on his face.

Holding the food box, Ye Shi arrived at the Mu residence and knocked on the door.

Recalling his previous visit, Ye Shi couldn’t help but frown.

A servant boy emerged, hesitating upon seeing Ye Shi, then stated, "You are Young Master Ye Shi."

Ye Shi nodded, asking, "Yes, you recognize me? Are you new here?" He remembered the previous servant boy who had looked down upon him with disdain.

The servant boy confirmed, "Yes, I'm new. My name is Wang Da. The previous servant boy was dismissed by the Second Master due to his disrespect towards you."

Surprised by the boy's words, Ye Shi paused, "Who is this 'Second Master'?"

"It's Lord Mu Yu Feng!" the young servant exclaimed.

Ye Shi nodded and uttered, "Oh." As he glanced around, he was taken aback. He had never expected Mu Yuanfeng to assign him a servant.

"You must be here to see Young Master Mu Chen. Please come in," Wang Da said, stepping aside with a polite gesture.

Ye Shi felt somewhat awkward due to the servant's respectful demeanor and hesitantly followed Wang Da inside.

Upon seeing Ye Shi brought in by Wang Da, Ren San's face immediately brightened. "Young Master Ye, you've arrived. Are you here to see Young Master Mu?"

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "Indeed! Is he around?"

"The young master went to refine elixirs with the second master. He will be back shortly. Let me take you to his study in the meantime. He'll be thrilled to know you're here," explained Ren San.

Ye Shi looked around curiously and asked, "Is Mu Chen succeeding in his alchemy practices?"

Ren San gave a wry smile and replied, "I'm not entirely certain, but it probably didn't go too smoothly. However, alchemy is inherently challenging, and our young master has only just begun learning."

Ye Shi nodded in understanding, "True, every beginning is challenging. Has he been diligent lately?"

"Absolutely! The young master has changed. He's not like before," responded Ren San.

Previously, Mu Chen was occupied with frivolous activities, indulging in luxury and leisure. Now, his days are filled with studying alchemy books, learning from Mu Yuanfeng, or cultivating his physique. He's always engrossed in his pursuits.

"When do you think Mu Chen will be out?" Ye Shi inquired.

"Given the young master's current level of power, he can only stay in the alchemy chamber for two hours at a time. He should be out soon," Ren San replied respectfully.

"Why can he only stay for two hours?" Ye Shi asked, puzzled.

"Because the earth fire veins contain toxic fumes. If one stays too long, it can affect a cultivator. With Young Master Mu Chen's current strength, he can only endure two hours a day," explained Ren San.

"Is there a solution to neutralize this toxic flame?" Ye Shi asked, frowning.

"It's said that if one can harness a special flame, the toxicity can be nullified. However, acquiring such a flame is an extremely rare opportunity," said Ren San, shaking his head with a hint of regret.

Ye Shi nodded thoughtfully, murmuring, "I see."

Inside the alchemy chamber, Mu Chen was surrounded by numerous tier-one spiritual herbs.

Focused and dedicated, Mu Chen was now refining elixirs without Mu Yuanfeng's guidance.

Mu Yu Feng's three primary spiritual elixirs and fifteen primary pills have all been mastered by Mu Chen. However, with Mu Chen's current abilities, he is not yet capable of producing second-tier pills.

Controlling his soul force, Mu Chen transformed the liquid inside the cauldron into an elixir.

"Excellent," Mu Yuanfeng praised as he watched Mu Chen finish, clapping in appreciation. "Chen'er, the quality of your elixir has improved yet again."

Mu Chen smiled modestly, saying, "It's all thanks to my father's guidance."

Mu Yu Feng chuckled wryly and responded, "I can't take all the credit. This is all due to your own efforts."

Mu Chen's aptitude was exceptional. He could master any elixir recipe after seeing it just once. Once he learned, he continuously tweaked and improved the quality of the elixirs, pushing them to superior or even ultimate grades. Mu Yuanfeng had neither seen nor heard of such prodigious talent before.

While Mu Yu Feng felt pride in Mu Chen's achievements, he also sensed a feeling of a hero nearing the end of his days.

"Chen'er, you must never reveal your talent for alchemy to others. Do you understand?" Mu Yuanfeng said with utmost seriousness.

Mu Chen nodded, "I understand, Father."

Mu Yuanfeng continued, "Your gift is extraordinary. Such talents, if exposed, would not only cause envy among the clans in Mo City but also among the great alchemy clans in the imperial city."

"It's about time; let's leave," proposed Mu Yuanfeng.

Mu Chen agreed, "Alright. But Father, what should we do with the elixirs I've refined?"

With hands clasped behind his back, Mu Yuanfeng replied, "I'll have them sold in batches, and we'll claim they were refined by me."

Being a third-tier alchemist, Mu Yuanfeng producing a large number of tier-one elixirs wasn't unusual.

Mu Chen nodded, "Understood."

"Don't worry. The spirit stones earned from selling the elixirs will be credited to your account," Mu Yuanfeng said, patting Mu Chen's shoulder with a smile.

Mu Chen smiled shyly, "With you looking out for me, Father, I have nothing to worry about."

As Mu Chen and Mu Yuanfeng exited, Ren San quickly approached, "Greetings, Second Master and Young Master Chen."

Observing the hurrying Ren San, Mu Yu Feng raised an eyebrow, asking, "Seeking your young master for some business?"

"It's not a big matter, but Young Master Ye Shi has arrived," Ren San respectfully replied.

A look of joy swiftly crossed Mu Chen's face. "What did you say? Ye Shi is here? When did he arrive, and why wasn't I informed sooner? Where is he now?"

Watching Mu Chen's excitement, Mu Yu Feng advised, "Calm down a bit."

"You were in the middle of alchemy, so I didn't want to disturb you. I've arranged for Young Master Ye to wait in the study, and I've instructed the kitchen to send pastries to him," Ren San quickly responded.

"Father, I'll go now," Mu Chen announced, before hurriedly leaving.

Mu Yu Feng watched his retreating figure, shaking his head ruefully, "Such an impetuous boy. Gets a wife and forgets his father, it seems."

…………

Inside the study.

"Young Master Ye, would you like any more pastries?" A maidservant asked politely, sneaking glances at Ye Shi now and then.

Ye Shi blinked and asked, "Do you have that cake?"

The maid raised an eyebrow, replying, "Cake?"

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "Yes! Mu Chen brought it for me."

"That's a unique creation by the young master; even our chefs can't replicate it," said the maid, shaking her head.

Ye Shi's eyes widened in surprise, "So Mu Chen really made it?"

The maidservant nodded, "Indeed! The head chef says that Young Master Mu Chen has the talent to become a master chef. But it seems he isn't too keen on pursuing that path."

Ye Shi mused, realizing he had misunderstood Mu Chen. That guy could really make cakes after all.