Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Cannon Fodder Mentality

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chen, but I'm not interested in your proposal," Mu Chen said calmly.

Chen Mo Ran, this pitiful guy, seems to be acting so foolishly. Mu Chen definitely doesn’t want to get involved.

With a frown, Chen Mo Ran questioned, "Mu Chen, what's going on? Are you afraid of Lan Ruofeng?"

Mu Chen nodded, "Indeed! Lan Ruofeng has an impressive background and is a level two alchemist with formidable strength. I'm afraid of him, terrified even. Competing against the protagonist for attention? Isn’t that courting death?"

"Mu Chen, you coward!" Chen Mo Ran glared coldly at him and turned away.

Watching Chen Mo Ran leave, Mu Chen heaved a sigh of relief.

Ye Shi was hunched over, voraciously biting into a chicken leg, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Mu Chen blinked and said with a smile, "Shi Tou, about what happened with Zhuang Yu, it's all in the past, and now..."

"You don't need to explain, I know everything and I trust you," Ye Shi replied softly.

Mu Chen smiled, "Thank you."

"That guy is so foolish," Ye Shi squinted disapprovingly, looking at Chen Mo Ran's retreating figure.

Mu Chen, puzzled, asked, "How so?"

"Zhuang Yu is already a four-star warrior. This guy is merely a nine-star martial apprentice. Instead of wasting energy courting a warrior, he should focus on improving himself. Can you imagine, if they had a fight, he’d be easily beaten by Zhuang Yu?" Ye Shi said with disdain.

Mu Chen: "..."

It seems he needs to train harder. Lately, Ye Shi has been eating and sleeping well, with some financial comfort, and he has become a three-star warrior. Though Mu Chen has been diligently training, his alchemy pursuits have distracted him, leaving him only a two-star warrior.

"Ah, speaking of Zhuang Yu, he appears so gentle, yet he's so strong. He must have an exceptional talent for cultivation," Ye Shi mused.

Of course, he’s the author's golden child; how can his talents not be outstanding? Mu Chen thought to himself.

Zhuang Yu isn’t just talented; he’s lucky too. Many underlings eagerly provide him with cultivation resources. Despite his modest background, Zhuang Yu always seems to have plenty.

"When you pursued Zhuang Yu before, he was already a warrior, right? And you weren’t even an eight-star martial apprentice then. How did you muster the courage?" Ye Shi curiously asked, eyes gleaming.

Mu Chen: "... That's something the original character should answer! Maybe he didn’t even know and just started liking Zhuang Yu under the author's influence."

Zhuang Yu looks so delicate, like a willow in the breeze, which can trigger one's protective instincts. His appearance can easily make one overlook his formidable abilities.

Mu Chen suddenly remembered that none of the young masters around Zhuang Yu were of a higher rank than him. In other words, Zhuang Yu could probably defeat them all by himself.

Mu Chen asked, "Shi Tou, have you ever heard this saying?"

"What saying?" Ye Shi inquired with interest.

"A calf is not afraid of a tiger," Mu Chen said with a mischievous tilt of his head.

Ye Shi nodded, "It's 'A calf is not afraid of a tiger' indeed! You're not..."

Mu Chen: "..." Spot on! Shi Tou really is something.

...

Chen Mo Ran stormed out of the tavern in anger.

"Mr. Chen, what did Chen Shao say?" Sun Yu eagerly asked as he saw him exit.

"He's not interested. We'll have to find a way to deal with Lan Ruofeng on our own," Chen Mo Ran replied, shaking his head in resignation.

"That arrogant Lan Ruofeng, an outsider, acts so boldly in our territory. Doesn't he know the saying, 'A dragon can't suppress a snake in its lair'?" Sun Yu blustered.

"Zhuang Yu seems to be deeply enchanted by him," Chen Mo Ran gritted his teeth.

Changing the topic, Sun Yu asked, "I've heard that Mu Chen became a level one alchemist, is that true?"

"It's true," Chen Mo Ran replied, a shadow of envy crossing his face. People in his family always compared him to Mu Chen. In the past, he was ahead, but now Mu Chen is surging forward.

"He's on the rise recently," Sun Yu commented bitterly.

"His father is a level three alchemy master. For him to become a level one alchemist is far easier than for most," Chen Mo Ran remarked.

"Even so, it's enviable! If I became a Grade One Alchemist, perhaps Ayu might see me in a new light," Sun Yu muttered.

Chen Moran squinted, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.