Chapter 352

Chapter 352

"Your injuries are almost healed, aren't they?" Lin Xie asked, looking at Mu Yuanfeng.

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, "Thanks to Seventh Young Master, I'm almost back to full health."

"Glad to hear that. What are your plans now?" inquired Lin Xie.

After a moment of consideration, Mu Yuanfeng replied, "Actually, I am an alchemist. I've heard that the Bai family has become a gathering place for alchemists. I'd like to go and see."

"What level of alchemist are you?" Li Fei, having heard about Mu Yuanfeng's profession from Lin Xie, wasn't surprised by the revelation.

"I'm a low-level sixth-grade alchemist," Mu Yuanfeng responded.

Lin Xie raised an eyebrow; Mu Yuanfeng's alchemical skills were better than he had assumed.

Li Fei looked slightly disappointed and remarked, "Only a low-level sixth-grade? It would've been great if you were a high-level seventh-grade alchemist."

Lin Xie shot Li Fei a stern glance, then turned to Mu Yuanfeng with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry; my attendant lacks manners."

Most martial artists of the sixth-grade level possess alchemical skills around the fifth or sixth grade. Rare talents like Muchen, who at the seventh-grade martial level is an eighth-grade alchemist, are exceptional.

"It's fine. My skills may not be of great help to Young Master Lin. I hope you're not too disappointed," Mu Yuanfeng said, looking apologetically at Lin Xie.

Lin Xie simply smiled, "Not at all."

Lin Yu's master, despite being just an early seventh-grade alchemist, is greatly revered and respected by the family elders. An advanced seventh-grade alchemist would be even more esteemed.

The extent of his disfigurement required a high-grade seventh-level Rejuvenation Pill, which only a high-grade seventh-level alchemist can concoct. He couldn't possibly afford such a service.

In reality, even if he knew a high-grade seventh-level alchemist, he wouldn't be able to gather the required ingredients for the Rejuvenation Pill.

Lin Xie pondered in resignation: The family, if they truly wished, could possibly procure a high-grade seventh-level Rejuvenation Pill for him. But they were just not willing to invest that much effort for him.

Sometimes, Lin Xie wondered if the family would react the same if Lin Yu had been the one disfigured...

"Good deeds are rewarded. Young Master Lin, I believe your appearance will be restored," Mu Yuanfeng reassured.

Lin Xie responded with a nonchalant smile and a dismissive shake of his head, "It doesn't matter." He had long given up hope of restoring his appearance.

After all these years, having seen countless heartless men and women disgusted by his appearance, Lin Xie had long resigned to a life of solitude.

Observing Lin Xie, Mu Yuanfeng thought: It's not that Lin Xie doesn't care about his appearance, but that he believes it's irreparable and has thus given up hope.

...

"Who's that person Lin Xie saved?" Yu Jin inquired of Lin Yu.

Before his disfigurement, Lin Xie bore a striking resemblance to Lin Yu and was quite handsome.

Yu Jin once had feelings for him, but compared to Lin Xie, he favored the more alluring and skilled alchemist, Lin Yu.

In the city where the Yu family resided, a man's worth was paramount. Yu Jin was ridiculed for his engagement to Lin Xie, leading to resentment.

Lin Yu frowned slightly, "It seems he's an alchemist as well."

Yu Jin paused, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Is that so?"

After Lin Xie's disfigurement, Yu Jin's feelings towards him turned to pure disdain. But as they were once engaged, the idea of Lin Xie being interested in someone else still unsettled him.

Lin Yu looked at Yu Jin with a hint of reproach, "Are you still holding on to past feelings for Seventh Brother and getting jealous?"

Yu Jin quickly countered with a chuckle, "Why would I be jealous over someone with such an appearance? That alchemist must have quite the unique taste, not to be repulsed by Lin Xie. I wonder how he manages to eat."

"Qi Ge has suffered enough. Don't scold him anymore," Lin Yu said.

"What rank of an Alchemist is that person?" Yu Jin inquired.

"I've heard he's a low-level Rank 6 Alchemist. However, seeing a low-level Rank 6 Alchemist as influential as him is rare. Perhaps he's just a Rank 5 Alchemist," Lin Yu murmured.

Yu Jin squinted, saying, "That man's background is unclear, and he's been excessively attentive to Lin Xie. I fear he has ulterior motives."

Lin Yu pursed her lips, dismissing the idea, "He's merely a one-star Martial Emperor. He can't cause much of a stir."

...

"Qi Xiaozi," an elder with a somber expression approached Lin Xie and Mu Yuanfeng.

"Third Grandfather, what's the matter?" Lin Xie asked the elder.

The elder, visibly irritated, snapped at Lin Xie, "I've been told by your sister that you wish to auction the Rank 7 Rejuvenation Pill?"

Lin Xie's expression darkened instantly, realizing that Lin Yu had gone behind his back again.

"I haven't," Lin Xie replied calmly.

"If you haven't, why would your sister give up the Moon Soul Pill to auction the Rejuvenation Pill for you?" the elder questioned with a gloomy tone.

Clenching his teeth, Lin Xie said, "How would I know? Whatever she decides to say is her prerogative."

"What kind of attitude is that? Your sister is willing to give up even the Moon Soul Pill for you, and you aren't grateful?" The elder looked at Lin Xie with a "how could you be so unappreciative" expression.

Lin Xie remained silent. Gratitude? He'd be grateful if Lin Yu's intentions were genuine.

The elder, noticing Lin Xie's stubbornness, sighed deeply, "You, Qi Xiaozi, I know you feel wronged. But given the situation, try to see the bigger picture. If your sister obtains the Moon Soul Pill, her chances of becoming a Rank 7 Alchemist will significantly increase. Do you understand the importance of having a Rank 7 Alchemist in the family?"

Lin Xie clenched his fists, clearly agitated, "I get it. I have no hopes for the Rejuvenation Pill. Just auction whatever you want."

Seeing Lin Xie's troubled expression, the elder turned and walked away.

A hint of despair flashed in Lin Xie's eyes.

Noticing Lin Xie's demeanor, Mu Yuanfeng couldn't help but sympathize, "Don't be upset."

Lin Xie managed a smile, "I'm fine. I've gotten used to it."

Mu Yuanfeng looked at Lin Xie, at a loss for words.

"With so many alchemists gathered at the Bai family's place, maybe you can find someone to refine the Rejuvenation Pill for you," Mu Yuanfeng suggested.

Lin Xie gave a bitter smile, "It's not easy to befriend a Rank 7 Alchemist."

"There's always a chance," Mu Yuanfeng said.

Lin Xie shook his head, and Mu Yuanfeng didn't press further.

...

"Who taught you alchemy? What rank is your master?" Li Fei asked Mu Yuanfeng, full of anticipation.

Mu Yuanfeng pondered for a moment, "I initially self-taught the art of alchemy, but later I learned from my son."

Li Fei, caught off guard, stuttered, "You have a son?"

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, "Yes."

"What about his mother?" Li Fei asked nervously.

"She passed away many years ago," Mu Yuanfeng replied.

Lin Xie said sympathetically, "I'm sorry."

Mu Yuanfeng waved it off with a smile, "It's okay."

"Did you genuinely learn alchemy from your son?" Lin Xie inquired.

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, "Yes, I did."

Li Fei asked excitedly, "Is your son a Rank 7 Alchemist?"

Mu Yuanfeng shook his head, "No."

Li Fei's enthusiasm waned, "You learned alchemy from your son, and he's not even a Rank 7 Alchemist?"

Mu Yuanfeng smiled, "My son has an exceptional understanding of alchemy."

Li Fei snorted internally, thinking: If his son isn't even a Rank 7 Alchemist and he's learning from him, he'll probably remain a Rank 6 Alchemist his whole life.

"Where is your son now? You're not with him," Lin Xie inquired.

"He ventured out on his own a few years ago," Mu Yuanfeng replied.

Lin Xie asked, somewhat surprised, "He left? Where is he now?"

"I haven't heard from him in years. I believe he might be in Bai family's territory," Mu Yuanfeng said, a touch of pride and hope in his eyes.

Looking at Mu Yuanfeng, Li Fei remarked with a hint of disdain, "Your son hasn't been in touch for years! He doesn't seem very devoted to you."

From the look on Li Fei's face, Mu Yuanfeng knew what he was thinking. "My son is very dutiful. He's just been very busy."

"So busy, huh? He must be quite the busybody," Li Fei commented sarcastically.

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, "Indeed."

Li Fei thought to himself as he looked at Mu Yuanfeng, "What a clueless father."

"Enough about me. Lin Shao, why is your relationship with your Eighth Sister so strained? Did you offend her?" Mu Yuanfeng couldn't help but ask Lin Xie.

Lin Xie gave a wry smile, "I don't know." He was genuinely unsure what he had done to earn the disapproval of his Eighth Sister, Lin Yu.

"How many days until we reach the Bai family's place?" Mu Yuanfeng inquired.

Lin Xie estimated, "About five more days."

Mu Yuanfeng nodded, "The Bai family must be bustling right now."

Lin Xie nodded in agreement, "Yes. Many alchemists are gathering there, hoping to join either the Bai or Ling families."

Mu Yuanfeng murmured, "I see."

"Has Lin Yu's master arrived at the Bai family's place?" Mu Yuanfeng asked.

Lin Xie nodded, "Most likely."

"Luo He is nothing but a traitor," Li Fei stated.

Lin Xie glared at Li Fei, "Mind your words." Recent events concerning Luo He were taboo in the Lin family.

Li Fei muttered under his breath, "It's the truth, and now we can't even speak it."

"What happened?" Mu Yuanfeng inquired with curiosity.

Li Fei whispered to Mu Yuanfeng, taking evident pleasure in the gossip, "Luo He used to be one of the alchemists hired by the Ling family. When the Ling family faced troubles, he feigned loyalty by severing ties with them and showing allegiance to the Dan Tower. Yet, neither the Ling family nor the Dan Tower ever truly valued him."

Lin Xie shot Li Fei a warning look, to which Li Fei responded with a sheepish grin.

Lin Xie sighed, "Outside-hired alchemists differ from those trained by the Ling family. Luo He's ties with the Ling family were superficial, merely a partnership. Even so, his actions seem ungrateful."

After the alchemists of the Bai and Ling families were promoted, Luo He was reportedly full of regrets.

Returning to the Ling family was impossible for Luo He. His fanciful thought of joining the Bai family was laughable, given the close relationship between the two families.

Had Luo He remained neutral during the Ling family's troubles, he would likely have been rewarded handsomely.