Chapter Thirty-One: Handling Li Wenqing

Li Wenqing’s sudden outburst struck Chu Tianchen as laughable. Had it been Li Zifeng, he could have understood it as the folly of youth. But Li Wenqing was nearly sixty, with graying temples, yet he was still capable of such a ridiculous display. He was, after all, a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, and the Li family was on the verge of being granted a General’s Mansion. Were they truly not afraid of the gossip that would follow should word of this get out?

As Li Wenqing’s Divine Origin Realm aura erupted, a powerful pressure bore down on Chu Tianchen, forcing him to take a few steps back. Seeing this, Mu Ran quickly stepped forward, unleashing his own Divine Origin Realm aura in response.

"Mu Ran, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to move against me?" Li Wenqing barked furiously.

Chu Tianchen, standing to the side, suddenly burst into laughter.

"Li Wenqing, even if I gave you this cauldron, what would it change? Do you truly believe that possessing this Fifth-Grade Fu Dan Cauldron will allow you to ascend to a Sixth-Rank Alchemist and purge the alchemical toxins from your body?" Chu Tianchen asked abruptly.

Upon hearing this, the previously arrogant and overbearing Li Wenqing immediately retracted his aura. He turned to look at Chu Tianchen, and after a long silence, he spoke slowly: "How do you know I am afflicted with alchemical toxins?"

Mu Ran and Li Zifeng were both taken aback. "Third Uncle? When did you become afflicted with toxins? Why were we unaware of this?" Li Zifeng asked hurriedly.

Li Wenqing did not answer him; his eyes remained locked firmly on Chu Tianchen. "Who exactly are you? Have we met before?" Li Wenqing continued, slowly setting the Fifth-Grade Fu Dan Cauldron back down. It was clear from his expression that Chu Tianchen had hit the mark.

"Brother Mu, Ah Feng, the two of you step out for a moment. I have something to discuss with this young man," Li Wenqing commanded.

"Third Uncle, this person is extremely cunning. His words should not be trusted entirely," Li Zifeng warned.

"Get out. Whether he can be trusted or not, I am capable of judging for myself," Li Wenqing snapped.

Li Zifeng retreated and exited the room. Mu Ran, however, was worried for Chu Tianchen and did not move. It was only when Chu Tianchen nodded at him that he rose to leave. "Young Master Tianchen, I will be right outside the door. If you need anything, just call for me. While I cannot speak for other places, I certainly have the final say here in the Alchemy Hall."

After Mu Ran left and closed the door, Li Wenqing was deeply surprised. That Mu Ran had almost drawn his sword against him for the sake of this young man proved that the youth before him was no mere nobody.

"Young Master Tianchen, is it? It is true that I have been plagued by these alchemical toxins for a long time. Seeing the Fifth-Grade Fu Dan Cauldron caused me to lose control of my emotions and act rashly. I only wish to save myself; I had no intention of robbing you. My plan was to return the cauldron to you once the toxins were purged. Moreover, I truly do not have that many Primordial Stones on me right now. Our Li family is about to be granted a General’s Mansion, and we have hundreds of thousands of troops to support. Although the Imperial Court provides annual subsidies, it is not enough," Li Wenqing explained.

"I have no interest in any of that. You simply want to know if I can purge these toxins from you. I can give you the answer right now: I can," Chu Tianchen said bluntly.

Li Wenqing was so excited he nearly jumped. These toxins had plagued him for five years. He had dared not let anyone know, as the Li family was at a critical juncture, and his role as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist was vital. Now, he certainly could not risk approaching people like Yun Changshan. Those Sixth-Rank Alchemists were all watching like predators; they would never allow another Sixth-Rank Alchemist to emerge and rival them. Over the past few months, he had felt the toxins sinking into his very marrow, and he could no longer even refine Third-Rank pills.

"Young Master Tianchen, are you speaking the truth? If so, I am deeply indebted to you," Li Wenqing said, his voice trembling with excitement.

Chu Tianchen smiled. "No need to thank me. We are simply taking what we need. I purge your toxins, and you pay the fee—it is a fair trade."

"Naturally, naturally. Please, name your price, Young Master Tianchen," Li Wenqing urged, desperate to be rid of the affliction.

"Five hundred thousand high-grade Primordial Stones," Chu Tianchen stated without hesitation.

Li Wenqing’s eyes widened. "Five hundred thousand? Young Master Tianchen, I am not trying to use the Li family’s name to intimidate you. What I said is the truth. Before, when I was still a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, I could have afforded that. But since three years ago, I have been unable to refine Fifth-Rank pills, and now, I can’t even refine Third-Rank ones. The Li family’s situation is extremely tight; every word I said is true. Could we do this: you purge the toxins first, and once I have recovered my strength as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, I will pay you the remaining balance within a year?"

"That is acceptable," Chu Tianchen agreed readily.

The speed of his consent caught Li Wenqing off guard. He had already prepared a secondary plan: if Chu Tianchen refused, he would use force to abduct him and compel him to provide the cure.

"However, you must sign an IOU," Chu Tianchen added.

Upon hearing this, Li Wenqing looked at him with a troubled expression.

"I am aware of your family's current situation, so do not worry. As long as you repay the stones on time, this IOU will remain known only to you and me. But if you, Third Master Li, have other ideas, then I, Chu Tianchen, will have to stir up some trouble," Chu Tianchen said with a smile.

Suddenly, Li Wenqing looked at him intently. "What did you just say? Your name is Chu Tianchen? Could you be the grandson of Chu Qingcang? I remember now—we have met before. Five years ago, when I first contracted these toxins, I visited the General’s Mansion, but Chu Qingcang refused to save me. Yet, he saved Yun Changshan." A chill crept into Li Wenqing’s eyes at the memory.

Chu Tianchen merely smiled. "He didn't save you because he couldn't; the Seven-Level Heavenly Elephant Snow Lotus had already been given to Yun Changshan. But that is in the past, and it has no bearing on our current negotiation."

"I am naturally willing, but Chu Tianchen, you had best keep your word. If you leak the news of my condition or this IOU to anyone before I am cured, causing harm to my family, you can imagine your own fate," Li Wenqing warned.

"Deal," Chu Tianchen said, clapping his hands together with a smile. He took out a sheet of paper and drafted an IOU—he was quite experienced in this, having produced seven such documents back at the General’s Mansion.

However, when Li Wenqing read the note, his brow furrowed. "Chu Tianchen, didn't you say five hundred thousand? Why does this say nine hundred and seventy thousand?" he asked, his face darkening.

"I noticed you were quite interested in that Fifth-Grade Fu Dan Cauldron, so I decided to sell it to you as well. The cauldron plus the treatment fee comes to one million. Your current contribution of stones and pills covers thirty thousand, leaving a balance of nine hundred and seventy thousand. The math is correct. The Chu family has always been known for its integrity," Chu Tianchen said with a grin.