Translator: Silavin
After Zhou Xiaocang took the Pill, Qin Yichen did not speak. He simply put away the small Pill Furnace and sat quietly to the side, waiting. Still, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lip.
After a while…
*Huuuuu…* Zhou Xiaocang opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of scorching hot air towards the counter. In an instant, the wooden counter spontaneously ignited, and in no time, it was burned to ashes.
The inn became somewhat messy due to this breath he exhaled.
However, Zhou Xiaocang did not mind it. Instead, his eyes revealed extreme joy, even welling up with tears.
He could feel that the Burning Poison that had tormented him for nearly a hundred years being suppressed!
After being excited for a while, he calmed down again.
The Burning Poison was indeed suppressed, but it was merely suppressed, not eliminated. Zhou Xiaocang knew that once the medicinal effects of this Pill wore off, everything would return to normal.
“The effects of this Pill can last half a month at most,” Qin Yichen said from the side with a faint smile.
Zhou Xiaocang stared at him for a long time, his eyes somewhat strange.
He had seen all kinds of young prodigies before, but which one of them was not respectful and polite in front of him? But this young man before him was different. Even after he knew of his identity, there was no fear, no overt respect, and no deliberate flattery.
[What is he scheming?] Looking at the smile on Qin Yichen, Zhou Xiaocang’s mouth twitched.
[Seems like I was right…] Zhou Xiaocang unfortunately had no choice but to continue talking with him.
Because that was a First Class Third or Fourth Grade Pill!
Zhou Xiaocang considered himself well-informed and experienced. However, it was precisely because of his vast experience that he understood more clearly what it meant for a teenager to be able to refine a First Class Third or Fourth Grade Pill.
The young man before him was not a genius, but rather… a monster!
“Tell me, what are your conditions?” Zhou Xiaocang sighed. He had conceded to this teenager.
With age comes wisdom. He could choose to seize the Pill Formula, but could an ordinary person nurture such an outstanding youth? He had to handle this carefully.
Moreover, if he could form a good relationship with such an outstanding youth, it would be good for him as well.
“It’s simple. Follow me for one year.” Seeing his reaction, the smile on Qin Yichen’s lips deepened as he went straight to the point.
“Follow you?” Zhou Xiaocang’s face clearly showed a trace of surprise.
He thought this youth would use this opportunity to extort a large sum from him, or perhaps make some other demands. He did not expect this youth to be so bold as to want him to be his bodyguard for a year!
Zhou Xiaocang could not help but have his face turn cold.
However, Qin Yichen, sitting in front of him, still looked at him with a half-smile, seemingly not in a hurry.
[That’s right. As this boy had said, if I don’t quickly remove the Burning Poison from my body, my days are numbered. Still…]
“Young man, you are… too much!” Zhou Xiaocang said this, but he still sighed. After all, he clearly had no other choice.
“Sir, it’s just one year, it will pass in the blink of an eye. And during this time, I will often refine Fire Suppressing Pills for you to suppress the Burning Poison, sparing you from its torment.”
Qin Yichen’s words undoubtedly struck a chord with Zhou Xiaocang. He really did not want to suffer from the Burning Poison anymore!
If it was not for protecting the Zhou Family, he would have ended it all.
Sometimes, death was also a form of relief. As this youth said, it was just for one year. It was not really that long in the grand scheme of things.
“In one year, can you refine Fourth Grade Pills?” Zhou Xiaocang was somewhat sceptical.
Although the youth before him was already very outstanding, refining Fourth Grade Pills was no joke. The Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty had produced several Spirit Realm experts, but there had never been an Alchemy Master who could refine Fourth Grade Pills.
Fourth Grade Pills were for Spirit Realm experts. Undoubtedly, refining Fourth Grade Pills also required Spirit Realm level of Spiritual Energy cultivation.
“If I can’t refine them after a year, I’ll ask my Master to refine them for you…”
Hearing these words, Zhou Xiaocang finally put his mind at ease, and at the same time, his heart trembled.
Qin Yichen’s words undoubtedly indicated that he had a Master with at least Spirit Realm cultivation behind him! Such an existence, even on a broader stage, was a lofty figure, not someone he could afford to offend.
“One year… alright, one year. Young man, I hope you can keep your promise!” Zhou Xiaocang finally compromised, but his lips wore a bitter smile.
Who would have thought that he, the Heavenly Blade, would become a bodyguard for a young man…
Seeing him agree, the smile on Qin Yichen’s lips finally revealed itself.
With this Spirit Realm expert by his side, he could almost walk sideways through the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty, no longer needing to fear any retaliation from the Du Family.
…
At noon, Qin Yichen, dressed in a black robe, arrived in front of Spreading Cloud City. Behind him followed an ordinary-looking Elder. The two, one old and one young, walked into Spreading Cloud City one after the other, like Master and servant.
It had been exactly half a month since he left Spreading Cloud City. Due to concerns about the Du Family’s affairs, Qin Yichen had hardly rested, rushing back without stopping.
Upon entering the city, he noticed that the atmosphere seemed a bit off. The previously bustling streets now appeared much more desolate, with only a third of the usual pedestrians.
“What’s going on?” Qin Yichen frowned, then without any delay, headed directly towards the Li Family Mansion.
Zhou Xiaocang did not say anything and just followed behind him.
Arriving in front of the Li Family Mansion, Qin Yichen’s face completely darkened.
The Li Family Mansion before him no longer had any of its previous dignity. What lay before him was a charred ruin. Through the broken walls, one could vaguely see traces of fire inside. From the wisps of thick smoke still rising, it was not hard to guess that this had just happened recently.
The Li Family, one of the three Major Families of Spreading Cloud City. Yet, it had been reduced to such a state! Who else could have done this but the Du Family from the Royal City?
“Du Family! I will make you pay blood with blood!” Fierce flames surged in Qin Yichen’s eyes, his fists tightly clenched.
He had been too careless, or rather, he had underestimated Du Hua’s position in the Du Family. If Du Hua were just an insignificant person in the Du Family, they would not have reacted so swiftly.
“Hey, you two, what are you doing? This isn’t a place you can approach. Quickly get out of here!”
Just then, a voice reprimanding them came from behind.
Qin Yichen turned around at the sound and saw five or six people dressed as mercenaries walking towards them from behind.