"Greetings, Great-Grandfather!"
Rows of Xie Family’s younger generation geniuses, and Liu Shuashua knelt on both sides of the gravel path outside the back garden, as if welcoming the Jade Emperor.
"Hmm, haha... Not bad, all of you get up!" Old Master Xie saw the Xie Family flourishing with many descendants. Moreover, each one of them showed commendable performance, and a benevolent smile appeared on his face.
With a casual wave, he gestured for everyone to rise.
Although Old Master Xie cared more for the direct descendants of his line, he was equally affectionate towards the members of the collateral branches.
A family can only be prosperous and powerful if it is brimming with talent.
"Great-Grandfather, I heard that you are holding a Longevity Banquet this time, seeking an elixir for extending life and health?" Xie Baogui was the brightest and most outstanding among all the descendants.
He naturally took the place closest to the old master, walking alongside him and starting a conversation.
"Yes, that is indeed my intention!" The old master favored this brightest talent of the Xie Family exceptionally.
"It’s a pity that your great-grandson has not yet managed to breakthrough to the Third Grade Alchemist realm, otherwise he could refine a Longevity Pill for you to take. If I become an Alchemy King in the future, I will spare no effort in concocting a Life Extending Elixir for you!"
"You are the pillar that supports the heavens for our Xie Family, we will do everything within our power to maintain your youthful appearance and achieve immortality!"
Xie Baogui was very good at flattering the elders, causing Old Master Xie to burst into joyful laughter, extremely pleased.
A third-grade Longevity Pill could probably extend life by about five years, but its refinement is extremely challenging.
Let alone a newly-promoted Third Grade Alchemist, even those famous veteran Third Grade Alchemists find it very difficult to refine it successfully. The act of vying with the heavens for longevity is an act against nature, and its difficulty can well be imagined.
Xie Baogui had only just touched the threshold of a Third Grade Alchemist and had not yet advanced but dared to make such bold claims of refining a Longevity Pill for Old Master Xie. From this, it is evident that this person must be one who is boastful and likes to bite off more than he can chew.
As for the Life Extending Elixir, that goes without saying.
A Life Extending Elixir can extend life for a hundred years and is regarded by countless people as a heavenly treasure.
Even many Alchemy Kings are unable to refine it successfully.
Xie Baogui, a mere Second Grade Alchemist, dared to casually say that he would refine a Life Extending Elixir for Old Master Xie in the future; the size of this empty promise is truly extraordinary.
Yet Old Master Xie fell for this, grinning ear to ear, praising Xie Baogui non-stop.
"Baogui, you are the most outstanding young member of our Xie Family. You have made a name for yourself in the Royal Capital through your own abilities and won the admiration of many masters of the Alchemy Dao. You have also acquainted yourself with many influential figures."
"In the future, you should help the other young members of the Xie Family more!"
Old Master Xie highly praised Xie Baogui.
"Great-Grandfather, how can I be as outstanding as you say! I have only achieved a tiny bit of success in the art of alchemy, and it was sheer luck to have met a few influential people. There is still a long way to go in the future, and the Jianyun Dynasty is not my final destination. I want to carve out an even bigger world for myself."
"As for helping my brothers and sisters, that is indeed my duty."
On the surface, Xie Baogui appeared modest, but in reality, his arrogance reached the sky.
His words were sweeter than honey, but in practice, he had never been seen helping any sibling.
"Listen, all of you listen! Not only is Baogui incredibly outstanding, but he also does not pride himself on his talent; he is great without arrogance. You all should take him as a role model!"
"With the status Baogui has achieved today, even I am not much stronger than he is."
Old Master Xie appreciates this distant grandson even more.
"Sister Bing, you are currently only a First-grade Alchemist, but I will do my utmost to help you. I strive to see you promoted to a Second Grade Alchemist as soon as possible." Xie Baogui won himself a lot of face in front of his many cousins; his tone then shifted, finally revealing his true intentions.
Xie Bing’s expression subtly changed, in front of the Old Master, she really had no good way to refuse.
So she had no choice but to agree with a forced smile.
Seeing her agree, Xie Baogui was overjoyed and struck while the iron was hot.
Taking advantage of the favor he enjoyed from Old Master Xie, he brought up a long-cherished idea, "Great-grandfather, I have a favor to ask of you! I am extremely fond of Sister Bing, a rare talent indeed. The water that flows from one’s own spring should not flow into others’ fields; I wish to marry her and tie the knot of joy."
The Old Master laughed heartily and stroking his beard said, "Both of you are geniuses of the Xie Family, a talented man and a beautiful woman, truly a match made by heaven. Since Baogui has already asked of me, how could I refuse?"
"This is wonderful news! Let’s settle this matter then; after the Longevity Banquet begins, I will be the one to give you my blessings in public. When the time comes, the wedding must also be celebrated with great fanfare."
"Thank you so much, Great-grandfather, for making it happen!" Xie Baogui’s face flushed with excitement, and he promptly bowed in thanks.
Xie Bing’s face, however, underwent a drastic change, "Great-grandfather, I cannot accept this!" Others may not know of Xie Baogui’s true character, but Xie Bing was all too aware.
He was nothing but a hypocritical gentleman, all talk and no action, outwardly refined and scholarly, and seemingly virtuous. But inside, he was filthy and evil.
If she became his wife, her whole life would be overshadowed by sadness, living a bleak existence with no relief or joy.
After decades, when her beauty faded, her ending would be even more tragic.
Besides, Xie Bing had no good feelings toward Xie Baogui, let alone any sort of emotional foundation.
"Hmm?" Old Master Xie’s eyebrows furrowed and his expression turned stern immediately. In the Xie Family, his word was law, and everyone had to listen to him. Xie Bing’s public contradiction of him greatly displeased him.
"A man should marry when he comes of age, and so should a woman. The decree of parents and the words of the matchmaker, the three letters and six etiquettes. This is not a matter for you to voice an opinion on; whether you agree or not, you must obey. As for your parents, I will speak to them myself."
Old Master Xie was very angry, he scolded Xie Bing and, with a flick of his sleeves, went into the back garden.
He summoned Xie Baogui into the garden as well, to talk with him.
Xie Bing couldn’t help but cry, causing many of the Xie Family’s young men to feel heartbroken. They never expected the goddess they had secretly admired for years to be forcibly promised to someone by Old Master Xie.
No one dared to stand up and speak for Xie Bing; they had all resigned themselves to their fate.
Xie Bing had invited Chu Feng over for the very purpose of pretending to be her boyfriend, to fend off the pursuits of the young men from the Xie Family. Besides that, there were several influential figures from the Royal Capital who also aspired to court her.
Among them, there was one whose status was incredibly noble, to the extent that even the Xie Family had to show some fear.
Unexpectedly, Xie Baogui acted so swiftly, catching her off guard.
"I can only hope that Chu Feng has already arrived; then, at the time, I will defiantly refuse and tell everyone about my love for Chu Feng. I hope to turn the situation around and regain my freedom."
Xie Bing was very clear that crying and tears would not solve any problems.
She had no intention of trying to please Old Master Xie any longer and instead left by herself to find Chu Feng.
But after searching the forehall and courtyards of Xie Mansion, she still saw no sign of Chu Feng.