Shishi’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as she thought earnestly before answering, "If I’m not mistaken, Chu Feng is likely intentionally hiding his abilities. The Royal Family eliminated Prince Jian years ago, and even allowed the Crown Prince to take away Chu Feng’s Nine Yang Sword Veins; the two families are sworn enemies."
"The reason Sword King Mansion has been kept up to this point is twofold. First, the Royal Family is worried about the infamy that would come from being seen as persecutors of loyal and good officials. Second, the two princes and the Commandery Princess from Sword King Mansion have shown mediocrity and lack the ability for revenge."
In the eyes of the Royal Family, Sword King Mansion is probably nothing more than an ant.
Something they can easily crush to death.
The Royal Family naturally wouldn’t take Sword King Mansion seriously.
Surprise intensified on the face of the Qiao Family Master as he raised an eyebrow, "A mere sixteen-year-old lad, capable of such deep calculation and scheming?"
"Even if this boy truly possesses extraordinary alchemy talents, his identity is special. Whether our Qiao Family should recruit him requires careful consideration! Otherwise, if we incur the Emperor’s displeasure, the loss would outweigh the gain."
Once it was confirmed that the sensational Puppet Elixir in the Royal Capital was refined by Chu Feng, the Qiao Family Master’s attitude changed from previously being eager for talent.
Sometimes people are ; when they can’t obtain something, they dream of having it.
But when they actually can have it, they suddenly don’t care as much.
"Doesn’t our master often say, ’heroes emerge from the young’? If we could ally with an alchemy genius for the Qiao Family, although there might be some risks to bear, the benefits for the Qiao Family would also be tremendous. It might even help our family to become the third greatest Alchemy Family in the Jianyun Dynasty."
Shishi offered her own suggestions and thoughts.
She still had high hopes for Chu Feng.
The Qiao Family Master raised his hand to stop her from continuing.
"Even if that Puppet Elixir was truly refined by Chu Feng, its effectiveness is not yet conclusively proven. Recruiting this boy is something we need not rush into."
"Moreover, the current situation of Sword King Mansion is very dire, barely distinguishable from the beggars on the streets. With the conditions the Qiao Family can offer, at any time, if we were to extend an olive branch to Chu Feng, he would likely accept eagerly, like a grateful dog."
Hearing the Qiao Family Master’s analysis, Shishi also felt it made sense.
Immediately she donned a smile and said, "Master is wise, then I shall take my leave!" Upon finishing, she respectfully performed a curtsey and retreated from the Qiao Family Master’s room.
Chu Feng, such an arrogant character, would he easily accept the Qiao Family’s recruitment, to serve as a servant?
Where on earth did the confidence of the Qiao Family Master come from?
Inside the Alchemy Academy, Chu Feng hastened his steps towards the largest dining establishment; it was the prime time for meals. If he arrived too late, there might not be a seat left.
Although Chu Feng had a fair sum of money, considering the Sword King Mansion needed funding everywhere and he likewise needed a considerable amount of silver to purchase ingredients for elixir refinement, he decided to be frugal.
To eat the simplest common dish outside would suffice.
Just as he arrived, his eyes lit up; he noticed the class belle, Lin Yuxin, sitting daintily at a table. She was accompanied by two other girls.
"Hey, Chu Feng, are you here for a meal too?" One of the girls with a ponytail, though a bit darker in complexion, was quite pretty.
This girl was named Lei Ting. She usually had plenty of admirers in class and was quite proud, so her initiative in greeting Chu Feng with a smile genuinely surprised him.
"Yes, I’m here to eat too!" Chu Feng was truly transformed, previously shy and bashful around girls.
With head bowed, speaking in an especially soft voice.
Now, he exuded ease and confidence, his smile and gaze filled with the charm of a mature man.
For a moment, all three girls were somewhat dazzled, hardly believing that this was the same timid, cowering worst student in the class they once knew.
"How about... you join our table! I have a few questions about Alchemy, and I’d like to ask for your advice!" Although there was a hint of shyness on Lei Ting’s face, she still bravely looked at Chu Feng.
Is this the rhythm of a beauty chasing after me?
This was the first time Chu Feng had enjoyed this kind of treatment. He did not refuse, and promptly sat down with a smile.
He happened to sit opposite Lei Ting, side by side with Lin Yuxin.
A small square table, which could actually only seat four people.
"Lin Yuxin, you don’t mind me sitting next to you, do you?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"Hmph, what can I possibly mind? It seems you’re quite popular!" Lin Yuxin’s expression was somewhat cold. She seemed to be unhappy.
Just at this moment, the server of the restaurant brought their dishes to the table.
"Eh, why do I smell a hint of vinegar!" Chu Feng joked with a pun, winking at Lin Yuxin.
"Umm..." Suddenly, Chu Feng felt his waist being pinched fiercely, causing great pain. He couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan.
Lei Ting and another girl were sitting across from him and didn’t see Lin Yuxin’s sneaky move under the table.
Lei Ting even asked with concern, "Chu Feng, what’s wrong with you? Why are you grimacing; did you get pricked by a nail?"
Of course, Chu Feng didn’t dare to expose Lin Yuxin’s little trick and moved his body with a pained expression, bitterly smiling and saying, "Indeed, I did get pricked by a nail! And it’s a beauty’s nail at that!"
"Chu Feng, I didn’t expect you to be so witty! I have heard of mermaids and beauties in stones, but what on earth is a beauty’s nail?" Lei Ting covered her mouth, giggling incessantly, her eyes shining when she looked at Chu Feng.
She seemed to have a good impression of Chu Feng.
Lin Yuxin glared fiercely at Chu Feng and began to eat gracefully.
A beauty is a beauty after all; even their way of eating is exceptionally charming.
Just as Chu Feng was enjoying the supreme pleasure of being surrounded by beauties, Liu Ping and Qiao Sheng came to the restaurant with a bunch of followers to dine as well.
Whenever Liu Ping treated people to a meal, he preferred booking a private room in the restaurant and ordering a large number of dishes. He did this to show off his wealth.
This time, after discussing with Qiao Sheng on how to deal with Chu Feng, he naturally wanted to treat Qiao Sheng to a meal to curry favor with him.
"Huh? Why is that bastard here?" Qiao Sheng’s gaze swept over and immediately spotted Chu Feng who was laughing and chatting with the beauties.
His face immediately turned extremely gloomy.
Liu Ping’s expression was also very ugly. This was because Chu Feng was sitting with Lin Yuxin.
In Liu Ping’s eyes, Lin Yuxin was his forbidden fruit, not to be touched by anyone.
"Let’s go over there!" Qiao Sheng harbored towering hatred for Chu Feng. He immediately led his group of followers towards Chu Feng.
Liu Ping gladly acted as Qiao Sheng’s dog; he coldly faced everyone with a sarcastic tone and loudly said, "Ha, the Third Prince of Sword King Mansion has fallen to the point of eating bran and vegetables, how pitiful!"
"It’s bad enough being penniless, yet still trying to woo girls. People really should have some self-awareness!"
Liu Ping’s voice was loud, immediately attracting many onlookers.
He thought that by humiliating Chu Feng , he would surely make Chu Feng fly into a rage. Then, they could pick a fight, and Qiao Sheng and the others would be able to beat Chu Feng like a dead dog.