Mortal Saint

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Another Promotion, an Unexpected Turn... From a Lowly Guest, a Leap to Medicine Hall Master

Seeing both sides had fallen silent, the Purple-robed Crane’s expression softened. He turned to Lu Chengfeng, whose face was growing stern, and said,

"Old Lu, you know this."

"Our Master had us form the Wind and Cloud Association, but aside from sending his figurehead to represent him, he himself is still in Jiangyin Prefecture, establishing the main headquarters."

"Once we accumulate enough major merits with the Government Office, we can exchange them for a Secret Inheritance. Then the Wind and Cloud Association can finally shed the unofficial ’Association’ from its name and become the true Wind and Cloud Sect, gaining proper recognition!"

"When that time comes, our juniors will all have the chance to go to the Prefecture and receive guidance. Even we ourselves might be taught the Skin Refining Secret Technique and advance further."

"You can’t get that kind of thing... here in the County."

"The fortunes we’ve built over all these years... they might seem like a lot."

"But compared to the chance for the next generation to get ahead, we can’t be careless. Otherwise, the three of us wouldn’t be meeting here today."

"There are seven halls. Aside from our original three businesses, which we still control ourselves..."

"...as for the four newly created halls—Discipline, Martial Arts, and Scriptures—the positions of Hall Master and Vice Hall Master are all held by the sons and disciples of our three families in rotation. That only leaves the Medicine Hall..."

He used a secret technique, his voice transmitted silently so that only Lu Chengfeng and Wei Dinchang could hear.

"The potential for profit here is just too great."

"If this kid you’re planning to take as a son-in-law could refine Eighth-Grade Pills for the Bone Tempering Realm, I wouldn’t say a thing."

"But his Bone Marrow hasn’t even reached Great Success, and at his age, you claim he’s learned the Medicine House’s Ninth Grade Alchemy Skill..."

"I, for one, don’t believe it."

"You know the temperament of that man at your Fire Kiln’s Medicine House. He’s not the type to take on disciples."

"Even if you want to promote him, isn’t it a bit improper to be so hasty?"

"In my view, it would be better to spend a fortune and invite Pharmacist Huang from the Medicine House to serve as the Medicine Hall’s Hall Master. Only then will everyone be convinced."

"After all, when it comes to refining Pills for us, you won’t find anyone in all of Anning County with better skills than him."

Lu Chengfeng raised his gaze, looking at the men in the chairs to his left and right. His tone was light.

"Do you two think that Huang Xuan works for me?"

"Do you have any idea how much silver I have to pay him every year, on top of providing him with his own cleared-out, private grounds?"

"And even with all that, the old man barely gives me the time of day."

"These established Pill Masters... every one of them is a gold-devouring monster."

"Gentlemen, it’s not that I’m insisting on placing Ji Xiu in the Medicine Hall. My original plan was to hire an Eighth Grade Pill Master from the outside to take charge, and then have one of our own who knows the basics go and ’learn on the sly.’ Once he mastered the Art..."

"Wouldn’t that mean the Wind and Cloud Association would have its very own Pill Master?"

His expression was perfectly calm and composed.

Xuu Heng’s eyes narrowed, and a muscle in Wei Dinchang’s cheek twitched.

’Old fox!’

The two of them cursed inwardly.

The three of them had learned martial arts together in Jiangyin Prefecture in their youth. When they returned, they each put their skills to use and carved out their own businesses.

Although they appeared amicable, their brotherhood was only skin-deep.

Now, in their middle age, hearing that their old Master had reached even greater heights, they sensed an opportunity and wanted to risk it all for one last shot at greatness.

At a time like this, controlling an extra hall, or even part of one, and installing your own people meant seizing a greater share of power.

"No!"

"The most we can agree to is letting this kid be a Steward in the Medicine Hall!"

"If he can truly refine Eighth-Grade Pills in the future, then after he gets some more experience, promoting him wouldn’t be out of the question, right?"

"He hasn’t even reached the Bone Tempering Realm. In the end, it will be too hard for him to command respect..."

Wei Dinchang waved his hand dismissively, his expression showing the matter was closed. Beside him, Xuu Heng murmured his agreement.

Lu Chengfeng’s face showed a hint of regret, but he knew their stance was firm. This was the most he could bargain for.

And so, Wei Dinchang, who had just been so skeptical, suddenly adopted a kind and pleasant expression.

"Young Ji, you have good talent. To be honest, I, Old Wei, quite admire you. I also understand Old Lu’s good intentions."

"But you have to take things one step at a time."

"For now, just go to the Medicine Hall to hone your skills. Wait for the three of us to make a great effort to persuade the master of the Medicine House to come and assume the seat of Medicine Hall Master."

"When that time comes, you’ll be able to learn a thing or two under his tutelage."

"Come, come and sit up front..."

Wei Dinchang was all smiles as he spoke, beckoning with his hand. Suddenly—

BANG!

The main doors, which had just been shut after Ji Xiu and Lu Hongyu entered...

were kicked open by an old man with a graying beard, dressed in a long robe.

Cursing under his breath, Huang Xuan strode in.

"Medicine Hall? Wind and Cloud Association? What is all this nonsense?"

"When did I say I was going to work for you lot?"

"Not doing it! Absolutely not!"

This sudden turn of events caused an uproar.

Some of the slower-witted men even drew their swords and leaped to their feet, eyes wide.

"Where did this old coot come from, raising a ruckus? Don’t you know where you are?!"

"Now get out of..."

Before he could finish, the three men in the main chairs shot to their feet with a SWOOSH and barked at him, sending him stumbling back to his seat, not daring to utter another sound.

"Elder Huang?"

"Please, take a seat of honor, please..."

"What brings you out of the Medicine House?"

Whether it was Lu Chengfeng, Xuu Heng, or Wei Dinchang, all three of them broke into welcoming, friendly smiles upon seeing the newcomer.

Where was any trace of the stern manner they had used to judge Ji Xiu?

Huang Xuan, one of the handful of Seventh Grade Pill Masters in all of Anning County!

In Jiangyin Prefecture, he might not be worth mentioning.

But...

for a Pill Master to be willing to come to this poor, remote county, he was an Honored Guest to the local bigwigs.

This was especially true for businesses like theirs, which made their living along the five-hundred-li Mountain Dao.

Otherwise, the mountain treasures, medicinal herbs, and potent tonics harvested from tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves...

who would they find to refine them into Treasure Pills and Great Medicines for quenching one’s Flesh, Bone, Skin, and Membrane?

If they had to rely on Pills shipped from outside, setting aside the question of supply, the loss of potency over time would be immense—to say nothing of the exorbitant ’transportation fees.’

"Hmph."

Seeing all eyes in the hall turn to focus on him, Huang Xuan’s expression finally softened a little.

It had been endlessly noisy inside.

He’d run all the way here and had been eavesdropping at the crack in the door for a good while before he finally understood the situation.

And so, after mentally rehearsing his speech for a while, he had kicked the door in, full of confidence.

He was betting these three would give him face; otherwise, why would he be so confident?

Huang Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, the hem of his robe swaying. He glanced sideways and was pleased to see a flash of astonishment in Ji Xiu’s eyes. He couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

’Brat, did you really think that my usual scowl and standoffish act are my true personality?’

’If I really had that kind of temperament, it’d be a miracle if I ever managed to learn the Alchemy Skill from my master’s house back in the day!’

’Just watch how I get you completely under my thumb, kid.’

He faced the three Bosses, now the three Vice Presidents of the Wind and Cloud Association. With an arrogant posture, he flicked his sleeve and made no move to sit.

Instead, he walked over to Ji Xiu and clapped him on the shoulder without a word.

"Kid, watch me..."

"...stand up for you!"

After a soft chuckle, his expression turned serious. He knit his brows and swept his gaze around the room, looking down on them all as he spoke.

"A measly Hall Master, managing your businesses of selling and buying medicine, looking after a few dozen people? What’s so great about that?"

"I got tired of being surrounded by sycophants ages ago."

"But now... I’ve spotted a promising sprout."

"It took me a long time to find a kid I like, and as soon as you form this ’Wind and Cloud Association,’ you go and poach him?"

"That won’t do."

"Manor Master Lu..."

"You want me to join your Wind and Cloud Association? Fine!"

"But I have one condition."

Lu Chengfeng was momentarily stunned.

"Uh..."

But beside him, Xuu Heng and Wei Dinchang jumped in first, declaring decisively,

"Just one condition? For you, Elder Huang, that’s too modest."

"But as long as you’re willing to join our Wind and Cloud Association, Elder Huang..."

"whatever you want, just name it!"

’One condition?’

’Is he that easy to win over?’

’That’s a lot easier than getting him with real gold and silver and all sorts of schemes like you do at your Fire Kiln.’

’With everyone watching, this is an opportunity that won’t come again!’

All eyes in the hall were fixed on him.

Seeing he had achieved the desired effect, Huang Xuan gave a slight smile. freёwebnoѵel.com

Then, he slowly turned his gaze to Ji Xiu, pointed a single finger, and declared,

"I want him to be the Hall Master of your so-called Medicine Hall. Only then will I agree to stay and oversee things."

"Otherwise..."

"I don’t care who else you appoint, I won’t do it!"

As soon as these words were spoken,

the hall fell into a stunned silence.

Everyone in the newly formed Wind and Cloud Association, all its future members—including the opposing Direct Lineage Faction of Lu Yu, Xuu Heng, and Wei Zhi, and the Disciple Faction of Luo Xiao, Li Ye, and Fang Xiao—

was utterly dumbfounded.

Even the three Bosses, now the three Vice Presidents, were stunned.

"...Who?"

’I was just watching the whole hall erupt in a heated argument.’

’Thinking it had little to do with me, I was just sticking around to watch the show, hoping Master Lu could maybe score me some benefits, like opening up a path to the Prefecture City.’

’But as I kept watching, I suddenly realized that somehow, without a fuss...’

’I... had become the ’big shot’ of the whole affair.’

’A Hall Master...’

’Me?’