Free Web NovelChapter 58: Chapter 517: Insignificant Clown
The next day, early in the morning, Wen Qingye was instructing Xiaxia in swordsmanship.
Xiaxia pouted as she swung her sword. "Master, why does the sword always feel unsteady when I hold it? And when I thrust, I always miss the mark."
Wen Qingye said coolly, "First, your foundation is too poor. Your fundamentals are lacking. Second, you think too much when you strike, clouding your mind with distracting thoughts."
"Oh." Xiaxia blinked her big eyes and nodded, looking as if she only half-understood.
"Young Master Wen, something terrible has happened! Something terrible!"
Just then, Xiaxia’s third uncle, Xia Dong, ran in frantically, bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath.
Xiaxia quickly said, "Third Uncle, what is it? Calm down and tell us. Don’t panic."
"The Yue Family... the Yue Family has released new pills! They’re called Essence Replenishing Powder and Qi Gathering Powder," Xia Dong said, looking up at Wen Qingye. "This Essence Replenishing Powder is incredible—even more potent than the Qi Recovery Pill, better even than the improved version Young Master Wen made! And that Qi Gathering Powder, it’s a pill for cultivation. Using it makes you cultivate three times faster than normal. All the Martial Artists have flocked to the Yue Family’s shops in an instant!"
Wen Qingye nodded and said, "It’s fine. Go and bring me their Essence Replenishing Powder and Qi Gathering Powder. I just need to take a look."
Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Xia Dong quickly took out the Qi Gathering Powder and Essence Replenishing Powder.
Wen Qingye gave his instructions coolly. "Xiaxia, bring me a brush. Third Uncle Xia, go and get Yuh Houjiang."
A moment later, Xiaxia brought out paper and a brush, and Wen Qingye began to write.
Elder Yuh arrived and stood respectfully by Wen Qingye’s side. "Master Wen, you were looking for me?"
Wen Qingye nodded and handed him a sheet of paper. "This is my improved formula for the Qi Gathering Powder and Essence Replenishing Powder. Take it back and start refining."
Elder Yuh’s heart leaped in shock as he looked at it. "Master Wen, how do you know the pill formulas for Qi Gathering Powder and Essence Replenishing Powder? Lei Wu claimed this was his master’s secret formula!"
"For a pill of this level, I only need to glance at it and hold it in my hand to know its formula. Now, look closely at the medicinal ingredients on that paper and go refine it."
Hearing this, Elder Yuh’s admiration for Wen Qingye grew even deeper. ’To know a pill formula just by touching and smelling it... that’s simply miraculous!’
Elder Yuh looked at the pill formula and said, "This ’ear grass’... if we start procuring it now, the earliest we can begin refining is tomorrow. Time is of the essence. I’ll get started on the acquisition right away."
Wen Qingye watched Elder Yuh and Xia Dong leave, then sat down in a grandmaster’s chair and said to Xiaxia, "Continue your sword practice."
Xiaxia put down her sword, walked over to Wen Qingye’s side, and said with a smile, "Master, I don’t want to practice anymore. My head hurts."
Wen Qingye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "How long have you been practicing? Not even for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and you already have a headache? And you still want to learn my swordsmanship?"
"But my head really hurts," Xiaxia said, pouting.
Wen Qingye looked at the mischievous little girl before him and shook his head helplessly. "Fine, no more practice. Do as you wish."
Upon hearing this, Xiaxia didn’t show the excitement he expected. Instead, she just clutched her little head and walked toward the wall.
Wen Qingye sighed wistfully. "Sometimes, destiny is in your own hands. It all depends on whether you can grasp it. You must believe that your fate is decided by you, not by the heavens!"
Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Xiaxia’s body trembled for some unknown reason.
.......
"This Essence Replenishing Powder works wonders! I feel my Primordial Qi recovering even faster than with the improved Qi Recovery Pill."
"Yeah, I agree. And I think that Qi Gathering Powder is even more amazing. If I keep taking it, I’m sure I’ll break through to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer Heaven before long."
"These pills from the Yue Family are incredible, so much better than the Xia Family’s. They’re worth it, even if the price is a little higher."
Hearing the crowd’s chatter, Xia Heng was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.
Xia Heng said anxiously, "Second Brother, what are we going to do? The Yue Family only came knocking yesterday, and their pills are already out this morning. This was clearly premeditated!"
Xiaxia’s second uncle, Xia Yuan, said, "Big Brother, don’t worry. It seems Elder Yuh has gone to see Young Master Wen. I’m sure Young Master Wen will find a solution."
"I hope so." Xia Heng gazed at the endless stream of people in the distance, his brow still furrowed with worry.
Just then, Elder Yuh ran over, saying, "Patriarch, Patriarch, I need to acquire large quantities of these medicinal ingredients right now."
Xia Heng looked at the list of ingredients on the paper, puzzled. "What is this?"
Elder Yuh said joyfully, "It’s the pill formula for Master Wen’s improved Essence Replenishing Powder and Qi Gathering Powder! I just tested them—they’re absolutely incredible! Their effects are about fifty percent stronger than the Yue Family’s unimproved versions!"
"Really?" Xia Heng said, startled. "Young Master Wen solved it that quickly?"
"Yes. He just glanced at the Yue Family’s Qi Gathering Powder and Essence Replenishing Powder before giving me this pill formula. With Master Wen’s character and his Alchemy Cultivation, I don’t believe he would make an empty boast."
"Good, good! We’ll go procure these ingredients immediately."
Time passed quickly. News that the Xia Family was buying up medicinal herbs in bulk reached the Yue Family, but they paid it little mind.
"My lord, the Yue Family is here again."
Just as Xia Heng was looking at the pill in his hand, ecstatic, a servant from the Xia Mansion shouted from outside.
Xia Heng’s smile vanished instantly. "Let’s go out and see. The audacity! We just threw them out yesterday, and they’re back again today."
Yue Shan looked at the frowning Xia Heng and said with inner delight, "Hahaha, Younger Brother Xia, how are you doing today?"
"Very well. Couldn’t be better," Xia Heng said coolly.
Lei Wu chuckled and sat down in the guest’s seat. "I’d say Patriarch Xia is feeling on edge, his Heart Spirit in turmoil, no?"
Xia Heng shook his head. "Then you’d be mistaken. I’m eating well and sleeping well. There’s nothing troubling my peace of mind."
"Still trying to act tough? The Xia Family’s shops are deserted today, and your business is in a slump. Now that my Qi Gathering Powder and Essence Replenishing Powder are out, do you really think the Xia Family has any good days left?" Lei Wu said, sneering at Xia Heng.
From the side, Elder Yuh couldn’t help but cast a pitying glance at Lei Wu. ’To have what you thought was a secret weapon, your pride and joy, so casually deciphered and then improved to the greatest possible extent... and yet here he is, proud and complacent, completely oblivious. It’s almost pathetic.’
On the surface, Xia Heng’s expression turned ugly, but inwardly, he was sneering.
Lei Wu fiddled with his fingers and sighed arrogantly. "I told you before. I even gave you one last chance. It’s a shame you refused my good intentions. You can’t blame me for what happens next."
"If you’re here to gloat and show off, the Xia Family does not welcome you," Xia Heng said, abruptly standing up and glaring at Lei Wu.
Lei Wu swept his gaze over the surrounding Xia Family members and laughed. "It won’t be long before you’re all begging me. When that time comes, I’ll have you on your knees, pleading for me to come to your Xia Family."
Just then, Wen Qingye and Xiaxia walked over.
Lei Wu’s eyes flashed with greed as he looked at Xiaxia. He then glanced at Wen Qingye, a lingering fear in his eyes, and said, "Kid, your good days are numbered. You’d better pray for your own sake."
The memory of how Wen Qingye had made him lose his composure yesterday was still fresh in Lei Wu’s mind.
"Is that so? I think you’re talking about yourself," Wen Qingye said, turning his head to Yue Shan. "Yue Shan, is it? I’d advise you to go back and keep a close eye on your own shop. After tomorrow, the Yue Family’s store might not be so lively anymore. This might be the last chance in your life to feel so proud of yourself."
Hearing this, Lei Wu recalled Wen Qingye’s gaze. He was startled for a moment, then burst out laughing. "HAHAHAHA, we’ll be waiting!"
With that, Lei Wu and Yue Shan left directly. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Xiaxia watched Lei Wu’s retreating back and said, "Father, why did he come again? Is there something wrong with that man?"
Xia Heng waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t pay him any mind. We just need to focus on our own affairs. He’s just a buffoon. Don’t worry about him."
In the past, Xia Heng would never have dared to call a Fourth-Grade Alchemist like Lei Wu a buffoon. But things were different now. With Wen Qingye by his side, his heart was filled with confidence.
Wen Qingye shot a cold glance at Xia Heng but said nothing.
As for Lei Wu’s words, Wen Qingye was even less likely to take them to heart. In his eyes, Lei Wu didn’t even qualify as a buffoon.
