Free Web NovelChapter 102: Chapter 102: Public Opinion
For some reason, the Emperor found himself having a bit more confidence in Qin Ya.
Of course, the more important thing was that Qin Ya was right. Letting him try wouldn’t result in any losses, even if he failed. Besides, he had wanted to delay this matter anyway, and Qin Ya’s appearance now gave him the perfect excuse.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" General Xiao said urgently.
"That’s right! This Qin Ya is just a child. What ability could he possibly have to cure the poison in Marshal Muu? It’s a rare poison that not even a Fifth-Grade Alchemist could treat! You mustn’t be deceived by this brat," the Lingyun Marquis said.
The longer this dragged on, the more could go wrong. They had been plotting for a long time and naturally wouldn’t give up so easily.
"Hmph. Are you questioning my decision?"
The aloof Emperor’s brows knitted together. A faint wisp of anger emanated from him, making everyone tremble in fear.
"When do you plan to begin the treatment?" Nangong Wen asked.
"Three days from now," Qin Ya replied indifferently.
"Very well."
Hearing this, the others sneered. A rare poison that no one had been able to cure for ten years, and this mere child was claiming he could do it in three days?
It was an absolute joke!
"Your Majesty..."
The Lingyun Marquis wanted to say more, but the Left Minister at his side tugged his sleeve. He saw the minister shake his head slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, the Lingyun Marquis held his tongue.
"Beloved Minister Muu, Qin Ya, you two will stay. The rest of you are dismissed."
The officials then dispersed one after another. After leaving the grand hall, the Lingyun Marquis turned to the Left Minister with a displeased expression. "We’ve been planning this for so long and finally had a chance to take control of the Red Flame Army. Why did you stop me just now?"
The Left Minister replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty is already extremely displeased with our actions. If we continue to press him, it might backfire. Besides, it’s a foregone conclusion that Muu Yunlie is afflicted with an incurable poison. How could a mere Academy teacher possibly cure it?"
"That’s right. If His Majesty wants to delay, let him. It’s only for three days, anyway. This poison can’t be cured even by the Empire’s highest-ranking Fifth-Grade Alchemists. Even if Qin Ya has the will, he doesn’t have the way," General Xiao added.
............
In the grand hall, Nangong Wen looked at Qin Ya and said coolly, "The youngest Advanced Academy Teacher in the Academy’s history. I have long heard of you. I always thought you would be a peerless talent who would astonish me, but seeing you today, I’m somewhat disappointed."
Qin Ya frowned, replying indifferently, "What does your opinion have to do with me?"
Hearing this, Muu Yunlie, who was standing to the side, nearly coughed up a mouthful of old blood. ’Good heavens,’ he thought, ’just how audacious is this kid? Daring to talk back to the ruler of an empire!’ freewёbnoνel.com
Nangong Wen’s expression soured with anger. "Qin Ya, don’t think you can act so presumptuously just because you have your teacher’s protection. You should know that even the most outstanding Alchemists in the Empire are helpless against the poison in Yun Lie. What makes you think you can succeed?"
"Don’t compare me to them," Qin Ya stated coolly.
"Hmph. I hope your skills are as impressive as your mouth." Nangong Wen gave Qin Ya a deep look, then turned to Muu Yunlie. "Yun Lie, what are your thoughts on today’s matter?"
Muu Yunlie snorted coldly. "They can’t wait to get their hands on the Red Flame Army. With the Left Minister on his side, the Lingyun Marquis has half the civil officials in his pocket. If they manage to put Xiao Dilong in the position of Commander of the Red Flame Army, I’m afraid more than half the Empire will be in their control..."
Hearing this, Nangong Wen sighed. "Their actions have grown more and more outrageous over the years. They continuously plant their own people and spies in the military. They all think I don’t know, but they fail to realize everything is within my control. If I wished, I could root them out at any time."
"But the consequences of doing so would be too far-reaching. I’m afraid more than half the officials in court would have to be replaced, wouldn’t they?" Muu Yunlie said.
"Heh, that’s no matter. I’ve already made arrangements."
After speaking, Nangong Wen looked at Qin Ya again. "Tell me, how confident are you, really, about curing the poison in Yun Lie?"
"It’s as good as done."
"Then I... shall wait and see!"
...............
The Imperial Capital was always the epicenter of the Empire’s turmoil and change.
Here, some rose to fame overnight, while others fell into despair in a single evening.
And recently, a young man named Qin Ya was undoubtedly a rising star in the Imperial Capital, not only because of his status as an Advanced Academy Teacher but also due to his extraordinary cultivation and combat record.
Today, another piece of news about him began to spread.
Moreover, this news was closely related to the recent, sensationalized incident of the poisoning of Muu Yunlie, Commander of the Red Flame Army, which had captured the attention of countless people.
Inside a tavern, a few people were discussing it.
"Did you hear? Marshal Muu went to the palace today and was pressured by the Lingyun Marquis, General Xiao, and the Left Minister. They used his poisoning as a reason to demand he resign from his position as Commander of the Red Flame Army. It’s infuriating!"
"It can’t be helped. The Empire can’t entrust a force like the three hundred thousand soldiers of the Red Flame Army to someone whose life hangs in the balance. If His Majesty insists on protecting him, he’ll be branded an unjust ruler. So what ended up happening?"
"Hehe, you’ll never guess. Someone suddenly appeared in Jinluan Hall and actually claimed he could cure Marshal Muu’s poison! You know, that’s a poison that not even a Fifth-Grade Alchemist could cure, but this person said he could!"
"Who was it? Who?"
"The current Advanced Academy Teacher, Qin Ya."
The moment this was said, the entire tavern erupted in an uproar, with people gasping in shock.
Qin Ya?!
They were naturally familiar with that name. He was one of the most talked-about figures in the Imperial Capital recently. He could cure the rare poison in Marshal Muu?!
"No way. Setting aside whether he’s even an Alchemist, you have to remember that all those High-Level Alchemists are seniors in their dozens. What skill could a boy who’s barely cut his teeth have to cure a poison? He must be lying."
"Yeah, what makes him so special?"
Just then, one of the men who had been talking stood up and said, "It’s true. And more importantly, His Majesty actually agreed."
"What? His Majesty agreed to something so absurd?"
One of the patrons exclaimed in feigned shock.
"Yes! His Majesty is clearly covering for Marshal Muu, just using Qin Ya as an excuse! This is truly disheartening," that same patron said, clutching his chest with a look of profound grief.
"That’s right! How could His Majesty disregard the safety of the Empire?"
Hearing this, the crowd in the tavern began to murmur amongst themselves.
"Sigh, His Majesty truly acted rashly in this matter."
"That Qin Ya is just a boy. How could he possibly cure Marshal Muu’s rare poison?"
"It’s such an obvious delay. Does he really think no one can see through it?"
The first few patrons in the tavern who had spoken exchanged a glance, each dropped a few Silver Coins on the table, and slipped out of the establishment without a sound.
And just like that, Qin Ya, Muu Yunlie, and Nangong Wen were caught in a storm of public opinion.
Meanwhile, after returning the Bronze Iron Order to Muu Yunlie, Qin Ya went back to Ningxiang Pavilion alone. As for the Pill Formula for the antidote, he had already given it to Muu Yunlie over half a month ago. With Nangong Wen’s help, he believed they would be able to gather enough medicinal ingredients within three days.
