Chapter 20 - Credit

Arriving at the Alchemist Guild, Long Chen went straight to Yun Qi's alchemy room, but just as he entered the inner courtyard, he was stopped. The Alchemist Guild is divided into an inner and outer courtyard. The outer courtyard is open to the empire for assistance, including the assessment for alchemist qualifications, all conducted in the outer courtyard. The inner courtyard is where the actual activities of the Alchemist Guild take place. The last time Long Chen entered for a test, he was led by Master Yun Qi, so naturally, there was no obstruction. "Inner courtyard of the guild, no admittance for outsiders." The gate was guarded by a youth who appeared to be of a similar age to Long Chen, dressed in the attire of a medicine boy, looking at Long Chen with an arrogant expression. Long Chen smiled slightly, flashed his badge, and amidst the shocked expression of the medicine boy, entered the inner courtyard. Seeing the originally arrogant expression of the medicine boy turn to shock, Long Chen couldn't help but feel a bit smug. It seemed he had been suppressed for too long, and now finally having a bit of recognition, he began to indulge in some private satisfaction. However, he secretly remained vigilant, as he had no time to be pleased with trivial matters. Upon entering the inner courtyard, Long Chen slapped his forehead in frustration. He was so preoccupied with his smugness that he forgot to ask if Master Yun Qi was in the inner courtyard, otherwise, wouldn't it be a wasted trip? While regretting, suddenly a young girl passed by. Without thinking, Long Chen stopped her and asked, "Miss, could you please tell me where Master Yun Qi is?" The girl, walking with her head down, seemed displeased when suddenly stopped. She looked up to see a frail-looking youth and responded somewhat coldly, "Why are you looking for Master Yun Qi?" Long Chen was slightly taken aback. The girl was very pretty, although not comparable to Chu Yao or Meng Qi, she was still a beauty rare to find. However, despite her looks, her gaze was somewhat unpleasant, as if everyone was up to no good, with an undeniable pride in her eyes. "I just want to know Master Yun Qi's whereabouts. Could you please tell me?" Long Chen asked politely, despite his displeasure. "Who exactly are you? Why do you want to see Master Yun Qi?" the girl asked warily. Having been answered evasively twice, Long Chen shook his head and ignored the girl, proceeding inside to see if he could find someone else to ask. "Hey, I'm talking to you, how can you be so rude?" The girl, seeing Long Chen ignore her twice, scolded angrily. Long Chen had just taken a few steps when he turned back to look at the girl and said, "Are you here for treatment?" "What?" The girl was puzzled. "If your brain is ill, don't run around," Long Chen snorted and was about to leave when suddenly a gust of wind attacked from behind him, accompanied by an angry shout. "Brat, courting death!" Long Chen was secretly startled. The girl, despite her slender appearance, had such a powerful strike that even the air seemed to constrict his breathing. Unexpectedly, she was a peak Qi Gathering expert. Moreover, her palm contained immense power. Currently, Long Chen's spiritual energy was concealed within his Fengfu Star, making him appear like a weak scholar. That palm, even for a normal Qi Gathering expert, would cause severe injury if struck. If he were an ordinary person, it could be fatal. Why such a fierce attack without reason? "Scram!" Already irritated, Long Chen was now further provoked by the girl's sudden harsh move. Unable to suppress his anger, he kicked out. Bang! Before the girl's palm could reach Long Chen, she was kicked in the abdomen and sent flying. Crash! The girl flew over two meters and crashed into a rack of herbs, toppling it over and spilling its contents, burying her. Boom! With a loud explosion, herbs scattered everywhere as the girl emerged from the pile, hair disheveled and covered in herb dust, looking extremely embarrassed. "I'll kill you!" The girl's eyes burned with rage as she shouted, her aura exploding, and her palms gathering a golden wave, attacking Long Chen. Watching the girl who now resembled a shrew, Long Chen cursed his luck inwardly. Why didn't he check his fortune today to avoid encountering a lunatic? The strike was clearly a battle technique, its power intending to take his life. Long Chen's expression turned cold. He possessed the soul of a Pill Emperor and had some basic combat experience, but "basic" was relative to a Pill Emperor. For the small fry he encountered now, even basic experience was like divine skill, dealing with them was child's play. Earlier, Long Chen hadn't infused spiritual energy into his kick, so the girl wasn't injured, yet instead of gratitude, she sought to kill him. Long Chen's eyes grew cold, a murderous intent slowly forming. As the girl lunged, though he wouldn't kill her, if she dared approach, he wouldn't mind giving her a lifelong unforgettable lesson. "Stop!" Suddenly, a cold shout came, and the enraged girl froze, not daring to move. "Master!" The girl respectfully addressed. The newcomer was none other than Master Yun Qi. Long Chen was startled—could this madwoman really be his disciple? Master Yun Qi shook his head, "I've said, I, Yun Qi, will never take a disciple in my life. Clinging here is useless." "Master, I've traveled far, a weak girl, just to learn alchemy from you. It's been three months in the guild; isn't my sincerity enough?" the girl pleaded. "Return to where you came from," Yun Qi remained unmoved, speaking indifferently. "No, I won't leave. Until you accept me, I'll stay here every day," the girl stubbornly declared. "Suit yourself. But remember, no violence in my guild. If it happens again, I'll expel you," Yun Qi warned coldly. Turning to Long Chen, he said, "Follow me." Long Chen was momentarily dazed. This crazy woman wanted to learn alchemy from Yun Qi, but Yun Qi was utterly unmoved. Seeing the woman's venomous gaze, Long Chen suddenly understood. She must have mistaken him as someone also seeking Yun Qi as a mentor, hence her interrogation. Glancing at the woman, Long Chen shook his head. Who would dare take such a disciple? He followed Master Yun Qi into a secluded study in the inner courtyard. Inside, Long Chen quickly bowed, "I'm sorry, it was rash of me today." Yun Qi smiled gently, "No harm done. I saw the whole thing. But you surprised me. You kicked a peak Qi Gathering expert away with no spiritual energy, and you didn't even use half your strength. Otherwise, that girl would be severely injured. You're hiding your abilities well, young man." Long Chen was taken aback. He had underestimated Master Yun Qi, who was indeed shrewd and cunning. Unsure how to respond, Long Chen hesitated. "Child, everyone has their secrets, it's nothing. However, you cannot serve two masters; otherwise, your talent will be wasted," Yun Qi advised meaningfully. Long Chen was moved. Master Yun Qi was hinting for him to focus on alchemy. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Yun Qi. Long Chen understands." Regardless of his own plans, Yun Qi's intentions were kind, and he appreciated the gesture. "I heard you killed a half-step Blood Condensation expert with three strikes yesterday. Is that true?" Yun Qi inquired. "Yes, it's true," Long Chen nodded, puzzled. The area was sealed by soldiers then; no one should have known. Seeing Long Chen's confusion, Yun Qi chuckled, "Yesterday, the royal family inquired at my place if there was an alchemist named Long Chen here. I said yes and claimed you as my student. After that, they had no further queries." Long Chen was stunned. Yun Qi, who refused to accept him as an apprentice, acknowledged him now. He felt touched, "Thank you, Teacher." "It's nothing. My name still has some use; might as well make the most of it. Besides, a student is different from a disciple," Yun Qi smiled faintly. Though it was a small gesture for Yun Qi, it was a great help for Long Chen. With Master Yun Qi as a backing, he had a significant advantage, bolstering his confidence. "Child, I know about your situation. The guild has its rules and cannot intervene in worldly conflicts. This is all I can do for you," Yun Qi sighed. "Master, you've done so much for me already. I'm deeply grateful. Matters of the mundane world can be handled by this commoner," Long Chen laughed. Now, with Master Yun Qi as a shield, his actions were much easier, and the safety of the Zhenyuan Marquis Estate was greatly enhanced. Though the Alchemist Guild doesn't involve itself in worldly disputes, as long as Long Chen doesn't truly get involved, he remains under the guild's protection. Once Long Chen has the strength, he won't need the guild's protection and can unravel the mysteries himself. He had some clues but dared not act yet. Maintaining the status quo was the best choice. "What brings you here this time?" Yun Qi asked. Long Chen recalled his purpose, "I wish to borrow some herbs from the guild and repay with the pills I refine." Alchemists often borrow herbs from the guild, repaying with pills later. It's a beneficial arrangement for both alchemists and the guild. With his badge, Long Chen enjoys discounts and has the obligation to sell his pills to the guild first, as agreed upon when the badge was issued. "You can refine pills now?" Yun Qi asked, surprised. "I hope to receive some guidance from you, Teacher," Long Chen smiled, confidence evident in his expression.