Chapter 871: Pill King Convention

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You want me to join the Flying Cloud manors alchemy screening and sneak in?

At the crack of dawn, Shangguan Feixiong was seeing Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Qingyan in the parlor with a bright smile. Zhuo Fan was stunned, then nodded.

It fit his plan of wanting to test the waters as well after hearing this announcement.

Putting it off until Flying Cloud manor and Shangguan clan faced off would leave too much room for error, something he wished to avoid.

And this proved to be his best chance to do it while also entering Shangguan clans good graces.

Zhuo Fan cupped his hands without delay, agreeing with a smile, Doing my part for the Shangguan clan, after the clan took us both in, is an utmost honor. Thank you, uncle, for giving us this chance.

As long as you know.

Shangguan Feixiong smiled, Im sure you know that my decision of taking you in hasnt been met well by other members. But if you do this well, youll prove yourself in front of everyone. No one will question you again.

Zhuo Fans eyes shone.

Shangguan Qingyan giggled, Sir Gu, work hard. Whether you stand with Shangguan clan will depend on this task. Maybe youll even earn everyones approval and become a true young master of our clan. You might even get the chance to get back your wife. It wont matter who you offended in western lands when the Shangguan clan has your back. Youll finally be together!

Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, but seeing her clear eyes, he returned a smile.

[Oh, I see. I was wondering why this missie cared so much for me and my son. I wrote it off as being my immense charms fault.]

[Who knew she wanted to get me and my wife together again. How kind. A shame its not that simple]

With a dimmed gaze, Zhuo Fan shook his head.

Even if you become one of us, you cant go on a rampage.

Shangguan Feixiong glared at his daughter. But then he smiled at Zhuo Fan, Dont worry, Shangguan clan is no pushover. Do this well and I will definitely help you out. Even if Double Dragon Manor is involved, Ill give you justice!

Thank you so much, uncle! Zhuo Fan bowed.

[Double Dragon Manor if it were that easy, Id have done it myself]

Yaner, we planned on sending Yulin with Yifan at the compet.i.tion.

Shangguan Qingyan continued, Yulin is a steady man and can take charge. Yifans cultivation is low so you will have to a.s.sist him in making sure hes selected. Got it?

Shangguan Qingyan gave a firm nod with a happy look, Yes, father.

He-he-he, Sir Gu, you better listen to me now. She gave Zhuo Fan a teasing smile.

Zhuo Fan chuckled as well, but he saw through Shangguan Feixiongs plan on having her spy on him.

[Yesterdays play wasnt enough to remove all doubts of the clan.]

Which was normal, especially with such an important task. Caution was paramount.

Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Feixiong exchanged a few more words before he left with a bow. Shangguan Qingyan skipped behind him.

The next few days, Shangguan Yulin and Zhuo Fan went through a personal h.e.l.l.

Shangguan Yulin, being the most promising seed, was instructed personally by the three venerables in the intricate arts of cooking herbs into pills. Day in, day out, he was found hovering over the cauldron, soaked in its fumes, instructed in the fine arts the elders were hardly familiar with. That was because Shangguan Yulin had the cultivation but not the skills. Thus the elders went harder on him, in hope his skill improved faster.

On the other hand, Zhuo Fans days were paradise by comparison.

Everyone knew him as an alchemist, so that was that. That was why he was left to his own devices.

All he had to make up for was cultivation.

But cultivation wasnt to be rushed either. Which made this backup, Shangguan Yulins replacement, disregarded in this aspect.

With the confinement ending, Zhuo Fan was out in the world again, with his son. With Clan Heads daughter leading along, he was the envy of anyone as he enjoyed himself.

Shangguan Qingyans role was the observer, but young Sanzis infectious playful nature got the best of her, making her grow closer and closer to the pair.

It went as far as going in the back of the house to have a blast with them. This only worked to sour Shangguan Yulins mood, being wiped like a donkey over the cauldron by the elders.

Ha-ha-ha, young Sanzi, loosen your hand a bit or your kites going to fall. Yes, thats it

Auntie, hold it while I get a fruit.

Sure hey, Gu Yifan, stop being lazy! You should be the one to hold your sons kite

Young Sanzi gave it to you, so you guys play with it. Now stop messing up my nap, stingy!

Hey, whose son is young Sanzi anyway? What kind of father doesnt care

Then you care instead.

Wretched brat

Banter and teasing was heard from beyond the walls. Shangguan Yulin sat cross-legged near a cauldron over a scorching fire, his mouth constantly twitching, his eyes burning hotter than the fire before him.

[d.a.m.n that accursed punk! I warned him to stay away from her! Now hes flirting instead? Once I get out of here, Ill throttle you]

Calm your heart and focus. The gestures are the key as you employ the art.

Noticing Shangguan Yulins attention was slipping, a bamboo scroll smacked him over the head, making him wince. He looked at the venerable standing behind him with a cold gaze, Calm your heart and focus on the gestures

[Screw you! My cousin is out there with that degenerate pair and youre telling me to frickin calm down?]

Pa!

Another smack came on point, Empty your mind, calm your heart. Your thoughts should only be on the gestures.

Face twitching, Shangguan Yulins heart was grumbling as he nodded.

He got himself to blame for this mess.

[I get you wanting me to go into the manor, but why the h.e.l.l is that b.a.s.t.a.r.d coming too?]

[Now look at him! Even before we reach it, Im in h.e.l.l, wasting my time with alchemy while you guys are giggling so hard, afraid I wont hear you.]

[This is torture!]

[Heavens above, mother earth below, what did I ever do to deserve this? Why are you so cruel to me? ]

[Gu Yifan, this isnt over, not by a long shot. Once were done with the manor, Ill make sure youre dead!]

Pa!

The smacking came on point, as did the warning, Calm your heart

Flinching, Shangguan Yulin grumbled some more

A week pa.s.sed like this, with Zhuo Fan and Shangguan Yulin enjoying their special and contradictory training. What they had in common was the annoyance with it.

What Shangguan Yulin saw as h.e.l.l in the pungent herbs boiling their noxious fumes in his face, Zhuo Fan saw it as relaxation. He was most happy to switch places.

It should be Zhuo Fan the main with Shangguan Yulin as backup in this scenario.

However, the bitter days finally ran out as Zhuo Fan returned home at noon with Shangguan Qingyan and Gu Santong. But they were far from relaxed.

Dad, the manor made another announcement. Three days later, it will hold the Pill King Convention to select true alchemists to heal the Crown Prince in the imperial capital.

Rus.h.i.+ng into the parlor, Shangguan Qingyan made her report.

Jumping to his feet, Shangguan Feixiongs eyes shone, shouting, Since they mentioned the alchemist selection, the security eased up, the patrols eased, and people swarmed this city. The day finally came. In three days, we move, ha-ha-ha

Shangguan Feixiong walked behind the house, Ill inform the venerables.

Shangguan Qingyan beamed and nodded, Gu Yifan, your moment is near. Dont mess it up. While a backup

No worries, I wont. Zhuo Fans eyes flashed.

Shangguan Qingyan nodded, rus.h.i.+ng after her dad.

Gu Santong muttered, Dad, is it a trap.

Definitely. Zhuo Fan grinned.

But Shangguan clans spies in the central area have reported for the last few days that the Crown Prince is indeed hurt badly. Wont

Zhuo Fan patted his head, Its too strange of an event. Not about the number of reports confirming it, but the timing is what reveals it being a trap.

Yet theyre still going. Dont they know this?

People always believe what they want to believe.

Zhuo Fan smiled, Knowing its a trap, the fact that they make all kinds of plans around it, they dont see it as one, but an opportunity. Such is the mentality of men, greedy. Theres no way opportunity lies at every corner, ha-ha-ha. Though this trap is clever, whats truly ingenious is that it fits the Shangguan clans character. Flying Cloud manor has a cunning mind among them.

Zhuo Fans eyes shone coldly, Ill have to watch my step in the manor as well