tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60051503288424501572024-03-21T18:13:30.106-07:00Trung Nguyen, WriterWeb novels machine translated and written by Trung, because who needs sleepTrung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-3678205172346046572018-06-25T22:48:00.001-07:002018-06-25T22:48:59.906-07:00Moving to Webnovel in 2019<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry that I have not been updating this blog recently. A bunch of life problems hit me all at once, and it seems like they won't be going away anytime soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's why I decided to (temporarily?) abandon this blog. I need to focus on fixing my life before I could come back to this novel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, a recent commentator mentioned that I could post my novel on Webnovel. So I decided to start posting there... but not until early 2019.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry guys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who still wish to stick with me after all my mistakes and unreliability, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please look for this novel in 2019 on Webnovel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSn8Sj89OsxLmriJZc5nB5eoTcQT17unvLJUfk0IzL6XsCumwRJWpePWshiGd4ZKZciSb8Pqzi1TH_NNrp1jABOdx6YURYOVVQCoHB1KVXArB7DZ3Rtq_qMOGPvHjFGdTJYhyphenhyphenyYiADr3N/s1600/The+First+Alchemist+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSn8Sj89OsxLmriJZc5nB5eoTcQT17unvLJUfk0IzL6XsCumwRJWpePWshiGd4ZKZciSb8Pqzi1TH_NNrp1jABOdx6YURYOVVQCoHB1KVXArB7DZ3Rtq_qMOGPvHjFGdTJYhyphenhyphenyYiADr3N/s320/The+First+Alchemist+Cover.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-7448113286519916242018-06-25T22:48:00.000-07:002018-06-25T22:48:56.149-07:00The First Alchemist Cover<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey guys, just a quick update on a cover I cooked up a few months ago for The First Alchemist:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ374IVEaX5AnQsqnQx0_u0731cUhdue44I5i_IK1wlgqB5-9s-uSx8HHBwIYwk4I7w03EVBRhTXw1d7LRsfFDP_6horImZzT840p6jm98m4DiksPNuRUe5BlOUgbNY7kOj3LcuW6aJfnH/s1600/The+First+Alchemist+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ374IVEaX5AnQsqnQx0_u0731cUhdue44I5i_IK1wlgqB5-9s-uSx8HHBwIYwk4I7w03EVBRhTXw1d7LRsfFDP_6horImZzT840p6jm98m4DiksPNuRUe5BlOUgbNY7kOj3LcuW6aJfnH/s640/The+First+Alchemist+Cover.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was going for minimalism (which has nothing to do with my lack of drawing skills. Definitely, definitely not).</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-28520568669185899552018-05-09T01:20:00.000-07:002018-05-18T01:16:38.347-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 62<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 62 - Silver Needles</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-9bcb094f-4150-0a01-8adf-e0a79403f524" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Are you ready to make my robes?” Chem Al asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ll get started on it right away!” Luo Xuya practically shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She couldn’t believe it. One minute she was barely scraping by, the next she was rich enough to…. Come to think of it, she didn’t even know what to do with all this money. Being this rich was something she had never even dared to dream of.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Luo Xuya….” Xu Zhu approached her from behind. There was a mixed look on her face that spoke of happiness for her friend, envious of her friend, and also a little bit of hope.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In fact, the other friends of Luo Xuya were there as well with the same look.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya smiled at them. “Don’t worry. My joy is your joy. You’re all coming with me to… to…work at my own seamstress business! But this time I’ll set better working conditions! And with better pay!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Her friends cheered. They weren’t afraid of hard work, but working here in this dark and dingy warehouse somehow ate at their souls.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“That’s great,” Chem Al chimed in. “As so happens, my village needs a seamstress. You can set up a shop there.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Your village?” Luo Xuya’s eyes widened. All this time she had thought of Chem Al as a cultivator who came from a noble clan that somehow ended up with this shabby appearance due to some circumstances. Who would have thought that he really was a villager! Come to think of it, she had never heard of a noble clan known as the Chem Clan in Vera City.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes,” Chem Al said. “My village is currently growing prosperous and is in need of a seamstress at the moment. I promise that if you come to my village, making five thousand high jade stones per year would seem like spare change to you.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya thought about it. At first, she wanted to say no because a village didn’t have that high of a population, thus wouldn’t have enough demand for her clothes to keep a seamstress business afloat long term.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But this boy…. To be able to pull out five thousand high jade stones for just a set of robes? And to be able to order the City Lord’s own guards around? There must be more to the story than this.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Still, she was hesitant on jumping in with someone she had just met on the first day.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, I can understand your reluctance,” Chem Al said. “How about we talk this over more at the City Lord’s castle?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hearing that made Luo Xuya’s eyes shined. To be able to enter the City Lord’s castle was not something her status would ever reach in her lifetime.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If this boy can prove that he can go in and out of the castle freely, then that further cemented his words as more than just fluff in her mind.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So she agreed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, before I forget, there’s one more thing I need from you,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Anything, dear customer.” Luo Xuya bowed. After all, five thousand high jade stones was way too much for just one set of robes.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I would like to borrow those, please.” Chem Al pointed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya looked at what he was pointing at.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was her sewing needles.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“My needles?” Luo Xuya said. “What do you need my needles for?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ve just received some inspiration that poking people with them would be beneficial for their health,” was Chem Al’s answer.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Uhhh.........</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone’s minds went blank. Was this kid right in the head?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, Luo Xuya felt a little regret about joining this boy and his village.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Well, let’s head on over to the City Lord’s castle,” Chem Al said. “Bring what you need with you to make the robes.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya and her friends nodded, and was about to follow him out of the warehouse, when suddenly a voice shouted, “Wait! Please take us with you!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That voice belonged to one of the many haggard women in the warehouse. She wasn’t close to Luo Xuya in anyway, but they knew each other from working in the same room for so many years.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After that one voice spoke out, the other women started clamoring as well.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, take us, please!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I don’t want to work here anymore.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“We want to work for you!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Their only chance of escaping this dark, dimly-litted warehouse was about to walk out the door. How could they stay quiet?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya looked at all of them, seeing their tired and downtrodden expressions.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She turned to Chem Al. “Is what you said true? That if I set up a shop in your village, I will make so much money that five thousand high jade stones would look like nothing?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Okay, then. You’re all coming with me!” Luo Xuya shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone cheered and raised their hands in the air.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With the guards escorting them, everyone made their way to the doorway out of the warehouse. By this time, Madame Fei was wakening from her slumber. “...Ah, what’s going on?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then a few of the women stomped her back into unconsciousness on their way towards the door. She would later wake up with shoeprints on her face.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya saw the fancy carriage that Chem Al will be riding in back to the castle, and she just couldn’t believe it when he invited her in as well. At that moment, she thought of the question that had been plaguing her for awhile, but that she had put in the back of her mind due to the quick changing situation that happened in the past few minutes. Heavens, did her entire life changed in just a couple of minutes?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Dear customer….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Please, call me Chem Al.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Chem Al…,” Luo Xuya said. “I’ve been wondering, out of all the seamstresses in the world, why did you choose me? You could have picked anyone to make your robes.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al looked at her like she was an idiot. “Didn’t I already tell you? It’s because you’re the greatest seamstress in the world.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya was about to retort, telling him to stop with the lie and tell her the real reason he chose her. But then she caught sight of his eyes, which told her that what he said was completely true, or at least something that he completely believed was true.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There was no falsehood. For some reason, he absolutely believed that she was the greatest seamstress in the world.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This…. Did someone kick him in the head when he was a baby?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No matter. If it got her a brand new life, then he can believe whatever he wants to, she thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Without realizing it, she sat up straighter in the carriage, a bit of confidence surging through her.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With the procession of women following behind the carriage towards the castle, it took nearly an hour. Like the villagers, the seamstresses entered the castle with lowered heads, afraid of offending anyone. Thankfully, the castle was more than big enough to house everyone. It didn’t take that much effort to find rooms for them near where the villagers were staying.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And it wasn’t difficult to buy better equipment for them to make clothes. Once they had everything they needed, the seamstresses got to work, helping Luo Xuya make the robes as fast as possible.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al left them to it, then he headed towards castle’s personal smithy while carrying the needles in his hands.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, little customer, I mean, Chem Al,” Tai Fu said. “What brings you back so soon? I was only able to finish one of your profound iron cauldrons so far.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I won’t trouble you for long,” Chem Al said. “I just had some inspiration earlier about medicine, so I need you to make another piece of equipment for me to help in my alchemy.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh? What is it?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“These….” Chem Al held out the needles.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Needles?” Tai Fu examined them. Yep, they were just ordinary needles, made of cheap pig iron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I need you to forge needles like these, but thinner. Also, make them out of silver.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Silver needles?” Tai Fu said. Honestly, this boy just confuses him more and more. “These are for your … alchemy? I thought your alchemy is just making pills? What do you need these needles for?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I need to stick them into people to make them feel better.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Okay….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ll be needing a set of one hundred and eight silver needles. Can you do it?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu nodded. He didn’t understand the purpose of the needles, but it wasn’t like he needed to understand. All he had to do was forge them. In fact, these should be simpler to forge than the cauldrons. The only thing he had to worry about was using silver, which was a soft metal. It would take a little trial and error to forge them that thin.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With the blacksmith agreeing, Chem Al left with a smile.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A day passed and soon Chem Al got everything he needed. Blacksmith Tai Fu was able to forge the silver needles for him with the help of his temporary blacksmith apprentices. And Seamstress Luo was able to finish making the red robes quickly thanks to the help from the other seamstresses.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now Chem Al had his cauldron, his silver needles, and his alchemist robes. He had everything he needed to feel like a real alchemist again.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So he called everyone to gather around him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was time to show off.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 22.08px;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-29532908484879215002018-05-08T00:51:00.001-07:002018-05-09T01:19:50.791-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 61<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 61 - Seamstress Luo</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-87b046e0-3ea2-8d6d-74dd-78a44a8a86a3" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al walked off smiling with his new cauldron, followed by his Master Sheng Yi and his three disciples.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, the City Lord was still there.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu immediately got down on his hands and knees and kowtowed to the City Lord. “Apologies, City Lord,” he hesitantly said. “But it looks like I maybe, probably, can’t work for you. I think that my destiny leads to a different path.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu really did make his mind up earlier. If he were to work for the City Lord, he would just be the latest personal blacksmith in the long line of Vera City’s personal blacksmiths. However, if he were to join with that village boy and his pills, he could see his future extending far beyond that. To be the go-to-blacksmith to forge the cauldrons that makes these miraculous pills? He couldn’t even see how high of a status he would reach.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Strange.... Early yesterday morning, he would have thought that becoming the personal blacksmith to be an unattainable dream, but now he was throwing it aside because he was reaching for something more.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He couldn’t tell if he was being overly ambitious or just plain stupid. Probably stupid.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord could only sigh, expecting this. “It’s not a problem. If that’s where your destiny lies, then so be it.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Thank you, City Lord, for understanding.” Tai Fu lowered his head again. Then a look of hesitation appeared on his face. “Is… is it possible for me to continue using your castle’s smithy to complete the task that your friend has given me?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu could have used his own smithy to do the job, but the equipment in this one would make it a lot easier. Still, to ask for something from someone that you had rejected….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Of course.” To Tai Fu’s surprise, the City Lord agreed. “Helping my friend means helping me and my city.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That’s what the City Lord said on the outside, but what he was really hoping for lied in his personal blacksmith. While Tai Fu lowered his head again in thanks, the City Lord took the opportunity to lock gazes with Mo Yixing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing nodded, understanding.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He hated working like an apprentice to the weak Tai Fu, but he understood how important the task he had gotten from the City Lord was: to spy on Blacksmith Tai Fu and learn his secrets.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen wasn’t the City Lord for nothing. Even though he had allied himself with the Alchemist Association, that doesn’t mean he wasn't planning to steal a few secrets here and there; anything to help his city.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With that, the City Lord walked away with his escort of guards, leaving the blacksmiths to their tasks.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of course, they would have to repair the forge first….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord found Chem Al again a few minutes later. This time the boy was alone.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now that he has a new medicinal cauldron, the City Lord inquired on whether or not he could make some new medicine for the Patriarchs who were asking for his services.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, Chem Al had to put him off for just a little bit longer. There was one more thing he needed first.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">***</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya’s hands were aching. She had been working on this loom all day, making clothes.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She needed to rest. Just a few minutes would do.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So she took her hands off the loom.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In just three breaths of time, a voice shouted from the other side of the small warehouse. “What are you doing! Get back to work!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The voice belonged to Madame Fei, who came charging towards her like an ox. “Being lazy, are we?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, Madame Fei! I just needed to rest for a little while.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You can rest when your shift is over. Or do you think that I can’t replace you with someone else immediately?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, please, Madame Fei. I need this job.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Madame Fei’s eyes glared at her a little longer than normal. “Then make sure you remember that the next time you think about being lazy.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya quickly got back to work.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing that, Madame Fei walked off.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When the Madame was shouting about, that part of the warehouse seemed to be holding its breath, waiting; only the numerous continuously moving looms made any noise. It was only after the Madame left that the faint whispers of the women here started to rise back up again.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Even if Madame Fei is on the other side of the room, you shouldn’t let down your guard. She’s got eyes behind her back,” Xu Zhu whispered. She was sitting next to Luo Xuya, and was one of her best friends.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I know,” Luo Xuya whispered back, “But I couldn’t hold on any longer. My hands… they feel like they belong to someone twice my age.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Tell me about it.” Xu Zhu rubbed her own hands.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“One day, Xu Zhu, one day we’re going to get out of here.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah.” Xu Zhu gave a wry smile. Although she made agreeing noises, she had long given up on that fantasy of theirs. They had been saying stuff like that for the past fifteen years. It was only Luo Xuya among their group of friends who still held on to that hope.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Xu Zhu looked around the warehouse and saw a few women who were much older than they were. How the hell were they ever going to get out of here?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, a door opened.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hello?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Madame Fei looked over and saw a small boy. Was the boy wearing any expensive clothes that indicated the status of any of the noble clans? Nope. He was only wearing what appeared to be clothes that only poor villagers would wear. So her first reaction was, “Shoo! Get the hell out of here! This is no place for kids to play?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, my apologies,” the boy said, sounding more mature than his age. “I was just hoping to talk to someone.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I don’t care if you want to talk to a tree! Get out of here, kid! Or else I will….” Madame Fei’s words dropped off when that boy tossed something to her.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was a high jade stone!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone sucked in a breath, surprised. That was a year of their pay flying through the air. This wasn’t something a mere villager could throw out so casually.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Madame Fei caught the stone and quickly pocketed it in case the boy changed his mind, then she plastered a smile on her face. Who cares how dirty this kid looked. Money was money. “Dear customer, what did you want to talk about? Is it about getting a new set of custom clothes?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, I can tell immediately. You must have gone through some harsh ordeal to end up like that. A person of your status shouldn’t be wearing such low quality clothing.” Madame Fei had heard of cultivators who came from noble clans going off into the forest in order to temper themselves, and then come back bedraggled. Such a thing wasn’t rare. “Please, dear customer, come with me to our storefront across the street. This is only our warehouse and the clothes here haven’t been completed yet.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No need.” Chem Al shook his head. “I want my clothes to be made by a specific someone here in this warehouse.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Who?” Madame Fei asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al pointed, remembering a portrait of her he had seen in his past life when he had visited the huge Luo Clan’s main boutique headquarters.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All the women in the warehouse turned their eyes to see who he was pointing at.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was Luo Xuya!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“M-Me?” She pointed at herself.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded. “I have long heard of the great Madame Luo, the most famous seamstress in the world. The clothing you make are like the stars in the night sky, each and every one of them standing out brightly. I have come a long way to meet you.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of the women in the warehouse nearly collapsed where they sat.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Stars in the sky? Shining out brightly? What the hell was this boy talking about?!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although not all of them were close with Luo Xuya, since they had spent years together in a small warehouse, they knew of her. And her skills with the loom weren’t anything special.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh, dear customer. If you’re looking for someone to make your clothes, we have more qualified workers to….” Madame Fei tried to say.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, it has to be her,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya was looking around with a perplexed expression, thinking that this boy must have gotten her confused with someone else.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But no…. That boy walked up and stopped in front of her.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Luo Xuya, my name is Chem Al. I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you,” he said. “Now let’s get down to business, shall we?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al pulled out a scroll which he unfurled in front of Luo Xuya. On that scroll was a drawing of an intricately styled red robe with a symbol of fire on the back. Not only that, it also contained plenty of pockets, and even special folds in the sleeves, in order to hold stuff. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although this style would look old and dated to anyone a hundred thousand years from now, this early design was what the very first robes of an alchemist looked like!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya quickly examined the scroll. The drawing was a little childish, but she got the gist of it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a nod, she said, “I… I think I can make this for you....”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Cough....” Watching closely from nearby, Madame Fei coughed into her fist.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“...uh, but based on how intricate this robe looks,” Luo Xuya continued, knowing what Madame Fei wanted her to say, “it would cost quite a bit to make.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No problem,” Chem Al said, then he snapped his fingers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Someone must have been using their profound senses to listen because the next thing that happened was the door slamming open again, and then a couple of guards marched in while carrying something.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone took a step back in shock.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“That armor…. Those guards work directly for the City Lord himself!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Heavens! Who is this boy who can command the City Lord’s own guards? What is his background?</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 33.12px;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Even the young masters of the noble clans can’t do this!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The guards put down the trunk in front of Luo Xuya, then opened it up. The white green shine of high jade stones revealed itself in front of everyone.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“This is five thousand high jade stones,” Chem Al said. “I wonder if this is enough?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What?! Five thousand high jade stones?!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone froze in shock. This amount of money…. Nevermind ordering a set of custom clothes, it was enough to buy out this entire warehouse.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya couldn't believe what she was seeing. Wanting to confirm, she asked, “Is… is this really for me? If I make those robes for you?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With that answer, a new look appeared in Luo Xuya’s eyes. Earlier, she had been speaking as a worker, in which a certain percentage of money she made from making these robes would go to Madame Fei. But now….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Luo Xuya charged over to Madame Fei, who was staring with a stunned look at the jade stones. It wasn’t until the last second that she noticed Luo Xuya right by her side. “Wait! What are you doing?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I QUIT!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A mighty hand smashed against Madame Fei’s cheeks, causing her to fly away like a sack of potatoes until she landed on the ground with a roll. Saliva dripped out of her mouth as she fell unconscious.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although Luo Xuya didn’t cultivate, that slap contained over a decade of frustration.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"That felt good," she said. "I've been waiting to do that for years!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span id="goog_1397043319"></span><a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-60.html">Prev Chap</a><span id="goog_1397043320"></span> | <a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-62.html">Next Chap</a></b></span></div>
Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-24178423338207872832018-05-06T16:43:00.000-07:002018-05-08T00:25:40.794-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 60<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 60 - Blue Mithril Cauldron</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-a82fbe85-37d2-d530-9875-96c6830aee47" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“...And that’s how you make pills volatile to the point of exploding while also stable enough to maintain their shape,” Chem Al explained.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In front of him were his Master Sheng Yi and his three disciples, Bela Dor, Shu Tui, and Sei Vi.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They were having tea in his personal room assigned to him by the City Lord himself; one of the finest rooms in the castle. Of course, having tea was just a facade.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I think that should be the end of the lesson today,” Chem Al said. “And remember, if anyone asks, all you were here for was to have tea with me. The City Lord and the other Patriarchs all think that I’m the only one with any knowledge of alchemy within our village. For now, let them continue believing that. It’ll buy us some time so that we can build up our strength in case the allure of the pills becomes too much and they do something drastic against our village. I apologize if this is inconvenient.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I don’t mind,” Sheng Yi said. “What I care more about is when are you going to get us our very own medicinal cauldrons?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The three disciples’ eyes shined, thinking about the same question.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Soon,” Chem Al said. “After Blacksmith Tai Fu finishes forging my new cauldron, I’ll have him make yours as well, along with some other alchemy equipment.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sei Vi felt frustrated. “How long will....?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Boom!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She was interrupted by the sound of a massive explosion. Everyone rushed to the window to see what was going on.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“What the heck was that?” Sheng Yi said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al had some suspicions. “It came from near the servants quarters. Let’s go take a look.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">***</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After the explosion, Mo Yixing and the blacksmith apprentices hesitantly walked back into the smoking smithy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hello? Anyone still alive in here?” Mo Yixing shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when he saw the partially destroyed forge. Although the explosion turned out to be smaller than what he had imagined, leaving most of the smithy intact, it still burnt through the central and most important part of it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Boss Mo, I found the cauldron.” One of the apprentices was digging through a pile of rubble, revealing a glint of blue metal.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Who cares about that? Do you know how much money it’s going to take to repair the forge?” Mo Yixing shouted. “Forget about that cauldron! It’s probably nothing but a broken piece of junk now anyway.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, Boss. It’s intact!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That apprentice pulled the entire cauldron out of the rubble and held it up. Indeed, it seemed completely fine. Other than some dust, it looked like the explosion hadn’t affected it at all.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s fine?” Mo Yixing’s eyebrows raised, then he remembered how the explosion turned out to be tinier than he had expected. “That weak blacksmith, he actually did it?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when one of the other apprentices shouted out. “Hey, Boss! I found him!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing and the rest of the blacksmith apprentices rushed over. What they saw was a soot stained body that was partially covered in debris. He wasn’t moving.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing grew quiet, then said, “Giving your life to forge something. That speaks of your soul as a blacksmith. I’ll be sure to tell the City Lord this when I fully regain my position as his personal blacksmith.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m not dead…,” the body groaned.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing and the apprentices all jumped, then they detected the faint rising and falling of his chest. Heavens! With how miserable he looked, he really did look dead.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh…,” Mo Yixing said, then he smashed his fist onto Tai Fu’s head.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ow! What was that for?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You fool!” Mo Yixing shouted. “Risking your life to forge this cauldron or whatever? Don’t you understand that even if we fail to make it, we can always try again. Even though blue mithril ore is rare, it’s not like it’s one in a million. What else can you be if not a fool!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I… I just wanted the cauldron to come out perfectly,” Tai Fu mumbled.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">His words still caused Mo Yixing to continue thinking that he was nothing but a fool. However, he had to admit that this weak looking blacksmith gave more care in forging tools than his own apprentices did. That says something about him. ... But he was still a fool.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hello?” A voice came from the doorway.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was Chem Al.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing him, Mo Yixing grabbed the blue mithril cauldron from the apprentice that was holding it, then handed it to Tai Fu. “What are you waiting for? Get up. Your customer is waiting.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, thank you,” Tai Fu said before getting up and lurching towards the door. “Dear customer….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Is that…?” Chem Al’s heart jumped at the sight of it. Although it looked a little dusty, what Blacksmith Tai Fu was holding was unmistakably The First Alchemist’s second medicinal cauldron!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He had only seen it as an aged and rusted artifact, but now it was like a newborn baby.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al jumped forward and grabbed the cauldron. “Beautiful…, beautiful…,” he kept mumbling over and over as he examined the cauldron from every angle with shining eyes.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While he was distracted, someone else came along and shouted, “What’s going on here?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone, except the distracted Chem Al, bowed with cupped hands. ““We greet the City Lord!””</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord had come over with a contingent of guards to investigate what had caused that explosion. When he got here, his eyes honed in on Chem Al holding a blue and bigger version of that cauldron he had seen yesterday. “Is that what I think it is?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes,” Chem Al said, snapping out of it. “I can now start making medicine again.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hearing that, the City Lord grew excited. And not just him; Master Sheng Yi and the three disciples, who had followed Chem Al out here, were as excited as well. This was a step closer to them getting their very own medicinal cauldrons!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al called over one of his disciples, Bela Dor, who was the best out of all three in recognizing medicinal ingredients. He told her what he needed and sent her off to fetch some from their cart full of medicine, which the other villagers had brought to the castle ever since they knew that they would be staying here for awhile.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of course, Chem Al didn’t reveal to any of the city people here that she was his disciple. For all they know, she was just an ordinary villager following orders.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing her run off, Chem Al couldn’t help but sigh. These ancient times were very inconvenient. In his past life, he could easily pull out the medicinal ingredients that he would need from his spatial ring. But now….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon, Bela Dor returned with what he had asked for. Now that he had everything, Chem Al knew exactly which pill he was going to concoct first with his new medicinal cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In front of everyone, Chem Al stood before the cauldron, releasing the aura of a wise and ancient hero.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One by one, with hands as graceful as if he was plucking stars from the sky, he picked up the medicinal ingredients and placed them inside the cauldron within a few short breaths of time.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Profound energy swirled around. The cauldron started to glow, and with a rumble, three medicinal pills shot up into the air. With a turn of his hand, Chem Al caught them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They were three Soothing Yu Pills!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He had actually made three pills at the exact same time! Because alchemy was new in this era, the people around here didn’t understand how difficult this was, especially with how easy Chem Al made it look.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And how could it be difficult for him? In his past life, he was known as the Grandmaster, someone who could make pills up to the tenth tier. These mere first tier pills were nothing to him. Even if he had to make over a hundred at the exact same time, it wouldn’t be a difficult matter. The only reason he couldn’t do this before was because the more simpler profound iron cauldron could only make pills up to the second tier; third tier if you really push it. It was simply impossible to make multiple low tier pills at the same time, no matter how skilled the alchemist was.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, this cauldron was different. It was made out of blue mithril, making it tough enough to handle concocting higher tier pills. It could even make pills up to the fifth tier! Concocting multiple low tier pills at the same time was nothing to it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With these pills in hand, Chem Al tossed them over to Tai Fu. “As an alchemist, I’m prescribing you these three Soothing Yu Pills to heal your injuries as thanks for forging my cauldron. Take one now, one before bed, and the last one tomorrow morning.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu was surprised. As a resident of Vera City, how could he not have heard the rumors about these pills storming through the city? To his shock, they turned out to be created by using the cauldron that he himself had forged. He simply couldn’t believe it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Eyeing these Soothing Yu Pills, Tai Fu only hesitated for a second before swallowing one.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Immediately, his injuries from the minor explosion healed at a visible rate before stopping a few short breaths later. Although not all of his injuries were gone, he could tell that the two additional pills he carried would be all he needed to completely recover.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That means that by this time tomorrow, he would be completely fine. It would have normally taken him a month by circulating the profound energy in his body to heal his injuries. These… these pills were simply too astonishing!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At this moment, Tai Fu finally understood why this strange village boy could befriend the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Thank you for the pills.” Tai Fu bowed with cupped hands to Chem Al.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al shook his head, feeling embarrassed. The greatest blacksmith in the world thanking him for three mere first tier pills? How could he not feel embarrassed?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With this new medicinal cauldron, he could have concocted even more powerful healing pills for the blacksmith. There was a third tier pill, and even a fifth tier pill, that he could have made with for him. However, he couldn’t do so right now because he didn’t want to show off any of the truly powerful pills to anyone in this city just yet. He had to allow his village some advantage.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, please. I’m the one that should be thanking you,” Chem Al said. “You truly have a talent for forging cauldrons. Have… have you thought about what we talked about last year?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Talked about last year?” Tai Fu asked, but then he remembered. “About how you want me to move to your village? You’re still asking me that?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Of course,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu looked at this strange, strange little boy, and thought back to when he had first met him last year.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When it seemed like the little boy didn’t have money, the next day he had money. And when the little boy didn’t seem to have any status, here he comes as the friend of the City Lord himself, who was someone Tai Fu couldn’t have even hoped to meet in this lifetime.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This strange village boy kept surprising him time and time again.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I… Let me think about it,” was Tai Fu’s lackluster answer although his eyes shone with clarity. Actually, his mind was already made up, but with the City Lord standing nearby, he couldn’t just give his real answer so abruptly.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded, understanding. The important part was that he had managed to convince Blacksmith Tai Fu.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Changing the subject, Chem Al said, “Now that you’ve finished making my cauldron, I’m going to need you to forge a few more, but this time make them like the one you did last year; simple cauldrons made of profound iron.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“More profound iron cauldrons? Why?” Tai Fu asked. He always felt confused when dealing with this boy. Normal people would ask a blacksmith to forge swords or armor, but this boy always wanted cauldrons. He could only shake his head.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m getting the feeling that, in the near future, there are going to be a few more alchemists,” Chem Al replied while glancing at the City Lord, hiding the fact that these cauldrons would first go to his Master and disciples.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu thought about it, and it seemed like a relatively easy task. After all, he already had experience forging such a simple cauldron before. And it wasn’t like he was in the position to say no because that would mean saying no to a friend of the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, Tai Fu agreed.</span></span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-13974318108952070672018-05-05T15:00:00.000-07:002018-05-06T16:43:33.654-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 59<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 59 - Forging a New Cauldron</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-bf41dd5d-0e5c-a9cf-7056-344c0e31be77" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s you?” Tai Fu’s mouth hung open.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, you remember me. It must be my handsome face,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No, this can’t be, Tai Fu thought. He just got confused for a second because he had been expecting a powerful expert to walk through those doors, and instead it was that village boy from last year. There is no way that this boy could be the City Lord’s friend.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Where is he? Where’s that powerful expert that lied to the City Lord and told him I was the greatest blacksmith in the world?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Powerful expert?” Chem Al tilted his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But if you’re asking about the person who told the City Lord about you, it was me, and I wasn’t lying. You are the greatest blacksmith in the world!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu was stunned, his mind trying to process everything. How was this little boy able to even meet with the City Lord, let alone convince him with such a blatant lie?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While Tai Fu stood there frozen, the City Lord stepped in. “Blacksmith Tai Fu, would you like to take a look at my castle’s smithy?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu snapped out of it. He’ll worry about his questions later. “Yes,” he said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord, Chem Al, and Tai Fu made their way to the other side of the castle, where the servants’ quarters lay. Just beyond the courtyard and on the edge of the boundary lied a huge smithy, out of the way so that the smoke wouldn’t affect the rest of the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu’s eyes were shining. This… this could all be his if he chose to work for the City Lord?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Even the largest smithy in all of Vera City paled in comparison to this. Not only was it spacious, it was filled to the brim with the best equipment and precious ores.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He jumped around and touched everything like a child discovering sugar for the first time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After a few breaths of time passed, the City Lord coughed into his fist. “How is it?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s amazing!” Tai Fu shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Would you like to see your blacksmith apprentices next?” The City Lord waved his hand and a couple of people stepped in. Based on their soot-stained skin and calloused hands, it was obvious that they had some experience with smithing; plus the hammers they were carrying gave them away. “I would like to introduce you to Mo Yixing. He will be working as your apprentice for now.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Mo Yixing?!” Tai Fu’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you supposed to be the City Lord’s personal blacksmith? Why are you my apprentice?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing answered by gritting his teeth.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when Chem Al clapped his hands once. “Right. Now that you have gotten acquainted with this new smithy and these apprentices, I’m going to need you to forge something for me.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu turned to him. Right, since they had called him here, they obviously wanted him to forge something, and he couldn’t very well reject their request since it was the City Lord (and his friend?) asking him. “What do you need?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Remember the cauldron you made for me last year? I need you to forge another one.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You want another cauldron? What happened to the last one?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It exploded.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Exploded…?” Tai Fu wanted to ask more questions, but decided it was best for his mental state to just stay silent about it. “If that’s all you need, then you need not fear. Just give me a day, no, a few hours, to make one.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, here’s the thing. I want a more powerful cauldron this time, made from this….” Chem Al handed over the ore he got from the treasury.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Blue mithril ore?” Tai Fu reached out and held the ore. He had heard of this material before, but this was the first time he had ever seen it, let alone touch it. How the hell was he supposed to forge something from this?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Can you do it?” Chem Al asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“O-Of course!” Tai Fu lied. What else was he supposed to say in front of the City Lord and everyone else here?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Good!” Chem Al took out a scroll which he then handed to the blacksmith. “Please forge the cauldron to these specific instructions.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu opened up the scroll, and sighed with relief. He remembered that last year this strange village boy had also drew some designs for the profound iron cauldron. Now with this, even though it looked much more complicated, it will make it easier for him to forge this more powerful cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al was extremely confident that Tai Fu would be able to forge the new cauldron, so after seeing him study the scroll, he and the City Lord walked away, leaving Tai Fu being glared at by his new blacksmith apprentices.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Boss Mo, do we really have to follow this guy?” one of the apprentices whispered to Mo Yixing. Although their boss’s status had been reduced to match theirs, they still thought of him as the boss of their smithy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah, Boss. I might be okay with it if it was someone who had some skill, but look at this guy….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“This guy looks like he had only been holding a hammer for a month.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The apprentices continued to grumble.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing wanted to voice his objections as well, but he held them back. That didn’t stop his eyes from flaring. “Quiet, all of you! This was an order from the City Lord himself! We have no choice but to obey. So you should stop thinking about throwing this guy into the burning forge, okay?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Uhh… we weren’t thinking that at all, the apprentices thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, seeing his new boss finishing studying the scroll, Mo Yixing sidled up to him. “So, uh, Boss Tai…,” He hated calling this weak looking blacksmith that, “... what should we do first?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, yes, I guess we’ll, uh, just follow the instructions on this scroll?” Tai Fu tried to sound commanding, but it was hard to do that with the previous personal blacksmith of the City Lord glaring at him. Even though Tai Fu understood that, right now, his status was higher than this man, this was all happening too fast. He couldn’t get used to ordering him around. “Let’s, uh, start with melting down the blue mithril first?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing reluctantly bowed. “As you command. Hey, the rest of you! Fire up the forge!” he shouted at the apprentices like he usually does.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes!” The apprentices rushed about. Although it looked chaotic, they knew what needed to be done.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And soon… the forge was blazing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Um, thank you!” Tai Fu felt the urge to bow to these apprentices. Just earlier today, even these apprentices had a higher status than him, yet now…. He really couldn’t get used to this.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With the forge ready, Tai Fu tossed in the blue mithril ore like he would usually do with any ore he had worked with before, then he waited for it to melt.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">...Nothing happened.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Um, Boss Tai,” Mo Yixing spoke up. “That might work with simple ores like profound iron, but with blue mithril, you might need to add in some boiling purple velt water to help with the melting process.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Right, right, I knew that.” Tai Fu wanted a hole to appear under his feet right this second. “Heat up some purple velt water for me, please.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Sure…,” one of the apprentices said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They all stood there, waiting for the purple velt water to heat up. The atmosphere was excruciatingly awkward. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How long does it take for purple velt water to boil? It feels like forever!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once the purple velt water slowly came to a boil, Tai Fu then splashed it onto the blue mithril ore. Finally, the ore melted down, turning the metal into liquid and separating the impure slag to float on top.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From then on, everyone started rushing around. Mo Yixing and a few apprentices continued to purify the blue mithril ore, while Tai Fu and the rest of the apprentices quickly built a mold for the cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was the first time Tai Fu had help from blacksmith apprentices. Thanks to them, the work was going along a lot faster and easier than it would normally take him to do alone. A job as complex as this would have taken him three to five days, but now he would probably finish it by tomorrow.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Eventually, they were able to create ingots of blue mithril which they used to forge into the shape of a cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now comes the difficult part.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So far all they had done was form a shape, but now it was time for Tai Fu to follow the instructions on the scroll and etch the array on the side of the cauldron. These etchings were extremely complex; more complex than he had ever done before. However, he told himself that he will complete it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It wasn’t like Tai Fu was blind. He could see out of the corners of his eyes the expressions on Mo Yixing’s and the rest of the blacksmith apprentices’ faces. They were frustrated at how slow and clumsy he was, how much he held them back in this smithy. But he’ll prove them wrong now. Even though he lacked strength, he had some confidence in this part of the work. After all, he did something similar last year for that village boy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After placing the cauldron on a specially heated plate in the forge to keep the metal more malleable, Tai Fu took out his carving tool and began to chisel onto the side of the cauldron. The moment he finished five percent of the array, the profound energy around them changed, seemingly moving as if caught in a whirlpool.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mo Yixing and the other apprentices weren’t surprised by this. Whenever they made weapons with built-in arrays that absorbed profound energy, the same effect would take place. However, this was the first time they had seen this happening with a cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for Tai Fu, he barely noticed it, focused as he was.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The whirlpool of profound energy moved slowly at first, but then it grew wider and faster, converging onto the blue mithril cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu continued to etch into the cauldron way into the night. Some would describe him as slow, but he liked to think of himself as methodical. It took until the time for the sun to shine in the sky that he had finally gotten close to ninety five percent done.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">His brow was filled with sweat and he could feel his eyes blurring. It had taken a lot of concentration and mental energy to get this far.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then… he made a mistake.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Shit!” Tai Fu shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The profound energy in the air suddenly became more volatile, jumping into the cauldron like a gushing waterfall; more than it could take. The cauldron started to glow red.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Damn, the cauldron is absorbing too much energy. It’s going to explode!" Mo Yixing shouted. "</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have to get out of here!"</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Not yet!” Tai Fu said. “I can finish this. I can get the cauldron to settle back down and stop the explosion. Just give me another minute.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Are you crazy? We don’t have a minute!” Looking over, Mo Yixing saw that Tai Fu wasn’t listening to him, and instead was rushing his hands to try to finish the array as quickly as possible.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a shake of his head, Mo Yixing led all of the blacksmith apprentices out of the smithy. Just as they got outside….</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span id="goog_1397043319"></span><a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-58.html">Prev Chap</a><span id="goog_1397043320"></span> | <a href="http://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-60.html">Next Chap</a></b></span></div>
Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-80843723347431731122018-05-04T15:00:00.000-07:002018-05-04T15:00:13.967-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 58<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 58 - The Greatest Blacksmith in the World</b></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-bf6c69e5-0e40-ed14-4c64-15f1b793b782"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Early next day found Chem Al and the City Lord discussing the finer details of the alliance between Vera City and the Alchemist Association. Eventually, the City Lord mentioned, “Ever since you’ve cured my son of his illness, the other Patriarchs have been asking if you could personally help some of their family and clan members as well.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Chem Al shook his head. “I can’t.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Why not?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“My cauldron was destroyed, remember? I can’t make medicine without it.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“This… this….” The City Lord was shocked. Didn’t we just enter into an alliance with you? If you can’t make any of those pills, then what’s the point?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m going to need someone to forge me a new cauldron.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s possible to make more of that miraculous treasure?!” The City Lord was surprised. That cauldron had left a lasting impression on him, especially with that explosion at the end. To be so powerful, he had assumed that it was some sort of rare treasure that this village boy found. He had been silly to think of it as a mere cooking pot.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Of course,” Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Tell me what you need. I’ll have my castle’s personal blacksmith forge this miraculous cauldron for you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Again, Chem Al shook his head. “Not just anyone can make such an era changing treasure. I need a specific blacksmith to make it.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Who? I’ll go fetch him immediately.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“His name is Tai Fu.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">---------------------------------</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Several minutes later in another part of Vera City.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu woke up to the sound of someone banging on the door of his smithy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Yo, Tai Fu. Open up!"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ugh.... He recognized that voice. It belonged to Big Nao, a blacksmith that owned the Nao Smithy, one of the wealthiest and most powerful smithys in all of Vera City. A lot of nobles bought weapons at his store.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu crawled out of his tiny bed, then went to open the door, revealing a big and burly man. "What are you doing here?" he said with a tired, lackluster voice.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Hey, Tai Fu. You should think of opening your store earlier. You might be able to get more customers that way."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"What do you want, Big Nao?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"You've got anymore profound iron ingots? I'm starting to run out because, you know, I got a line of customers going around the block. Apparently, a lot of people's kids got really motivated with cultivation after watching that villager win the tournament. But I'm running out of materials to make weapons for them. So then I thought, I know someone who's sure to have some spare ingots lying around since he hardly has any customers. So... what do you say? Will you sell me some?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu looked annoyed. If you're going to ask for something, be more polite about it. But he didn't retort. Money was money, no matter who he sold to. "How much do you want?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Ah, see, before we discuss how much I’m going to buy, how about we talk about how much of a discount you’re going to give me?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"You...." Tai Fu tried to slam the door on his face.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Big Nao thrust out a huge hand, holding the door open. "Oh, don't be like that. If no one's buying your stuff, then all you've got are some metal paperweights. Come on, I'll buy the whole lot if you give me a big discount."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Before Tai Fu could explode, they heard a commotion behind them on the street. Looking out, they saw a contingent of guards pushing a crowd of people away as they escorted a carriage towards the smithy area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Such a fancy carriage.... Which wealthy noble could be riding in it? Just as Big Nao thought that he should run back to his smithy, because he assumed that the carriage was heading there, the carriage stopped in front of the Tai Smithy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Umm...." Neither Tai Fu nor Big Nao knew what to say.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The carriage door opened up and out came... the City Lord himself!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu and Big Nao quickly bowed with cupped hands. ““We greet the City Lord!””</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No need to be so formal. Especially you….” The City Lord gave a jovial smile as he approached Big Nao and patted his shoulders. “You must be Tai Fu! Such a strong man as yourself, I can see why he thinks so highly of you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh….” Big Nao didn’t know how to react.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Um, sir. I’m Tai Fu.” Tai Fu raised his hand.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord turned to face the shorter and skinnier blacksmith. His confused face was then replaced by a plastered smile. He patted Tai Fu’s shoulders. “Of course, of course, I could tell from such a strong man as yourself, that you’re the man I was looking for. I can see why he thinks so highly of you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh….” Now it was Tai Fu who didn’t know how to react. Was this really the City Lord? Where was his face? Where was his dignity?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Excuse me, City Lord, but...” Big Nao said. “...what do you want with Tai Fu?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“For his smithing skills, of course. I’ve been told that Tai Fu here is the greatest blacksmith in the world!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Both Tai Fu and Big Nao nearly collapsed from shock.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who the hell has been lying to the City Lord?!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It wasn’t just Big Nao thinking that, it was also Tai Fu. He knew himself best. If he wasn’t the worst blacksmith in Vera City, he was pretty close. There was no way anyone would consider him as the greatest blacksmith in the world.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This same thought went through the minds of every eavesdropping blacksmith here. Because of the City Lord’s rare appearance here in the smithy area, many of them had come over to take a look at what was going on. They too almost fell to the ground because of the City Lord’s words.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Cough cough…. City Lord, calling me the greatest blacksmith in the world may be a little too much,” Tai Fu said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s not just a little,” Big Nao jumped in. “Even calling him the greatest blacksmith in Vera City would be a huge, huge, huge stretch. City Lord, who told you this?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“A friend of mine,” the City Lord said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A friend? All of the blacksmiths here had their minds racing trying to guess who this friend was. To be able to convince the City Lord that the poor Tai Fu was the greatest blacksmith in the world, and to be able to get the City Lord to come here personally to fetch him…. This friend of his must be a powerful expert! Who could it be?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Might I ask who this prestigious friend of yours is, City Lord?” Tai Fu hesitantly asked.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ll introduce you to him later,” the City Lord said. “But first, I would like to talk about you. I’m in need of a new personal blacksmith, so how would you like to come work for me?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">WHHAAAAATTT?!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone listening in nearly jumped out of their shoes. The weakest blacksmith in Vera City becoming the personal blacksmith of the City Lord himself? Heavens, did everyone here hit themselves in the head with their hammers? Surely they must have heard wrong.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Big Nao staggered. It has been his dream to become the City Lord’s personal blacksmith ever since he first picked up a hammer, and now… and now… this weak blacksmith who he has always looked down on was going to achieve this dream?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is this a nightmare?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“City Lord!” Big Nao shouted. “If you’re in need of a new personal blacksmith, I think I am more qualified than Tai Fu. My smithy produces the finest….”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord held up a hand, silencing him, before turning back to Tai Fu. “Well, what do you say?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I… I….” Tai Fu didn’t understand what was going on. He had just woken up a few minutes ago in the same shanty-like smithy, and now the City Lord was here personally to change his status and give him a better life. This must be a prank of some sort. But would the City Lord have too much time on his hands to joke around?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Assuming that Tai Fu was hesitating, the City Lord said, “Don’t say no just yet. I haven’t even mentioned the benefits you would get.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He waved his hand at his guards, who then pulled out a trunk from the back of the carriage. Opening it up revealed… glitteringly beautiful high jade stones!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Five thousand high jade stones,” the City Lord said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">F-F-Five thousand? Tai Fu’s and everyone else’s minds reeled at the sight.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“And that’s just your advance pay. Your yearly pay will be even higher than that! Plus, you’ll also get these….” Waving his hand again, the City Lord motioned for the guards to reveal a second trunk.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Inside were some of the rarest ingots and ores found in their corner of the Continent. They might not mean much in the wider world, but here in Vera City they were certainly extremely rare.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They were definitely precious metals that Tai Fu had heard of but has never actually seen.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“S-Star Reaching Stone…? M-Moonlight Gravel…? Ingots of S-Scarlet Dancing Rocks…?” Tai Fu picked up one smithing material after another.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the side, Big Nao’s face looked like a gasping fish.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“But that’s not all,” the City Lord said. “You will also get your very own smithy filled with the best equipment that jade can buy. Not only that, you can also have countless blacksmith apprentices at your beck and call.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“T-The best equipment? B-Blacksmith apprentices?” This… this… if this was a dream, Tai Fu didn’t want to wake up. However, this was all too strange, too sudden. He had been beaten down for far too long to fall for a dream so easily. “What’s the catch?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Catch? There is no catch,” the City Lord said.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, despite his assurances, Tai Fu still felt reluctant. There was something off about all of this.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To the side, Big Nao used his profound energy to compress his voice so that only Tai Fu can hear. “What are you hesitating for? This is the City Lord we’re talking about! Even if there is a catch, you should jump into it! But hey, if you don’t want the position, then tell the City Lord the truth, that I’m a better blacksmith than you and that I’m the one who deserves to become his personal blacksmith!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Tai Fu wasn’t listening. He was trying to think this over from every angle. Suddenly, he remembered what the City Lord said. “Please excuse my rude question, City Lord, but can I ask again, who is this prestigious friend of yours? I would like to meet him first, please, before I make my decision.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For someone to be able to convince the City Lord to come here personally, only a powerful expert would be able to do such a thing. A powerful expert that, for some reason, thinks very highly of his smithing skills.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There’s a chance that becoming the personal blacksmith of the City Lord could actually be the short end of the deal in this situation. If Tai Fu agreed to work for the City Lord before even meeting this powerful expert, he might regret it for the rest of his life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A frown flickered on the City Lord’s face, but it quickly vanished. Honestly, he was expecting this from the beginning. For this blacksmith to be thought so highly of by that boy, he knew that it would be difficult to get a concrete yes from him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Come with me,” the City Lord said, inviting Tai Fu into the carriage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu nodded.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All the blacksmiths looked on with green eyes as the weakest blacksmith in their group went off with the most powerful man in Vera City. Some of them pinched themselves, thinking that this must all be some terrible nightmare.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But no, it wasn’t a dream, no matter how much Big Nao slapped himself in the face trying to wake up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Along the way to the castle, the City Lord continued trying to convince Tai Fu to become his personal blacksmith, but the more the City Lord negotiated, the more curious Tai Fu became.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who the hell was this powerful expert that was able to lie so convincingly to the City Lord?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Eventually, they stopped in front of the huge doors of the castle.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tai Fu got out of the carriage on shaky legs. Okay, he was finally going to meet this powerful expert that thought so highly of him for some reason. So he should definitely, definitely not be nervous. If only he could stop himself from sweating….</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then with a rumbling sound, the large doors opened and a little boy wearing ragged clothes came out.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hey, Tai Fu! Long time no see!” Chem Al smiled.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span id="goog_1397043319"></span><a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-57.html">Prev Chap</a><span id="goog_1397043320"></span> | <a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-first-alchemist-chap-59.html">Next Chap</a></b></span></div>
Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-68747971422218335432018-05-03T15:00:00.001-07:002018-05-03T15:00:06.319-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 57<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 57 - Banquet</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-130f28ad-0e2f-0a5e-7df7-4752a75000c9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au picked up the brick. Well, it was more like a black, metal ingot. Although its color was dull, the surface was very smooth. It didn’t look like anything special. In fact, the only strange thing about it was that it was a little too heavy for its size.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I want this.” For some reason, this brick called out to him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uhh….” The City Lord didn’t know what to say. This brick had been discovered by his people a couple of years ago. They couldn’t figure out anything about it. The only reason they kept it was because of its weird weight and the fact that it couldn’t be melted down, so on the off chance that it could be some kind of mysterious treasure, they decided to keep it. “Are you sure you want that? It’s not exactly a weapon.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Even though this isn’t a weapon, maybe I can use it to forge one,” Chem Au said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord wondered if he should tell him that his castle’s personal blacksmith had tried that as well, but whatever material that brick was made of, it was too tough to forge.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Still, Chem Au looked happy with his choice, so the City Lord let it go.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, Chem Au looked over at his little brother, who nodded in return. Chem Au smiled, feeling even more sure that he had made the right choice.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And it was.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al was the only one that knew of what this choice would lead to. That brick would eventually become a legendary weapon. It might just be a brick now, but someday….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Having gotten what they wanted, the Chem brothers followed the City Lord out of the treasury. The City Lord couldn’t help but to look back at the brothers and think of how weird their choices were. A room full of treasure and one of them picked a blue rock while the other picked a black brick.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Those brothers…. The City Lord could only shake his head at them.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, Chem Au’s stomach growled. He grew embarrassed, mostly because he had made that sound in front of the City Lord. “Ah, sorry.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, where are my manners?” the City Lord said. “You haven’t eaten since before the tournament. Come, let me get you something to eat....” But then he got a better idea. “Wait, as a celebration for our new alliance, how about I hold a banquet for your village. Come, bring them to the castle.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Really?” Chem Au said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord answered by getting them a carriage and a contingent of guards to escort the Chem brothers to the market to meet up with their fellow villagers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Some distance away, the people of Chem Village were celebrating their new found wealth. Whether it was from the money from selling pills or their village chief's gambling money, they were having fun with it. They were even sharing it with some other villages who had come by to congratulate their cultivator winning the tournament.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, a few people weren't into the celebration, such as Chem Mai who was speaking worriedly with her husband. "It's getting really late. Why aren't they back yet?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Don't worry, our sons are definitely safe. The City Lord just needs them for something. Those pills our son made are something special," Chem Feng said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"But what if he's planning to take them away from us?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, a fancy gilded carriage arrived, surrounded by over a dozen guards. The people of Chem Village stopped celebrating and gathered together, curious about who this important person was.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The door to the carriage opened.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Mom! Dad! I'm back!" Chem Al jumped out with a shout.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au followed behind him, although he was having a little trouble due to his not yet completely healed injuries.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"My boys!" Chem Mai rushed forward and hugged them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From then on, a barrage of questions hit the Chem brothers, asking them what had happened after the City Lord took them away. However, Chem Al bypassed their questions so that he could announce, "The City lord has invited our entire village to a banquet at his castle.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone from Chem Village widened their eyes in shock.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A banquet? That thought went through everyone’s minds. Why would the City Lord invite all of them to a banquet?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, everyone looked down at their ragged clothes, which normally didn’t bother them before, but now looked too ugly. Wearing such clothes to the castle could be seen as a sign of disrespect to the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The villagers became nervous, then started telling their village chief that they weren’t ready for such an occasion. However, Chem Al ignored all of their complaints.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Listen,” Chem Al said. “Out of all the people that could meet with the City Lord, why do you think he invited us? It’s because we deserve it! Think of all those years of working in the dirt until our fingers bled. Those days are gone. This is a sign that we’ve crawled out of that hole. We can now be considered as important guests that are worthy of being in the City Lord’s presence.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al just bullshited through that speech, but it seemed to rile up the villagers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The people from Chem Village followed the carriage back to the castle, leaving behind a sea of envious eyes in their wake.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon they ended up at the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of the villagers’ eyes widened. The castle was so much bigger up close and a lot more intimidating, especially with all those guards standing around everywhere watching them. They hesitated to walk in.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, their village chief simply got out of the carriage and simply strolled into the castle like he owned the place. The villagers merely followed him in with slow steps, eyes cast down in case they offended anyone here.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a few twists and turns down some halls, they ended up in the dining hall; a large room easily big enough to hold the over five hundred villagers. The villagers felt even more uneasy walking into this room. It was filled with several decorated long tables, and what seemed like over a hundred lanterns lit up the room, shining on the finely made tapestries and the polished stone floors.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The room itself wasn't the only thing that made the villagers nervous. There was the City Lord sitting at the head of the main table, and by him were important looking people in expensive looking clothes. The villagers didn't know who they were exactly, but they could guess that these people were the strongest powers of Vera City.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The villagers gulped, not daring to say a word.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With an order, the servants came in and seated the villagers. This was a first for them, having servants waiting on them. Then rows and rows of servants, one after the other, started placing dishes and alcohol in front of their eyes. The villagers started to salivate. This food…were they really allowed to eat it?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A few hours earlier, they had used their village’s newly gained money to eat more extravagantly than they ever did before, but the castle’s banquet in front of them put all of that to shame. This feast almost looked like it was glittering.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once everything was presented, the City Lord stood up with a smile. "Welcome! It is my honor to have all of you join me."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"N-No, C-City Lord. T-The honor is ours." Sorka Jiu was sweating.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Please lift your head. You don’t have to be so nervous. Your village bringing up this genius doctor, or alchemist, of yours is truly a praiseworthy merit.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, we are proud of our son, right husband?” Chem Mai said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Feng nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord noticed the couple. “So you’re his parents! For you to give birth to, not one, but two genius sons speaks a lot about you. One son who has won the City Tournament and the other is a medical genius!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“T-Thank you, City Lord.” They bowed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“City Lord? Call me Lord Ba Shen, no, call me Brother Ba.” The City Lord smiled.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The villagers were shocked, and even some of the Patriarchs held some surprise. To allow some no name villagers to refer to you as “brother” showed how highly the City Lord thought of them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, despite how closely the City Lord was treating them, the villagers remained stiff in their seats. In fact, the only one from their village who started eating was Chem Al, who was seated near the head of the table right by the City Lord and his son. “What are you all waiting for? This banquet is for our village to celebrate our alliance with Vera City,” Chem Al admonished his fellow villagers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Alliance?" Sorka Jiu said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Yes. The City lord was interested in our village's pills, so he agreed to form an alliance with us.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"T-That's great!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sorka Jiu couldn’t believe it, and neither could the other villagers who heard Chem Al’s words. To have the City Lord himself as a backer, do you know what this means? With his help, their village will now surely rise to the top.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The mood in the dining hall soon became brighter as the villagers heard more and more about the deal that was made. They couldn't help but heap praises for their village chief. To be able to arrange such an alliance was unheard of. Normally, a stronger power would merely crush and take from those lower than them, much less getting into a partnership with them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet, now Vera City will ally themselves with their tiny village. Heavens, were they dreaming?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As the evening passed, the villagers slowly let loose and stuffed themselves with the food, revealing how uncouth their dining manners were. A lot of the Patriarchs tried to hide their slightly disgusted faces at such a scene, reminding themselves that these villagers would give them a lot of benefits soon.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, they kind of expected to see such a sight. The only thing that surprised them was Chem Al, who for some reason was eating eloquently like he already understood noble etiquette and table manners. What a strange child....</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Enjoying the banquet, happiness washed over the villagers. The future looked brighter than ever. But among the villagers was one person who saw all of this like some kind of bad dream that darkened everything he could see.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That person was Sorka Bo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span id="goog_1397043319"></span><a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-56.html">Prev Chap</a><span id="goog_1397043320"></span> | <a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-first-alchemist-chap-58.html">Next Chap</a></b></span></div>
Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-84690922692309007632018-05-01T15:00:00.000-07:002018-05-01T15:00:04.037-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 56<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 56 - Chem Au’s Championship Prize</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-785e8976-0e15-8e2f-d6d3-f8c74de5b106" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Cough cough…. I hadn’t forgotten,” the City Lord said as he turned to Chem Au. “As the winner of this year’s tournament, you will receive ten thousand high jade stones and the privilege of picking one item out of the city’s treasury.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au’s eyes shined. He quickly bowed with cupped hands. “Please accept my thanks, City Lord! You are truly magnanimous. May you rule over Vera City for many years.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ah, this was how a normal kid speaks to their seniors, everyone thought with relief. The last few minutes hearing Chem Al talk left them wondering which way was up or down.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I will gather the ten thousand high jade stones for you later. How about we head over to the treasury first?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes!” Chem Au was excited.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord looked around and discovered that Tan Lan was no longer in the room. He was supposed to be the city’s treasurer. Where the hell was he? The City Lord could only shrug his shoulders. Well, he was planning to lead the two village kids to the treasury personally anyway.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They left the room and walked through the halls of the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With the City Lord in front, Chem Au took the chance to lean over and whisper to his little brother. “I was worried there for a second, but your plan went better than I expected.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Was there any doubt?” Chem Al whispered back.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, especially when you antagonized Senior Tan Lan. He’s one of the most powerful people in this city, and having him support you could only be a good thing. Yet you seem to hate him.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">His brother’s words made Chem Al grow silent. How can he tell him that, according to history, a few months from now, Tan Lan will go behind the City Lord’s back and send a small army to attack their village. For someone to dare attack the home of The First Alchemist, how could he not hate such a person.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I just don’t like him,” Chem Al whispered. “He looks too greedy. I can already tell that getting his support would be impossible. It was obvious that he wants control of our pills no matter what, so I found no reason to be polite to him.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au had a perplexed look on his face. “If that’s your reason why, then why weren’t you just as antagonistic to some of the other Patriarchs in the room? There were others who had as much greed in their eyes as Senior Tan Lan.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al’s mind went into shock. His brother’s words … could they be true?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He had been paying so much attention to Tan Lan that he barely glanced at most of the other Patriarchs. Obviously, there would be some who would covet control of the pills, but to go so far as to go behind the City Lord’s back and risk retribution? Could there be such people in that room who was as greedy and stupid as Tan Lan?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al had to think about this clearly. To be honest, a part of him wanted to change history and prevent that attack on the village. So, in the back of his mind, he had come up with plans to secretly poison Tan Lan to prevent the attack. With his knowledge of alchemy, it would be easy to poison anyone, even if that person had a powerful cultivation.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, Chem Al realized that he hadn’t thought of everything. What would happen if he poisoned Tan Lan before Tan Lan could gather the army to attack? Just because he stopped Tan Lan’s attack in the first place, that doesn’t mean that some other powerful person in the city wouldn’t do the same.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What should he do? Should he allow Tan Lan to attack his village? Or should he poison Tan Lan and risk the chance that some unknown person might attack the village?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Should he face the enemy he knows or the enemy in the shadows?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Arggggghhhh! Decisions, decisions!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au grew concerned when he saw that his little brother looked like he was about to rip the hair out of his head.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when he bumped into the back of the City Lord, who had stopped in front of a huge door deep under the castle. It was obviously made of some kind of strong material, and there were over a dozen guards standing near it, who all straightened their backs when the City Lord approached.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord pulled out a heavy-duty crystal key from inside his robes, then inserted it</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> into the lock.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The door glowed with golden light before swinging open with a low rumble. The City Lord then stepped aside to allow the Chem brothers to see inside. Chem Au’s eyes shined at seeing such a bountiful sight.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He was actually looking at the city’s treasury!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With permission, Chem Au stepped inside with the wide eyes of a child.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The room was huge, and everything glittered. There were piles of the finest quality jade stones all around, like something out of a True Dragon's horde. Among the jade was also the most gorgeous jewels and crystals. But Chem Au's eyes only glanced at these things. What he was truly interested in were the weapons.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There were dozens upon dozens of powerful-looking weapons and armor all around, either on top of the piles of jade stones or hanging on the walls. Swords that had a sharp aura despite still being in their sheaths, spears that seemed able to pierce through mountains, shields and armor that could protect your life in a crisis. All of these things seemed magical to a villager who had never seen much outside the village such as Chem Au.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for little Chem Al... Ehh, was what he thought. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unlike his older brother, he had seen better.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He walked into the treasury right behind his big brother. Looking around, he wasn't interested in many of these items, but there was something he was looking for. According to history, this was where Chem Au found his weapon. The weapon that drove him into legend.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"W-What can I have?" Chem Au hesitantly asked the City Lord. He was afraid of touching more than half of this stuff, fearing that he would never be able to replace them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Anything," the City Lord said. "As long as it's only one thing. But I would like to recommend that you choose a weapon."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au had managed to win the tournament with mostly the use of his fists. However, that might not cut it in the wider world. A weapon could certainly help increase your strength and fighting capabilities, and a truly good one could even become a life saving treasure.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au nodded in response. A weapon was definitely what he was going to choose. But which one?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Do you have any recommendations?" Chem Au asked the City Lord, who was a powerful cultivator that had been in many battles.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord shook his head. "I can not help you. This is a choice that you must live with, so it has to be your choice. Although... I will say that sometimes it's the weapon that chooses its wielder. Try to feel if your weapon is calling out to you."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Okay...." Chem Au spread out his profound senses, but he couldn't feel anything. Still, he wasn't disheartened. One of these weapons was going to be his, so how could he feel sad. He just kept on looking.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While Chem Au was running around, the City Lord turned to Chem Al. “You know, the deal we struck can’t be considered a proper reward since it does benefit me in some ways. How about you choose something from the treasury as well? In fact, I insist on it.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Really?” Chem Al said. To be honest, he wasn’t really interested. There was nothing here he could see that he would be interes….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wait! Is that what I think it is? Chem Al rushed over to one of the piles of jade stones, then reached down. A faintly glowing blue stone shined in his hands.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This was blue mithril ore.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was the main substance used to forge a more powerful medicinal cauldron that was able to concoct pills up to the fifth tier. Huh, what do you know? The First Alchemist’s journals were vague about this, but they do mention that this was around the time he gets his next cauldron after the previous one was destroyed. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">It turns out that this treasury is where he found the materials to make that cauldron.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al had assumed that he would get the blue mithril from one of the blacksmiths in the city, but who knew that this was where he would find some.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I choose this,” Chem Al said, presenting the blue mithril.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure? Although blue mithril can be considered a rare metal, it isn’t actually that rare or valuable. Perhaps you should choose some armor that can help protect yourself.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m sure.” Chem Al hugged the blue mithril close to his chest.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord could only shrug his shoulders.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While that was going on, Chem Au was jumping around with joy at all the weapons around him. Ooh, that sword looked interesting. He went over and picked up a giant, black sword. It looked really, really cool.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He looked over at the City Lord to see if he agreed with this choice, but then Chem Au noticed his little brother who was, for some reason, holding a blue rock. Little Al was looking back at him while shaking his head.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">His little brother, although he couldn't fight or cultivate, was someone that Chem Au recognized as very intelligent. He trusted his judgment.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So Chem Au dropped the huge sword. Next, he found an incredibly brutal axe, but that got a head shake as well.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The celestial spear also got a no.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Same for the suit of armor.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And the beast gauntlets.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And the....</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What the hell? Does his little brother think all of these weapons weren’t suited for him? To be honest, Chem Au also felt like they didn't fit him, but he still needed to choose a weapon, and all of those weapons were powerful. They would have increased his strength and ability to protect the village.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But apparently, they weren't good enough. So which weapon should he choose?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was then that Chem Au felt something, like a pulse that tugged at his chest with each beat. Faint at first but growing a little stronger with each step he took closer in the right direction.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He finally stopped in front of a shield half buried in a pile of dull jade stones. From what he could see, the shield shined like silver and was as radiant as the moon. Just looking at it showed how strong and durable it was. It would certainly offer a lot of protection.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au picked up the shield... then tossed it away.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What he had sensed wasn't coming from the shield, but from what was under it. With the shield gone, Chem Au looked down and saw his weapon.</span></span></div>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-66478955100200241482018-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-30T15:00:26.144-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 55<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 55 - The Fate of Jia Yixue</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-62f47801-0e03-c108-4d26-8d110f230368" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After everyone celebrated the alliance between Vera City and the Alchemist Association, Chem Al spoke to the City Lord. “By the way, whatever happened to that personal doctor of yours, Jia Yixue?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord froze, remembering. He then turned to his guards. “Bring Jia Yixue to me this instant!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, City Lord!” The guards saluted, then left.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">An incense stick's worth of time later, the guards returned with Jia Yixue between them. “Sir, here he is. We caught him trying to escape.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“C-City Lord, that’s not true. I was just preparing for a short trip to gather materials to make medicine,” Jia Yixue said. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord looked down at him. “Do you take me for a fool? You’re not the first doctor who had failed me, then tried to escape. I’ve had my guards watching your movements for the past few days now with specific instructions on what to do if you made your own attempt. Now… have you cleaned your neck for me?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“City Lord! Please! I was honestly trying to find a cure for your son! I just needed a few more days, that’s all.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“That’s what you’ve been saying for the past few months, and yet this little boy beside me had fulfilled my wish in merely one day.” The City Lord smiled at Chem Al.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I... I don’t know how he did it, but he must have tricked you somehow. Yes, that’s it. He just used some sort of....”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Enough! Take him to the castle’s executioner!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Wait!” Chem Al said. “Before you haul him away, I wish to ask him a few questions first.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord paused, then nodded for his guards to halt.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jia Yixue was just about to wail for his life, but then he stopped short when Chem Al spoke up. Perhaps this little kid was his savior! “Anything! Ask me anything!” he groveled.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I would like to learn about your knowledge of medicine.” Chem Al was curious about the medicine of this era. The only other reference he had to go on was Sheng Yi. What knowledge does this city doctor know?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jia Yixue felt relieved at Chem Al’s question. He must be trying to compare notes between practitioners of medicine. After all, even though he wasn’t able to cure the City Lord’s son, his knowledge of medicine was still extensive. If he shares what he knows, perhaps he could still get out of this with his life.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“What do you wish to know?” Jia Yixue said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“How did you try to cure the City Lord’s son? What were your methods?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I used the most divine methods available to me. Knowing that Ba Re’s legs were being held down by earth-type spirits, I spent....”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al sighed, then pointed at one of the guards holding Jia Yixue. “You!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Me?” The guard looked flustered.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, you. Slap his face, please.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The guard looked over at the City Lord, who nodded back to him. So the guard did what he was told.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A red hand print appeared on one of Jia Yixue’s cheeks. “What? Why? Why did you tell him to slap my face?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Because you said something stupid,” Chem Al answered. “Now continue….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh….” Jia Yixue had never been so humiliated before, but it was either this or losing his head. “To prevent any further spirits from invading, I drew some sigils on the walls using pig’s blood.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Another red hand print appeared on his other cheek. “...I placed feathers on Ba Re’s legs to lighten them while dancing in a circle.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“The celestial stars had to be aligned before using my next poultice.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I used my piss….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Smack!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">By the time Jia Yixue finished speaking, his face looked like an inflated, red pig. Chem Al could only sigh. It looked like there was nothing to learn from this sham of a doctor.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing the little alchemist satisfied with his questioning, the City Lord again relayed the order to have Jia Yixue executed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jia Yixue was dragged across the floor while wailing and groveling for his life, but seeing him like that brought some sympathy from Chem Al. Even though he knew from the history books that this was an era where even slighting a noble was a justifiable reason for death, he had come from a less chaotic future where there were less harsher punishments.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen death before. During his past life, working his way up to become the most powerful alchemist of his time, he had tried to save plenty of people from the jaws of death, only to fail. Death wasn’t a stranger to him, but what Jia Yixue did wasn’t bad enough to warrant execution.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And Jia Yixue wasn’t completely to blame. This was a time where most medicinal knowledge was based on guesses and luck. He was raised with idiotic so called knowledge about medicine. And killing someone for being an idiot didn’t sit right with Chem Al.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of course, if Jia Yixue did something truly horrendous like attacking Chem Village or the body of The First Alchemist, then that was a justifiable reason for his death, but this….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Wait,” Chem Al said with a sigh. “Instead of having him executed, how about just banishing him instead?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jia Yixue looked up, hope in his eyes.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Banishment?” the City Lord said. Although it could be considered a lighter sentence, by no means was it a kind one.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes. After all, your son has been healed, so there’s no need to go so far as having his head chopped off.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord thought about it. This shitty so called doctor who had raised his hopes for the past few months, only to shatter them constantly; he hated this man. However, it was true that his son was now better, so he wasn’t as angry as the past few times this had happened. “Hmm, fine. I am in a good mood. It looks like the castle’s executioner will be bored today.” He waved his hand. “Guards! Give him thirty lashes and then banish him from the city!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, City Lord!” The guards dragged Jia Yixue out.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once he was gone, the other people in the room came forward. “Truly, the City Lord is magnanimous to let him off with a lighter sentence.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Not just him, but The First Alchemist is kind-hearted as well.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yes, he truly values life, just like anyone who practices medicine should.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Praises were heaped on Chem Al. Although he was a little annoyed by them, he allowed it to continue because people praising The First Alchemist could only be a good thing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, one of the Patriarchs asked, “Although that doctor was someone who couldn’t do anything, he was still someone who tried to pursue the profession of healing. Why didn’t you take him in and teach him alchemy?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al sighed. “Because he was an idiot. It would have taken a long time to erase all the dumb knowledge he had and replace it with medicine that truly works. I would rather teach alchemy to fresh minds.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, the Patriarchs resolved themselves to send young people from their clans to learn alchemy. After all, there were some disappointments from their clans that didn’t have the talent to practice cultivation to fight. Maybe learning alchemy would be more suited to them, and then they would be an asset to their clans.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Eventually, the City Lord stepped in. “Now that we’ve gotten rid of that sham doctor, tell me, since we’re all allies now, what can be done so that our plans can progress faster. Shall I have someone escort you around the city to find a building where you can one day sell your pills?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al shook his head. “That can wait until later. I would first like to talk about what you’re going to give my big brother.” He waved his hand towards Chem Au, who was standing to the side.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Give your big brother?” the City Lord made a questioning face as he looked over.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh, did you forget that he won the tournament? Isn’t he suppose to get the championship prize?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, oh right, of course.” The City Lord coughed into his fist to try to hide his embarrassed look. He had completely forgotten.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span id="goog_1397043319"></span><a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-first-alchemist-chap-54.html">Prev Chap</a><span id="goog_1397043320"></span> | <a href="https://trungnguyenwriter.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-first-alchemist-chap-56.html">Next Chap</a></b></span></div>
Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-78407979239928900672018-04-29T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-29T15:00:22.764-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 54<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 54 - A Splinter of Wood</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-30f566fb-0def-cc7b-8eee-941df5d5e164" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Uhhh...... What was going on?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The cripple just pulled out a small, thin piece of wood the size of a needle, and he’s waving it around like it was the mightiest sword under the heavens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is… is he right in the head?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then in front of everyone, Chem Al pointed the splinter of wood at his own eye. “This is the reason why you can’t take over our village.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yep, he’s definitely not right in the head….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Now let me ask you something,” Chem Al continued while still holding the splinter near his eye. “What would you do if you found a village that was sitting on top of a large vein of jade stones? Of course, that was a rhetorical question. Obviously you’ll take over that village yourself and force the locals out or even kill them. But that right there lies the difference between the metaphorical village and my village. Why?” He paused for effect. “It’s because the moment I stab this splinter of wood through my eye and into my brain, that metaphorical vein of valuable jade stones disappear just like that. Poof!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Just about everyone in the room started whispering to each other with questioning looks. What was this boy going on about?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m the only one in the entire world that can make those valuable pills,” Chem Al lied. It was part of his plan. “I die, your supply of pills vanishes. It’s as simple as that.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone’s eyes widened. They just realized something. This wasn’t a situation where they could rob money from a weakling. They needed that weakling to make the money first.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What would happen if that weakling dies?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Y-You’re bluffing!” Tan Lan shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Am I?” Chem Al smiled at him. “I am an eleven year old boy with no cultivation or experience in the outside world,” as far as you know, he thought. “Can I fool someone as great and wise as you?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tan Lan looked into his eyes, and he honestly couldn’t tell if that village kid was bluffing or not. Heavens, would he really kill himself right here?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah, you’re starting to get it.” Chem Al was still holding the splinter close to his eye. “Of course, with your powerful profound strength, you’re probably thinking of rushing me and taking this super dangerous splinter of wood away. But sitting up in those high chairs of yours, I don’t think you’re close enough to get to me in time before I stab myself. Still, you can risk it….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No one moved, although their bodies tightened, ready to spring over any second. This situation was throwing them for a loop. They have heard of people holding other people hostages before, but holding yourself hostage?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No takers?” Chem Al said when no one moved. “Okay, then. Let’s continue with our oh so reasonable talk. Look, it’s not like I don’t understand where you guys are coming from. We live in a chaotic world where strength is respected, so I get it that you look down on my tiny village. But here’s the thing, you guys are tiny as well. A small city on the edge of the Continent. It would probably only take the power of half a clan from the Capital to wipe you out. ...I pity you.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What? Someone who was a weakling and a country bumpkin was pitying us?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“That’s why you should learn to make friends,” Chem Al continued. “We can be friends. Together we can help build up each other’s strengths in this chaotic world. With my pills and your money and resources, it’s possible. Or you can watch this piece of wood go through my brain and stay as a weak city for all eternity.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone was staring at the splinter of wood with a horrified expression. It was just a common piece of wood; nothing special. Yet it decided the future of them and their entire city?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh, don’t make such a sad face,” Chem Al said. “Tell you what, I’ll throw in another gift for you as well. How about I teach you how to make these pills?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">WHAAAATTT?!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone nearly fell out of their chairs. This kid … this kid … was really fucking confusing! First he asked to sell the pills in the city, then he threatened to take the pills away by suicide, and then he says he’s willing to teach us how to make the pills? Their minds were being thrown in turmoil.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You… teach… pills… us?” one of the Patriarchs tried to make a coherent sentence.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Why?” another Patriarch asked. That was the question on everyone’s mind. Going into this meeting, everyone assumed that such a miraculous way of making medicine would be held guardedly. It was what they would do. Yet this kid is willing to teach this secret?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They were all confused because they didn’t know Chem Al’s true goal. Although the profits was necessary to help him build up his Association, he didn’t want to hold a monopoly on his knowledge. His true goal was to continue what the real First Alchemist would have began: to spread alchemy throughout the world.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No reason….” Chem Al shrugged his shoulders.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ah, there was indeed something wrong with this kid’s head. That was everyone’s conclusion.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But this could be a good thing. If he really does teach us and our people his medicinal secrets, then we can sell the pills ourselves. We won’t need to live under his monopoly for long. All we need to do is work with him for a year or two, then we won’t need him anymore.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing everyone’s greedy eyes, Chem Al knew exactly what they were thinking, and he could only scoff at them. Yes, he was willing to teach them all the secrets of alchemy, but do you really think you can learn all of it? In his past life, he was known as the Grandmaster. He could make pills all the way to the tenth tier. It would be impossible for anyone else to master such knowledge. After all, there have only been two people in a hundred thousand years of history that has mastered alchemy all the way to the tenth tier: him and The First Alchemist.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, they’ll find out soon enough.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While everyone else was silent in their thoughts, one Patriarch stood up. It was Li Qiao, the Patriarch of the Li Clan. “I for one think that it would be the height of folly if we didn’t join with such a genius doctor and his village.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ah…,” Chem Al interrupted. “I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I’m not just any old genius doctor, I am something new: an alchemist. In fact, I’m the First Alchemist. That’s the title I go by, by the way. And you wouldn’t just be allying with a simple village, but my association: The Alchemist Association.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Alchemist? What the heck is that? And what is this Alchemist Association is he talking about?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone in the room gave each other confused looks, trying to seeing if anyone here had ever heard of this association before. The only one who looked calm was Li Qiao. He had talked about this with Chem Al during their earlier meeting, so he knew what part he had to play.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“If your association will make medicine for this city and my clan, then my Li Clan is happy to join with your Alchemist Association.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The room turned to Li Qiao. The Li Clan was the second most powerful clan in Vera City, just under the City Lord’s. Even though they didn’t know what this Alchemist Association was, having the Li Clan as a backer gave it some legitimacy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qiao made some slight motions to his allies, indicating for them to do the same.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ahem, I too wish to become friends with your association.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“So would I. Why bother to fight when we can help each other?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“My clan and I will support you as well.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More and more Patriarch rose up. Their words were the opposite of the treasurer, Tan Lan. It was obvious that they weren’t a part of his faction.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Even those who were on the fence about all this chose to stand up as well. After all, there was still that threat of losing the pills that could make their cultivators stronger and their city richer.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tan Lan’s face grew more and more distorted as people stood up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Are they all idiots? Not only will we lose control of the pill sales, we will only make a paltry sum in profits, while the weak villagers will haul most of it in. Why do we have to ally ourselves with them? With our strength, we can make them work under our thumbs!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Throughout all this, the City Lord was thinking. He had to admit that the allure of those pills was very powerful. He too felt swayed to try to get most of the profits out of this deal. After all, at the end of the day, he had to think about his city first. However, he soon realized that it wasn’t the pills that were valuable, it was actually the person that made the pills.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Finally, the City Lord stood up as well. “I have made my decision. Vera City will now ally itself with your Alchemist Association.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Little did he know that he had made a decision that would bring a storm to Vera City. But if they were to survive that storm, their city will grow many times more powerful and with a brighter future.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As everyone was celebrating this new alliance, no one noticed Tan Lan slipping out of the room.</span></span></div>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-92007760384022313142018-04-28T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-28T15:00:00.168-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 53<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 53 - Chem Al’s Threatening Weapon</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-b054f5a6-ea16-f88b-1c05-e460323be01c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Did I win?” was the first thing Chem Au said when he woke up on a big bed in a fancy room. “Wait a minute…. Where the hell am I?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not only was he lying in the most comfortable bed he has ever felt, he was also in the most richly decorated room he has ever seen. Everything in here was worth more than his entire village combined. Not only that but the profound energy here was denser than back in the village.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au felt so confused that he barely noticed the faint pain that was still coming from his injuries.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when the door burst open.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You’re up.” Chem Al came striding in like he owned the place along with an escort of over a dozen guards behind him. “Let me check your wounds.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While he poked around, Chem Au asked, “Little Al, where are we?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“The City Lord’s castle.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“What? How did we get here?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“We were brought here after you won the tournament.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“S-So…it wasn’t a dream. I really won the tournament?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Yeah, but you suffered some minor injuries. Nothing I can’t fix. Although they have mostly faded by now, they will still take a little more time to completely heal. But I think you’re healthy enough to walk around at least.” With that, Chem Al jumped on the bed. “Ah, this bed is so comfy.” And it was. He didn’t want to complain, because he does feel honored living the life of The First Alchemist, but he missed laying on comfy beds. He should remember to get one after he builds up Chem Village.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“So what happens now?” Chem Au asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Now we wait for the City Lord. He is interested in my alchemy pills and will probably call us soon to discuss them.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Really? That’s great!” Chem Au smiled. “You will finally get some recognition. And this will be a great benefit for our village.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“...I’m not so sure about that.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Why?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Au, there’s a big difference between our village and Vera City. If you’re too tiny, having a giant interested in you isn’t always a good thing.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au thought about it, then realized that his little brother might be right. What’s to stop the powerful people of Vera City from just taking the pills? Why bother to discuss anything?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing the worried look on his big brother’s face, Chem Al said, “Don’t worry, I have a plan.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You do? What is it?” Chem Au asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As an answer, Chem Al reached inside his ratty shirt, but before he could pull out whatever he had, there was a knock on the door.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Honored guests, the City Lord wishes to see you,” the attendant that came in announced.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Coming….” Chem Al said, then talked more about his plan with Chem Au before saying. “Do you feel like taking a walk?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au grimaced as he got off the bed, but he smiled through the slight pain. “Even if I can’t, I’m still going with you. I’ll always be there to protect you no matter what.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al returned his smile with gratitude. “Good. Now come on, let’s go meet with the City Lord.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The attendant led them through the castle until they ended up in the large hall.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord was sitting in a high chair at the front, while the other powers of Vera City were nearby. They all stared at the Chem brothers walking in.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au felt shaken under the pressure of their gaze, while Chem Al simply strolled in nonchalantly. However, despite looking confident, he was actually also nervous. Not because of the City Lord and the Patriarchs staring down at him, it was because today’s discussion was crucial for the future of Chem City.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hey guys!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“The proper response when meeting the City Lord is to bow,” one of the guards said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I bow to no one,” Chem Al said. Well, except for my Master, he thought. “Now let’s do away with the pleasantries, shall we? I seem to recall saying that you would do anything for me if I healed your son. And would you look at that, he can move his legs again! Plus he can cultivate and get stronger, and live his life again. So shall we start talking about a proper reward for me?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The people in the room looked at each other, not knowing what to make of this village boy. Usually when country bumpkin villagers stumbled upon the powers of the city, they would practically be awed into submission, yet this boy didn't look that impressed. What's more, he was a weakling without any cultivation. Over a dozen people in this room could crush him with a mere thought. Yet this kid....</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord coughed into his fist. "Of course, you deserve a proper reward. What is it that you wish? If it's within my power, I will put all of my effort into it."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"First off, I can produce these pills but I have no way to sell them, so I would like to open up a little store in Vera City. I hope you can provide me with a building and some start up funds."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Oh?" The City Lord, and everyone else, was interested in this. Getting access to a market full of powerful medicine, some of which can actually increase your speed of cultivation, was definitely something they wanted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Especially for Tan Lan, the Treasurer of Vera City. He could already imagine it. The tax from the sales of the pills alone would provide great profits for him... uhh, he meant, profits for the city.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"And another thing," Chem Al continued. "I would like for you to grant my village to own its own land so that we don't have to pay taxes on it or on anything that we sell in this city...."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"What?!" Tan Lan was surprised.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...and this land ownership includes the surrounding land around my village."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Are you being ridiculous?!" Tan Lan shouted. "That land belongs to the City Lord! A bunch of villagers owning their own land? And not paying your dues for being allowed to sell in our city's market? Who do you think you are?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Someone who is owed a reward from the City Lord. Now be quiet, you. Grown ups are talking," Chem Al said to Tan Lan before he turned to the City Lord. "Well?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Uhhh...." The City Lord paused. Allowing their village the land was nothing. That wasn’t much. That land was practically worthless anyway.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But not getting any money from selling the pills? That was a little more difficult. Although he was happy that the pills would be sold here, allowing the city cultivators to get stronger and lowering their fear of injury, but The City Lord could already imagine what would happen when those pills hit the market. How could his city not get any benefits from it?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Don't worry," Chem Al said. "I'm willing to allow the city a fair percentage of the profits from the pill sales."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"And how is that different from paying your taxes?" Tan Lan shouted.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...the percentage will be decided by me." Chem Al glared at Tan Lan.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tan Lan glared back with tightened fists. This was not what he was hoping for.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As the city’s treasurer, he had the power to raise or lower the taxes on the people in the city and the surrounding land. And if they wanted to stay here under the City Lord’s protection, they would have to pay it. It was one of the benefits of being the treasurer; just as long as he didn’t go too far.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al then turned back to the City Lord. “Is that acceptable? The cultivators in your city will have access to pills that will make them stronger, and you’ll get some money along the way.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord thought about it. There were no downsides, plus the one who was offering this deal was the person who had cured his son. If this was the reward that he was asking for, then it would be fine....</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But before the City Lord could say anything, Tan Lan cut in, "City Lord! Do not make a deal with this kid! Why should our city have to obey him and his tiny village anyway?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A few of the Patriarchs nodded at Tan Lan words. They were part of his faction.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Sure he has some impressive medicine," Tan Lan continued. "But why can't he just work for us? Why can't we just acquire the pills from him and sell it ourselves?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Yeah, that's right. Why can't we decide the distribution of profits?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Even though he helped your son, it doesn't mean that we should lose out in this deal! We can just give him some other reward."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"City Lord, I beg you to think more before deciding!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al could only sigh. Being greedy only lowers your intelligence. Just because his village was weak, they had already decided that the pills belonged to them. It seemed like he had to teach them a lesson after all.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While Tan Lan’s faction argued with the City Lord, Chem Al suddenly said, "Quiet."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although his voice wasn't loud, it seemed to reverberate around the room as if he had a lot of experience talking down to annoying groups of people. The room quieted down with just one word.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Thank you," Chem Al said. "Now... I get why you're arguing. Who is this kid? He comes from a small village so why should we listen to what he has to say? If he doesn't obey us, we can just banish them, enslave them, or maybe even kill them all. After all, you would only need the strength of half a clan to wipe out a mere village..."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tan Lan and his faction glanced at each other. Those things weren't what they wanted to say out loud, but yeah, that was what they would do if the little village kid didn't comply with their wishes. They could even do it secretly without the City Lord's permission.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...But you can't do that, you see," Chem Al said. "And why not, you might ask? It's because of this." He reached inside his ragged shirt.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The surrounding guards put a hand on their swords because it looked like the village kid was reaching for a weapon. Of course, the kid was extremely weak and his weapon would have to be pretty tiny to fit inside his shirt, so he didn't seem like a threat at all.</span></span></div>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-62221873546951244982018-04-27T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-27T15:00:27.297-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 52<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 52 - Curing Ba Re’s Illness</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f819f9ee-ea01-38bb-689f-d99a5407a3f9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord, as well as everyone else, didn't know what the hell was going on.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One second everything was calm like usual, then that cauldron thing exploded with a blazing light. At first, they suspected that it might have been an innocuous looking weapon, but there seemed to be no damage caused by the explosion. All that was destroyed was the cauldron itself. It looked like whatever secrets it held wouldn't work anymore.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Was this how the village boy made those pills? How powerful! It was almost like heavenly tribulation. Perhaps this medicine could indeed help the City Lord's son.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone stared at the pill in Chem Al's hand. It looked different than the other ones his village was selling at the market. It was slightly bigger and was a silver color that seemed to glitter now and then, plus there was a strong fragrance that filled the entire room.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Whatever that pill was, it seemed incredibly potent!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I-Is that it?" the City Lord asked. "Will that cure my son?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al simply nodded as he handed the pill to the City Lord. He looked like he didn't really care about the pill despite going through so much trouble to make it. Instead, he went over to the broken looking cauldron that had fallen on its side.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He cried as he picked it up and hugged it like he was holding onto a loved one that had gone on to the afterlife.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The room was quiet. For some reason, everyone felt as if they shouldn't disturb this scene.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After a long moment, Chem Al finally got up and turned to the City Lord. "Well, aren't you going to feed that pill to your son?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Uh, right!" The City Lord looked at the silver pill in his hands. If this could really cure his son, then it was simply a priceless treasure. "What do I do?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"You simply feed it to your son like most other pills, then give it a minute to work its magic."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"That's it?" The City Lord was astounded. He had spent the last few years trying everything to cure his son, yet the solution was now in his hands and it sounded so simple.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He carefully carried the silver pill over to Ba Re like it was his son's life.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Before, Ba Re held no expectations from the little boy that said he could cure his illness, but after such a heavenly explosion, a bit of hope was born inside him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ba Re swallowed the pill with expectation.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No one dared to breathe. They all stared at Ba Re's legs with wide eyes, not wishing to miss a thing. A minute ticked by and, just as they started to think that everything was just a sham, the gray solidification of Ba Re's legs started to fade; a little at first but then soon all of it was gone.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although his legs still looked malnourished, Ba Re's legs were now completely cured!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone was amazed, especially the City Lord and his son. They continued to stare with wide eyes, and then a smile started to creep onto their faces.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Son.... T-Try moving your legs," the City Lord said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ba Re tried. One of his toes twitched. "Father! Did you see that? My toes! I can move my toes!" Tears were running down his face.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord was also crying. “Everyone! Look! My son… He can move his toes!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At that moment, already feeling stronger, Ba Re tried to get out of bed. “Father! I… I can walk! I can walk!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord was even more astounded by this sight. "Heavens! Can you all see this? My son is walking! He’s wal….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then Ba Re astounded everyone even more. “Father, I can do backflips!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Uh….” The City Lord’s mouth fell open. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How long had he dreamed of this moment of seeing his son moving again… but this? This went far beyond his wildest dreams.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was the same thought for everyone else witnessing it. Just a minute ago, Ba Re’s legs looked stone-like and malnourished, but in just mere seconds he was doing back flips around this large room.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A miracle. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was the only way to describe it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone turned to look at the village boy who was looking on nonchalantly as if this was within his expectations.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a nod, Chem Al said, “It seems that the pill was effective.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Please, sir.” Ba Re landed in front of Chem Al, then spoke with an extremely respectful tone. "Can I ask what is that miraculous pill called?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Hmm...." Chem Al put a finger on his chin, acting like he was thinking about it. Since he was from the future, he already knew the name of the pill. However, in this era, it was brand new.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Therefore, he had to find that girl.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to history, she should be in this room right this moment. He looked through the maidservants that were here. Her description was that she would have black hair and silver gray eyes. Finally, he spotted her. Chem Al pointed. "You. What's your name?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"M-Me?" The girl stood up straight in surprise after being called out. "M-My name is Zhiyu Yin, sir.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded. “Okay then, let it be known that this pill is called the Zhi Yin Pill.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Zhi Yin Pill?” Ba Re asked, then realized, “Wait a minute! Did you just make up the name right here?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Of course. After all, this is the first time I’ve seen your illness so I had to make a brand new pill to treat it.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ba Re was shocked by Chem Al's answer. He had thought that the boy had gotten lucky and discovered some kind of ancient book that described his disease and how to cure it, but who knew that it wasn't some kind of ancient medicine but a new one that he had made up on the spot after examining him! Unbelievable!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord and everyone else was thinking the same thing. To have the ability to cure a disease after only one look, he must be a genius doctor seen only once a century, no, once a millennium, no, they had never even heard of a doctor of this high a caliber before. They would be stupid if they didn't realize what this would mean.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the long road of cultivation, who hasn’t been injured or suffered some kind of illness? Who didn’t suffer a setback in their cultivation?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The events of today wasn't just healing one sick boy. It was also the introduction of a new kind of power, and they wanted that power for themselves. If they could pull that Chem Al into their clan, maybe they still would have a chance to become the most powerful clan in Vera City and ... maybe even beyond that.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They must rope him in no matter what.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Patriarchs climbed over each other in their rush to talk to him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Would you like to stay in my clan’s home? We’ll provide you with the best resources and servants.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Can your medicine help my son’s cultivation? He’s been stuck at a bottleneck for years.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I have a cute granddaughter….”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These powerful heads of Vera City had originally come here to pass judgment on this so called new medicine, and thus they held an arrogant look on their faces, but now none of that arrogance could be seen.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Cough cough….” A quiet yet resounding cough came from the City Lord. “What I think my overenthusiastic friends mean is that they would like for you to visit their abodes in the near future. As for me, both as the City Lord and as a father, I would like to thank you for curing my son. If there is anything, anything I can do to repay you, just name it." The City Lord bowed. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"For starters, I would like to go check up on my brother again and see how he's doing. It's been hours since we left him in that room and I think he should be regaining consciousness soon," Chem Al said. “We’ll talk afterwards.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Of course," the City Lord said.</span></span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-17756847163319082372018-04-26T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-26T15:00:07.573-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 51<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 51 - Zhi Yin Pill</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-8324cedf-e9e2-c38f-fefd-09034418c374" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Fuck, Fuck, Fuckity Fuck Fuck Fuck.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al couldn’t believe how stupid he was. He had forgotten that he was now one hundred thousand years in the past, before the time alchemy was widely known.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In his past life, whenever people asked him to make medicine for them, he would simply list off the ingredients he would need to make the pill, and those people, who were usually kings and sect masters, would already have the necessary ingredients. Why? Because years from now the value of alchemy and its medicinal ingredients are more well known. They become so valuable that a lot of clans and sects would stock them up in their treasury.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But now in this era, no one had even heard of alchemy, so why would they have any medicinal ingredients stocked up?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He should really get rid of his habit of expecting the people who requested pills from him to have any ingredients.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sigh…. The real First Alchemist wouldn’t have made such a dumb mistake.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Nevermind.” Chem Al waved it off. “I’ll need you to provide me with a dozen of your strongest guards to help me gather the ingredients I need to make the medicine. There should be some in the forest.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I don’t know what those things you listed are, but if they can cure my son, I will provide any help you need.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the time it took an incense stick to burn, the City Lord had gathered some of his strongest guards to escort Chem Al to the forest. Each and everyone of them, although older, was at least as strong as Li Qinli. Plus they had on full armor and weapons. Together, they gave off a fierce aura.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The people of Vera City was surprised at this full contingent of guards escorting a carriage outside the city. Could it be the City Lord in the carriage? And if it wasn't, it had to be someone as important as the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once they arrived at the forest, it didn't take Chem Al long to search for the necessary medicinal ingredients. He knew what conditions they grew in and, in this era, they weren't rare. However, since they left the city late in the day, they still had to stay in the forest a few hours after the sun went down.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, a few desolate beasts came out, curious as to why so many people were walking around while bearing lit torches.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"There you are. One thousand year old Grey Veil Grass." Chem Al gathered five blades of them. With this, he was done collecting all the medicinal ingredients he needed. He then turned around and asked one of the guards who was protecting him. "Are you guys doing okay?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"We're fine, sir. Weak beasts like these are nothing to us."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While Chem Al was comfortably gathering ingredients, the guards have been fighting fierce battles with the desolate beasts of the forest.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Alright, I've killed another one!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Look out, men! Four more are coming this way!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I see them. Come on! Let's take them out!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The guards gave a roar in unison. Clashes of weapons and cultivation skills were pitted against teeth and claws, and the occasional bone spurs. From a distance it looked and sounded like an angry fireworks festival.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon enough, the battles ended and they quickly left the forest after hearing that the City Lord’s respected guest was done gathering what he needed. No one died and only few were injured.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al simply handed them some Soothing Yu Pills to help them quickly recover.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The guards were amazed at the effects of the pills, and further understood why the City Lord had ordered them to escort a mere villager. This was indeed an important guest!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Less than an hour later, they soon made it back to the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Did you find what you needed?" the City Lord asked anxiously.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They went back into Ba Re’s room, where Chem Al discovered that a few guests have arrived in the hours he had been gone gathering ingredients. In the room was:</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Treasurer and Patriarch of the Tan clan, Tan Lan.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Patriarch of the second strongest clan, Li Qiao</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Patriarch of the thunder clan, Dian Ging</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Patriarch of the poison clan, Xi Fanming</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Patriarch of the….</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It seemed that all the most powerful people of Vera City were here. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I hope you don’t mind our presence, but we would like to witness this new … medicine … of yours up close,” one of the Patriarchs said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The other Patriarchs in the room nodded. The moment they heard that this strange boy with his strange methods was going to attempt to treat the City Lord’s son, which they all knew was plaguing him for years, they rushed here to see if the boy can cure the incurable.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s fine,” Chem Al said with a wave of his hand.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone watched as the village boy moved towards Ba Re’s bed after the nearby maidservants stepped aside. The City Lord didn't know what methods the boy would use to cure his son, so he brought in extra hands in case they were necessary or something went wrong.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They all stood there and watched as, in the middle of the room, Chem Al took out his medicinal cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Uh, you're going to cure my son with that?" the City Lord asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Yes," Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"With a fancy cooking pot? You’re not just going to make chicken soup, are you?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al froze, then turned his head and glared at the City Lord. "Why does everyone keep saying that? Let me tell you something. This is a medicinal cauldron! The future of medicine! A holy object! A treasure! Even an entire kingdom isn't worth half as much as this precious cauldron! So could everyone please stop calling it a fucking cooking pot!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al said all of this, not because it was an extremely powerful or difficult-to-forge cauldron, it was because this was The First Alchemist's very first cauldron. To him it truly was a holy object.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But for everyone else in the room, question marks appeared on the top of their heads. Isn't it just a fancy looking cooking pot?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not only that, but this cooking pot or cauldron or whatever looked broken down. It was burnt and melted in a few places, and there were two huge cracks running down the sides of the cauldron. However, judging by how reverently the village boy was holding this thing, there must be some sort of secret to it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then they saw something horrifying. The boy suddenly rubbed his cheek against the cauldron with a perverted look on his face.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord smashed his fist down.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Ow!" Chem Al shouted, rubbing his head.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"What the hell are you doing?" The City Lord had never seen such a perverted look before. If he had to describe it, it looked like the face of an old man chasing down a group of naked, young girls.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Can this sort of person really heal the City Lord's son? This was the thought of everyone in the room after seeing that perverted look.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for Chem Al, he only grew worried about how he might have caused a little damage to The First Alchemist's reputation. Even though he told himself not to make that face again (at least in public), he still couldn't help himself.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was because, according to history, this will be the last time The First Alchemist's very first medicinal cauldron will make a pill.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To cure Ba Re's afflicted legs, he would need to make the Zhi Yin Pill, which was a third tier pill.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This medicinal cauldron made out of mere profound iron couldn't completely handle making third tier pills, and he had already made two of them previously with this cauldron, causing massive damage to it. Chem Al could only sigh as he silently said goodbye to the cauldron.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In front of everyone, the perverted looking boy suddenly rose up and released a majestic aura.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What was going on?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone in the room felt shaken after seeing such a thing. For some reason, even though the boy was weak, he gave off a feeling like they were in the presence of a hero from legend.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They didn't know what to make of it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then Chem Al made a move. With a wave of his hands, he grabbed the prepared medicinal ingredients. Like a waterfall, the ingredients were placed in the cauldron in the right order. The room started to fill with profound energy, faint at first, but then growing until it felt like they were swallowed up by it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al then performed some hand seals; his hands were so fast that the people around him could barely see it despite some of them having superior eyesight thanks to their cultivation. All around them the profound energy began getting sucked into the cauldron like it was unable to resist a hungry whirlpool. The medicinal cauldron started to glow, then it shook as if it was on top of an earthquake.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Finally, the cauldron couldn't handle it anymore. With a light brighter than tribulation lightning and a crash louder than the might of heaven's thunder, it exploded. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Boom!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone covered themselves, fearing that they would perish in the explosion. But no... when they looked again, all they saw was a broken, dead looking cauldron laying on its side with three giant cracks cutting through the metal. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And in Chem Al's hand was a silver and fragrant pill. They didn't know what this pill was, but Chem Al did.</span></span></div>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-61171883743736735312018-04-24T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-24T15:00:52.095-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 50<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 50 - Cure My Son</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6da6829a-e9cd-b89e-427f-6400e25937ee" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The surrounding audience was speculating on what was going on. For some reason the City Lord had gone down to the field to talk to that little village . What were they talking about?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Is he fine?" the City Lord asked, referring to the unconscious Chem Au.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Don't worry, he just needs some rest. With the help of a few more pills, he'll be okay in a day or two," Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In only a day or two? The City Lord was surprised. An injury like this, even if you used all of your profound energy to help accelerate your body's healing, it would take at least more than a month.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord was completely convinced now. These pills are a wonder. "I need your help."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"You want me to cure your son of his disease. I heard about it while I was in the city," Chem Al lied.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Can you do it? Can you cure him?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I'll need to examine your son first." Again, Chem Al lied. He already knew what was wrong with him. "No promises."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Please, if you can cure my son, I will fulfill any wish. If there's something you want...."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al cut him off. "Like I said, no promises. As for things that I want in exchange, we'll talk about it after whether I can cure your son or not."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These words stunned the City Lord. How many doctors has he talked to that promised him a cure for his son, only for every single one of them to fail? Usually they would say gratiating words while promising that they could perform miracles. In exchange, he would give them money to study the disease.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet, this kid was different. He wasn't asking for anything and he didn't promise anything. And even though the kid said that he couldn’t promise a cure, there was something about his voice that felt like he was confident enough to find one.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After so many years of having his hopes crushed, the City Lord started to wonder if he was allowed to hope again.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord ordered his attendants and guards to bring, oh wait, what was the boy's name? He asked and apparently it was Chem Al. So the attendants brought little Chem Al and carried his unconscious brother into a carriage headed towards the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The audience could only watch as this all took place.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the City Lord and his attendants were gone, they all could do nothing but speculate on what just happened. It seemed like the tournament was over just like that. It was certainly </span><span style="line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">anticlimactic</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unlike previous years. There wasn't any announcement of prizes for the winner.</span></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then one of the City Lord's attendants returned and headed over to the area where the people of Chem Village were gathered.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Which one of you is, um, Sorka Jiu?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...That's me." Sorka Jiu stepped forward nervously. An attendant of the City Lord had a much higher status than a former village chief.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"The one called Chem Al left this for you." The attendant handed over a slip of paper.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sorka Jiu accepted the slip. Having accomplished his task, the attendant left, while everyone from Chem Village gathered around Sorka Jiu to look at what he was holding.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It seemed to be a betting slip.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Right now with the tournament over, almost everyone was currently heading out back to the city, though some were still confused about how they should react to the surprising ending. As for the Chem villagers, they went to the gambling booth.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I'm cashing in this betting slip." Sorka Jiu wondered when their little village chief slipped away to make this bet, and how much he had won.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The man tending to the booth saw the slip, and was shocked. It was a long bet on Chem Au. This was one of the few who gambled on that weak villager. He could count on one hand how many people did so.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With shaking hands, he took out bags full of jade stones after calculating how much the winnings multiplied to.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the end, a giant pile of high jade stones were piled up on the booth.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The eyes of the Chem villagers nearly fell out of the heads. This... this amount of money was even more than what their village had made selling those pills. Heavens! You can make this much money with gambling? How lucky was their village chief?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Is… is this real?" one of the villagers asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Quickly." Sorka Jiu commanded the village guards. "Grab the bags and protect them. We're going to head back to the market."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"But what about my sons?" Chem Mai asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Don't worry, they'll be fine. It's not like the City Lord will do anything to them," Sorka Jiu said. And he really believed that. Ever since that little cripple became their village chief, things had gotten better and better, whether it was strength or money. That little cripple could definitely handle himself.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While the people of Chem Village headed back to the market, Chem Al and his unconscious brother was riding in a carriage with the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It wasn’t long before they made it to the castle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al didn’t even bother looking out the window. To most people in the outskirts of the Continent, this castle would look impressive, but Chem Al had seen better. To him this castle was just short, rough, and boring.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord took note of Chem Al's lack of reaction. For some reason, the little one’s eyes looked ancient like they belonged to a wise man who had seen all the world has to offer. This kid looked more mature than he had first thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once they were inside, the City Lord assigned one of his finest rooms to allow Chem Au to rest. Chem Al was allowed a few minutes to further help his unconscious brother before he will be taken to see the City Lord’s son.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">During these few minutes, the current City Lord’s personal doctor, Jia Yixue, visited the City Lord to complain. “City Lord! Bringing some filthy villagers here into your castle? I’m against this, sir! I don’t care why they’re here. There is no way some poor villagers is able to make the medicine required for your son.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord glared at him. “I have no other choice but to trust them. It’s not like you have been doing any better,” he said, then left in a huff.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jia Yixue, while staring at the City Lord’s departing back, started to wonder if now was a good time to skip town.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When Chem Al was finished settling down his brother, he met up with the City Lord.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Are you ready?” the City Lord asked.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They made their way up to Ba Re’s room. The City Lord opened the door. “Son, good news. I found a new doctor for you.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From inside, a tired voice came out. “Another one? Why do you keep doing this, Father? No one can help me."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Oh, but I can." Chem Al barged in, finding a large room with markings on the wall and a strange smell.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ba Re was surprised at the sight of Chem Al. A child? What was going on? Usually, the doctors that his Father brought were wise looking old men. Why would he bring a child here?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Now let's see what we've got here." Chem Al acted without any pleasantries. He merely went up to the bed and pulled off the blanket, revealing Ba Re's sick legs.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They looked malnourished and at the same time solidified like stone.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al poked at the legs while making "hmm..." noises, and every once in awhile he would stroke his chin like how a bearded wise man would while showing off a questioning and thoughtful expression. Of course, it was all bullshit. He already knew what was wrong after having read The First Alchemist journals. And even if he hadn't read them, he could already tell what the disease was with a mere glance.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Barre Legs disease.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It merely makes one's legs as hard and immovable as stone, and since the legs can't move, the musculature would deteriorate through lack of use, giving it a malnourished look. This wasn't a lethal disease, but for those who cultivate to practice martial arts, it was practically life ending. One day training to get stronger, and the next laying in bed for the rest of your life. A bad end for cultivators.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The City Lord had a nervous expression on his face as he watched the little village boy poke at his son's legs. Did only a few minutes pass? It felt like an eternity of waiting.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Finally, Chem Al revealed an excited expression like he had figured out the answer to a difficult problem.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing this, the City Lord asked, "Did you figure out something? Can you cure my son?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Difficult, very difficult. But I think I've figured out a treatment that can help."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Really? How sure are you?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Ninety percent sure." Chem Al made up a number.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This... wasn't this practically saying that he can do it? The City Lord grew excited, but then he dampened his feelings. He has had his hopes crushed before. After the previous doctors promised that they could heal his son, they would usually say it would take time, mostly over a year, in which they ultimately fail to do anything. Was this child the same?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"How long do you think this treatment will take?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“One day.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“W-What? O-One day?” The City Lord couldn’t believe his ears. “You only need one day?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al nodded. “Though I will need a few things to make the medicine.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Name it!” The City Lord nearly shouted. This was completely different from the previous doctors. To be so confident as to say he could cure his son in merely a day, maybe he can do it. The City Lord suspected that the previous doctors had said that it would take them over a year to cure his son in order to prolong the good life they were going to be living. But nevermind that now. He had to listen to what this boy had to say.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ll need some Green Mountain Roots that’s at least seven years old, some Welcoming Aroma Petals dipped in alcohol, five blades of one thousand year old Grey Veil Grass, and … you have no idea what I’m talking, do you?” Chem Al said when he saw the confused look on the City Lord’s face.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was when Chem Al realized his mistake. He had forgotten what era he was currently in.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-49710500016783879212018-04-23T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-23T15:00:04.238-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 49<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 49 - Finals</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f8d951fd-e9b3-7ed0-28b5-2ecb21629553" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au was slightly…, actually, he was really, really annoyed. Throwing your swords away? How dare you look down on me.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Soaring Crane!” White light wrapped around Chem Au’s legs as he ran towards Li Qinli.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli tried to hide the bored look on his face as he too ran forward to meet his enemy. Even without using a skill, his speed was pretty fast.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They met up at the center of the stage.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au threw the first punch, but his fist hit nothing but air. Li Qinli had stepped to the side, then returned to strike Chem Au twice, before Chem Au threw a kick in retaliation. Li Qinli deflected it and then threw one more punch before jumping away.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most of the audience nodded like this was expected. In the first exchange, Li Qinli was able to land three hits, while the village kid hit nothing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The two opponents stared at each other, then they charged in again. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The fight continued like a fiery blaze. Again and again, Chem Au would come in with a wide swing and each time Li Qinli would dance away before returning with a quick strike of his own. Chem Au's martial arts was like a rough charging animal, while Li Qinli fought with elegance. He would often swerved his strikes like moving water, weakening Chem Au's straightforward attack. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli felt nothing but calm while looking down on Chem Au, wondering if he didn't have that much experience fighting strong opponents, or at least human opponents. The village kid's attacks looked like he had fought with beasts and such, and while those straightforward attacks would work on beasts, they were nothing against a person who studied martial arts, where their attacks and defense were more maneuverable.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, it was about time to allow the village kid to hit him. Li Qinli subtly spread his arms out, leaving a small opening at his chest.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au took the chance and threw a punch.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Boom!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A thunderous sound rang around the field as Li Qinli flew backwards until he made a quick flip, allowing him to land on the ground with his two feet sliding backwards, gouging out two lines in the dirt.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Oh, would you look at that? When that village kid hit those other cultivators, they couldn't even get back up."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Yeah, but Li Qinli was able to land perfectly. Goes to show the difference between the tournament champion and those other cultivators from noble clans."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Conversations like this spread through the audience when they saw how fine Li Qinli was at taking that strike, but then suddenly everyone froze when they saw him cough out blood.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Blood splattered the ground in front of Li Qinli as he held his stomach. After taking that punch, he could only think of one thing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Heavy!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That fist was ridiculously heavy! What the hell was it made of?!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli finally understood why those other cultivators fell to such an attack. It was like being hit by a mountain. If he was just a little bit weaker, he might have also been struck down by such a fist.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was a good thing he wasn't trying to win, otherwise he would be nervous right now.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While waiting for the village kid to charge in for another attack, Li Qinli circulated his profound energy to speed up the healing of his internal injuries. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But something strange happened. Chem Au just stood there.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for the reason why, it was because Chem Au felt that there was something off about this match. Even though Li Qinli was able to hit him plenty of times, he barely suffered any injury; just a few faint bruises. Even though his body had been fortified by the Hard Earth Pill, it shouldn't be to this extent where someone whose profound strength was a whole five levels higher could barely hurt him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At first, Chem Au thought it was because Li Qinli was using fast strikes. There was a saying that quick attacks make for light attacks. Still... shouldn't his strikes be a little heavier?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That wasn't the only thing that was off. Whenever Li Qinli got a chance to hit him, he would only launch two strikes even though there had been plenty of time for three or four. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of this, combined with throwing away his weapon and not using any cultivation skills yet, Chem Au couldn't help but feel that Li Qinli was going easy on him.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, having thought about all this, Chem Au was growing ever more pissed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Finally, just as when everyone was wondering why the two cultivators was standing still, Chem Au charged forward. He was not happy.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He moved in with a double strike, but Li Qinli easily dodged and then returned two of his own. However, what was different now was that Chem Au didn't even bother trying to block. Li Qinli's attacks easily landed.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was just as Chem Au thought. He hardly felt any pain.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Growing angrier, Chem Au rushed in again. It was said that men could talk with their fists, and this was what they were saying to each other.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem threw a punch. "I know what you're doing."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli swayed away, then threw a kick. "What am I doing?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au didn't bother to block it, and then he hit back. "You're going easy on me."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli dodged and struck again. "Of course I'm going easy on you. You're too weak."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au threw an angry punch, then a kick. "No, this feels different. You don't seem that nice. Why the hell are you going easy on me?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli threw his own angered punch. "You don't need to know."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au caught his fist, then returned his own. "Yes, I do. Tell me why!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli suddenly landed a barrage of attacks. "Do you really want to know? Huh? Do you really?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au stepped back, but he didn't hit back, and instead prepared himself for Li Qinli's continued attacks.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli kept hitting. "Why am I going easy on you? It's because I'm weak, that's why! I don't want to admit it, but I'm weak. And I will do anything to try to get stronger!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au stumbled under the onslaught, confused. He fumbled a punch. "I don't understand."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Li Qinli sped up his attacks. "How can you ever understand! Someone like you, a weakling from a small village thinking that he's strong. You're just a frog in a well, while I am destined to be one of the strongest cultivators in the Continent. And yet ... and yet ... I am the same. I found out that I'm just a frog in a well too."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli finally stopped his attacks. He seemed to be going through something....</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But Chem Au didn't care as he smashed his fist into Li Qinli's face. This one fist seemed to say, "You seem to have some circumstances. Whatever they are, it doesn't matter. You just have to get stronger and beat every obstacle in your path. But first you'll have to beat me. Of course, it's not like you can actually beat me even if you fight me with your full strength!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli flew back, then crashed into the ground after suffering that thunderous blow. It seemed like he had been knocked out, which stunned the audience.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But no... Li Qinli got up.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although his legs were shaky, there was some new vitality in his eyes. He glared at Chem Au as he brushed the blood off his mouth. He then thrust out his two hands and slowly circled them like swirling water. “Hands of the Rapid King!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The audience got excited.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Ooh, the Li clan's famous 'Hands of the Rapid King' cultivation skill! I always get excited seeing it!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I'm more surprised that the village kid was strong enough to make him use his skill."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"It looks like the match will be over soon."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Finally," Chem Au said when he saw Li Qinli practically flying towards him, his glowing hands ready to strike. It was going to be a good fight. Putting his own hands up, he got ready to defend himself. He had seen Li Qinli use this cultivation skill before earlier in the tournament. He just hoped that he could survive it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli closed in. The moment before he threw out a strike against Chem Au, his hands started to blur like there were multiples of them. "Hands of the Rapid King - One hundred Man Fury!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What looked like a hundred fists fell on to Chem Au one after another. Chem Au didn't even bother to dodge; even with the Soaring Crane cultivation skill, he wasn't fast enough. Instead, he tried to block as many punches as possible and hoped that his body would put up with the rest.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au got pummeled. These attacks were heavier than before. It even felt like some of his bones were turning into broken dust. But with only a few grunts of pain, he held on. In fact, he even tried to counterattack with his own heavy punches. However, Li Qinli simply deflected it with his many hands like water pushing away rock.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With one final strike of a hundred fists hitting at the same time, Chem Au was sent flying. He landed in the ground in a spectacularly humiliating fashion.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most of the audience cheered.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A few seconds later, to the surprise of most, Chem Au got up with a loud groan, looking bloody and bruised. Fuck! Those hits felt harder than they looked. It was one thing to see those attacks while standing among the crowd, and another to be smashed by them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This was going to be harder than he thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au charged in, causing Li Qinli to put up his glowing hands, ready for another round. Suddenly, Chem Au jumped up then smashed the ground with his fist when he landed, causing dirt and dust to fly everywhere.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli stepped back as clods of dirt flew at him. A dust cloud had formed</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Shit! He couldn't see anything. He had to hurry to get out of this cloud. But then he sensed something behind him, and before he could react, a fist struck the side of his face.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The audience saw someone fly out of the dust cloud. At first they assumed it would have been the village kid, but no, it was Li Qinli!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He was unable to balance himself in mid-air so he crashed into the ground. This was the third time he had been hit by that mountain-like punch. He didn't know how much more he could handle.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coughing blood, he tried to reorientate himself as he was standing up, but then he saw Chem Au closing in again.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not again, Li Qinli thought when Chem Au jumped into the air and landed on the ground. This time Li Qinli was ready. He immediately ran out of the rising dust cloud. Just in time too, because he saw a fist just miss him right at the edge. How did that village kid find his location in the cloud?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Damn, he might actually lose at this rate. Li Qinli held onto his body because of how broken it felt, thinking of how he needed to keep his distance. It was then that he remembered his swords.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where were they? Li Qinli looked around and spotted them, then he desperately ran.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au saw him running and figured out what he was going after when he saw the swords too. "Soaring Crane!" White light wrapped around his legs as he ran as well. However, there was nothing he could do because he was further away. Even with the Soaring Crane cultivation skill, he was unable to keep the swords out of Li Qinli's hands.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The audience was surprised when they saw Li Qinli pick up his swords. Heavens, was that village kid so tough that he could force him to use his swords?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli was annoyed at the audience. What do they know? That so called weak village kid wasn’t so weak. His fists were like mountains. Just one hit can make you feel like you’re about to cough out your organs. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And what the hell was his body made of? Even though it was Li Qinli wailing on him, his own fists hurt like he had been punching a boulder for an entire day. Although the village kid looked beaten up, he still hasn’t fallen.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli needed his swords.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They were forged specifically to absorb the profound energy of his cultivation skill, then fire it at a distance. These swords were perfect for boosting his strength.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Hands of the Rapid King - One hundred Man Fury!” While holding the swords in his glowing hands, they started to blur until it looked like he was holding a hundred swords. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With a shout, Li Qinli swung forward and a rapid fire of sword beams flew towards Chem Au.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Damn! Chem Au put up his arms to protect his vitals. The sword beams struck with blinding flash after blinding flash.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When the light faded away, everyone could see bloody lines running throughout the village kid’s body. It was like he had stood in the way of a river full of knives. But… he was still alive!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au didn’t know how many more of those attacks he could take. He had to do something fast. While continuing to protect his vitals, he roared as he charged towards Li Qinli.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Li Qinli circulated his profound energy for another round of sword beams.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They both shouted at the top of their lungs. This was it. Whoever could hold out would be the winner. Whether it would be Chem Au resisting the sword beams to reach Li Qinli, or the sword beams taking him out.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No matter what the result, through this battle, they could at least say they fought with all their strength.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sword beam after sword beam cut through the charging Chem Au. By the time he reached Li Qinli, he looked like a bloody mess. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Seeing the village kid so close, Li Qinli roared as he sliced down with his twin swords, but miraculously, Chem Au managed to grab the blades.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Impossible!" Li Qinli shouted, surprised. Even if the sword beams didn't cut his body in half, getting cut by his swords that was infused with his full profound energy directly should have at least cut off his hands, but no, instead only a thick line of blood ran down the village kid's palm.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au only responded by headbutting Li Qinli's already bloody nose, stunning him. Taking advantage of that one second of defenselessness, Chem Au threw one final punch with all of his strength behind it, striking Li Qinli's face and sending him flying one last time. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Coughing blood as he spun through the air, Li Qinli finally landed after rolling on the ground until he stopped some distance away.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The audience stood still with bated breath, waiting for Li Qinli to get up. But seconds passed … and nothing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They couldn’t believe it, but they were seeing it with their own eyes. Slowly, ever so slowly, they were coming to realize it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Li Qinli wasn’t getting up.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The crowd went wild.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“What the hell?! This is impossible!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Li Qinli lost…. Li Qinli lost…. Li Qinli lost…. I must be dreaming. Yeah, that must be it.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Noooooo! What am I going to do now?! I lost all of my money! My wife is going to kill me!”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for the people from Chem Village, and all the other villagers that were here, they could only stare dumbfounded at the unconscious Li Qinli. Then they all switched their gazes to Chem Au; bloody, bruised, broken, and breathing so heavily it looked like he might pass out any second, but he was still standing.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au had won the Finals! A cultivator from a poor village became the champion!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">They couldn’t believe it.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, little Chem Al was already heading towards the field with his bag full of medicine in hand.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Such a mess…,” Chem Al said when he saw how beat up his big brother was. He looked like a bloody corpse that had died standing up. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au didn’t say anything, but when he saw his little brother, he collapsed on the ground with a smile. Ah, his entire body hurt. But everything was going to be fine now. That was his last thought before he fell unconscious.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Al quickly got to work preparing the necessary pills. As he did so, he couldn’t help but worry. When the fight first began, Li Qinli did what he was supposed to do. Going easy, making the fight look good, and preparing himself to lose.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then midway through the match, he started to get serious, making Chem Al worry. This was not part of the deal. However, to his surprise, Chem Au actually won. It was a hard victory, but he still won.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">History was now right on course. He should have trusted his big brother more.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon, Chem Al was able to at least stabilize Chem Au’s condition. He still needed more pills and time to recuperate, but he was going to live. Then suddenly a shadow loomed over both of them, causing Chem Al to look up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was the City Lord.</span></span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-74619478439604943072018-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:002018-04-22T15:00:03.972-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 48<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 48 - Before the Finals</b></span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-c372cd23-e994-6d5b-9744-c014f5fcba7e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Where have you been?” Chem Au asked when he saw his little brother, followed by Sorka Jiu, returning back to the market area.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Making some friends," Chem Al said.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Friends?"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Nevermind." Chem Al shook his head. "Come on, we better hurry or we'll be late for the tournament."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who the hell do you think I was waiting for? Chem Au thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But no matter. It was finally time for the Finals.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone from Chem Village was excited. To think, someone from their village has qualified for the Finals!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nevermind just from their village, this was the first time any cultivator that came from a lowly village managed to get this far. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, they were dancing with joy over this. Spending the day selling crops, who wants to do that? Instead, they all followed behind Chem Au towards the tournament grounds. With the jubilant atmosphere and the amount of people, it almost felt like a parade.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Soon they arrived. The tournament was already packed; standing room only.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was like the entire city was here. It wasn't just excitement over watching the final match, it was about this never before seen precedent of a weak villager fighting in the Finals. Of course, they couldn't call Chem Au weak anymore. Being able to make it this far with barely any weapons and shitty leather armor showed the extent of his strength.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For this to have happened, people have been talking about it throughout the city, attracting everyone here.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"The heavens doesn't have eyes. To think a village kid made it to the Finals."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"He's definitely going to lose. There is no way that he can beat Li Qinli, whose cultivation has managed to reach the twenty fifth level, a full five levels higher!"</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Sigh.... The odds are too much in Li Qinli’s favor. Even if I bet on him, I won’t be able to make that much money."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To be able to qualify for the Finals, Chem Au could be considered strong. However, they still didn't think that he was going to win.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After all, he was fighting against last year's champion: Li Qinli.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Honestly, most of Chem Village thought the same. They didn't think that Chem Au would win either. But they were still happy that he was able to make it this far.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chem Au thought differently. He wanted to win.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When this whole thing started, he was just hoping to not embarrass himself and lose during his first match. But then, miracles kept happening everyday. He got through the Preliminaries, then the Semi-Finals, and now he was finally here to challenge the strongest youth in Vera City.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Doubts plagued his mind, but he didn't let them stop him. Since he had made it this far, he might as well go for the championship.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That was his mindset as he stepped onto the field amidst mostly boos from the audience.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the other side, when last year’s champion, Li Qinli, stepped on the field, the crowd roared with cheers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He wasn’t wearing some rough leather armor, but a gorgeous white robe that was obviously made from some high quality material. On his waist hung two twin swords held in jeweled sheaths. Combine this with his handsome face and long hair flowing in the wind, he looked like a legendary hero.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, despite his heroic appearance, his inner thoughts were more on the moody side.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to the deal his father had made with that weak villager, he will have to lose. It wasn't like he didn't understand the reasons. Winning a tournament in a small city meant almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. What he needed right now was a way to get stronger so that he could compete with those cultivators in the large cities and powerful sects, and maybe get further in the Capital’s main tournament.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Still, even though he knew that he needed to lose to get those helpful pills, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed in this upcoming fight. His current mindset was that he should at least make it look realistic when he lost.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On one side, one was brimming with energy to win, while on the other, one was preparing to lose.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And in that moment, Li Qinli pulled out his twin swords from their sheaths. They glittered under the sun. But instead of attacking like everyone thought he would, he simply tossed them to the sides.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Everyone’s minds reeled at that. What was going on?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“My goodness, what is he doing?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Why did he throw his swords away?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for Chem Au, he was wondering the same thing. While the audience speculated on what was going on, Li Qinli suddenly shouted in a loud voice for everyone to hear, “Don’t get me wrong. I just want to make this a fair fight.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh, so that’s it… everyone thought.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“That’s our Vera City’s champion right there, so magnanimous.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“He saw that the village kid didn’t have a weapon, so he threw his own weapons away. Li Qinli has such a good heart.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“After all, the match would end too fast otherwise. This will give that village kid a better chance to not lose too quickly.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This made the final match a little bit more exciting. The audience leaned forward with eyes wide open, not wishing to miss a thing. How was Li Qinli going to crush that village cultivator?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-65755131696565465932018-04-21T11:59:00.000-07:002018-04-21T13:02:43.215-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 47<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 47 - Negotiations with the Li Clan</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0e84aa54-e98a-dba1-50ba-114f022609e7" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was the day of the finals. Almost everyone from Chem Village was waking up with a hangover; a consequence from celebrating the fact that one of their own had made it to the finals. They were so happy that even if Chem Au were to lose this last match, they would still be proud that he had made it this far.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Au, one of the few who stayed sober, was spending the morning checking his body’s condition. Thanks to his little brother’s medicinal help and a night of rest, he felt fine.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Speaking of his little brother, where was he?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Au looked around but couldn’t find him, so he went to ask Sheng Yi where he went.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“My disciple? I don’t know where he's gone off to. He said he had something to do in the city.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“What?” Chem Au grew worried, rightfully so. With the attention his little brother had recently gained from his pills, and the fact that he had no cultivation that could help him in a fight, this made the city dangerous.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Don’t worry, Sorka Jiu went with him. He’ll be fine.” Sheng Yi waved it off.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh….” Chem Au felt a little relieved. If Sorka Jiu was there, then there was at least some protection. Still, Chem Au wondered what his little brother was doing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deeper in the city, Chem Al was currently outside the gates of the Li clan.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Hey! Let me in already! I’ve come to bargain!” Chem Al shouted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Get lost, kid!” One of the guards tried to shoo him away by waving his sword.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Hmph! Still not letting me in? Do you know who I am?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I don’t care who you are. Like I keep telling you, the Patriarch is not someone with enough free time to bother with a brat like you. Now go away or do you want me to separate your head from your neck?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh, big words from a lowly guard? Who are you to say who the Patriarch will or will not meet with, because I can tell you that he will definitely want to meet with me,” Chem Al said. “What do you think the Patriarch will do to you when he finds out that you didn’t let me in? I wouldn’t be surprised if you were beheaded for such a mistake!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The guard started to waver. The person in front of him was just a kid with no cultivation and was wearing something only a poor villager would wear. However, he was speaking in such a confident and domineering way. Maybe he was someone important, someone that couldn’t be offended. The guard didn’t know what to do.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Seeing the guard starting to sweat, Chem Al said, “I understand your reluctance. Staying at your post for these past few days, you probably didn’t get a chance to attend the tournament and see the great me perform miracles. Just go tell the Patriarch that a village boy with pills has come to visit. Use those exact words. He’ll know who it is.” Chem Al then casually tossed a high jade stone at the guard. “For your troubles….”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Surprised, the guard clumsily caught the high jade stone, then pocketed it. As a lowly guard outside the gates, he didn’t receive much pay. This generous gift, in which no poor villager could give so casually, finally persuaded him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I… I will at least convey your message. No promises that the Patriarch will meet with you.” The guard then left.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al waited.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It wasn’t long before the guard came back and escorted him in, acting in a placating manner in case he had offended this mysterious youth that the Patriarch wanted to meet.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The next thing Chem Al knew, he was sitting in a comfortable chair in a gorgeously decorated room where a beautiful maidservant was pouring him some tea.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Soon the Patriarch arrived. The people that followed him were his son, Li Qinli, and a few elders of the Li clan.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I hope you have better tea than this.” Chem Al grimaced at the cup in his hand. “Serving such poor quality tea to your guest isn’t a good start for a negotiation.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“What negotiation?” The Patriarch felt stumped. When he had gotten the message that the pill handling village boy he saw from the tournament had come to his clan’s household, he allowed him in because this was a chance to find out more about these pills. It shouldn’t be difficult to pry out any information out of him. After all, that boy's background seems to just be from some lowly village. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But instead he comes in and finds that very same boy sitting leisurely in a chair while drinking tea in a calm and noble manner as if he had done this a thousand times before. He didn’t look nervous. He wasn’t staring all around at the richly decorated room in bewildering wonderment. In fact, he actually had a look of disdain at the tea he was drinking.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Who was this kid? Was he just pretending to act confident?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Before the Patriarch could say anything else, one of the elders jumped in. “How dare you! Is that any way to speak to the Patriarch?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Indeed, Chem Al could be seen as acting arrogant since the first words he had said to the Patriarch was criticizing his tea. There were no polite greetings or subservient bowing to one's betters.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al shrugged. “I’m merely giving advice, but I can see that it wasn’t well taken. Anyway, I didn’t want you to see me as some common villager who hasn’t experienced the world. If we’re going to negotiate, it has to be as equals.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch paused. That was exactly how he saw the village boy, but he was starting to realize that he would need to reassess his earlier judgment. He gave a sigh, then asked, “Negotiate what? You came in here speaking of some sort of negotiation, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh? Aren’t you curious about the pills? What if I told you I can get you hundreds or even thousands of them?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch’s heart jumped. He tried to calm himself. If this was some sort of negotiation, then he couldn’t show the other side how excited he was. He coughed. “What makes you think I’m interested in your pills? A so called medicine from a poor village, it’s definitely suspicious.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al smiled. “...White Calci Pill. I see you’ve used it last night.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch’s eyes widened. “H-How did you know?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al touched his own arm as he looked over at Li Qinli who was standing off to the side. “Since the tournament began, I noticed that your son had a slight bone fracture running through his right forearm. But now it’s gone, leading me to conclude that you finally gave one of my pills a try. Took you long enough. Now that you’ve tried it, let’s negotiate on how interested you are in my pills.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Y-you can tell we used that pill just with that? Impossible!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al shrugged, as if telling them to believe what they will. “Are you interested in my pills or not?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The room was silent. Everyone was either staring with a dumbfounded or skeptical expression at the village boy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, the Patriarch gave a cough. “I admit that these pills are of some interest to me, but if I’m going to negotiate for them, I would rather do it with your Master.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“My Master?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Surely you don’t expect me to believe that these pills were created by you? I want to talk to the real person behind this, the person that sent you here.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al threw back his head and laughed. “My Master is someone of infinite wisdom that can shake the world, and you think that you’re worthy enough to deserve an audience?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Miles away, Sheng Yi sneezed.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Why you!” one of the elders shouted. “The one before you is the Patriarch of the Li clan, the second most powerful clan in Vera City! Only the City Lord is more powerful. And you dare to say he’s not worthy? What can...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Correction.” Chem Al held up a finger. “The Li clan is the second most powerful clan of a small city on the edge of the Continent.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The elder started turning red and was about to bluster in response, but the Patriarch motioned for him, and everyone else, to settle down. This could be a good thing, he thought. At the end of the day, the person before him was just a little village kid. How much experience could such a young boy have in negotiations? This could make things easier.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Do you represent your Master?” the Patriarch asked. “Will all of our agreements be valid?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Indeed.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Excellent, the Patriarch thought. “What’s your price?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Oh, this isn’t about money.” Chem Al shook his head. “If I wanted money, I would have been negotiating with the City Lord instead of you. What I want is something only your clan, specifically your son, can give me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“My son?” the Patriarch glanced at Li Qinli</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I need him to lose in the Finals.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“What?” Li Qinli shouted, jumping to his feet.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch was surprised as well, but then calmed down after holding his son back. Emotions would only bring one misery during a negotiation. Could this be a tactic to rile him up, cloud his mind? “Hmm, you’re asking for something big. My clan has spent a lot of resources to train my son, and winning the tournament shows off his strength, giving my clan prestige over all the others. I guess you can say that this tournament displays which clan has the brightest future. Giving that up is hard to do.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al scoffed. “Prestige in a tiny city?” he said, as if comparing them to a big frog in a small well. “If that’s enough for you, then I should leave now. But before I do, tell me something because, since I don’t practice martial arts, I don’t have a clear understanding of these tournaments. I have heard that after winning last year’s city tournament, your son was qualified to enter the main tournament in the Capital.” Chem Al then rubbed his right forearm again. “Tell me, how far did he get before getting injured?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Li Qinli grimaced. In fact, everyone in the room had a dark look on their face. There was an uncomfortable moment of hesitation before the Patriarch finally said, “He never made it past the Eliminations.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh?” Chem Al feigned surprise. “Again, please explain to me because I don’t understand these kinds of things very well, but aren’t the Eliminations held at the very beginning of the main tournament in order to weed out all the weaklings before the preliminary rounds begin?”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And there it was again, that moment of uncomfortable silence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This was a sore point for them, especially for Li Qinli. Last year, for the first time he had finally won the city tournament. It was his proudest achievement, filling his head with dreams of fame and recognition. And then he entered the main tournament and was defeated instantly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Not very prestigious to lose so early, is it?” Chem Al said. “Can you honestly say that you will do better this year?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Li Qinli glared at the weak boy, and was about to jump up and loudly retort his assured victory in the main tournament, but then his father placed a hand on his shoulder, holding him down.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch, with a calm mind, was more open to Chem Al’s words. He knew that his son had hit a wall this year. For some reason, whether it was because of his injuries or his defeated mental state, he was facing a bottleneck that he couldn’t break through. They needed help.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“I can help you with that,” Chem Al said, as if reading his mind. “All you need to do is allow the participant from my village to win the tournament.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch was silent, weighing every factor in his mind, but then he wondered about something. “Strange. You seem to look down on the prestige that winning the city tournament will give you, yet I get the feeling that you desperately want your participant to win. Why?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">An extremely dark look came across Chem Al’s face. “Because I don’t know what the consequences will be if he doesn’t win.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There was a time when he absolutely believed that Chem Au would win the tournament without any trouble, but after seeing him skewered by that spear in his last match, doubts started to form in Chem Al’s mind. He had to make sure that Chem Au will win this tournament no matter what.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With Chem Al deep in thought, Li Qinli took this moment of silence to berate the Patriarch. “Father! You can’t seriously be considering this his offer, can you? Throwing the match? Where’s the honor? Where’s the….” Li Qinli continued on with his complaints. Normally, he was very respectful towards his father, but this time he couldn’t hold it in.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Enough!” the Patriarch finally shouted. He then settled down, finally coming to a decision. He faced Chem Al and said, “Let’s talk.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thus began the long, arduous negotiation. The question was how much was Chem Al willing to pay to help his big brother win the tournament. The Patriarch discovered that he had to use every tactic he knew to get even a smidgen of an advantage over the boy, but in the end, they were able to reach an agreeable compromise.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With the negotiations finally over, the Patriarch wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling as if he had just done battle with a wily, trickster monkey. He was about to sit up with his hand out, ready to shake on the deal, but then the little village boy dropped a huge gift on his lap.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Along with our deal,” Chem Al said, “I would also like to donate another five thousand Primary Profound Pills to your clan.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“F-Five thousand?” the Patriarch’s mouth fell open, but then he grew suspicious. Nothing in life is free. “Why?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“As a token of friendship,” Chem Al said. “Since you’re the Patriarch of one of the most powerful clans in Vera City, you must be a good judge of character, someone who knows when to make friends and when to make enemies. I hope that you will think of me and my village as your friends.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch eyed the village boy. “Are you expecting trouble in the future?” he asked, guessing the boy’s intentions.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chem Al shrugged. “My pills will be in very high demand. Maybe a little too much.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And that was the gist of it. The Patriarch finally realized that this meeting wasn’t just about this year’s tournament, it could also potentially be a partnership that would last for years to come. The benefits were obvious. If he were to ally himself with this boy and his Master, that would give the Li clan a huge advantage over the other clans, solidifying their position in Vera City, and maybe even go beyond that.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, that was a problem as well because who knew what power beyond this city’s borders will covet those pills. The Li clan would have to help defend this boy’s village against such unknown threats. Was he willing to put his clan through that storm?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, the Patriarch stood up and held out his hand, concluding that high rewards meant taking high risks. “From now on, the Li clan is a friend to… uh….”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Chem Village.” Chem Al smiled, shaking his hand.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Patriarch smiled back. “Chem Village. From now on, we are allies.”</span></span></div>
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-21394229149487770952018-04-21T11:57:00.000-07:002018-04-21T11:57:46.335-07:00Screw It!!! I'm Deleting Mi Ling's Story!!!<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I ran this over my mind again and again and again. Finally, I've decided.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to delete Mi Ling's story!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why? Because I'm tired of making up stuff that goes nowhere and has nothing to do with the main story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The reason I created Mi Ling in the first place was to contrast the past and the future, but in the end, I had to write a bunch of filler that I don't care about.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was a hard decision because I'm effectively deleting half of my story. However, I feel so much more free now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To everyone who has stuck with me so far, I thank you! I promise that I will continue on with the story now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-Trung</span>Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-31411067693113904532017-08-07T13:50:00.001-07:002017-08-07T13:50:35.213-07:00Kotowing and Apologizing<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am very, very, very sorry for being gone for so long.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My vacation kind of extended a little, okay, maybe a lot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no excuse.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's just that the longer I was away from the book, the more of a monster it became. It just kept growing and growing in my mind, and I didn't want to do battle with it. So I avoided it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I'm starting up again, taking one baby step at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, there is no excuse for my unprofessional behavior, and I'm deeply sorry for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But now I'm back. And I hope you're still with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Trung</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. - Technically, I'm not completely back yet. Before I start writing the next chapters, I'm going to do a little editing on the chapters I've already written, mostly Mi Ling's half of the story. More details to come.</span>Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-25571963508608029932017-03-26T10:46:00.001-07:002018-04-21T12:02:04.681-07:00The First Alchemist - Chap 46<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 46 - Day Before the Finals</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al slapped his big brother in the face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Ow!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Stay awake, you idiot! I don’t want you slipping into a coma on me.” Chem Al made a simple, first tier pill from a fifty year old Willow Bark. “Here. Swallow this. It will numb your pain a little.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After Chem Au swallowed it, his little brother gave him a thick piece of cloth and told him to bite down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“This is going to hurt.” Chem Al grabbed onto the staff part of the spear, then slowly pulled it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au screamed. Although it was quieted down from biting on the piece of cloth, anyone close by could hear how agonizing it must have felt. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Chem Au, the spear was pulled completely out of his body. He fell to the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“It’s not over yet.” Chem Al carefully unstrapped his big brother’s leather armor, then removed it. He then rolled his big brother on his side and smacked him on the chest and back with more pieces of cloths to cover the holes. “Put pressure on these.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Ow!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t be such a baby,” Chem Al said, moving his big brother’s hands over the cloths. “I said put pressure on these.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It took a lot of maneuvering, but with one final long strip of cloth he was able to wrap it around Chem Au’s entire waist, keeping the wounds covered. They were slowly stained red. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After that, Chem Al made a few Blood Replenishment Pills and Soothing Yu Pills for his big brother to swallow. All that was left was to put him to sleep with a pink gas. It wasn’t much but that should at least keep him stable for now. Throughout all this, he spoke to Chem Au in a casual voice, but honestly, inside he was scared.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Something was wrong. This wasn't how it was supposed to have happened. According to history, Chem Au was supposed to crush everyone in this tournament. He was supposed to be a mighty warrior that took down any opponent that stood in his way. Just like in that scene Chem Al saw in that musical that one time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But now look at him. Yes, he had won the match, but it wasn't as easy a victory as history said it was. Fuck, he had nearly died.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al grew worried. He had been growing overconfident lately. He had managed to do everything right so far: become the disciple of the great Sheng Yi, create the first medicinal cauldron, replace Sorka Jiu as the village chief, gained the three disciples, and everything else. But now he was beginning to realise how precarious it all was. One false move and the whole course of history could change. If the mighty cultivator Chem Au dies here, then he would never gain the title of the Turtle God, nevermind the fact that he won't be there to help protect the newly built Alchemist Association.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And this wasn't even the finals. Chem Au still had one more match before he can win the tournament like history says. And his next opponent will be even tougher.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al looked across the stage and saw Li Qinli, last year's winner of Vera City's martial arts tournament, and the final opponent that Chem Au will have to face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With the profound strength at the twenty-fifth level, Li Qinli was a full five levels stronger than Chem Au. That didn't even mention the fact that he was also one year younger than Chem Au.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al couldn't help but sigh to himself. He had helped his big brother get stronger, but with mostly only first and second tier pills, it wasn't fast enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What the hell was he going to do?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While Chem Al was lost in his thoughts, his parents and Sorka Jiu were watching him after having had followed him to the stage. They mostly stayed out of the way because they fully understood that the little Chem Al was better at handling these kind of medical situations than them. It was best to give him room to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing her youngest son finishing patching up Chem Au, Chem Mai asked, "How is he?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al looked up, finally noticing that they were there. "He's stable for now. Just give him a day of rest and he'll be fine." That was what Chem Al said, but internally, he was chiding himself. If only he could create higher tier pills, then Chem Au would have been healed instantly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Chem parents sighed in relief after hearing that they weren't going to lose their son. In this tournament, deaths were rare, but they still happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But while they were feeling relieved, the rest of the audience was opened mouth with shock. Again, at the last second when Chem Au looked like he was guaranteed to lose, he pulled off a victory out of nowhere. But that wasn’t the most surprising thing about all this. Even though Chem Au had won, it looked like it would cost him his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And yet ... nope. Somehow that little medicine freak had pulled him back from death. This was even more shocking than the victory! In a battlefield, an injury like that would have meant certain death for cultivators whose profound strength was only at the low twenties. Did they just see a miracle happen?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone could only stare in awe as Chem Au laid there, still breathing. That was when they all seemed to wake up from their daze. Pills! Those pills! They needed more! Everyone suddenly had a lit fire in their eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even before today's tournament officially ended with a formal announcement that tomorrow Chem Au and Li Qinli would be fighting in the finals, almost the entire audience was already gone. Crickets were heard throughout the tournament grounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al and his group were one of the last ones to leave, hiring a rickety carriage to carry the unconscious Chem Au back to the market area. They had to move slowly in order to not aggravate his injuries, so by the time they all made it back, there were only a few stragglers left standing in front of the medical cart, shoulders slumped in disappointment because….</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All of the pills had been sold out!</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-74919213112978530942017-03-24T15:23:00.002-07:002018-01-27T12:31:11.329-08:00The First Alchemist - Chap 45<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 45 - Semi-Finals Part II</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The semi-finals went on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The other warriors had their chance to fight, and soon Chem Au’s name was called up again, along with the name of his opponent:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Dian Gu!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Normally at this time, Chem Au would grow worried hearing the crowd all around him cheer for his opponent, but for once he felt confident, more sure of himself that he could stand toe to toe with the warriors of the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But just as Chem Au began walking towards the stage, his little brother stopped him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"What's wrong?" Chem Au asked, seeing Little Al frowning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Watch out for his spear.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"His spear?" Chem Au turned to take a closer look at Dian Gu’s spear. It didn't look like anything special. The staff part looked rather ordinary, with only the sharp part of the spear having any dominating radiance to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"See the tip of the spear?" Chem Al pointed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au looked, then nodded. The tip of the spear was white, but there was only a little sliver of it. Not worth mentioning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Chem Al looked worried as he stared at it. "Big brother, I know that the Hard Earth Pill has helped protect you, taking the blunt of most of your opponent's attacks, but you can't rely on that forever. Especially now. Something tells me there’s something very dangerous about his spear. Make sure to use your shield to block it."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au looked shocked. Was that spear really that powerful? It didn’t look like it had any special abilities when he saw Dian Gu using it in the preliminaries. Then he shook his head. No matter how powerful that spear is, it changed nothing. He was still going to fight with everything he had.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al walked to the middle of the stage and stood in front of Dian Gu, who looked like he wanted to spit in his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The battle began.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dian Gu shouted, "Let me show you the power of my Dian Clan. Rising Lightning Skill!" Yellow lightning started wrapping around his legs. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au wasn't worried. He was impressed by this skill, but he had already seen it during the preliminaries. The skill only made Dian Gu faster, but not fast enough to get away from him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Soaring Crane Skill!” Chem Au activated his own skill, but just as white light started wrapping around his legs, his eyes widened when Dian Gu suddenly disappeared.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wait! Where did he go?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au looked around. There he was! But just as Chem Au spotted Dian Gu, he disappeared again. This happened again and again as Dian Gu disappeared and reappeared around the stage, circling Chem Au.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shit, he hadn't been that fast before. Chem Au wondered if his opponent had been holding back during the preliminaries. It was taking all of Chem Au's concentration just to follow Dian Gu with his eyes, trying to keep track of his movements.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au lifted his shield just in time as Dian Gu struck out with his spear. Dian Gu scoffed. Who did this village kid think he was trying to block with his boring looking shield? The tip of his spear was made from a Thunder Piercing Viper’s fang. It took a lot of his clan's money just to buy this small sliver, which showed how rare and expensive it was. He thought about how this one sliver was probably worth more than all the money his pathetic opponent’s tiny village could make selling crops in a hundred years. There was no way a simple shield could block it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But to Dian Gu’s surprise, his spear bounced off the shield, leaving only a scratch. The moment that happened, Dian Gu disappeared in a burst of yellow lightning, narrowly avoiding Chem Au's returning sword strike.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dian Gu reappeared again on the other side of the stage, still in shock. How could that shield block his spear? Only the most special shields and armor in this tournament had been able to block his spear, yet this boring looking dark green shield was able to do it too? Dian Gu narrowed his eyes. He would have to watch out for that shield.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Dian Gu wasn’t the only one surprised. Chem Au couldn’t believe what had happened as well. That spear was able to leave a scratch on his shield! Even Huo Shan’s flaming sword, who he had fought in the preliminaries, couldn’t leave a mark. That spear was unbelievably sharp!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au held up his shield and sword, more wary than ever. He watched as the lightning wrapped Dian Gu started flickering around the stage again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Soaring Crane Skill - Second Layer!” Chem Au struck out with his glowing white sword as Dian Gu appeared in front of him again. But no, he immediately disappeared. It was a feint!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dian Gu reappeared behind Chem Au, but before Chem Au could turn around to block, the spear ripped through his back and out of his chest. A torrent of blood gushed out, staining the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Chem Au’s painful torment wasn’t over yet as Dian Gu shouted, “Rising Lightning Skill - Second Layer!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Electricity coursed through the spear, amplified by the white sliver at the tip which started to glow. Snakes of lightning started running attacking Chem Au.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone in the audience could hear Chem Au screaming in agony.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Stop! Stop it! Somebody help him!” Chem Mai shouted. She then ran towards her son.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Sorka Jiu held her back. He then did the same thing to Chem Feng when he rushed forward. “What are you doing? Let me go!” Chem Feng shouted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Believe in your son. He is strong. He will get through this,” Sorka Jiu said to the Chem parents. However, although he said that, he was also a little worried. Chem Au had been hurt in this tournament before, but never to this extent.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And then Sorka Jiu looked at his little village chief, who remained calm as if he knew in his heart that Chem Au would survive this. That helped calm Sorka Jiu’s nerves somewhat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the lightning faded away, Dian Gu pulled back his spear, leaving Chem Au to collapse face down on the ground, a smoking ruin. Blood was pouring out of the hole in his chest, pooling around his unmoving body.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the sight of this, while the people from Chem Village looked worried, almost everyone else was cheering, especially those from the noble clans who had a son that lost to Chem Au during the preliminaries.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I knew it. His luck has finally ran out."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"He was strong for a village kid, but this is how far he can go."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Words like these passed around the audience. Some even started doubting the value of the pills again. Just as with Chem Au’s previous battle convincing them that the pills were authentic, this battle convinced them otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As for Dian Gu, he stood over the fallen Chem Au, gloating. His extremely fast speed, his powerful attack, he had been saving those for the finals. But when he learned that he was going to face the village kid, he decided to use all of his best moves now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This village kid, to be able to make it this far was an insult to all of the hard work Dian Gu had to do to be able to qualify for the semi-finals, so he wanted to get rid of the village kid as fast as possible. Plus, he had to make sure that he didn’t lose to the village kid like Xi Feng did. That would have been the worst humiliation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At that moment, Dian Gu’s thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Chem Au’s finger twitched. It was a small movement, but it was enough to make him wary.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good thing too, because with a roar, Chem Au suddenly rose up and swung his sword, only narrowly missing Dian Gu as he flickered away just in time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au might have gotten back on his feet, but he soon collapsed back on the ground, this time on his hands and knees. His body was screaming out in pain. He coughed, vomiting blood. He tried to circulate his profound energy as fast as possible to help heal the hole in his chest, but it wasn’t working. He was practically on his last breath before falling unconscious.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, despite all this, he didn’t want to give up. He didn’t want to lose!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There had to be a way out of this, a way to win. But how? The only skill he knew was the Soaring Crane Skill, but he knew instinctively that its speed and attacks weren’t fast enough to catch or hit Duan Gu. And let’s face it, he had never completely mastered that skill. He was never really good at it. Sorka Bo, who was at the same cultivation level as him, was faster than him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So he couldn’t rely on the skill. What else did he have that could help him? His shield could block the spear, and his sword could fend off his opponent for a little while, but that wasn’t enough. What else, what else? Shit, he tried to think of how he’d defeated the tough opponents he had faced during this tournament, but all he could remember was punching them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au suddenly looked up. That’s it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After what seemed like a long time, but was probably just seconds, Chem Au ever so slowly pushed himself back on his feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Duan Gu was shocked at the sight of this. How was this possible? But although he asked himself that, honestly, he knew why. When it comes to mastering the first layer of the Rising Lightning Skill, no one in the Dian clan, except for his father, was faster than him. But he never was good at mastering the second layer of this skill. His father knew that, and that was why they spent so much money to get the sliver of a fang from a Thunder Piercing Viper. Its sharpness and electrical amplification ability increased his offensive strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But after seeing Chem Au get back on his feet, it seemed like one spear thrust wasn’t enough. Duan Gu smiled. He wasn't worried. His opponent might still be standing, but he looked like he was about to fall over at any second.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Duan Gu twirled the spear in his hand as he shouted, "Rising Lightning Skill!" Yellow lightning wrapped around Duan Gu’s legs as he circled around Chem Au, disappearing and reappearing in bursts of lighting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But unlike last time, Chem Au was standing completely still, no longer trying to follow Duan Gu with his eyes. It almost looked like Chem Au had already lost consciousness while standing up. He might have even been dead. The only telltale sign that he was still alive was the slight rise and fall of his chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In truth, maybe it was because he was delirious from the loss of blood or because he was close to losing consciousness, but somehow, Chem Au had entered a meditative state.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His plan had called for him to stay in one place. And when he told himself to stay still, no longer rushing, no longer running, this was what happened. He started to sense the world differently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Somehow he no longer needed his eyes to follow Duan Gu's circling path. He could sense it just from the vibrations of his steps on the ground. That was how he was able to sense when Duan Gu was right behind him. Chem Au spun around and held up his shield, blocking the spear thrust.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"What the fuck?" Duan Gu shouted, then disappeared again to the far end of the stage. He was surprised. His opponent had seemed so sluggish before that he thought there would be no way that he could react in time to block his attack. But then Duan Gu shook his head as he thought of an explanation. Of course his opponent would be able to block him. After all, he was attacking from the same angle as the last time he thrust his spear into him. There was no way his opponent would forget that. That only meant that he just needed to attack from another angle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a burst of lightning, Duan Gu disappeared again. He flickered towards Chem Au’s side, but his spear was blocked again. And again, and again, and … again. From every side.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How was he doing this? Duan Gu shouted in his mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you were to ask Chem Au, he couldn’t tell you the answer. Even he himself didn’t know what was happening. All he could tell you was that somehow the world had turned peacefully quiet like a lotus petal landing softly on a still pond. Even the sounds of the audience faded away. All he could hear were quick footsteps which he followed with his senses.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But while Chem Au felt at peace, Duan Gu was feeling frustrated. Laugh if you will or call him cowardly, but his hit and run tactics were what helped him win his battles. But this was the first time that he was being blocked so completely. It was time to up his strategy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Duan Gu started to attack Chem Au from behind. He would constantly attack Chem Au’s back, disappear, then reappear again to do the same thing, and was blocked time and time again. But that was within his expectations. What was important was to get Chem Au to focus on the back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then suddenly, Duan Gu flickered in front of Chem Au and thrusted out his spear. A hit!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The spear ripped through Chem Au’s chest and out his back. Suddenly, Chem Au’s meditative state ended. The world came rushing back, and he was reminded of his burning pain. And now there was a second hole in his chest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au coughed up blood, but he was smiling. “Finally got you.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before Duan Gu could react, Chem Au dropped his shield and sword and grabbed onto the shaft of the spear, then pulled it deeper into his chest. Grinding pain minced through him, but he ignored it in order to bring Duan Gu closer to him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Duan Gu couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Was his opponent actually pulling the spear deeper into himself? Such a sight shocked him so much that he failed to run away or even let go of the spear before Chem Au reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au grinned an evil grin. Gathering all the pain and misery he had suffered in this match, he tightened his fist and punched Duan Gu in the face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Duan Gu flew backwards in a straight line, blood sputtering from his nose, until he landed on the far end of the stage. When his body hit the ground, he continued to roll and tumble until he finally stopped by the audience’s feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He didn’t get back up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was only then, after seeing his opponent on the ground, that Chem Au finally collapsed on his knees, the spear still punctured through his chest and sticking out of his back. But despite the pain he must have been going through, he still didn’t lose consciousness, so he was declared the winner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At that moment, Chem Al rushed up on stage with his bag of medical supplies. It was time again to uphold the reputation of The First Alchemist.</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-86363248602452274872017-03-24T15:21:00.002-07:002018-01-27T12:30:47.342-08:00The First Alchemist - Chap 44<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 44 - Semi-Finals Part I</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a bright and sunny new day, and almost everyone from Chem Village was hungover. That was what celebrating too hard could do to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The only ones fully awake and didn’t have a splitting headache was Chem Au, who had to be sharp for today’s matches, and his little brother, Chem Al. Despite not having any underage drinking laws in this primitive time, Chem Al didn’t partake of any alcohol due to the habit of following the Alchemist Association’s policy to not drink before preparing medicine or performing surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before long, it was time for the semi-finals. Chem Al had to drag his big brother towards the tournament grounds. You would think after yesterday's set of victories, Chem Au would be more confident now, but no, he knew that today's matches would be even tougher. He was definitely going to lose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The two brothers were followed by their parents, and Sorka Jiu, along with a couple of people from their village who decided to come as well. It was rare for them to leave their carts where they made money, but for those who sold well yesterday, they decided that it was worth it to miss one day of sales to watch a historic moment for their village. They didn't think that Chem Au would get much further, but they did hope that they would get to see him win at least one match today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au with his shield, sword, and new leather armor arrived at the tournament grounds. Other than him, there were seven other warriors who were going to fight today. These seven were all noble born sons, while he was the only village kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bets were placed all around among the audience. But no one gambled on the village kid. Everyone was shocked that he was able to make it this far, but a part of them accepted it. It was extremely rare, but warriors from those weak villages have made it to the semi-finals before. But this is where their time in the spotlight will end. No villager has ever made it past this point.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The only one who seemed to believe it was possible was Chem Al, who was rubbing his big brother’s shoulders. "You can do this. You just need to win two more matches. Just two, okay? Then you will make it to the finals."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au nodded, although he didn't look confident. He got even paler when his name was called. It was announced that he was going to be in the very first match.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And then the name of his opponent was called up: “Xi Feng!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The audience cheered, mostly because they wanted Xi Feng to get rid of that worthless village kid. But while almost everyone was shouting for his downfall, Chem Au didn’t notice them. Suddenly, he felt relieved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He had seen a few of Xi Feng matches in the preliminaries. Out of all of the warriors who had made it this far, Xi Feng was the only one weaker than him with the profound strength at a mere ninteenth level, one level lower than Chem Au.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But that wasn’t the main reason why Chem Au sighed with relief. It was because Xi Feng’s main weapon was poison.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au almost laughed, confidence rising within him. For these past few months he saw what his little brother could do against poison in his study of alchemy. Perhaps his little brother could help him somehow with this match… Oh wait..., Chem Au realized, his mood dropping again. The match was going to start in just a few seconds. How was his little brother going to create an antidote in time?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au turned to his little brother, who smiled back at him while holding out a white, green pill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“What? Is this the antidote? You already made an antidote for Xi Feng’s poison?” Chem Au asked, shocked.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al shrugged. “It’s just a low tier poison. It only took me a few seconds yesterday to design an antidote.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">By now, Chem Au didn't question if the pill was good for him or not. If his little brother made it, than it could only be good for him. He swallowed the pill, then asked, "I can’t believe you made this pill so fast. How could you even know that I was going to fight Xi Feng today?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Read it in a book,” Chem Al simply said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au shook his head. Again, from time to time his little brother would say confusing stuff like that. He had learned to ignore it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Have fun,” Chem Al said as his big brother walked towards the stage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au smiled back. “Don’t worry, I will.” For the first time in this entire tournament, he felt confident that he was going to win.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng was already on stage, and was grinning as he saw the village kid standing in front of him. He nearly laughed, thinking about how easy this was going to be. Using his clan's poison that had taken generations to develop, he's been able to beat enemies far stronger than him, nevermind a weak village kid whose profound strength was only one level higher than him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng looked past Chem Au to that smaller village kid in the crowd. The only thing he had to worry about was that small village kid who had made that so called medicine yesterday. His father had told him that the City Lord rejected those pills as fakes, but their clan knew better. They didn't understand the pills but the smell coming off of it told of something much more. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But that didn't matter now, Xi Feng thought to himself as he shook his head. That kid had only seen him used his poison yesterday during the preliminaries. Even if that medicine was genuine, there was no way he could invent an antidote in a single day. Xi feng fingered the knives on his belt, getting ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At that moment, the match began.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng immediately threw his throwing knives at Chem Au, who was running towards him, white light wrapped around his legs. Chem Au blocked with his shield. The knives bounced off. It was easy to tell that the knives weren’t anything special. The only thing that was worrying about them was that green tint staining the knives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When Chem Au got close enough to his opponent, he swung his sword, but Xi Feng was able to dodge it. It wasn’t that he was faster than Chem Au, it was just that his body was extremely flexible and wily, making it difficult for his opponents to hit him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng easily fell to Chem Au’s side, then he quickly threw out a knife, aiming for a gap in his opponent’s leather armor. Success! The knife glanced Chem Au’s knee, leaving a thin cut. It was only a thin cut, but that was enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before Chem Au could counterattack with his sword, Xi Feng jumped away, smiling. This had been easier than he thought! It usually took him awhile to wound his wary opponents, but this time he got him so easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng was grinning like a maniac.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the audience, some of the defeated warriors grimaced at the sight of Xi Feng’s smile of victory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“So annoying!” one of them said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I can’t believe I lost to that pathetic Xi Feng! Using poison in a man’s battle is cowardly!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“That village kid didn’t do any better. This match is already over.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They all eyed the line of blood leaking out of the cut on Chem Au’s knee. From now on, no matter how much he struggled, he can no longer beat Xi Feng. All of the defeated warriors who had lost to Xi Feng knew this feeling well. They still felt a little sick and green from being poisoned yesterday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The match continued onward with Chem Au chasing after Xi Feng, but the moment he was about to hit him, Xi Feng somehow wiggled out of his grasp. Every. Single. Damn. Time! It was annoying as hell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xi Feng was grinning like an idiot as he dodged another white crescent light. By now Chem Au had used several of those attacks, but Xi Feng knew that he wouldn’t be able to keep it up for long. He could already see Chem Au struggling to hold up his sword.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was how it always is after he manages to hit his opponents, Xi Feng thought with glee. They chase after him, growing tired, out of breath, feeling as if bile was rising up their throats. All of these symptoms become increasingly exasberated as they continued to run or attack, causing their blood to pump faster and faster through their bodies. Meanwhile his opponents waste some of their profound energy trying to suppress the poison, which was impossible. This was his clan’s signature poison! Anyone with a cultivation under the thirtieth level will be unable to suppress it. But every single one of his victims still try, leaving them little profound energy left to fight. This will continue until…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au collapsed on the ground, dropping his sword.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With a laugh, Xi Feng danced his way over to Chem Au’s gasping body. This was supposed to be the semi-finals, but it was the easiest match he had ever fought. Now to get rid of the village kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The audience watched as this match reached the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“It’s over.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Hmph, what else can you expect from a weak villager.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“He did good to make it this far. But this is where it ends.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While everyone concluded in their minds that Chem Au had lost, Xi Feng was taking out his biggest knife, getting ready to finish him off. Suddenly, Chem Au looked up at him … and smiled. “Just kidding.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Putting all of his profound strength into it, Chem Au lunged up and threw an uppercut, hitting Xi Feng under the chin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">An almost explosive sound reverberated all around as Xi Feng flew into the air and, just as quickly, fell to the ground with a heavy thud. His eyes rolled back in his head as he lost consciousness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The entire audience went silent.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They were shocked, frozen like statues. Just as they were expecting Chem Au to lose, instead it was Xi Feng that lost. A complete reversal that only took a single second was too fast for them to comprehend. How the hell did that village kid win?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This wasn’t the first time a village kid had made it to the semi-finals, but it was the first time a village kid was able to defeat a noble born son in the semi-finals. For Xi Feng to make it this far, it shows that he wasn’t like the other weaker noble warriors who had lost in the preliminaries. So how did he lose to some no name village kid?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While the audience was trying to understand what had happened, Chem Au walked off the stage. They all watched him, thinking that maybe the poison hadn’t kicked in yet. The effects might have taken longer than expected, but it will definitely knock him down. Minutes went by ... and nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That shouldn't be possible. They saw how in the match Xi Feng struck him with his poisoned knife. They could see the bloody cut on the village kid’s knee. Poison should be running through his body. He was only a twentieth level cultivator! He shouldn't be strong enough to suppress the poison completely!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was then when they saw Chem Au sit by that small village kid that they began to slowly understand what had happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That so called medicine, could it have been real? They had been so shocked by the medicine yesterday that they couldn’t believe their own eyes. Despite seeing what the pills could do, a part of them thought that it must have been some sort of trick. You couldn’t erase thousands of years of disbelief caused by fake medicine in a single day. But now they began to believe. If the medicine was real, then perhaps an antidote was made to counteract the Xi clan’s poison. That was the only explanation!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Where did you put those pills from yesterday?” the Dian Clan’s Patriarch demanded from his servant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Y-you told me to throw them in the trash,” the servant said nervously. “Should I go fetch them?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Patriarch scowled. “Do you think I want something from the trash? Do you think I’m stingy? Go out and buy another set of those pills!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Y-yes, sir!” the servant quickly left for the market.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All around the tournament grounds, the same thing was happening all over. Patriarchs from noble clans were ordering their servants to buy more pills, or get the ones that they had wisely put in storage. And even the City Lord was doing the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the Chem brothers were having their own discussion about the antidote pill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“How did it go?” Chem Al asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au smiled. “It was great. The moment the poison entered my body, I could feel the effects of your pill neutralizing it. Little Al, you’re even more than amazing that I thought.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Of course I am,” Chem Al said, as humble as ever. “To act like The First Alchemist, I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-5372311866042677912017-03-07T02:08:00.002-08:002018-01-27T12:30:22.573-08:00The First Alchemist - Chap 43<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 43 - Ba Rre</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“So these are the pills that the little village boy was shouting about?” Lord Ba Shen said after seeing the pills that his servant was presenting to him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Yes, City Lord,” the servant man said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen looked through the pills, but he couldn't tell much from them. The only thing he knew was cultivation and governing a city. He wasn’t someone who studied medicine, so he called for Jia Yixue, his personal medical man, into the main hall to take a look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The medicine man came. "You called for me, City Lord?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What do you think of these?" Lord Ba Shen tossed him the pills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jia Yixue examined them. Hmm, these must be the pills he had been hearing about. In less than a day, rumors of them have spread like a whirlwind throughout the city. Frankly, he didn’t really believe it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There wasn't anything really special about these pills. Most of them were small and in a variety of colors, plus they had a nice smell that tugged at him, but other than that, they didn't look like anything exceptional. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jia Yixue couldn’t really discern anything from these pills, but he didn’t want to admit his ignorance. Add that to the fact that he completely refused to believe that someone from a village could make better medicine than him, was the reason why he said, "I think these are fakes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Really? They seemed pretty effective when I saw them in today's tournament," Lord Ba Shen said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Hmph, I'm sure there must be some sort of trick involved. Poor villagers would do anything for money."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"So you think that there is nothing to these pills?” Lord Ba Shen said, and then his voice became threatening. “I was hoping that they would be able to help heal my son, since so far you have failed.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jia Yixue gulped. He knew that the City Lord had been thinking of getting rid of him for these past few months for failing to do what he had promised: healing the City Lord's only son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if the City Lord got rid of him like how he got rid of the last medicine man, then he would no longer be breathing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"C-City Lord! Please wait a minute! Just because these pills are fake doesn't mean that I can't make the right medicine to heal your son. Just give me more time, please! Six months! Just give me six more months and I'll be able to succeed!" The medicine man thought that would be enough time to gather his things and run away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen thought about it, then nodded. "Fine. Six more months. But if you fail me like the others before, you had better wear something protective around your neck."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jia Yixue should have felt a little relieved, but a jolt of panic still ran up his spine. "Thank you, City Lord! Thank you! I will not fail you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen dismissed the medicine man, who groveled while walking backwards all the way out the door. Once he was gone, the City Lord let out a disappointed breath. He had hoped that these pills could be the answer to helping his son, but it looked like that was not to be. He laughed, feeling foolish to believe for one second that something miraculous could come from a poor village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“What should I do with these pills?” the servant man said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen was about to tell him to toss them out, but his mind flashed to today’s tournament. If these pills were merely a trick, then they were very convincing. After thinking about it, he decided to wait. “Keep them somewhere safe for now. I will not give my son medicine that I don’t trust, but I’m willing to wait and see if these are really fakes. Let’s keep an eye on how that warrior from that poor village makes it through the tournament to see how effective these pills can be.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The servant man bowed, then left with the pills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the City Lord, he got up from his throne and made his way towards his son’s bedchamber. He paused, then went inside where he found that his son was sitting up in bed. “Ba Rre, what are you doing up? You should be resting."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I've rested enough, Father."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">His father started to protest, saying that he won’t get better if he doesn’t get more rest, but this just caused Ba Rre to sigh. “Father, let’s be honest, no amount of lying in bed will help me get better.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen wanted to refute that but couldn’t. “How are your legs today, son?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ba Rre moved his blanket to the side. His legs didn’t look malnourished, but they seemed weak, almost spindly. The muscles had shrunk and the skin was pale. In other words, they looked the same as they always had for the past three years. And so far, no amount of rubbing cream or disgusting medicine he had to swallow made them any better. Ba Rre sighed. “Same as always.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t lost hope, son. I will find someone that can heal you.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ba Rre collapsed back on the bed. He didn't hold as much hope as his father. The last few medicine men couldn't help him at all. What made him think that the newest one could? "Just leave me. I'll get the 'rest' that you want me to get. But please, just leave."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lord Ba Shen walked away with slumped shoulders, thinking how he would give anything to the person who could heal his son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As night fell, throughout the city, the nobles have been receiving reports from their servants. One such noble was the Patriarch of the Dian clan, Dian Guang. “Is this accurate?” he asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">His servant nodded. “Yes. The spy we’ve placed in the City Lord’s castle guarantees it. The pills that the City Lord’s servant had bought weren’t used, and instead were stored away. It seems like the City’s Lord personal medicine man concluded that they were fakes.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dian Guang’s face grew stormy. The report held in his tightening fist was suddenly destroyed by yellow lightning. “Ha, that village kid thought he could trick me? I didn’t believe in those so called pills for one second! Throw them away! I will not feed such strange things to my son!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The same was happening throughout the city. This new medicine was bizarre. They didn’t trust it. It could even be poison. The nobles have spent a lot of resources raising their sons into fine warriors. Why would they risk all that on some strange, fake medicine? A lot of pills were thrown away for the rest of the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soon the sun rose and the market became busy again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was time for the semi-finals!</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005150328842450157.post-46524825632758421122017-03-04T18:55:00.001-08:002018-01-27T12:29:50.684-08:00The First Alchemist - Chap 42<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 42 - Their First Customer</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tournament matches for the first day continued. Chem Au fought a few more times; some of them against fellow villagers, and a few against powerful sons of nobles. Even if he’d only barely scrape through, he would win every time. And there would be his little brother there to heal him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Well, at least you kept your good looks,” Chem Al said, eyeing his brother’s bloody and bruised face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Au had just won his very last match of the day, allowing him to pass to the semi-finals. His entire body ached, but he was happy. He’d never thought that he could make it this far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, after his little brother healed him with a pill, the booing and dissent from the crowd started to grow increasingly noticeable, especially from the rich fathers who had a son that had lost to him. They kept shouting that Chem Au was cheating, that it wasn’t fair that he could be healed like that after every battle while their sons had to fight tired and broken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Shut the hell up!” Chem Al yelled at all of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entire crowd was stunned silent. Did this little village kid with no profound cultivation just raised his voice against the richest families of Vera City?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al continued, “You should all be ashamed of yourselves! This tournament is supposed to represent real battles, and in real battles, things aren’t always fair. Sometimes you’ll fight someone a lot stronger than you. Sometimes you’ll fight someone who has a weapon and you don’t. And sometimes ... you'll fight someone refreshed and ready for battle while you're tired and injured. Yes, it isn't fair! Well, tough! My brother is going to use every advantage he has to win this tournament. If you don't like it, then just go to the market where you can buy these pills for a very reasonable price!" He held up a pill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone was silent for a moment, then some of them continued to shout and complain at the Chem brothers like mad, snarling bulls. Yes, Chem Al spoke with logic, but they certainly weren't going to get beaten down with words by a weakling. But while many continued to be loud, some quieted down and whispered to their nearby servants to go investigate these pills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The preliminaries ended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone started to leave. The Chem brothers met up with their group and walked out of the tournament grounds. Their parents couldn't believe it. Chem Feng was especially unbelievably proud at Chem Au. Their son had managed to qualify for the semi-finals! They had hoped that he would do it, but they never really thought he could. If he were to lose his next match, it would be okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When they finally made it back to their spot in the market, they were in an exhuberant and celebratory mood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But a few of the villagers, including Sorka Bo, didn't see that. Instead, they saw Chem Au's burnt, ripped up leather armor and assumed the worst. "Oh, you lost. Not surprising at all. I'm just shocked that it took you this long to return with your tail between your legs."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Nope. He won every fight he was in today!” Chem Mai shouted, proud of her son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“He’s going to the semi-finals!" Chem Feng said, just as happily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the villagers went quiet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Wait, what?" Sorka Bo practically shouted. He then looked at his father. “Is this true?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sorka Jiu nodded, also happy because someone from his tiny village was able to make it this far in the city’s tournament. The only thing that saddened him a little was that it wasn’t his son who had participated. Maybe next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other villagers were shocked by this news. With Chem Au's strength, they assumed that he would win a few fights, but not enough to pass the first day. They ran forward, shoving Sorka Bo out of the way to get to Chem Au. They clamored around him, asking him questions about the tournament and his fights. Meanwhile, Sorka Bo stomped away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But while almost everyone else was in a celebratory mood, Chem Al was getting down to business. He walked over to Sheng Yi. "Master, did anyone buy our pills?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sheng Yi shook her head. "Not yet."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What?" Chem Al couldn't believe it. "Does my big brother have to win the entire tournament before we can even get one customer?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, wait, maybe he spoke too soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They saw someone approaching them. It was a man who, although his clothes weren't flamboyant like the nobles, was wearing something that was made from fine materials.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Tell me about these pills," the man said with a condescending tone. He had been walking around this entire market searching for these pills, and along the way he had encountered many scammers shouting out about how their medicine could perform miracles. Although he saw the use of these pills at the tournament grounds, he was in a state of mind to disbelieve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al's three disciples moved forward and told the man about what their pills can do. The man's face became uglier and uglier after hearing their claims. They said that these pills could mend bones, heal burns, soothe pain, and a lot of other things, but what he found most unbelievable was a red pill that they said could increase your cultivation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you know how many people claimed that they had made a miraculous medicine like this? These villagers were obviously selling fakes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the City Lord, who the man served, ordered him to buy these pills, so he asked about their prices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Five high jade stones for the Primary Profound Pill, and three high jade stones for everything else!" Chem Al jumped in and said. He could tell that this man was ordered to buy these pills no matter what, so he took this opportunity to raise the prices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What! Five high jade stones for this tiny, red pill?" the man shouted. He wanted to walk away. These villagers were obviously scammers! How can a village even create such medicine? And even if they did, why did they look so poor? If their pills really did what they claimed it could do, then they would be richer than the City Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man really really really wanted to walk away, but he ended up buying the exorbitantly priced pills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chem Al smiled. "Thank you for your purchase."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man stormed off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"At least we got one buyer," Chem Al said, still a little disappointed. But unlike him, the villagers had regained their hope. They had been watching the entire exchange, and were now smiling at the amount of high jade stones that their village chief was holding. This was what they had been hoping for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The villagers got even more excited when a few more people came up. A lot of them weren't actual customers. They were just browsing, curious about the pills that they saw at the tournament. But some of them came there to buy, especially those that served a noble who had a son that made it to the semi-finals. Even though all the customers were shocked at the high prices, they still paid it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A whirlwind of purchases were made and then the day's market ended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The villagers gathered around the medicine cart where there was a huge pile of high jade stones. Their eyes were glittering, especially Sheng Yi's and the three disciples’. They hadn't even sold all of the pills and yet they still made this much money! If they didn't sell another pill before they have to leave the city, they would still be happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only those like Sorka Bo, who hated seeing the cripple succeed, was pissed. But no one noticed him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone else was celebrating, not just because of the amount of money Chem Al had made for them, but also because of Chem Au’s victories. Although Chem Au had only passed through the first day of the tournament, it was still something to celebrate. Some of the money was used to buy a round of drinks. Tonight, the people of Chem Village celebrated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But while they had a good time, the first man who had bought their pills had stomped all the way to the City Lord’s castle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As castle’s go, it wasn’t much. It was neither very defensible nor was it decorated enough to feel extravagant. It was a poor man’s castle, which fitted right in with a city at the edge of the Continent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The man entered the main hall and kneeled in front of the City Lord. He showed him the pills.</span><br />
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Trung Nguyenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599633978618810210noreply@blogger.com5