Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Grandmaster’s Demeanor, a Contest of Skill
The morning sun rose, full of vigor.
It was a fine day. The heavens seemed to agree, for the sky was a pure, cloudless azure that inspired a sense of tranquility.
For a December prone to sudden, heavy snowfalls, it was a rare, clear day.
But within the Liu Family residence, none of this wonderful atmosphere could be felt.
On the contrary, the air was thick with killing intent.
The Liu Family’s Main Hall.
The atmosphere was frozen solid.
Alchemy Masters were ushered into the hall one after another. Given their status, they were all qualified for seats of honor, arranged in two rows.
At the head of the hall, in the primary seats of honor, sat two elderly men.
Liu Yuanlong and Tan Jinglin.
Only they possessed the standing to occupy the highest seats and look down upon the gathered experts.
In addition, many members of the Liu Family were also gathered in the hall.
Liu Xianyu, Liu Shiyi, Liu Mi, and Liu Yun—all the outstanding members of the Liu Family’s younger generation—were present.
Furthermore, Liu Yuanlong’s sons—Liu Zhengkun, Liu Zhenghua, Liu Zhengdong, and others—were not absent either.
’He killed a Grandmaster’s Disciple with his sword. I’m afraid even the old man won’t be able to protect him today, will he?’
Liu Zhengkun still harbored a deep hatred for Ning Jiang. That day, his legs had been broken, and afterward, his many privileges within the Liu Family had been stripped away, one by one.
And it was all thanks to Ning Jiang.
Liu Yun gritted his teeth. ’I can’t avenge my brother’s death myself, but you dared to kill a Grandmaster’s Disciple. Tan Jinglin will never let you go!’
"Xianyu, do you think he was too impulsive this time?"
The two beauties, Liu Shiyi and Liu Xianyu, were huddled together, whispering. The one who had spoken was Liu Shiyi.
"Impulsive? This is who he is. When he stormed the Liu Family residence that night and killed Liu Feng, did you think he was being impulsive then?" Liu Xianyu said slowly. "It’s just his nature. Once he decides to kill someone, he doesn’t care who they are. He fears nothing!"
"You really understand him, Xianyu. I just don’t know how he’ll deal with the wrath of a Grandmaster this time," Liu Shiyi sighed.
Liu Xianyu’s expression remained unchanged. "Just watch. Since he dared to kill, he must have the confidence to back it up. All we need to do is observe."
"Heh, I bet he’s already run away, hasn’t he?"
In a seat to the left sat a dark-faced, middle-aged man. The one who spoke stood behind him.
This middle-aged man was Luoyang’s second-greatest Alchemy Master, Fei Yanqing, and behind him was his son, Fei Hai.
"It’s very possible. If I were him, I’d run too."
Someone next to them added. This was another Alchemy Master’s disciple.
"Hmph. Anyone else might flee, but Ning Jiang definitely won’t," someone snorted coldly. It was Zhao Peng, who was standing behind Du Wanqing. He had also come today.
"You think too highly of him."
Fei Hai said with disdain. Although he had been frightened by Ning Jiang on the night of the Pill Conference, in the current situation, Ning Jiang’s death was certain. What did he have to worry about?
"He will definitely come."
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice rang out, interrupting their conversation.
The speaker was Wei Yanran.
’A mere Grandmaster, what is there to fear?’
She refused to believe that the person who could say those eight words would flee at the critical moment.
Unconsciously, her impression of Ning Jiang had begun to change. In the past, she had only seen him as an arrogant and laughably conceited man, but after the Pill Conference last night, she understood that she had been underestimating him all along.
This young man possessed more unyielding pride than anyone she had ever met.
Just as she finished speaking, everyone heard the sound of footsteps approaching the main hall.
All eyes turned in that direction.
A man and a woman came into view, walking at a leisurely pace.
The woman was gentle and beautiful, her fine hair cascading down like a waterfall. As she walked, her delicately clenched fists betrayed a hint of nervousness.
But no such tension could be felt from the man beside her. He seemed as if he were out for a leisurely stroll to drink tea—calm, at ease, and with a tranquil air.
’So this is the White-haired Ghost, Ning Jiang.’
Many people sighed to themselves. To remain so poised and as calm as still water in such a situation—his temperament alone was frightening to many.
For such a person to dare kill Yan Ziling, it was definitely not an act of impulse!
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, the pair walked into the main hall.
The atmosphere in the hall was as cold and sharp as drawn swords.
Anyone entering would feel ill at ease, as if being pricked by needles.
Yet, when Ning Jiang stepped inside, it was like a gentle spring breeze. In an instant, the tense, hair-trigger atmosphere around him seemed to relax.
"Sister An, to have so many people waiting for us, I suppose it makes our walk from the Drunken Moon Pavilion worthwhile."
Ning Jiang smiled, his tone as cool and clear as freshly drawn spring water.
His gaze swept across the faces in the crowd before finally resting on the elder in the bright yellow robe, seated in the seat of honor.
The Alchemy Grandmaster, Tan Jinglin.
"You’ve come."
These were the first words Tan Jinglin had spoken today. He sat there, perfectly still, but as his eyes swept over them, many felt a sense of overwhelming authority.
"I have."
Ning Jiang’s white robes fluttered. He wore a pair of straw sandals, and his hair was tied back with a simple ring of grass. He was dressed casually, looking like an ordinary youth with nothing special about him.
The first exchange between the two was not as tense as everyone had imagined. On the contrary, it was quite peaceful.
So peaceful, in fact, that many found it hard to believe.
’Hmph, a Grandmaster doesn’t anger easily, but when he does, it’s like a clap of thunder,’ Fei Hai thought, looking forward to the drama that was about to unfold.
"You are impressive. Truly impressive. Having seen you with my own eyes, I finally understand why Liu Yuanlong trusts you so much. I also see that Ziling did not lose to you unjustly. He was indeed inferior to you. No, I should say the gap between you two was far too great."
Tan Jinglin did not condemn Ning Jiang as everyone had expected. Instead, he began with words of praise. "I already know about the competition at the Pill Conference. The two of you wagered your lives. Ziling lost, and so he lost his life. You won the match fair and square, without resorting to any despicable means."
"But no matter what, Ziling was my Direct Disciple. You killed him. If I do nothing, it would be unjustifiable by any measure," Tan Jinglin said slowly.
’Is it finally starting?’ Fei Hai sneered inwardly.
At that moment, both Liu Yun and Liu Zhengkun hoped to see Ning Jiang punished.
But Tan Jinglin’s next words made countless people’s jaws drop. "I can give you a chance. Regarding Ziling’s matter, as long as you return with me and repent for three years, I will not pursue it. Furthermore, after those three years, I will teach you everything I know, holding nothing back. Are you willing?"
His words fell like a bombshell.
BOOM—
The minds of countless people present reeled from the shock.
Repent for three years? And then after three years, he’d teach Ning Jiang everything? Was this supposed to be a punishment?
"Grandmaster Tan, you are truly magnanimous, unwilling to let an alchemy prodigy fall prematurely. I am in awe." Du Wanqing stood and bowed respectfully to Tan Jinglin.
This bow came from a place of heartfelt admiration.
He understood completely that Tan Jinglin had come to cherish Ning Jiang’s talent.
At sixteen years old, he could refine a High Grade Elixir that produced a seventy-zhang fragrance. Such talent had already far surpassed that of Lu Changsheng in his youth.
If Ning Jiang were allowed to continue developing, there was a high probability he would become the world’s second Pill King.
That was why Tan Jinglin couldn’t bring himself to kill Ning Jiang.
"Tan Jinglin, you’re not bad. You truly have the bearing of a Grandmaster."
Ning Jiang always spoke this way, addressing even Liu Yuanlong and Tan Jinglin directly by name. A hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes. "If Yan Ziling had possessed half your character and hadn’t provoked me back then, I wouldn’t have killed him."
"Ziling was young and impetuous. It’s inevitable that his personality was a bit volatile," Tan Jinglin sighed. "So, are you willing to accept my proposal?"
At this moment, it was believed that no one could possibly refuse.
People like Fei Hai, along with some of the other Alchemy Masters’ disciples, were dying to be in Ning Jiang’s place.
But.
Under everyone’s stunned gazes,
Ning Jiang simply shook his head and said bluntly, "I am not willing. You are not qualified to teach me."
"How arrogant."
"He’s courting death."
Some of the surrounding Alchemy Masters showed anger on their faces. For an Alchemy Grandmaster to offer to teach everything he knew was a heaven-sent opportunity for any Alchemist.
And yet Ning Jiang actually said Tan Jinglin wasn’t qualified to teach him?
"It seems you’re very confident in your Alchemy skills. But that’s fine. The young should have some arrogance. If you’re not wild, you’re already an old man."
Tan Jinglin stood up. "I heard you plan to perform Alchemy for Brother Liu to heal his injuries. Coincidentally, I also wish to refine an Elixir. Let us make a gentleman’s agreement and compete with our Elixirs."
"If you lose, you will return with me and repent for three years. If you win, I will leave Luoyang without another word. How about it?"
The moment he spoke, the entire hall was shaken.
An Alchemy Grandmaster was actually challenging Ning Jiang to a competition.
What was a Grandmaster? It was someone who could refine a Treasure Elixir!
The fragrance of a Treasure Elixir could travel over a hundred zhang. The High Grade Elixir Ning Jiang refined last night only had a fragrance of seventy zhang.
Would Ning Jiang dare to accept?
"Agreed."
Ning Jiang nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"He’s guaranteed to lose," Fei Yanqing said, shaking his head.
"Regardless, we’ll get to witness a Grandmaster perform Alchemy personally. This trip will not have been in vain," said Highland.
"Well said. It’s a rare opportunity to see a Grandmaster perform Alchemy. Even absorbing a tiny bit of experience would be incredibly valuable," Fu Shan agreed.
The other Alchemy Masters also had looks of fiery anticipation in their eyes.
"Everyone, please follow me to the rear courtyard."
Liu Yuanlong spoke up at this moment, rising to his feet and leading the crowd out of the hall.
"Ning Jiang, I have something to say to you."
In a corridor, Wei Yanran suddenly called out to stop Ning Jiang.
"Hm?" Ning Jiang stopped.
After the others had walked some distance away, Wei Yanran steeled herself, took out a vial, and said, "This is a type of Ancient Elixir Liquid my master obtained. He gifted some to me a while ago, but I’ve never used it. This Elixir Liquid can improve the quality of an Elixir, allowing a High Grade Elixir to become a Treasure Elixir."
"Why?" Ning Jiang didn’t take it, looking at her with great interest. "I was under the impression you’ve never liked me."
"I admit I had some misunderstandings about you in the past." Wei Yanran’s demeanor was as cold as ice. "But if even Grandmaster Tan Jinglin can set aside his hatred and instead wants to cultivate your talent, what is there for me to hold on to?"
"With your talent, you will certainly be able to enter the ranks of Grandmasters in the future, and you might even have a chance to vie for the title of Pill King. I, too, possess a heart that cherishes talent."
Wei Yanran continued, "Although I am a woman, I still understand matters of principle and can distinguish between what is important and what is not. I’m not someone who only holds petty grudges."
"Today has been full of surprises. Both Tan Jinglin and you are fundamentally good people." Ning Jiang looked up at the sky, his gaze distant. "Unfortunately, you still underestimate me!"
Ignoring the Elixir Liquid, he turned and walked away.
His words drifted back to her.
"Wei Yanran, after today, you will know just what kind of existence I am!"
