Chapter 104: Chapter 104: He’s Here
Imperial Palace Plaza, at the Alchemy Platform!
Over a dozen palace maids and eunuchs held various ceremonial instruments as Nangong Wen approached, surrounded by his entourage. He was clad in a black Dragon Robe, his hair was as black as ink, and his eyes shone, full of spirit.
Following behind him were Lingyun Marquis, the Left Minister, and other high-ranking ministers. However, their faces were rather haggard, suggesting the past few days had not been easy for them.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing Nangong Wen, everyone present bowed deeply. Nangong Wen gave a slight nod, then took his seat on the high platform that had been prepared for him.
"How is it that Qin Ya has yet to arrive?"
Hearing Nangong Wen’s question, Muui Yunlie replied gravely, "That’s right. But I don’t think he’ll go back on his word. With a spectacle of this scale, he has no choice but to show up."
As the crowd waited, a ceaseless buzz of discussion filled the air.
They could believe that Qin Ya knew alchemy. They could even believe he was a genius in the Alchemy Dao. After all, his position as an Advanced Academy Teacher at Mingxin Academy was undeniable. He had to have a few tricks up his sleeve. His ability to refine Third or Fourth-Grade Elixirs, while sensational, was something they could grudgingly accept.
But refining a Seventh-Grade Elixir?
That was a joke. Since the founding of the Yunxiao Empire, there had only been a handful of Seventh-Grade Alchemists. How could a young man, not even twenty years of age, possibly be an Alchemist of that level? It was something that completely surpassed their ability to comprehend.
In their eyes, this was an absolute impossibility.
On the high platform, aside from Nangong Wen and his retinue, there were also several magnificently dressed princes and princesses with extraordinary bearings. They gazed at the Alchemy Platform with keen interest, and their thoughts turned to the Advanced Academy Teacher whom they had never met, filling them with a sense of anticipation.
After all, the people gathered here were all the most influential figures in the Imperial Capital: High-Level Alchemists, Masters of the Noble Families, powerful court officials, and the prodigies of the younger generation. They were incredibly curious about this Qin Ya, who had managed to create such a massive spectacle, wondering just who he was and what kind of charisma he possessed.
"I heard this Qin Ya is only sixteen, yet he’s managed to stir up such a storm in the Imperial Capital. Truly a remarkable man," said a prince with a graceful bearing. He wore a golden python robe with a golden ring pendant at his waist, and his face was like polished jade.
Across from him, a prince with narrow-set eyes and a somewhat mean-spirited face sneered. "He’s just an arrogant fool. He’s made such a huge scene, but when the time comes, if he fails the refining, he’ll not only lose face—he’ll lose his life. He could have had a good, quiet life as an Academy teacher, but instead he chose to meddle in court affairs. Does he really think he can stir up storms just because he has a little bit of talent?"
"Heh, Fourth Brother, you speak too certainly," came a delicate laugh. A young woman spoke, dressed in a long red gown embroidered with peonies, a phoenix hairpin adorning her hair. "I, for one, think this Teacher Qin is young and promising—far better than the so-called prodigies of the Imperial Capital."
"Oh? Luoyu seems to have a rather favorable impression of this Qin Ya," the Fourth Prince said with a smile, looking at Nangong Luoyu with a flash of curiosity. "As I recall, your standards are incredibly discerning. You haven’t taken a liking to a single one of the many brilliant young men out there." His sister was famous throughout the Imperial Capital for her high standards—standards befitting her status and talent.
She was the Seventh Princess of the Yunxiao Empire, a Spiritual Element Realm Martial Artist at the tender age of seventeen. The men pursuing her could form a line from one end of the street to the other, and every one of them was a prodigy from a Noble Family or the son of a powerful official—all were champions of the younger generation.
And yet, this Seventh Princess hadn’t taken an interest in a single one.
It was unexpected, then, that she had taken an interest in Qin Ya, whom she had never even met.
Nangong Luoyu smiled faintly, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "At least none of those so-called brilliant young men you mentioned, Fourth Brother, would dare to act so calmly in Father’s presence. Not one would dare to step forward and speak up for Marshal Muu. And none could stir up such a storm in the Imperial Capital with only the cultivation of the Spiritual Element Realm."
"Call him arrogant or call him a fool—either way, his name is now famous throughout the Imperial Capital!"
Hearing this, the others considered her words, and a strange light flickered in their eyes.
That was right. Regardless of the outcome, Qin Ya had already captured the attention of every major power in the Imperial Capital. And his attempt to cure Marshal Muu today could, to some extent, even influence the future of the Empire. His actions were nothing short of astonishing.
Yet, very few people could see this. They were still mocking Qin Ya’s arrogance, still scorning his ignorance...
"Haha, well said, Luoyu."
At that, Nangong Wen laughed heartily, his eyes showing his approval. "Among all of you, Luoyu is the sharpest. You should all learn from her."
"Father is absolutely right."
Nangong Wen smiled faintly and looked over to the Left Minister, General Xiao, and the others, feigning confusion. "Hm? Brother Yun, why do you all look so unwell? Could it be that you haven’t been sleeping well these past few days?"
Lingyun Marquis forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We are fine."
’Fine?!’
’Fine, my ass! Their losses these past few days had been nothing short of disastrous.’
’More than half of their men in the military had suddenly been killed in action for no apparent reason. Several key civil officials at court had also died abruptly. Most importantly, the Martial Arts experts he had secretly recruited over the years had, in the last few days, either been killed by old enemies showing up at their door or met violent deaths in the wilderness. This had undoubtedly crippled his power base.’
’But what was most infuriating, what was most humiliating, was that he knew exactly who was responsible, yet he had to stand here, force a smile, and offer praise. Was there anything more degrading in the entire world? The hatred in his heart threatened to consume him whole.’
"Mm. You are all pillars of the Empire. I do hope you’ll take better care of yourselves."
"Yes..."
Lingyun Marquis grit his teeth. Hidden in his sleeve, his fist was clenched so tightly that veins bulged on his skin and his nails dug deep into his palm. As he kept his head lowered, a vicious glint flashed in his eyes. ’Nangong Wen, you won’t be smug for long!’
"Control yourself," the Left Minister whispered, grabbing Lingyun Marquis’s arm. "As long as Muui Yunlie’s poison remains uncured, and as long as Brother Xiao becomes the Commander of the Red Flame Army, all our previous losses will mean nothing."
「Time passed, and the sun climbed high in the sky.」
"Why isn’t Qin Ya here yet?"
"He probably realized he can’t cure the poison and decided to run for it."
"Hmph. That’s a possibility."
"This Qin Ya is a disgrace to the title of teacher! Even if he can’t cure the poison, he should at least show his face. To not even have the courage to try, regardless of success or failure..."
"Sigh. It seems we won’t get to see a good show after all."
"I knew it. He’s just a wet-behind-the-ears child, what skills could he possibly have? It was all just empty boasts. We’re talking about a strange poison that not even a Fifth-Grade Alchemist could cure. How could he possibly succeed? It seems His Majesty backed the wrong horse this time."
"His Majesty is just stalling. It seems there’s no cure for Marshal Muu. He’s held the position of Commander of the Red Flame Army for twenty years; it’s time for a change."
Just as the crowd was growing impatient, a sudden uproar swept through them.
"Look! It’s Qin Ya! He’s here!"
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the main gates of the Imperial Palace, where a figure was walking in.
His white robes were purer than snow, his black hair like ink. His entire being radiated an aura of calm composure.
It was none other than the Academy teacher... Qin Ya!
