Chapter 113: Chapter 113: He Really Succeeded?
The Imperial Capital was abuzz with activity.
Most people were discussing the strange phenomenon that had emanated from the Imperial Palace not long ago. It was a sight the likes of which they had never seen in their entire lives.
"In my opinion, it must have been a divine miracle."
"A divine miracle? Don’t make it sound so mysterious. If you ask me, it was probably a phenomenon caused by some Martial Arts strong person in the Imperial Palace having a breakthrough."
"It was truly miraculous! That fragrance... even thinking about it now makes my old bones feel comfortable. My rheumatism of many years seems to be gone."
"I heard that High-Level Teacher from the Academy is in the Imperial Palace performing Alchemy. You think this phenomenon could have been caused by that Qin Ya while he was refining pills?"
"Heh, you must be joking. Sure, he’s a High-Level Teacher at the Academy, but how old is he? There’s no way he could cause a phenomenon like that. Impossible."
"Haha, if it really was him, I’ll eat shit."
Just then, two Iron Armor Soldiers with solemn expressions walked out of the Imperial Palace gates. They were holding a yellow decree, which they posted on the announcement board outside. Seeing this, the crowd immediately swarmed forward to get a look.
"Let me see... ’By the Celestial Protection of our Yunxiao, the Academy’s High-Level Teacher, Qin Ya, whose talent is unparalleled and world-shaking, a genius of his generation, has on this day...’"
"Hey, don’t block me! I want to see, too."
"Hey, hey, what does the imperial decree say?"
"Can’t you read it yourself?"
"I’m illiterate."
"Everyone quiet down! I’m trying to read!"
HISS...
A moment later, a series of sharp gasps rippled through the crowd.
What was written on that imperial decree!
The Academy’s High-Level Teacher, Qin Ya, has successfully refined a Seventh-Grade Elixir, causing a heavenly phenomenon!
The poison within the body of Muui Yunlie, Commander-in-Chief of the Red Flame Army, has finally been neutralized!
His Majesty, moved by Qin Ya’s world-shaking talent, has specially conferred upon him the title of National Hero, with a rank equivalent to a Duke!
Each and every item was a major event that would shake the Empire.
"Where’s that guy who said he’d eat shit?"
"Er... he took off a minute ago."
This scene became a common sight throughout the Imperial Capital today.
Imperial decrees were posted on announcement boards all over the city, and the news of Qin Ya refining a Seventh-Grade Elixir and being ennobled as a National Hero spread rapidly throughout the Imperial Capital.
Today, the entire Imperial Capital was in an uproar over a single name!
"My goodness! That kid, who looks like he’s just a teenager, actually refined a Seventh-Grade Elixir and saved the Commander-in-Chief of the 300,000-strong Red Flame Army!"
"It’s too shocking! I can’t even imagine how he did it. Was he learning Alchemy in his mother’s womb?"
"The Empire hasn’t had a new National Hero for decades, and now the title has been taken by a young man. A Young National Hero... what an immense honor!"
"The youngest High-Level Teacher in the Academy’s history, the youngest Seventh-Grade Alchemist in history, and the youngest National Hero in history... Oh my god!"
"He’s completely defying the heavens, isn’t he?"
"Compared to him, I feel like I’ve wasted the last few decades of my life."
Similar discussions could be heard everywhere in the Imperial Capital.
Qin Ya had completely made a name for himself—no, he had shocked the entire Imperial Capital!
From the common folk to the powerful Noble Families, everyone was stunned by this young man. Even the Four Great Martial Arts Families were no exception.
The Su Family...
"From this day forward, order all clan members not to offend Qin Ya. If an opportunity arises, we must recruit him at any cost. The weight of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist is enough to vastly strengthen our family’s foundation," said the Su Family’s old ancestor, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Yes, Mu Bai understands."
Su Mubai, the current Clan Leader of the Su Family, replied respectfully.
The Xiao Family...
"Hmph. The position of Commander-in-Chief of the Red Flame Army, which we’ve been scheming to get for so long, is gone just like that. Tell Xiao Dilong to go receive his punishment," the Xiao Family’s old ancestor said, his expression cold and grim. "As for that Qin Ya, he’s riding a wave of momentum right now. Don’t provoke him for no reason. And... if the opportunity arises, try to win him over."
"Yes..."
The Lu Family...
"Damn it! That Qin Ya is actually a Seventh-Grade Alchemist! I remember Lu Chen seemed to have some conflict with him. We must find a way to mend that relationship. Offending such a figure is a disaster, not a blessing, for the Lu Family."
...
...
The other Noble Families in the Imperial Capital issued similar orders.
Do not provoke Qin Ya if possible. Recruit him if you can.
Inside the Crimson Wine Tavern...
...
Just as the group of killers, led by One-Eyed Dragon, was plotting how to kill Qin Ya, a figure burst into the tavern. His face still bore a look of utter shock. He ordered a drink and sipped it, only then slowly calming down.
Everyone recognized this man. He was a fairly well-known killer at the Crimson Wine Tavern. Seeing him look so horrified, they couldn’t help but be surprised.
One-Eyed Dragon walked up and asked, "Heifeng, what’s wrong with you?"
Heifeng shook his head. "I was just so shocked by something... I still haven’t fully recovered. By the way, what are you all doing?"
Hearing this, One-Eyed Dragon said hatefully, "Hmph. We’re here figuring out how to kill that maniac who dared to provoke us Black Market Killers!"
"Er... you don’t mean Qin Ya, do you?"
"Who else could it be?"
Heifeng gave One-Eyed Dragon a strange look. "Don’t tell me you’ve all been cooped up in here all day without even stepping outside the tavern!"
One-Eyed Dragon said, "Jobs have been scarce lately, so we were just gathering to study how to deal with Qin Ya. Besides, we’re killers. We can’t just be wandering around outside. But never mind that. Heifeng, your cultivation and strength aren’t weak. What do you say? Interested in joining my Slaying Alliance?"
Heifeng let out a cold laugh. "You guys can take your time studying. I have no interest in provoking that Qin Ya right now. That guy... he’s not even human."
"What? Are you scared?" One-Eyed Dragon frowned.
"Scared? I just don’t want to get myself killed," Heifeng sneered.
"Hmph. Heifeng, you underestimate us," One-Eyed Dragon said, annoyed. His single eye flashed with a vicious light as he glared at Heifeng. "Even if Qin Ya’s strength isn’t weak, at the end of the day, he’s just a Spiritual Element Realm Martial Artist. With so many of us, are you saying we can’t handle him alone?"
Heifeng took a deep breath. "You haven’t even gathered the most basic intelligence, yet you dare to boast about killing him. That’s just foolish."
As soon as he said this, the killers behind One-Eyed Dragon erupted in anger. Their eyes filled with malice as they glared at Heifeng. "You have the guts to say that again?"
"Are we the foolish ones, or are you just a coward?"
One-Eyed Dragon waved his hand, temporarily quelling the anger of the men behind him.
He looked at Heifeng and said in a low voice, "Knowing you, you wouldn’t do something so stupid as to provoke everyone here. So, spit it out. What the hell happened outside that’s made you so afraid of Qin Ya?"
Heifeng glanced at One-Eyed Dragon. "Among this lot, you’re the only one with a bit of sense. One-Eyed Dragon, let me ask you: did you know that Qin Ya went to the Imperial Palace to perform Alchemy and detoxify Muui Yunlie?"
"I did." Hearing this, One-Eyed Dragon’s expression shifted slightly as a guess formed in his mind. "Don’t tell me... he actually succeeded?"
