The Situation Worsens

Over the following month, Lin Changheng's life remained largely unchanged, save for the time he carved out to comprehend the Secret Notes of Taihe Alchemy.

Within the Xu Family, however, beyond the ever-present shadow of war, whispers began to circulate.

The word was that the apprentice who had spent twelve years tending fires had not only reached a new rank overnight but had also defeated the renowned Alchemist Lv, seizing the mid-grade alchemy inheritance and marking himself as a rising talent destined to become a mid-grade alchemist.

Before long, Alchemist Lv stepped forward to graciously admit that his skills were inferior, praising Lin Changheng as a late bloomer of extraordinary talent whom he could not hope to match.

He appeared quite composed, lacking even a hint of the gnashing teeth or vengeful grudges one might find in the novels of Lin Changheng's past life.

Yet, no one knew that Lv Bailian had orchestrated this entire display; it was shameful to lose to a fool, but by elevating Lin Changheng to the status of a "genius," his own reputation remained untarnished, even gaining him the reputation of being broad-minded and humble.

Xu Fugui was the one who brought this news to him.

Lin Changheng frowned incessantly; he had no desire to be the subject of public scrutiny or gossip.

For a man like him, who practiced the philosophy of keeping a low profile and staying steady, excessive exposure was the very definition of a crisis.

He asked Xu Fugui for a favor.

"What is it? Just give the word, Brother Lin. I won't even blink, and I'll see it done without a single discount."

Xu Fugui's injuries had mostly healed, allowing him to walk and move about, though he was still advised to avoid combat. He patted his chest and gave his word immediately.

"It's quite simple..."

Lin Changheng did not know how the news had leaked, but knowing the source was useless, so he simply instructed Xu Fugui to spread a different narrative.

He needed to muddy the waters.

The story was that Lin Changheng had only won by a hair's breadth, and only through a series of coincidental circumstances that allowed him to best the long-established Alchemist Lv.

As for those "coincidental circumstances," the more bizarre, the better.

For instance, when Alchemist Lv was refining his first batch of pills, they were already perfectly formed and ready to yield two premium-grade results, but a mysterious bird had cried out outside the window, drawn by the rich fragrance. The sudden screech had startled Alchemist Lv, causing his technique to falter, and that was the only reason he had lost by a single point.

Or perhaps, one could say that Alchemist Lv was of such noble character that when Lin Changheng grew exhausted and nearly suffered a backlash during his own refining, Alchemist Lv had decisively stepped in to save him, inadvertently ruining his own batch and causing his defeat.

Such tales were sufficiently bizarre to capture the public imagination.

That very day, Xu Fugui set his wife and children to work. His entire family of over a dozen people spread these rumors through visits to friends, relatives, and neighbors, growing more outlandish with every retelling.

Under this fermentation, the creativity of the clan members flourished; they even concocted stories of a deep-seated love-hate relationship between the two, claiming they had eventually turned into enemies, which served as the catalyst for their struggle over the mid-grade alchemy inheritance.

In the end, no one cared for the truth. Various versions circulated, with Alchemist Lv remaining the focus of the most attention.

Lin Changheng, meanwhile, faded into a minor supporting character; without a sensational hook, he was naturally forgotten.

It is worth noting that in the middle of the month, the head of the Xu Family, Xu Xuheng, summoned him to deliver some empty pleasantries centered on encouragement, expectation, and solicitation.

Lin Changheng played the part of one overwhelmed by the honor, but he cast the meeting from his mind the moment he left.

He understood that such meetings were always filled with sweet words; whoever took them to heart was the one who truly lost.

A few days later.

Lin Changheng and Xu Fugui were taking a stroll along the banks of the Black Water River to pass the time.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from the opposite bank.

Startled, the two looked over to see a group of over a dozen people approaching, stirring up dust as they crossed the river.

Fortunately, they clearly recognized the leader as Xu Qianhuan, a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining; otherwise, they would have already tacitly agreed to turn and flee.

"Greetings, Senior."

The crossing was swift, and the two stood to the side to pay their respects.

"Mm."

Xu Qianhuan's stern expression softened, though it was unclear if it was because of them or simply because he had reached the family stronghold.

He then commanded, "Rest and regroup. Send the wounded back and summon the physicians."

Medicine was one of the hundred arts of cultivation.

Though physicians were not as sought after as alchemists, blacksmiths, formation masters, or talisman makers, they were an indispensable presence in any clan.

"Understood."

The cultivators behind him dispersed, and it was only then that Lin Changheng and Xu Fugui noticed they were carrying the wounded.

"Old Bai?"

Xu Fugui suddenly cried out in alarm.

The "Old Bai" in Xu Fugui's mouth could only be Bai Fengxian. Lin Changheng was also shocked, and as he followed his gaze, he saw a man being carried on someone's back. Half of his face was a bloody, mangled mess, as if scorched by flames, yet he looked vaguely familiar.

Combined with his build, which matched perfectly...

"Old Bai, are you alright?"

The two immediately rushed over, unable to bear the sight.

Hearing their familiar voices, Bai Fengxian struggled to open his eyes. A smile tugged at his twisted, charred face as he said, "I'm not dead yet. Fortunately, I'm quick on my feet—it was just a Fire Bullet Art that grazed my face."

Easier said than done; the malice and terror hidden within were beyond imagination.

"Go, go, go!"

Lin Changheng and Xu Fugui lent a hand, helping the man down from the back of the unfamiliar cultivator and laying him onto a board before carrying him away in a flash.

It was not until evening.

Having seen the physician off, the anxious heart of Bai Fengxian's wife finally settled. She wiped away her tears and went to busy herself with preparing a meal.

At this moment, Bai Fengxian, leaning against the couch, was in relatively good spirits despite his disfigurement. Looking at the two somber-faced men before him, he still managed a smile: "What is it? Still lamenting the loss of this brother's handsome face?"

"Tsk, tsk, it seems this Fire Bullet Art still hasn't managed to tame that mouth of yours!" Xu Fugui's expression eased, and he laughed as well.

Lin Changheng smiled too, then suddenly asked in a low voice: "Did you two go to take revenge on the Chen Family?"

"How did Brother Lin know?"

Bai Fengxian was stunned; his scarred wounds twitched, making his expression appear even more ghastly.

Lin Changheng simply smiled and uttered two words: "I guessed."

Xu Fugui scratched his head, looking at Lin Changheng with a bewildered expression, clearly unable to make heads or tails of it.

Lin Changheng had no choice but to explain: "The state you are in clearly shows you have been through a great battle. Given the dire situation the Xu Family currently faces, you certainly wouldn't be reckless enough to open multiple fronts. That leaves only one answer..."

"The Chen Family!"

In truth, Lin Changheng possessed more evidence—such as the death of the mid-grade alchemist Xu Hanli, the ambush at Black Dragon Pond, and the opening of the alchemist's secret teachings—all of which pointed to this. However, he could not speak of these things openly.

Sometimes, knowing more is not necessarily a good thing.

"Brother Lin is truly sharp-witted; your predictions are divine."

Bai Fengxian sighed with emotion, then lowered his voice to reveal a thing or two.

Combining this with the information Lin Changheng already possessed, the basic sequence of events was deduced.

They had indeed retaliated against the Chen Family for the ambush at Black Dragon Pond and the killing of the mid-grade alchemist. They had sent men to strike two resource points in turn, killing seven or eight cultivators and plundering a batch of resources.

Most importantly, they had beheaded a mid-grade talisman master as a tit-for-tat reprisal.