Pill Apprentice Hinders

Afterward, seeing Gu Mingyue's emotions fluctuating, Yang Chen first asked her to leave and went to Second Master Yang's place alone.

It was different from last time. Last time, Second Master Yang was holding a lecture, and his courtyard was open to the public. But normally, Second Master Yang held a noble status, and ordinary people from the Yang Family were not allowed to come here. Even if they did, they couldn't get in. Like Yang Chen now, he wanted to enter the courtyard to find Second Master Yang, but he was blocked by the Pill Apprentice outside.

Yang Chen actually had the memories of this Pill Apprentice, because this Pill Apprentice was a favored subordinate of Second Master Yang. It was said that Second Master Yang found him from outside. Because of his good alchemy talent, Second Master Yang appointed him as his alchemy assistant. Normally, he would help Second Master Yang guard the door, and all irrelevant people were screened out by this Pill Apprentice.

And Yang Chen, by sheer bad luck, was treated as 'irrelevant personnel' by this Pill Apprentice.

This Pill Apprentice appeared very arrogant and didn't put Yang Chen in his eyes at all. He stood in front of the courtyard and yawned lazily, "Yang Chen, you say you can come and go in Second Master's courtyard as you please? Who do you think you are? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror to see what kind of person you are? Your reputation has already spread to other families. What is Second Master's status, and what is yours?"

Yang Chen glanced at the Pill Apprentice. He looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a fair complexion and white teeth. He did indeed have a face that people liked.

He searched his memory and unearthed quite a bit of past recollection.

In the past, 'Yang Chen' also often came to Second Master Yang's place to refine pills. However, as long as this Pill Apprentice was present, he would definitely find ways to make things difficult for 'Yang Chen.' Because the former Yang Chen was naturally timid and wouldn't dare to say much when bullied, this Pill Apprentice eventually treated Yang Chen as a pushover.

Recalling these memories, Yang Chen chuckled wryly. It seemed that Second Master Yang, being forgetful, hadn't mentioned him to the Pill Apprentice. Otherwise, if the Pill Apprentice had a few more guts, how would he dare to look down on people with contempt?

Yang Chen clasped his hands behind his back and said unhurriedly, "Second Master personally told me that I can come to his place anytime from now on."

As he said this, he deliberately increased his voice slightly.

He guessed that Second Master Yang was likely refining pills in the inner room and would come out upon hearing his words. As for the Pill Apprentice, he really didn't want to waste too much breath on him. If he didn't need Second Master Yang's alchemy room, he might not have come here at all.

"Hahahaha." The Pill Apprentice laughed openly, "Second Master personally told you? I could also say that Second Master personally told me I'm his grandson. Is that useful? Is that meaningful, Yang Chen? You're just making these lies, which only makes me think you're very childish. You should know that in the entire Yang Family, besides me and the Clan Head, no one else can freely enter and exit Second Master's courtyard."

The Pill Apprentice looked at Yang Chen arrogantly, a sense of superiority emanating from his bones. Being able to enter and exit Second Master Yang's courtyard freely was an honor.

"Xu San."

Suddenly, an old voice rang out. Immediately after, a white-haired old man walked out from the house.

When the Pill Apprentice heard this voice, his previous sense of superiority vanished completely. He seemed like a different person, hastily bowing and respectfully saying, "Second Master, why have you come out? Has this Yang Chen been too noisy? Did he disturb your quiet cultivation? If so, I'll drive him out immediately!"

Second Master Yang was initially calm, but upon hearing Xu San's words, he immediately frowned and sternly rebuked, "Xu San, you are becoming more and more out of line!"

"Se-Second Master, what's wrong?" The Pill Apprentice was stunned. He thought it was because of Yang Chen and immediately said in a deep voice, "Yang Chen, why don't you scram?"

"Silence!"

Second Master Yang said with a cold expression, "Xu San, Yang Chen is my distinguished guest!"

Xu San's expression was dull, as if he couldn't believe it, and said, "Second Master, how... how is this possible!"

"Nonsense." Second Master Yang said expressionlessly, "You dare to question my words?"

He shook his head. This Xu San was truly too much.

He needed a Pill Apprentice, not someone who used his name to show off. What was the duty of a Pill Apprentice? To have foresight, be adaptable, and know their own status. Xu San had indeed done very well at the beginning, being smooth, smart, and quick-witted, which had truly saved him a lot of trouble.

However, recently, Xu San had become increasingly out of line. At the very least, Xu San had failed to grasp the meaning of his words several times just now, clearly no longer meeting his requirements for a Pill Apprentice.

He had heard the commotion outside the house earlier and hadn't come out immediately. He had also heard the conversation between Xu San and Yang Chen. Although he was annoyed to see Xu San's contemptuous behavior, he hadn't taken it to heart. After all, Xu San had been working under him for three to two years.

Moreover, it was his responsibility for not informing Xu San about Yang Chen's matters, so he didn't intend to bring it up. However, Xu San had repeatedly contradicted him, which angered Second Master Yang, leading to a scolding.

After these reprimanding words, Xu San was completely dumbfounded.

Yang Chen was Second Master Yang's distinguished guest?

How, how could this be possible? He knew better than anyone what Yang Chen was capable of and what his character was. He was quite perceptive and, when faced with a tough nut to crack, immediately changed his demeanor.

"Yang Chen, come with me." Second Master Yang said with a smile, then turned to Xu San and said, "Xu San, remember, from now on, anyone Yang Chen brings here is to be allowed in without exception, understand?"

"Yes... Second Master." Xu San's heart skipped a beat, but he still gritted his teeth and said.

However, his gaze towards Yang Chen was filled with malice, as if the treatment he deserved had been taken away by Yang Chen.

As a Pill Apprentice under Second Master Yang, he had indeed been well taken care of by Second Master Yang. Second Master Yang was kind by nature and naturally wouldn't mistreat a Pill Apprentice. In the beginning, Xu San was very grateful, but over time, Xu San inwardly considered himself as Second Master Yang's grandson in his old age.

He wanted to receive all of Second Master Yang's affection and couldn't tolerate anyone competing with him for favor. He believed that among the younger generation of the Yang Family, no one could gain Second Master Yang's favor and surpass him.

But now, Yang Chen had appeared, and at least from the current situation, Second Master Yang valued him greatly.

"Damn it." Xu San gritted his teeth, and hatred for Yang Chen was sown in his heart. At the very least, he would never allow a good-for-nothing he had bullied before to get ahead of him.

"Yang Chen, it's also my responsibility, old man. It was my fault for not telling Xu San about you. So, don't take this to heart. Although Xu San's words were a bit unpleasant, his nature is not bad," Second Master Yang said kindly.

Yang Chen dared not be arrogant and quickly said, "Second Master, you jest. For you to apologize to me would shorten my lifespan!"

"You brat, you're quite eloquent," Second Master Yang found Yang Chen more and more pleasing to the eye. He walked ahead with his hands behind his back and said, "Speaking of which, when you returned home a few days ago and used those materials to refine pills, how were the results?"

Yang Chen rubbed his chin and, without much thought, cupped his hands and said, "Second Master, these past few days, Yang Chen has been diligently refining pills with significant results. I am quite satisfied with the results of some pill refinements. However, after refining for a period, I found myself encountering many obstacles. It seems I've hit a bottleneck. I dare not be careless, so I've come to your place."

These words were naturally a prepared statement. With his alchemy level, why would he need Second Master Yang to teach him?

"Haha, a bottleneck is good. Speaking of which, what kind of pills have you been refining?" Second Master Yang asked.

Yang Chen listed the names of several pills consecutively.

Upon hearing this, Second Master Yang's eyebrows shot up in shock and he said, "If the pills you mentioned were truly refined, your current alchemy level would be at least a First-Rank Intermediate Alchemist. No wonder, no wonder. Yang Chen, do you know why you have a bottleneck? Because the next step you take will make you a First-Rank High-Level Alchemist!"

"Are Second Master's words true?" Yang Chen feigned surprise, but in reality, this was all within his expectations.