Why Is It an Apprentice?

The Alchemy Hall—that was the very heart of the Medicine Hall.

Benevolent Heart Medicine Hall had amassed such a thick fortune and built such a lofty reputation in Black Water Town almost entirely on the skills of the Alchemists in the Alchemy Hall.

Getting into the Alchemy Hall, even just as a menial worker, was a hundred times better than being cooped up in this room pounding herbs all day.

And if one had the good fortune to catch an Alchemist's eye and be taken on as their personal attendant, that would truly be a salted fish turning over—crossing that impossible class threshold in a single step.

For a moment, quite a few people's eyes lit up. They were so eager to try that they practically wanted to recommend themselves on the spot.

Xie Shu took in everyone's eager expressions and was quite pleased. He continued:

"However, there is something I must make clear beforehand. Whoever goes will be assisting Alchemist Song Huai."

At those words, the once-excited crowd seemed to have a basin of cold water dumped over their heads. One by one, they unconsciously shrank their necks. Just moments ago, they had been fighting to step forward; now, they wished they could bury their heads in the ground.

Xie Shu watched their attitudes turn around so completely, and his expression immediately darkened. "What is the meaning of this? Alchemist Song Huai is the chief Alchemist of the Alchemy Hall, a man of exceptional ability.

If his previous attendant had not been dealt with for sticky fingers, how would such a fine position ever fall to mud-legged peasants like you?"

Xie Shu was one of the few people in the entire Medicine Hall willing to reason with others, so everyone dared to speak a few honest words before him.

"Shopkeeper Xie," someone replied with a bitter face, "if it were another Alchemist, we would fight until our heads split open before letting this opportunity go. But Alchemist Song's temper... it is simply too strange. We truly do not have the courage to go."

Hearing this, Xie Shu sighed helplessly. Those words had already been extremely restrained.

In truth, Song Huai's temper was far more than merely strange. It was downright vile.

Quite a few apprentices had previously been sent to assist him. At the slightest mistake, they would either be beaten or cursed at, with not the slightest shred of dignity left to them. Even if one could swallow anger and endure humiliation, one would not last a month.

The last person who had stolen pills had most likely seen that he was about to be driven out, and thus risked everything, letting crooked thoughts take hold before leaving.

Xie Shu sighed again and patiently repeated himself:

"Is there truly no one among you who wishes to go to the Alchemy Hall? If no one answers, I will give this spot to the guards."

The apprentices all shook their heads like rattles, terrified that Shopkeeper Xie would forcibly pin this "excellent position" on them.

Xie Shu shook his head helplessly and was just about to turn and leave when a figure suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

"Shopkeeper Xie, I want to go to the Alchemy Hall."

The sudden voice made Xie Shu's slightly clouded eyes light up at once. The surrounding apprentices also turned toward the speaker with disbelief written all over their faces.

The man was thin, with refined and handsome features. His gaze was firm and bright, though his complexion was still somewhat pale since his blood and vitality had not fully recovered.

Who else could it be but Jiang Feng?

Xie Shu's brows furrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed. He said gently, "I remember you somewhat. Your name is Jiang Feng, correct?"

"Yes, Shopkeeper."

Xie Shu nodded, a trace of approval appearing on his face.

"Yesterday in the front courtyard, I felt that you had a good temperament. You did not fear danger and remained calm and composed. Now it seems you are even more ambitious than the others. Come with me. I will take you to the Alchemy Hall right away."

With that, he led Jiang Feng out of the stuffy, sweltering Pharmacy.

The moment the two left, the apprentices in the Pharmacy erupted.

"Has Jiang Feng worked himself stupid? He actually dares to serve Alchemist Song?"

"Haha, it is good that he left. He has been driving me mad these past few days, putting on airs all day. Who knows who he is even performing for?"

"Do not celebrate too soon. Before a month is up, that kid will surely come running back with his tail between his legs."

Everyone was talking at once, saying all kinds of things.

Only Zhao Sen remained silent. As he watched that thin figure recede into the distance, his eyes were filled with confusion and incomprehension. He always felt that the current Jiang Feng seemed somewhat different from before.

Meanwhile, Jiang Feng followed behind Xie Shu, passed through the front courtyard, and headed straight for the Alchemy Hall.

The closer they came to the Alchemy Hall, the more he sensed an entirely different atmosphere. The hurried apprentices gradually grew fewer, replaced by more and more fully armed guards with cold expressions.

"Jiang Feng, this is your first time entering the Alchemy Hall, so let me explain the rules here first."

Xie Shu's expression turned solemn. "Inside, no matter what you intend to do, you must report it to Alchemist Song first. No matter how unreasonable Alchemist Song's orders may sound, you must carry them out without discount; if he has not told you to do something, do not meddle, no matter how small it is. Do you understand?"

Jiang Feng nodded. "Shopkeeper Xie, I understand."

Xie Shu nodded in satisfaction. He did not think Jiang Feng was a fool. To remain unchanged in expression beneath the Young Master's terrifying presence in yesterday's situation—such steadiness of character was far beyond ordinary people.

He reached out and patted Jiang Feng's shoulder, his tone softening slightly. "You need not be too nervous. As long as you carry out the few points I mentioned properly, Alchemist Song will not make things too difficult for you."

As they spoke, the two had already entered an antique little courtyard. After walking along the quiet stone path for a while, an exquisite and elegant small house came into view.

The door stood wide open. From afar, they could see a massive pill furnace standing in the center of the room. Crimson firelight flickered within its belly, while wisps of white smoke curled up from its top.

Jiang Feng steadied himself and followed Xie Shu into the room. Only then did he notice a small old man sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion in front of the pill furnace.

The man had a head full of white hair and a small, thin frame. His eyes were shut, his hands formed seals, and he did not move at all. Those who knew would understand that he was refining pills; those who did not might think he had fallen asleep sitting there.

Jiang Feng and Xie Shu simply waited quietly at the side, not daring to make the slightest sound for fear of disturbing him.

After about a quarter of an hour, the little old man seated on the cushion suddenly opened his eyes.

The hand seals he formed changed abruptly, and a unique burst of force shot from his fingertips into the pill furnace.

The enormous pill furnace shook violently. The crimson flames within instantly went out, and the curling white smoke dispersed completely.

The furnace lid opened, and he steadily retrieved five round, plump pills, placing them into a porcelain bottle.

Seeing that the pill refinement was complete, Xie Shu spoke at the right moment with a smile.

"The pill fragrance fills the air, and every pill is flawless. Alchemist Song, your pill-refining skill has improved yet again."

Without turning his head, Song Huai snorted. "Hmph, Shopkeeper Xie, you finally came. I thought you had forgotten all about me."

The smile on Xie Shu's face grew even wider as he hurried a few steps forward and said apologetically, "Alchemist Song misunderstands. You know that a major incident has occurred at the Medicine Hall lately, and I have truly been running myself ragged. But your matters have always been the most urgent to me. See? The moment I found the time, I immediately brought someone over for you."

Song Huai curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

"I say that Wu Family brat had it coming. He spends his days committing all manner of evil and causing trouble everywhere. If someone killed him one day, that would be perfectly normal."

Xie Shu was startled by those words and hurriedly advised in a low voice, "Alchemist Song, mind your words, mind your words."

Song Huai waved his hand indifferently, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Feng, who had remained silent beside him.

Those slightly clouded old eyes carefully looked Jiang Feng over from head to toe, and his brows immediately knitted together.

"Shopkeeper Xie, what is the meaning of this? I told you to pick someone for me, yet you brought me an apprentice? Did I not say to choose from among the guards?"