Entering the Alchemy Hall

The job of an Alchemy Boy seemed, judging by its duties, no different from that of an odd-job apprentice at a Medicine Hall.

But an Alchemy Boy was a bona fide member of the Alchemy Hall, while their wages and benefits might not measure up to those of most guards, they were still far better than those of an ordinary apprentice.

Put simply, an Alchemy Boy was like a permanent employee of the Alchemy Hall, while an ordinary odd-job apprentice was just a temp who could be kicked out at any time.

But Alchemy Boys couldn't simply be hired whenever someone wanted.

In the Wu Family's eyes, an Alchemy Boy was a future alchemist. They had to be personally evaluated by an alchemist, who would confirm their talent before carefully training them. And each alchemist could have only one Alchemy Boy.

The other alchemists at the Medicine Hall all had Alchemy Boys. Only Song Huai, the chief alchemist, had always been alone.

That certainly had something to do with his eccentric temper; few people suited his taste. But more importantly, his standards were sky-high, and he had no tolerance for even the slightest mediocrity.

Based on Xie Shu's understanding of him, the stubborn old man would probably shake his head.

But as soon as he asked, Song Huai answered without hesitation. He even slapped his forehead and cried out with an exasperated look:

"Make Jiang Feng my Alchemy Boy? Oh, I really am getting old and foolish. How did I not think of this sooner? If I'd taken him on as my Alchemy Boy earlier, none of these later headaches would've happened!"

Xie Shu stood rooted to the spot, his face full of disbelief.

"Huh? Alchemist Song, you... you're agreeing? Taking on an Alchemy Boy isn't a small matter. Wouldn't you like to think it over?"

Song Huai waved a hand dismissively, his gaze resolute and his tone brimming with unquestionable confidence.

"What's there to think over? That boy Jiang Feng was born for alchemy.

"I could tell from the start. He was only one last step away from becoming a true alchemist."

The praise was astonishingly high, completely beyond Xie Shu's expectations.

He had known Song Huai for many years and knew how rare alchemists were. Saying they were one in a hundred was no exaggeration.

Plenty of Alchemy Boys who seemed talented never amounted to anything, even after years of effort.

He had known Song Huai thought highly of Jiang Feng, but he had never imagined he thought this highly of him.

"Shopkeeper Xie, hurry and bring Jiang Feng over to me. I've got a lot on my plate right now, and with him lending a hand, things will be much easier."

Having just decided to take Jiang Feng on as his Alchemy Boy, Song Huai urged Xie Shu on impatiently, with a rare note of urgency in his voice.

Xie Shu nodded blankly, momentarily at a loss for words.

Since Song Huai had agreed of his own accord, he said nothing more and turned to leave the Alchemy Hall.

About a quarter of an hour later, he led Jiang Feng back into Song Huai's smoke-filled Alchemy Room.

"This junior, Jiang Feng, pays his respects to you, Teacher."

As soon as he entered, Jiang Feng bowed respectfully.

He already knew Song Huai had taken him on as an Alchemy Boy, making him essentially half a disciple. Calling him "Teacher" was perfectly fitting.

He had no qualms about it. Not only had his alchemy skills come from Song Huai's "personal instruction," but becoming Song Huai's disciple had also been his fondest wish.

Back at the Medicine Hall, hadn't he been at everyone's mercy because he had no one to back him?

Now his teacher was the Alchemy Hall's chief alchemist. He couldn't claim he could do whatever he pleased throughout the Benevolent Heart Medicine Hall, but here in the Alchemy Hall, no one would openly target him the way Xue Zhao and Tie Rong had.

"Hahaha! Good, good, good!"

Song Huai stroked his beard, the wrinkles on his face deepening as he smiled.

Perhaps the two fools around him had been driving him mad lately. The more he looked at Jiang Feng, the more he liked him, and even his tone was gentler than usual.

"Jiang Feng, there's no need to be so formal around me. Just act as you did before."

Before he had even finished speaking, he seemed to remember something. He turned and beckoned to the two tall, burly guards standing nearby, calling out:

"Zhang Yong, Zhang Yang, you two, come here.

"From now on, in this Alchemy Room, you'll follow not only my orders but Jiang Feng's as well. Understand?"

"Understood, Alchemist Song."

Zhang Yong and Zhang Yang answered in unison. They exchanged glances, unable to hide the fleeting shock in their eyes.

As members of the Guard Hall, they naturally knew what had happened over there. They had even heard rumors about how Tie Rong planned to deal with Jiang Feng.

But they never imagined that in just one day, Jiang Feng would not only enter the Alchemy Hall but also become their immediate superior.

"Jiang Feng, now that you've officially joined the Alchemy Hall, I won't concern myself with where you lived before. Starting today, you'll live here with me in this courtyard."

Song Huai had always been decisive. His words left no room for refusal as he pointed toward the back of the Alchemy Room.

"There are a few detached cottages back there. Pick whichever one you like and move right in. Don't worry about food or drink; the servants will take care of it.

"The conditions aren't particularly good, but they're certainly not harsh. You don't seem like someone who craves luxury. Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

His attitude was worlds apart from Tie Rong's. If Tie Rong had been even half as good as Song Huai, Jiang Feng wouldn't have left so resolutely.

Faced with Song Huai's unreserved kindness, Jiang Feng agreed without a second thought.

"I'll do as you say, Teacher."

Song Huai nodded in satisfaction, then looked toward Xie Shu, who was still standing nearby with a dazed expression.

He was being so decisive mainly to keep Xie Shu from pulling any more tricks and to make sure Jiang Feng stayed in the Alchemy Hall.

Watching the little old man standing nearby with his chin raised and his face full of wariness, Xie Shu couldn't help but laugh helplessly.

Was it really necessary to guard against him like a thief?

He shook his head helplessly and said with a serious expression:

"Alchemist Song, I've brought him to you. Don't go back on what you promised me."

Then he turned to Jiang Feng, his tone gentler.

"Stay here and help Alchemist Song with his pills. I'll take care of things with the Guard Hall for you."

"Sorry for the trouble, Shopkeeper Xie." Jiang Feng cupped his fists and thanked him sincerely.

Xie Shu waved a hand and said nothing more before turning to leave the Alchemy Room.

As soon as Xie Shu was out of sight, Song Huai could no longer contain his smile. His eyes and brows brimmed with satisfaction.

He looked at Jiang Feng kindly, a hint of anticipation in his voice as he asked:

"Jiang Feng, I just heard from that old man Xie that you passed the Guard Hall's test. Has your martial cultivation reached the seventh level of the Blood-Moving Realm?"

Jiang Feng had no intention of hiding anything from Song Huai. He answered frankly:

"Teacher, my cultivation is at the eighth level of the Blood-Moving Realm. I can already control the outward release of my qi and blood with ease."

Song Huai was taken aback at first, then his delight grew, and his voice rose.

"Good! Excellent!

"That means I can teach you more advanced alchemy now, and you'll be able to help me even more!"

"Just give the word, Teacher. This disciple will do everything in his power." Jiang Feng answered earnestly, cupping his fists.

Song Huai pondered briefly, then swept a hand through the air and gave his orders briskly.

"We were supposed to start refining Barrier-Breaking Pills this afternoon, but those two fools ruined things, so we'll put it off for now.

"This afternoon, we'll keep refining Blood-Qi Pills. Good timing, too—I can test you and see how much you remember of the refining steps I taught you."