Entering the Alchemy Hall

On the surface, the position of an alchemy boy seems no different from that of a common laborer or apprentice doing odd jobs around the medicine hall.

However, it is a bona fide internal position under the Alchemy Hall. While the salary and benefits do not quite match those of most guards, they are far superior to those of an ordinary apprentice.

Simply put, an alchemy boy is like a permanent staff member of the Alchemy Hall, whereas a common laborer or apprentice is merely a temp who can be kicked to the curb at any moment.

But one cannot simply recruit an alchemy boy whenever one pleases.

In the eyes of the Wu Family, an alchemy boy is a future alchemist. They must have their talent personally verified by an alchemist and then be nurtured with great care; furthermore, each alchemist is permitted only one alchemy boy under their name.

The other alchemists in the medicine hall are all equipped with alchemy boys, with the sole exception of Song Huai, the chief alchemist, who has always been a lone wolf.

This is certainly tied to his eccentric temper, as few people can suit his tastes, but more importantly, his standards are incredibly high—he cannot tolerate even a shred of mediocrity.

Based on Xie Shu's understanding of him, this stubborn old man would, in all likelihood, shake his head.

Yet, the moment the question was asked, Song Huai gave his answer without the slightest hesitation. He even slapped his own forehead and shouted with a look of annoyance:

"Let Jiang Feng be my alchemy boy? Oh, I must be getting senile! Why didn't I think of this sooner? If I had taken him on as my alchemy boy earlier, none of these headaches would have happened later!"

Xie Shu stood frozen in place, his face full of disbelief:

"Ah? Alchemist Song, you... you're agreeing to this? Taking on an alchemy boy is no small matter. Shouldn't you reconsider?"

Song Huai waved his hand dismissively, his gaze resolute and his tone filled with unquestionable confidence:

"What is there to reconsider? That kid Jiang Feng is a natural-born talent for the craft of alchemy.

I saw it before; he is only one final step away from becoming a true alchemist."

This assessment was shockingly high, completely exceeding Xie Shu's expectations.

He has known Song Huai for many years and knows well how scarce alchemists are; to say one in a hundred would not be an exaggeration.

Many alchemy boys who seem talented may not necessarily amount to anything in the end.

He had long known that Song Huai valued Jiang Feng, but he never imagined he valued him to such an extent.

"Manager Xie, hurry and bring Jiang Feng to me. I have a heavy workload right now, and with him there to lend a hand, things will be much easier."

Having just decided to take Jiang Feng on as his alchemy boy, Song Huai began to urge him impatiently, his tone even carrying a rare sense of urgency.

Xie Shu nodded blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Since he had given his word, he did not say more, turned around, and left the Alchemy Hall.

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

"Jiang Feng, greetings, Teacher."

As soon as he entered, Jiang Feng bowed respectfully.

He already knew he had been accepted by Song Huai as an alchemy boy, making his status equivalent to that of a half-disciple, so calling him "Teacher" was perfectly appropriate.

He felt no psychological burden in doing so; not to mention that his current alchemy skills were already born from Song Huai's "verbal instructions and personal teaching," simply becoming a disciple of Song Huai was something he had dreamed of.

Previously, he was held back by others everywhere in the medicine hall—was that not, in the final analysis, because he lacked a backer?

Now that his teacher is the chief alchemist of the Alchemy Hall, while he wouldn't dare say he could walk sideways through the Benevolent Heart Medicine Hall, within the territory of the Alchemy Hall, no one would ever dare to target him as blatantly as Xue Zhao and Tie Rong had again.

"Hahaha, good, good, good!"

Song Huai stroked his beard, the wrinkles on his face deepening with his smile.

Perhaps it was because he had been so infuriated by those two idiots beside him lately, but he found Jiang Feng more and more pleasing to the eye, and even his tone was much gentler than usual.

"Jiang Feng, there is no need to be so restrained here; just be yourself as before."

Before the words had even faded, he seemed to recall something. He turned his head, beckoned to the two burly guards standing not far away, and said loudly:

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

From now on, in this alchemy room, you are not only to follow my orders, but you must also obey Jiang Feng just the same. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Alchemist Song."

Zhang Yong and Zhang Yang replied in unison. They exchanged a glance, neither able to hide the flash of shock in their eyes.

As members of the Guard Hall, they were naturally clear about what had happened over there, and had even heard through the grapevine how Tie Rong planned to deal with Jiang Feng.

Yet, they never imagined that in just a single day, Jiang Feng would not only enter the Alchemy Hall but also suddenly become their direct superior.

"Jiang Feng, now that you have officially entered the Alchemy Hall, I won't concern myself with where you lived before. From today on, you will live here in this small courtyard with me."

Song Huai always acted decisively, his words carrying an irrefutable crispness. As he spoke, he pointed toward the back of the alchemy room.

"There are several detached huts in the back; just move into whichever one you like. Don't worry about food and drink; the servants will take care of it.

The conditions aren't exactly luxurious, but they are certainly not harsh. I don't take you for someone who craves comfort, so are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

This attitude was a world of difference from Tie Rong's side. If Tie Rong had even half of Song Huai's kindness, Jiang Feng would not have had to leave so resolutely.

Facing this unreserved goodwill from Song Huai, Jiang Feng naturally agreed without a second thought.

"I will follow Teacher's arrangements entirely."

Song Huai nodded with satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward Xie Shu, who was still standing to the side looking somewhat dazed.

His swift and decisive actions were primarily to prevent Xie Shu from pulling any more tricks, as he wanted to tie Jiang Feng directly to the Alchemy Hall.

Xie Shu, watching the little old man with his head held high and a face full of vigilance, truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

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 have brought the person to you. You must not go back on what you promised me earlier."

He then turned to Jiang Feng, his tone softening slightly.

"You stay here and help Alchemist Song with the alchemy with peace of mind. As for the matters at the Guard Hall, I will take care of them for you."

"Then I will trouble you, Manager Xie." Jiang Feng cupped his hands and thanked him sincerely.

Xie Shu waved his hand, said no more, and turned to leave the alchemy room.

Seeing that Xie Shu had walked away, the smile on Song Huai's face was no longer restrained, his brows and eyes filled with unconcealable satisfaction.

He looked at Jiang Feng kindly, his tone filled with a hint of anticipation as he asked:

"Jiang Feng, I heard from Old Man Xie just now that you have passed the Guard Hall's assessment. Has your martial arts cultivation reached the seventh level of the Blood-Moving Realm?"

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

"Teacher, my current cultivation is at the eighth level of the Blood-Moving Realm, and I can already skillfully control the manifestation of blood-qi."

Song Huai was stunned for a moment, then his joy grew even more intense, his voice rising a notch:

"Good! Very good!

In that case, I can teach you some more profound alchemy knowledge, and you will be able to help me with much more!"

"Teacher, please feel free to command me; this disciple will certainly do his utmost." Jiang Feng bowed and replied earnestly.

Song Huai pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, ordering in a crisp tone:

"We were supposed to officially start refining the Barrier-Breaking Pill this afternoon, but since those two idiots ruined things, we will push it back.

This afternoon, we will continue refining Blood-Qi Pills. It's perfect—I will test you to see how much of the refining steps I taught you before you still remember."