Gu Ni

After leaving Ya Fei's office, Xiao Yan found Gu Ni, who had left earlier, still standing outside the door.

"Master Gu Ni, you're still here!" Xiao Yan greeted him.

"Ah, Young Master Xiao Yan, you came out already? So quickly!" Gu Ni was somewhat surprised. Though he was not Ya Fei's secretary, he knew roughly how long she usually spent speaking with distinguished guests. Young men full of vigor like Xiao Yan usually did everything they could to drag out the time. This was the first time he had seen someone come out as quickly as Xiao Yan.

However, Xiao Yan coming out early was a good thing for him, so he did not dwell on it.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, it's perfect that you've come out. I happen to have something I wanted to ask you about." Gu Ni's tone rose slightly as he spoke with excitement.

Something to ask me? Xiao Yan froze for a moment, but upon seeing Gu Ni's visibly excited expression, he quickly guessed what it was about. After all, there had only ever been one thing capable of making an alchemist react this way...

"Young Master Xiao Yan, I just examined this Qi-Recovery Pill carefully. If I'm not mistaken, it was refined no more than three days ago, and its refinement was exceptionally perfect. Alchemy of this level must be at the peak of the third tier... no, it must be fourth-tier! May I ask if you know where the alchemist who refined this pill is? If you can tell me, I will repay you generously in the future!" Gu Ni said excitedly.

What an accurate guess. But he apparently had not guessed that the person who refined this pill was standing right in front of him. Still, that was only natural. Gu Ni had lived more than half his life and was only a second-tier alchemist. How could he possibly imagine that this boy, not yet sixteen, was a fourth-tier master alchemist with a place even within the entire Jia Ma Empire?

Seeing the yearning in Gu Ni's eyes, Xiao Yan's lips curled upward. He could not help looking forward to Gu Ni's expression when he learned the truth someday.

"As it happens, I do know him. However, the Xiao Clan intends to enter the medicinal pill business for a while, and we lack alchemists willing to serve as retainers. I wonder if Master Gu Ni could help put out some feelers."

"This..." Gu Ni looked troubled. Alchemists were all proud people, and under normal circumstances, they would not be willing to come to a small town like Wutan City. He himself was only here because Mittel Headquarters had forcibly assigned him here. Otherwise, he would never have come. Thus, upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, he did not even ask what compensation the Xiao Clan could offer, because this was not a matter of compensation at all!

"By the way, Master Gu Ni, do you know that Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team will be coming to Wutan City in a few months?"

"This... of course I know. They come every year. I do not pay much attention to it, but I know about it." At first, Gu Ni did not understand why Xiao Yan had suddenly brought it up. But he quickly realized that Xiao Yan was also of an age to enroll, and would most likely be attending Jia Nan Academy this time. Once he left, no one knew when he would return. At that point, Xiao Yan's meaning became very clear.

"Rest assured, Young Master Xiao. Within one month, I will definitely bring you good news!" Gu Ni promised on the spot.

"Mm, then I'll leave it to Master Gu Ni," Xiao Yan said.

"Yes, rest assured, Young Master Xiao." Gu Ni assured him again, his attitude as respectful as if he were facing some extraordinary figure.

If the people of Wutan City saw the renowned Master Gu Ni acting this way, their jaws would surely drop.

In fact, the guards of the Mitel Auction House who had witnessed the scene were already whispering among themselves.

However, Xiao Yan clearly did not care about such things. He turned to leave, but then suddenly remembered that there was still one matter unresolved. He turned back to Gu Ni and continued, "Oh, right. I still need some pill cauldrons. Could you get some for me? They do not need to be particularly good—ones capable of refining first-tier pills will do."

Gu Ni was stunned for a moment before replying, "Young Master Xiao, you mean pill cauldrons? That won't be a problem. How many does Young Master Xiao Yan need?"

Hmm... it will take at least a month before the alchemists we recruit can begin working. During that time, I'll have to refine all the medicinal pills needed by the Xiao Clan's marketplaces myself. It's a little wasteful, but refining multiple batches at once means I need several pill cauldrons. Hmm... ten, then. It'll be a good chance to challenge myself with ten cauldrons at once. Come to think of it, I've never tried ten cauldrons at once before. I wonder whether they'll explode. Should I buy a few more?

"Mm, how about this? Get me fifteen. How does one hundred thousand gold coins each sound?" Xiao Yan said. Having just plundered the Mo Clan, Xiao Yan was currently filthy rich.

"Fifteen!" Gu Ni exclaimed in surprise. Although the quality Xiao Yan requested was not high, Wutan City had practically no alchemists, so pill cauldrons were by no means common goods. What Xiao Yan wanted was nearly the Mitel Auction House's entire stock!

Gu Ni dearly wanted to ask what Xiao Yan needed so many pill cauldrons for. They could not possibly be intended for the alchemists he planned to recruit later, could they? If so, it would be better not to give them to him at all. Poor-quality cauldrons would instead make people feel insulted.

But this was someone else's business. Since Xiao Yan was willing to pay, Gu Ni had no intention of prying.

After rummaging through the Mittel treasury and gathering the pill cauldrons Xiao Yan wanted, Gu Ni escorted him out of the auction house.

Watching Xiao Yan's receding back, Gu Ni suddenly thought of something.

Eh? Since Young Master Xiao wants to buy pill cauldrons, does that mean the Xiao Clan already has an alchemist? Or is the alchemist who refined the Qi-Recovery Pill currently at the Xiao Clan? Otherwise, where would the Xiao Clan get the confidence to form an alchemist team?

Gu Ni was indeed quite intelligent, but he still did not connect the identity of that alchemist to Xiao Yan.

The wise Gu Ni had once again brushed past the truth.