Another Rise in Rank: A Twist of Fate Takes a Retainer's Lackey Straight to Medicine Hall Master!

Seeing both sides fall silent.

Purple Robe Crane's expression eased somewhat. Then he looked toward Lu Chengfeng, whose face had gradually hardened, and said:

"Old Lu, you know this."

"Although Mentor had us form the 'Wind and Cloud Association,' aside from sending that figurehead of his to represent him, he himself is still in Jiangyin Prefecture, establishing the main association."

"Once we accumulate enough great merit with the authorities, we can exchange it for 'secret teachings,' shedding the mixed-bag label of an 'association' and turning the Wind and Cloud Association into a true Wind and Cloud Sect, entering the grand hall!"

"By then, our descendants will all have a chance to enter the Prefecture and receive guidance. Even we ourselves may be granted the Refining Skin Secret Method and take another step forward."

"That sort of thing doesn't exist in the county."

"The businesses we've built over all these years may look like quite a lot."

"But compared to our children's and grandchildren's chances to rise, we naturally cannot be careless. Otherwise, why would the three of us be meeting here today?"

"Of the seven halls, aside from the original three businesses, which will still remain under our own control—"

"Of the remaining four halls to be divided out, the Discipline Hall, Martial Arts Hall, and Scripture Hall, along with their chief and deputy masters, will rotate among the youngsters and disciples of our three families. Only the Medicine Hall remains."

He used inner force to send a silent message, audible only to Lu Chengfeng and Wei Dingchang.

"There's far too much profit in it."

"If that boy your family wants to take in as a son-in-law could refine pills for the eighth-grade Tempering Bones Realm, I wouldn't say a word."

"But he hasn't even completed Sinew Tempering. At his age, you say he has learned the Medicine Lodge's ninth-grade pillcraft—"

"I don't believe it."

"The temperament of that fellow from the Fire Kiln Medicine Lodge isn't suited to teaching disciples."

"Even if you want to elevate him, isn't such haste a little improper?"

"In my view, it would be better to spend heavily and invite Yellow Medicine Master of the Medicine Lodge to take the position of Medicine Hall Master. Only then could the people be convinced."

"After all, among all of Anning County within five hundred li, there is no one more skilled than him at refining pills for us."

Lu Chengfeng raised his eyes and looked at the two chairs beside him, his tone calm.

"Do you think Huang Xuan works for me?"

"Do you know how much silver I have to pay him every year, on top of clearing out land and making space for him?"

"And even then, that old man can barely be bothered with me."

"Those established alchemists are all gold-devouring beasts."

"You two, it isn't that I insist on putting Ji Xiu in the Medicine Hall. I originally intended to hire an eighth-grade alchemist from outside to oversee it, then have one of our own who has already entered the field go and 'steal lessons and learn from a master.' Once he succeeds—"

"Wouldn't that mean our Wind and Cloud Association had an alchemist of its own?"

He looked utterly composed.

Xu Zhuang narrowed his eyes, while Wei Dingchang's face twitched.

Old fox!

The two cursed inwardly at the same time.

Back then, the three of them had studied boxing together in Jiangyin Prefecture before returning to spread their wings, each opening up a line of business.

Though they appeared harmonious on the surface, they were only brothers in appearance.

Now that they had reached middle age and heard that their old Mentor had climbed a hundred-foot pole and gone a step further, they immediately sensed an opportunity and wanted to make one final push.

At a time like this, claiming even half a hall more and placing a few more people meant seizing a few more shares of influence.

"No!"

"At most, this boy can go to the Medicine Hall and serve as a steward!"

"Once he can truly refine eighth-grade pills in the future, after gaining some more experience, it would not be impossible to promote him, would it?"

"He hasn't even reached the Tempering Bones Realm. In the end, it will be hard for him to convince the people—"

Wei Dingchang waved his hand, looking as though there was nothing further to discuss. Xu Zhuang at his side also sent a secret message in agreement.

At this, Lu Chengfeng showed regret. Yet he knew these two were firm in their stance, so this was all he could win for now.

Thus, Wei Dingchang, who had originally been questioning him, suddenly put on a genial expression instead.

"Boy Ji, you have good talent. To be honest, I, Old Wei, think highly of you, and I understand Old Lu's painstaking intentions."

"But roads must be walked one step at a time, and meals eaten one bite at a time."

"You should first go to the Medicine Hall and gain some experience. Once the three of us pay three visits to the thatched cottage and invite that man from the Medicine Lodge over to sit as Medicine Hall Master—"

"Then you can study under him all the more."

"Come, come, sit up front."

Wei Dingchang spoke with a cheerful smile and had just raised his hand when suddenly—

Bang!

The main doors, which had only just been shut when Ji Xiu and Lu Hongyu entered, were kicked open by an elderly man with grizzled hair and beard, dressed in a long robe.

Huang Xuan strode in, cursing.

"Medicine Hall? Wind and Cloud Association? What the hell is that?"

"When did this old man ever say I would work for you?"

"Not doing it, not doing it!"

This abrupt scene stirred an uproar.

Some whose minds turned more slowly even rose with swords drawn, eyes wide.

"What old man is this, throwing a tantrum? Do you know where you are?"

"Get out at once—"

Before he could finish, the figures seated in the Three Seats sprang to their feet with a whoosh, berating him back into his seat. He did not dare utter another sound.

"Master Huang?"

"Quick, please take a seat, please take a seat—"

"What brought you out of the Medicine Lodge?"

Whether it was Lu Chengfeng, Xu Zhuang, or Wei Dingchang, all of them smiled warmly and spoke with utmost courtesy.

There was not the slightest trace of how they had assessed Ji Xiu earlier.

Huang Xuan was one of the few seventh-grade alchemists in all of Anning County within five hundred li!

In Jiangyin Prefecture, perhaps he was nothing worth mentioning.

But—

Any alchemist willing to come to this poor, remote county was an honored guest to the local powers.

This was especially true for businesses like theirs, which lived off the Five Hundred Li Mountain Road.

Otherwise, who would turn the mountain delicacies and medicinal herbs they gathered, along with the nourishing treasures from tigers, leopards, wolves, and jackals, into precious pills and Great Medicine to temper their sinews, bones, and skin?

As for pills brought in from elsewhere, setting aside whether there would be enough, just the medicinal potency lost over time was impossible to calculate—not to mention the costly "shipping fees."

"Hmph."

Seeing every gaze in the hall turn toward him, Huang Xuan's expression finally softened.

The noise inside had gone on without end.

He had run all the way here and listened through the crack in the door for quite a while before figuring out what exactly was going on.

So he spent a long while drafting his speech in his mind before kicking open the doors and entering with his chest full of confidence.

He had known those three fellows would give him face. Otherwise, how could he have been so confident?

Huang Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robe fluttering. At the same time, his eyes slanted sideways, and he successfully caught the flash of surprise in Ji Xiu's eyes, making him inwardly laugh.

Brat, did you really think that because this old man usually wears a sour face and acts like he cannot be bothered with anyone, that is simply my nature?

If I truly had that sort of temperament, then it would be a miracle if I had managed to learn pillcraft from the main family back then!

Just watch how this old man takes you firmly in hand.

He extended an arm from his sleeve. Facing the three great proprietors, now the three vice presidents of the Wind and Cloud Association, he carried himself arrogantly and did not take a seat.

Instead, he walked up to Ji Xiu and, without drawing attention, patted him on the shoulder.

"Boy, watch this old man—"

"Stand up for you!"

After whispering with a smile, he straightened his face, furrowed his brow, swept his gaze around the hall, and said disdainfully:

"What is so good about being the master of some shabby hall, managing your businesses that sell and buy medicine, along with a few dozen people?"

"This old man has long grown used to days of attendants swarming before and behind me."

"But now I have spotted a promising seedling."

"This boy was not easy for this old man to take a liking to, yet the moment your so-called Wind and Cloud Association was formed, you whisked him away?"

"That will not do."

"Manor Lord Lu."

"You want this old man to join your Wind and Cloud Association? Fine!"

"But this old man has one condition."

Lu Chengfeng froze slightly.

"Uh..."

But Xu Zhuang and Wei Dingchang beside him immediately spoke first, decisively saying:

"Only one condition? For Master Huang, that is far too little."

"But so long as Master Huang is willing to join our Wind and Cloud Association—"

"Whatever you wish to do, just say the word!"

One condition?

He was that easy to win over?

Wasn't that much easier than inviting you from the Fire Kiln with real gold and silver and every possible effort?

With everyone watching, if they missed this village, there would be no such inn ahead!

The entire hall's attention gathered here.

Seeing that he had achieved the effect he wanted, Huang Xuan smiled faintly.

Then he slowly shifted his gaze to Ji Xiu, pointed at him, and said:

"This old man wants him to become the master of your so-called Medicine Hall. Only then will I be willing to oversee it."

"Otherwise—"

"No matter who else comes, this old man will not do it!"

The moment those words fell—

For a time—

The future members of the newly established Wind and Cloud Association, including Lu Yu, Xu Heng, and Wei Zhi of the opposing Direct Lineage Party, as well as Luo Xiao, Li Ye, and Fang Xiao of the Disciple Party—

Were all dumbfounded.

Even the three great proprietors, now the three vice presidents, were stunned.

"...Who?"

Ji Xiu had watched the hall buzz and boil, everyone arguing until their scalps grew hot. Thinking it had little to do with him, he had merely stayed to watch the excitement, hoping Great Manor Lord Lu might secure him some benefits and open up connections to the Prefecture City.

But as he watched—

He suddenly realized that, without a sound—

He had become a "big shot."

"A hall master..."

"Me?"