"General Ai, I have finished refining the pills you requested."
Inside the Lu residence.
Li Ping'an handed the box containing the pills to a guard.
General Ai opened the box with one hand and gave it a cursory glance.
Then he picked up a pill and examined it closely.
Though it could hardly be called flawless, it was not bad.
But it certainly could not be called good.
Overall, it was unremarkable.
General Ai lost some interest.
If the man truly had a talent for alchemy, he might have spared his life and put him to some other use.
But now...
General Ai tapped his fingertips against the table and deliberately asked, "What did I promise you earlier?"
"You said that as long as I refined pills for you, you would protect my sect."
General Ai said gravely, "I am a man of my word. I said I would protect your sect, but I never said I would protect you.
"Guards, seize this Alchemist!"
At his command, several blades gleaming with cold light were instantly pressed against Li Ping'an's neck.
"Li Ping'an, do you have anything else to say?"
"After my death, I hope you will honor your promise.
"Protect my sect and keep it safe from calamity."
Li Ping'an spoke calmly, without the slightest trace of resentment.
General Ai looked at Li Ping'an. Seeing his unchanged expression, as though he had long since anticipated this outcome, he could not help feeling somewhat surprised.
Even now, with his own life hanging by a thread.
He still had the presence of mind to worry about his sect. That truly was rare.
"Rest assured."
With that, General Ai waved a hand.
Several guards escorted Li Ping'an out of the hall with blades held against him.
Seeing this, the servants of the Lu