Chapter 128 - 106: Making Friends

Chapter 128: Chapter 106: Making Friends

"And from now on, you’re a brother to me, Ruan Tieniu."

Chen Jianghe had no interest in becoming brothers with Ruan Tieniu. One brother, Yu Daniu, was enough for him.

’This kind of brotherhood, born of mutual benefit... I’d rather pass.’

’Still, we can be friends.’

But one thing puzzled him: why was a High-Grade Alchemist like Zhuang Yanfeng telling everyone they were close?

’What does he mean by that?’

He even brought his disciple into it.

He didn’t like it.

Ruan Tieniu’s words, however, did pique his interest.

Spirit Talismans sold to the Hundred Treasures Tower or other talisman shops fetched eighty-five percent of their market value.

But selling them to Demon Hunters would net him ninety percent.

The difference in profit was significant.

For every one hundred Middle-Grade Protection Talismans, he could earn an extra thirty-five Spirit Stones in profit.

That was equivalent to reducing the cost of creating the Spirit Talismans by a third. This was an excellent deal.

If he sold Middle-Grade Five Elements Escape Talismans or even High-Grade Spirit Talismans in the future, the profits would be even higher.

"I need to ask Alchemist Zhuang first. But whether or not he’s willing to see you isn’t something I can decide."

Chen Jianghe was careful not to overpromise.

It wasn’t as if he and Alchemist Zhuang were actually close.

"Good. I’ll wait for your news, Fellow Daoist."

Ruan Tieniu said, cupping his hands in thanks.

Chen Jianghe nodded. After watching Ruan Tieniu return to his courtyard, he decided not to head to the Hundred Treasures Tower after all.

Now that he had a better sales channel, he certainly wasn’t going to play the fool and get ripped off.

He would need Spirit Stones for many things in the future. He had to learn to be frugal and not waste a single one.

He had to make every grain of Spiritual Sand count.

Ruan Tieniu’s request for an introduction to Alchemist Zhuang was also about saving Spirit Stones. After all, Demon Hunters risked their lives for every Spirit Stone they earned.

They cherished every single Spirit Stone they acquired.

In Qinghe Marketplace, shops bought back Spirit Pills at a very high price: ninety-five percent of the market rate.

Therefore, Pill Masters had no need to make private deals with Demon Hunters.

Every Cultivator in Qinghe Marketplace knew that Alchemists were wealthy and that the profits from Alchemy were extremely high.

Yet, very few Cultivators tried to learn it.

For one, they lacked the heritage.

For another, the Alchemy Dao demanded immense Talent. Pharmacology, fire control, sealing—these were things one either understood intuitively or not at all.

If you didn’t understand, spending time to grind it out would be useless.

Chen Jianghe passed through Qing Street, crossed the small bridge over River Street, and turned into Fushou Lane in the Northeast District.

He arrived at number 136.

This was Alchemist Zhuang’s residence.

The layout of the courtyards in the Northeast District was different from those in the Northwest and Southwest Districts.

They were all two-story buildings on decent-sized plots, and each came with its own Artifact Refining Room or Alchemy Room.

In addition to a Spirit Gathering Array, an Avoidance Array, and a Defense Array, there was also a Fire-Igniting Array.

It could draw upon Earth Fire for use in Alchemy or Artifact Refining.

The rent here was very expensive: fifty Spirit Stones a year.

It could house up to five people.

Of course, an extra person could live there, but for a long-term stay, they had to be registered with Home Travel.

Then, one just had to pay an additional four Spirit Stones per year.

So, you could have as many Cultivators as you wanted living in a two-story house like this. Home Travel didn’t care, as long as you paid the Spirit Stones.

KNOCK, KNOCK KNOCK.

Chen Jianghe lifted the door knocker and rapped on Alchemist Zhuang’s courtyard gate.

After about twenty breaths, the courtyard gate slowly opened, and Alchemist Zhuang’s granddaughter, Zhuang Xinyan, stepped out.

"Elder Chen?"

Zhuang Xinyan’s eyes widened in panic when she saw it was Chen Jianghe. She immediately gave a respectful bow.

"This junior greets Elder Chen."

"Mm. Is Alchemist Zhuang at home?" Chen Jianghe asked.

But he clearly noticed the panic in her eyes when she saw him.

She looked like someone who had done something wrong and been caught by an elder.

"He is. Grandfather is currently instructing my junior sister in Alchemy," Zhuang Xinyan said nervously.

After speaking, she fell silent.

She lowered her head, her delicate hands fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

Chen Jianghe was also a little stunned. ’Since Alchemist Zhuang is home, shouldn’t she be inviting me inside?’

’Shouldn’t she offer me a cup of tea while I wait for Alchemist Zhuang to finish?’

’So why are we at a standstill here?’

"Do I frighten you?"

Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.

"No, it’s... My grandfather has only been telling everyone that he and you, Elder... ah! No, that’s not it! I..."

Zhuang Xinyan’s heart and mind faltered. She was so nervous she couldn’t speak clearly. She stole a glance at Chen Jianghe, which only made her more tense.

She thought Chen Jianghe had come to hold them accountable.

Her grandfather had, on more than one occasion, told people how close he and Chen Jianghe had been in Jingyue Marketplace.

Zhuang Xinyan knew that her grandfather was doing all of this for her.

The Zhuang Family had been wiped out by Lann Tianxiang.

Only she and her grandfather were left.

After all, when Zhuang Yanfeng first met Chen Jianghe more than twenty years ago, he was already over seventy. Now he was a hundred years old, and you could see he was nearing the end of his life.

"May I come in and wait for Alchemist Zhuang?" Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.

He had guessed why Zhuang Xinyan was so nervous, but he wasn’t here to confront them.

Zhuang Yanfeng had seen his deep friendship with Gao Peiyao and wanted to build a connection with him to pave the way for his granddaughter’s future. It was an understandable action.

’Taking Jiang Ruxu as a disciple and teaching her the Alchemy Technique was probably also for his granddaughter’s sake.’

Eighty percent of the profit from sixty years of Alchemy would be enough for Zhuang Xinyan to live very well in Qinghe Marketplace.

Besides, Zhuang Yanfeng must have accumulated a fair number of Spirit Stones himself.

"Oh, of course. Please come in, Elder."

Zhuang Xinyan invited Chen Jianghe inside.

As soon as he entered the small courtyard, he felt a wave of Spiritual Qi wash over him. The sheer richness of the Spiritual Qi was something he had never experienced at Jingyue Lake.

The courtyard was large, and the landscaping was quite elegant.

It was a two-story building with three main rooms and a separate side building.

Seeing the flickering firelight in the side building, he guessed that must be the Alchemy Room.

"This way, Elder."

"Mm."

Once in the guest hall, Zhuang Xinyan poured Chen Jianghe a cup of tea. "Please wait a moment, Elder. Grandfather should be out soon."

"It’s no trouble."

Chen Jianghe sipped his tea. Seeing how nervous Zhuang Xinyan was, he asked with a smile, "I hear from Alchemist Zhuang that you’re an Alchemist as well?"

"Yes, I’m a Lower-Grade Alchemist, but my Talent isn’t very good. Grandfather says I may never be able to become a Middle-Grade Alchemist in my entire life. He wants me to focus on my Cultivation, which is why he took on my junior sister as his disciple."

After she finished, Zhuang Xinyan lowered her head again, not daring to meet Chen Jianghe’s eyes, as if she felt she was in the wrong.

Hearing her words, Chen Jianghe sighed to himself.

’She’s been too sheltered by Alchemist Zhuang. I ask one question, and she lays her entire situation bare.’

’She even told me about the future Alchemist Zhuang planned for her.’

’Being this naive is not a good sign in the Cultivation Realm.’

Chen Jianghe didn’t say anything more to Zhuang Xinyan. If they kept talking, he was worried the naive girl would end up telling him all her family’s business.

He wasn’t much of a gossip.

「Half an hour later.」

A gap appeared in the array around the Alchemy Room, and Alchemist Zhuang pushed the door open and walked out.

"Fellow Daoist Chen?"

When he saw Chen Jianghe, Alchemist Zhuang was visibly startled. A helpless, bitter smile followed. He knew this day would come.

At the Hundred Arts gathering, he had told everyone he met how close he and Chen Jianghe were.

Talk like that was bound to reach Chen Jianghe’s ears.

"You’ve come to hold me accountable, haven’t you, Fellow Daoist? I am deeply apologetic and was just about to come to your residence to make amends," Alchemist Zhuang said with a bow of cupped hands.

Chen Jianghe rose and returned the gesture.

’A High-Grade Alchemist’s status is revered. If it weren’t for his dwindling lifespan and the need to pave a path for his granddaughter, why would he have been so shameless as to claim a connection with me?’

"Alchemist Zhuang, what is this about? I assure you, I didn’t come here to hold anyone accountable," Chen Jianghe said calmly.

Alchemist Zhuang was overjoyed to hear this, but then he grew puzzled.

He and Chen Jianghe really had no connection, so why would Chen Jianghe suddenly come looking for him?

In fact, to build that very connection, he had been planning to send his disciple, Jiang Ruxu, to visit Chen Jianghe first, after which he would personally bring his granddaughter for a formal visit.

"I came to visit a friend. Surely Alchemist Zhuang doesn’t find me unwelcome?" Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle.

"Ah, this..."

Alchemist Zhuang was stunned for a moment before a look of delighted surprise spread across his face.

"Haha! I am overjoyed that you’ve come to visit, Fellow Daoist."

"Xinyan, hurry to the Qinghe Tavern! Order a table of the finest Spiritual Cuisine, and bring back a bottle of Top-Grade Immortal Spirit Wine."

"I must properly catch up with Fellow Daoist Chen."