Chapter 69: Visiting Together!

In the early morning, the Medicine Fragrance Pavilion opened as usual, but it was as quiet as ever.

Feng Sanbai held a book in his hand and began to read idly in the armchair.

These days he had been bored out of his mind. In all his years at the Medicine Fragrance Pavilion, he had always been busy and dizzy, always wanting to find some time to relax.

Now that he was truly idle, Feng San instead felt uncomfortable all over.

His eyes stared at the book, but his mind was not on it.

What puzzled Feng San was the young master Ye Yuan. Yesterday, after returning from the alchemist assessment, he was so exhausted he collapsed. What kind of pill could tire him out like that?

What puzzled him even more was that in the middle of the night, Ye Yuan came out full of energy, and his yuan power had mostly recovered.

Then, the young master took Lü'er and rushed back to the Danwu Academy that very night...

Could it be that the young master had gotten into some trouble again and went back to the academy to avoid it?

Yesterday, the young master went to the Alchemist Guild. He wouldn't have turned the place upside down, would he?

The more Feng San thought about it, the more it seemed plausible. Given the young master's previous personality, he really could have done it.

Could it be that the young master, after just a few days of being well, had gone back to his old ways?

Just as Feng San was lost in thought, several elderly men entered the Medicine Fragrance Pavilion.

Although business at the Medicine Fragrance Pavilion had declined considerably, there were still some people coming and going, after all, they did business fairly.

Feng San paid no attention to the newcomers, still staring blankly at the book in his hands; such trivial matters were naturally left to the shop assistants.

“Is that the shopkeeper over there? The three of us have a matter and wish to see Mr. Ye Hang. Please trouble you to announce us,” said one of the elderly men.

Only then did Feng San lazily glance over, but that glance gave him a great shock—the three stars on the chests of these three old men were far too eye-catching!

Two of the old men wore red badges on their chests, while the one in the middle had three stars that were actually gold!

Three great alchemists had come together!

The Alchemist Guild distinguished alchemists of the same rank by color: blue for junior, red for intermediate, and gold for advanced!

In the entire Qin Kingdom, only one person wore a gold badge—the president of the Alchemist Guild, Wu Daofeng!

The identities of the other two were then obvious: Vice Presidents Wang Jinfu and Sun Jianming!

The three most influential figures in the alchemy world of the entire Qin Kingdom had come together—what major event had occurred?

Feng San scrambled to his feet, bowed deeply before the three, and said with utmost respect, “I humbly welcome the three lords! May I ask what business you have with my master?”

“Oh? You know who we are?” Wang Jinfu was satisfied with Feng San’s attitude.

Feng San quickly replied, “You flatter me, my lord. Though I have never met the three lords, I have some knowledge. Who else could wear such badges but the three lords?”

“Haha, the shopkeeper is indeed as observant as they say. No wonder you have earned Mr. Ye Hang’s trust. The three of us have come for Ye Yuan and wish to see your master. May we trouble you to announce us?”

Wang Jinfu’s words were polite, but Feng San’s mind exploded with a buzz!

He recalled Ye Yuan’s strange behavior the previous night and felt a chill run down his spine.

This kid really has fallen ill again!

This time, even Lord Wu Daofeng has come personally to demand an explanation. Ye Yuan is about to stir up a storm!

Wu Daofeng has always kept to himself. For such a big shot to be disturbed, just how big a mess has that kid Ye Yuan made?

The matter of Drunken Star Pavilion has already left us in a mess, and now the Alchemist Guild is added to the mix. Could it be that Heaven truly wishes to destroy the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion?

Wu Daofeng had remained silent all along. Seeing Feng San looking so distracted, he couldn't help but speak up: "Shopkeeper, is there some difficulty?"

Feng San snapped back to attention with a start, but said with a bitter face: "My lords, I'm truly sorry. Our master entered a closed-door meditation several days ago and, I'm afraid... won't be emerging anytime soon."

After speaking, Feng San felt anxious and couldn't help stealing a glance at Wu Daofeng. He saw the three of them exchange glances, their faces showing deep disappointment.

Feng San found this somewhat strange. Judging by their demeanor, they didn't seem like they had come to demand an explanation.

But if not to demand an explanation, why would the three of them come together?

Feng San was utterly baffled.

"Then... is your young master Ye Yuan here? We could see him instead!" Wang Jinfu spoke up again.

Feng San felt a bit guilty and stammered: "My lords, the young master returned to the academy last night."

The three exchanged glances again. Wang Jinfu shook his head and sighed: "It seems the kid is deliberately avoiding us! Now that Ye Yuan has returned to the Danwu Academy, how could Jiang Yunhe let him off?"

Wu Daofeng seemed lost in thought, pondering something. After a long while, he said: "Shopkeeper, don't jump to conclusions. We actually came today to deliver a badge to Ye Yuan. He passed the Alchemist Guild's examination yesterday. Since he's not here, we'll leave the badge with you. We'll trouble you to make a trip and personally deliver this badge to Ye Yuan."

Upon hearing about delivering the badge, Feng San felt much relieved. So the young master had really made something of himself, passing the apprentice alchemist examination. The master finally had a worthy successor.

But soon he grew puzzled again. A mere badge—why would it require the three giants of the guild to come in person?

Could it be that delivering the badge was just a pretext, and their real purpose was to discuss important matters with the master?

Thinking it over, that seemed the only possibility. Ye Yuan was, after all, a junior; he couldn't possibly warrant such a grand display by the three giants.

Ye Hang, though also unqualified, now, because of the Drunken Star Pavilion's Gathering Yuan Pills, the situation in the entire imperial city had become somewhat strange. It was understandable that the three giants would come to see Ye Hang.

After all, Ye Hang was a grand alchemist, a figure of considerable importance in the imperial city.

With this thought, Feng San felt he had finally grasped their intentions and quickly said: "No trouble at all! It's my honor to serve the three lords. I'll set off for the Danwu Academy right now and personally hand the badge to my young master."

"Jinfu, give the badge to the shopkeeper." Wu Daofeng said calmly.

"This... perhaps we should make the trip ourselves? What if..." Wang Jinfu didn't immediately produce the badge but hesitated.

"No need. The guild never meddles in local affairs; we cannot break this rule. Given our status, it would be inappropriate for us to appear at the Danwu Academy. Rest assured, when it comes to alchemy, who can surpass the Alchemist Guild?" Wu Daofeng said.

Wang Jinfu's eyes lit up: "The Guild Leader is far-sighted. I understand."

With that, Wang Jinfu took out the badge and handed it to Feng San, saying: "We trouble you, shopkeeper. But please do not disclose the matter of delivering the badge. Although it won't stay secret for long, every moment of secrecy helps."

Feng San couldn't understand. A mere apprentice alchemist badge—why was this lord making such a big deal of it? Wasn't he making a mountain out of a molehill?

But when his eyes fell on the badge in Wang Jinfu's hand, he stared fixedly at it, his eyes wide as saucers.

On a blue badge, there were actually two stars embroidered!

This... isn't this an alchemist's badge?

Could there be a mistake?