Chapter Eighty-Four: The Pill Duel

At this thought, the old man suddenly let out a long sigh.

Had he learned his enemy’s whereabouts earlier, he would have pursued them for ten or twenty years if necessary, determined to demand justice for what happened that day. But now his body was frail and decrepit, his vital energy exhausted beyond repair, with little time left in this world.

Such is fate! He had originally planned to return during this period to take his revenge, but only days ago, he suffered another injury to his source of power.

Just as melancholy was stirring in his heart, he heard his granddaughter speak beside him:

“Grandfather, since that Master Jade Morning can offer rare elixirs and medicines as rewards, he must be an alchemist of the immortal path. Why not make a trip to Red Pine Mountain and try to strike a deal with him?”

Most importantly, after hearing of the master’s deeds, the young woman found herself greatly admiring this mysterious elder. In her mind’s eye, she pictured a venerable sage, wise and virtuous, possessing the bearing of one who dwells beyond the mundane world. Such conduct, she believed, was what true cultivators ought to display.

Yet the old man hesitated. He was a seasoned wanderer, forged by storms and adversity, never one to trust the words of strangers without caution. Everything could be feigned—including reputation.

He turned to his granddaughter and said, “Yu, never trust others lightly! We know nothing of his character. To visit him unannounced is a grave mistake! What if he’s not as he seems?”

His words were spoken with genuine concern. But as soon as he finished, the faces of those nearby changed abruptly.

They were all residents of this city, and during the recent plague, each had been infected. If not for Master Jade Morning’s intervention, they would have perished long ago. Now, hearing the old man question their savior, even if he was a martial arts master, they could not let it pass.

It was well known that more than a few martial arts masters in the city owed their lives to Master Jade Morning’s kindness.

Immediately, their expressions grew cold, interrupting the old man, saying, “Master Jade Morning’s virtue is as clear as day and night; the hundred thousand citizens of Jinhua can attest to it! Outsiders who know nothing of what transpired have no right to doubt him!”

The burly man’s voice was booming; even though he tried to restrain himself, it still carried far. The nearby crowd, upon hearing someone question Master Jade Morning, quickly gathered, their spirits stirred and faces indignant.

The old man was not afraid, but witnessing this, he felt somewhat alarmed. He had never imagined that Master Jade Morning held such high esteem among the city’s people.

The group before him, who had seemed timid moments ago, now dared to speak back. This caught his attention and made him reconsider the sage’s influence.

He himself came from poverty and understood that the common folk possessed their own measure of justice. To be so loved by the people, perhaps he was indeed wrong to be suspicious.

He clasped his hands in apology, saying, “Gentlemen, elders of the city! I misspoke just now. Please accept my apologies. When time permits in the coming days, I shall personally ascend Red Pine Mountain to make amends.”

On hearing this, the crowd dispersed.

The burly man beside him apologized, “Forgive me, elder, my voice is rather loud. But I swear on my life, Master Jade Morning is truly a man of virtue.”

The old man laughed, waving his hand, “It was my mistake. Hearing your words, I find myself eager to visit Red Pine Mountain!”

He thought, since his days were numbered, he might as well go himself and let his granddaughter wait below with the spirit fish.

Just then, from not far off, came a woman’s gentle laughter.

“I advise you, fellow cultivator, not to get involved with Red Pine Mountain.”

The old man looked toward the voice and saw, outside the city gate, a small ornate sedan chair adorned with pearls and jade, exuding a sweet fragrance of cosmetics, carried by four bare-chested, sturdy men.

Those nearby were enraged, about to confront her, when the wind lifted the curtain, revealing the face of a beautiful woman, her almond eyes and peach cheeks radiating allure.

Her gaze seemed to hold spring water; every smile and frown could steal one’s soul.

The men beside the old man stared, transfixed.

The beauty, noticing their gaze, half-covered her mouth with a fan and laughed softly, apparently enjoying the attention.

Even the old man was momentarily dazed by her smile.

His companions were increasingly entranced, having lived half their lives without ever seeing such a beautiful woman—she was more captivating than any courtesan.

This thought lingered in their minds, though if the beauty knew she was being compared to brothel girls, she’d hardly be amused.

While they were stunned, the beauty approached, glancing at the old man’s fish basket and laughing lightly, “You have refined taste, fellow. What sort of catch do you have there?”

The old man, though aged, felt his heart stir under her gaze, nearly revealing the spirit fish.

The young woman beside him, sensing trouble, tugged at her grandfather’s sleeve.

Startled, the old man’s remaining true energy stirred, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly clearing his mind.

Now, looking again, he found that although the woman was beautiful, she no longer held that soul-stealing charm.

Only his companions remained bewitched, eager to prostrate themselves at her feet.

The old man’s gaze grew cold; he lowered his hand from the basket and snorted.

The sound snapped the others from their trance, sending them scattering in alarm.

The sensation had been so uncanny that they felt if they lingered, they’d willingly become her slaves.

The beauty was not angered by this. Her eyes sparkled, and she laughed sweetly, “I only meant to offer a friendly warning. If you don’t believe me, you can visit Red Pine Mountain yourself.”

The old man’s eyes sharpened, “What do you mean by that?”

He had discerned that this woman must be an extraordinary person; otherwise, even he wouldn’t have nearly succumbed and exposed the spirit fish.

Though it seemed unintentional, a feature of her own cultivation, he felt no goodwill toward her.

She shook her head, smiling lightly, “Do you not know? That so-called Master Jade Morning shamelessly claims to walk the path of virtue, offering elixirs and medicines as rewards. But Master Hu Sheng of the Pill Cauldron Sect has examined those apricot pits and found nothing special about them!”

She paused, watching the old man’s reaction.

Seeing he was unmoved, she continued, “Elixirs and medicines are treasures, sought even by those of us with extraordinary abilities. So Master Hu Sheng intends to expose him; he has announced that at the upcoming gathering, he will challenge him to a duel of alchemy! If Jade Morning loses, he must hand over the bitter apricot tree.”

The old man frowned.

After pondering, he understood. Even among mortals, rivals in the same trade are natural enemies. This Master Hu Sheng of the Pill Cauldron Sect must fear Jade Morning stealing his business and disrupting his profits, hence the confrontation.

If elixirs could be obtained by simply doing good deeds, what use would there be for Master Hu Sheng? Wouldn’t he become a laughingstock?

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I am away on business today, so only two chapters. In a few days, I will make it up to everyone.