Chapter 73: A Tool with Dignity?

"Rumor has it that you're an alchemist?"

Rumor?

Luo Chen froze for a moment.

Where did that come from?

Luo Chen could hardly consider himself renowned in the world of alchemy. Even though his Myriad Wonders pill business was doing moderately well, those who bought such pills certainly wouldn't go around broadcasting his name. How had he caught the attention of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Ah, it must be because of Wang Yuan!

Realization dawned, but Luo Chen displayed a look of unease and humility.

"I’ve only dabbled in making low-grade pills, Leader Mi. Nothing worth mentioning."

As he spoke, Mi Shuhua casually revealed a round, jelly-like red pill in his hand. With a glance, Luo Chen recognized it—a Myriad Wonders pill.

"This is far from insignificant. A first-tier mid-grade pill!" His voice carried an unrestrained tone of admiration and appreciation.

"What? Mid-grade?" Beside him, Qin Liangchen reacted as if a mouse had been startled by a cat, his shock plain to see.

For a brief moment, his eyes widened in shock. All this time, he had assumed that Luo Chen only produced basic fasting concoctions or low-grade pills like the Myriad Wonders Pill, which he had dismissed as nothing more than an aphrodisiac.

But now, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was telling him otherwise. His little brother had crafted a mid-grade pill!

What did that mean?

Even though Qin Liangchen had consumed top-grade pills before, buying and consuming were entirely different from producing them. Refining pills represented countless failures, trials, and errors, as well as a natural talent for alchemy that few possessed.

Especially since Luo Chen was merely a mid stage Qi-Refining rogue cultivator without family backing or sect support, he couldn’t afford too many failures.

The conclusion was obvious. He possessed an alchemical talent so exceptional it could only be described as monstrous.

"My little brother, you’ve hidden this well!" Qin Liangchen remarked with a wistful look, his gaze tinged with mild reproach.

Little did he know, Luo Chen’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

Had he finally caught someone’s attention? What awaited him next?

Facing the tall young man who seemed thoughtful even with his head lowered, Mi Shuhua appeared to have had a realization. He patted Luo Chen’s shoulder. "Raise your head! Your cultivation realm may be low, but you must never lack pride!"

Following his instruction, Luo Chen raised his head and saw the elder’s kindly, almost paternal smile.

His heart trembled. Yet on the surface, he maintained a determined expression, lips pressed together and eyes wide open. "Little Luo has learned his lesson!"

Mi Shuhua smiled approvingly before continuing, "The Poshan Gang now has the Seven Tiger Hall and Wang Yuan’s Water-Dragon Hall. Everything is on track and flourishing. What do you think about establishing an Alchemy Hall next?"

Qin Liangchen hesitated, his gaze instinctively falling on Luo Chen. "Luo Chen, you should take on the role of Alchemy Hall Leader!" Mi Shuhua said with a beaming smile.

Luo Chen was overwhelmed and quickly waved his hands. "Little Luo’s cultivation is shallow, and his alchemical skills are lacking. I’m afraid I’m unfit to lead a hall."

"Young man, have a little confidence!" Mi Shuhua turned around, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked ahead. "I have high hopes for you! Once the Alchemy Hall is established, the other eight halls will do their best to support it. I also have some alchemical books and one or two pill recipes that I’ll let you study.

"Furthermore, the Poshan Gang will purchase a shop in the inner city, where the Alchemy Hall’s products will have a dedicated space.

"Little Luo, don’t let everyone down!" said Mi Shuhua, his tone was warm, but his meaning was clear as day. This was an order, dressed up as encouragement.

***

Later that night, Luo Chen sat across from Qin Liangchen in his home. Murong Qinglian teased with a playful smile, “Hall Leader Luo, it looks like we’ll be relying on you to take care of us from now on!”

Luo Chen quickly waved his hands, showing humility. “Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. This junior is far from deserving such a title!”

"Hehe, you two chat. I’ll head to bed." Murong Qinglian set down a jar of wine and gracefully left.

The two men were left sitting in the living room, one deep in thought, the other wearing a wry smile.

After a while, Qin Liangchen snapped out of his thoughts.

In front of Luo Chen, he activated a talisman. "This is a soundproofing talisman. It can block Qi-Refining cultivators from eavesdropping. Although it can’t stop Foundation Establishment cultivators from spying, the talisman will ignite upon contact."

Looking at the talisman, Luo Chen understood that Qin Liangchen likely had something heartfelt to share.

Speaking of heart-to-heart conversations, it might sound a little absurd. Qin Liangchen wasn’t like Wang Yuan, who shared a bond of gratitude with Luo Chen, nor was he like Old Man Chen, who shared camaraderie through hardship.

Yet, this scene didn’t feel out of place at all. It was simply because the two of them felt like kindred spirits who had met too late in life, sharing an unexpectedly strong camaraderie despite their flaws. Especially after fighting side by side for some time, they found each other’s temperament and character to be quite compatible.

Thus, as Qin Liangchen assumed this posture, Luo Chen grew serious as well. "Big Brother Qin, just say whatever is on your mind!"

Qin Liangchen nodded slightly. "Let me ask you, if the Alchemy Hall gets established, do you really have the capability to sustain it?"

Luo Chen thought carefully for a moment before slowly nodding.

A flash of surprise crossed Qin Liangchen’s face. He hadn’t expected Luo Chen to have such confidence!

"Then here’s the question: what do you need?"

"First, it must not interfere with my cultivation!" Luo Chen stated with a serious expression, adding, "Not only that, but the Poshan Gang must fully support my cultivation!"

Qin Liangchen frowned slightly but then nodded affirmatively. "That’s not an unreasonable request. The higher your cultivation realm, the better the pills you can refine. Mi Shuhua can’t refuse this, and he definitely has the resources to support a mid-stage Qi-Refining cultivator."

"Next, I must receive a share of the profits from the pills!"

Qin Liangchen frowned. "That might be a bit difficult. Your cultivation realm is too low, so you don’t really have a say in these matters."

"I refuse to be a tool,” Luo Chen said firmly.

"A tool?"

“A tool works without reward—a tool is exploited.”

Qin Liangchen furrowed his brows and thought deeply before speaking slowly. "This will need some negotiation. My wife and I will definitely support you, and Wang Yuan will too. But Mi Shuhua and the other hall masters probably won’t give in easily."

"Then if I don’t cooperate, they can forget about earning this profit," Luo Chen said firmly.

Qin Liangchen laughed. "You’re just at the fifth stage of Qi-Refining. If you don’t cooperate, what difference does it make? Aren’t you afraid of dying?"

"Better to die than live without freedom!" Luo Chen declared resolutely.

"Really?"

Luo Chen’s expression instantly collapsed. “Of course not. Who wants to die when they can live long and comfortably.”

Qin Liangchen poured him a glass of wine and took one for himself as well.

Luo Chen sipped his drink with a troubled expression.

He had always tried to avoid becoming a mere tool, yet in the end, he found himself facing that very fate. It had to be said—being a rogue cultivator who was also an alchemist was simply too attention-grabbing.

Previously, he had Wang Yuan as his shield. But now, the people seeking to use him were even more formidable, including Wang Yuan’s own superior.

Suddenly, Qin Liangchen put down his wine glass. "You should go talk to Old Yuan."

"Who?"

"That old man with a broken leg who sells you the pineapple wine."

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up. "You mean the father of the late Leaping Tiger, Xiao Yue’s grandfather?"

"Yes. Even though he’s crippled and lost his son, he still holds influence in the Poshan Gang. Dragon Coil Tiger used to be his apprentice, and the new Mining Hall leader was also once one of Leaping Tiger’s men. Plus, I’ll reach out to my sworn brother, Ke Yuelin."

Mentioning Ke Yuelin, Qin Liangchen paused briefly. "With this, half the halls and another elder besides me will likely support you.

"Of course, these are just verbal agreements. No one willingly lets go of potential benefits. You’ll have to make some promises in return."

"Like what?"

"For instance, once your cultivation realm rises, refine pills that can improve their cultivation. Or perhaps train one or two alchemy apprentices for them."

At this point, he looked at Luo Chen. "You can teach others, right?"

Luo Chen chuckled. "Of course. If someone fails to learn, it just means they lack talent for alchemy."

"You brat, you’re definitely not as innocent as you seem." Qin Liangchen teased with a laugh, then curiously asked, "So what’s your final demand?"

Luo Chen took a deep breath and spoke bluntly. "Eternity! Any method or pill to extend lifespan, or heavenly treasure!"

Qin Liangchen was stunned, looking at Luo Chen in bewilderment. "You’re only twenty-seven!"

"I’ll be twenty-eight after the new year."

"But items related to lifespan are things no one would part with," Qin Liangchen sighed.

If such treasures existed, who would be willing to give them away? If Mi Shuhua ever obtained one, he’d likely use it on himself first.

"I have a five-element root aptitude, and I was born with innate deficiencies. An expert once told me I wouldn’t live past eighty. That’s why I must have something to extend my life."

"But..."

"Brother Qin, actually, this last demand could be put first."

"Hm?" Qin Liangchen froze, then seemed to realize something.

After mulling it over for a while, he broke into laughter. "Alright, let’s go with what you suggested."

Having settled on a negotiation strategy, both of them felt more at ease.

Over some side dishes and small drinks, Qin Liangchen began discussing the more hidden aspects of the Poshan Gang and its people.

By the end, his tone was filled with melancholy.

"Little Luo, do you know what I thought of when Old Man Mi said those things to you tonight?"

"What things?"

"Lift your head, even if your cultivation realm is low; you must still have pride! Be a man and have confidence! I have high hopes for you! Don’t let everyone down!

"At that moment, I thought to myself... This feels exactly like that time back then!"