Chapter 2
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You’re the Ones Who Should Leave
Sheng Yuanyao turned, her expression odd. Whose subordinate is so audacious?
Honestly, those nine supreme-grade Qi-Replenishing Elixirs turning into five excellent-grade ones might have made them seem much more common, but they were by no means mediocre. If judged by the standards of an Eighth-Grade Alchemist, this was still considered quite outstanding.
Normally, alchemy could only be done one pill at a time, which was very inefficient. Only high-level alchemists, when refining relatively simple elixirs, dared to attempt refining multiple pills in one furnace to increase efficiency. Of course, the more pills refined simultaneously, the higher the demands on the alchemist’s control. Being able to refine five pills in one furnace was already quite good.
Moreover, a large number of alchemists struggled with yield rates, often producing entire furnaces of废丹 (defective pills) or low-quality products. It was already difficult to consistently refine conventional Good-grade (良品) pills, let alone Excellent-grade (优品)? The price of Excellent-grade was double that of Good-grade.
Though Lu Xingzhou had essentially been “stealing from the till” (监守自盗 – jīanshǒu zìdào), the efficiency he achieved by refining these five excellent-grade elixirs, given the same raw material cost as others, already surpassed what other alchemists could do. He hadn’t shortchanged the Danxia Gang. No wonder the Danxia Gang had developed so well over the past six months; this man was a goose that laid golden eggs…
Just how powerful was this newcomer to dare say this level was inadequate?
Entering the door was a man in luxurious clothes, accompanied by a young man and woman. The one who spoke was the young man. Lu Xingzhou merely smiled faintly. “Greetings, Gang Leader, Miss. And this is…?”
Sheng Yuanyao now understood. So, it was the Danxia Gang Leader, Liu Qingtian, and his daughter, Liu Yan’er.
Liu Yan’er snorted. “This is Master Bai Chi, an High-tier Eighth-Grade Alchemist whom we painstakingly invited! Master Bai is even on the verge of breaking through to Seventh-Grade.”
Lu Xingzhou’s expression remained unchanged. “So, Miss Liu’s meaning is?”
Liu Yan’er said, “Since a stronger alchemist has arrived, you can hand over your position as Chief Alchemist…”
Sheng Yuanyao blinked. High-tier Eighth-Grade… it’s actually still very difficult to refine a batch of five excellent-grade pills. Are you sure he truly has the right to look down on Lu Xingzhou?
The little Daoist boy quietly sat aside, peeled a sweet potato, took a bite, then handed one to Sheng Yuanyao, mouthing silently, “Big sister, want to eat this time?”
Sheng Yuanyao quietly took the roasted sweet potato. It smelled quite fragrant.
Lu Xingzhou simply smiled faintly. “Is this Gang Leader Liu’s intention, or merely Miss Liu’s?”
Liu Qingtian waved his hand. “This leader knows that you single-handedly built our Danxia Gang’s alchemy system from nothing and personally trained the alchemists below you. It’s understandable that you’d be reluctant to let go. But that’s how things are in the world; the capable reside. This is also for the development of our Danxia Gang. Xingzhou, you can serve as Assistant to Master Bai. It’s also an opportunity to learn and observe a high-grade alchemist up close. You should seize it well.”
Lu Xingzhou laughed softly. “So, Master Lu should thank Gang Leader Liu?”
Liu Qingtian looked benevolent. “Xingzhou, this is also our expectation for you. I know you have quite a fondness for Yan’er, and the assistant’s work isn’t as demanding as before, so you’ll have more free time…”
Liu Yan’er stomped her foot. “Father!”
“Wait.” Lu Xingzhou’s expression turned odd. “Who said I was interested in Miss Liu? Your esteemed gang may not have mirrors, but surely you have urine to look into?”
Both father and daughter of the Liu family stiffened.
Lu Xingzhou came straight to the Danxia Gang after arriving in Xiazhou, was taken in by Liu Yan’er, and then helped the Danxia Gang establish its alchemy system and train alchemists from scratch, working diligently without complaint. His usual gaze towards Liu Yan’er also seemed to carry deep affection, so almost everyone in the gang thought he did all this for Liu Yan’er. If not for Liu Yan’er, was it to be treated like an ox or horse?
Lu Xingzhou saw what they were thinking and slowly said, “Actually, it’s just that you all offered far too much…”
The salary the Danxia Gang gave Lu Xingzhou was indeed very high. After all, they initially had no alchemists and were desperate for talent, overjoyed to get Lu Xingzhou. Furthermore, Sheng Yuanyao had witnessed him “stealing from the till,” and the hidden profits were far beyond what others imagined. He probably really did stay for the money…
Unfortunately, their initial desperation for talent had now turned into “pulling the bridge after crossing” (过桥抽板 – guòqiáo chōubǎn).
Liu Yan’er sighed. “Xingzhou, I know you won’t admit it because of pride, but was all that deep affection in your eyes usually just an act…?”
The little Daoist boy muttered from the side, “With his flirtatious eyes, he’d look affectionate even at a dog…”
Liu Yan’er, who had been indulging in her own assumptions, choked on her words, while Sheng Yuanyao took a bite of her sweet potato.
“An assistant? Forget it,” Lu Xingzhou said indifferently. “Master Lu doesn’t have a habit of being an underling. Since the Danxia Gang has a more excellent alchemist, I’ll simply seek another place.”
Liu Yan’er snorted. “Just a cripple like you…”
“Yan’er!” Liu Qingtian quickly interrupted. A spoiled young lady could speak carelessly, but he knew better. Even if Lu Xingzhou’s skill wasn’t as good as Bai Chi’s, he was still an outstanding alchemist in Xiazhou. It would be a loss to let him go elsewhere. If he truly could be convinced to stay as an assistant, the Danxia Gang would profit immensely.
He had simply misjudged, fully believing Lu Xingzhou would stay for Liu Yan’er, but it turned out that wasn’t the case at all… Then what were you so diligent for?
Liu Qingtian thought this and sighed. “Xingzhou, please reconsider? Honestly, after all this time together, everyone already considers you family… How about a ten percent increase in salary?”
Lu Xingzhou waved his hand, smiling. “No need to force it. Our fate together ends today.”
Liu Qingtian’s face finally turned cold. “You better think this through. Don’t think that just because you have alchemy skills, you can roam anywhere without fear. It wouldn’t be difficult to ensure you find no refuge in Xiazhou.”
Lu Xingzhou laughed. “Then I won’t trouble you with the concern.”
Bai Chi, standing by, slowly said, “Since he’s determined to leave, I suggest searching him, lest he take away important gang property.”
Sheng Yuanyao, who had been observing for half the day, couldn’t hold back. “Hey, aren’t you going a little too far?!”
She had initially thought Lu Xingzhou’s “stealing from the till” was a bit excessive, but she hadn’t expected these people to be even more so. Not only were they “pulling the bridge after crossing” and “killing the donkey after it grinds the mill” (卸磨杀驴 – xiè mó shā lǘ – another idiom for ungratefulness/discarding a tool after use), but they were also trying to coerce and humiliate him.
Liu Yan’er sneered, “This is internal gang business. What does it have to do with a vixen like you?”
Sheng Yuanyao was furious. “You!”
“What’s all the fuss…” Lu Xingzhou interrupted Sheng Yuanyao’s outburst, leisurely saying, “Who said I’m leaving?”
Liu Yan’er showed a smug expression, as if she’d known it all along. “If you can’t bear to leave, just say so. This tactic of feigned retreat isn’t very clever…”
Lu Xingzhou said, “My meaning is, you’re the ones who should leave.”
Everyone was stunned.
Had this cripple gone mad from the blow?
“There used to be a Daoist temple on Danxia Mountain, named Danxia Temple. This alchemy room and the three li (Chinese mile, about 0.5 km) around it should belong to Danxia Temple’s territory,” Lu Xingzhou said calmly. “As far as I know, when Gang Leader Liu purchased the mountain from the government, this area’s land deed was incomplete. Strictly speaking, this place does not belong to you. It’s just that the original owner isn’t here, so you’ve temporarily occupied it.”
Liu Qingtian’s heart skipped a beat. “So what? The original owner is dead! We even regularly sweep the grave and offer sacrifices. This is now ownerless land, first come, first served!”
The little Daoist boy muttered again, “The mound you pretend to worship in the back isn’t the original owner’s grave at all. A sow that died of swine fever, named Little Blossom, is buried there.”
Liu Qingtian: “???”
“The original owner did indeed pass away many years ago, but coincidentally, he had a legacy,” Lu Xingzhou smiled faintly, pulling out a land deed. “Even more coincidentally, I am the new owner of this place. Remember to do proper background checks before hiring people in the future.”
The Liu father and daughter, along with Bai Chi, were dumbfounded.
The land deed looked quite new, apparently Lu Xingzhou had exchanged it at the government office. The name on the old deed must have belonged to an old Daoist priest, but now it clearly read “Lu Xingzhou.”
It really was his!
Sheng Yuanyao blinked furiously.
These master and disciple are interesting; feels like there’s a lot of gossip to unearth.
Bai Chi reacted, sneering, “Who says this land deed is yours? I say it’s mine!”
As he spoke, the Liu father and daughter also realized this. This Lu Xingzhou was simply foolish! To dare expose a land deed in the very heart of their Danxia Gang’s territory? Wouldn’t killing him and seizing the deed be the end of it? He was just a cripple with a child; wasn’t he simply seeking death? No one would even know if they buried him!
Liu Qingtian immediately stepped forward, ready to strike.
Lu Xingzhou leisurely tucked the land deed back into his embrace. “Miss, if gang members forcibly seize property from a law-abiding citizen, are you going to manage it?”
With a shua sound, a waist-saber flashed from its sheath, blocking in front of Lu Xingzhou. Liu Qingtian’s large hand, which had just reached out, recoiled urgently, barely avoiding being chopped off.
As if only now noticing Sheng Yuanyao and the two subordinates behind her, Liu Qingtian’s expression turned very ugly. “And who might you be, esteemed sir/madam?”
Sheng Yuanyao was expressionless. Her subordinate behind her sternly said, “This is Commander Sheng Yuanyao, from our Xiazhou Demon Suppressing Bureau! Behave yourself!”
The Liu father and daughter and Bai Chi’s faces looked like they’d “eaten sh*t” (吃了翔 – chī le xiáng – a vulgar idiom for extreme shock/disgust/humiliation). Such a young and beautiful girl—who would have thought she was the newly appointed Commander Sheng Yuanyao of the Demon Suppressing Bureau?! They had thought she was just a customer waiting for an elixir here!
Liu Yan’er’s face was even ashen. Who had she called a “vixen” just now?
Seeing Sheng Yuanyao’s cold gaze, the three could only bow. “Greetings, Commander Sheng.”
Why was Sheng Yuanyao here?! This was trouble now! Sheng Yuanyao was a newly arrived official from the capital, not a local. Whatever connections they had locally were useless now. In front of an official, let alone murdering someone and seizing a deed, even if something happened to Lu Xingzhou later, Sheng Yuanyao would inevitably fix her gaze on their Danxia Gang. This idea was completely unfeasible!
What now?
Most of this mountain had been purchased by the Danxia Gang, only lacking this three-li radius core area at the summit. If Lu Xingzhou settled here and refused to leave, it would be like him “shitting on top of the Danxia Gang’s head”—disgusting no matter how they thought about it.
Not to mention, the gang’s main hall, everyone’s residences, and the entire alchemy system were within this area. Most of the areas on the mountainside had no buildings, only medicinal gardens. They would literally be left without a home.
After all this, it turned out they were the ones who were going to be driven out?
It was just kicking someone out; how did it turn into this?!
– Mochinuna.
