Chapter 388, Master Qingquan

Translator: Silavin

 

Positively Tranquil City.

 

In just a few short days, the people in the city seemed to notice something was amiss.

 

On the surface, there were no unusual movements in Positively Tranquil City. However, some Small Families and observant individuals had subtly detected undercurrents beneath this ‘tranquillity’.

 

Those shops belonging to the Zhao Family that had been closed for several days resumed normal operations. Although business was not as good as before, they still generated some income.

 

Yet their sworn enemies, the Xiang Family, took no action against this. No one believed the Xiang Family had given up on suppressing them – it could only mean the Xiang Family was busy scheming something much bigger.

 

Once the Xiang Family acted, it would surely cause massive waves! The current tranquillity in Positively Tranquil City would certainly vanish!

 

Zhao Family in Positively Tranquil City.

 

Due to Zhao Yarou’s return, a festive atmosphere permeated strongly. Even after several days, it showed no signs of diminishing.

 

Among Young Alchemy Masters of her generation, Zhao Yarou ranked first not just in Positively Tranquil City but several neighbouring cities as well. Her entry into the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor was practically set in stone!

 

Once Zhao Yarou entered the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor, they could completely dominate over the Xiang Family. If she received special attention there, they might even be able to utterly crush the Xiang Family!

 

Just thinking about this made many Zhao Family Elders extremely excited.

 

However, some of the more thoughtful ones began to harbour doubts about Qin Yichen.

 

This youth of merely sixteen or seventeen years had saved Zhao Yarou, which meant the Zhao Family owed him an enormous favor!

 

“Patriarch, could that young man be a planted piece by the Xiang Family?” In the Zhao Family main hall, the Sixth Elder frowned and asked Zhao Family Patriarch Zhao Wengting dubiously.

 

“Sixth Elder, you should not speak like that. We should remember Little Brother Qin’s kindness in saving Zhao Yarou!” Zhao Wengting’s brows furrowed as he rebuked.

 

Several days ago, Zhao Yarou had already confirmed this was true, yet this Sixth Elder continued maintaining his suspicious attitude. Although he was thinking for the Family’s benefit, if word of this got out, others would mock them for being ungrateful.

 

“Hmph, such a young man – if the Xiang Family had not deliberately arranged it, how could he possibly bring the Young Mistress back?” The Sixth Elder snorted, muttering discontentedly.

 

When his words fell, several Elders in the hall had flashes of peculiarity in their eyes.

 

Indeed, the Zhao Family had sent out so many powerful experts yet could not even find Zhao Yarou’s shadow. If it was not the Xiang Family’s deliberate arrangement, how could a mere sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth break through their defences and safely return?

 

“Sixth Elder, speak no more of this!” Seeing the changes in the Elders’ expressions, Zhao Wengting’s brows knitted tightly as he slammed the table and rebuked.

 

Seeing how enraged the Patriarch was, the Sixth Elder reluctantly fell silent. However, his words had already planted seeds of doubt in the Elders’ hearts…

 

At this moment, outside the hall, Qin Yichen, who had been invited by Zhao Yarou to come to the hall, caught every word.

 

Hearing these words, Qin Yichen’s expression grew dark.

 

“Mister Qin…” When Zhao Yarou heard those words, her pretty face changed. She never imagined the Sixth Elder would say such things.

 

“Since the Zhao Family doesn’t welcome me, I’ll take my leave.” Qin Yichen’s expression was gloomy as he spoke quietly, turning to walk out.

 

Now that Zhao Yarou had returned to the Zhao Family, barring any accidents, she would enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor. The Zhao Family’s future path would be smooth – this no longer required his concern.

 

“Mister Qin, wait!” Seeing Qin Yichen’s anger, for some reason, a wave of sadness welled up in Zhao Yarou’s heart. But she also knew that someone as exceptional as Qin Yichen surely had his own pride.

 

Not only had he gone through the trouble of saving her, but now he was being slandered by her Family’s Elders. Perhaps anyone would find this intolerable.

 

So, Zhao Yarou could only follow closely behind Qin Yichen, trying several times to explain but unable to say anything.

 

“Master Qin? Is Yarou is outside?” Inside the hall, Zhao Wengting and the others heard the commotion outside.

 

“This is bad!” Zhao Wengting’s expression changed. After glaring fiercely at the Sixth Elder, he quickly rushed out of the hall to chase after Qin Yichen.

 

…

 

At this time, on the other side of Positively Tranquil City, in the Xiang Family main hall, over ten figures sat within.

 

These ten-plus people were all Xiang Family Elders, normally of noble status whom none dared disrespect.

 

However, at this moment, their expressions were all somewhat unsightly. No one spoke, and the atmosphere in the hall felt very oppressive.

 

“Useless lot! It’s been days and you still can’t investigate the background of Zhao Yarou’s rescuer!” In this oppressive atmosphere, an angry shout suddenly rang out as a middle-aged man stormed in from outside.

 

This middle-aged man was the Xiang Family Patriarch, Xiang Renhan!

 

With his entrance, the already oppressive atmosphere in the hall sank to an extreme at this moment, making it seem difficult even to breathe.

 

Xiang Renhan’s gaze swept over the Elders. Under his wrathful glare, not one dared meet his eyes.

 

After quite a while, below the main seat, the Xiang Family First Elder finally coughed and asked, “Patriarch, I heard the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor has already sent people to receive Zhao Yarou. What do we do now? We can’t just sit and wait for that girl to enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor!”

 

“Ten Corner Alchemy Manor…” Xiang Renhan snorted coldly, saying, “By the time they arrive, Zhao Yarou will already be dead!”

 

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions changed, [had he decided to kill her?]

 

But right now, the Zhao Family’s strength was even slightly greater than their Xiang Family. If they used force, the result would definitely be mutual destruction!

 

“Does the Patriarch have some kind of plan?” The First Elder frowned and asked.

 

He did not believe Xiang Renhan would make decisions clouded by anger – otherwise, the Xiang Family would not still be standing in Positively Tranquil City.

 

The Elders’ gazes all turned to Xiang Renhan, and under more than ten gazes, Xiang Renhan slowly uttered a few words, “Master Qingquan!”

 

“Could it be that Master Qingquan is willing to make a move!?” Hearing these words, everyone in the hall drew in sharp breaths, followed by immense joy bursting forth in their eyes.

 

During this period, the Xiang Family’s dominance over the Zhao Family in the medicine market was due to this Master Qingquan from the Northern Depths Sect!

 

He was a genuine Human Grade Alchemy Master!

 

Moreover, Master Qingquan was not just someone who had just become a Human Grade Alchemy Master. It was said that several years ago, his Spiritual Body had already broken through to the Spiritual Flow Realm, meaning he was a Mid-Stage Human Grade Alchemy Master!