Ling Han kept up the smile on his face. When he imagined Alchemist Ma seeing him later tonight, he could practically see the thunderstruck expression on the latter’s face.
***
That night, Ling Dong Xing and his son, accompanied by four attendants, arrived at “Xuan Yu House”. This was where Ling Dong Xing had invited Alchemist Ma for dinner.
While they were waiting in one of the private rooms of the restaurant, Ling Dong Xing and Ling Han talked with each other.
“Peng!” The door was suddenly pushed open, and two people entered.
They were Ling Zhong Kuan and Ling Mu Yun!
“What are the two of you doing here?” Ling Dong Xing said coldly.
“The clan is in such big trouble, how could I not come?” Ling Zhong Kuan did not wait to be invited before sitting down and saying to Ling Dong Xing, “I’d advise you to step back from this issue, and leave this matter for me to handle.”
“You?” Ling Dong Xing laughed coldly, and said, “Why?”
“You must have offended Alchemist Ma in some way. Otherwise, how could it be that he would make trouble for our clan for no reason?” Ling Zhong Kuan spoke slowly, then gesturing at Ling Mu Yun, said, “This boy went to be examined yesterday. He has a great potential for fire control. Thus, hehe, he has already been accepted by Alchemist Ma as an apprentice. After a few years’ hard work, Alchemist Ma would take him in as an official disciple. In the future, he would become an alchemist.”
Ling Mu Yun walked up to stand proudly beside Ling Zhong Kuan. There was immeasurable pride on his face.
After the “trouble” caused by Ling Han, he had lost the chance to enroll into Hu Yang Academy. But who would have thought that when a door closed, a window would open. He actually had a great potential for fire control, so there was a high chance that he would become an alchemist in future.
Alchemist–the most powerful, most noble profession in the whole of Gray Cloud Town… no, the whole of Rain Country!
Ling Zhong Kuan was very proud. His two sons weren’t even able to compare with Ling Dong Xing, but that was all right, for his grandson was much, much more outstanding than Ling Han!
“Pu!”
He looked closely at Ling Han for a moment before suddenly gasping in shock.
This, this, this, this, this, this, what was this? The seventh layer of Body Refining Tier? No, no, no, no, no, no, he must have seen wrongly, how could Ling Han be in the seventh layer of Body Refining Tier!
Ling Zhong Kuan could not help rubbing his eyes a few times and taking another close look at Ling Han. However, the powerful air around Ling Han was still the same.
Seventh layer of Body Refining Tier through and through.
Did this brat take some kind of godly medicine?
Ling Zhong Kuan could not control the violent twitching of his wrinkled face. He had truly experienced a tremendous shock.
“Grandfather, are you all right?” Ling Mu Yun felt that his grandfather was behaving very oddly. Weren’t they supposed to strut around now, rubbing the fact that he was going to become an alchemist in the faces of Ling Dong Xing and his son? Why was his grandfather suddenly acting so silly?
“Seventh, seventh layer of Body Refining Tier!” Ling Zhong Kuan stuttered out.
That’s right, Ling Mu Yun was in the seventh layer of Body Refining Tier. What was so strange about that, didn’t he already know that? Ling Mu Yun looked strangely at Ling Zhong Kuan. Why was his grandfather suddenly behaving so abnormally?
“Not you, him!” Ling Zhong Kuan said, pointing at Ling Han.
“Pu!”
Ling Mu Yun gasped in shock. Seventh layer of Body Refining Tier? What kind of joke was this? In the clan, every member knew Ling Han’s infamous reputation as a piece of trash. He had cultivated for many years, and yet had only managed to reach the second layer of Body Refining Tier. Otherwise, why else would he be labeled as trash in the clan?
If Ling Han, who was now in the seventh layer of Body Refining Tier, was considered a piece of trash, then what about him, who had only reached the seventh layer of Body Refining Tier at eighteen? Was he the ultimate piece of trash?
“Impossible, this is definitely impossible!” He muttered in complete disbelief.
But he knew very well that his grandfather was in the ninth layer of Element Gathering Tier, so there was no way he could be mistaken.
“Haha, what do you think of my son now? Not bad, right?” Ling Dong Xing laughed heartily. “This kind of natural talent should be good enough to enroll in the Hu Yang Academy, right?”
Hearing these words, Ling Zhong Kuan and his grandson’s expressions became even uglier.
They took advantage of the fact that Ling Dong Xing was away to force Ling Han to give up the chance to enroll into Hu Yang Academy, and the result was running into a stone wall. Ling Dong Xing was deliberately mentioning the Hu Yang Academy to taunt them with it.
Ling Mu Yun was still very young, thus he couldn’t remain composed and said, “What’s the big deal about Hu Yang Academy? I have entered the world of alchemists now, and I will become the most respected man in Rain Country in the future!”
“Is that so?” Ling Han shook his head, and said, “I can guarantee that you will never become an alchemist’s apprentice, so of course, you will never become an alchemist either.”
“Hahahaha, who do you think you are? Do you actually think you can influence Alchemist Ma’s decision?” Ling Mu Yun laughed coldly. He felt this was the biggest joke in the world–if Ling Han really had such ability, then why would Alchemist Ma purposely cause trouble and delay the distribution of alchemical pills for the clan?
Ling Han did not say anything else. He only smiled–after all, things would become clear later.
However, even Ling Dong Xing himself did not take Ling Han’s threat seriously. In his opinion, although his son had truly displayed a great natural talent in the field of martial arts, he couldn’t possibly have any relations with Alchemist Ma.
Although the four of them all belonged to the Ling Clan, they were mutually antagonistic, so how could they possibly have any common topics to converse with each other? After the short verbal battle, they each kept silent, waiting for the arrival of Alchemist Ma.
However, this Alchemist Ma really liked to put on airs. After a long time, he still had not appeared. When they were nearing the limits of their patience, they finally heard footsteps from outside the door.
“Zhi…” the door opened, and a medium-sized man entered. This man could only be Alchemist Ma.
There was only one alchemist in the whole of Gray Cloud Town, even more so only one surnamed Ma.
Ling Dong Xing, Ling Zhong Kuan and Ling Mu Yun all stood up, grasping their fists in greeting. Ling Mu Yun even bent and knelt in front of the newcomer and said respectfully, “Disciple Mu Yun hereby greets Master!”
An alchemist’s apprentice could barely be counted as half an alchemist’s disciple.
“You may rise,” Ma Da Jun casually waved his hands, and nodded at Ling Dong Xing, saying, “You don’t have to waste your time on pleasantries. Let’s just get down to business. I’m a very busy man.”
“Ling Han, how dare you not greet Alchemist Ma?” Ling Mu Yun immediately pointed at Ling Han. He had very sharp eyes and had immediately noticed that Ling Han had not greeted Alchemist Ma. He was even just sitting there as if nothing important was going on.
Ling Dong Xing was very surprised. The reason he had invited Alchemist Ma to dinner tonight was to curry favor with the man and solve the medicine supply problem. But now Ling Mu Yun had taken advantage of and directly pointed out this weakness; were things going to turn bad?
He could not help getting angry in secret. The important thing was to settle the problem that the Ling Clan was facing now, how could Ling Mu Yun be so petty? He suddenly felt that he really wanted to kill this little brat in one blow.
“Hey, he really doesn’t know the rules of the game!” Ling Zhong Kuan too harrum
phed.
Chapter 24
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Mu Yun had very fortunately taken hold of Ling Han’s weakness so he naturally would not easily give it up. He continued aggressively, “Alchemist is the most respected, most dignified profession in the whole of Rain Country, yet you not only did not stand up to greet my master upon his arrival, but also continue to remain seated? How arrogant can you be?
Kneel down quickly and beg my Master for a punishment!”
Ling Dong Xing frowned slightly. Alchemists were indeed very rare and held a high status in Rain Country. For example, even though this Ma Da Jun was only in the ninth layer of Body Refining Tier, as he was a Yellow Grade medium level alchemist, even strong warriors of the Element Gathering Tier like himself and Ling Zhong Kuan had to show him some face and satisfy Ma Da Jun’s ego.
Now that Ling Zhong Kuan and his grandson had taken advantage of this point to attack Ling Han, he really might encounter some trouble.
Clasping his fists, Ling Dong Xing said, “Alchemist Ma, many apologies. If my son has done anything to offend you, I hereby apologize on his behalf. As a forgiving, generous man, please do not lower yourself to the same level as my son.”
Ma Da Jun hadn’t even noticed Ling Han. He only found out what was going on after hearing Ling Mu Yun’s reprimand, so he couldn’t control his rising dissatisfaction and said, “Ling Clan Head, you’re really quite incredible. You invited me to dinner, so I offered you due respect by coming here. Yet you actually allow your son to humiliate me? Snort, what kind of logic is this?”
“Ling Han, kneel down now!” Ling Mu Yun smiled coldly. He knew very well that alchemical pills were one of the most important source of income for the clan, thus even if Ling Dong Xing did not want to, he had no choice but to concede on this issue and pressure Ling Han to do as told.
‘Forced to kneel by his own old man, Ling Han would definitely be very depressed and unbearably sorrowful, wouldn’t he? Hahahahaha!”
“Alchemist Ma-” Ling Dong Xing tried again to advise Ma Da Jun to let things go.
Ma Da Jun only raised his hand to stop Ling Dong Xing from continuing to speak. He did not even look at Ling Han and only said casually, “Let your son kneel down in front of me to explain.”
“Peng!”
Ling Dong Xing slammed his hand heavily down on the table and said, “Alchemist Ma, I do not know what benefits you have received from the Cheng Clan to help them make trouble for our Ling Clan. But don’t you dare go to far. You actually want my, Ling Dong Xing’s son, to kneel down? Get lost!”
“How dare you!” Ling Zhong Kuan immediately shouted loudly, “Ling Dong Xing, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to bring ruin to the clan? The clan does not just belong to you alone! As someone who does not care about the big picture, what right do you have to continue to hold onto the position of Clan Head of the Ling Clan?”
Ling Dong Xing’s gaze turned heavy, and he said, “Who of those here is the one who does not care about the big picture? Because I considered the fact that we share the same surname of Ling, there were some things that I did not bring out into the open, yet you all bully my son in this manner. Do you really think I, Ling Dong Xing, am already dead?”
“Enough, if you’re going to engage in a family squabble, then have your argument at home. I’m a very busy man,” Ma Da Jun interrupted. “Quickly make this brat kneel down in front of me in apology.”
“Ma Da Jun, who are you asking to kneel?” Ling Han finally opened his mouth as he asked calmly.
Ma Da Jun?
At first, Ling Zhong and Ling Mu Yun were both shocked, thinking secretly that Ling Han was really gutsy to actually call Alchemist Ma directly by his name. Yet immediately, they looked extremely pleased–Ling Han had completely offended Ma Da Jun now! Ling Dong Xing and his son were definitely finished!
‘Haha, I knew that this brat would bring ruin to his father.’
“You trash, to actually call my master by his name directly, how dare you!” Ling Mu Yun immediately shouted. He definitely had to take advantage of such a grand opportunity to flatter Ma Da Jun.
However, he had not seen that Ma Da Jun’s expression quickly turned ugly. He had even stood up from his seat immediately.
This voice–how could Ma Da Jun ever forget this voice?
“Kneel down-”
“Pa!”
Ling Mu Yun did not even manage to finish his words before seeing Ma Da Jun fly towards him like an arrow shot from a bow, raising his hand and giving him a heavy slap.
Ling Mu Yun was slapped utterly stupid. Even Ling Dong Xing and Ling Zhong Kuan had vacant expressions, staring blankly. If Ma Da Jun wanted to hit someone, then shouldn’t he be slapping Ling Han? Why had he suddenly slap Ling Mu Yun instead?
There must be some kind of mistake!
“Ma, Master!” Ling Mu Yun’s expression practically screamed that he felt wronged. Why was he suddenly hit?
Under the three observers’ uncomprehending stares, Ma Da Jun quickly raced to stand in front of Ling Han. Bowing, he lowered his head respectfully as if he was an obedient little lackey and said, “So the noble guest today was Young Master Han. Please forgive my blindness for not managing to notice Young Master Han just now.”
Although he had suffered a great deal because of Ling Han, he had had no idea what his name was–Zhu He Xin naturally had no need to explain anything to him.
What? What?
The other three members of the Ling Clan all entered into “petrified” mode. Was this really the extremely arrogant, high and mighty Alchemist Ma from just moments ago? Why did they suddenly feel like he had become a pug dog? Furthermore, why did he address Ling Han ‘Young Master Han’?
Although Ma Da Jun’s actual cultivation level could not be considered very high, he was an alchemist.
And an alchemist always commanded great respect and dignity!
The other three felt as if they had been petrified. They could not believe what they were seeing and hearing at all.
“This is your disciple? How overbearing!” Ling Han said, looking at Ling Han. His tone was extremely serene.
However, Ma Da Jun was shocked half to death. Once more, he gave another solid slap to Ling Mu Yun, and said, “Who do you think you are, to actually be so impolite to Young Master Han? I have no such disciple. From now onwards, do not address me as your master.”
Ling Mu Yun immediately put on an expression of disbelief. He had been chased out? Just because of one word from Ling Han?
He recalled that Ling Han had just told him that he would never become an alchemist. Those words actually came true!
“No, Master, please do not chase me away, please give me another chance!” Ling Mu Yun pleaded earnestly, quickly throwing himself to Ma Da Jun’s feet.
He was not a martial arts genius, and had even lost the chance to enroll at Hu Yang Academy. Thus, becoming an alchemist was his last chance. Otherwise, he would have to be just like his father and grandfather. The strongest he could become would only be Element Gathering Tier, and he’d have a certain status only in the very small, very remote Gray Cloud Town.
“Get lost, you dared to be impolite to Young Master Han! I was already being merciful by not killing you, and you actually fancy that you are going to be an alchemist?” Ma Da Jun snorted. Even Zhu He Xin, Grandmaster Zhu, was extremely respectful facing Ling Han. If he knew that Ling Mu Yun actually dared to take such an attitude towards Ling Han, he may even rush over here to kill this brat with his own hands!
And with one word from Grandmaster Zhu, which alchemist in the whole of Rain Country would dare to take Ling Mu Yun as a disciple?
Ling Mu Yun could not control the ashen expression on his face. He was dazed, looking as if he had lost his soul.
“Let’s go!” Ling Zhong Kuan took hold of his grandson. He knew there was no use saying anything now–it was better for them to leave before they embarrass themselves further.
&nbs
p; “No! I’m an alchemist’s apprentice, I will become an alchemist in the future!” Ling Mu Yun struggled with all his might, as if he had gone mad. But Ling Zhong Kuan held him tightly. Those still remaining in the private room could only hear the screams getting farther and farther away before they finally disappeared.
In the private room, Ling Dong Xing looked dumbstruck, while Ma Da Jun was drenched in cold sweat. He did not know if he had managed to soothe Ling Han’s anger. He really dared not offend this young master.
“Just now, you were quite fierce facing my father,” Ling Han said calmly, yet there was a strong dissatisfaction in his voice.
“Young Master Han, I had no idea just now that Ling Clan Head was your father. Otherwise, I would never dare to put on airs in front of Ling Clan Head!” He spoke with a pained expression, “I deserve death, I really am worthless!”
He strengthened his resolve, and actually started to slap himself repeatedly!
Chapter 25
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Dong Xing was already completely numb.
He knew that his own son was a genius now. But to actually be someone whom an alchemist would fawn on and painstakingly curry favor with… this still caused him to be incomparably shocked!
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 16