An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Don’t leave,” Bai Meiling said firmly.

”There are more rogue cultivators in the higher realms now than ever. If you walk away from this, where will you find such a stable job?”

”I still have some savings,” Feng Xia replied, her raspy voice steady despite the hoarseness that had become her constant companion. ”I can make it through this winter.”

”If it comes to it, I’ll talk to Sister Qinglian,” Bai Meiling added. ”See if the Poshan Gang needs anyone. They’d take someone like you in a heartbeat.”

From his place in the shadows of the corridor, Luo Chen stood silently, watching the two women in the courtyard. Feng Xia sat quietly on the stone bench, wrapped in a plain cloak, while Bai Meiling, flushed with indignation, tried to comfort her.

It didn’t take long for Luo Chen to piece the situation together.

The major sect-operated shops adhered to a ten-year rotation tradition, so the Foundation Establishment shopkeeper at the Spirit Herb Pavilion had been reassigned. Shopkeeper Liu from the Hall of Hundred Herbs, being older and familiar with the area, had stayed in Dahe Market instead of returning to the Medicine King Sect.

However, the Medicine King Sect had rewarded him by promoting him from the Hall of Hundred Herbs to the Spirit Herb Pavilion. Though they were part of the same sect, the profits between the two shops were worlds apart.

Having gained such a significant advantage, Shopkeeper Liu naturally refrained from interfering with the new Foundation Establishment shopkeeper at the Hall of Hundred Herbs. The newly arrived Foundation Establishment cultivator, either eager to assert authority or to build their own team, had other plans.

Upon taking office, they immediately dismissed many of the old staff. Someone like Feng Xia, with an average appearance and a damaged voice, was one of the first to be let go.

No wonder Feng Xia had been free lately and hadn’t gone to work.

So, she’d been laid off!

Luo Chen sighed inwardly. He had originally planned to host a small gathering that evening—a dinner, just to relax and unwind after weeks of pressure. But with everything going on... perhaps it wasn’t the right time?

As he hesitated, he heard the sound of footsteps returning through the snow-dusted street.

Qin Liangchen and his group had come back.

Gu Caiyi was the first to spot him. She hurried forward, her face tight with concern. ”I heard you ran into raiding cultivators on your way home yesterday?”

Earlier that day, Sikong Shoujia had quietly delivered the news to her. While he’d taken others to distribute pills across the shops, she had stayed behind to manage things at the Alchemy Hall.

Though Luo Chen had driven Lu Huaiben off in broad daylight, the Four Symbols Cauldron and its trailing multicolored tassels had kept his identity concealed. Most rogue cultivators in the outer district still didn’t know who had dared such a bold act.

For now, they could keep it under wraps. After all, the ninth-stage Qi-Refining culprit hadn’t been caught, and spreading word of the ambush would only invite questions and possibly trouble.

Still, the concern in Gu Caiyi’s eyes was plain, and she wasn’t the only one watching him.

Qin Liangchen and his wife, Bai Meiling, Feng Xia—all of them were staring at him, their faces filled with worry, surprise, and curiosity.

Luo Chen chuckled bitterly. ”Yeah,” he said. ”Seems like everyone’s been having a tough time lately.”

At his words, Feng Xia’s expression dimmed.

Luo Chen had been attacked, Duan Feng was injured, and Feng Xia lost the job she relied on for a living. It seemed like misfortune had cast a shadow over the courtyard’s residents recently.

”You’re okay, right?” Gu Caiyi asked hesitantly as she looked Luo Chen over.

”I’m fine,” Luo Chen said quickly, brushing off the concern with a smile. ”Nothing worth worrying about.”

He didn’t want to go into too much detail to avoid worrying everyone.

Seeing his reluctance to elaborate, Murong Qinglian stepped forward with a warm smile. ”Enough talk,” she said. ”Let’s all have dinner together tonight. I’ll cook.”

The tension began to ease at her words. One by one, the others nodded.

Soon, the whole courtyard was bustling with activity. Someone brought out tables, another set up chairs. Lanterns were lit, casting golden light onto the snow-speckled stone. Aromas of stir-fried herbs, stewed meat, and warm rice filled the air as Murong Qinglian took charge in the kitchen.

At the dinner table, Bai Meiling spoke about how overbearing the new Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Hall of Hundred Herbs was, not only firing old employees but also planning to cut everyone else’s wages.

Qin Liangchen also started cursing Mi Shuhua, accusing him of not valuing Luo Chen enough and only assigning two people to protect him.

While he fumed and paced the courtyard like a storm cloud, Murong Qinglian turned her gaze toward Feng Xia. Her voice was soft but serious.

”Sister Xia, have you thought about what you’ll do now?”

Feng Xia, still wrapped in her plain shawl, gave a small shake of her head.

Murong nodded slightly. ”If nothing else works out, why not come work at the Medicine Hall? You know your herbs better than most. With my recommendation, they’d give you a starting salary at the very least.”

Feng Xia hesitated, but only for a moment. Her lips parted, ready to agree.

But then—

”I have a better idea,” Luo Chen said, stepping forward at last.

”I’m planning to start a small business and need someone trustworthy and meticulous to help manage it. Preferably someone who’s not part of the Poshan Gang.

He looked at Feng Xia directly. ”Sister Xia would be perfect for the job. Why not come work for me instead?”

He smiled gently. ”To be honest, the salaries the Poshan Gang offers aren’t particularly generous. If you join the Medicine Hall, they’ll underutilize your talents.”

It was spoken tactfully. ”Trustworthy,” ”meticulous,” ”overqualified”—his phrasing was deliberate and respectful, layered with subtle praise.

Particularly, his words implied that he would offer much better compensation.

Feng Xia was tempted on the spot—and she wasn’t the only one. Everyone else perked up, curious now. Luo Chen? Starting another business?

They all knew about the Chen Yue Snack Stall and its solid profits. It had only been up and running a short time, and now he had another idea?

Luo Chen didn’t beat around the bush and said it outright.

”Milk tea?”

***

The very next morning, a strange new scent filled the courtyard—not the usual bitterness of boiling herbs, but a rich, milky aroma laced with something vaguely floral and nutty.

”This is what you’re calling milk tea?” Qin Liangchen asked.

He was standing in the middle of the courtyard, arms folded, watching Luo Chen set out a small tray. There were only three people present—Luo Chen, Feng Xia, and himself.

”Yes, try it! And give me some feedback so I can improve the recipe.” Luo Chen said enthusiastically.

”Alright, it shouldn’t poison me.” Qin Liangchen replied with a grin as he took a sip.

After sipping the milk tea, Qin Liangchen’s grin faded, replaced by a frown. ”It tastes strange, a bit too gamey.”

”Gamey?” Luo Chen asked, puzzled.

”Yes, you used beast milk from yellow cows, right? It smells good, but nobody actually drinks it.”

Luo Chen made a thoughtful noise and immediately pulled out a small notebook. ”Got it. Beast milk... too strong. Need alternatives.”

Before long, he had a newly revised recipe.

Following the new recipe, Luo Chen called over Dongfang Liang and asked him to purchase some different beast milk.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, he experimented with various medicinal ingredients to neutralize the strong gamey taste of the beast milk. But the results were less than ideal, and the enthusiastic Qin Liangchen eventually began to look increasingly pale.

”Try again. This time, I used milk from the Fu Zhu deer. It should taste much better.” Luo Chen said as he handed over another cup.

Before handing over the cup, Luo Chen even used a small fireball to warm the milk tea.

Qin Liangchen took a deep breath and drank the newly concocted milk tea. After drinking it, his expression turned decidedly strange.

”This milk... you didn’t dilute it, did you?”

Luo Chen explained proudly, ”The Fu Zhu deer is one of the gentlest first-tier beasts, but its milk is very mild. I wanted to keep the original flavor of the milk, so I used fewer medicinal ingredients. And spirit tea is expensive, so I used less of that too, to save on costs.”

Qin Liangchen’s brows furrowed deeply as he asked quietly, ”Did you do this on purpose, or was it an accident?”

Luo Chen puffed out his chest and said smugly, ”On purpose. Well? Isn’t it good?”

”You idiot! Don’t you know that undiluted Fu Zhu deer milk is too much, even for cultivators?” Qin Liangchen snapped.

With that, he leaped onto his sword and sped out of the courtyard!

Luo Chen stood there, puzzled. What was going on?

Feng Xia, standing nearby with an odd expression, explained, ”The Fu Zhu deer feeds on a herb called Fanhui Grass, which is known for its potent laxative properties. No Qi-Refining cultivator can resist it. Naturally, milk from a deer that eats Fanhui Grass has the same effect.”

Luo Chen’s mouth fell open as he stared blankly at the cup of milk tea in his hand. It seemed the path to developing a perfect milk tea recipe was still a long one.

When Qin Liangchen returned to the courtyard, looking much relieved, he saw Luo Chen holding out another cup of milk tea. His expression changed instantly.

”Big brother, have some tea!”

”Get lost!”