Alchemy Master

Chapter 44, Threats and Temptations

Translator: Silavin

Qin Yichen was not worried that Zhou Tianwei would not agree, because he held Zhou Tianwei’s lifeline in his hands!

He knew what she was going through. He knew how she was suffering behind the scenes.

Only Liu Wen was completely puzzled.

“You may go now.” After Qin Yichen left, Zhou Tianwei took a deep breath and waved Liu Wen away.

Liu Wen did not dare to say a word more. For him, it was enough that Zhou Tianwei had not taken her anger out on him or Qin Yichen. Still, he felt it was a pity that Qin Yichen had not seized this opportunity.

In the top floor room, with only Zhou Tianwei left, her tense body finally relaxed slightly.

Her gaze through the window followed Qin Yichen’s departing figure. She could not help but mutter, “Who exactly are you…”

She was certain that this was her first meeting with this youth, yet he knew her deepest secret!

[‘Zhou Tianwei, I can help you ascend to the position of Patriarch of the Zhou Family, and you won’t have to disguise yourself as a man anymore!’] Thinking of the words Qin Yichen left behind, Zhou Tianwei’s mind was like turbulent waves. She was unable to calm down for a long time.

For a moment, she had thought about silencing him, but after seeing his confident and benign gaze, that thought completely vanished. She knew very well what fate would befall her if her identity as a woman was revealed. She did not care what happened to herself, but she had to protect her Sister from harm!

“If you really have that ability…”

Hope and confusion flashed in Zhou Tianwei’s eyes. She did not know if she could trust this youth, but if he could really become a Guest Officer of the Zhou Family, it would undoubtedly add a layer of protection for her.

…

Meanwhile, at the Li Family mansion, an atmosphere of tension prevailed. Not only had they lost Mo Yun, but the Bronze Flower Furnace had also been seized by the Li Family.

Lin Aoqing could not swallow this insult.

At this moment, he was sitting in the Li Family’s main hall, with three Martial Grandmasters standing behind him, in a posture demanding an explanation.

“Brother Lin, do you have some business with my Li Family?” After a long while, Li Yuanfei finally appeared in the hall, slowly. Looking at his glowing face, he was obviously in a good mood.

Compared to him, Lin Aoqing’s black face was the exact opposite.

“Li Yuanfei, don’t play dumb. Return my Lin Family’s Bronze Flower Furnace, otherwise…” Seeing him appear, Lin Aoqing stood up abruptly. The three Martial Grandmasters behind him also unleashed their imposing auras, directly pressing down on Li Yuanfei.

*Hmph!* Li Yuanba, standing behind Li Yuanfei, let out a cold snort and stood in front of him. His eyes were coldly fixed on the three, “Daring to use force in front of my Grandfather? Are you tired of living!?”

As he spoke, he raised the heavy hammer in his hand and swept it towards the three.

*Bang!* Although Li Yuanba was alone, these three Martial Grandmasters treated him as a formidable enemy. The three, acting together, were barely able to block this hammer strike. Their hands, hidden behind their backs, were trembling uncontrollably.

“Yuanba.” Li Yuanfei called out to stop him. Li Yuanfei did not care about their lives, he was just afraid that Li Yuanba would smash the great hall to pieces again.

“I presume Brother Lin is here to fulfil the bet?” Li Yuanfei sat down in the main seat and said to Lin Aoqing.

“Hmph! That was just a joke between Juniors. Brother Li. You’re not really going to take it seriously, right?” How could Lin Aoqing possibly hand over the deed to the shop?

“Is that so?” A cold smile played on Li Yuanfei’s lips as he said, “Brother Lin, it’s not that I don’t want to return your Pill Furnace, it’s just that the Bronze Flower Furnace was taken by Young Master Ye, Ye Liangchen…”

The Ye Family prided themselves on their credibility. If they ruined their credibility, it would be akin to destroying their own reputation.

Lin Aoqing’s mouth twitched violently. He knew that if the Pill Furnace was in the Ye Family’s hands, it was irretrievable.

He absolutely would not hand over the shop. That shop was in a prime location, and was worth far more than a Pill Furnace.

However, how could he be content with this!?

He had lost Mo Yun, lost the Pill Furnace, and moreover, his greatest threat was still in the Li Family. It was like a ticking bomb; once released, the Lin Family could potentially split in two!

Those Lin Family Elders still treated him, Lin Aoqing, as an outsider! As long as Lin Aotian appeared, they would unhesitatingly side with Lin Aotian.

“Let’s put aside the matter of the Pill Furnace for now.” A look of grief flashed across Lin Aoqing’s face as he solemnly said, “My Son, Shijun, was murdered by villains in Jade Creek City. I hope, Brother Li can hand over those murderers to maintain peace between our Lin and Li Families.”

His words clearly carried a threatening tone.

In Spreading Cloud City, in terms of wealth, the Ye Family was first, but in terms of military power, the Lin Family was supreme. If the two Families went to war, the Li Family would certainly not fare well.

“What murderers? Could Brother Lin please explain more clearly?” Li Yuanfei looked at him with a puzzled expression, seeming very concerned.

*Hmph!* Lin Aoqing suppressed the rage in his heart, his words almost spitting out through gritted teeth, “As far as I know, Qin Yichen is one of the culprits. He had managed to kill Mo Yun through despicable means. I hope Brother Li can hand him over to my Lin Family to be punished. My Lin Family will be sure to reward you generously!”

“Qin Yichen?” Li Yuanfei shook his head repeatedly, saying, “Brother Lin must be mistaken. Although Grandmaster Qin is a Guest Officer of my Li Family, with his cultivation level, it’s impossible for him to have killed your Son.”

If a Family could not even protect their Guest Officer, how could they stand? By stating Qin Yichen’s status, he was clearly expressing his intention to protect Qin Yichen.

“Guest Officer?” A flash of surprise passed through Lin Aoqing’s eyes. He soon narrowed them, staring at Li Yuanfei. He was pondering the truth of these words.

If Qin Yichen was really a Guest Officer of the Li Family, it would indeed be difficult to get him.

Lin Aoqing’s gaze flickered for a long time, and finally, as if he had made some decision, he said, “Since this Qin Yichen is a Guest Officer of your Li Family, I won’t make things difficult for you, Brother Li. But… I hope Brother Li can hand over those accomplices who came to the Li Family with Qin Yichen!”

As he spoke, he cupped his hands towards Li Yuanfei, showing goodwill.

Li Yuanfei did not speak. He just continued to slowly sip his tea, “Brother Lin says he won’t make things difficult for me, yet asks me to hand over Grandmaster Qin’s Family? This seems rather contradictory.”

“Brother Li, let’s be frank. As long as Brother Li can hand over his accomplices, my Lin Family is willing to fulfil the bet!” Lin Aoqing said through gritted teeth.

Hearing this, Li Yuanfei’s hand, which was holding the teacup, visibly trembled.

He naturally understood the value of that shop.

Lin Aoqing had really gone all out this time!

From a merchant’s perspective, handing over Lin Aotian and his group would be the wisest decision. If they truly fell out with Lin Aoqing, the Li Family would certainly suffer great losses, and their shops in various places would likely not operate peacefully.

“Young Master Ye, Young Master Ye, please let this lowly one announce your presence first…”

“Announce what? Can’t you see this Young Master is just here to deliver gifts to your Li Family?”

Just as Li Yuanfei was caught in an intense internal struggle, a commotion came from outside. He looked up to see a fat man sauntering in.