Having come to this point, Yuan Qiuzi and his companion more or less understood what this young man meant.
He was here to ruin their livelihood.
This brat must’ve learned some techniques from some fellow practitioner somewhere. He clearly knew that what they were doing was a scam, yet he just wouldn’t say anything! He just stood there, watching them make fools of themselves!
Too scheming, too dishonest!
Bullying honest people.
Yuan Qiuzi was the senior disciple, so naturally he had the final say in speaking.
He first glanced at Wei Yu, wanting to speak but stopping himself, but Wei Yu paid him no attention.
Then he stroked his beard, blinking his small eyes, clearly about to speak, but Wei Yu continued to pretend not to see.
Finally, Yuan Qiuzi couldn’t keep up the act anymore. He opened his mouth helplessly and asked Wei Yu what exactly he wanted.
“Nothing really.”Wei Yu spoke with an innocent face. “The Immortal Masters save the masses, painstakingly refine elixirs, not taking a single coin in return while blessing the common people. That’s a great act! I can’t possibly go around telling those villagers who bring their finest offerings to the mountain in thanks that actually the pills are all a scam, completely ineffective, and eating too many is harmful and may even cause death over time, right?”
Everyone: ……
Yuan Qiuzi and Xuan Lingzi turned absolutely green in the face.
He was here to ruin their livelihood!
And even making veiled threats now?!
Originally holding the medicine bottle, Xiao Anzi immediately threw it back on the table after hearing that.
Xiao Anzi’s expression became extremely serious.
His Highness may not be very smart, but His Highness does not lie!
A pill that could kill someone wasn’t a good pill, and since he, Xiao Anzi, had to take care of His Highness, he would absolutely not take any harmful medicine!
Meeting Wei Yu’s sparkling eyes, Yuan Qiuzi fell silent for a while. Then, he forced a bitter smile at Wei Yu.
“Young master, you see, we’re all in the same line of work. Since that’s the case, why fight amongst ourselves, right?”
Yuan Qiuzi laughed awkwardly, no longer maintaining his immortal master demeanor, now looking more like a street ruffian.
“Though I don’t know who your teacher is, you surely understand the nature of our trade! The pills we refine aren’t just handed out carelessly — we test them first, only giving them out if they work, right? And after taking them, people do look rosy and full of energy, that’s a fact…”
Originally a sage-like old man, he was now winking and leering, his small eyes glinting in a greasy, unsavory way.
The contrast was so jarring, even Wei Yu found it a bit amazing.
But setting that aside for the moment, Wei Yu asked Yuan Qiuzi a question.
“Do you dare take the pills you refine yourself?”
Yuan Qiuzi was immediately stumped.
Wei Yu understood. “Okay, so you don’t. Then has anyone in your sect taken them?”
“Of course!”
That was Xuan Lingzi who answered.
Wei Yu looked at Xuan Lingzi. “Then is that person still alive? What’s the oldest age someone from your sect has lived to after taking those pills?”
Ah— Xuan Lingzi was stumped too.
Wei Yu understood again. He nodded, spread his hands.
“You see? You don’t dare take your own pills, and those who do don’t live long. And with that, you still claim to seek immortality? Just not killing someone is already a blessing.”
“Hey, now wait a second…”
Yuan Qiuzi tried to speak, but Wei Yu raised a hand to stop him.
“Don’t speak yet, let me finish.”
He’d already exposed and humiliated them enough — now it was time for Wei Yu to start bluffing.
He put on a sincere smile and said seriously, “To be honest, I’ve studied the art of alchemy deeply, and I call this path — chemistry.”
Huh?
Chemistry??
Yuan Qiuzi and Xuan Lingzi were both stunned.
These two had always relied on their identity as alchemists to scam and con people, so they knew full well the importance of having a few signature tricks.
They perked up their ears to listen, while nearby Fang Sheng and Xiao Anzi all had numb expressions.
Here we go again, His Highness is about to start spouting nonsense again!
Yuan Qiuzi: “What is chemistry? Could it be young master has already grasped the essence of the path, and thus named it himself?”
Wei Yu: “You’re being superficial. Chemistry — at its greatest, it can overturn mountains and seas; at its smallest, it can turn stone to gold. It explains the principles of the world and reveals the essence of things. Though it changes unpredictably, it follows certain rules. Anyone can study it — but not everyone can master it.”
Overturn mountains and seas? Turn stone to gold?!
Yuan Qiuzi unconsciously sat up straighter. “Truly? Can it really overturn mountains and seas? You’re serious?”
“Of course. I never lie.”
Wei Yu, known for spewing nonsense, said this without batting an eye.
Anyway, as long as he wasn’t exposed, who would know whether what he said was true or not?
Wei Yu countered, “When you refine pills, have you ever blown up a furnace?”
“How did you know?! Has young master refined pills before too? Oh this is amazing — I tell you, there’s no such thing as a pill refiner who hasn’t blown up a furnace before!”
No kidding!
You’re playing with chemistry — heavy metals and minerals reacting together — if there weren’t explosions, that would be strange!
“Exactly.” Wei Yu smiled. “Furnace explosions in pill refining — these explosive reactions, if we understand their principles and turn them into weapons, they would be like thunder from the heavens. They could destroy mountains and rocks, even break through city gates. Overturning mountains and seas would be nothing.”
Yuan Qiuzi’s eyes widened. “R-really that powerful? Has young master already done it?”
Facing their eager eyes, Wei Yu looked down and sighed regretfully.
“I wish I had, but alas, my talent is limited. I lack the aptitude.”
Oh. So he hasn’t.
Yuan Qiuzi’s excitement deflated by half — but the next second, his hope reignited.
“That’s why I’m looking for someone extremely gifted to learn chemistry!”
Wei Yu suddenly sat up straight and clapped his hands, looking at Yuan Qiuzi and Xuan Lingzi with shining eyes.
“To be honest, I’ve searched for years, day and night, for someone worthy to inherit the path of chemistry. And finally, I found them — it’s you two, Immortal Masters!”
Yuan Qiuzi and Xuan Lingzi both held their breath.
“I know the Immortal Masters have great compassion. Just by seeing how you give pills to the people for free, one can tell you are living bodhisattvas with the people in your hearts!”
The Immortal Masters: Can we please move past this “free of charge” part.
“The pill path is not the right path. The Immortal Masters, with clear minds like mirrors, must be willing to study chemistry for the sake of the people, right? No need to refuse, I understand. Don’t worry — just stay here at the residence for a few days, and I’ll make sure you fully experience what chemistry is!”
Immortal Masters: !