Chương 24: His Actions Are Still As Infuriating as Ever!

That evening, in a luxurious, heavily guarded chamber across the city. The room was bathed in the soft glow of incense burners. Zu An sat cross-legged on a silk cushion in the center of the room, his eyes closed. His Qi was chaotic, his aura fluctuating. The memory of the humiliation he had suffered at the Tang Auction House burned endlessly behind his eyelids. The heavy wooden doors slid open. A majestic figure strode into the room. Zu An's eyes snapped open.

Seeing his master, he scrambled to his feet, clasping his hands and bowing deeply.

"Master." Tan Gengxin did not smile.

"Zu An," Tan Gengxin said, his voice cold and commanding.

"Your foundation is becoming sloppy. You rushed the condensation of your pills today just to show off your speed."

"Master, I—""Silence," Tan Gengxin snapped.

"The District Tournament is approaching rapidly. If this arrogance continues, you will not survive the alchemy trials. And hear me well: I will not intervene to save your face again like I did today. If you fail, you will bear the humiliation alone!" A cold chill ran down Zu An's spine.

"I apologize, Master," Zu An said quickly, keeping his head bowed.

"I will double my focus immediately. But please, do not worry. There isn't a single youth in the entire Xianghai district who can even come close to beating me in the trials!" Tan Gengxin turned away, walking toward the door. He paused at the threshold, looking back over his shoulder with a dark, serious expression.

"That may not be true anymore," Tan Gengxin said bluntly.

"If that brat Xiao Xuan decides to enter the tournament, he will pose a threat to you. You are no longer the undisputed genius of this district." The doors slid shut, leaving Zu An standing alone in the silent chamber. Zu An froze, his breath catching in his throat. Why was his revered master thinking so highly of that crippled trash? He had merely blindly followed one improved recipe from some unknown, hidden master! Zu An's handsome face slowly twisted.

The image of Xiao Xuan sitting casually in the auction house, receiving a smile from Tang Zefei, being praised by his master, and returning to sleep under the same roof as Su Luoyang flashed through his mind. He clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms, drawing thin trickles of blood. He stared endlessly at the closed door. … In the heart of the Su Estate, the master's chamber was illuminated by the soft, golden glow of tall candles, casting long shadows across the heavy rosewood furniture.

Patriarch Su Zhongtian set his teacup down with a soft click of fine porcelain. He looked across the table at his wife, Liang Shufen, whose sharp eyes were fixed on the cooling tea leaves.

"Xiao Xuan continues to defy our expectations," Su Zhongtian murmured, his voice heavy with the weight of the day's revelations.

"We judged him wrong. He not only impressed the Divine Alchemist with his skills, but strengthened his alliance with the Tang Auction House." Liang Shufen reached for the silver teapot, her movements practiced and elegant.

"I do not deny his results, nor the prosperity he brings to the Su name." She poured a steady stream into his cup.

"However, his actions are still as infuriating as ever!" Su Zhongtian leaned back, a low, rumbling chuckle escaping his chest.

"Hahaha. I agree, his methods are… unusual. But you don't have to pretend in front of me, Shufen. You have begun to favor the boy, haven't you?" He picked up his cup.

"The purple lightning was a blessing after all. The Su Clan is favored by the Heavens. I couldn't be more relieved." Liang Shufen's hand paused, the porcelain spout hovering an inch from the rim. She shot her husband a sharp, warning glance, but a faint, rosy flush colored her cheeks.

"I am merely glad that our daughter's future is not tethered to a ruin," she replied, her voice cooling by a degree, though her eyes softened.

"We must trust him more," the Patriarch conceded, his expression turning serious.

"I intend to offer a formal apology at breakfast." This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Hmm. I am sure you'll do what is right," Liang Shufen whispered. She turned her gaze toward the window, letting the cool night breeze brush against her face as the distant hum of the city faded into the silence of the estate. … In a separate wing of the estate, Su Luoyang sat at her desk under the light from a runic lamp. Xinyue moved quietly through the room, folding her mistress's clothes.

"Luoyang," Xinyue said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Did you know Xiao Xuan was concocting pills?" Su Luoyang paused, her brush hovering over the parchment.

"He had told me beforehand." Xinyue sat down on the edge of the bed, her expression tightening.

"But Tier 3 elixirs? Even if he had the recipe, shouldn't he require a cultivation of at least the Qi Shi (Qi Master) rank to concoct them successfully? He has only recently begun his path…" Su Luoyang looked down at her ink-stained fingers.

"I have pondered the same. But the Divine Alchemist himself verified the quality of the pills and confirmed that Xuan was the one who concocted them." She set her brush down, her gaze drifting toward the closed door.

"You appear troubled," Xinyue noted.

"I feel… a weight," Su Luoyang admitted, her voice uncharacteristically vulnerable.

"I scolded him for his perceived recklessness. I assumed he was inviting disaster upon our clan." Xinyue scoffed, though the sound lacked its usual bite.

"How was it your fault? He was the one who caused the scene at the Auction House. How were we supposed to know that he would impress the Divine Alchemist instead?"

"It is not the first time," Su Luoyang continued, ignoring her maid's prodding.

"He has always done his best for the interests of the clan and… for me too. I have been quick to judge and slow to trust." Xinyue crossed her arms, pacing the small space.

"Do not tell me you have developed a soft spot for him, Luoyang. He is exactly as he always was." Su Luoyang did not answer. She merely picked up her brush again, but her strokes noticeably lacked their usual, decisive precision. … Back at the Tang Auction House, the atmosphere stood in stark contrast to its bustling daytime energy. Servants moved quietly through the dim halls, wiping down the polished jade floors and reorganizing the viewing galleries for the next day.

In a luxurious private chamber, Tang Zefei sat gracefully in a high-backed rosewood chair, her chin resting lightly on her knuckles as she gazed thoughtfully into the flickering flame of a runic lamp. Elder Hua stood respectfully before her, his hands neatly clasped within his gray sleeves.

"The appraisal hall has been fully secured, Miss," Elder Hua reported softly.

"And I took the liberty of reviewing our upcoming schedules. It seems we will not be subjected to Young Master Zu's unreasonable pricing demands for the foreseeable future." Tang Zefei's lips curved into a faint, highly satisfied smile.

"Indeed, Elder. The Divine Alchemist thoroughly shattered his disciple's inflated ego today. We can finally conduct our trade without constantly managing that boy's temper." Elder Hua nodded slowly.

"It is all because of Young Master Xuan. To produce elixirs of such staggering purity… and to handle the ensuing chaos with such grace. You have a remarkably sharp eye, Miss. Befriending him so early was a brilliant stroke. We have undoubtedly secured a reliable ally." Tang Zefei let out a soft exhale, the sharp, calculating edge of her usual demeanor melting away into a look of intrigue.

"He is an absolute enigma, Elder Hua. He navigates a room full of apex cultivators as a beginner, yet he effortlessly controls the flow of the entire conversation. He turned down a million silver coins today just to honor our prior agreement." She picked up her porcelain teacup, her eyes reflecting the warm lamplight.

"He values loyalty and sincerity," she murmured.

"Make sure our house extends that exact same loyalty to him, Elder. Instruct the staff. Whatever Xiao Xuan needs in the future, whether it is rare materials, local information, or complete discretion, he is to receive our highest priority. Look out for him." Elder Hua bowed deeply.

"As you command, Miss." … The following morning, the sun bled through the screens of the dining hall, painting the floor in shades of warm amber. Su Luoyang arrived early, her posture rigid, her eyes frequently darting toward the entryway. Liang Shufen and Su Zhongtian entered soon after, their presence commanding the space. As they settled at the table, Liang Shufen's gaze fell upon her daughter. She noted the way Luoyang's attention snagged on the door.

"What troubles you, Luoyang?" Liang Shufen asked. Su Luoyang hesitated, her fingers tracing the hem of her sleeve.

"I—""If this concerns Xuan," Su Zhongtian intervened, his voice steady, "then set your heart at ease. We are both aware of the error in our actions yesterday. Leave the matter to me." Su Luoyang could only nod her head and trust her parents. Moments later, the heavy doors opened. Xiao Xuan stepped into the room, his stride relaxed. Su Luoyao trailed a half-step behind him, cheerfully chatting his ear off. They offered their morning greetings and took their respective seats.

Su Zhongtian cleared his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet room.

"Xuan," the Patriarch began, his eyes fixed on Xiao Xuan.

"Regarding yesterday's events—" Xiao Xuan set down his chopsticks, his expression composed.

"I understand, Father. If I had truly offended the Divine Alchemist, it would have been catastrophic for the Su Clan. Your actions are completely justified. You need not apologize. Rest assured, I will always place the interests of the clan above all else." Su Zhongtian's gaze sharpened, a flicker of appreciation crossing his face.

"You have a mature perspective, boy." Beside him, Liang Shufen remained silent, her hand stilling on the teapot, though a faint, approving smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Su Luoyao poured herself a cup of sweet soy milk, seamlessly returning to her chatter about the morning's weather. Su Luoyang remained quiet. Her gaze lingered on Xiao Xuan's profile for a long moment before she picked up her chopsticks, her movements noticeably steadier than before. …

In the quiet solitude of the library, Xiao Xuan resumed his studies with Wei Tu, cross-referencing Earth's abstract scientific theories with the mystical concepts of the cultivation world, when the heavy doors abruptly creaked open. A servant stumbled inside, his face pale and his breathing ragged. He did not wait for acknowledgment, dropping into a frantic bow.

"Young Master Xuan!" the servant gasped, his voice trembling.

"The Clan Leader has sent me. He has immediately summoned you to the main hall!" Xiao Xuan stood slowly and glanced at Wei Tu, whose expression mirrored his own surprise. He smoothed his robes and turned toward the exit.