Chapter 211 - The Reason Within (1/2)

Chapter 211 – The Reason Within

Zhongli Shen raised his eyelids. “You really dared to say it.”

The status and significance of the t.i.tles “direct disciples” and “named disciples” were very different; direct disciples would be the ones inheriting their master’s legacy, so they were selected very carefully.

Lin Xuanzhi said lightly, “Because Ah Hen is worth it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t personally make the trip here.”

Elders of Zhongli Shen’s status wouldn’t waste even a minute of their time on an unknown disciple unless they really cared about them.

Zhongli Shen did not deny it and instead nodded. “Your guess is right. I do have that intention. Although he blows up his furnaces, his talent is remarkable and rare.”

“So it’s not suitable for Ah Hen to follow you now. I’m worried that someone will a.s.sault him viciously in secret.” Lin Xuanzhi a.n.a.lyzed it point by point and said with incomparable calmness, “Most of the named disciples under you are the sons of influential families that you couldn’t reject. Even you yourself can’t do as you please, so how should Ah Hen handle things by himself then?”

The reason was very simple: there were tons of powerful alchemists who weren’t acknowledged by Zhongli Shen’s discerning eye, so what right did a mere Yan Tianhen with no name or status have to ascend with just a single bound?

Driven by jealousy and hatred, no one could guarantee what those people would do to Yan Tianhen.

The human heart was unpredictable. Even if Lin Xuanzhi was someone who would take a gamble, he definitely wouldn’t use Yan Tianhen as a stake.

He admitted that he can’t afford to.

Zhongli Shen could indeed protect Yan Tianhen, but who could guarantee that he would always look after Yan Tianhen 24/7?

Zhongli Shen didn’t expect Lin Xuanzhi to think so far ahead; it really made him see Lin Xuanzhi in a new light.

He had originally thought that Lin Xuanzhi just didn’t want Yan Tianhen to break free from his control, or for Yan Tianhen to improve faster and become stronger than him. But from the looks of it now, it was only because Lin Xuanzhi had always been thinking in consideration for Yan Tianhen — to the point where every step he took had to be done cautiously.

Zhongli Shen pondered for a bit, “Don’t tell me you think that, in a few years, I’ll be able to protect him?”

“In a few years, I will be able to protect him.” Lin Xuanzhi replied.

Zhongli Shen just wanted to say that this kid was insanely egotistical. How different from now could he possibly be in a few years?

Zhongli Shen couldn’t help but laugh. “What you just said was absolutely shameless and arrogant.”

Lin Xuanzhi nodded. “Perhaps so.”

He didn’t want to offer any more pointless explanations, they need only discuss it again in a few years.

Moreover, he would never feel at ease no matter whom he handed Yan Tianhen to.

Zhongli Shen stared at Lin Xuanzhi rather meaningfully. “You rejected Sky Peak Sect’s invitation a few days ago, looks like the reason should be about the same as what you just put forward.”

Lin Xuanzhi nodded again.

Zhongli Shen squinted. “Since you’re that confident in yourself and you’re so opinionated, I won’t say much more.”

“He…” Zhongli Shen laughed. “You really don’t care about the celestial-level pill?”

Zhongli Shen was stunned, the smile on his face disappearing. “Yan Tianhen was right about some things. You’re too dictatorial in the way you treat him. You should ask him about whether he’s willing first.”

Lin Xuanzhi’s gaze darkened a little. “I will reflect on myself, Alchemist Zhongli need not worry about it.”

Zhongli Shen couldn’t be bothered to care about such affairs of others. After all, it was never good for strangers to have too deep a conversation with each other. Moreover — the disciple that he finally took a fancy to ran away, he still felt quite upset about that!

After Zhongli Shen left, Lin Xuanzhi finally collapsed onto a chair.

Yan Tianhen’s words still resounded clearly in his ears; every single word and sentence still had yet to disappear from his memory. All those complaints of Yan Tianhen were echoing in his mind…

Lin Xuanzhi’s heart was thoroughly broken, and he felt utterly defeated.

After his rebirth he had always treated Yan Tianhen, the only one whom he regards as a precious treasure, both seriously and gently while carrying a deep sense of guilt and the desire to make up for his past mistakes. He arranged everything for him and paved all his paths for him, and no matter what Lin Xuanzhi planned to do, he would consider Yan Tianhen’s gains and losses first.

He thought that as an elder brother, he had already done his best to protect and love him, but… Just one Zhongli Shen could force Yan Tianhen to say all those heartbreaking words.

Did he really make a mistake?

Would he never be able to change Yan Tianhen’s impression of him no matter how hard he tried to make it up to him, and no matter how much he repented? Would Yan Tianhen never be able to truly trust him and depend on him?

Lin Xuanzhi was in a little bit of a daze. He sat for a while, then let out a prolonged sigh.

Hu Po s.h.i.+fted slowly over to Lin Xuanzhi’s side and squatted by his feet, using his body to nudge Lin Xuanzhi’s calf and stared at Lin Xuanzhi with his bright, glowing amber eyes.

Lin Xuanzhi’s heart turned soft. He reached out and put Hu Po on his legs.

“Will feel upset indeed.” Lin Xuanzhi muttered, “And will probably feel sorry for oneself ba. I don’t know how to face him.”

“I can’t imagine that he actually resents and hates me when he smiles at me.”

“What should I do?”

“Actually, in the past life…I really couldn’t figure out why he fell in love with me.”