Chapter 51 - Elders Assemble (2/2)
“How dare you doubt our alchemy sect predecessors?!”
…
As soon as Meng Wuyou expressed his findings, it triggered a series of furious scolding and verbal attacks from the numerous elders. In fact, there were even a few elders that were already cursing him with sharp accusations.
A portion of elders appeared to be very quiet on the contrary. They did not speak casually but were looking at Meng Wuyou with suspicion and concern.
Zhao Dengming had always been on unfriendly terms with Meng Wuyou. Instantly, he sneered, “Elder Meng, are you aware of what you’re implying? These alchemy prescriptions were left behind by our alchemy sect predecessors, yet you’re saying that these are wrong. That is truly an act of treason and heresy! It’s enough to make you lose your status as an elder!”
Yu Zhen chimed in as well, “These alchemy prescriptions left behind by our alchemy sect predecessors have stood the test of time. You’re just an elder. How dare you doubt our forefathers? You’re extremely conceited!”
Meng Wuyou stood in the same spot with his expression as calm as still water. His aged eyes were filled with a determination that was never seen before while the piercing voices around him did not manage to affect his state of mind.
“Silence!” Gu Daofeng boomed. His voice echoed in the entire great hall like a deafening bell that suppressed the voices of everyone else. The group of people stopped the discussion in anticipation of his reaction.
“Elder Meng, can you please explain in detail?” said Gu Daofeng calmly.
Meng Wuyou nodded and waved about the 17 alchemy prescriptions in his hand. He said, “I was in the alchemy prescription hall of the Yellow Building sometime ago. I checked on all the types of alchemy prescriptions there and discovered that these 17 alchemy prescriptions had all sorts of different issues. As a result, I conducted a reverse engineering experiment on these prescriptions, and I can finally confirm that these 17 alchemy prescriptions have issues of their own. I think that we can’t just leave matters when such issues exist. Today, I’d like to seek your permission to amend these alchemy prescriptions so that we can benefit the future generations of our alchemy sect, First Elder.”
“Nonsense!” an old man standing at the front of the crowd shouted in rage. He appeared to be extremely old and frail as if he was approaching his coffin soon. His entire body seemed to be enshrouded in lifelessness as if he would die at any moment. This person was an elder with exceedingly high seniority in the alchemy sect known as Yan Zhengfeng. Even the first elder, Gu Daofeng, had a deep respect for this person.
Yan Zhengfeng could be described as one of the elders with the oldest experience in the alchemy sect. He was especially respectful toward the alchemy sect predecessors and would never allow anyone to show any doubt toward them even in the slightest bit.
Meng Wuyou’s remarks at the moment were already more than just querying. He was disputing the alchemy prescriptions left behind by their predecessors. From his point of view, this was an act of disrespect, treason, and heresy.
Yan Zhengfeng wobbled his way to the front. He stretched out his old dried finger and pointed at Meng Wuyou. He shouted with a stern expression, “Meng Wuyou, how dare you commit such a treacherous act! You’re a disgrace to our alchemy sect!”
Zhao Dengming, Yu Zhengye, and the others condemned him in their hearts. They refused to scold Meng Wuyou bluntly out of respect but Yan Zhengfeng could. No one would step forward to criticize Yan Zhengfeng even if he were to point at Meng Wuyou’s head and call him a dirty swine.
Meng Wuyou did not express the slightest anger despite being confronted by Yan Zhengfeng’s scolding. On the contrary, he bowed to give Yan Zhengfeng a respectful salutation.
“I can understand your anger, Elder Yan. Our alchemy sect predecessors made painstaking efforts to leave behind the numerous alchemy prescriptions so that our alchemy sect’s lineage can be passed down in generations until today. Just like Elder Yan, I have the utmost respect for our alchemy sect predecessors. There’s nothing wrong with these 17 alchemy prescriptions in general. It only needs some small amendments to the ingredients. We aren’t going to overthrow the efforts of our forefathers. Elder Yan is our alchemy sect’s mainstay and also the senior of our alchemy sect’s elders. These 17 alchemy prescriptions ought to be even further improved under the witness of Elder Yan,” said Meng Wuyou respectfully. His expression was neither too humble nor haughty such that no one could point out his fault.
Yan Zhengfeng felt too ashamed to continue his vicious and abusive remarks after hearing Meng Wuyou’s explanation. Only his expression remained unpleasant as he looked at Meng Wuyou.
Gu Daofeng spoke, “Elder Yan, please calm down. Since Elder Meng has made a discovery about the mistakes in the alchemy prescriptions, it’s naturally our alchemy sect’s blessing to be able to make amendments to it.”
Gu Daofeng paused for a moment before he continued to speak, “However, how is Elder Meng going to prove that these 17 alchemy prescriptions are wrong. This is a crucial matter, do consider wisely, Elder Meng. Do not make any mistake on your side.”
He did not sound as courteous anymore when he made this comment. From his point of view, Meng Wuyou’s behavior was genuinely audacious. No one had the impertinence to doubt the alchemy prescriptions left behind by the forefathers including the first elders from the previous generations.