Chapter 556 - Intimidation (2/2)
In truth, he overestimated Xiao Chen, who had had experience in brewing pills of similar nature and after much study with the Elixir King Scripture, it was hardly a wonder his skill in elixir-making improved.
The teal-robed Elixir Saint immediately put on a more respectful tone. Clasping his hands in salute, he spoke, “My name is Ouyang Zi. May I know yours, young friend?”
“I hail from the family Xiao, and my name is Chen. Xiao Chen,” said Xiao Chen coolly.
On by then, Yang Qing and his companions breathed easily, fully relieved at last. They did not expect Xiao Chen to possess such great skill in elixir-making. Even the other guests in the hall braced with awe and astonishment at Ouyang Zi’s sudden change of demeanor, which made Xiao Chen a more valuable guest than all of them put together. Still, only Lord Black Sand remained relatively glum and gloomy.
Ouyang Zi bowed again and said with a friendly tone, “If I may ask, from whence did you learn your skills from, young friend?”
He found it hard to imagine that anyone in the Wastelands was able to produce a student with such remarkable aptitude. He felt it unbelievable, if not dissatisfied and jealous.
Xiao Chen peered at him and said gently, “Truth be told, Master Ouyang. My teacher is a…” Every pair of ears in the hall were trained his way to pick up every syllable that escaped his lips. “… a Sage of Healing.”
A still silence pervaded the entire chamber as if the words “Sage of Healing” reverberated through the crowd like the echoing toll of a bell. Even Lord Black Sand’s expression shifted uncontrollably and the pretty young woman in short skirt hid her opened mouth behind a hand quickly, with admiration rippling in her eyes.
Ouyang Zi’s face turned a pallid pale. A Sage of Healing… Tier-7 Elixir Masters were acclaimed as Elixir Immortals, Tier-8 as Sages, and Tier-9 as Gods. One might have heard of Sages of Healing, but almost never clapped eyes on one; not even once in a lifetime for most people, for even Elixir Immortals came as rare as a hen’s teeth.
With hardly anyone able to make not so much as a croak, Xiao Chen’s chuckle broke the still silence, “And I am out on my pilgrimage of the lands. Unfortunately, two of my friends were taken away by the Black Horns. So here I am, hoping that I can solve this problem without bothering my teacher.”
The mood in the chamber began to soothe. Lord Black Sand, maintaining his sharp glare, growled, “Very well! Let’s dispense with the six million Spirit Stones. But in return for saving your people, you will produce twenty Pills of Massing Vigor with similar quality as this tonight! You’d have your friends back tomorrow night!”
Ouyang Zi thought he heard wrongly. Producing a pair of Medium-tiered Pills had cost him one full day and night, and one could almost argue that even gods or deities could hardly replicate the feat in half the time, let alone producing Pills of higher quality. But before he could say anything to object, Xiao Chen murmured calmly, “So be it.”
He peered at Ouyang Zi as soon as he finished and said, “If I might trouble you, Master Ouyang, to help me with the preparations.”
Ouyang Zi smiled weakly. A Elixir Saint, to do the menial jobs that acolytes and slaves performed? That sounded too ludicrous for words.
“Good!” Lord Black Sand hooted loudly, his fist banging into the table. To the gorgeous young lady in short skirt by his side, he said, “Ningyan, take our guests to have a rest.” His gaze quickly panned back to Xiao Chen and he leaned forward, his glare turning fierce and menacing, “And if you fail…” He let his voice hang as his eyes traveled up to study at everyone behind Xiao Chen and Yang Qing immediately felt a chill running down his back.
The young woman called Ningyan smiled. She came to Xiao Chen with the grace of a swan and smile at him. “Please come with me, Master Xiao.”
The company of six followed the young lady in short skirt to the back of the hall where they found themselves in a scenic courtyard adorned with bridges hanging over bubbling little brooks, gazebos and artificial rockeries and beautiful ponds. A tranquil and peaceful little garden. As if intentional, Ningyan left Xiao Chen there alone, while she arranged for the others further elsewhere, most likely under supervision.
Come evening, Ouyang Zi had people brought Xiao Chen the items he needed. To brew twenty Pills of Massing Vigor in one single night was no easy feat. In truth, he had zero confidence; it was all just a facade to intimidate the Black Sands.
As night descended mildly, Lord Black Sand sat in his chair in his penthouse, looking absolutely gloomy. The young lady called Ningyan stood before him, her legs clasped together nervously, her arms crossed before her little belly and her head lowered with not a word from her.
“Ningyan…” Lord Black Sand glared at her, hissing her name.
“Yes, Lord,” answered Ningyan meekly.
“Use whatever means tonight. Even if it means losing your chastity to him. I want to know about him – his truth and his origins… or else…” His voice stopped and he shot a sharp look at Ningyan that she shuddered and whimpered, “I’d do my best…”
“I don’t want your best. I expect only success!” snarled Lord Black Sand. “Or come the fifteenth of this month, I’d have you given as a gift to the Ancient Horror of the Mountains. Everyone knows how he loves chaste and pure maidens, especially on the night of a full moon…”
“Th-The… An-Ancient Horror of the Mountains…”
All color drained from Ningyan’s face as the grotesquely horrible image of a monster appeared in her mind. Her heart raced, and she panted wildly and rapidly, her fair chest heaving and puffing uncontrollably in terror.