171 Pack Up The Trash And Leave (1/2)
”You want me to kowtow and hand over my title deed?” Leon repeated with a strange undertone. ”Do you even have the strength to compel me?”
In the world, the strong cared little for the laws and only strength reigns supreme. Thus, the two merchant associations didn't think much about their actions. As long as they didn't go overboard, who would care about the life of a commoner?
Unfortunately, even at this present time, Vigo was still unaware that he had provoked the one family, no one in the Crawford Kingdom should provoke.
”This…”
When Vigo Primrose heard Leon's question, he retreated a step back in fear. That's right! Even if this brat was a commoner, he was a commoner that was stronger than him! Something doesn't add up! How can there be a commoner stronger than nobles? Without the resources and nurturing of a great noble family, it didn't make sense for someone so young to become so strong! It was impossible!
However, Vigo Primrose did not have time to think too deeply before a reassuring hand patted him on the shoulder.
”Teacher.” Vigo uttered with surprise. Why was his teacher here? Did his teacher follow him secretly?
”Vigo, even though you are just a student under me, you are still the president of a merchant association. Where is the mental fortitude of one? How can you be so easily intimidated by a brat? Perhaps, it was wrong for your father to retire early and hand over his position to you. You're clearly not ready.” Vigo's teacher shook his head with disappointment. He was a wizened old man, but his eyes carried wisdom. He was Grandmaster Cato, the second best alchemist in the Capital. ”It was good that I came, otherwise you would have lost face for me. Stand to the side. I will deal with this.”
”Yes, teacher.” Vigo complied obediently with utmost respect.
His teacher wasn't just a grandmaster alchemist, he was a powerful awakener with the strength of seven stars. Not many knew about the star ranking system that exist between the Awakener Realm and the Transcendent Realm, but as a student of Grandmaster Cato, he was made aware while studying under his teacher.
Even Leon had to take the old man seriously as soon as the old man appeared. Others might not be able to gauge the cultivation of someone much more powerful than them, but Leon was able to with a simple sweep of his divine sense. Seven stars wasn't a level he could take lightly with his present strength.
As an alchemist, Grandmaster Cato dabbled with herbs on a daily routine. Over the years, his body developed a strong herbal scent. However, such herbal scent wasn't unique to him and was prominent among any named alchemists. As such, their status is easily recognized by their smell.
Grandmaster Cato scrutinized Leon, before he asked, ”Are you the brazen brat that looked down on my alchemy?”
”Heh.” Receiving his answer, Grandmaster Cato's expression was full of disdain. ”You're just a kid still wet behind the ears. Do you think it is easy to become an alchemist? You don't even carry the herbal scent of one and yet you boast your alchemy is greater than mine? You're just a braggart, kid! Hmph!”
A strong wave of herbal scent washed over Leon and made him feel nauseous as he shook his head with a sickened expression.
One must know that even the strong herbal aroma of the second-floor treasury did not make his nauseous. There was no way, the herbal scent exuded from the Old man was on the same level. Thus, Leon had to be nauseous under a different reason.
However, Grandmaster Cato did not know this and didn't give him a chance to respond. Seeing Leon's nauseous expression and roaming eyes, he continued, ”You can't even handle the herbal scent exuded from my body and you expect others to believe your alchemy is better than mine? Look at these pills and burn it into your eyes. They were all refined by me, something you will never be able to accomplish.”
”I won't comment on the pill recipe's origin, but you are right. The pills are trash and the alchemist that refined it was an even bigger trash. There's no need for comparison. You win.” Leon said with disgust.
So much good herbs had been wasted by this wastrel. How can Leon feel good knowing that? He already knew who refined the pills before the Grandmaster Cato even told him. He could smell the pill ingredients on the person's body.
Grandmaster Cato's expression became dark and immediately snarled, ”Boy, do you believe that I won't slap you to death with this hand of mine!? What do you mean by those words? Don't think you can get out of this alive without explaining!”
”I meant exactly what I said. These pills might be good for healing, but its quality is so bad and contained too much pill toxin, it's not worth ingesting. Those who ingest it would only end up developing other illnesses. As such, it is no different to ingesting poison.” Leon said calmly, before continuing in a condescending tone, ”Do you think your alchemy skills are determined by the herbal scent you carry? That is the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard in my life. Listen well, Old man, you've gotten it completely wrong.”
”A strong herbal scent does not represent the alchemist's success. It only represents their incompetence. The herbal scent on your body is a result of your poor pill refining skills, allowing a majority of herbal essence to escape during the pill coagulation step. Hence, there's nothing wrong saying trash pill and trashier alchemist.”
Grandmaster Cato's disdain was replaced with solemnness. He could not refute Leon's words. What the boy said was completely true. His alchemy skills had hit a bottleneck and began to deteriorate to a point where it wasn't strange if he went from second best to second worse instead.
That's why he went out of his way to flaunt his status and prestige when he felt that it was being attacked by a nobody. How much could a kid possibly know about alchemy? However, he was now regretting his life's choice. Who knew the kid actually knew a thing or two and could point out the flaws in his pills?
The crowd became busy once more when they saw Grandmaster Cato's silence and solemnness.
”Is it true? Had this place really been selling us such defective pills?”
”I think it is. I faintly recall one of my workers suffered a long gash after a simple fall in the mines. Although the wound healed up right away after he was treated, he said he didn't feel so good and began sick.”
”Similar case happened over here too. I didn't think much about it, thinking it was due to the environment of the mines that made them fall sick, but now that I think about it, it must be due to the pills.”
”Right, I didn't believe it either. I think it was the same for everyone. No one would believe that a pill that could heal so well would be so problematic.”