Chapter 290: Shocking Everyone!
Just four words completely shattered the last of Leng Yue's and Xiang Wendao's composure. Xiang Wendao stared blankly at Zhao Dong, his face a mask of indescribable shock. After a long moment, an expression of profound bitterness and complexity crossed his stiff face.
"Indeed... I was shortsighted! Mr. Zhao, I failed to recognize a great man!"
Having said that, Xiang Wendao slowly bowed.
A dead silence fell over the room as everyone watched the scene in disbelief.
Ling Feng's jaw nearly hit the floor. This Zhao Dong, the man he had looked down on so much, actually possessed such profound skill in alchemy? He had come to the East Sea specifically to find an Alchemy Master, and it turned out... Zhao Dong was one? And he himself had given him such a hard time?
For a moment, Ling Feng fell silent, his heart filled with a whirlwind of complex emotions. The other alchemists also stared at Zhao Dong without a word, their shock no less than Xiang Wendao's.
After a long silence, Xiang Wendao looked at Zhao Dong and said hoarsely, "From now on, this Alchemy Pavilion is yours."
He then turned to Leng Yue and sighed gently. "Leng Yue, aren't you going to apologize to Master Zhao immediately?"
Leng Yue's mouth fell open. She looked at Zhao Dong, her own expression endlessly complex. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Master Zhao, I was wrong."
Zhao Dong smiled. "It's fine. What matters is that you've realized your mistake and can learn from it. Keep practicing."
Xiang Wendao seemed to age ten years in an instant. He said hoarsely, "Leng Yue, I no longer have this Alchemy Pavilion. You should go. Find another master somewhere else. My skills are meager; I am no longer worthy of being your master."
Leng Yue's eyes immediately reddened. "Master, you..."
Before she could finish, Zhao Dong's voice cut in calmly, "That's enough. I'm not interested in your Alchemy Pavilion, but I will be taking the Dragon Blood Pill and a few other things from inside."
After a brief thought, Zhao Dong added, "Also, should I have need of this Alchemy Pavilion in the future, you must allow me to use it at any time."
Hearing this, both Xiang Wendao and Leng Yue were stunned. Xiang Wendao stared at Zhao Dong, his cloudy eyes glistening with tears. He bowed low, wiping his eyes, and said with the utmost respect, "Thank you, Master Zhao! I never expected you to be so magnanimous. I am truly ashamed, truly ashamed!"
Zhao Dong gave a faint smile. "You're exaggerating. In fact, Leng Yue's alchemy skill isn't bad, and yours is likely even higher. You are a talent in your own right. I'm not going to destroy your livelihood, but in the future, try not to be so arrogant."
Xiang Wendao bowed respectfully. "I will take Mr. Zhao's lesson to heart!"
As the farce concluded, a wave of sighs and murmurs went through the crowd. They had come expecting a bit of excitement, but who would have thought they would witness Xiang Wendao himself being so thoroughly humbled? They had even seen Earth Fire!
At once, everyone swarmed forward to curry favor with Zhao Dong, hoping to learn a move or two. Zhao Dong accepted all comers, remaining dignified but approachable as he forged these new connections.
This scene did not escape Leng Yue's notice, sending ripples through her beautiful eyes. She had been the one to look down on Zhao Dong first. Yet, he had saved her life and then returned her enmity with kindness, sparing both her and her master. Now, facing a group of masters, he remained poised and humble.
More importantly... was Zhao Dong also so handsome? A man like that... he was the man of her dreams!
As she watched him, a blush crept over her pretty face. If I could be with a man like him, I'd probably be the happiest woman on earth, wouldn't I?
Watching the crowd fawn over Zhao Dong, Xiang Wendao grew anxious. He hurried forward, pushing through the others. "Young friend, Ling Feng mentioned earlier that you came seeking pills. Have you run into some trouble?"
Hearing this, Zhao Dong didn't hold back and explained the situation with the next day's match.
Everyone was stunned.
One man exclaimed in disbelief, "What? You've offended Hong Wu? That man is not someone to be trifled with!"
Another declared with righteous indignation, "Speaking of which, the Dragon-Binding Office are a bunch of bastards! They're supposed to be a place of justice, but they're colluding with Hong Wu to bully Master Zhao! A bunch of real villains!"
"Master Zhao, don't you worry about the match. You're an Alchemy Master, one of us from the Alchemy World. We old folks may not be skilled in martial arts, but we know plenty of experts. If that Kou Hongmin really dares to take your life, we are prepared to stand with you!"
Zhao Dong wasn't one to put on airs. He knew these people were only flattering him now that they had seen his strength. But this was a society where the strong preyed on the weak, and only power could earn respect. With this in mind, Zhao Dong smiled faintly. "Thank you all for your righteous offers of help, but I'm already quite confident about my match with Kou Hongmin. There's no need to trouble yourselves."
At his words, the crowd broke into another round of praise, marveling that he was truly a master capable of summoning Earth Fire.
Just then, Xiang Wendao spoke up awkwardly, "Mr. Zhao, I have an impudent request."
"Go ahead," Zhao Dong said.
"Well, it's like this..." Xiang Wendao coughed twice and pulled Leng Yue forward, a broad smile on his face. "I'm an old man and don't dare to ask for anything for myself, but Leng Yue is still young. She has a much wider future ahead of her. I have nothing left to teach her. Today, having witnessed your divine skill, I boldly request that you take Leng Yue as your disciple. Let her stay by your side. Even if she only learns one or two things, it would be a major breakthrough for her..."
Beside him, Leng Yue blushed slightly and looked at Zhao Dong nervously.
Zhao Dong was taken aback for a moment, then frowned slightly. Leng Yue's talent was, indeed, quite good. Moreover, she was beautiful, and having her around would be easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the right frame of mind for such things, especially since he wasn't even sure if he would live to see the day after tomorrow.
Thinking this, Zhao Dong smiled. "Let's put aside the matter of taking a disciple for now. I might not even survive tomorrow. If I do, we can talk about it then."
"Mr. Zhao, you will definitely survive tomorrow!" Leng Yue insisted, biting her red lip. Feeling the injustice of his situation, she suddenly added, "Mr. Zhao, do your best! I'll be at the stadium tomorrow to cheer for you! I believe you'll win!"
"Thank you," Zhao Dong said with a nod. He then turned to the crowd. "Everyone, I still need to refine a few life-saving pills. I'll have to get to it myself, so I can't chat any longer."
With that, he looked at Xiang Wendao. "I can use the medicinal herbs and the cauldron here, right? No problem?"
Xiang Wendao immediately beamed. "Mr. Zhao, what are you saying? From this day forward, this Alchemy Pavilion is yours. I'm merely managing it for you."
Zhao Dong smiled but said nothing more as he walked into the Alchemy Pavilion. Seeing this, the others didn't linger, all of them beginning to leave so as not to disturb his work.
「Three hours later.」
Zhao Dong had successfully refined two full bottles of Healing Pills. Only then did he leave the Alchemy Pavilion, thoroughly satisfied.
"Zhao Dong, I really never imagined you were an Alchemy Master," Ling Feng said, unable to stop smiling wryly. Thinking of his earlier misunderstanding, he felt utterly mortified.
Noticing his awkwardness, Zhao Dong smiled warmly. "Cousin, it's alright. We wouldn't have gotten to know each other if we hadn't clashed. Besides, you were just looking out for Qingyun."
"Here, take this." Zhao Dong handed one of the bottles of pills to Ling Feng. "These are some Healing Pills. You should have them."
"This... No, no, I can't. I haven't done anything to deserve them," Ling Feng said, quickly shaking his head.
Zhao Dong smiled. "If you hadn't brought me here, I wouldn't have been able to make them. Besides, these pills aren't that valuable. Just take them."
"Well... in that case, I'll accept them. Thank you!" Ling Feng took the pills, his heart swelling with even more gratitude for Zhao Dong. As he looked at him again, his gaze now held a clear measure of respect.
After saying goodbye to Ling Feng and Lin Qingyun, Zhao Dong received a call from Xu Qingyue, who gave him the address for dinner. Having spent the entire day refining pills, he was famished. He immediately hailed a taxi and headed for the restaurant she had mentioned.