Chapter 715: Coming to Provoke

The Wu Family

In the main hall, Wu Rongyuan was speaking with a Steward when an anxious voice interrupted their conversation.

Xiaohuan rushed into the main hall, crying out, "Patriarch, the Young Miss is gone!"

"You may leave us." Wu Rongyuan dismissed the Steward, then turned to Xiaohuan, his expression grim. "You’re Qianqian’s personal maid. How can you not know where she went? Have you searched the mansion and the Trading House?"

"Patriarch, I’ve searched the entire mansion and I’ve already been to the Trading House. I couldn’t find the Young Miss. She must have gone out... I’m so worried. What if her illness flares up...?"

The thought made Xiaohuan’s face drain of all color.

Hearing this, Wu Rongyuan’s expression darkened as well. "Then send people to find her now!" he roared.

"Father, what’s wrong?" Wu Lanlan walked in, looking confused to see her father so angry. Even Ming Lang, who was beside her, frowned.

"Lanlan, you’re just in time. Qianqian is gone. Quickly, send some people to find her. We must find her before her illness acts up." Wu Rongyuan was just as anxious; if Qianqian’s illness flared up with no one there to suppress it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"I’ll go right away." Wu Lanlan knew how serious this was. She turned with Xiaohuan and Ming Lang, ready to leave the main hall.

"Sister, where are you all going?"

Just then, Wu Qianqian walked in through the main entrance, looking at them in confusion.

The three of them froze.

"Young Miss."

Seeing her, the worry on Xiaohuan’s face finally eased a little.

"Qianqian, where have you been?"

Wu Rongyuan also hurried forward.

"Father, I’m fine. I was feeling better, so I went out for a stroll."

Wu Qianqian smiled faintly. A touch of rosy color was gradually returning to her cheeks, her face losing some of its former pallor.

"You’re recovering?"

Only then did it register with Wu Rongyuan. His daughter’s complexion was much better, a far cry from before. He quickly checked her meridians and found that the cold affliction had also receded.

"She really is much better."

Wu Rongyuan was overjoyed.

"It seems Ming Lang’s Fire Separation Pill is working," Wu Lanlan said as she stepped forward, not forgetting to give Ming Lang the credit.

"The Fire Separation Pill is indeed miraculous. Thank you, Young Master Ming, for all your help."

Wu Rongyuan also turned to Ming Lang, looking very pleased.

"Uncle Wu, you’re too kind. It was the least I could do. With the Second Young Miss’s health improving, it’s one less thing for you to worry about," Ming Lang said humbly, his face beaming. ’At least I’ve gained their approval,’ he thought.

Wu Rongyuan nodded, and Wu Qianqian watched on, her eyes full of emotion.

"Does this mean if the Young Miss keeps taking the Fire Separation Pill, she’ll make a full recovery?" Xiaohuan asked immediately.

"The Fire Separation Pill is remarkably effective. At this rate, it should be possible, but it will take a bit more time," Ming Lang explained with a faint smile.

"Father!"

But at that moment, Wu Qianqian called out.

"What is it?"

Wu Rongyuan turned to Wu Qianqian.

Wu Qianqian didn’t speak. Instead, she took out the Fire Separation Pill from her Storage Ring—which she had never used—and handed it to Wu Rongyuan.

"I didn’t take the Fire Separation Pill!"

Wu Qianqian glanced at Ming Lang and said, somewhat awkwardly.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall became awkward. Wu Qianqian, seemingly aware she had ruined the mood, quickly put the Fire Separation Pill away.

But it was too late!

’She didn’t take it!’

Seeing this, Ming Lang’s mouth twitched. His face flushed red in an instant, and he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

’And here I was, bragging for so long! It was all just wishful thinking. The credit wasn’t mine at all; in fact, it had nothing to do with me whatsoever.’

"As long as you’re recovering, Qianqian, that’s all that matters. I’m happy for you. But don’t forget to take the Fire Separation Pill. It will help you get better faster, you know?"

Seeing how awkward the atmosphere had become, Wu Rongyuan, ever the Patriarch, immediately broke the tension with his words.

"Yes, Father, I understand," Wu Qianqian replied, though she was merely playing along. ’Ye Wushuang already told me that this isn’t an illness,’ she thought. ’I don’t need any Elixirs at all!’

"It’s fine, it’s fine!" Ming Lang’s mouth twitched a few times before he turned to Wu Qianqian with a smile. "Second Young Miss, your recovery is because of that person you met at the Trading House yesterday, isn’t it?"

At his question, Wu Qianqian nodded.

Wu Rongyuan and Wu Lanlan were stunned. They exchanged a glance. ’Could that person really be an expert?’

"I see. To be able to treat the Second Young Miss’s illness, this person must be no ordinary individual. I would very much like to meet him," Ming Lang said with a laugh, but a cold, murderous intent, hidden deep in his eyes, went unnoticed.

"Young Master Ming, he doesn’t wish to be disturbed. I’m sorry," Wu Qianqian said. ’Ye Wushuang told me to come alone, so I have to honor that promise, or else I might displease him!’

"No matter, I was just saying." Ming Lang laughed and waved his hand dismissively.

"Xiaohuan, let’s go back to our room." Wu Qianqian took Xiaohuan’s hand and left the main hall.

"Young Miss, you’ve gotten prettier."

"Really?"

"Xiaohuan wouldn’t lie to you! Once you’ve fully recovered, you’ll definitely captivate all the talented young men in Wutang City!"

...

As the master and servant departed, talking and laughing, Wu Rongyuan also felt his spirits lift.

Over the next few days, a rumor spread through the Wu Mansion: the Second Young Miss had met an expert even more incredible than a Pill King, who had cured her illness.

"Did you hear? They say the expert is a young master, and he’s really handsome!"

"Who’d you hear that from?"

"It’s just a rumor I heard. But the Second Young Miss has been dressing up so prettily these past two days. She must be going to see him."

...

A few maids were gossiping in a garden within the Wu Mansion.

Elsewhere, a few elders frowned. "Who is this expert? Does he really possess such skill?"

"I hear he’s quite skilled, but also arrogant. He made a wild claim that everyone in the Wu Mansion is a bunch of useless gluttons!" Ming Lang commented coolly from the side.

"What!" The elders instantly became furious. "That man is far too arrogant! We are Ninth-Level Alchemists, capable of refining even Pseudo-Saint Pills with ease, yet he dares to insult us? How audacious!"

"I also heard he issued a challenge to us. I just haven’t been able to find him; otherwise, I would have most certainly gone to request a few pointers," Ming Lang continued, glancing at the furious men beside him with a cold, sinister smile.

"This brat is too arrogant! We must knock him down a peg."

One of the Pill Masters, Yueh Rui, snorted coldly.

Hearing this, the corner of Ming Lang’s mouth curled into a smile.

「Three days later.」

Wu Qianqian went to Gao Yang’s home again. This time, however, she was unaware that a group of old men was following her.

"Hey, girlie. You’re back!"

The Dragon Cat was lying lazily on a stone slab.

Wu Qianqian nodded and walked toward the room where Ye Wushuang was staying, just as he was walking out.

"Young Master Ye!"

Wu Qianqian walked up to greet him, handing him some medicinal herbs. "These are the herbs you asked Uncle Wu to prepare for you. I’ve already paid for them with Spirit Stones."

"Mm."

Ye Wushuang took the herbs, then glanced outside. The corner of his mouth hooked into a smile as he said, "Since you followed her here, stop hiding and come on in!"

Before Wu Qianqian could react, several elders walked in from the courtyard. It was none other than Yueh Rui and the other Pill Masters from the Wu Family.