Eternal Holy Emperor
Chapter 25 - 23: Meeting Li Yun

Chapter 25: Chapter 23: Meeting Li Yun

After lunch, it was already afternoon. Ye Chen left his parents’ courtyard and the mansion, intending to visit Huichun Hall.

Four months had passed, but it was unclear whether the Hundred Herbs Liquid had been sold.

Ye Chen walked into the deserted alley and again donned his pitch-black robe before entering Huichun Hall.

It was still midday, and there were no customers in Huichun Hall. Although the rare quiet was welcome, Doctor Xiao felt a twinge of helpless disappointment.

The last time, that mysterious person in a black robe had said he would return in three days, but he hadn’t shown up as promised. Instead, Master Li Yun had made a special trip and even stayed for an entire day.

The purpose was to wait for that mysterious person in the black robe.

Unfortunately, the appointed time had silently passed by, yet the hoped-for arrival of the black-robed person did not occur, leaving both Doctor Xiao and Master Li Yun deeply disappointed.

Doctor Xiao’s disappointment lay in the fact that if the black-robed person did not come, Master Li Yun’s promise would have no chance of being fulfilled.

Master Li Yun’s disappointment stemmed from regret at not being able to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man in black. He wanted to know who this extraordinary figure was, especially after seeing the results of the Healing Liquid and the pills manufactured from the list provided, his hopes were even more urgent.

However, both men were merely slightly disappointed and had not given up, assuming that the black-robed man might have been delayed by some important matters and that this was the reason for his absence.

In the days that followed, Master Li Yun showed up several times, and Doctor Xiao likewise eagerly anticipated the arrival of the mysterious black-robed person.

Sadly, the mysterious black-robed person seemed to vanish from the world and did not appear again. But due to Master Li Yun’s several days of constant presence, many powers from the city came to visit, and for a while, the business of Huichun Hall improved significantly.

However, five days after the agreed-upon date, Master Li Yun no longer came, which made Doctor Xiao sigh inwardly.

Though it seemed like an easy profit of three hundred Gold Coins, it was far less important to him than a promise from Master Li Yun.

Still, Master Li Yun held onto a last shred of hope and left a verbal message stating that if Doctor Xiao saw the mysterious black-robed person arrive, he should immediately be informed, as the promise was still valid.

But four months went by without a sign of the mysterious black-robed person’s appearance, leaving both Doctor Xiao and Master Li Yun to give up the last bit of hope; the prospects seemed bleak.

"I’m afraid he will never come again..." Doctor Xiao murmured to himself, idly wiping down the counter, alone and bored. Thinking of the promise with Master Li Yun, he sighed with regret, having missed out on a significant opportunity.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. Doctor Xiao, listless, didn’t even bother to look up as he said, "Welcome to Huichun Hall."

At that time, Ye Chen, draped in a black robe and concealing himself tightly, entered Huichun Hall and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice, "Doctor Xiao, sorry for being late."

Deep in thought, Doctor Xiao was startled by a voice that seemed familiar, but couldn’t remember who it was. However, when he looked up, he was utterly frozen.

Wasn’t this the mysterious black-robed person, whom he and Master Li Yun had longed to see for so long?

After four months, he had finally appeared.

After his initial shock, Doctor Xiao stood up with immense joy, nearly exclaiming aloud, his face animated with excitement, "Sir...you’ve finally come, please, please sit down."

"No need, I’m here just to ask one thing: has the Healing Liquid been sold? If not, I will take it back and find a way to sell it myself," Ye Chen stated bluntly.

Hearing that the black-robed man was about to leave made Doctor Xiao rather anxious. He quickly said, "Sir, please wait a moment. The Healing Medicine you entrusted me to sell has already been sold, as you requested for three hundred Gold Coins. Please wait for a moment, I will go get the money for you."

Ye Chen nodded slightly, sensing that Doctor Xiao’s demeanor was much more polite than last time, even carrying a touch of reverence. He guessed that Doctor Xiao probably knew his identity as an alchemist, which explained the respect, but he didn’t dwell on it.

Before long, Doctor Xiao returned, fetching a bag the size of a human head from the inner vault. It was stuffed full, and upon opening, one could see it was filled with gleaming Gold Coins, a sight that tempted the heart.

Doctor Xiao said, "Sir, here are the three hundred Gold Coins you earned from the sale of the Healing Liquid, please take them."

Ye Chen picked up the purse and gave it a slight lift, immediately knowing the exact amount. It was exactly three hundred Gold Coins. He took out five Gold Coins and placed them on the counter, saying, "Doctor Xiao, according to our agreement, this is your compensation."

But Doctor Xiao hurriedly waved his hands to decline: "Sir, this is absolutely not acceptable. This old man cannot take these five Gold Coins. Please take them back."

Ye Chen’s brows furrowed as he said, "Doctor Xiao, this is the compensation you deserve."

However, Doctor Xiao still repeatedly declined. Although five Gold Coins were enough for an ordinary family to live on for two or three months, losing such an important guest for the sake of five Gold Coins would be very bad indeed.

Ye Chen was immediately displeased and still took out five Gold Coins, placing them on the counter. His voice was much more indifferent: "I’m sorry, but I do not like owing people favors. These five Gold Coins will be left here. If you don’t want them, throw them onto the street. I won’t care..."

After saying that, Ye Chen turned around to leave.

The indifferent tone startled Doctor Xiao, who then regretted his actions, realizing he had likely been too eager, causing the mysterious man to suspect him of harboring ulterior motives.

He hurriedly walked up and said, "Sir, please wait. This old man has no designs on you. It’s just that a person of high status saw the Healing Liquid you were selling and bought it at full price. Moreover, he entrusted me to ask you to stay for a moment when you come, that nobleman wishes to meet you."

After making his true intentions clear, Doctor Xiao certainly did not dare to mention that the list of medicinal materials had also been seen, for fear of offending the man in the black robe even more.

Ye Chen gave a sound of acknowledgment. Looking at Doctor Xiao’s expression, which did not seem to be fake, and considering that it was unlikely for him to conceal a deception, Ye Chen surmised that his Healing Liquid must have caught the eye of an expert; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so eager to meet him.

In Luofeng City, which was neither too large nor too small, there were two alchemists. One was Master Zhao De, and the other was Master Li Yun from the Royal Capital.

Ye Chen guessed it must be one of the two and asked, "May I know if it is Master Zhao De or Master Li Yun?"

What seemed like a casual inquiry caused Doctor Xiao to grow more reverent toward the mysterious man before him, guessing even who wanted to see him—it really was a senior expert.

Doctor Xiao hurriedly replied, "To answer sir’s question, it is indeed Master Li Yun. He has ordered this old man to notify him immediately if you appear, as Master Li Yun is eager to meet you. Please, sir, agree to see him."

Ye Chen had intended to leave, but considering the other party’s status as an Alchemist, he thought it unwise to refuse outright. Keeping good relations might prove useful in the future.

He nodded and said, "Alright, I will wait for his arrival."

Upon hearing this, Doctor Xiao was overjoyed, nodding profusely: "Please wait a moment, sir. I will immediately send someone to inform Master Li Yun."

Ye Chen nodded without speaking, then swiftly sat down in the guest seat arranged by Doctor Xiao, sipping the clear tea quietly, resting with his eyes closed, calmly awaiting the arrival of Master Li Yun.

About half a quarter of an hour later, a hurried set of footsteps came. Ye Chen slightly opened his eyes, and his gaze fell on the white-robed elder who had just entered, his chest adorned with a badge shaped like a tripod furnace and inlaid with a shimmering star, indicative of the status of a One-star Alchemist.

It seemed that this elder was Master Li Yun, as mentioned by Doctor Xiao.

Following behind were two venerable elders, recognized by Ye Chen as the Great Elders of the Hua Family and the Tang Family.

Although the Hua and Tang Families were not as prestigious as the top three families, they were only slightly inferior; the two Great Elders were eminent and respected figures in their families. To Ye Chen’s surprise, they had come along with Li Yun.

It was apparent that these two Great Elders were also curious about the mysterious person who had Master Li Yun in such a rush.

Master Li Yun was visibly excited. He had rushed over without stopping as soon as Doctor Xiao had relayed the message.

Upon entering Huichun Hall, his gaze immediately sought out the mysterious man in black, full of anticipation, his mind somewhat uneasy, like facing his teacher for the first time while practicing alchemy. Finally unable to hold back, he took out a medicine bottle and asked, "May I ask, are you the gentleman who sold this bottle of Healing Medicine?"

Ye Chen glanced at the medicine bottle, which was indeed the Healing Liquid he had entrusted Huichun Hall to sell, and then he nodded: "Indeed, I am. What do you want?"

"I wish to seek guidance from you, sir!" said Master Li Yun. But the statement he made caused a shock throughout the hall.