39:

Xiao Feng’s expression was calm as he studied the group of alchemists that were encircling him, their body language aggressive and their faces conveying a spectrum of emotions that ranged from shock to anger.

“Did what?” He posed the question to the group of alchemists that had him trapped in a circular formation, giving him about six feet to work with in any direction.

“You know what you did!” An alchemist designate with fiery pink hair that was cut short accused him, a hint of malice leaking into her accusatory tone.

“I don’t,” Xiao Feng replied, as he saw not the person but the network of dantian, meridians and acupuncture points that comprised one. “Pray tell, what accusation are you leveling against me?” He asked, his tone deliberately unhurried.

“You attacked Alchemist Zhi with a burst of Wind Qi,” Another alchemist designate replied, his long, wavy red hair flowing with his movement as he turned to look upon the person of his address.

Xiao Feng followed his gaze, noting that a female alchemist designate had already arrived at his side, her expression one of concentration as she pressed her palm against his chest and closed his eyes.

Of course, he did not need to wait for the purported healer’s assessment, as he observed Alchemist Zhi through the lens of his essence cultivation art.

His meridians near the left ribcage are stressed. He’s injured but that burst of Wind Qi was more performative than real. The more important question is, why is he willing to go so far? What have I done to him? Could a dislike for the martial division really prompt such an extreme response? Xiao Feng wondered, knowing that he was missing something crucial but unable to figure out what.

“One of his ribs are fractured,” The alchemist designate tending to Alchemist Zhi’s wounds announced, her tone feigning urgency and doing a pretty convincing job at it.

The alchemist designates that were surrounding him erupted into whispers all at once, their expressions turning to disgust and rage as they directed their gazes to the source of their discontentment.

Him.

“I did not attack this person,” Xiao Feng replied, knowing that he could not say that this Alchemist Zhi had attacked himself.

They’re all in on it, He realized, as his predecessor’s instincts finally clicked to reach a conclusion. The way they had reacted, the urgency of the first accusation that was thrown at him without a shred of confusion, the quickness with which the ostensible bystanders had come together to cut off any chance of him escaping.

Xiao Feng already had a feeling that a few of the alchemist designates were working against him, but all of them, even the one tending to Alchemist Zhi’s wounds and conveniently declaring that he was injured?

That changed the nature of the conspiracy.

The whole pathway he was standing in was a set-piece for a play to be staged on and he was the main actor they had been waiting for.

Xiao Feng’s expression sharpened as his index and middle finger were held outwards from an otherwise clenched fist.

Qi Scalpel was the name Xiao Feng had given to a simple, nameless move that his predecessor had very rarely gotten the opportunity to employ. It was not a secret technique and perhaps, barely even deserved to be qualified as a technique for it was movement that was nigh impossible to do on an opponent of the same stage.

After all, to inject foreign Qi into an opponent’s acupuncture points while they were moving was a hellish ask to pull off if they were anywhere near you in speed, strength and cognition. No trained martial cultivator would employ such a risky move in actual battle. However, if one were to succeed in doing so, the opponent would need to clear the foreign Qi in their acupuncture points before they would be able to resume cycling their Qi.

The precious time they would require to do so was time they would be reduced to a mortal.

Xiao Feng could not only visually observe their acupuncture points, he could also preempt what meridians they were cycling their Qi down. Targeting all acupuncture points was unrealistic in the midst of combat, but if he only targeted the ones the were focusing their Qi through, he could reduce cultivators to mortals and knock them out without injuring them.

One of the alchemist designates could not stand still any longer, a tall, heavy-set man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with raven black hair that was neatly combed and brown eyes that regarded him with fury. He stepped into the circle, stopping only after he was face to face with Xiao Feng, the latter still taller than the former.

“Why did you attack Alchemist Zhi, recruit?” He asked in a gravelly voice, his fist clenched in fury.

“Like I said, I did not attack him. Are we speaking the same language here?” He rhetorically asked, mocking the far bulkier man.

The raven black haired alchemist seemed unable to accept the humiliation, as he pulled his right fist back and poised to strike.

“I would not do that if I were you,” Xiao Feng calmly replied, all his mirth forgotten as he gazed into the man’s brown eyes.

“Oh? Will you strike me down then?” He asked, the anger in his tone only rising. “Like you did Alchemist Zhi.”

“I did not strike him down,” Xiao Feng replied. “However, if you land a blow on me, that will be legitimate cause for self-defense. So like I said, I would not do that if I were you,” He repeated, an iron in his voice that finally made the heavy-set man flinch as his fists lowered.

They’re baiting me, He thought. I guess I should be panicking considering how elaborate this set-up is but it’s hard to do that when I can’t really fear these alchemists.

Taking a different tack, the heavy-set man retreated to using his authority, as he asked, “I ask you as an alchemist designate, recruit— tell me who your instructor is,” He demanded more than asked.

“I’m sure you know that already. Ugh, drop the charade would you?” Xiao Feng chided, as if he were talking down to a group of bumbling children.

“I asked you who your instructor was, recruit,” He bellowed angrily, putting special emphasis on his rank.

“It’s Senior Alchemist Lianhua,” Xiao Feng replied, as he considered if this was a ploy to get to her instead of him. Targeting him made little sense, after all.

“I’ll go and get her,” The alchemist with the long, wavy hair offered and the others nodded in agreement.

Oh man, these people are really annoying, Xiao Feng thought. Well, I can’t get angry. That’s what they want.

He decided to adopt a calm, almost bored expression as he waited for Lianhua to come, so that the act could continue.

Ten minutes later, she arrived with thundering footsteps, her cheeks flushed from what was either anger or surprise as she took in the odd gathering of people.

“Xiao Feng, what happened?” She asked, her gaze directed only at him as she came to a stop before the encirclement.

Surprise flashed on Alchemist Zhi’s visage, his pain forgotten for a moment as he studied Lianhua with confusion.

“These people,” He gestured to the alchemists that were surrounding him. “... are accusing me of hurting that guy. Now he may be actually hurt, but I had nothing to do with it,” He stated calmly.

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Lianhua’s gaze shifted to Alchemist Zhi and indeed, there was a moment of recognition that flitted across her features.

“Alchemist Zhi,” She acknowledged.

“Senior Alchemist Lianhua,” Alchemist Zhi returned the greeting, before breaking out into a small cough.

“Xiao Feng has recently joined our alchemy division and from what I understand, he has shared a limited amount of interaction amongst even his own peers. Why would he attack you in a pathway with these many witnesses,” She asked him, her eyes narrowed.

She’s defending me. Huh, Xiao Feng thought, as unbeknownst to even him, his cheeks flushed a little.

Alchemist Zhi paused for a few moments, considering the question before he responded, “I must admit, Senior Alchemist Lianhua. I fear this may in part be my sister’s fault.”

“Oh?” Lianhua asked, her tone sharp.

“Please, do not misunderstand. Senior Alchemist Lianhua, we know that you are only teaching this Xiao Feng because of political considerations. My sister, you know her. You know how much Jia admires you. She has wished to become your disciple for years now and when she saw that you were forced to accept one due to… unwelcome reasons, she could not stop herself from criticizing Recruit Xiao Feng,” Alchemist Zhi explained, his tone managing to sound vulnerable yet angry.

“What does that have to do with you?” Lianhua asked, her tone unperturbed by the appeal to emotions.

“A martial cultivator will not strike a woman, Senior Alchemist Lianhua. I, as her brother, was forced to take the brunt of this vicious and cowardly attack,” Alchemist Zhi trembled with anger, as he broke away his gaze from Lianhua to glare daggers at Xiao Feng.

“It is quite bold of you siblings to presume what I want and do not want,” Lianhua’s words were slow and unhurried, yet they had an sharp edge to them that seemed very out of character for her.

“No, no,” Alchemist Zhi shook his head. “That was not our intention.”

“And the rest of you,” Lianhua addressed the crowd of witnesses. “Are you willing to testify for Alchemist Zhi’s claims?” She asked.

Nods and yes ma’am’s followed.

“I see,” Lianhua muttered, her expression stony.

Her gaze returned to Xiao Feng.

“Xiao Feng, did you do it?” She asked.

“If I wanted to harm anyone in the Alchemist Division,” Xiao Feng began, his words slow and measured. “This would not be how I would do it,” He stated bluntly, his words not a threat but a fact that was based on his reputation and capability.

“I would think as much,” Alchemist Lianhua nodded, her tone soft and gentle while speaking to Xiao Feng. “Unfortunately, it is your testimony against eight alchemists. Alchemist Zhi, as the one wronged in this incident, I will give you an opportunity to put forth your claims to rectify the wrong that has been done to you,” She said, her words bitter and hollow.

“Senior Alchemist Lianhua,” He began, his tone turning formal even through a fractured rib. “As you are well aware, I have a standing reputation amongst both my fellow alchemists and recruits. Today, a mere recruit has caught me in a cowardly blow and fractured my rib. To make the loss to both my reputation and body whole. I challenge this recruit to an alchemist’s duel!” Alchemist Zhi bellowed, his expression firm and unyielding.

“Hear, hear!” The heavy-set alchemist from earlier bellowed and a few moments later, every alchemist designate present took up the call.

Lianhua raised a hand and the chants ceased.

“What will be at stake in the alchemist’s duel?” Lianhua asked, as she called upon the rules of the ancient rite.

“The loser of this duel,” Alchemist Zhi replied, his expression neutral as he passed the equivalent of a death-sentence in the world of alchemy. “....shall permanently leave the Alchemy Division.”

Silence filled the pathway, as even the recruits who had gathered to observe the drama from a turn in the pathway did not as much as whisper.

“I’ll agree to it,” Xiao Feng replied, “On a few conditions,” He added, halting the smile that was threatening to creep up on Alchemist Zhi’s features.

“Conditions?” Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone sounding incredulous. “First you harm me in the presence of witnesses, fracture my rib and then demand conditions? Have you no honor?” He asked, his tone sounding wronged.

I see now, Xiao Feng thought. I finally get it.

“Honour?” Xiao Feng asked, as he pointed at the seated figure of Alchemist Zhi. “You dare to bring a claim on my honor?” He asked, before he burst out into a boisterous, amused laughter.

Xiao Feng was the only one laughing in the pathway, as the other alchemist designates wondered if he had gone mad.

“You are an amusing kind, Alchemist Zhi,” Xiao Feng complimented him with mirth in his tone before continuing,

“I, Xiao Feng, fought in the battle of the Zheyan Pass. I alone slew sixteen demonic path cultivators by myself, on the edge of my own blade. One of them was the son of a Nascent Soul cultivator, who struck me down by an arrow that would have claimed the life of anyone standing in this entire division. That distraction allowed Elder Zheng to claim the Nascent Soul’s life in turn. That is what I have done for the Frontier. That is my honor. If you think your weak claims can besmirch my honor, then go ahead, call me Shameless Feng from now on,” He replied with a final laugh, not missing how the alchemist designates who had tried to frame him took cautious steps away from him.

Alchemist Zhi’s expression went pale as the meaning, the weight and the true import of a war hero stared him in the face.

“What are your conditions,” Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone markedly subdued as he struggled to maintain his facade.

“First,” Xiao Feng began, “Since you are an alchemist and I am a recruit, I will choose the pill we are forging for this alchemist’s duel. I assume that’s fine?” He turned his gaze to Lianhua, who nodded.

“It is usually chosen at random by the adjudicator, but this is an acceptable proposal to make,” Lianhua replied.

Alchemist Zhi seemed taken aback by this proposal, likely having expected Xiao Feng to open with something much stronger.

“That is fine. I accept,” Alchemist Zhi replied.

“Secondly,” Xiao Feng spoke, “I would like to make changes to the loser’s conditions,” He stated.

“What changes?” Alchemist Zhi asked, his tone cold.

“I, Xiao Feng, do not fear failure. If I did, I would not be fit to be called a martial cultivator. If I lose, I will leave the alchemy division,” He declared with pride echoing in his tone, a moment before recruits burst into chatter, no longer able to contain their reaction.

“However,” He continued. “If you, my honorable and just Alchemist Zhi, lose, then I do not require you to leave the Alchemy Division. Instead, I have a question for you.”

“Ask?” Alchemist Zhi replied, seeming a bit dazed by the proposal.

“What are you worth?” Xiao Feng asked.

“Pardon?”

“If you lie, this alchemist’s duel is off. So, how much are you worth?” He asked again.

“Worth what?” Alchemist Zhi replied.

“Your net worth. All your assets, your gold taels, add it all up. How much is it all worth,” Xiao Feng asked pointedly.

“This is…,” Alchemist Zhi trailed off, clearly panicking. “I can’t give you an exact figure, but it should be around forty gold taels.”

Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, noting how a mere alchemist was manifold times richer than his predecessor had been.

“Well,” Xiao Feng replied. “If you lose, you get to stay in the Alchemy Division and all your money, every last bronze tael, goes to Daoist Jian’s Pill Furnace Shop. Any recruit who is not wealthy enough to own a pill furnace can access those resources and request one,” He stated.

The recruits, who were watching from afar, went wild with whispers.

“I…,” Alchemist Zhi trailed off. “... can accept that,” He stated, even as his features twisted into a grimace.

“My third condition,” Xiao Feng said and every gaze in the pathway locked on to him, the anticipation in the air palpable. “... is that all of the people who were willing to testify against me moments ago,” His pointed finger swept across all the offenders. “Wager ten gold taels each on you— a wager that I will match. You can ask the senior alchemist if I have the funds or not.”

“He does,” Lianhua calmly stated, not letting any more of her emotions leak out.

Alchemist Zhi’s brows rose in astonishment, first gazing at Xiao Feng then at Lianhua with disbelief in his gaze.

Finally, he gestured for the alchemist designates to approach.

They talked hurriedly, in hushed whispers, requiring only a few minutes to reach a conclusion.

“All of them are willing,” Alchemist Zhi replied, his tone slightly wavering as things derailed even further away from his original plan.

“That’s quite a quick decision to make, Alchemist Zhi,” Xiao Feng flashed a toothy grin at them. “Almost like you know each other and were friends. Ten gold taels is no small sum, after all,” He mocked them unhesitatingly.

“My fellow alchemist designates are simply confident in my abilities,” He replied tersely.

“Then you admit you are bullying a recruit as a full-fledged alchemist?” Xiao Feng asked.

“You were the one who—,” Alchemist Zhi tried to explain, only to be cut off.

“Let’s be done with the grandstanding, shall we. You don’t like me. That’s fine. My final condition is simple. Let the duel be held in four months. You know, so I can actually learn enough alchemy to beat you,” Xiao Feng stated.

“Four months?” Alchemist Zhi asked, blinking. “I had intended for the duel to take place in a year’s time,” He replied.

Is he trying to mess with my confidence? No, maybe he’s actually being honest. Time works differently for these people, after all, He thought.

“Four months, Alchemist Zhi is all Shameless Feng needs to beat you at your own game,” Xiao Feng boldly declared, his voice echoing the confidence of a cultivator who was willing to brave heaven’s tribulation to advance. “That is my last condition.”

“I… accept.”