Misty Rain of the Old Times

The clue about the white cloud wood that had left us at a loss was delivered to our doorstep, which was truly an unexpected delight.

Without showing any emotion, Chen Xuan looked at Zhao Qingluan and said, "I heard that Senior Huang Xiaochao took out the Xiaoyao Pill that night in exchange for Fire Copper Ice Silkworm Silk and White Cloud Wood, especially White Cloud Wood. He would reward anyone who provided clues. Since Miss Zhao knows the whereabouts of White Cloud Wood, why don't you go and get it for free?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan didn't think much of it, but Fang Jing, who was staring intently at him as he took out three kinds of pills, changed his expression drastically. He looked over and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Chen, be careful with your words. That person's name is almost taboo. If you don't want to get into trouble, you'd better not mention it."

"It can't be that bad, I heard that person is quite easy to get along with," Chen Xuan said, turning around.

Taking a deep breath, Fang Jing pondered and said, "Young Master Chen, what you say is true, but you've mentioned and heard about what happened that night. He did such a thing, so others don't dare to cause him trouble. As for others, anyone with even a slight connection could easily become the target of his anger."

Chen Xuanxin thought to herself, "So that's how it is. No wonder they're all so secretive. They're worried about being implicated. No wonder they reacted so strongly when I offered to exchange the Ice Silkworm Silk for the Carefree Pill."

Regardless, they meant well, so Chen Xuan nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. We won't mention that name."

Interrupted by him, Zhao Qingluan finally had a chance to speak after he finished speaking. She said irritably, "Little Chen Xuan, what are you saying? I don't have a man, what would I need the Xiaoyao Pill for?"

You're a true江湖儿女 (people of the martial arts world), saying things like that so easily. You're a girl, okay?

Considering her carefree personality, Chen Xuan wasn't surprised and smiled, saying, "I don't agree with what Miss Zhao said. You can use the information about the White Cloud Wood to exchange for the Carefree Pill. Although it's useless, you can sell it as a middleman. Although that thing has been hyped up to an inflated price, the fact is that there are plenty of people scrambling to buy it for ten thousand taels of silver each. That's equivalent to getting at least one hundred thousand taels for free. Why don't you want it here?"

"...Why didn't you say so sooner?" Zhao Qingluan looked pained and slapped her thigh in regret.

Shrugging, Chen Xuan said, "Any normal person would think of taking advantage, right?"

"I... I've suffered a huge loss. It's too late to say anything now. Where can I find Senior Yang?" Zhao Qingluan looked utterly hopeless.

After hesitating for a moment, Fang Jing corrected, "It's Senior Huang."

“No, I think he is the same Senior Yang who was elusive back then,” Zhao Qingluan insisted.

Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat. This girl's intuition was terrifying. Back in the desert, she stubbornly believed that her alias Yang Guo was the mysterious person who saved them, and she even wanted to become his disciple. Now that she had made contact with him again, she didn't even bother to come up with a reason. Her intuition was right. Who could she reason with?
It was fortunate that he was too young back then, and that his style completely changed after changing his identity; otherwise, she might have become suspicious of him after spending more time with him. Although she could not possibly have thought of that, Chen Xuan didn't care.

He's not the same young master he used to be; he has to keep a low profile and develop his skills. Does he really think nobody knows he's a Grandmaster? Does nobody guess that Huang Xiaochao is him? But who dares to cause him trouble?

Fang Jing sighed helplessly. Without evidence, such things wouldn't stand. He didn't correct Zhao Qingluan, shaking his head and saying, "Miss Zhao, it's best to avoid mentioning that name."

"Don't tell me it's no big deal. Can't we even talk behind closed doors?" Zhao Qingluan shook her head. For some reason, she didn't get along with Fang Jing. If it weren't for Guo Qingxue, she wouldn't even bother to talk to her.

With a smile, Chen Xuan looked at Fang Jing and the others and said, "Why don't you use the clues about the White Cloud Wood to exchange for the Carefree Pill with some senior? If you're interested, after it's done, Miss Zhao should get the lion's share of the profits, since he provided the clues, and it's not a small amount."

Qin Yun, who was examining the pills, shook her head and said, "Young Master Chen is joking. We'd rather avoid them than dare to approach them."

"We've secretly inquired from many sources, but we've lost all news of any of the seniors. They've definitely left," Guo Qingxue said with some hesitation. After a pause, she added, "If, if what Sister Qingluan guessed is true, that senior was indeed the great hero Yang from back then. He saved our lives and avenged Grandpa. What harm is there in giving him a mere clue about the White Cloud Wood? Even giving him the Ice Silkworm Silk wouldn't be enough to repay his kindness. I would even be willing to offer myself in gratitude. It's a pity we have no chance to see him confirm it."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking to himself, "Little girl, you wish!"

Immediately, Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, "No way, she really seems to have the idea of ​​repaying me with her body. How old was this little girl back then? Only about ten years old. Just because of the life-saving grace and the avenging of her grandfather's great hatred, she experienced such a major change in her youth, and then she fell for Yang Guo? Could it really be true that meeting Yang Guo is a life-altering experience?"

Quickly get rid of this terrible thought; the little girl is planning to repay kindness with enmity.

Fang Jing, who had feelings for Guo Qingxue, wasn't jealous at all, knowing it was impossible. She smiled and said, "Junior Sister is joking. Senior Yang is of noble character and integrity; why would he care about others' gratitude? Besides, how could we possibly repay such a person?"

"Ice silkworm silk," Guo Qingxue rolled her eyes at him, feeling a little uncomfortable, as she felt that her second senior brother's words had a hidden meaning.

Qin Yun was mainly in charge of checking the pills. She guessed that the pills were more experienced and that the inspection was not yet finished. In fact, she was just pretending.

Chen Xuan was not one to take advantage of others, even if they were unaware of his intentions. He always kept his word. Since Zhao Qingluan had provided a clue about the White Cloud Wood, he certainly wanted to reward her, but he needed a legitimate reason. He quickly came up with a plan and looked at Zhao Qingluan with a smile, saying, "How about this, Miss Zhao, since you've provided a clue about the White Cloud Wood, when I exchange the Ice Silkworm Silk for the Carefree Pills, I'll tell her this information, and I'll get ten more Carefree Pills."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "But this information was provided by Miss Zhao, so I won't take advantage of you. Here are ten Qi-Boosting Pills, each equivalent to three months of arduous internal energy cultivation. I think their value is no less than that of the Carefree Pills, so let's exchange them for this information. I'll get the Carefree Pills, and you'll save cultivation time and improve your internal energy. Neither of us will lose out."

For Chen Xuan, the Qi-Boosting Pill was far more valuable than the Carefree Pill. After all, the Carefree Pill was something he had practiced with, and it was incomparable to the Carefree Pill. However, the value of anything is different in the hands of different people, and how others see it is their business.

Chen Xuan himself possessed extraordinary talent and never used drugs in his cultivation, so these pills that enhanced his internal strength had been gathering dust all along.

Internal strength, who doesn't improve it little by little through diligent practice? It takes painstaking effort, so you can imagine how precious pills that can improve internal strength are. Don't be fooled by the fact that one pill is only equivalent to three months of arduous cultivation; if released, it could trigger a bloody battle.

This thing is useless to Chen Xuan. He has pills to improve his internal strength, let alone pills to improve his innate true qi!
Upon hearing this, everyone else turned to look at him in astonishment. How many more good things did Chen Xuan have?
Facing their gazes, Chen Xuan said matter-of-factly, "My young master was the top scholar in the imperial examination and is now a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, helping His Majesty organize documents and frequently meeting with him. Therefore, this was a reward from His Majesty."

Okay, so your young master is the top scholar, and His Majesty has bestowed many good things upon him, alright? Who are you envying here?

Their hearts ached, but they pretended not to hear. This is how good it is for those in public service; once they reach a certain position, what good things can't they have?

Chen Xuan pulled ten Qi-Boosting Pills from his sleeve and handed them to Zhao Qingluan. She glanced at them but didn't take them, saying, "I don't even know where to find that senior, so the information about the White Cloud Wood is worthless. Little Chen Xuan, it's your skill to make the most of it, but I can't accept it."

They're quite particular; they can actually refuse such a nice thing.

Before Chen Xuan could say anything, she continued, "Since you have such a good thing, why don't you use it yourself? Why are you just giving it away like this?"

“Just take it. There’s more. We can’t finish it all. It’s a gift from His Majesty,” Chen Xuan insisted.

Seeing that he didn't seem to be faking it, and glancing at the other few bottles of pills, Zhao Qingluan stopped being hesitant and took them, saying, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you. This will save me several years of arduous cultivation. If Xiao Chenxuan ever needs anything, just let me know. I wouldn't dare to even frown at your generosity."

"That's right," Chen Xuan said happily, returning the favor on the spot. Then he added, "Miss Zhao, take it as soon as possible to avoid trouble if others find out. By the way, although this stuff is good and can provide a shortcut to increase efficiency, it's best to take one pill every three days to avoid the hidden danger of unstable cultivation."

"I know, I know more about this than you do, I won't joke around with my future," Zhao Qingluan said with a pout, carefully putting away the Qi-Boosting Pill.

Fang Jing, watching with undisguised envy, asked Chen Xuan with a hint of curiosity, "That senior hasn't shown up for two days. He's probably already gone traveling around. Where can Young Master Chen find him to exchange for the Carefree Pill?"

Chen Xuan smiled inwardly, roughly understanding Fang Jing's little scheme. She probably wanted to get information out of him and use the information about Baiyunmu to exchange for Xiaoyao Pills. He was a man after all, how could he not be tempted by Xiaoyao Pills?
With a smile, Chen Xuan said with an innocent expression, "As everyone knows, my young master was the top scholar in the imperial examination. He studied at Liuyu Academy with Lord Ning Guiliang back then, and many people saw that Lord Ning and that person getting along well that day, so asking Lord Ning is definitely the right thing to do."

Alright, alright, your young master is the top scholar, okay? Seriously, is it fun to keep showing off?

"I see," Fang Jing said with a smile, but she carefully kept it in mind. She would find a way to get the benefits first, in case she was lucky enough to get on good terms with that Senior Huang and he took her as his disciple...

Chen Xuan chuckled to himself when he saw that Ning Guiliang was just daydreaming. He thought to himself, "Brother, so what if I point out the way for you? Do you think Ning Guiliang will listen to you? He's a proper Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). You're lucky if you can even meet him. It would be more likely if the head of your Hanshan Sword Sect personally came to visit you."

At this moment, Qin Yun pondered and said, "Young Master Chen, we have examined all three types of pills. I apologize for keeping you waiting. This matter is of great importance, and we lack experience, so we are unsure. Could you please give us some time to notify our seniors to come and take a look?"

It's normal. Chen Xuan is a semi-expert in alchemy, but he doesn't have the final say. They are all young people in the martial arts world, and they probably haven't even smelled these precious pills before. The fact that they pretended to inspect them clearly shows that they were just going through the motions.

Chen Xuan waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's no big deal. Why make things so complicated? Since we can't be sure, let's just see how effective it is. Just take one of each, and we won't know if it's real or not."

"Is that even possible? What I mean is, each of these three kinds of pills is extremely rare and hard to come by, so we can't afford to waste them," Qin Yun said, dumbfounded.

With a smile, Chen Xuan gestured for him to try, saying, "It's alright, give it a try. I'll add the sample for testing later, you all know..."

"Your young master is the top scholar in the imperial examination, so this was a reward from His Majesty, okay?" Zhao Qingluan rolled her eyes and said speechlessly. "You act like you're the top scholar, what's with the arrogance?"

...(End of chapter)