The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 534: Not Enough Weight

Mr. Dugu’s strength is notable even within the Dugu Family. While he may not rank within the top five, he can certainly secure a spot within the top ten.

However, this Chen Yongnian, he gave a peculiar impression to Mr. Dugu. At least, he knew he didn’t have the confidence to fight against Chen Yongnian.

Fang Lin’s mouth was stained with fresh blood, his face pale. Despite appearing disheveled, he still managed to stand straight, refusing to yield to Mr. Dugu.

This scene caused Chen Yongnian to silently nod in approval, his appreciation of Fang Lin deepening.

“Mr. Dugu, despite being an elder, you’re remarkably cruel to a junior. How majestic!” Mo Ziming exclaimed indignantly.

Mr. Dugu glared at Mo Ziming, “I merely punished him slightly. He has repeatedly avoided meeting me and shown disrespect to me and my Dugu Family. If it were my second brother here, I fear Fang Lin would have already been executed.”

The so-called second brother Mr. Dugu mentioned was an individuals notorious for his ruthlessness within the Dugu Family, a figure known for his cruelty in the Xuan Country.

“Fang Lin may have disrespected the Dugu Family, but he is, after all, a Pill Refiner of our Pill Alliance. Do you have no regard for the Pill Alliance with your actions?” Mo Ziming retorted sternly.

Mr. Dugu replied with a nonchalant expression, “The Pill Alliance. What can the Alliance do if I were to kill a mere Fang Lin?”

This was pure dominance! Total disregard for consequences!

It wasn’t that Mr. Dugu didn’t care about the Pill Alliance, rather he just didn’t care about Fang Lin.

In Mr. Dugu’s eyes, Fang Lin was nothing more than a minor figure. He was a key figure of the Dugu Family, even if he killed Fang Lin, the Pill Alliance might be dissatisfied, but wouldn’t overtly act against him and certainly not against the Dugu Family.

In short, Fang Lin didn’t hold enough weight or value to warrant the Pill Alliance shielding him.

If Fang Lin were a Master of Pill at the Five Cauldrons level, then Mr. Dugu surely wouldn’t dare behave in such a brash manner. After all, the title of Master of Pill isn’t one to be taken lightly. The Pill Alliance considers anyone carrying that title to be important, and wouldn’t allow them to be bullied.

“Sir Qi, by coming here today, is it your intention to embarrass our Pill Alliance?” Chen Yongnian said, slightly vexed.

He wasn’t pleased with the words spoken before him; even with his excellent temper control, he still felt uncomfortable.

Mr. Dugu, however, didn’t dare to act too presumptuously in front of Chen Yongnian and made a respectful bow, “Elder Chen, you seem to be overthinking. I respect and admire the Pill Alliance greatly. However, there is some unfinished business between Fang Lin and our Dugu Family’s young miss. This matter needs to be resolved.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin’s heart sank. The inevitable had finally arrived; his insignificant incident with Dugu Nian had attracted unwanted attention from the Dugu Family and Crown Prince Zhou Yishui.

To satisfy Crown Prince Zhou Yishui and to smoothen the marriage between Dugu Nian and him, the best solution would be to exterminate him, the supposed blemish.

Chen Yongnian asked with a frown: “What dispute is there between Fang Lin and Dugu Nian, your granddaughter? Is it of such importance that you’re acting so erratically?”

Mr. Dugu scoffed: “The details of their dispute are irrelevant and I respectfully must refrain from sharing further. However, I must take him away today. Rest assured, Chen Yongnian, I will not harm his life.”

Fang Lin sneered: “I suspect that your true wish is to kill me outright.”

Mr. Dugu darted Fang Lin a cursory glance. His eyes were exceedingly cold, almost indifferent. It was as if, in his eyes, Fang Lin was already dead.

Upon seeing Mr. Dugu’s gaze, Fang Lin’s heart froze. This old man indeed bears murderous intent. All his talk about not harming his life was complete nonsense. If he truly was taken away by Mr. Dugu, he was certain of his impending death.

After all, once he was dead, Chen Yongnian may be furious but would be powerless against Mr. Dugu and he would have died in vain.

“No, I cannot let you take Fang Lin” Mo Ziming stated.

Chen Yongnian also shook his head: “Sir Qi, please turn back. Unless Fang Lin is willing to go with you, the Pill Alliance will do its utmost to protect him.”

Having said this, Chen Yongnian turned to look at Fang Lin.

Fang Lin understood, immediately saying: “I naturally want to stay in the Pill Alliance and won’t leave with anyone.”

Mr. Dugu frowned: “Elder Chen, it is not just me who wants to take Fang Lin away, but the collective decision of the higher-ups in the Dugu Family. It is essential that Fang Lin pay a visit to our Dugu Family.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongnian and several elders of the Pill Alliance looked grave, all their eyes fixed on Fang Lin. They hadn’t expected the matter to be so serious, even involving the senior officials of the Dugu Family?

Chen Yongnian and the others didn’t know the specifics of the relationship between Fang Lin and Dugu Nian. They had merely thought that Fang Lin had disputes with the Dugu Family and that the Dugu Family had come to settle old scores with Fang Lin. However, it now seemed that things weren’t so simple.

Mr. Dugu’s words, which were essentially a form of pressure, invoked the Dugu Family’s higher-ups, which added weight to his cause.

After all, the words of Mr. Dugu alone might not carry much weight to Chen Yongnian. But if taking Fang Lin away was a collective decision made by the Dugu Family’s higher-ups, then Chen Yongnian had to carefully weigh his options.

“If today I can’t take Fang Lin away, or if Elder Chen attempt to prevent me from doing so, perhaps in the future, all my brothers from the Dugu Family may come here to retrieve him.” Mr. Dugu said indifferently.

Chen Yongnian became silent. Though he didn’t like being threatened, he conceded that Mr. Dugu’s words were indeed having some effect, which made him hesitant.

All the brothers from the Dugu Family were influential figures. If they came here collectively at a later date, Chen Yongnian would not be able to withstand the pressure.

Mo Ziming was getting anxious: “Is the Dugu Family intending to sever ties with the Pill Alliance? Granted, your Dugu Family is powerful in Xuan Country, but surely you, Mr. Dugu, know our standing in the Nine Countries?”

Mr. Dugu didn’t take these concerns to heart and merely scoffed: “Indeed, the Pill Alliance is far more substantial than our Dugu Family. But let me ask you this, is Fang Lin worth the effort and resources of the Pill Alliance?”

This was the heart of the matter, which was also the source of Chen Yongnian’s hesitation.

Although Fang Lin was an incredible talent in the field of alchemy and completed the Spirit Invocation Skill for the Xuan Country Pill Alliance, earning him the status of a meritorious official, he was, after all, a martial artist at the Ninth Layer of the Earth Element and only a Pill Refiner at the Three Cauldrons level. To the Pill Alliance, these credentials were just too low.

Would it be worth it to risk alienating the entire Dugu Family for the sake of Fang Lin?

Chances are, any rational person would deem it unworthy, including Chen Yongnian. The pressure exerted by the Dugu family was simply too great, making him hesitate.

Fang Lin saw Chen Yongnian’s reaction and sighed softly in his heart. True, people are inherently pragmatic; he just didn’t carry enough weight within the Xuan Country Pill Alliance.

“Elder Chen, I have something I wish to offer to the Pill Alliance.” Suddenly, Fang Lin began. He needed to create a ray of hope for himself.