The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 535: Seeking Refuge

Chen Yongnian revealed a hint of surprise. What was Fang Lin suddenly offering at this time? What was he up to?

Mr. Dugu squinted, seemingly realizing something, and immediately said, “Brother Chen, please state your position. Will you let me take Fang Lin away today? Or should I say, should I let other brothers from the Dugu Family personally discuss this with you?”

Chen Yongnian had an anxious look on his face. He naturally didn’t want Fang Lin to be taken away by the Dugu Family, but it seemed not worthwhile to strongly resist the pressure from the Dugu Family.

Fang Lin said anxiously, “Elder Chen, please follow me over there.”

Chen Yongnian wore an odd expression, and glanced at Mr. Dugu, who didn’t say a word. His expression was also not very pleasant to look at.

“Come with me,” said Chen Yongnian.

Chen Yongnian left the place and led Fang Lin to another side-hall.

“What do you want to say?” Chen Yongnian asked.

Fang Lin grabbed the Nine Palace Bag without hesitation and reverently handed a Jade Slip to Chen Yongnian.

“What is this…” Chen Yongnian was slightly puzzled. What was the purpose of giving him a Jade Slip at this time?

“Elder Chen will know when he looks at it,” Fang Lin said with a mysterious smile.

Chen Yongnian glanced suspiciously at Fang Lin, then infused his Inner Strength into the Jade Slip to read its content.

It would’ve been more manageable if he had not looked. Once he did, the entirety of Chen Yongnian was shocked. His eyes were utterly glued to the Jade Slip—unable to look away.

“What does Elder Chen think?” Fang Lin asked with a smile.

Chen Yongnian was breathing a bit heavily. The records in this Jade Slip contained an Ancient Alchemy Skill. It was of a very high standard and not even a bit inferior to the Spirit Invocation Skill.

“Where did you get this Ancient Alchemy skill from?” asked Chen Yongnian. As a Pill Refiner, especially one of an older generation like him, it was hard to remain calm upon seeing this long-lost ancient alchemy skill.

“This skill,” Fang Lin replied while bowing with fisted hands, “was naturally passed down to me by a certain predecessor.”

Chen Yongnian’s brow furrowed slightly, seemingly understanding Fang Lin’s intentions.

“You want to offer this ancient alchemy skill to me, in hopes that I will offer you protection and not allow Mr. Dugu to take you away, right?” asked Chen Yongnian.

“Exactly,” answered Fang Lin. That was indeed his plan—to make a small sacrifice in order to secure the protection of Chen Yongnian and even the Pill Alliance.

Fang Lin had no other choice—it was this desperate circumstance that had led him to this desperate measure. After all, embarking on this course of action also entailed a significant risk.

The situation was not looking promising. Fang Lin was left with no option but to choose this kind of measure which was akin to robbing Peter to pay Paul, in an attempt to resolve his current predicament.

Chen Yongnian’s eyes were flashing brightly. “Can you tell me exactly what the feud between you and the Dugu Family is all about? Why is Mr. Dugu so intent on pursuing you?”

Fang Lin forced a smile and started to recount the story about his relationship with Dugu Nian and the marriage alliance that the royal family of Xuan Country hoped to establish with the Dugu Family.

After hearing Fang Lin’s story, Chen Yongnian finally understood everything. He found out that Fang Lin was truly an innocent party caught up in this turmoil. For Fang Lin, who hadn’t really done anything, he was viewed by the Dugu Family and the Crown Prince as a potential threat that must be eliminated.

However, this should not be a surprise, given the position of the royal family. It seemed highly likely that Crown Prince Zhou Yishui was set to marry Dugu Nian.

In that case, any previous associations between Fang Lin and Dugu Nian would inevitably become a thorn in Zhou Yishui’s side.

Who wouldn’t pull out a thorn that was stuck in their body?

Moreover, Fang Lin’s existence would also cause an uncomfortable situation for the Dugu Family. How could the woman set to marry Crown Prince Zhou Yishui have some unclear relationship with another man? This was regarded as a stain on Dugu Nian, which must be removed.

“Is there really nothing between you and Dugu Nian?” Chen Yongnian looked at Fang Lin with a doubtful expression. He was also once young and understood well the thoughts of young people. Since this youngster Fang Lin had been living under the same roof with Dugu Nian for a few months, who knew what could have happened?

Fang Lin put on an innocent expression. “I swear to god, there is really nothing between me and Dugu Nian. Furthermore, she is my disciple in name, I even taught her the Shaking Three Mountains skill. How could there be anything between us?”

Seeing that Fang Lin was being so serious about it, Chen Yongnian reluctantly decided to believe Fang Lin, even though he still had some lingering doubts.

“I can certainly offer you protection, but the Dugu family isn’t too difficult to handle. The real problem is the royal family—if they decided to make things difficult for you, I—on my own—may not be able to protect you,” said Chen Yongnian with a significant undertone.

Fang Lin looked at Chen Yongnian and said, “The junior also knows other ancient alchemy skills. If Elder Chen can protect the junior, then the junior will offer up two more ancient alchemy skills.”

On hearing this, Chen Yongnian was immediately startled. If Fang Lin’s words were true, then the value of Fang Lin was self-evident, and worth Chen Yongnian’s protection.

“Okay!” Chen Yongnian agreed.

Seeing Chen Yongnian agree, Fang Lin felt relieved. Looks like using several ancient alchemy skills as a bargaining chip did have an effect, as old fox Chen Yongnian was finally moved.

Then, Chen Yongnian accepted the Jade Slip and walked back to the main hall with Fang Lin.

Mr. Dugu noticed Fang Lin’s relaxed demeanor at first glance and began to feel a sense of unease.

“Brother Chen, to be honest, it’s not just my Dugu Family, but also the royal family who has their eyes on him. Just relying on your Xuan Country Pill Alliance alone, you won’t be able to protect him,” said Mr. Dugu.

At this statement, the several elders present revealed worried looks. They all looked towards Chen Yongnian. If even the royal family wanted to act against Fang Lin, then there would be no need for the Pill Alliance to continue protecting him.

Taking stand against both the Dugu family and the royal family would be too much for the Xuan Country Pill Alliance to handle. Even if these two powerhouses didn’t dare do anything to the Pill Alliance, the Pill Alliance was rooted in Xuan Country after all. If these two forces united, they could make it extremely difficult for the Pill Alliance to operate in Xuan Country, putting them in an awkward situation.

Going against the two local powerhouses of Xuan Country for the sake of one person, Fang Lin, would be an unwise move.

Mo Ziming’s brows furrowed deeply. He really wanted to help Fang Lin, but he alone was incapable of contending with the Dugu family and the royal family.

The most critical decision came down to Chen Yongnian since he was ultimately in charge of the Xuan Country Pill Alliance.

A faint sneer appeared on Mr. Dugu’s face. He believed that Chen Yongnian, upon receiving his warning about the royal family’s involvement, would know better and would surely not continue to protect Fang Lin.

“Kid, Zhou Yishui wants to marry Dugu Nian, and your existence is getting in the way of all this. I have no choice but to eliminate you,” Mr. Dugu thought to himself grimly.

Fang Lin was also watching Chen Yongnian. However, this sly old man’s face didn’t reveal any extra expression—he couldn’t tell what Chen Yongnian was thinking at all.

Fang Lin was even a little worried. If Chen Yongnian, this old fox, took his stuff and then decided to betray him, it would be a truly difficult situation.

“Fang Lin is part of the Pill Alliance. As the person in charge of the Xuan Country Pill Alliance, I naturally have to protect each Pill Refiner of the Alliance. That is my stance,” Chen Yongnian stated, his voice sounding resolute and his face full of righteousness.