Chapter Seventeen: This Subordinate Man

“Young master!”

The middle-aged man in the black robe exclaimed in alarm.

Tang Shisan’s face contorted in agony as he clutched at his heart, feeling it contract painfully.

Within just a few breaths, he suddenly collapsed. His legs kicked out, and his entire body stiffened.

Witnessing Tang Shisan’s life rapidly fading, Yun Yanran and Mu Ran, among others, were stunned into silence.

Especially Yun Yanran, whose eyes were filled with disbelief. “How could this happen? That was a seventh-level Celestial Snow Lotus!”

“Yun Yanran, you killed my young master! I’ll make you pay with your life!”

The man in the black robe’s gaze darkened as he unleashed a chilling murderous intent and shouted fiercely.

In the next moment, his aura erupted with the force of a fifth stage Heavenly King, a terrifying killing intent crushing down directly upon Yun Yanran.

Yun Yanran was the favored daughter of the Great Qian Empire, but despite her dual cultivation of both alchemy and martial arts, her strength had only just entered the Tongshen Realm. Against a Heavenly King, she was utterly defenseless.

“How dare you lay a hand on Miss Yanran? You’re courting death!”

“You two, kill this madman immediately!”

Li Zifeng shouted at the two Heavenly King realm warriors of the Alchemy Hall.

Mu Ran also immediately ordered the execution of the man in black.

Yun Yanran was the daughter of Yun Changshan, a sixth grade Alchemy Grandmaster. Yun Changshan’s status was so exalted that even the Emperor of the Great Qian Empire showed him great respect.

Moreover, a sixth grade alchemist held a distinguished position not only in the seven great empires but also among the dominant powers.

If his daughter died in the Alchemy Hall, then the Alchemy Hall would truly face ruin.

At once, the two fourth stage Heavenly Martial realm warriors of the Alchemy Hall charged forward and clashed with the black-robed man.

Yet with just a single strike, both were flung back over ten meters, clearly outmatched.

“The Celestial Snow Lotus is definitely flawless. That fool must have tampered with it just now.”

“He’s trying to frame me.”

Just as the black-robed man prepared to annihilate Yun Yanran, she hurriedly called out.

The man in black paused, suddenly remembering Chu Tianchen’s presence.

He wasn’t a fool; to him, Yun Yanran’s words were nonsense.

From start to finish, Chu Tianchen hadn’t even touched his young master, let alone the petals of the Celestial Snow Lotus. Besides, Chu Tianchen was only a first stage Tongmai realm warrior—how could he possibly have done anything under his nose?

He stopped only because Chu Tianchen’s words had given him pause.

As he hesitated, the two Heavenly King realm warriors hurried to Yun Yanran’s side, shielding her.

“Master Mu Ran, Miss Yun, you two should go on ahead. Leave this to us,” one said.

But the black-robed man was no longer interested in them; he immediately turned toward the crowd.

“Young sir, you just said you could save my young master— is that true?”

“Since you know the Celestial Snow Lotus harmed my young master, I believe you can save him, right?”

“If you can save him, Ling Ying will do anything for you.”

Ling Ying pleaded earnestly to Chu Tianchen.

Everyone else also turned their gazes toward Chu Tianchen.

“Looks like this man is truly mad, to trust a fool’s words. Even Master Mu Ran and Miss Yun, daughter of the Yun Valley Lord, can’t save him. How could he?”

“That guy lusted after Yun Yanran and, failing to get her, wants to destroy her. I think Yun Yanran’s right—he must have done something underhanded.”

“The world’s morals have declined, and people’s hearts have grown cold. Even a fool can be so scheming now?”

…

The crowd murmured among themselves.

Ling Ying knew well the chances were slim.

But what choice did he have? If the young master died, no matter how many people he killed here, his young master wouldn’t come back.

“The cold of the Celestial Snow Lotus has already invaded his heart. He cultivates a fire attribute technique, so the lotus’s chill causes his heart and organs to contract rapidly.”

“He probably won’t last more than a quarter of an hour.”

Chu Tianchen spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Ling Ying immediately examined Tang Shisan’s body.

“It’s just as you said. Please, young sir, save my young master.”

His hope surged as he looked into Chu Tianchen’s clear and serene eyes.

Mu Ran, Yun Yanran, and Li Zifeng also released their spiritual power to inspect Tang Shisan’s condition, confirming Chu Tianchen’s diagnosis.

“Could it be that fool really knows all this?”

“He was indeed a martial genius before, but no one ever heard he understood alchemy.”

“I get it now—the Celestial Snow Lotus was brought back by Chu Qingcang. It must have been he who taught him.”

“Chu Tianchen, you’re truly ruthless. Knowing this would kill someone and yet not stopping it, deliberately using him to kill mine!”

“I was right to break the engagement. Such a despicable man.”

Yun Yanran thought bitterly.

Her eyes darkened with resentment and even grew murderous as she stared at Chu Tianchen.

Then Chu Tianchen stepped before Tang Shisan.

“I can only expel the Celestial Snow Lotus from his body. As for saving him, that will take some time.”

“Also, I need to prepare some special medicinal ingredients.”

Chu Tianchen explained.

Hearing this, Ling Ying’s joy was boundless.

“Young sir, you mean you really can save my young master?”

He trembled with excitement.

Chu Tianchen smiled faintly and then pulled thirteen silver needles from his storage ring.

With a flick of his palm, the thirteen needles landed precisely on thirteen vital acupoints from head to toe on Tang Shisan’s body.

Mu Ran and Yun Yanran frowned as they watched the needle placements.

“Heh, I really thought we had encountered an alchemy prodigy, but it turns out he’s just a fool.”

“Of the thirteen points, nine are death acupoints. With such a severe injury, inserting such heavy needles— even a sixth grade, no, a seventh grade grandmaster wouldn’t dare.”

“This Tang Shisan is doomed.”

Mu Ran sneered coldly.

“Miss Yun, let’s move on. We should continue discussing our cooperation with Yunmeng Ze Valley. No need to waste time here.”

“By the way, you’re Ling Ying, right? I’m quite interested in the fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron you have. If you change your mind, come find me. Just name your price.”

Mu Ran added.

Yun Yanran clenched her teeth, turning away in anger.

Today was a total loss—both the young lady and the troops suffered, and the Celestial Snow Lotus was truly wasted.

Just as they climbed a few steps, a clear cough suddenly halted them.

Slowly turning, they faced the coughing Tang Shisan with shock etched across their faces.