Chapter 18: Temptation with Promises

Seeing Yan Tong at the door, Li Ji’an was a bit surprised.

From what he knew, in the southeastern reaches of the Duolong Ridge wilderness, the Yan family—one of the Eight Great Clans—was a veritable giant compared to independent cultivators. Not to mention himself, having just been hired as a menial worker in the alchemy shop, already old and of poor aptitude.

“Get over here!”

As soon as Li Ji’an opened the door, Yan Tong’s face darkened. He turned and barked at someone behind him.

Immediately, the young man who had led the group Li Ji’an and Chen Qingling encountered half a year ago when they first entered the city and wandered the market together appeared. Li Ji’an recalled that Chen Qingling had called him “Brother Quan” at the time.

“Steward Yan, this is...?”

“Ah, apologies for the spectacle, Fellow Daoist Li.” Yan Tong’s plump face broke into a kindly smile, though it carried a hint of disappointment.

“A misfortune for my family, truly. I’ve always believed in harmony and have taught my son from childhood to value friendship and kindness, but... Ah! Are you not going to greet your Uncle Li?”

Yan Quan, a youth about the same age as Chen Qingling, had formally begun cultivating last year, entering the Qi Refining stage, and was already approaching the second layer. In this world of cultivation, status was determined by one’s sect, family, and—above all—cultivation level.

Normally, if Yan Quan’s cultivation surpassed Li Ji’an’s by a stage, respect would require Li Ji’an to greet him as a senior, regardless of age. However, as both were in the early Qi Refining stage, they were peers and should address each other as fellow Daoists.

Yet Yan Tong’s anger over this matter was surprising, even though Li Ji’an had his suspicions.

As expected, after inviting the two inside, Yan Tong laid out the situation in detail.

In short, a few young men of similar age had grown close while frequenting the marketplace. But as differences in family backgrounds emerged, and with Chen Qingling’s timid demeanor for fear of causing trouble for his elder brother, bullying inevitably followed.

Earlier that day, when Li Ji’an had entered to sign his contract, Yan Quan had noticed Chen Qingling waiting outside; his actions caught Yan Tong’s eye, who pressed for answers that night.

Li Ji’an had a premonition about this the first time it occurred, intending to gently inform Chen Zhaohu when he next visited the market. He had not expected such a development today.

Before long, Chen Qingling was summoned.

“What do you want me to... Quan... Steward Yan!” After being toyed with by Yan Quan yet again today, and frustrated that Li Ji’an might not be able to help his brother, Chen Qingling was just about to complain as usual—only to find himself face to face with two figures he greatly feared upon entering.

Yan Quan’s presence was intimidating enough, but as a mere independent cultivator, Chen Qingling saw someone like Yan Tong, a steward of the Yan family, as practically a deity.

“Young friend, I must apologize for failing to discipline my son,” Yan Tong said with a slight nod.

Without waiting for the now-stunned Chen Qingling to respond, he turned to Yan Quan.

Yan Quan started, not daring to be negligent, and hurriedly bowed deeply. “Qingling, I’m sorry. It was all my fault before. It won’t happen again. Please forgive me.”

“Brother Quan, this... It’s fine, really, I don’t dare accept this,” Chen Qingling stammered, at a loss.

“Young friend, tell me how you’d like me to punish this little rascal. I promise you’ll be satisfied,” Yan Tong declared with a wave of his hand.

“This...” Chen Qingling was at a loss, sneaking a glance at Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an, however, kept his gaze down and did not intervene.

“Steward Yan, there’s no need. Brother Quan and I were just playing around. It’s enough if things don’t go that way in the future,” Chen Qingling managed to reply with forced composure.

“You’re most magnanimous! Hmph, thank your friend at once. If not for his forgiveness, you’d not be let off so easily this time.”

Yan Quan immediately expressed his thanks.

Yan Tong then sent the two young men out to “get to know each other better.”

Li Ji’an understood—now came the real business.

He harbored no illusions that, in a world where cultivation determined respect, such a “righteous parent” existed. If Yan Tong acted so, it was out of fear, or more likely, self-interest. The former was impossible, so it had to be the latter.

“Fellow Daoist Li, I must apologize again. Our clan has always taught us to be humble and courteous, to take a step back and foster harmony, but this boy... Forgive me for the embarrassment.”

“It’s nothing, Steward Yan’s wisdom and strict household will surely bring prosperity to your descendants,” Li Ji’an replied politely.

“Oh, by the way, since we’re on the topic, you must know I’m not a blood member of the Yan family, right? I was orphaned young and only thanks to the clan’s charity was I given the Yan name and truly became one of them.

The Yan family is truly kind to us outsiders.

Tell me, what other clan would trust someone not of their blood to manage something as crucial as the alchemy shop in the market?” Yan Tong sighed, revealing his own background.

Li Ji’an offered a respectful nod. “Steward Yan’s story is truly remarkable. No wonder the Yan family has become a leading power in this region.”

“Heh, yes... Well, no need to dwell on the past. What I wanted to say is, Brother Li, you must seize your opportunity.”

He glanced outside, lowered his voice, and continued, “Let me share a secret: our Yan family has recently made a great discovery while opening new land—a superior-grade medicinal field!

We’re in dire need of talent. The patriarch is ambitious and willing to promote anyone of ability. If you seize this chance and join the Yan family, when that field is fully developed—well, the prospects are limitless.”

...

After a round of clichéd promises and enticements, Li Ji’an remained calm and unhurried.

It was only at the end that Yan Tong finally revealed his true purpose for coming that evening.

“The young miss has studied the alchemical arts under Master Mo for three years, yet she still cannot grasp its essence... If, in the future, Brother Li, you could record in detail the instructions Master Mo gives you, that would be a great service. Of course, your monthly salary would be doubled...”

As expected!

Li Ji’an smiled inwardly.

The Yan family—or rather, their young miss—must truly be desperate.

“From this, it seems the story about the medicinal field is most likely true.”

“But what does that have to do with me?”

His thoughts raced, but outwardly Li Ji’an stood and bowed. “Steward Yan, rest assured. I will do my utmost to perform my duties well.”

All he sought was to trade time for alchemical skills and to establish himself in the market. The entanglement of their interests was none of his concern.

In fact, the longer their struggle dragged on, the easier it would be for him to fish in troubled waters.

Satisfied with Li Ji’an’s response, Yan Tong took his leave.

“Father! Was that really necessary? He’s just a menial worker at our alchemy shop!” Yan Quan complained in annoyance.

“Still don’t know your place? What do you mean ‘our’ shop? That belongs to the Yan family! Remember this: a surname can never compare to bloodline!” Yan Tong scolded.

“Besides, never forget—the reason I, an outsider, could become steward is not due to strength or luck. Choosing the right side is crucial. The young miss is extraordinarily gifted and ambitious. Do not pick the wrong side!”

“Alright, I’ll remember, Father!” Yan Quan replied obediently.

Yan Tong nodded in satisfaction. “Back then, I had poor spiritual roots and weak constitution, unable to cultivate body or magic. My peers all said I’d never walk the path to immortality. Yet here I am, stuck at early Qi Refining, but I’ve paved the way for you. If you align yourself properly in this life, perhaps the next generation might truly have a shot at immortality... Look at those old acquaintances of mine—dead in distant lands or living in poverty, without even a descendant left...”

---

“Li... Brother Li! How did you make them act like that?” Chen Qingling, usually a little proud before Li Ji’an, now watched him nervously, wringing the hem of his robe, visibly uneasy.

Li Ji’an chuckled and waved it off. “It’s simply that Steward Yan runs a strict household and is a man of virtue.”

“I don’t believe it!”

“Then just assume they heard your brother is a mid-stage body cultivator and got scared!”

Chen Qingling’s expression shifted, but in the end, he broke into a pure, innocent smile. “Brother Li, you really aren’t simple!”