The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

"Who says there’s no cure!"

A detached voice drifted in from a distance. Everyone in Jinluan Hall turned to look, only to see a young man in white robes approaching with a serene gait. His face was like jade, his eyes like stars. High upon the throne, a peculiar glint flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.

"It’s him," Muui Yunlie murmured.

Qin Ya walked calmly into Jinluan Hall, looked at the Fifth-Grade Alchemist, Master Chen, and said, "A moment ago, was it you who said this poison has no cure?"

General Xiao’s expression darkened. He took a step forward, pointed at Qin Ya, and roared, "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Imperial Palace! Where is the Forbidden Guard Army? Seize him!"

The surrounding members of the Forbidden Guard Army stepped forward at his command, but Nangong Wen spoke with indifference, "All of you, stand down."

Muui Yunlie looked puzzled, asking in surprise, "Teacher Qin, this is the Imperial Palace. How did you get in?"

He smiled faintly and produced the Bronze Iron Order. "I have Marshal Muu’s Bronze Iron Order to thank for that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to enter."

"The Bronze Iron Order... How do you have this?" Muui Yunlie was baffled, but then a thought struck him. "Could it be... Xue’er gave it to you?"

Qin Ya nodded and added, "I came to help you."

At this, the court officials burst into laughter. The Lingyun Marquis said, "I’ve long heard of Teacher Qin’s fame, and I never expected you to be acquainted with Marshal Muu. However, I’m afraid you can’t help him with this. This matter concerns the very foundation of the Empire; it’s not something a humble Academy teacher can meddle in." He finished with a cold sneer and a flick of his sleeve.

His indifferent gaze swept across the court. "I’ve never involved myself in the affairs of the court, nor do I have any interest in your schemes and deceptions," Qin Ya said. "The only reason I stand here today is in my capacity as an Alchemist, to take responsibility for my patient."

"You... That’s absolute nonsense!" the Lingyun Marquis snorted.

"A mere child dares to make such arrogant boasts?" General Xiao said coldly. "This matter concerns the very foundation of the Empire. We have no room for your foolish talk here! Responsibility as an Alchemist? Even the Fifth-Grade Alchemist, Master Chen, is helpless. What could a humble Academy teacher like you possibly do?"

Gazing down at Qin Ya, who remained unfazed by the crowd’s furious rebukes, an unreadable expression appeared in Nangong Wen’s eyes. ’The one Teacher took a fancy to is truly extraordinary,’ he thought. ’To possess such a high Cultivation at so young an age... But...’

He shook his head slightly, sighing to himself. ’He’s still too young. Youthful passion alone isn’t enough. The strange poison afflicting Yun Lie has been incurable for years. Even if he has extraordinary Alchemy Skill as the rumors say, he’s simply too young. How could he possibly have a cure? Alas...’

Qin Ya gave General Xiao and the others a detached glance, then turned to Master Chen. "What grade of Alchemist are you?" he asked coolly.

"Fifth-Grade!" Master Chen replied, puffing out his chest with an air of pride.

A Fifth-Grade Alchemist was considered a titan in the Imperial Pill Realm.

But Qin Ya only frowned and said coolly, "It’s understandable that a mere Fifth-Grade Alchemist would be unable to cure the poison in Marshal Muu’s body. But for you to then declare it incurable... that’s just presumptuous and ignorant."

Upon hearing this, Master Chen’s face twisted as if he had just swallowed a fly.

’Presumptuous and ignorant?’

In all his years, no one had ever dared to speak to him like that, much less a youth who hadn’t even reached adulthood. He was so angry he felt his lungs might explode. It wasn’t just him; the rest of the court officials stared at Qin Ya as if they’d seen a ghost, shaking their heads and sighing.

"I thought he had some ability, but it turns out he’s just full of hot air."

"A ’mere’ Alchemist? Who does he think he is? A Sixth-Grade or Seventh-Grade Alchemy Master? He’s not old, but he sure has a big mouth."

"How could Marshal Muu associate with someone like that? It’s a stain on his glorious reputation."

"It seems Marshal Muu really is getting old. His judgment has deteriorated to the point he’d give the Bronze Iron Order to someone like that. How disappointing."

"’Presumptuous and ignorant’... He must be talking about himself."

The officials murmured among themselves, casting disdainful looks at Qin Ya. Even Muui Yunlie was implicated, now seen as a poor judge of character. It had to be said, Qin Ya’s words were indeed too much, going far beyond their range of understanding.

Most of the court ministers had dabbled in Martial Arts to some extent, so they naturally understood how rare a Fifth-Grade Alchemist was and the status they held within the Empire. Such a person was a dragon among men, with a standing equivalent to an Extraordinary.

Yet, coming from Qin Ya, this achievement was treated as nothing. How could they not scoff in disdain? Even if one were to boast, it should at least be somewhat believable.

Even Nangong Wen felt a twinge of disappointment. He had thought Qin Ya was a peerless, heaven-sent talent, but he hadn’t expected him to be so arrogant and conceited...

Muui Yunlie said, "Teacher Qin, thank you for your kind intentions. You said you could cure my poison, and I would have gladly let you try. However, you also said you can’t do it right now, and I’m afraid I can’t hold on that long."

Qin Ya frowned. "You don’t believe me either?"

"That’s not what I meant."

Just then, General Xiao burst out laughing. "Haha! It’s not just Marshal Muu who doesn’t believe you; who in this entire court does? I thought this Teacher Qin, Qin Ya, was supposed to be some prodigious figure, but it turns out he’s just a boy who can only talk big. I really have no idea how you obtained your position as an Advanced Academy Teacher!"

Qin Ya smiled indifferently, then turned to Nangong Wen. "Your Majesty, would you allow me to try? If I fail, the situation can hardly get any worse. But if I succeed, you will have the Commander of the Red Flame Army back in his prime."

"Oh?"

Nangong Wen looked at Qin Ya, and as their eyes met, he felt a flicker of surprise.

’This boy’s gaze... Why is he so confident?!’

Nangong Wen saw in Qin Ya an air of confidence and serene composure, the kind of bearing that only comes from absolute certainty. But he couldn’t understand what could possibly give a young man such confidence in his ability to cure this bizarre poison.

’How interesting.’

Unconsciously, Nangong Wen found his opinion of the boy changing. A faint smile touched his lips, and then, an overwhelmingly powerful aura erupted from the Emperor’s body—an imperial might seemingly capable of crushing the very heavens and earth.

It was an aura that demanded absolute submission!

Throughout the court, all the civil and military officials fell to their knees. All except for the figure in white, who remained standing as straight and unyielding as a Divine Spear!

The officials were appalled, each of them swallowing nervously.

’This kid... he’s fucking courting death.’

Even the venerable Muui Yunlie was down on one knee, yet Qin Ya remained impassive, his eyes locked directly on Nangong Wen.

Muui Yunlie tried to signal Qin Ya several times, but the young man paid him no mind.

’To me,’ Qin Ya thought, ’Nangong Wen may be the monarch of a nation and an Extraordinary Martial Artist, but I’ve seen countless figures like him in my past life. A status like this isn’t nearly enough to make me kneel. It’s simply impossible.’

"Hm?"

Nangong Wen was surprised. He hadn’t expected Qin Ya to be completely unharmed by the pressure of his aura; in fact, he looked utterly unaffected.

"I... grant it!"