The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

"Black Saber, are you sure about this!"

"Of course." A crazed look appeared in Black Saber’s eyes as he said, "Only by hunting the strong can I improve. This Qin Ya... he’s just my type."

With that, Black Saber let out a loud laugh, grabbed his long saber, and left the tavern.

One-Eyed Dragon’s face darkened. "That lunatic... Everyone, you should all lay low for a while. Whether Black Saber succeeds or not, the crime of assassinating a National Hero will be set in stone. I’m afraid the Black Market Killers are about to face a disaster."

The lesson from over a hundred years ago was still fresh in their minds.

If their Cultivation wasn’t so lacking, they would have definitely stopped Black Saber’s actions.

Not far away, Hua Wuchang sat at a table sipping his wine, his eyes glinting. He then stood up and left the tavern. With a flick of his sleeve, his face changed completely.

............

「Inside Ningxiang Pavilion, Mingxin Academy.」

Huaa Que, Liu Qing, Yun Yu, and a host of other teachers had all gathered to congratulate Qin Ya on his promotion to National Hero and his successful refining of a Seventh-Grade Elixir. Looking at the white-robed young man chatting and laughing in the center of the crowd, Huaa Que’s face was filled with gratification.

"When I first met you, you were only at the Human Element Realm. I never thought that in just a few months, you would reach such heights. It seems this old man didn’t misjudge you back then. Bringing you to the Academy as a teacher was truly a wise decision." Huaa Que gazed at Qin Ya, stroking his beard and chuckling.

"It sounds more like you’re praising your own judgment," Qin Ya said with a smile.

"Naturally."

On this day, the normally deserted Ningxiang Pavilion became a lively place.

Special-Level Teachers like Huaa Que, Yun Yu, Zhao Yunge, and Gu Qingfeng all gathered to drink and celebrate. Several Alchemy Teachers, led by Liu Qing, would occasionally ask Qin Ya for advice on problems related to the Alchemy Dao. He wasn’t stingy with his knowledge and answered each of their questions in turn.

For a time, everyone—host and guests alike—was in high spirits.

It wasn’t until the sun sank below the western mountains that the crowd began to depart. The Alchemy Teachers, especially Liu Qing and his colleagues, all looked extremely reluctant to leave, which made Qin Ya feel a bit helpless.

"Teacher Qin, let’s get together again some other day when you have time."

"Yes, I still have some questions I haven’t figured out yet."

"Listening to you speak for a moment is more enlightening than ten years of study."

Qin Ya gave a helpless smile. "Everyone, we are all Alchemists. If you have any questions, please feel free to come and ask me. I promise I will hold nothing back."

"Then it’s a deal!"

Finally managing to break away, Qin Ya let out a sigh of relief. ’When these Alchemists get persistent, they really are a handful.’ This couldn’t help but remind him of his past life. Back when he was just a Low-Level Alchemist, he had pestered High-Level Alchemists with the same shameless persistence. It was only after his Realm became so high that no one could stand shoulder to shoulder with him, after he was named the Pill Venerable, that he began to research the Alchemy Dao all on his own.

「The next day...」

Sitting cross-legged by the lake, Qin Ya slowly opened his eyes. He could feel that the True Essence within his body had grown a bit more profound. ’I estimate my breakthrough to the Earth Element Realm isn’t far off now.’ Unfortunately, his current Cultivation was still insufficient to absorb the potent Medicinal Power of the Seventh-Grade Pure Yang Pill.

’Huh, another visitor already.’

Qin Ya felt a headache coming on. Now that his identity as a Seventh-Grade Alchemist was exposed, he figured he’d be getting a lot more of these house calls in the future.

He looked up and saw a young man approaching, taking one deliberate step at a time.

’It’s him! Is he... carrying thorns to beg for forgiveness?!’

The approaching young man was none other than Muu Yao. He was bare-chested, carrying a large bundle of thorny branches on his back. The thorns had cut into his flesh, and blood was seeping from the wounds. Yet, the resilient young man didn’t make a single sound as he walked step by step toward Ningxiang Pavilion.

Qin Ya could tell he wasn’t using even a sliver of True Essence.

He naturally knew what Muu Yao was doing this for, but he didn’t say anything. Muu Yao had indeed been in the wrong, and he was now apologizing in his own way. Qin Ya didn’t want to stop him, nor did he have any reason to.

Muu Xue followed behind Muu Yao. Seeing her brother’s bloody, mangled back, a trace of pity and heartache flashed in her beautiful eyes. But just like Qin Ya, she didn’t try to stop or persuade him; she simply stayed by his side.

Upon reaching Qin Ya, Muu Yao bowed deeply.

"I, Muu Yao, misunderstood Teacher Qin in the past. Today, I have come to atone for my offense!"

Then, he suddenly pulled a thorny branch from his back. SWISH! The sharp thorns tore across his flesh, leaving another bloody streak. Yet, Muu Yao didn’t utter a sound or even furrow his brow. "Today, I am at your mercy."

"Brother Muu, why must you go to such lengths?"

Qin Ya sighed.

He took the thorny branch, and with a jolt of True Essence, shattered it into splinters. Then, he reached out and clapped Muu Yao on the shoulder. Muu Yao didn’t move an inch.

He untied the large bundle of thorns from Muu Yao’s back, tossed it into the air, and struck it with a palm carrying his Purple Flame, instantly turning the bundle to ash.

Taking out a bottle of wound medicine, Qin Ya handed it to Muu Xue and said, "Muu Xue, please tend to your brother’s wounds first. I’d rather not have the reek of blood inside."

With that, he walked into Ningxiang Pavilion.

Watching Qin Ya’s retreating back, Muu Yao was a bit bewildered. He asked, "Xue’er, what does Teacher Qin mean by this? Did he forgive me or not?"

Muu Xue shot Muu Yao an exasperated look. "How did I end up with such a dense brother? Turn around, let me put some medicine on you."

"Oh."

Looking at his mangled back, Muu Xue opened the medicine bottle and carefully sprinkled the contents on his wounds. "Sigh. Carrying thorns to beg for forgiveness... only you would think of something like this."

"Heh, it’s a move Father used before. It works really well."

"When? How come I never knew?"

"I only heard Father mention it by chance. Apparently, about a decade ago, there was some conflict between him and His Majesty. Father used this method to atone, and the effect was surprisingly good. His Majesty was moved to tears on the spot."

"Really?"

.........

Inside Ningxiang Pavilion, after Qin Yuxiang had prepared tea, Muu Xue and a properly dressed Muu Yao walked in. Muu Yao spoke immediately, "Teacher Qin, I deeply offended you in the past. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. A great man doesn’t hold grudges against the small-minded."

Hearing this, Qin Ya said with some exasperation, "If I didn’t forgive you, would you go out and do the whole ’carrying thorns’ routine again? You already made me waste a bottle of good medicine."

"Hehe." Muu Yao chuckled, then added, "This time, besides coming to apologize, I also came to thank Teacher Qin for the great kindness of detoxifying my father."

"Alright, enough. Ever since you came in, it’s been one apology or expression of gratitude after another. What’s all this about?" Qin Ya said in a low voice. "If you truly consider me a friend, then stop with all these formal pleasantries."

Muu Yao paused in thought for a moment, then said, "You’re right. We were being too persistent."

Immediately after, Muu Yao grinned and said, "Teacher Qin, I’ve always admired your Spear Technique! After losing to you last time, I went back and trained like crazy. There’s no time like the present, so how about we have another round or two?"

"Oh? So now you’re just here to pick a fight with me."

"A friendly spar! A friendly spar!"