Chapter 42: The Epiphany of Humiliation!
All kinds of anguish feelings were floating in alchemist Feng's mind.
"Nine perfect pills…"
Kayson's voice broke him out of his haze. Not only him but also the crowd. In the face of this spectacular performance, they started cheering!
---
"Oh, the gods above! Did you see that?"
"A phenomenon…! A real alchemy phenomenon. And here I thought, I have seen everything."
"It's unbelievable, how could such a young fellow manage to create it?"
"We were all wrong. Genius, this young alchemist is an unparalleled genius!"
"Haha… the Dong family played us all. Who thought a kid managed to put up such a spectacle?"
"Shut up, look the appraisers of the Phoenix Hall already inspecting the pills!"
The crowd's attention immediately went to the two new figures who occupied the square platform. But their excitement didn't reduce even a bit. If anything it increased. All wanted to know the results. Especially the results of the miraculous young man.
---
Two appraisers of the Phoenix Hall approached a contestant each. One looked middle-aged and the other was much older with a snow-white long beard. They asked Kayson and Guo Feng to put their concocted pills onto two cushioned pillows. Next, the appraisal process took place.
It was worth mentioning that the appraisers of the Phoenix Hall were the best the whole star system had to offer. As everyone knew Phoenix Hall was the most prominent commodity auctioneer within the Lower Mortal Realm. It had branch halls in almost all the populated star systems. Only a few star systems that thrived in shady businesses didn't have a branch of Phoenix Hall.
It had enormous political and financial backing, only a few individuals knew where that support came from. So none wanted to cause trouble with Phoenix Hall. That helped them to conduct auctions, betting halls, and all kinds of duels for the masses unbiasedly.
Since the Shi family and the Dong family didn't trust their appraisers for this event they invited Phoenix Hall to be the judges of the event.
After a while, two appraisers seemed to have concluded. They called the announcing lady onto the stage again and whispered something to her. Then moved to the side giving space to the announcer.
"What a spectacular scene that was! Aren't I right? I can already see the excitement of the crowd. So without further ado, we'll announce the winner of this contest. First appraiser Wang will explain the appraisal of the pills concocted by Master Guo Feng!" She turned towards one appraiser. "Master Wang… please enlighten us!"
Master Wang, the middle-aged appraiser stepped forward. "Ahem… This was one of the most difficult appraisals we have ever done. I'll detail our valuation of Master Feng's concoctions. As Master Feng said himself these are top quality mid-grade common rank pills. Total of eight pills. The fragrance emitting from these pills has the capability to rejuvenate."
The crowd's interest increased. Some even tried to get closer to the platform, just to get a sniff of the pill fragrance. But the guards of the Phoenix Hall were stationed to control that kind of behavior.
Master Wang continued with his explanation.
"The purity of these pills is at least seventy present. Now the most important function of these pills… the blood freezing ability. I and Master Lu can guarantee a can stop a major gash within five minutes. So the market value estimation for one of these pills can go high as thousand gold coins"
The audience became restless.
"Ssss…."
"Th…Thousand a pill?"
"That means eight thousand!"
"It's not wrong to say that alchemists could acquire obscene amounts of wealth that could last for a few generations. I wish I could be one!"
"Heh… you wish!"
"If Master Feng's concoctions are worth eight thousand how much will be the pills concocted by that young genius?"
---
The Dong family patriarch felt he was shaking from nervousness. He never expected the alchemist he acquired on a whim to create a miracle. Surely pills that came through a miracle should be special, shouldn't they?
"Sister, what do you think about the pills created by alchemist Sun? Will they be better than Old Man Feng's concoctions?" He asked Xin Yi as she was the experienced one about the pills.
"It's hard to tell brother. Indeed, he created a pill phenomenon but we didn't feel any fragrance from his pills, do we? To be recognized as an advanced alchemist, one of the first skills we need to practice is to judge a pill by its fragrance. But alchemist Sun's pills do not have any fragrance."
Her reasoning immediately made his mood sour. "Can't you at least be a bit optimistic?"
"Er… His pills will be superior." Xin Yi suddenly said in an overtly serious way.
"Never mind. Keep your optimism to yourself." Hao Yu repulsed her.
---
"Hear that everyone, Master Wang appraised a single pill of alchemist Feng to be valued at thousand gold coins. What a high estimate! And pills have seventy percent purity… can close up a major wound within five minutes… Truly the pinnacle of a mid-grade common rank pill. But don't forget we have another contestant. So let's invite Master Lu…"
The old appraiser with the long white beard stepped forward. His deep shining eyes inherited him an appearance of an experienced wise old man. He started speaking in a clear yet low voice.
"I will explain about the pills concocted by the young alchemist Sun. In all my life this is the first time I've come across such a situation. These pills are an absolute wonder. We cannot say which technique the young alchemist used to create this, but it was a superior technique. There is a total of nine pills and almost all of the medicinal values of herbs were preserved in these pills. So that their effectiveness has boosted at least a minute or less." The whole audience plunged into silence. With each word, Guo Feng's face became more and more distorted.
"Yes… these pills can stop a bleeding wound within one minute. Moreover, they are purified closer to the absolute limit… seventy-eight present. As you know for a common rank pill eighty percent is the limit. So considering all of these facts even one of these pills could be extremely valuable. I and Master Wang decided to evaluate one of these pills for five thousand gold coins."
He bowed and slowly backed down and joined Master Wang. His words left the assembly in utter disbelief. Five thousand gold coins per pill? Forty-five thousand gold coins for all? How is this possible? Is it fair anymore?
The Dong family members went crazy. All types of loud cheering could be heard. Encouragements at Sun Heng! Insults and loud mocks at the Shi family members were thrown around.
Shi Gang tried to appear as stoic as he could but failed miserably. His family's whole future was depending on the outcome of the competition. But now an unknown youngster came out of nowhere and messed up all of his planning. He stared at Kayson with ruthless eyes. One could feel the killing intent leaking off of his figure.
'After all, this was over I'll take care of you!' He thought viciously.
But the one who was affected by this build-up the most was the Alchemist Master Feng. Every aspect of the pills concocted by Kayson was similar to a hammer strike to his pride. All of his superiority and self-importance were utterly destroyed. There was absolutely no ground for him to hold his head high anymore.
He thought he put up the most spectacular performance. But Kayson created a pill phenomenon! He thought he was the one who was able to utilize the materials to the fullest and create eight pills. However, Kayson created nine! He had huge trust in the effectiveness of his medicine yet his belief was ruthlessly crushed by the youngster. Even the purity largely overshadowed his pills.
Defeated! He was ruthlessly defeated by a kid who was still wet behind his ears. What a humiliation! To add salt to the insult, he even tried to lecture the kid. Why couldn't he keep his big mouth shut?
---
"Big brother we won, we won! Hehe… I knew he will do it!" Xin Yi giggled.
"Haha… finally! I knew I was right about this fellow. Fate is too got to us." Hao Yu howled in joy. Then he abruptly turned to his sister. "You didn't say he could do it! The only thing you did was criticize my decision-making skills saying alchemist Sun is a showoff, and he defeated you only due to your neglect!" He narrowed his eyes.
"Of course, I said that. That's because I was angry. Sometimes a lady needs to throw tantrums. Hump…"
"Argh… women I never understood you!"
---
"Haha… I expected nothing less after that performance."
"A pill worth of five thousand gold coins… could set me up for life!"
"By the way look at the alchemist of the Shi family. Hehe… he looked like ate a bug."
"Shh… Quite down, he might hear you."
"Hey, do you remember the wager Master Feng declared at the beginning? Looks like it is no longer valid!"
"Now thinking about it genius Sun didn't say what he will do if he won."
"Haha… genius Sun just threw his high and mighty attitude on his face. I wonder what is Master Feng going to do about it?"
---
After hearing the insults float around the crowd, the alchemist Feng was seriously considering whether he should stay for the next step or leave. It was true he participated in this battle to repay a favor. But his reputation was more important than a favor he owed. He could find another way to pay for that. But if his reputation was gone no amount of wealth could repair that.
That meant he had to withdraw from the battle. Even though another two rounds were there he was not ready to take the chance. To win he had to win both of the next rounds consecutively. But this Sun person only had to win one.
As he was considering a plan to call off the battle an extremely elegant and soothing voice called him. But to him, it was nothing but the voice of the devil.
"Master Feng looks like I won this round. I'm grateful to you for going easy on me." Kayson bowed and show his respect. But they both knew he was being sarcastic.
"Er… Alchemist Sun is humble. Haha… I think we should stop this battle after looking at your performance I just had an epiphany! If I meditate on this I might be able to achieve a breakthrough. So everyone please excuse me!" He said shamelessly and didn't even wait for anyone to object. He turned into a blurry figure and sped towards the Shi family compound.
The crowd was left speechless by Master Guo Feng's shameless act. The announcing lady looked lost in what to do for a second.
"Well… Since master Feng suddenly withdrew to meditate on his new epiphany we cannot continue the contest. As you all know it is hard to encounter an epiphany on the long cultivation road. So we have to respect master Feng's decision." As an experienced announcer, she handled the situation well and ease the tension smoothly. "So our winner is the young alchemist who represented the Dong family, Sun Heng!"
Loud cheers and congratulatory sounds went through the air. Some insults directed at Guo Feng and the Shi family could be heard at random.
As Kayson was about to went down from the platform, Master Lu blocked his way.
"Young alchemist Sun…" He bowed in respect without an ounce of superiority. Which made Kayson's opinion of the old fellow increase. "… on behalf of the Phoenix Hall, we would kindly like to request your permission to auction off these pills. We normally don't ask for permission, but since these pills are masterpieces we somewhat had to."
'Masterpieces…?' Kayson thought disdainfully. "Of course go ahead, but you have to speed up the process I won't be around here for long."
"Master Sun leaving the system?" Old Lu asked in surprise.
"Yes, I might have to leave soon. Someone will come looking for me in the near future." After a pause, he added. "…moreover things will become livelier around here." He said thoughtfully. It was evident there was a hidden meaning behind his words!
Master Lu looked puzzled for a while. "Er… well we're thankful. We will try our best to auction these off as fast as we can and deliver you with your money." Master Lu bowed again and stepped back.
---
Meanwhile, the Shi family members discreetly sneaked away amid the excitement of the crowd. None of them wanted to wait around to be humiliated. Especially the Shi family patriarch, Shi Gang wanted to have a real heart-to-heart conversation with Master Guo Feng.
As Kayson was coming down, Dong Hao Yu welcomed him with a big smile on his face. "Haha… my young alchemist friend, you're absolutely a miracle worker. Haha… I knew from the beginning there's something about you, but I never expected you to be a hidden genius."
"Patriarch Dong gives me too much credit. I only did what you hired me to."
As always, Kayson's humble words didn't fit well with Xin Yi. "Hump… try to act humble… drop the act that doesn't suit you." She complained without any ill will.
"Alchemist Sun please don't mind my dear sister, actually she was praising you a few minutes before."
"She did Huh…?" Kayson threw her a taunting glance.
"Brother you were not supposed to say that!" She jumped at her brother. "Let's see how I'm going to take care of you." She stomped the ground while walking away. Looking at the distancing figure Patriarch Dong sighed.
"Sigh… I might have to look out for poisoned food in the future. Let's get to the mansion. Master Sun needs to take some rest after the long day."
--- At the Shi Family Compound ---
"Bang" Someone sent a jade vase flying at a wall. It was regrettable to see a valuable art piece get destroyed. But compared to the completely vandalized discussion hall it was nothing. Standing amid all the ruins was the Shi Family patriarch.
"That bastard, he ran away like a coward."
"Bang…" another decorative pot went flying.
"After losing the first round I thought he at least faces the next two rounds either he wins or loses. At least that was honorable. Who would have thought…?"
Shi Gang sounded extremely frustrated. How could a dignified patriarch like him live through one defeat after another? He was supposed to repair his family's reputation with this battle and tell the world that the Shi family was still capable. But now his family had been reduced to a joke. Even insignificant mortals dared to mock his family name.
The whole discussion hall had filled with violent and oppressive pressure. Breathing was a challenge!
All the elders were trembling in fear. When enraged to the limit Shi Gang was known to lash out at anyone. Therefore, none wanted to be the next victim. They were cursing Guo Feng's nine generations under their breath.
What a coward! If you cannot compete why did you volunteer to help us on behalf of the Tower? You could've passed that chance to another capable alchemist. Not even you ruined our reputation you ruined your own organization's reputation too. Had an epiphany!? What a load of crap! Do you think people will believe you?
After an hour-long spitting spree, Shi Gang relatively calmed down. Only then were the elders dared enough to utter a word. As the oldest, the First elder took the lead.
"Patriarch it is regrettable that Guo Feng ran away. There's nothing we could do about that, he is protected by the Tower." His voice fade down as he heard Shi Gang grind his teeth. Yet he bit his tongue and went ahead. "… but now we have another pressing problem than worrying about him."
Patriarch Shi looked in his direction. He looked exhausted.
"First elder is correct, we have to open the new pill store we announced last week." The Third elder joined in. "We were hoping to attract more crowd with the success of today's event. Since we couldn't acquire it we have nothing to gain the public interest."
"If we open like this, no one is even tempted to come to our store. We need an attraction."
"Reducing prices was not viable. It will only further belittle us in the public's eye."
"So, what can we do? We need a solution and we need it fast there are only two days for the opening." Patriarch Shi raised the question everyone was wondering about.
--- Meanwhile on the neighboring plant, Green Giant ---
A spaceship was flying over a huge jungle. In the controlling room, there were three occupants. All three of them were clad in heavy dark metal armor. Their faces were hidden under dark leather hoods but surrounding them, there was a chilling and sinister aura.
The one who seemed to be the leader of the trio stayed at the back meditating while the other two operated the ship. The one at the right had something like parchment on hand. It seemed to be a map according to the way they used it to navigate the ship.
"Leader, it's around here." One with the parchment called their leader in a creepy voice. Their leader opened their eyes.
"Take the ship down. First, explore the surroundings and eliminate any threats. Next search for the spot. We leave no trail. No one knows we're here. So, if you met with anyone silence them! You know the drill." The leader's voice was so low it was barely audible as a whisper.
"Yes, leader." They both said in equal creepy voices.
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