Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 5 - Flipping The Table

As for its effects, the formula explained it in detail. It was better than any other pill on the market, but what amazed Master Hou was that the herbs needed for refining this pill cost only one-tenth of the second-grade Heart Nourishing Pill. The pill used ordinary ingredients that were easy to find in the market, like the Cockscomb Grass, which grew everywhere.

“You are very bold to come here with a fake formula. But considering this is your first time, I will forgive your mistake. Leave at once, or you will regret it.”

Master Hou’s eyes flashed with greed, but he quickly concealed it. He knew he could become a three-star alchemist if he mastered the refining method for the Heavenly Spirit Pill. Then he would have a chance to be transferred to Imperial City, the heart of all cultivators. As for Azure Billow City, it was just a drop in the ocean compared to the entire Great Yan Dynasty.

His motive for accusing Liu Wuxie of bringing a fake formula was clear. He was greedy and wanted to keep the formula for himself, so he didn’t mind betraying Liu Wuxie. As for the formula, he was sure he could refine it with a month of research.

Lei Tao was puzzled because he knew Master Huo well enough to know he would either walk away or fight back if the formula was wrong. So he couldn’t understand how this formula was so valuable that a two-star alchemist would stoop so low to frame Liu Wuxie.

Liu Wuxie performed a slow-paced and insulting clap with mockery in his eyes. He naturally noticed the glint of greed that flashed across Master Hou’s eyes earlier.

“The Treasure Pill Pavilion has given me the experience to broaden my horizon after witnessing your disgusting face.”

Master Huo’s face turned from red to green with Liu Wuxie’s mocking words, looking embarrassed. Even Lei Tao lowered his head with shame.

“Brat, you’re courting death by deceiving us with a fake pill formula after injuring our staff!” Master Huo flipped the table, unleashing a powerful aura that made his clothes flutter. He planned to overpower Liu Wuxie first and then find an excuse to accuse him and take the pill formula. Even if Liu Wuxie made a big fuss, who would trust the words of the useless son-in-law?

“Kill me? You?” Liu Wuxie sneered, staring straight at Master Huo without flinching. His sharp gaze pierced Master Huo’s soul like two swords, causing him to stagger. He almost collapsed because of Liu Wuxie’s gaze, which felt like it could see through anything.

But when Master Huo came to his senses, he became furious. After all, his position in the Treasure Pill Pavilion was second only to the Pavilion Master, and even Lei Tao had to be respectful to him. He had never felt such humiliation and fear, triggered by the piercing stare of a mere garbage. His eyes turned fierce, and he exclaimed, “Since you are seeking your demise, I will grant your wish!”

Master Huo extended his palm forcefully, showing no restraint as he aimed to overpower Liu Wuxie. Lei Tao was caught off guard, unable to intervene in time, as an unexpected turn of events unfolded before his eyes.

“Do it if you want to die, but tell me, do you experience unbearable pain in your solar plexus every time you refine pills? Has the intensity of pain increased over the years, necessitating the use of painkillers?” Liu Wuxie stood quietly with no intention of retaliating.

As Lei Tao was about to intervene, Master Huo halted, casting a bewildered gaze toward Liu Wuxie. This revelation was Master Huo’s closely-guarded secret, unknown to anyone else. So he wondered how Liu Wuxie knew about the intense pain he experienced in his solar plexus during the pill refinement process, especially in recent months. It had become so painful that he even thought of suicide.

Every month, the Treasure Pill Pavilion would have an astonishing number of transactions, with a significant portion of the Energy Condensing Pill refined by him. However, in the past two months, the production of the pills had noticeably declined. Master Huo explained that he didn’t feel well. So nobody paid much attention to it.

“H-How do you know about it?!” As soon as he said that, Master Huo felt a surge of regret and fear. It was just as Liu Wuxie noted, and a pitiful expression appeared on his face. He recalled the pain in his solar plexus when he refined pills.

“You forcibly took a Spirit Breakthrough Pill to make a breakthrough to the two-star alchemist, but it damaged your heart. Among the five principal organs in the human body, the heart belongs to the fire attribute. As a result, your heart will be under tremendous pressure every time you control the fire attributes in refining pills, and the pressure accumulates in your solar plexus. Judging from your current situation, you only have three months left to live.” Liu Wuxie didn’t hide Master Huo’s current situation from him and pointed out the problem.

Master Huo’s face immediately changed. Even his use of the Spirit Breakthrough Pill to advance to a two-star alchemist was revealed. He felt no different from being stripped naked before Liu Wuxie.

Lei Tao’s mouth was wide open after hearing what Liu Wuxie said. This was too shocking because the Spirit Breakthrough Pill was taboo, and the side effects were apparent. So no one was willing to take it.

“What should I do now? You must have a solution, right?” Master Huo panicked. He didn’t want to die, so he clung to Liu Wuxie’s arm desperately, as if it was his only lifeline. The intense pain in his solar plexus left him in lingering fear, not to mention that Liu Wuxie said he only had three months left.

“I have a way...but why should I save you?” Liu Wuxie flung Master Huo’s hands off him, and even Lei Tao couldn’t help feeling ashamed of Master Huo. After all, Master Huo had tried to accuse Liu Wuxie of presenting a fake formula and even plotted to kill him.

“I will do anything as long as you save me. Money? Women? I’ll give you everything you want!”

As the chief alchemist of the Treasure Pill Pavilion, Master Huo had naturally accumulated considerable wealth over the years, and he was willing to give it all out in exchange for his life.

“Give them all to me? Even the Treasure Pill Pavilion can’t give me what I want.” Liu Wuxie scoffed. His lips curled into a scornful smile. After all, how much wealth could a two-star alchemist accumulate? He had no interest in Master Huo’s meager fortune.

“Young Master Liu, please save me. What do I need to do for you to save me?” Master Huo had given up his dignity. He couldn’t bear the agony in his solar plexus any longer and clutched at his last chance like a sinking man.

“I can save you, but I don’t need your wealth. I came to the Treasure Pill Pavilion with the sole purpose of doing business with you.”

He knew the Heavenly Spirit Pill would bring him a fortune once it was ready, but he was unwilling to let anyone take the helm. He wanted to have complete control over it.

“Pray tell, how do you want us to cooperate with you?” Master Huo’s anxiety and eagerness left Lei Tao speechless. Was this still the same two-star alchemist he knew? Master Huo was no different from a dog wagging his tail now, and he was only one step away from going down on his knees to lick the soles of Liu Wuxie’s shoes.

“Do you have the authority to make that decision?” Liu Wuxie’s mockery was like a resounding slap in Master Huo’s face. But he could only bear it down and even give up his dignity to survive.

Lei Tao averted his eyes from the scene, feeling his world shaken. Liu Wuxie had not only wounded a dozen of the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s servants and a manager in the main hall. He also revealed a mysterious formula and diagnosed Master Huo’s illness, making Master Huo beg for his mercy. How could this be the same Xu Clan’s trash that everyone despised?

“The Pavilion Master isn’t in Azure Billow City, and I can decide regarding the cooperation you’re talking about,” Master Huo said, turning to look at Lei Tao.

Lei Tao maintained his silence and did not express his opinion because Master Huo did have that qualification.

Liu Wuxie wasn’t in a hurry to negotiate the terms of cooperation and asked Master Huo to bring him a set of silver needles. He wanted to treat Master Huo’s condition first, and his hands moved swiftly like the wind. He inserted the needles into Master Huo’s solar plexus acupuncture points, and they vibrated slightly, causing a faint humming noise.

As Liu Wuxie inserted more needles into Master Huo’s acupuncture points, Lei Tao’s face changed. The Liu Wuxie, from his memory, was a wastrel who knew nothing except having fun.

When all the needles pierced Master Huo’s major acupuncture points, he felt a warm sensation spreading from his feet to his whole body. The dull pain in his chest slowly faded away, and he couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

“Your condition is too deeply rooted in your body, and you need five treatments to eradicate it,” Liu Wuxie said, pulling out the silver needles without a trace of emotion on his face.

Liu Wuxie could treat Master Huo in one go, but his effort would go down the drain if Master Huo turned his back after being cured.

“Thank you, Young Master Liu. I won’t forget your grace, and do look for me if you need my help in the future.” Master Huo’s attitude changed into a completely different person from before.

“No need to thank me. Let’s discuss our cooperation now,” Liu Wuxie interrupted Master Huo with a wave. The power dynamics in this room had shifted dramatically, with Liu Wuxie taking the lead. But what amazed them even more, was the superior temperament that Liu Wuxie exuded.