Chapter 127: Chapter 79: Mastering the Alchemy Art! Master Su!_2
“Of course I have to leave, I don’t have any offspring yet! After toiling away for most of my life, I should take some concubines and enjoy myself, shouldn’t I?”
Gong Zheng puffed his beard and glared as he spoke.
Su Changkong couldn’t help but laugh; Gong Zheng, well into his fifties or sixties, was old in years but young at heart, showing disrespect for his age, but the sadness of parting was also much diluted by this.
“Changkong, you are still young… In any case, take good care of yourself in the future.”
Gong Zheng hesitated, then patted Su Changkong on the shoulder.
Su Changkong roughly understood what Gong Zheng meant.
While Gong Zheng enjoyed an extraordinary status and reaped many benefits as the Giant Whale Gang’s Alchemist. This is because, since his youth – throughout his own prime years – he spent his time in the Pill Refining Room of the Giant Whale Gang. When he looked back, he was already old and had not seen or enjoyed many things in this world.
Gong Zheng felt that Su Changkong was very much like his younger self, not exactly regretful, but somewhat wistful, feeling that if Su Changkong took over his duties, he might also end up spending most of his life here, day after day.
But what Gong Zheng didn’t know was that for Su Changkong, the Giant Whale Gang was merely a stop in his life, helping them with Alchemy, strengthening himself, nothing more!
As evening approached, in the quiet residence where Su Changkong lived, he swallowed a pale red Pill and began practicing the Five Animal Frolics. His movements were enchanting, conveying the beauty of birds and beasts frolicking freely.
Five Animal Frolics (8th realm, Transcendental, 8%)
Turtle Breath Technique (7th realm, Profound Mastery, 27%)
In just two months since arriving at the Giant Whale Gang, Su Changkong had made impressive progress. Advancing the Five Animal Frolics to the 8th realm was extremely challenging, and this was due to the Body Refinement Success Pills he had been taking. Su Changkong believed that reaching his level of proficiency in the Five Animal Frolics was already rare and perhaps needed some modification to achieve a qualitative change in a short time!
The progress of the Turtle Breath Technique, however, was much faster. In just two months, there was significant advancement.
The main reason, of course, was the consumption of Pill Medicines.
Accumulating True Qi required time for cultivation, but taking Spirit Pills that could enhance one’s power was a quicker, more efficient shortcut. Over the two months, Su Changkong had taken a dozen or so valuable Qi Increasing Pills.
Within the Giant Whale Gang. Not to mention ordinary disciples, even those core elites didn’t have such luxury!
The role of an Alchemist, with pointers from Gong Zheng, allowed him to take one or two Pills every few days from the ones he refined.
To practice Alchemy and reap benefits was indeed a good job!
In return, Su Changkong had to refine Pills daily to supply the Giant Whale Gang’s needs, like Gong Zheng, who had an opportunity to leave only in his old age; leaving was not so easy!
Of course, Su Changkong was not Gong Zheng; he wouldn’t allow his life to be arranged at will. If he decided to leave in the future, he would, like Gong Zheng, find a new Alchemist for the Giant Whale Gang to take over and repay the kindness he received from the gang before leaving.
When the new month arrived, early in the morning, Su Changkong didn’t practice the Five Animal Frolics but instead went to the Pharmacy early because it was the day Gong Zheng was leaving.
Gong Zheng had taught him Alchemy without reservation, and now that he was leaving, Su Changkong naturally had to see him off.
Gong Zheng, carrying his luggage, had a look of excitement mixed with apprehension on his face.
He had always been refining Pills within the Giant Whale Gang, and even if occasionally stepping outside, disciples from the Gang would follow and protect him. But now, he was completely free.
However, for Gong Zheng, who had lived most of his life within the Giant Whale Gang, leaving his familiar surroundings to start a new life was bound to cause some apprehension.
“All right, no need to see me off.”
Gong Zheng smiled at Su Changkong having accompanied him to the entrance.
“Hmm, take care on your journey,” Su Changkong nodded and watched as Gong Zheng spoke to the disciples guarding the Giant Whale Gang’s gate, who then allowed him to pass and leave, his figure gradually disappearing from view.
“I should get back to Pill Refining.”
Su Changkong withdrew his gaze and returned to the Pill Refining Room; with Gong Zheng gone, he officially took over his position as the Alchemist of the Giant Whale Gang!
After refining Pills in the Pill Refining Room until the afternoon, Su Changkong packed up the refined Medicines. Every day there would be disciples from the Giant Whale Gang who would come to collect and inspect them.
And as usual, Su Changkong went to the Giant Whale Gang’s communal kitchen for dinner.
“Master Su.”
Along the way, the disciples of the Giant Whale Gang, who saw Su Changkong dressed in the white alchemist robe, greeted him very amiably.
They knew that the Alchemist of the Gang had changed to this young ‘Master Su’ and getting on the good side of this young master skilled in Alchemy would certainly do no harm!
Su Changkong sat down in a corner. The communal kitchen was similar to a mess hall, with groups of Giant Whale Gang disciples at other tables nearby.
Su Changkong gnawed on a meaty chicken leg, replenishing his expended energy and strength.
“Have you heard… Today, a body was found ten miles from the Giant Whale Gang. They say it was Master Gong’s…”
“Master Gong? Wasn’t he in the Gang? How could he have been killed?”
However, at this moment, the whispered conversation of two Giant Whale Gang disciples at the next table caused Su Changkong to pause in astonishment.
“Gong Zheng… Died?”
Su Changkong was stunned; he had seen Gong Zheng off from the Giant Whale Gang that very day, yet to hear suddenly that Gong Zheng was dead?
“How did Master Gong… How did he die?”
Unable to help himself, Su Changkong stood up and looked at the two Giant Whale Gang disciples who were eating, forcefully suppressing his emotions..
