Lin Qing nodded in agreement. He could understand Qin Chu's thoughts; going to his home and facing his parents might create pressure and make him uncomfortable.
Qin Chu, Lin Qing, and Qian Xun went to a restaurant and had a big meal. Of course, Lin Qing paid the bill. Besides gratitude, he also held deep respect for Qin Chu.
“Although this guy is the Young Master of the City Lord, he doesn’t have any dissolute habits. City Lord Lin is also skilled in raising his son.” Watching Lin Qing leave, Qian Xun exclaimed. He had seen many Disciples from large Families, and each of them had various flaws, always feeling superior. But Lin Qing was different.
“This is the true integrity of a large Family,” Qin Chu also greatly admired Lin Qing.
Elder Qin returned to the Alchemist Guild and, not seeing Qin Chu, became a bit anxious. Just as he was about to go look for them, Qin Chu and Qian Xun returned from outside, heading back to the pavilion where they lived.
“Did you two go drinking?” Elder Qin greeted them as Qin Chu approached.
“Yes, next time Qin Chu will definitely bring back a jar for Elder Qin,” Qin Chu said. He found Elder Qin a bit strange, but no matter how strange he was, he was an Elder of the Alchemist Guild and deserved respect.
Elder Qin hesitated for a moment. “This Senior wants to drink now. Are you interested in having a drink with this Senior?”
Qin Chu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. “This Junior just returned from drinking. Next time!”
“Then how about tomorrow? This Senior will wait for you tomorrow!” Looking at Qin Chu, Elder Qin changed the time. Although he was a bit anxious, he couldn't force Qin Chu!
Feeling a bit puzzled, Qin Chu didn't refuse and returned to the pavilion with Qian Xun, going to their respective rooms to meditate and Cultivate.
After Cultivating all night, Qin Chu went to the Pill Refining Room and began Alchemy.
While Qin Chu was doing Alchemy, Chu Shan arrived at the Pill Refining Room, holding a small teapot. He drank tea while watching Qin Chu do Alchemy, occasionally offering a few pointers.
After Qin Chu finished refining the Medicinal Pills in his hand, he chatted with Chu Shan.
“Have you met Elder Qin?” Chu Shan asked Qin Chu.
“I have. Did this Elder Qin not come out before?” Qin Chu asked.
“It’s not that he didn’t come out; he just didn’t want to see strangers. He goes on excursions several times a year. Like you, he is a Sword Cultivator, and Alchemy is just a side activity during his Cultivation. His Sword Dao is very powerful. Before, someone came to the Alchemist Guild to provoke him, and couldn’t even withstand three of his sword strikes. If you have the chance, ask him for guidance!” Chu Shan told Qin Chu. He was a bit worried that Qin Chu and Elder Qin wouldn’t get along because Elder Qin had terrifying scars on his Face, which usually deterred people from approaching him.
Qin Chu nodded, but he had reservations. Elder Qin had tried to fight him the first time they met, which was very unreasonable.
After a brief conversation with Qin Chu, Chu Shan left. He was very happy now. Although Qin Chu wasn't his Disciple, he had an intricate connection with him. Qin Chu becoming a five-star Alchemist also gave him a lot of Face.
In the afternoon, Elder Qin came to Chu Shan’s Pill Refining Room, watched Qin Chu do Alchemy, occasionally shared some insights, and even helped Qin Chu sort medicinal ingredients, leaving Qian Xun with nothing to do.
Elder Qin didn't leave until evening, when Qin Chu put away his Pill Furnace.
“Let’s go have a drink. This Senior wants to discuss some things with you in detail,” Elder Qin said. He felt he needed to be direct; if he was too subtle, Qin Chu might refuse.
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Chu nodded. “Qian Xun, I’ll bring you back some food and wine.”
After tidying up, Qin Chu followed Elder Qin out of the Alchemist Guild.
“At the Alchemist Guild, many people keep their distance from this Senior. Are you afraid?” As they walked, Elder Qin turned to Qin Chu and asked.
“No, to judge a person, one mainly looks at their heart!” Qin Chu said something a bit disingenuous. Appearance was still very important; who wouldn’t want to marry a beautiful wife?
Elder Qin nodded. “You’re right, the most treacherous thing is the human heart.”
Elder Qin then chatted casually with Qin Chu for a few more sentences, mainly to dispel Qin Chu’s wariness so that the upcoming matters would proceed smoothly.
Instead of entering a restaurant, Elder Qin, to Qin Chu’s surprise, led him into an inn. He then called out to the waiter to prepare food and wine, and took Qin Chu into a private room.
Entering the room, Elder Qin bowed to a white-robed man who had his back to them, “I’ve kept you waiting, Senior.”
“We’ve waited for so long, what’s two more days?” The white-robed man turned around and also pulled back his cloak. It was a man with a somewhat thin but resolute Face, appearing to be around fifty years old.
Qin Chu understood. It turned out that Elder Qin wasn't the main host of this banquet; the white-robed man before them was.
“We mean no harm, please sit,” the white-robed man nodded to Qin Chu, then sat down first.
Since he was here, he might as well make himself comfortable. Qin Chu sat opposite the white-robed man, while Elder Qin remained standing by the door.
“How should I begin? I’ll just say it directly. This Senior is Qin Zhengxuan, the Enforcement Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family!” The white-robed man hesitated for a moment, then directly stated his identity. He felt that beating around the bush was meaningless and a waste of time. He believed Elder Qin’s investigation wouldn’t be wrong; at most, it would just be about whether Qin Chu’s Bloodline level was sufficient and if he was a direct descendant.
Qin Chu stood up and bowed to Qin Zhengxuan, “This Junior Qin Chu greets Senior!”
“This Senior has shown sincerity, so why don’t you tell me about your origins?” Qin Longxuan gestured for Qin Chu to sit down.
“Alright! Actually, this Junior only recently learned some things. For the past fourteen years, I was adopted. A while ago, I asked a Great Master of deduction to deduce my background, and I learned some things. I should be from the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family, but I can’t be 100% sure if that’s the case.” Qin Chu said. He indeed wasn’t 100% certain.
“That’s very simple. Anyone from the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family has the Vermilion Bird Bloodline; it’s just that the Bloodline levels are different. Are you willing to have yours tested?” Qin Longxuan asked. Testing Qin Chu’s Bloodline level was essential, but he didn’t want to speak too forcefully and cause Qin Chu to resent him.
“I can!” Qin Chu nodded.
“This is a Vermilion Bird feather. After being stained with the blood of a Disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Family, it will change, emitting different lights that represent different Bloodline levels.” Qin Longxuan took out a colorful feather.
Qin Chu said nothing, slit his right wrist, and a drop of blood fell onto the colorful feather.
The colorful feather, stained with Qin Chu’s blood, vibrated for a moment, then emitted a light—a purplish-gold light.
As the purplish-gold light appeared, the expressions of both Qin Longxuan and Elder Qin changed, becoming surprised and shocked!