“Is his heart melting?” Watching Qin Chu leave, Shang Ruoyu murmured. She was certain Qin Chu cared about her, and deeply about her safety, otherwise he wouldn't have talked to the Black Prison Master.
After walking along the street, Qin Chu returned to Vermilion Bird Villa.
Inside Vermilion Bird Villa, Qin Chu saw Chu Shan, who had brought people to deliver a Grade Six Five-Star Alchemist robe to Qin Chu.
Originally, Qin Chu thought he would just accept it, but Chu Shan insisted that Qin Chu wear it.
“Wear it! Perhaps you don’t think much of it, but it’s very important to the Alchemy Guild, because you are the third Grade Six Five-Star Alchemist in the entire Saint Martial Continent.” Mei Tianling, who was also sitting in the main hall of Vermilion Bird Villa, spoke up. To show respect for the Alchemy Guild and the profession of Alchemy, Qin Chu changed into the Alchemist robe.
The Grade Six Five-Star Alchemist robe, with its light gauze outer layer, greatly enhanced one's aura, and Qin Chu now had the demeanor of a Great Master.
“In our entire Alchemy Guild, only three people can currently wear this robe, and you are the youngest. Wearing this robe, you will be respected in any Alchemy Guild, receiving the treatment of an Alchemy Guild Great Elder,” Mei Tianling said, looking at Qin Chu.
“This… isn’t this inappropriate? I haven’t made any contributions to the Alchemy Guild!” Qin Chu said with surprise.
Mei Tianling shook her head, “Whether in Saint Martial City or Heavenly Sword City, you have always worked hard for the circulation and promotion of Medicinal Pills. This is a contribution. You have made Cultivators aware of the importance of Alchemists. You must continue to work hard in the future.”
Qin Chu bowed slightly to Mei Tianling, “Qin Chu will work hard.”
Wearing his new robe, Qin Chu walked around Vermilion Bird Villa, showing it off to Lang Lang, Bai Yu, Qian Xun, Yan Yi, and others.
Lang Lang and Bai Yu were envious, jealous, and resentful, because Qin Chu’s robe was too stylish. In Qian Xun’s words, wearing this outfit on the street would greatly increase the Return rate , and it was definitely a waste to wear it on Qin Chu, who was about to get married.
“That’s not right,” Shang Shuyu said, arriving at the courtyard where Qian Xun and the others lived. “Do married people not need an image, not need to tidy themselves up?”
“Haha! The effect is different. We need people to look back, we need girls to admire us. He doesn’t need that,” Qian Xun said with a laugh.
“Why wouldn’t he need it? If others admire him, it means he’s outstanding. If he doesn’t get admired by others, it means he’s not good enough, just like you,” Shang Shuyu said, smiling at Qian Xun.
Qian Xun’s face darkened. He had just teased Qin Chu a couple of times, and now karma had struck.
“Let’s drink together tonight.” Waving to Qian Xun and the others, Qin Chu and Shang Shuyu left.
“Qian Xun, still showing off?” Bai Yu asked, looking at Qian Xun.
“What kind of talk is that? Even if I’m not showing off, if Young Miss Shang Shuyu says a few words, I still have to take it,” Qian Xun replied.
“Qin Chu, your robe has a lot of presence. Wear this from now on, and don’t wear those coarse linen robes anymore; they don’t suit your status,” Shang Shuyu said, looking at the Alchemist robe on Qin Chu.
Qin Chu looked at the robe on him, shaking his sleeves. “This robe is more luxurious, but it’s not as casual as the coarse linen robe.”
Returning to his own courtyard, Qin Chu began Alchemy, while Shang Shuyu watched from the side. She felt that a man who was dedicated and serious about his work was the most charming.
As night fell, a black-robed figure appeared in the courtyard where Shang Ruoyu resided.
As the figure entered the courtyard, Shang Ruoyu emerged from her room, and, looking at the black-robed figure, made a gesture of invitation.
The black-robed figure sat down. The visitor was none other than the Black Prison Master, the head of Saint Martial Enforcement.
After sitting down, the Black Prison Master also made a gesture to the seat opposite him, inviting the other to sit.
“The Black Prison Master has come, not to demand an explanation, I presume?” Shang Ruoyu asked after sitting down.
“No! After your agreement with our Saint Martial Continent was formed, you have not violated the rules of the Saint Martial Continent again. This seat has no reason to make things difficult for you,” the Black Prison Master said.
“Then please state your intention,” Shang Ruoyu said, looking at the Black Prison Master.
The Black Prison Master was silent for a moment, “Your hostility towards this seat is very deep. Leaving everything else aside, as you are involved with Qin Chu, shouldn’t you show respect to this Elder who raised Qin Chu for over a decade?”
It was Shang Ruoyu's turn to be silent. From the Black Prison Master's words, she deduced that he had come to see her not for a grand cause, but for a personal matter. What could be his purpose then? To make her stay away from Qin Chu? That wouldn't do!
“Indeed, respect should be given, but this seat was injured by Your Excellency. This always requires a period of transition and reconciliation,” Shang Ruoyu said after a moment of thought.
“Hmm, we all know that the world is vast, and at our level, we shouldn't be confined to a single place, city, or regional dispute. You say this seat's power base isn't here, and indeed it isn't. But this seat originated from the Saint Martial Continent, so you can compete for Opportunity, but other matters should be set aside, otherwise, peaceful coexistence will be impossible,” the Black Prison Master said.
“Alright, this seat promises Your Excellency that if others don't overstep, this seat will not act recklessly. However, there are some things this seat doesn't understand. Legend says the Black Prison Master tolerates no sand in his eyes, never negotiates, and always stops killing with killing. Why the negotiation this time?” Shang Ruoyu asked.
“This seat has no children, so Qin Chu is like this seat’s descendant. It’s hard to say what the future of the Saint Martial Continent will be, so if you can, please look after Qin Chu. Also, do not harm that girl from the Azure Dragon Saint Race; otherwise, your relationship with Qin Chu will make no progress and will directly break off!” the Black Prison Master said, looking up at the sky.
“Your Excellency doesn’t have a good outlook on the future of the Saint Martial Continent?” Shang Ruoyu was a bit shocked, because she was certain that the Black Prison Master's tolerance towards her was due to his hope that she would look after Qin Chu.
“It’s not that I don’t have a good outlook, but turmoil is inevitable. In open battle, this seat fears no one, but some people will resort to underhanded tactics. One must always be prepared for contingencies, mustn’t one?” the Black Prison Master clarified his viewpoint.
“You are the Black Prison Master, the Black Prison Guardian. Where is your Prison Suppressing Blade?” Shang Ruoyu inquired. She knew some of the legends about the Black Prison. The Black Prison Master's Prison Suppressing Fist was incredibly powerful, but the true representation of his highest combat strength was the blade. The Prison Suppressing Blade’s fierce reputation was unmatched in the world. If she had known the Black Prison Master was on the Saint Martial Continent, she would never have come.