Chapter 880: Re-evaluation

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The man shook his head, struggling out of the guard’s grip as he sighed, “I see. Thank you sir for the advice. I have failed to understand sir’s wish. All my life I’ve been in competition with my skills, only to finally find one where they aren’t as needed. Ha-ha, but it’s fine. I’m eliminated now, but I’m happy about it. Goodbye, everyone, and good luck!”

He gave a bow and walked out with a smile, on his own two feet and not thrown out. 

An alchemist had his dignity.

Seeing his back straight even as he failed and that smile, it was deeply ingrained in the others’ minds, having mixed feelings.

“Sir, I forfeit.”

Someone stood up, bowing towards Baili Jingwei, “I’m not fit to join the imperial capital. It’s best for me to be a free alchemist.”

Baili Jingwei nodded, “It all depends on yourself and your wishes if you want to serve the empire. I won’t impose on you.”

“Thank you, sir!” The man walked out.

More and more people chose to walk away. While greed was widespread among them, they were still men of character that would choose to step down rather than betray their dignity and values.

Before the second round even started, people were leaving en masse, leaving but a hundred.

Shangguan Feiyun watched from a corner, “Wasn’t Baili Jingwei the most admired official? It looks like his remarks today have repulsed many talents. He’s not his usual wise self.”

“Ha-ha-ha, brother Feiyun, aren’t you confused? You think this is really a Pill King Convention?”

Danqing Shen squinted, “Baili Jingwei is searching for the Shangguan clan. Since those tough men left, it makes it easier to inspect the few remaining. In other words, anyone can leave, anyone but the Shangguan clan. Baili Jingwei had figured this out and that’s why he’s inciting them.”

Shangguan Feiyun eyed Danqing Shen, “You mean Shangguan clansmen are among them? Isn’t it possible that the pile he cast out includes some as well?”

“No no no, Baili Jingwei’s actions are precise. We both know that.”

Danqing Shen took a deep breath, “We might not know why he threw them out, but one thing’s certain. The net is closing in, with Shangguan clan at its center.”

Shangguan Feiyun nodded, “Baili Jingwei, Sagely Statesman, has amazing control…” 

“Cousin, I’ve never seen a pill competition like this before.” Pulling on Zhuo Fan’s sleeve, Shangguan Qingyan looked hateful. Since she couldn’t lash out, she had to share it with him.

Since the great young missie of Shangguan clan couldn’t see Baili Jingwei’s machination, nothing could be said about the rest of the alchemists. Of the three Shangguan clan spies, everyone else that stayed was without a doubt a cowardly and dishonorable alchemist.

[All going according to the guy’s plan!] 

Looking at the smug Shangguan Yulin, as if patting himself on the back for being selected to stay, Zhuo Fan shook his head. 

[Is he really that blind to the tightening noose?]

He was among the rare ones who saw through Baili Jingwei’s reasoning.

Shangguan clan wasn’t good at alchemy, and Shangguan Feiyun knew this, having only been ten short days from the announcement and the holding of the Pill King Convention.

Getting a presentable alchemist ready in such a time was an illusion, though more than enough for a pretender.

This made the previous round focused on speed to be in fact a test of the mind.

Alchemists trained for years and years, starting from scratch and mastering every kind of skill and recipe before advancing a grade. This solidified their base.

This meant that a 6th grade alchemist could make any pill to that grade as long as he had the recipe.

While a pretender, having gone through alchemy cram school, would never be able to make more than some average pill. 

In other words, he lacked the basics. His cultivation supported him to make 8th grade, but top 7th grade would be impossible still. Such was the case of Shangguan Yulin.

Baili Jingwei must’ve figured it out, asking for such vague requirements and hinting at speed. It was to force those sham alchemists to quickly refine the pill he wanted, quality aside. 

In this frantic race, when skills were lacking, cultivation made up for it along with high grade ingredients. While a true alchemist had dignity and would not use anything better than a 7th grade ingredient for the same grade pill. This showed he was a 7th grade alchemist, as real as it got.

Baili Jingwei had them eliminated still, proving that no spy was among them. He was more interested in the shady alchemists.

This was Baili Jingwei’s net. Though odds were only Zhuo Fan saw through it. All the others saw was a strange Pill King Convention, as if tailored to the whims of their masters in the imperial capital.

Unaware that it was nothing but a trap to ferret out Shangguan clan spies.

Zhuo Fan was now pondering on a counter. 

[Shangguan Yulin, the only pawn I can use. Should I throw him to the wolves?]

If he did toss him out, he’d come into the open as well.

[The question is, what kind of man is this guy? Looking for an instant result or a patient fisherman?]

[Just how far will he go?]

Zhuo Fan knew the host was shrewd from all that had been going according to his plan and not Shangguan Feiyun’s.

Zhuo Fan had come to Flying Cloud City only two months ago. From Shangguan Feiyun’s meticulous and forced search, it showed he was not a shrewd mind. 

Only two weeks ago was the competition announced, turning into a web. Unlike the previous method, this was a more subtle and ingenious trap.

It was obvious that this guy only arrived in Flying Cloud City around that time. He had to be from the imperial capital and of equal power as Sword King Feiyun to take the main role in ordering the manor guards to his wishes.

Zhuo Fan squinted as he was figuring Baili Jingwei out.

He was courteous, steady, decisive, and a man of action.

His mind had to be broad and not after crumbs. 

[He may not touch me even when I’m in front of him, or it would drive away the real target, the Shangguan clan.]

[I’ll be safe until the two fight it out. This way I’ll use it to my advantage, from the shadows and in the open, to gain victory.]

Finding the two’s clash inevitable, Zhuo Fan sighed and showed a crooked smile.

[Ha-ha-ha, Shangguan Yulin, be good and stick out your head. You’re in high demand, to be used by Shangguan Feiyun and Shangguan Feixiong. Everyone wants you, he-he-he…]

Shangguan Yulin felt a chilling breeze that sent a cold shiver down his spine. 

[Who the hell is targeting me?]

Baili Jingwei then spoke out, “Congratulations, everyone, you’ve advanced to the second round. The topic will be, ha-ha-ha, I’ve yet to come up with one. Just refine.”

Ugh!

The people looked at each other lost.

[This is too damn random! Just refine? What’s the requirement then? What if you only accept 8th grade and cast out the 9th grade we make? How are we supposed to accept that?]

[It’s you who has the final say anyway!]

[This competition is too weird…]

The candidates were stumped when one spoke up, “Sir, please enlighten us about the entire process so as to avoid any mistakes.”

“Ha-ha-ha, there isn’t one. Just do your best!”

Baili Jingwei smiled, but his vague grin puzzled them even more.

Zhuo Fan’s Yuan Qi flame soared just then, speaking casually, “Didn’t sir tell you already? Do your best. Doesn’t that mean you have to show what you’re capable of?”

Zhuo Fan threw ingredients into his fire and the others rushed to start as well, unaware this was Baili Jingwei’s second attempt at ferreting Shangguan clan spies…

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