As they approached the street leading to the Nalan Clan, Xiao Yan and Hai Bo Dong parted ways. He then slowly made his way towards the massive mansion in the distance. As he neared the majestic estate, Xiao Yan was taken aback to see a crowd of people gathered at the entrance. All of them were dressed in the robes of alchemists, their chests adorned with dazzling silver waves, proudly displaying their status and rank. On the bustling street, passersby cast envious and reverent glances at the whispering alchemists. In their hearts, being an alchemist was a noble profession akin to nobility. The Nalan Clan, recognizing the power of these alchemists, did not dare to treat them lightly. At the entrance, some servants were speaking respectfully to the waiting alchemists. Only those who proved their worth were allowed to enter. Those whose strength was lacking were politely turned away. Although this action caused some dissatisfaction among the rejected alchemists, they had to leave with slight displeasure, considering the influence of the Nalan Clan and the relationship between Nalan Yanran and the Yun Lian Sect.
After observing the scene for a while, Xiao Yan noticed that only Third Rank Alchemists were being allowed entry, while Second Rank and even First Rank Alchemists, who were there out of curiosity, were being refused. Glancing down at the Second Rank Alchemist badge on his chest, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly and headed towards the heavily guarded entrance of the Nalan Clan.
Pushing through the crowd, Xiao Yan stepped forward. An elderly man, who appeared to be a butler, hurriedly greeted him. However, when he saw Xiao Yan’s youthful face and the Second Rank Alchemist badge, a hint of disappointment flashed in his clouded eyes. Though he was surprised by the young man’s age, the rank did not meet the required standard. Despite his internal disappointment, the experienced butler did not show it on his face. Instead, he smiled warmly and said, “Young friend, I am the butler of the Nalan Clan. I assume you are here to try and treat Elder Nalan Jie?”
Xiao Yan nodded without speaking. His ordinary face, concealed by the Ice Silkworm mask, seemed cold. The near-indifferent expression made the butler pause. This attitude was different from other alchemists. After a moment, he said helplessly, “I apologize, young friend, but our requirement is for Third Rank or higher alchemists. You… seem to fall short of that?”
“Rank does not represent everything,” Xiao Yan’s voice, slightly hoarse, remained calm. The butler frowned slightly. Seeing the butler’s apologetic face, Xiao Yan shook his head, took out Ya Fei’s letter of recommendation, and handed it to the butler. With his hands in his sleeves, he said softly, “Don’t let your judgment take away the last chance for your elder. Rank does not represent everything. Even the Pill King Gu He could not cure your elder, right?”
Xiao Yan’s words made the butler’s expression change. Taking the letter and reading the recommender’s name, he looked at Xiao Yan in surprise. After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth, stepped aside, and shouted at the guards, “Let him through!”
“Sir, please go ahead. We hope you can truly treat our elder. If you succeed, you will be a lifelong friend of the Nalan Clan.” Bowing slightly, the butler’s tone, due to Xiao Yan’s demeanor, was respectful.
Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan’s face remained expressionless. Without further ado, he walked slowly into the gates, disappearing from the stunned gazes of the crowd.
Once inside, a charming maid hurried out and spoke softly to Xiao Yan, then led the way. Following the maid at a leisurely pace, Xiao Yan surveyed the luxurious mansion. The grand and imposing buildings earned his silent approval. Putting aside other factors, the Nalan Clan, one of the three major clans of the Jia Ma Empire, indeed lived up to its reputation, and the wealth and power far surpassed the Xiao Clan.
Walking on the path paved with blue stones, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. As he ventured deeper into the Nalan Clan, he sensed hidden gazes and soul perception focusing on him, tracking his every move. Glancing up, he noticed dark shadows hiding in the shadows of the eaves. Sharp arrow tips, painted black to avoid reflecting sunlight, were moving slowly, ready to strike at any sign of trouble.
“Defenses are indeed strict…” Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, shaking his head, and looked at the grand hall at the end of the path. Through the partially open door, he could see a gathering of people. Entering the hall, he heard low whispers. Pushing the door open, the murmurs stopped, and all eyes turned to him. When they saw the Second Rank Alchemist badge on his chest, they were surprised. Clearly, they were puzzled as to why a Second Rank Alchemist was allowed in.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the hall. In the spacious area, about ten alchemists in similar robes sat, wearing Third Rank Alchemist badges. Most of them were middle-aged, and two had gray hair. Ignoring the curious looks, Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on a middle-aged man sitting at the head of the hall. Dressed in non-alchemist attire, he sat with an air of authority. His presence commanded respect.
Shifting his gaze from the middle-aged man, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the beautiful woman sitting beside him. Recognizing her, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly. Next to the middle-aged man, Nalan Yanran, in a moon-robe, sat quietly, her eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, her face showing surprise.
As Xiao Yan’s gaze met the middle-aged man’s, the latter stood up and bowed, smiling, “Young friend, I am Nalan Su of the Nalan Clan.”
“Nalan Su?” Hearing the name, Xiao Yan’s hands trembled slightly, and his eyes twitched. He stared at the man, who was none other than Nalan Yanran’s father and the man who almost became his father-in-law.
“Yan Xiao…” Suppressing his emotions, Xiao Yan’s voice, slightly hoarse, said, “Miss Ya Fei of the Mi Te Er Clan recommended me to try and treat Elder Nalan Jie.”
“Oh, so Miss Ya Fei recommended you. Please, have a seat,” Nalan Su laughed, nodding.
Nodding, Xiao Yan walked to the last seat under the curious gazes and sat down. He knew what the gazes meant. If even the Pill King Gu He could not solve the problem, what could a Second Rank Alchemist do?
Sitting silently, Xiao Yan felt Nalan Yanran’s gaze lingering on him for a while, and he wondered, “Could she recognize me? How is that possible?”
“This person seems familiar,” Nalan Yanran thought, her brow furrowing as she glanced at the black-robed figure in the corner.
“Everyone knows the problem we face. My father was poisoned by the notorious ‘Brand Poison,’ and now the poison has erupted. Master Gu He came once but could not find a solution. He suggested using a special flame to expel the poison, but finding such a rare alchemist is difficult. Therefore, we invite you, the best alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire, to see if there is another way to help,” Nalan Su said, looking around.
“Enough talk. If you can heal my father, the reward will be generous!” Gesturing to a side door, Nalan Su continued, “My father is inside. Please, each of you give it a try.”
The alchemists exchanged glances. A gray-haired old man rose and entered the side room first. Minutes later, he emerged, shaking his head. Returning to his seat, he said, “Sorry, Nalan Clan Leader, the Brand Poison is too stubborn. None of my antidotes worked.”
Hearing this, Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran sighed in disappointment, shaking their heads. One by one, the alchemists tried and failed, their faces red with embarrassment. As the last alchemist exited, Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran’s disappointment deepened. Nalan Yanran’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
The Third Rank Alchemists, no longer proud, sat in silence. The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy. Nalan Su sighed, forcing a smile, “Thank you all. It seems fate has dealt us this blow. Although we failed, I will ensure a generous reward.”
The alchemists, shaking their heads, stood to leave, unable to accept the reward. Suddenly, a calm voice broke the silence from the corner, “I’ll give it a try…”
A young Second Rank Alchemist, his face expressionless, stepped forward, his calm voice drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage