Volume Two: Travels in Qi Chapter 67: The Wager

Zhang Heng and Yun Yanrou followed the maid deeper inside. The maid had already arranged seats for them, and as they sat down, they noticed an elderly man, both short and rotund, beaming at them from ahead.

Zhang Heng caught the old man’s gaze and felt an urge to retort, “I’m not interested in men.”

After a moment of silence, the old man smiled kindly and asked, “Does our esteemed guest wish for a pill furnace?”

“Yes, I do,” Zhang Heng replied.

The old man smiled again. “Young man wants to buy a pill furnace. I suppose it’s to present to your master?”

Zhang Heng realized then—this old fellow thought he was merely running errands.

All this fuss over buying a pill furnace? How absurd.

Zhang Heng rose, glanced at the old man, and said confidently, “Senior, I am deeply passionate about the art of pill refining. I wish to purchase a furnace to pursue my own studies.”

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Zhang Heng’s answer, the old man’s expression changed dramatically. With a cold face, he said, “Go home. I have pill furnaces, but I won’t sell you one.”

Yun Yanrou stood up to protest, but Zhang Heng stopped her.

He understood what this old man was thinking.

Turning once more to the old man, Zhang Heng clasped his hands and bowed gently, humbly saying, “Senior, I truly love pill refining. I hope you will indulge me.”

At Zhang Heng’s words, the old man grew even more displeased. He snapped, “Young man, cultivation is the proper path. Don’t meddle in things you shouldn’t.”

So you look down on me? Zhang Heng sneered quietly.

He replied coldly, “Sir, why don’t you test me yourself? See if I’m worthy of pill refining.”

Zhang Heng was angry now. He despised those who feigned profound wisdom, thinking themselves superior. Truth be told, Zhang Heng might not yet be adept at pill refining, but when it came to understanding pills, the old man was like an ant beneath his feet.

The old man was instantly intrigued by Zhang Heng’s audacious challenge. He strode over to Zhang Heng’s side.

He said coolly, “I’ll pose a question. If you answer correctly, I’ll gift you a pill furnace. If you fail, leave my Pill Pavilion and never speak of pill refining again.”

Just then, Yun Yanrou leaned close and whispered, “Young Master Zhang, this man is Wu Hong, a genuine fourth-rank pill refiner. You must be cautious.”

Fourth-rank pill refiner? What nonsense is this? The martial arts scene in Sandstone City was somewhat stronger than Liunan City. But Liunan City’s top pill refiner, Situ Bo, was only second-rank, and here they had a fourth-rank master?

“Well, young man, are you afraid? If so, leave now. I won’t make things difficult for you,” Wu Hong said smugly. He naturally guessed what Yun Yanrou had whispered to Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng smiled calmly. “Please, sir, pose your question.”

Seeing Zhang Heng’s arrogance, Wu Hong grew mildly annoyed. He clapped his hands, and immediately a maid brought in a finely carved pill furnace, placing it before Zhang Heng.

The maneuver left Zhang Heng puzzled. What now? Recognizing my strength and conceding defeat?

The old man spoke, “My question is simple. Refine a finished pill before my eyes. If you succeed, the furnace is yours.”

Pill refining? Yun Yanrou was shocked. Ordinary people couldn’t hope to refine a true pill without twenty years of dedicated study. Zhang Heng, so young—barely twenty—how could he possibly refine a pill?

The maids all thought the youth was doomed to fail.

Zhang Heng was also surprised. He hadn’t expected the old man to demand actual pill refining.

Truth be told, Zhang Heng could answer any theoretical question about pill refining. But when it came to truly refining a pill, this would be his first attempt. Though he had read many books on the topic recently, he had never actually succeeded in refining one.

Yet Zhang Heng was not afraid. If he failed, he could simply go elsewhere for a furnace—there were other sellers, after all. And he certainly wouldn’t give up pill refining after a single loss; he wasn’t that foolish.

He glanced at the furnace in the maid’s hands, took it casually, and played with it in his palms.

This gesture stirred everyone’s emotions in the room.

Besides Zhang Heng and Yun Yanrou, Wu Hong and four Pill Pavilion maids were present.

This meant the youth had accepted the challenge. Yet none of them believed Zhang Heng could truly refine a pill. They thought he was merely saving face, destined to suffer for his pride.

Looking at the furnace in his hands, Zhang Heng laughed. It was just like those seen on television. He had expected something extraordinary, but it was merely an ordinary furnace.

The furnace was small, no larger than a palm, but exquisitely carved. After admiring it for a while, Zhang Heng lost interest.

“Are you ready to begin?” Wu Hong asked coldly. He still doubted that Zhang Heng could refine a pill.

“Whenever you like,” Zhang Heng replied offhandedly.

“Very well. Someone, prepare materials for the young pill refiner,” Wu Hong said with mocking intent. Young people nowadays truly don’t know their limits. If only he would admit defeat and apologize now, the matter would be settled. But if he insisted on refining and failed, his humiliation would be complete.

“No need,” Zhang Heng raised his hand, then shook his spatial ring and said casually, “I have everything I need.”

A spatial ring? Such treasures were exceedingly rare. All of Sandstone City probably had fewer than three. Who would have thought this youth possessed one?

Zhang Heng closed his eyes to focus, and the others fell silent.

Perhaps they feared that if Zhang Heng failed, he might blame their distractions.

Zhang Heng began flipping through pill recipes in his mind. Which to attempt?

This system was truly impressive. So many strange and wondrous pill formulas dazzled him, making it hard to choose.

Ah, here it is—Restorative Pill.

It was only a second-rank pill, but that didn’t matter. Even if asked to refine a seventh-rank pill, Zhang Heng wouldn’t be intimidated. Though he couldn’t guarantee success with such a pill, he didn’t care. Wasting materials was not an issue; what he lacked least were pill refining materials.

After quickly reviewing the recipe, Zhang Heng opened his eyes.

“Ready to begin?” Wu Hong urged.

Zhang Heng nodded and withdrew the necessary materials from his spatial ring.

To prepare for future pill refining, Zhang Heng had collected vast amounts of spiritual herbs and materials.

His spatial ring conveniently allowed stacking—countless rings combined into one, its internal space unimaginably vast, enough to store anything he needed.

Seeing the materials Zhang Heng brought out, Wu Hong, an experienced pill refiner, immediately recognized what pill Zhang Heng intended to make.

“Infuriating!” Wu Hong exclaimed.

At first, he thought Zhang Heng might have some real skill. But now, seeing him produce materials for a second-rank pill, Wu Hong scoffed at himself for believing in such a youngster.

A maid spoke up, “Young man, don’t aim too high. Even I wouldn’t attempt a second-rank pill lightly. Don’t damage Elder Wu’s precious furnace.”

The others were startled, but could understand Zhang Heng’s reasoning.

Most likely, this youngster hoped to attempt a second-rank pill, and if he failed, he could claim it was simply too difficult.

How foolish. Pill refining was no game—the higher the rank, the harder the process. Poor control could even cause injury.

Witnessing their reactions, Zhang Heng thought, “Ignorant.”

He then prepared to embark on his first attempt at pill refining.