Long Ying was reluctant, but Yan Zhen seemed still upset, so she didn’t dare disobey and meekly agreed.
Yi Xian’er said gently, “I’ll go with you, Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen waved her off. “You two caused such a huge commotion last night, and you’re both stunning beauties who leave a deep impression. Better not go out during the day—it’d stir up too much trouble!”
Stunning beauties… Yi Xian’er smiled. “Alright then. I’ll wait here for you. Come back soon, okay?”
Cai Lian’s eyes flashed with displeasure. That line should have come from her, the wife— not this Thousand Fiends stealing it!
Coldly, she said, “Be careful on the road. If anything happens, send a signal with the Extreme Flame. This Sovereign will rush right over.”
“Hmph~~~”
Seeing his ungrateful attitude, Cai Lian sighed helplessly and amended, “…This wife will rush over.”
Only then did Yan Zhen grunt in approval, full of macho satisfaction.
Before heading out, Yan Zhen had already informed Yan Lie. He didn’t return to his inn but went straight to the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce Capital Branch.
After he gave his name—Yan Zhen of Martial Tang City—the shop assistant immediately fetched the hall manager, who in turn notified the branch president.
The branch president personally received him. Upon hearing he needed a fourth-tier Wither Glory Grass and some third-tier herbs, the man quickly prepared everything.
When Yan Zhen pulled out his black card to pay, the branch president waved it away frantically. “Besides our store’s treasures, Young Master Yan can take anything you want— as much as you like.”
Yan Zhen knew this was on Sister Ji Ya’s orders and didn’t insist.
After all, Sister Ji Ya’s money was his money.
—Fair, rich, and beautiful big sis is the best~
The Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce Capital Branch kept several Pill Refiners on staff to make pills, so they had alchemy rooms available.
Yan Zhen took his complete set of herbs and asked the branch president for an empty alchemy room. Following his beautiful female master’s instructions, he carefully refined the Revival Spirit Pills.
Huangfu Xiong needed six—one per day for six days—and each batch yielded three, so two batches it was.
An hour later, Yan Zhen successfully produced the first batch, all mid-to-high quality.
Another hour, and the second batch was done— all high quality.
He placed the six pills into a slightly larger pill bottle.
Refining had taken a toll, but Yan Zhen popped one of his beautiful female master’s milk pills and recovered swiftly. Then he pushed open the alchemy room door.
A maidservant stood waiting outside. She informed him that people from the Huangfu Family had come looking for him.
Yan Zhen followed her to VIP Room No. 1. There were the four Huangfu brothers, of course—and Huangfu Wenqing, his fiancée. She stood by the window with her back to the room, gazing unhappily at the view outside. Only when Yan Zhen entered did she turn around.
The Huangfu Family Head—Yan Zhen’s father-in-law—rose immediately, his attitude cordial. “Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, are the pills ready?”
Yan Zhen nodded and handed over the pill bottle. “Six Revival Spirit Pills, all here. Have Grandpa Huangfu take one a day, then use the Acupoint Sealing Technique to disperse the medicinal power. Best to avoid combat during this time.”
At his words, the four Huangfu brothers all smiled. Though Elder Huangfu had stepped down as family head, he remained the true pillar of the Huangfu Family. Many dealt with them only out of respect for him, not the family itself.
If he truly collapsed, it would be a devastating blow to the Huangfu Family.
Beyond that, as sons, they were deeply worried for their father. Hearing Yan Zhen’s assurance finally let them breathe easy.
The Huangfu Family Head then cupped his hands in apology. “My apologies, Son-in-Law Yan Zhen. Yesterday, this father-in-law and your uncles were in the wrong. With Elder Huangfu suddenly collapsing, I was frantic and spoke without thinking, offending your master. I am truly ashamed.”
Huangfu Second Uncle chimed in:
“Nephew-in-law, we’ve really realized our mistake. You’re a big man with a generous heart—please forgive us. Otherwise, the four of us will be kicked out by the old master!”
Huangfu Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle chimed in with fervent agreement, showing they knew when to bend.
The dramatic shift in their attitudes wasn’t just because Huangfu Xiong had taken such a firm stance. Huangfu Wenqing had also told them about Yan Zhen’s exploits at Holy Land Academy!
With cultivation at the Mystic General stage, he had defeated a Mystic King powerhouse, claimed first place on the General Star List with overwhelming dominance, and even used some bizarre technique to summon external aid that forced a Mystic Venerable expert from the Heavenly God Clan to kneel and beg for mercy.
As for his background, he was highly favored by the Inner Academy’s grand elder, receiving a priceless flying skiff straight from the elder’s hands—a clear sign of just how much he was doted on. And Yan Zhen’s master was an unparalleled Pill Refiner, more powerful and mysterious than even Lord Fengxiao, who had personally refined the supreme Technique Refining treasure known as Extreme Flame for him.
In short, the Huangfu Family meant nothing in Yan Zhen’s eyes now.
Their marriage alliance had flipped; it was she who was reaching above her station!
Moreover, her master supported the union, and her year of study at Holy Land Academy had been meant to help her build feelings with Yan Zhen.
Huangfu Wenqing knew full well that changing her father and uncles’ minds required making them see Yan Zhen’s worth, so she had laid it all out.
She didn’t even need to say it—the Huangfu Four Brothers had realized it themselves. They had instinctively looked down on the “Yan Family of Martial Tang City” and Yan Lie, never considering that Yan Zhen alone outvalued the entire Yan Family.
This visit from grandfather and grandson to the Huangfu Family had been led by Yan Zhen, not Yan Lie.
Yan Zhen smiled faintly, polite as ever.
“There’s no need for Uncle Huangfu to say that. The situation at the time was unusual and understandable… It’s not about forgiveness or anything so dramatic. We’re all family—no need for talk between two households.”
“Yes, yes, exactly.”
Huangfu Second Uncle hurriedly agreed, and Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle echoed him with more yeses. Only the father-in-law’s heart sank.
That address of “Uncle Huangfu” said it all about Yan Zhen’s stance.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the Alchemy Room. Uncle Huangfu, you should take the pills back to Grandpa Huangfu soon. Wenqing, see you later.”
With that, Yan Zhen left VIP Room No. 1.
Huangfu Wenqing let out a huff.
“Are you satisfied now? What’s done is done—some things can’t be undone.”
No one knew this better than she did.
She had hurt others before and been hurt by her own family, so she cherished this second chance at life all the more, determined never to repeat her mistakes.
With that, Huangfu Wenqing left too.
The Huangfu Four Brothers could only look at one another before letting out a collective sigh.
Meanwhile, back in the Alchemy Room, Yan Zhen busied himself refining Cultivation Pills for his grandfather, Fetal Stability Pills for Cai Lian, and some tasty, energy-packed pills for Long Ying.
He worked straight until nightfall before finally stopping. Beside him sat three small vials brimming with finished pills.
Exhausted to the bone—like a dog, really—Yan Zhen popped a Lactation Pill to restore his energy. Then he pushed open the door, bid farewell to the Branch President, and left Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce for the inn.
