Chapter 99

Chapter 699

Qiao Baishi stood at the entrance of the hall, his heart filled with bitterness, and his eyes carried a hint of sorrow as he looked at each of these people's faces one by one.

These were his colleagues in the Apothecary Hall? These were the so-called brothers who had faced life and death together?

When the Shenxiu Creation Pill, Canghai Pill, and Yifo Powder were first introduced, what was their attitude? They all smiled broadly, praising Qiao Baishi for his wisdom and the great contributions he had made to the Apothecary Hall.

But now, how long has it been? Have they all forgotten? Just because Long Tenghou has gained power, can they distort right and wrong, turning all his contributions into crimes?

After all, in just a few short months, the Apothecary Hall has earned more from these three pills than it did in the past three years.

In other words, the Apothecary Hall's profits have multiplied several times in a short period.

This doesn't even count the expected future income, which is also visible.

Qiao Baishi's heart turned cold, and he spoke in a cold, indifferent tone, "If you think I was wrong, why are you only speaking up now? Why didn't you oppose me when I introduced those pills?"

"What kind of attitude is this? What's wrong with saying a few words? Don't you realize that we, the Apothecary Hall, are now a thorn in the eye of the new king?" the Second Hall Master Yue Qun scolded.

Elder Lan also said sarcastically, "Hmph, do you think you can't be criticized just because you have some achievements? In my opinion, you introduced those pills out of self-interest."

"Self-interest?" Qiao Baishi was angry. "Did I put a single penny of the profits in my own pocket?"

"Who knows?" Elder Lan didn't back down at all.

"Enough," Song Tianxing, seeing the situation escalate, slammed the table and shouted.

The words of the First Hall Master were still very intimidating, and everyone immediately shut their mouths and stopped talking.

Qiao Baishi stood up and bowed, saying, "First Hall Master, I, Qiao Baishi, do not want to argue about this. History will judge the right and wrong of my actions. I was promoted by you, and if you want to deal with me, I have nothing to say. But these people... hah, they don't deserve it."

Qiao Baishi had a proud spirit. These people usually did nothing, but when there were benefits, they all wanted a share. When problems arose, they all shirked responsibility and tried to push everything onto him, Qiao Baishi.

Was Qiao Baishi the kind of person who would let them manipulate him like a soft persimmon?

Song Tianxing sighed, "Old Three, the situation is more powerful than people. If Long Zhaofeng hadn't seized power, we, the Apothecary Hall, wouldn't fear him as the first vassal. But..."

"First Hall Master, I suggest we hand over Qiao Baishi. He is an accomplice of Jiang Chen. Handing him over to the king will definitely appease his anger. Moreover, the king has just taken the throne, the country is in ruins, and there are countless injured people. They need us, the Apothecary Hall," Elder Lan's suggestion was like pulling the firewood from under the pot.

"I think Elder Lan's suggestion is very good," the Second Hall Master Yue Qun also spoke up.

"I also agree with this suggestion."

"I agree."

A majority of the high-ranking officials actually supported handing over Qiao Baishi.

"First Hall Master, this is unfair. The Third Hall Master has made great contributions to the Apothecary Hall. Should his contributions turn into crimes just because of political changes?" This was Qiao Baishi's loyal supporter.

"Nonsense. If Qiao Baishi had really made great contributions, the Apothecary Hall would need him even more now. Sacrificing him to protect the Apothecary Hall is the greatest virtue."

"Exactly. Speaking of contributions, keeping the Apothecary Hall away from danger is a contribution."

These high-ranking officials were indeed shameless, and even Song Tianxing, the First Hall Master, felt embarrassed by their words.

Just as these high-ranking officials were bickering incessantly, a low voice suddenly came from the void, "In the middle of the night, you're fighting among yourselves so enthusiastically? Can't people rest?"

The voice was old but carried an authority that could not be ignored.

"Is it Elder Shun speaking?" an elder was surprised.

Elder Shun was a guest elder of the Apothecary Hall but held a revered position, even the First Hall Master Song Tianxing had to show him respect.

When Jiang Zheng first introduced the Shenxiu Creation Pill formula to Qiao Baishi, all the high-ranking officials were indecisive. It was only after Elder Shun's appraisal that Qiao Baishi made his decision.

Song Tianxing smiled awkwardly and apologized, "Elder Shun, I apologize for disturbing your rest in the middle of the night. The capital is in turmoil, and the Apothecary Hall needs to discuss a strategy."

"What are you discussing? Are you discussing handing over the Apothecary Hall's only talent to the new king to be beheaded and appeased?"

Elder Shun's tone was disdainful, and his words were sharp and mocking.

Those high-ranking officials who wanted to hand over Qiao Baishi were all embarrassed, but they dared not speak out.

"Song Tianxing, we have no interest in interfering in your internal affairs. However, the Shenxiu Creation Pill was appraised by me and Huange. If you think Qiao Baishi was wrong, it means we were also wrong."

"I dare not, I dare not," Song Tianxing knew better than anyone how powerful Elder Shun was.

"Since you dare not, why are you wasting words? The capital is in turmoil? Long Zhaofeng has taken the throne, and you think this is the end of the matter?"

Elder Shun's words left everyone speechless.

Song Tianxing boldly asked, "Elder Shun, we are dull-witted. Could it be that Elder Shun thinks there will be more twists and turns? Who in the kingdom can rival the Long family's influence now?"

"Hmph, the change of power is not something I, an old man, am interested in. I will only say one thing: Qiao Baishi cannot be touched. Whoever touches him is touching me."

After saying this, Elder Shun fell silent, and no matter how Song Tianxing spoke or asked, there was no further response.

Song Tianxing did not want to punish Qiao Baishi, after all, Qiao Baishi was his trusted subordinate. For the benefit of the Apothecary Hall, Song Tianxing had wavered, but that was not his true intention.

He seized the opportunity to say, "Alright, since Elder Shun has spoken, none of you can see further than he does. The capital's situation is just settling, and even if the Long family wants to settle accounts, it won't be our turn for a while."

Qiao Baishi was dispirited but said nothing, remaining silent. In his heart, he felt a deep sense of sorrow, never imagining that after dedicating himself to the Apothecary Hall, he would only be saved by a guest elder with whom he had no prior relationship.

"This Apothecary Hall is not worth staying in," Qiao Baishi thought of Jiang Chen, his mysterious and young master, and a warm current welled up in his heart.

Compared to Master Jiang Chen, Qiao Baishi found his colleagues to be as disgusting and boring as maggots.

In another room of the Apothecary Hall, under a green lamp, sat a young woman in green robes, her beauty surpassing that of a celestial being.

"Elder Shun, it's rare to see you get angry," the young woman idly played with the wick of the lamp, a slight worry in her eyes, making her even more captivating in the lamplight.

"Ha, Huange, the high-ranking officials of the Apothecary Hall are absurd. Qiao Baishi stands out among them, and it's no wonder he is envied. But to hand him over to Long Zhaofeng shows that the Apothecary Hall is a place that envies talent and is not worth staying in."

Elder Shun sighed lightly, his tone somewhat desolate, "If it weren't for the divine divination of the Thousand Mechanisms Elder, which revealed a clue to your illness in this secular kingdom, would I, an old man, let Huange suffer in this wretched place?"

Huange smiled, "Elder Shun, divination is vague and uncertain. Whether it exists or not, why should we take it too seriously? Everything is just a matter of fate. Anyway, staying at home with my ailing body, I would only be looked down upon and pressured."

When Huange smiled, she had a misty, ethereal beauty, her eyes sparkling with a light that did not belong to the mortal world, like a clear spring from heaven.

"Huange, don't you find it strange that the Apothecary Hall has recently introduced the Shenxiu Creation Pill, Canghai Pill, and Yifo Powder? The quality and level of these pills clearly exceed the scope of a secular kingdom."

"Yes, I have obtained some of these pills from Song Tianxing to study. They are indeed remarkable. With these pills, the Apothecary Hall could dominate the surrounding sixteen countries."

"The key is not how the Apothecary Hall fares, but where these formulas come from. I seem to remember that the Shenxiu Creation Pill was acquired from a Jiang family servant."

"The Jiang family?" Huange was puzzled.

"Yes, Jiang Hanhou. I have heard that Jiang Hanhou, Jiang Feng, is a decent person, but otherwise, he is average. However, I have heard that his son is very strange. He caused a disturbance at the Heaven Worship Ceremony and was beaten half to death by Dongfang Lu. Later, he treated Dongfang Lu's daughter, diagnosing her with a Taiyin constitution. Moreover, that servant Jiang Zheng is precisely this Jiang Chen's servant. Don't you think there's something strange about this Jiang Chen?"

"What could be strange about a vassal's son?" Huange was slightly puzzled.

"Indeed, it is very strange. I suspect that Jiang Chen is the mastermind behind the Shenxiu Creation Pill. The same goes for the Canghai Pill and Yifo Powder. Every time something happens in the Apothecary Hall, his shadow seems to appear. Moreover, the sudden turmoil in the capital was also triggered by him. And he can even control the Golden-Winged Swordbird, killing Long Zhaofeng's son."

Elder Shun found it increasingly strange, "Moreover, a few months ago, he was a disgrace to the capital, unable to pass the basic examination. In just a few months, he has become a key figure influencing the capital's situation. Huange, do you think there's something to this?"

"Something to what?" Huange smiled lightly, "Elder Shun, are you suggesting that the divination by the Thousand Mechanisms Elder will be fulfilled in this Jiang Chen?"

"Everything is possible," Elder Shun himself felt it was a bit far-fetched. From any angle, a vassal's son did not seem like the one to fulfill the divination.

However, with this vague clue, he could not ignore it.

"If there's an opportunity, I will meet this Jiang Chen," Elder Shun decided.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, the Apothecary Hall announced a major piece of news. Qiao Baishi had left, leaving a letter to bid farewell to Song Tianxing alone. In the letter, he stated that he would never return to the Apothecary Hall.

In other words, Qiao Baishi had severed all ties with the Apothecary Hall.

Song Tianxing was disheartened, knowing that his indecisiveness had hurt Qiao Baishi's heart.

"Fleeing from guilt. If Qiao Baishi had nothing to hide, why would he run?" Elder Lan scolded, acting as if he had foreseen it all.

"You, shut up," Song Tianxing was furious, feeling extremely depressed. Qiao Baishi's departure made him feel as if he had lost a lot.

The next page begins with an ad.

The next page ends with an ad.