The Alchemist God

At the top of the fine gold stairs, Hu Tie Ning was waiting in his governor robes. He walked down step by step with his hand on his sword hilt. He cupped his hands as he said with a smile, “Welcome to sir Lin Mu Yu of the Orchid Goose Four Heroes arriving in Five Valleys City with your noble self!”

Lin Mu Yu gave a military salute and respectfully said, “Sir governor is too polite, this subordinate feels flattered.”

“Ha!”

Hu Tie Ning looked over Lin Mu Yu before saying with a smile, “You truly are a heroic youth. When sir Lin Mu Yu left Silver Fir City, you were still an unknown junior, but now you have become a handpicked general of his majesty. One really is expectant of the future, Hu Tie Ning has to submit. Come, sir must be tired from the journey, come and have a meal with me!”

“Many thanks!”

Lin Mu Yu cupped his hand and give his horse to someone to the side to lead away. Wei Chou, Xiahou Sang, and the others all followed him with their weapons. After all, Five Valleys City was only the center of a province, it couldn’t compare to Orchid Goose City. Not to mention that Lin Mu Yu had come with an imperial edict, so even the governor’s manor didn’t dare take Lin Mu Yu’s group’s weapons.

In the main hall, there was a gorgeous feast to welcome the guests. Hu Tie Ning sat in the main seat and Lin Mu Yu sat right beside him. In front of Lin Mu Yu was a young general who seemed to be around thirty years old and judging from his aura, this person had already reached the Heaven Realm. It should be the strongest general in the entire governor’s manor.

“Come!”

Hu Tie Ning raised his cup with a smile and said, “Distinguished guests have come to Cangnan Province today, Five Valleys City is dancing with joy. Everyone drink a cup with me to welcome sir Lin Mu Yu!”

Everyone raised their cup and drank it all.

Instantly a burning sensation slid down their throats. Lin Mu Yu just stood there, nodding with a smile as he said, “Many thanks for sir governor’s welcome, this one is filled with gratitude!”

Hu Tie Ning laughed, “Commander doesn’t need to be this polite. Come, come, come, I will introduce sir, this is…..General Long Qian Lin. He was promoted to East Guarding General by his majesty two years ago and is the commander for my Cangnan Province, wielding over one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers. Moreover, general Long Qian Lin is young and sir Lin Mu Yu is also a young hero, so you should compare notes.”

Long Qian Lin cupped his hands and respectfully said, “This subordinate greets sir Lin Mu Yu!”

Lin Mu Yu was also respectful, “Sir is too polite, it should be this subordinate greeting you instead!”

In terms of general rank, Long Qian Lin was a fourth grade general while Lin Mu Yu was a sixth grade general, he couldn’t compare at all. However, Long Qian Lin should be this respectful mainly because of Lin Mu Yu’s status. The emperor’s adopted son, one of the Orchid Goose Four Heroes, this was enough to match a second grade Country Guarding General.

Hu Tie Ning put down his wine cup and said with a smile, “Sir Lin Mu Yu doesn’t know this, but general Long Qian Lin has performed a great merit last month. He used over ten thousand cavalry to intercept twenty thousand Ling Dong barbarians in the mountain ranges. He burned their camp to distract the barbarians and achieved a great victory. He killed close to ten thousand people while losing less than a thousand, he could be considered a famous general of this time!”

Lin Mu Yu was stunned before he said with a smile, “So the one who defeated the barbarians was sir Long Qian Lin? I have been rude…..I have been rude……”

Long Qian Lin looked a little embarrassed as he helplessly said, “Actually the barbarians don’t understand military tactics, not knowing any formations at all, so I could use the heavy cavalry to scatter them. I’m afraid any general would be able to do this, so I’m not worthy of being called a ‘famous general’. I hope that I can reflect on myself each day and be more worthy of serving the empire.”

Lin Mu Yu couldn’t help feeling goodwill towards Long Qian Lin. Properly speaking, a young person that controls one hundred and twenty soldiers should be arrogant to the point of putting no one in their eyes, but Long Qian Lin was actually this humble, it was very rare. He then said, “It seems like I need to ask general Long for advice. I, Lin Mu Yu am a boorish fellow and only have strength, I don’t understand military tactics at all.”

“Sir is too modest.”

Long Qian Lin cupped his hands and said, “If sir wants to ask for advice, this subordinate will certainly hold nothing back!”

Lin Mu Yu revealed a faint smile, “Many thanks!”

Actually, in terms of tactics, Lin Mu Yu had been forced to read the Art of War by his father since he was young. It could be said that he was properly taught, but he just lacked experience. However, with how smart he was, he would grow as time unfolded.

After three rounds of wine, Lin Mu Yu, Wei Chou, and the others were a bit drunk. Hu Tie Ning clapped his hands as he said with a smile, “Bring the dancers!”

Instantly, a group of girls wearing silk dresses came into the hall, dancing while being accompanied my musicians. It was a beautiful scene and these girls were all specially picked, with exceptional beauty. For a while the generals in the hall all looked right at them and with the feeling of being drunk, it became lively once again.

Lin Mu Yu kept sober the entire time, using the Spiritual Pulse Technique to drive the drunkenness from his mind.

Without knowing how long passed, Hu Tie Ning stood up drunk. He was slightly swaying as he said with a smile, “Today is a happy feast. These dancers are all maids trained by this one’s palace, so the guests may bring back any girls that catch their interest. These girls will fulfill our guests request and will not disappoint.”

For a while, the generals of the governor’s manor all revealed drunken smiles. Some even stood up to point at a dancer, laughing as they said, “I want that one…..the one with the biggest chest……”

Hu Tie Ning held the table as he said with a smile, “Don’t be rude, let the guests choose first! Sir Lin Mu Yu, you are father’s imperial capital guest. Come, who do you think is the best among these dancers?”

Lin Mu Yu stood up and said with a smile as he cupped his hands, “The green clothed, purple clothed, and yellow clothed are the best.”

Hu Tie Ning waved his hand, “Did you hear, you three will serve sir tonight.”

“Don’t……”

Lin Mu Yu cupped his hand again, “Sir governor, Lin Mu Yu is here with an important mission this time, therefore I have to disregard sir’s good will. As for these dancers, this subordinate is not lucky enough to spend time with them.”

Hu Tie Ning was stunned, but he couldn’t help laughing as he said, “I’ve heard that princess Xi and her highness Yin have a close relationship to sir, it seems like it isn’t false. Sir must not like these girls covered in makeup!”

Lin Mu Yu revealed an awkward smile which could be considered silent agreement.

Hu Tie Ning continued to say, “Sir Imperial Guards, if you like any dancers, please don’t be polite and freely choose.”

Wei Chou cupped his hand and said, “This subordinate’s cultivation technique says not to approach females, so this subordinate has to reject sir governor’s good intentions!”

Xiahou Sang was already dead drunk. His eyes were glazed over as he stuttered to ask Lin Mu Yu, “Sir, if this subordinate…..is allowed, that…..”

Lin Mu Yu revealed a faint smile. The matter of the clearance document was only know by him and Wei Chou. Xiahou Sang knew little, so it didn’t matter. He said with a nod, “If you like any, take them.”

“Many thanks sir!”

It was like Xiahou Sang was pardoned as he immediately pointed into the dancers and said, “Purple clothes and yellow clothes, come together!”

Lin Mu Yu instantly wanted to die. He held his forehead and thought why did he have such a crazy subordinate?

In the distance, Long Qian Lin saw Lin Mu Yu’s expression and secretly smiled.

So, Xiahou Sang and two other Imperial Guards brought four dancers away. The remaining dancers were brought away by the generals of the governor’s palace. Just like Lin Mu Yu, although Long Qian Lin was the highest ranked general, he also rejected Hu Tie Ning’s goodwill.

Lin Mu Yu’s group was placed in the honoured guest section of the manor. After Lin Mu Yu stated his intentions in coming here, Hu Tie Ning happily said he would bring some hibiscus duckweed plum flower over in the morning, which made Lin Mu Yu let out a sigh of relief. This time’s trip to Cangnan Province was considered smooth and he didn’t fail his mission.

The only disappointment was that the sound from next door was too loud. Xiahou Sang was like a dragon, filling the two dancer girls with ecstasy, even sending their voices through the wall to Lin Mu Yu’s ears.

“Ah, sir is so strong! This concubine can’t take it…..”

“Humph, look carefully, father has an even more powerful move!”

“Sir, don’t, I really can’t hold on……”

“Sir, that sir Lin Mu Yu is so handsome. Between you and him…..who is better in bed?”

“Nonsense, of course it is sir who is better! You talk too much, quickly lie down and let father show you what strong means!”

Lin Mu Yu couldn’t help letting out a bitter smile. That Xiahou Sang could be considered “loyal”.

Walking out the door, it still felt like winter. The fallen leaves in the yard slowly turned.

Lin Mu Yu drew out his Dragon Spirit Sword and used the slight drunk feeling to practice the wind imperial sword art. He heard applause when he put his sword away and a person walked out in the darkness. It was the East Guarding General Long Qian Lin.

“General Long hasn’t gone to sleep yet?” Lin Mu Yu revealed a faint smile.

Long Qian Lin also smiled, “Sir hasn’t gone to sleep yet either? Seeing sir’s sword art, it is truly outstanding. Your sword has already reached the perfection of grace.”

“My third rate sword art…..Ha, ha, not worth mentioning!” Lin Mu Yu laughed. He pointed at the stone table to the side and said, “Does general Long want to sit down?”

“Alright!”

As soon as Long Qian Lin sat down, he asked with a smile, “Is this sir’s first time in Five Valleys City?”

“That’s right.”

“What are your views on Five Valleys City?”

“It’s very rich and has strong troops, I’ve seen many prisoners of war on the street.”

“Sir is referring to the barbarian women?” Loan Qian Lin’s eyes dimmed as he said, “Those girls were forced to pick up weapons before they even grew up and finally became the merit of a third rate general like me. Sir, I’m speaking nonsense, will you look down on this Long Qian Lin?”

Lin Mu Yu was stunned, “I won’t.”

Long Qian Lin placed his hand on the ice cold stone table and said with a smile, “On one expedition, it’s unknown how many people are turned into white bones. I really don’t know when this world will have true peace.”

“Is general dissatisfied with the current situation?” Lin Mu Yu suddenly asked.

This time Long Qian Lin was a bit nervous as he cupped his hands and quickly said, “No…..I don’t dare. This subordinate didn’t have this intention, I only felt…..Those young girls also have parents and they are the same as us, but different cultures prevent our grudges from being resolved. This subordinate is not dissatisfied with the current situation, just feeling a bit willful. I hope sir will be open minded.”

Lin Mu Yu couldn’t help laughing, “It’s fine, I also feel it is a bit unfair to these barbarians, but I can’t do anything about it.”

A flash of light appeared in Long Qian Lin’s eyes and he said with bright eyes, “Sir, if it was you instead, what would you do to these barbarians?”

“Invading my territory, they cannot escape death!”

“Is that so……”

Long Qian Lin was a bit stunned. He felt a kind of arrogance from Lin Mu Yu that he never felt before.