Chapter 18: Jiang Lin, Completely Seen Through—Even His Underwear!
On the brightly lit night market street, just as Jiang Lin was about to turn and follow Mr. Yao's departing figure, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Instinctively, he turned his head.
And then he saw—beneath the warm glow of the lanterns not far ahead—a boy and a girl walking side by side.
As if sensing his gaze, the girl looked up. Their eyes met: her warm jade-green eyes locked with his deep, dark ones.
She didn't see the usual gaze she hated in others. What she saw in Jiang Lin's eyes was… confusion.
While they held that brief moment of eye contact, the boy next to her bent down to pick up a little windmill toy from a vendor's stand. Standing up proudly, he placed it in her hands, then followed her line of sight curiously—only to see a black silhouette slowly disappearing into the distance.
"Xun'er, what are you looking at?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing… Is this from Brother Xiao Yan? It's beautiful! I really like it!"
"Hahaha! As long as you like it!"
That night, under the bright moon, in one of the private courtyards of the Xiao family estate in Wu Tan City—
"Elder Ling, have you identified that person?" a gentle female voice asked softly.
A deep male voice responded from the shadows, "Miss, that person is named Jiang Lin. He's the adopted son of Mr. Yao, the owner of Wan Yao Pharmacy in Qingshan Town. An orphan. Skilled in forging. It seems they're in Wu Tan City this time to sell ten low-tier Yellow Rank Dou Weapons."
As a professional intelligence agent, Ling Ying's skill was top-tier… assuming one ignored the fact he was a Dou Emperor.
Honestly, asking a Dou Emperor to investigate two nobodies was overkill. Mr. Yao was already well-known and easy to trace. Once he had that, it was a simple task to deduce Jiang Lin's identity as a forgemaster.
If Jiang Lin had been a Grade 1 alchemist, Ling Ying might have been impressed. But an eleven-year-old, low-tier Yellow Rank forgemaster? That was it? Ling Ying merely shrugged. Sure, the kid had talent—but so what?
As someone from a powerful Central Plains clan, Ling Ying's understanding of forgemasters far surpassed that of this little bumpkin. Many Dou Qi practitioners who used fire were halfway forgemasters already, and high-tier alchemists could easily forge Dou Weapons below the Earth Rank.
Some factions were even rumored to be able to forge pseudo-Earth or pseudo-Heaven weapons. To outsiders, these "pseudo" weapons were indistinguishable from those used by Dou Sect or Dou Venerate experts.
So what's a pseudo-Earth weapon?
A perfect example: the Heavy Xuan Ruler, able to take a palm imprint from a Dou Venerate. That's a pseudo-Earth weapon.
In other words, compared to a Grade 7, 8, or 9 pill, pseudo-Earth and pseudo-Heaven weapons were like "failed pills" that only utilized the raw material's properties.
Why are high-grade pills subjected to tribulation lightning? It's not punishment—it's a form of energy blessing from the heavens. A true high-grade pill must combine the medicinal value of the ingredients with the essence of heaven and earth. That's what gives alchemists such unmatched status.
So, to someone like Ling Ying, Jiang Lin would only be worth kneeling to the day he truly became an Earth Rank forgemaster.
But now? A mere low-tier Yellow Rank? Please—still an ant.
"An eleven-year-old low-tier Yellow Rank forgemaster…" In a softly fragrant room, under flickering candlelight, Xiao Xun'er sat at her vanity, her delicate and radiant face reflected in the bronze mirror.
"So long as he poses no threat to the Xiao Clan, he can be ignored," she said indifferently.
Still, she couldn't shake a strange feeling. She'd seen many gazes from men, but never one like Jiang Lin's—purely confused. Even her Brother Xiao Yan, at times, had a bit of mischief in his gaze.
"Oh, and Miss—one more thing. If I'm right, those two will probably visit the Xiao Clan tomorrow morning. If you're curious, you can ask him directly," Ling Ying added. He figured with just a cute look or two from her, any nervous young man would spill all his secrets like beans from a jar.
…Okay, fine. Ling Ying admitted it. He was totally using Xiao Xun'er as a "honey trap." But so what? He didn't care anymore. He hadn't even dared explain to Gu Yuan what Xiao Yan was doing in Xun'er's room late at night.
If Xun'er was happy, that was enough. If she wanted to ask questions, let her. Ling Ying had already found all the info he could.
"Got it."
"I'll take my leave."
"Mr. Yao of Wan Yao Pharmacy, here to pay respects to the Xiao Clan Patriarch."
Early the next morning, Mr. Yao brought Jiang Lin to the gates of the Xiao estate, presenting his visiting card.
Mr. Yao wore his usual clean, elegant green robes. Jiang Lin wore a fresh gray outfit and stood behind him carrying two stacked wooden boxes—looking every bit the diligent assistant.
The Xiao Clan had been bustling lately. Representatives from various families, even from the Jia Ma Imperial Capital, had come to send gifts and congratulate them on Xiao Yan's breakthrough to the Fighter realm. Some sects had even extended invitations, hoping to make him a disciple.
But the current clan head, Xiao Zhan, hadn't agreed to any of them yet. He was weighing his options, trying to find the best path for his youngest son.
"Mr. Yao of Wan Yao Pharmacy, this way please—the clan leader is expecting you!" A smiling Xiao clansman quickly appeared to escort them.
"Mr. Yao, I think your name is perfect. No matter who meets you, they have to call you 'Mister,'" Jiang Lin joked softly as they walked through the festive courtyard.
"Heh." Mr. Yao chuckled and knocked lightly on Jiang Lin's smart little head. His real name had long been discarded in the Izumo Empire. In the Jia Ma Empire, "Mr. Yao" was his name now.
Soon, they were led to the Xiao family's reception hall, where a middle-aged man with a dignified air and a warm smile was already waiting.
"A talent like Mr. Yao, who heals and helps others—I've long wished to make your acquaintance," said the man.
He was none other than Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan's father.
(END CHAPTER)
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