"Master, I've gathered some news during my travels, concerning the Eldest Young Master." Jing Song remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"What news?" the Grand Elder asked, surprised.
"The Eldest Young Master is alive and has recovered his cultivation," Jing Song said, glancing around to ensure they were alone. He then lowered his voice. "The Eldest Young Master encountered a miracle in the Land of No Return. Not only was his Golden Core repaired, but his severed hand tendons have also healed completely."
"Is that true?" the Third Elder exclaimed, excitement evident. "Do you know the Eldest Young Master's whereabouts?"
Jing Song shook his head. "The Second Young Master received the news and rushed there. I arrived a little later and couldn't find him."
"Then he..."
"He is alive. The Second Young Master also failed to find him. It is said that the Eldest Young Master's whereabouts are related to someone named Xiao Qin. The Second Young Master almost died at this person's hands."
"This matter must not be known to anyone."
"Yes, Master."
As night fell, an explosion echoed from the Alchemy Hall, startling everyone from their sleep. They immediately grabbed their nearby weapons, fearing an enemy attack.
Jing Song identified the sound as coming from the northwest. Thinking Xiao Man was in trouble, he rushed over. Upon arrival, he saw Xiao Man lying motionless in the courtyard, and his heart sank.
"Senior Disciple Brother, Little Disciple Brother is fine..." Jin Xu saw Xiao Man lying still on the ground, staggered, and then let out a desperate cry, "Little Disciple Brother!"
Jin Xu lunged forward, intending to check on Xiao Man, only to see Xiao Man roll over and lie on the ground, chuckling. This startled Jin Xu, causing him to stumble and fall.
"Little Disciple Brother, you're alright?"
Xiao Man turned his head, a look of confusion on his face. "What could be wrong with me?"
Jin Xu sat up and pointed at Xiao Man. "You were lying there motionless. I thought you had been killed by someone sent by the Grand Elder!"
Xiao Man got up from the ground, patting the medicinal residue off himself. "What do you take the Alchemy Hall for, a place where you can come and go as you please? And kill people casually? Are the people of our Alchemy Hall too easy to bully?"
"We've grown accustomed to being bullied."
"From now on, no one can arbitrarily bully the disciples of the Alchemy Hall!" Xiao Man slung an arm around Jin Xu's neck. "I'll cover for you then!"
Jin Xu rolled his eyes so hard they nearly popped out. "How will you cover for me? You're just an outer disciple, and I'm an inner disciple. If the Grand Elder or the family elders want to beat me, how will you cover me?"
"If they want to bully you, they'll have to get past me first!"
"I knew it was worth it to care about you!" Jin Xu said, chest puffed out. "Tell me, wouldn't it be great if I had an older sister? I could marry my sister to you, and you'd become my brother-in-law. Then, you'd help me, and others wouldn't dare say much."
"Even without an older sister, I will protect you."
"That's not the same!" Jin Xu's eyes darted around. "How about this, do you like any of the senior sisters in our Alchemy Hall?"
Xiao Man tightened his grip on Jin Xu's neck slightly. "I already have a girl I like."
"Whose daughter is she? What does she look like? Is she pretty?"
Xiao Man's mind flashed with a certain face. He quickly coughed. "Naturally, she is very beautiful."
"Whose daughter is she?"
"A rogue cultivator."
"Another rogue cultivator?" Jin Xu looked at Jing Song. "Senior Disciple Brother, why do you all like rogue cultivators?"
"Stupid!" Jing Song rapped Jin Xu on the head. "It's not that we all like rogue cultivators, it's just that the person we like happens to be a rogue cultivator."
"Hurry up and get up. Did you blow up the furnace?" Jing Song pulled them both up, one by each hand. "That was quite a commotion. I'm afraid even Master was alerted."
"What happened?" The Third Elder rushed over, disheveled, followed by several disciples, each holding a weapon. "Did someone break in and bully you?"
"Elder, it was just a furnace explosion," Xiao Man quickly explained. "I apologize for disturbing you and all the senior disciples, Elder. Please forgive us."
The Third Elder breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that nothing happened. Why did the furnace explode?"
"I didn't control the heat properly, so the furnace exploded."
Seeing that Xiao Man was merely disheveled and unharmed, the Third Elder was relieved. "You should focus on alchemy peacefully for now and try not to go out too much, lest those outside find an excuse to target you."
"Yes, Elder."
"You've been busy with alchemy lately, you must be tired. Go back, wash up, and get a good night's sleep. I'll have someone clean up the alchemy room for you."
"Thank you, Elder."
"Come, I'll escort you back." Jin Xu volunteered to escort Xiao Man back to rest.
"Then I'll escort Master back."
"I don't need you to escort me. Go back and rest. Have two young attendants clean up the alchemy room first thing tomorrow morning, so it's ready if Lan Xiao needs it."
"Yes, Elder."
As Jin Xu escorted Xiao Man back, he recounted the day's events. "Little Disciple Brother, you don't know, but the Second Young Master came to the Alchemy Hall today and wanted you to accompany him to the Heavenly Sword Sect. Master didn't agree."
"Why would he want me to accompany him to the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Little Disciple Brother, how can you be so stupid?" Jin Xu said resentfully. "Jin Yao is in league with the Grand Elder. You embarrassed the Grand Elder and are connected to Jin Quan's death. To please the Grand Elder, he wanted to kill you to vent the Grand Elder's anger."
"Is the Second Young Master so cruel?"
"He's more cruel than you can imagine!" Jin Xu glanced around and lowered his voice. "Before, the Eldest Young Master treated the Second Young Master exceptionally well, leaving him the best food and toys. But he, in turn, plotted against the Eldest Young Master, destroyed his Golden Core, and severed his tendons, all for the sake of inheriting the Jin family."
Xiao Man looked incredulous. "No way?"
"I'm telling you, stay far away from him. He's a complete scoundrel." Jin Xu held great disdain for Jin Yao. "Master doted on him quite a bit before, but after he persecuted his elder brother for the position of Young Master, Master stopped interacting with him. You shouldn't interact with him either."
"I hardly ever leave my quarters, so how could I interact with him?" Xiao Man said with a smile. "When is the Second Young Master leaving for the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"He's leaving tomorrow. Madam will accompany him. She hails from the Heavenly Sword Sect, so naturally, she'll take this opportunity to visit her maiden family." Jin Xu snorted. "And to let the Jin family know that she and her son have the backing of the Heavenly Sword Sect, so those who resist will have to reconsider."
"Since he is now the only legitimate son in the Jin family, why hasn't he become the Young Master of the Jin family?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
"He's always wanted to be the Young Master of the Jin family and has the approval of the Grand Elder and the Fifth Elder. However, the Grand Elder hasn't expressed his stance, so he can't ascend to the position of Young Master. The Patriarch has approached the Grand Elder several times about this matter, but the Grand Elder has never given his consent, which is why he is still only the Second Young Master."