"Come in."
Qin Chuan said calmly.
Soon, three figures walked in, led by a middle-aged man in a green robe.
Behind the man were the burly Chen Sheng and Little Princess Chen, Chen Bilin.
"Patriarch Chen Guang of the Chen Family, pays respects to Lord Qin Chuan."
The middle-aged man bowed to Qin Chuan and said, "Earlier, my brother and niece acted without propriety, offending Lord Qin Chuan. Today, I have brought them to apologize."
After speaking, he gestured to Chen Sheng and Chen Bilin behind him.
"Ahem, well... I was shortsighted earlier, and I hope Lord Qin Chuan won't take it to heart."
Chen Sheng coughed twice, showing an awkward smile.
Recalling the scene of the battle with Qin Chuan, he felt deeply ashamed. He had initially thought that the opponent had been slightly restrained; now it was clear that a huge leniency had been extended.
"I, Chen Bilin, pay respects to Lord Qin Chuan."
Chen Bilin curtsied gracefully and said softly, "Earlier, I contradicted Young Master Qin. Please punish me, my lord."
She lowered her eyes meekly.
Her pitiably innocent look was completely inconsistent with her usual image as a domineering and willful young lady.
"No harm done."
Qin Chuan waved his hand with a smile and said, "Just childish squabbles, I never minded."
"Thank you, Lord Qin Chuan. Your generosity and magnanimity truly earns admiration."
Chen Guang said respectfully, "However, even if my lord doesn't pursue the matter, it doesn't mean we can be unappreciative, so I've brought a token of our apology."
Qin Chuan's expression remained unchanged, as if he viewed money as dirt, and said indifferently, "I lack nothing, gifts are unnecessary."
No.
Resolutely no!
Like when relatives give out red envelopes during the New Year, you certainly say no, even if you "accidentally" display a payment code, you still insist on saying no.
Faced with treasures, I remain unmoved, because I lack nothing!
This is the attitude of an invincible strongman!
"Lord Qin Chuan, no need to refuse in haste."
Chen Guang said with a smile, "I know ordinary treasures won't catch your eye. Our Chen Family probably doesn't have anything worthy of your attention."
"This gift is primarily for Young Master Qin, it should aid in his cultivation."
As he spoke, he took out a herb glowing with faint blue light, nine leaves shimmering vividly.
"This is..."
Qin Chuan frowned. He didn't seem to recognize this thing.
This is quite normal.
With countless spirit medicines in the world, even specialists dare not claim to know them all.
"This is a rare fifth-level spirit medicine containing rich spiritual energy that can quickly elevate one's cultivation."
"As for its name... I don't know."
Chen Guang explained with some embarrassment, but quickly reassured, "But you can rest assured, I've had it tested, and it surely has no side effects!"
Qin Chuan glanced at his cheap son beside him and said, "Xiao Zi, accept it."
"Yes, father."
Like a wooden figure beside him, Qin Zi nodded and stored the nameless herb.
"Haha, the matter's resolved, so we'll take our leave now, farewell."
Chen Guang smiled relievedly, then turned to leave with Chen Sheng and Chen Bilin.
"Xiao Zi, see them off." Qin Chuan said.
"Alright."
Qin Zi ran out after them.
Quickly arriving at the courtyard exit.
"Patriarch Chen, could I speak with Miss Chen alone?"
Qin Zi said to Chen Guang.
"You... what do you want?" Chen Bilin crossed her arms, showing vigilance.
"What could I possibly do?"
Qin Zi scoffed dismissively.
"Hahaha, Biling, since Young Master Qin wants to chat with you, talk to him. We'll go ahead."
Chen Guang paused for a moment, then laughed, dragging his brother quickly away.
He understood young people too well.
No one understands young people better than him.
There surely is something going on.
Something is definitely up!
Soon, Chen Guang and Chen Sheng completely vanished, and Qin Zi looked at Chen Bilin and asked, "Why did you help me earlier?"
"What? Help you? What are you talking about?"
Chen Bilin's eyes widened, showing surprise.
Qin Zi's face twitched slightly. Was he imagining things? Did she actually not intend to help him?
However, since he had started asking, withdrawing now would seem cowardly.
So he tried to speak calmly, "Earlier at the plaza, you publicly admitted defeat, relieving me from Master Pang Qi's pressure."
"Oh? I was just accepting my loss, surely you don't think I did it to help you?"
Chen Bilin paused, then mocked him, "Well, aren't you just narcissistic? Do you have no sense of our relationship? How could I help you?"
Qin Zi gazed intently into her eyes, resolute and said, "I can't believe a young lady from a prominent family would be unaware of what that gesture means."
"If you hadn't spoken, you would've won the Alchemy Tournament and earned Master Pang Qi's favor."
"But you spoke, gaining nothing, and even deeply offending Master Pang Qi."
"So... simply accepting a loss seems insufficient to justify such a foolish act."
Chen Bilin's smug smile gradually faded, eventually sighing softly, "Ah, you've figured it out..."
"Indeed, my actions weren't out of some noble acceptance of loss; I'm not that naive."
"But don't flatter yourself either; I wasn't doing it for you, my main concern was still myself."
Qin Zi furrowed his brow.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Bilin looked at him, arrogantly saying, "Don't understand yet? Seems your head is a bit simple, huh."
Qin Zi's mouth twitched slightly, but he said nothing.
Chen Bilin said, "At the Alchemy Tournament, your elixir was indeed more perfect than mine. Though I dislike admitting it, that's the fact."
"And that old Pang Qi, if he truly wanted to take on a disciple, he'd definitely choose you."
"But he chose against you. He even went so far as to cheat and destroy a talent like you just to choose me."
"Heh, from others' perspective, I was lucky, but from my perspective, can you really celebrate this?"
Qin Zi's brow furrowed!
He seemed to understand.
And Chen Bilin smirked coldly, saying, "An unsolicited favor means ulterior motives! That old Pang Qi's intentions aren't pure!"
"You mean?!"
Qin Zi shot a look at Chen Bilin, suddenly recalling his master's words regarding the Enchanting Maiden Physique.
"Indeed, you've guessed right, that old man surely covets my beauty!"
Chen Bilin lifted her head proudly.
What?!
Qin Zi's eyes widened suddenly.
He thought he'd guessed it, but turned out his guess was off track.
He took a deep breath and somewhat speechlessly asked, "Why do you think that?"
Chen Bilin snorted lightly, "Heh, that old man has shifty eyes, clearly a dirty old man."
"Moreover, his famous elixir is the Breast Enhancement Pill... who else would concoct such a formula?"
Speaking of the formula, her face flushed slightly, seemingly embarrassed.
Qin Zi's jaw dropped.
Breast Enhancement Pill?!
He'd heard of this kind of elixir in his childhood, rumored to be secretly purchased by many supposedly virtuous people...
Who would've thought this was Master Pang Qi's creation!
Indeed... a glorious achievement.