"Who is Luo Jiu?" Yu Fan asked, puzzled.
"Fan'er, Luo Jiu is an honored elder of the City Lord's Mansion, and he's the only alchemist in all of Qingshan City," Yu Cheng reminded him, growing somewhat worried upon seeing Yu Fan's casual attitude.
Luo Jiu held an extremely prestigious position in Qingshan City. While his word might not be worth its weight in gold, he certainly wielded a great deal of influence within the city.
*(Who did I think it was? Just that trash of an alchemist. With that kind of skill, he dares call himself the only alchemist? It's truly laughable that a person like that holds such a high position.)*
*(Absolute trash. I wouldn't even deign to glance at a guy like this on the street, yet he actually has the nerve to come looking for me? A weasel wishing a happy New Year to a chicken—he harbors no good intentions. Who knows what petty schemes he's cooking up in that head of his!)*
*(What kind of half-baked amateur dares call himself an alchemist? If he's an alchemist, pigs could fly. Are the standards for alchemists in Qingshan City really this low?!)*
Hearing Yu Fan's inner voice, Liu Shuying almost burst out laughing. Refusing to see the man was one thing, but bringing flying pigs into it?
The man hadn't even offended him. Still, he certainly was quite amusing.
It seemed this wasn't some little vixen coming to steal her man after all, so she could finally rest easy.
"Not seeing him. Tell him to leave," Yu Fan waved a hand. What was there to discuss with a person like that?
"But..." Yu Tong and Yu He looked rather awkward. Eating someone's food makes your mouth soft, taking someone's gifts makes your hands short; they had just accepted bribes from Luo Jiu. If they failed to bring him in, wouldn't those bribes vanish into thin air? How could they allow that? No, they couldn't just let it go—how could they let a duck that had already flown to their mouth get away?
"Young Patriarch, Master Luo Jiu seems terribly anxious. I imagine he must have an urgent matter to discuss with you. Why don't you go out and see him?" Yu He said.
*(What airs is this good-for-nothing putting on, acting all high and mighty? The master is even willing to come find you, and instead of thanking your lucky stars, you refuse to see him? You really think you're someone special, don't you?)* Yu He thought resentfully to himself.
"I said no, and that means no." Yu Fan frowned. These two seemed dead-set on making him go out and meet Luo Jiu. Could they have taken bribes?
"Fan'er, Master Luo Jiu is considered an alchemist, after all. Why don't we go meet him? Who knows, perhaps he really does have some business?" Yu Cheng advised.
Actually, he had long harbored the thought of recruiting Luo Jiu himself. After all, having a Tier 1 alchemist in the clan would bring convenience beyond measure, benefiting everyone up and down the lineage and undoubtedly elevating the Yu Family's status. It was just that he hadn't felt comfortable speaking of it outright.
"Fine, Dad. For your sake, I'll go meet him," Yu Fan said helplessly.
Meanwhile, upon learning that the visitor was merely Luo Jiu, Liu Shuying lost all interest. She looked down on this half-baked alchemist just as much, and she knew a thing or two about him—the pills he refined were, frankly, bottom-tier. She couldn't understand if these people were simply fools to hold him in such high regard.
Above all, Luo Jiu was a man of questionable character.
Liu Shuying and Uncle Jiang took their leave.
As for Yu Fan and Yu Cheng, they made their way to the front gate to see what kind of game Luo Jiu was trying to play.
From afar at the entrance, Yu Fan spotted a middle-aged man with a rather slick appearance. This was his first time seeing Luo Jiu in person. *Hmph, so this is what he looks like. Even a full outfit of expensive silk can't mask his ugliness.*
"You're Luo Jiu? What do you want with me? Speak quickly and don't waste my time—my time is far more valuable than yours, so keep it brief."
"Fan'er, this is Master Luo Jiu," Yu Cheng reminded him from the side.
*(He's about as much of a master as my foot,)* Yu Fan thought to himself.
The moment Luo Jiu laid eyes on Yu Fan, a broad smile spread across his face. Although he had never met Yu Fan before, he could easily tell who he was from his age and bearing—given his youth, it was as plain as day.
He already knew Yu Tong and Yu He, and the only ones who had rushed over were Yu Cheng and Yu Fan. Yu Cheng's age and appearance clearly didn't match.
"Might I ask if this is the Young Patriarch of the Yu Family, Yu Fan? I never imagined the Young Patriarch would be so dashing and extraordinarily talented," Luo Jiu flattered with an ingratiating smile.
"You can spare me the pleasantries. Just tell me straight what business you have with me?" Yu Fan waved a hand. If not for his father's sake, he wouldn't have bothered wasting another breath on Luo Jiu.
"Hehe, Young Patriarch, I happened to see rolling dark clouds and strange celestial phenomena over the Yu Family estate just now. Upon discreet inquiry, it seemed to have been caused by you, young master. Am I right?" Luo Jiu asked tentatively.
As soon as Luo Jiu asked, Yu Fan understood everything. It was because of the tribulation. The manifestation of the tribulation had already shaken the entire Qingshan City, and Luo Jiu was hardly the first to notice.
This tribulation would likely make Yu Fan's fame ripple across the entire city in no time.
"Yes. And?"
"That strange phenomenon alone shows that the Young Patriarch is a remarkably capable youth, causing no small amount of envy in this old man. As the saying goes, among those who walk the path of the Dao, those who achieve mastery first are the masters—I, Luo Jiu, wish to take you as my master." Luo Jiu declared.
"Take me as your master?"
What on earth was this old fellow thinking? Just because of a tribulation, he wanted to take him as his master?
"Yes! As long as you take in this old fogey, I will handle all the pill refining for the entire Yu Family from now on. How about it?" Luo Jiu's offer carried a powerful temptation, even leaving Yu Cheng somewhat moved. Luo Jiu's position in Qingshan City could be summed up in a single sentence:
He who wins Luo Jiu wins Qingshan City.
His alchemy skills could rapidly propel a clan to prominence and quickly elevate the cultivation levels of its rank-and-file members.
The fact that the Wang Family currently reigned as the top family in Qingshan City had everything to do with Luo Jiu.
Seeing the expectant look in his father's eyes, Yu Fan glanced back at Luo Jiu. He himself looked down on Luo Jiu, but that didn't mean his father did.
While Yu Cheng cherished his son, as the patriarch, he also cherished his clan; he had to plan for its future.
Though Yu Fan currently possessed immense abilities, in order to maintain the act of being a good-for-nothing, he couldn't reveal too much of his strength.
Originally, Yu Fan had intended to refuse flatly. But now, Luo Jiu might present an opportunity. Since he himself couldn't stay to guard the Yu Family forever, he could let Luo Jiu do it instead. He planned to properly groom Luo Jiu before leaving.
"Very well. Starting today, you may stay at the Yu Family estate," Yu Fan consented.
"Luo Jiu pays respects to Master!" Without a moment's hesitation, Luo Jiu dropped to his knees to perform the traditional master-disciple bow. He didn't know what had triggered the descent of the tribulation, but he had made a resolute choice to side with Yu Fan. Perhaps it was a gamble; by taking Yu Fan as his master, he had already crossed the Wang Family, and there would definitely be no place left for him in their domain afterward.
"From today onward, you will live here at the Yu Family estate. Go pack up your things at the Wang Family and come right over."