The Alchemy Room was dead silent, save for the occasional crackle of the furnace fire, which seemed to mock my overambition. Meng Li had accompanied me as I turned over every possible place, but we found nothing. It was as if a hand had materialized out of thin air during that day's alchemy session, slipping toxic herbs into my cauldron without leaving a single trace.
"How could this happen?" I slumped to the floor in defeat. The fire of hope in my heart felt as though it had been doused by a basin of cold water, leaving behind only endless despair and powerlessness.
Meng Li gently stroked my back, soothing me with a soft voice, "Don't lose heart, Brother Chen. Let's think of another way."
Chapter 41