I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 152 - 150: The Freedom Army and the Zhuxian Sect
The dim secret chamber was decorated in a classical style, but the large room was lit by only one horn lantern. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows of the figures inside.
A person wearing a hood lay half-reclined on a broad, carved chaise lounge, their face obscured in shadow, with only two scarlet eyes visible. Another tall and thin man stood beside them, hands lowered, looking tense.
"Master, the slave factory in Star Shining City has been destroyed again, more than a thousand slaves are missing."
"Useless."
The two light, airy words frightened the man so much that he knelt down, his forehead touching the mysterious person’s feet, waiting for the searing pain in his soul. However, the mysterious one seemed to be in a good mood today and uncharacteristically did not punish him. Feeling reprieved, the man kowtowed several times before standing up.
Mysterious Person: "Do you know who did it?"
The man quickly replied, "Reportedly, it’s the Freedom Army, Master."
The mysterious figure clicked their tongue impatiently, "Them again!"
The man felt slightly reassured since the master did not seem angry, and continued, "Master, I suspect the mastermind behind the Freedom Army is the Chu Family."
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
The man was apprehensive, "I have no concrete evidence, Master." Sensing the mysterious person’s displeasure, the man quickly defended himself:
"Those Freedom Army people fight recklessly, unafraid of death, and once captured, they self-destruct. We never managed to catch a single informer, meanwhile, they abducted many of our followers. It’s quite bizarre.
However, I heard from our followers who escaped the Freedom Army, that every time they visit a slave factory, they look for information on a girl with dark eyes. I pieced it together and found that the person they’re looking for matches the description of the Chu Family’s second miss, who disappeared seventeen years ago. That’s why I suspect someone behind the Freedom Army is connected to the Chu Family, quite possibly Chu Yu."
The mysterious person chuckled, "Xue Han, you’ve finally made some progress, but unfortunately, you’re wrong."
Xue Han quickly bowed down, his expression respectful, "Please enlighten me, Master."
"Your overall thinking is correct. The Freedom Army is indeed looking for Chu Yunyou, and their top leader must be directly related to her. This narrows it down significantly to either the Chu or Ye families."
"After the Wu Earth True Locust Incident, the Ye Family has been severely weakened. They barely maintain their status as a noble family, let alone having the resources to establish the Freedom Army. Hence, it can only be the Chu Family’s doing. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Starting with Chu Yu, he’s a hypocrite, cold-hearted, and lacks loyalty. Although he seemed devastated by Chu Yunyou’s disappearance, he actually used the search for his daughter’s whereabouts as an excuse to indulge in pleasures at his mistress’s estate, and even has several illegitimate children. How could such a person possibly devote himself to raising a team specifically to search for Chu Yunyou?"
"Now about Chu Ying, she is indeed a heroic woman, passionate and righteous, much better than Chu Yu. If she led the Chu Family, it would be in a much better position now. Chu Ying hasn’t given up searching for Chu Yunyou over the years, but she’s the commander of the First Legion, a very important position. She’s so busy with public duties, constantly under external surveillance, that she neither has the time nor the opportunity to cultivate such a large private army."
"As for Ye Lan, a crazed former Healing Master, it’s not worth discussing. From this perspective, the answer is clear: the leader of the Freedom Army can only be Chu Yunyi."
Xue Han exclaimed in surprise, "Chu Yunyi? Master, if I may speak bluntly, fifteen years ago during the Freedom Army’s first clash with our Zhuxian Sect, Chu Yunyi was still just a child. How could he possibly...?"
The mysterious one let out a cold snort, "Back when you kidnapped Chu Yunyou, wasn’t it the four-year-old Chu Yunyi who used spiritual power to track you for over a dozen kilometers? If I hadn’t intervened to injure him, you’d have been exposed, and you wouldn’t enjoy the success you have today."
Xue Han’s face grew pale, quickly nodding in agreement, "I am eternally grateful for your life’s saving grace, Master." The events of seventeen years ago remained vivid. Who would have thought such a small child could be so shrewd and composed, fighting more fiercely than an adult?
"Master, I’ve heard that Chu Yunyi had a lingering injury in his Spirit Sea when he was young, causing his body to be weak, unable to endure strenuous activity, and raising an army requires great mental and physical exertion. How could he manage it?"
"This person has a tremendous willpower, unmatched by ordinary people."
The mysterious figure sighed and continued, "Never underestimate Chu Yunyi. He is a genius encountered perhaps once every few hundred—no, even thousands of years. His talent and temperament are exemplary. If he desires something, nothing is out of reach for him."
"Unfortunately, the Qianyuan world’s Heavenly Dao is incomplete, wasting his talents, like an eagle in a cage, unable to spread its wings. If someone of his caliber were willing to serve me, the Qianyuan Continent would long since be mine."
Xue Han lowered his head, "I am incapable of relieving the Master. Still, the Qianyuan Continent is teeming with talent. Aside from Chu Yunyi, there are other young talents. Why not recruit them for our sect’s use, Master? With the current military academy competition, there are several whose aptitude rivals Chu Yunyi’s. Shouldn’t I scout candidates for the Master?"
"Fool!"
The mysterious one waved their robe sleeve, and the man was forcefully knocked down, with blood seeping from his lips, yet he dared not utter a sound.
"The military academy competition is such a significant event, with numerous eyes from the four great legions and the Elder Council watching. How many lives do you think you have to dare recruit people under their noses? Though I’ve never paid them any heed, if you try playing tricks in front of those old dogs from the Elder Council, you’re still too green! Exposing your identity is a minor matter. Ruining my plans that have been a century in the making is major. Even flaying you alive would scarcely atone! Do not mention this matter again!"
Xue Han’s expression was desolate, repeatedly agreeing.
The mysterious person’s tone softened, "Speaking of the military academy competition, did you have anything to do with the Harssas Team falling into the Yellow Spring Mud Swamp?"
Xue Han nodded, "Indeed, Master, I did meddle a bit."
Mysterious Person: "Why?"
"A girl named Li Xing appeared inexplicably on the outskirts of Datang City eleven years ago and was classified as a second-generation slave. However, I checked; no slaves went missing from the smuggling ship passing by Datang City that day.
Li Xing’s background is mysterious, and she possesses an exceptionally rare Dual Double Heaven Armor aptitude, mastering the Ancient Alchemy Technique. Allowing someone like her to grow is bound to create another Chu Yunyi, posing a severe threat to our Zhuxian Sect’s interests.
The safest way was to eliminate her, so I used my authority to meddle a bit. But who knew she had such good fortune, even the Yellow Spring Soil couldn’t trap her."
The mysterious person frowned, "Although my current body appears fine, its internal organs are decaying. I need to transfer to a new body soon. Chu Yunyi is the perfect candidate, but his strength is extraordinary, and his personality is inflexible. Subduing him might be challenging. My biggest fear is that he would resist to the death and choose to self-destruct, rendering my efforts in vain. Li Xing will remain as a backup."
Xue Han nodded, "Master’s concerns are justified. However, employing a male body would be the best choice. Li Xing, though talented, as a female, cannot perfectly host the Master’s true self. A forced integration might affect the Master’s strength."
The mysterious person sighed, "Indeed, it’s unfortunately so."
Xue Han: "Rest assured, Master, I have already devised a way to secretly subdue Chu Yunyi. The Master must wait patiently for just a few months and surely be successful! However, I worry about the lingering ailment in Chu Yunyi’s Spirit Sea, which might affect the Master’s usage."
The mysterious one gently waved a hand, "No matter, I only need his physique. A chaotic Spirit Sea would actually facilitate my possession. Xue Han, since you have made the arrangements, proceed as planned. If Li Xing cannot be kept, so be it. But it is currently the time of the military academy competitions, so be careful not to leave any traces that could lead back to Zhuxian Sect."
Xue Han bowed his head, "I will heed the Master’s teachings."
The mysterious one waved, "I’m weary. You may leave now and instruct someone to bring in the supplements."
"Yes!"
Xue Han turned to instruct people to prepare, and soon, five teenagers with dark eyes were driven into the secret room by guards, trembling like leaves.
Xue Han stood by the door, listening to the piercing screams and the sound of gnashing teeth from within the chamber, a layer of goosebumps rising on his skin.
