Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

"Come in," Qin Chuan said calmly.

Soon, three figures entered the room. Leading the group was a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe. Behind him were the burly Chen Sheng and the Chen family's young lady, Chen Biling.

"Chen Guang, head of the Chen family, pays respects to Lord Qin Chuan," the middle-aged man said with a respectful bow. "Previously, my brother and niece were disrespectful and offended you, Lord Qin Chuan. Today, I've brought them here to apologize."

With that, he glanced back at Chen Sheng and Chen Biling, signaling them to step forward.

"Ahem, well... I was mistaken before. Please, Lord Qin Chuan, don't hold it against me," Chen Sheng said with an awkward cough, a sheepish smile on his face.

Recalling his previous battle with Qin Chuan, he felt utterly embarrassed. Back then, he had thought Qin Chuan was merely holding back a little. But now, he realized that Qin Chuan had gone easy on him to an unimaginable extent.

"Younger Chen Biling greets Lord Qin Chuan," Chen Biling said softly, curtsying in a ladylike manner. "I was wrong to speak rudely to Young Master Qin Zi before. Please, Lord Qin, punish me as you see fit."

She lowered her eyes, looking delicate and pitiful—completely different from her usual spoiled and headstrong demeanor.

"It's nothing," Qin Chuan said with a smile, waving off the apology. "Children's quarrels are just that. I never took it to heart."

"Thank you, Lord Qin Chuan. Your magnanimity and grace are truly admirable," Chen Guang said respectfully. "However, while you may be willing to overlook this, we cannot afford to be ungrateful. So, I've brought a small token of our apology."

Qin Chuan's expression remained unchanged, exuding an air of indifference toward wealth. "I lack for nothing; there's no need for gifts."

Refuse, resolutely refuse!

Like turning down a red envelope during New Year's, one must always politely decline, even if one accidentally flashes a QR code. You still must say no.

I remain unmoved by material wealth because I lack nothing! This is the attitude of an invincible warrior!

"Lord Qin Chuan, there's no need to refuse so quickly," Chen Guang said with a smile. "I'm well aware that ordinary treasures wouldn't catch your eye, and our Chen family likely doesn't have anything that would interest you."

"This gift is meant for Young Master Qin Zi. It should aid him in his cultivation."

As he spoke, he presented a herb that glowed with a faint blue light. It had nine leaves, each one crystalline and translucent.

"What is this…?" Qin Chuan frowned slightly. This herb was unfamiliar to him.

And that was understandable.

There are countless rare herbs in the world. Even specialists in the field wouldn't claim to recognize them all.

"This is a rare fifth-grade spiritual herb, rich in spiritual energy and capable of quickly boosting one's cultivation," Chen Guang explained. "As for its name… I'm afraid I don't know."

He added with some embarrassment, "But rest assured, I had it tested. There are absolutely no side effects!"

Qin Chuan glanced at his son and said, "Qin Zi, take it."

"Yes, Father," Qin Zi, who had been standing like a statue, nodded and took the unnamed herb.

"Well, since that's settled, we won't intrude any longer. Farewell," Chen Guang said with a relieved smile, before turning to leave with Chen Sheng and Chen Biling.

"Qin Zi, see them out," Qin Chuan instructed.

"Yes," Qin Zi replied, following them out.

Soon, they reached the courtyard gate.

"Patriarch Chen, may I speak with Miss Chen alone?" Qin Zi asked Chen Guang.

"You… what do you intend to do?" Chen Biling asked, crossing her arms and looking wary.

"What do you think I'd do?" Qin Zi retorted, unimpressed.

"Hahaha, Biling, since Young Master Qin wishes to speak with you, go ahead. We'll be on our way," Chen Guang laughed, quickly understanding the situation and dragging his brother away.

He knew young people all too well.

No one understood them better than he did.

There's something going on. There's definitely something going on! Before long, Chen Guang and Chen Sheng had completely disappeared. Qin Zi turned to Chen Biling and asked, "Why did you help me earlier?"

"Huh? Help you? What are you talking about?" Chen Biling looked genuinely surprised, her eyes wide.

Qin Zi's expression stiffened slightly. Had he been mistaken? Perhaps she hadn't intended to help him at all?

But since he'd already started asking, it would be cowardly to back down now.

He tried to maintain his composure as he said, "Earlier in the plaza, you publicly admitted defeat, helping to ease the pressure from Master Pang Qi."

"What? I just honored the bet I made. Did you think I did it to help you?" Chen Biling asked, mocking him with a laugh. "You're way too full of yourself. You should know where we stand. Do you really think I'd help you?"

Qin Zi's eyes bore into hers, his gaze unwavering as he said, "I refuse to believe that, as the young lady of a powerful family, you didn't know what that action would entail."

"If you had kept silent, you not only would've won the alchemy competition, but you'd also have earned Master Pang Qi's favor."

"But by speaking up, you gained nothing, and you even deeply offended Master Pang Qi."

"So… simply admitting defeat isn't enough to justify such a foolish act."

Chen Biling's mocking smile gradually faded, and she finally sighed quietly, "Ah, so you saw through it…"

"Yes, you're right. I didn't do it out of some sense of honor. I'm not that naive."

"But don't flatter yourself—I didn't do it for you. I did it for myself."

Qin Zi frowned.

What did she mean by that? Chen Biling looked at him, her tone smug. "Don't you get it? You're a bit slow, aren't you?"

Qin Zi's mouth twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

Chen Biling continued, "At the alchemy competition, the pill you made was indeed more perfect than mine. As much as I hate to admit it, that's the truth."

"And if Master Pang Qi was genuinely looking to take on a disciple, he would've chosen you."

"But instead, he not only didn't choose you, but he went so far as to cheat, even destroying the pill made by an alchemy genius like you, just to choose me."

"Hmph, from an outsider's perspective, it might seem like I got lucky, but from my perspective, how could I be happy about it?"

Qin Zi frowned, finally beginning to understand.

Chen Biling sneered and said, "When someone's overly nice to you for no reason, they're either up to no good or want something from you! That old man, Pang Qi, had ulterior motives!"

"You mean…?" Qin Zi's eyes snapped to Chen Biling, remembering what his master had said about her rare Yin Maiden Physique.

"Yes, you guessed right. That old man definitely had designs on my beauty!" Chen Biling said proudly, raising her chin.

What?!

Qin Zi's eyes widened in shock.

He thought he had figured it out, but he realized he was still off the mark.

Taking a deep breath, he asked in disbelief, "Why would you think that?"

Chen Biling snorted. "Hmph, just look at that old man's shifty eyes. It's obvious he's a lecher."

"And besides, his most famous alchemical recipe is for a… bust enhancement pill. What kind of decent person comes up with a pill like that?!"

As she mentioned that particular recipe, her face flushed red with embarrassment and anger.

Qin Zi's mouth fell open.

A bust enhancement pill?!

He had heard about such pills when he was younger—many upright gentlemen publicly disdained them, only to secretly purchase them…

Who would've thought that it was Master Pang Qi's creation! What an… illustrious achievement indeed.