Chapter 94: The Carrot and the Stick, Winning Hearts and Minds.

"Uncle Xiao, actually, I have a way to cure Xiaoqing's illness..."

When Xiao Zhanguo heard Xiao Jin's words, his whole body could not help but stiffen. Joy instantly lit his face, and he was about to ask what method he had in mind.

But before he could speak, Xiao Jin continued, "However, there is something else. This morning I heard that Uncle Xiao went to see the Ninth Young Master. May I ask what that was about?"

At those words, the expression on Xiao Zhanguo's face froze. The delight had not yet faded when a trace of dread rose in his heart, and before he could shift his emotions, he was already locked in place.

A bitter taste welled up in him. After so many years, how could he not understand what Xiao Jin meant?

This was an accusation.

Compared with believing Yan Chen, he would rather trust the young master who had been at his side all these years.

But regarding Yan Chen's matter, he had to give an explanation that could pass muster.

With a dull thud, Xiao Zhanguo dropped to his knees without hesitation, his face full of bitterness. "Whatever I did wrong, it was all my fault alone. It had nothing to do with my daughter. I was blessed with a child only in my later years, and after all the hardship it took to have her, of course I would never want anything to happen to her..."

When he said this, he looked up at Xiao Jin and saw that he still had not moved. Clenching his teeth, he went on, "I know this matter has crossed the line in your eyes, Young Master. I also know I was wrong first. As long as you can save my daughter, I am willing to pay with my life!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and was about to kill himself, all for a sliver of hope for his daughter.

He had followed the eldest young master for so long that he knew him all too well.

If there were no certainty of saving his daughter, he would never have said such words.

Since he had already said them, whether his daughter would be saved depended on his own performance.

Before, when Yan Chen's matter came up, he had hesitated, precisely because of his loyalty. He had no second choice; he could only obey Yan Chen.

But now he had a choice. Even if it cost him his life, he would not regret it.

"Uncle Xiao, why go to such lengths? I was only asking you about this matter. Do you think I do not trust you? I know Xiaoqing's place in your heart, and I also hate that I found a way only now, forcing you to such an extent.

"Truth be told, I cannot escape blame for this!"

Seeing that his aim had been achieved, Xiao Jin hurried forward and stopped Xiao Zhanguo.

Ling Tian curled his lips. At a glance, he saw through Xiao Jin's little scheme. Was this not the legendary act of giving a club blow and then a sweet date?

One had to admit, crude though it was, it worked very well.

To win hearts and loyalties, this method was undeniably effective.

The key was that everyone understood the tactic, yet putting it into practice required real skill.

For example, if Xiao Jin had not first learned what Xiao Zhanguo was planning to do, there would have been no way to deliver that blow.

And if he had not first revealed that he could save Xiao Qing'er, Xiao Zhanguo would have died before admitting what he had done.

Because once he spoke, his daughter would have no hope left.

It was all one chain linked to the next. If any link went wrong, the effect would be lost.

"Young Master..."

Blocked from taking his own life, Xiao Zhanguo looked up at Xiao Jin, gratitude plain on his face.

"From this day on, you are still my Uncle Xiao, and our relationship remains as it was before."

Xiao Jin patted Xiao Zhanguo on the shoulder and comforted him.

As for whether those words matched what he truly felt, that was another matter entirely.

After all, the human heart lay hidden beneath the flesh, and the spirits and gods themselves could not easily read it.

"Fellow Daoist Tianling, I'll have to trouble you with this matter."

Only after comforting him did Xiao Jin turn to Ling Tian. His greatest trump card was Ling Tian.

A smile appeared on his face.

Ling Tian's face darkened. He had not expected to meet someone even more shameless than himself.

At the very least, when he showed off, he had the capital to do so.

But this guy? He was forcing it without any foundation.

And worse, he was relying on someone else. Even Ling Tian was speechless.

He really wanted to see what expression Xiao Jin would wear if he said there was no way.

But when he thought that this matter was aimed at Yan Chen, Ling Tian lost that impulse.

Yan Chen... he hoped the man would not disappoint him.

"May I ask, little friend, are you a fifth-rank alchemist? I heard that my daughter's condition requires a fifth-rank pill, the Returning Essence Pill..."

Seeing this, Xiao Zhanguo also spoke of what he knew, hoping it would help Ling Tian.

"You are right. However, this pill is uncommon, and the spiritual herbs are exceedingly difficult to find. Your daughter's illness came on so suddenly; that is rather suspicious..."

Ling Tian came to Xiao Qing'er's side, stroked his chin, and analyzed the situation with calm certainty.

"Yes, my daughter has always been frail, but this illness only appeared recently, and then no one could do anything... I understand now. You mean someone did this deliberately..."

Xiao Zhanguo slapped his forehead and suddenly thought of a possibility.

This was clearly done on purpose. As for who was behind it, one person immediately came to his mind.

If not Yan Chen, then who else?

Indeed, concern breeds confusion. His daughter's condition had suddenly worsened, and he had panicked, thinking only of saving her, never noticing the slightest trace of something strange.

"Still, you need not worry. Since you are the friend of Young Master Xiao Jin, I will naturally do my utmost to treat her."

Ling Tian took out a sheet of paper and wrote down the medicinal materials he needed.

After Xiao Zhanguo saw it, he immediately went to make the arrangements.

With Xiao Jin helping from the side as well, things moved very quickly.

Before long, all the required spiritual herbs had been found.

"Watch carefully and learn well."

As Ling Tian and the others arrived at the alchemy room, he glanced at Xiao Yanying beside him and reminded her.

"I know, I know."

Xiao Yanying answered repeatedly. In truth, she did not need Ling Tian's reminder; she already had that intention.

This was a rare opportunity. Countless people would have given anything for it, and she certainly would not let it slip away.

From the bottom of her heart, she was grateful to Ling Tian. If he had not come back with her, this matter might truly not have been settled.

After all, she was only a fourth-rank alchemist.

As for the Returning Essence Pill, she had never even heard of it.

Still, she was deeply curious: what on earth was the grudge between him and Yan Chen that would make him come all this way upon hearing that name?

Yes, she had figured it out. Ling Tian had come here not for her sake, but because he had heard the name Yan Chen.

He was taking action over Yan Chen.

Curiosity filled her heart, but she could not bring herself to ask aloud.

It would be bad to provoke the other person's dislike.

That thought only lasted at the beginning. By the time Ling Tian started refining the pill, Xiao Yanying could no longer hold any other thoughts in her mind. She only wanted to watch him carefully as he refined it.

Every movement of his seemed to possess boundless charm.

Watching him refine pills was truly a pleasure.

Ling Tian did not know what she was thinking, but if he knew that he had only refined pills a few times, who knew what her reaction would be.

Not long after, the pill took shape, though this time there was no pill pattern.

Even the finest alchemists could not guarantee a pill pattern every time they refined one.

It was perfectly normal that Ling Tian's first attempt at a fifth-rank pill had no pattern.

In truth, he had another concern. Fifth-rank pills were already far from low-grade.

If a pill pattern appeared, it might even attract a heavenly tribulation.

That would not be so bad, either.

After Xiao Qing'er swallowed the Returning Essence Pill, her complexion improved at a visible rate before long.

"Good, good, good! As expected of a fifth-rank Returning Essence Pill! Its effect is truly astonishing!"

Xiao Zhanguo, standing nearby, was overcome with excitement and praise.

At that moment, Xiao Jin also took Xiao Yanying's hand.

"Little Ying, with talent like Brother Tianling's, is he not exactly the ideal choice for a life partner? Why not be a little braver?"

"Brother, if you're trying to win him over through me, then you're mistaken. He is a man even my master would praise!"

Xiao Yanying glanced at her brother and immediately saw through his plan.

He was nothing more than dazzled by Ling Tian's strength as a fifth-rank alchemist and wanted to use him to gather support for his own faction.

She would not indulge her brother. She gave him a cold splash of water without hesitation.

Xiao Jin's eyes were full of astonishment. He knew very well who his sister's master was.

That was Gu He, an eighth-rank alchemist.

If that was the case, then Ling Tian's background was far too extraordinary.

Indeed, his sister seemed a little unworthy.

At that thought, the way he looked at Ling Tian grew even hotter. Such talent had to be carefully befriended.

"Please, little friend and Young Master, stay here for a meal today!"

Xiao Zhanguo looked at Ling Tian and the others and made his request.

After all, they had done him such a huge favor. How could he not show his appreciation?

"Oh, Uncle Xiao, you're being too formal. I am hosting a banquet tonight, and you must come!"

Xiao Jin waved a hand and looked at Xiao Zhanguo. How could he let someone else steal the favor from under him?

That would not do.

Xiao Zhanguo seemed to understand what Xiao Jin meant and did not insist further.

He courteously escorted the three of them to the door.

Then he turned to the general beside him and gave a low order: "Bring those brothers here to me. Since the eldest young master is being so proper, should we not offer a proper return gift?"

The general acknowledged the order and vanished.

...

"What? You mean Xiao Zhanguo wiped out several sizable factions that had come over to my side?"

Yan Chen, who had been leisurely drinking tea, heard Xiao Bingyu's report and instantly crushed the cup in his hand.

Boiling water ran over his hand, yet he seemed to feel nothing at all.

"Does he not fear his daughter dying?"

Yan Chen flicked the hot water from his hand, frowning. By rights, that should not be.

If he did not care about his daughter, he probably would not have acted that way before him.

And yet, this pill formula had been given to him by Master Shen Yan. There should be no one among the alchemists of the Xiao family capable of refining it.

"Young Lord, I heard that Xiao Zhanguo's daughter's illness has already been cured."

Xiao Bingyu looked at the off-balance Yan Chen and hesitantly relayed the news he had heard.

Yan Chen's face showed surprise as he stared at the ring and murmured, "What is going on?"