Chapter Seventy-Five: President, Bai Wenbo!

I wiped and wiped and wiped and wiped… Yesterday the power went out again, and it hasn’t come back yet. What on earth is happening with the Electric Power Bureau? Has it collapsed because they couldn’t pay wages? We’ve already paid our electricity bill, for heaven’s sake…

Lu Zhe nodded and left the examination hall with Audis.

Entering the main hall, Lu Zhe saw the remaining twenty or so people outside, all casting curious glances at him. They were probably wondering why Lu Zhe was walking with Vice President Audis.

Ignoring their stares, Lu Zhe and Audis walked over to the stairs. Lu Zhe looked at the staircase and found it spiraled along the wall in a circular shape, winding all the way up to the roof.

Gazing at the steps—at least a thousand of them—Lu Zhe shrugged nonchalantly and ascended with Audis.

Halfway up, Lu Zhe looked down and saw the ground floor lobby laid out before him, every corner visible at a glance. Whoever built this hall had certainly put in much thought and effort.

He withdrew his gaze, paused for a moment, and continued upward with Audis, heading straight for the top floor.

Reaching the second floor, Lu Zhe noticed it was just as spacious as the ground floor, but there were far fewer people. The vast hall held only scattered groups, yet judging by their attire and the badges they wore, every one of them was a pill master of two cauldrons or higher. Some even bore three or four cauldrons.

“This is the advanced area,” Audis explained, evidently aware of Lu Zhe’s curiosity.

“Oh,” Lu Zhe nodded.

“Let’s go,” Audis gestured toward the adjacent staircase.

Lu Zhe gave a quiet assent and followed Audis up.

They moved quickly, and soon, Lu Zhe reached the top floor of the Pill Masters’ Guild!

As he stepped onto the rooftop, a massive door came into view—three meters tall and one wide, entirely of reddish-brown wood. Two lion-shaped rings adorned it, fierce and imposing.

Audis strode to the door and called out loudly, “Old man, open up!”

A moment later, a raspy voice sounded from within, “Why shout? The door’s not locked. Open it yourself.”

Audis pushed the door open enough for one person to pass, then beckoned, “Come in.”

Lu Zhe nodded and stepped inside.

Within, rows upon rows of bookshelves lined the room, filled with all manner of books. Looking around, Lu Zhe saw at least a hundred shelves stacked in layers.

Audis glanced at Lu Zhe. “Follow me.”

Lu Zhe nodded, trailing Audis to the left side of the room.

There, he discovered a small loft, clearly added later, with a staircase beside it.

Audis led him up swiftly, and at the top, Lu Zhe found another study. To the left, he could see the area below, while all four walls of the loft were filled with books. At the center sat an elderly man, spectacles perched on his nose, engrossed in a book.

Audis stood boldly before the old man. “I’ve brought the one you wanted.”

The elder glanced sideways at Audis, closed his book gently, set it on the desk, removed his glasses, and looked at Audis without speaking. Then he turned to Lu Zhe. “Come here, boy.”

Lu Zhe stepped forward, standing beside Audis. He looked at the elder, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “I am Lu Zhe, honored to meet you, Guildmaster.”

The old man smiled faintly, as if mocking himself. “Guildmaster, Guildmaster… I’m nothing but an old relic now.”

He then looked at Lu Zhe. “You’re the young man who can refine two-cauldron pills?”

Lu Zhe clasped his hands again. “That’s me, sir.”

The elder laughed heartily, “A true hero emerges from youth. So young, and you can refine two-cauldron pills—seems we old fossils must retreat and enjoy our twilight years.”

Lu Zhe was startled and hurried to say, “I’ve just been lucky, sir. If I’ve offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

The elder laughed again, “How have you offended this old man? I’m delighted! Now our Oga Kingdom has hope for the future.”

Lu Zhe was puzzled by his words, and stood there, unsure how to respond.

The elder laughed, rose from his chair, walked to the bookshelf, opened a cabinet, and took something out. He strolled over to Lu Zhe, who looked at the item in his hand—a pill master’s robe. Lu Zhe asked, puzzled, “Guildmaster, what is this?”

The elder chuckled, handing the robe to Lu Zhe. “It’s for you. You are now a pill master.”

Lu Zhe examined the robe; it felt wonderful to the touch, clearly made of the finest material. Upon donning it, he felt an indescribable comfort, something he could hardly resist.

Audis stepped forward and adjusted Lu Zhe’s collar. “This robe is the pinnacle of our pill master technology—warm in winter, cool in summer. It shields you from the heat of the cauldron during pill refining and offers some defense. It may not be impenetrable, but ordinary blows won’t harm you. If not for its high cost, the army would have snatched it for their uniforms long ago.”

Lu Zhe was amazed—no wonder it felt so comfortable.

Then Bai Wenbo took a badge from the drawer, showing two bronze cauldrons, one atop the other.

He pinned the badge to Lu Zhe’s chest, patted his robe, and said, “From now on, you are a pill master.”

Lu Zhe looked at his robe, smiled, and said, “Thank you.”

Bai Wenbo smiled, then seemed to recall something. “Would you be interested in participating in the Pill Masters’ Grand Assembly?”

Lu Zhe was startled, “What?”

“It’s the triennial Pill Masters’ Grand Assembly, jointly hosted by the guilds across the southwest. Every time it’s held, many pill masters come to compete. Are you interested?” Bai Wenbo asked with a smile.

Lu Zhe pondered, “Is there any reward?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet, but the champion will receive a guest elder’s token, which will be helpful for your future journeys,” Bai Wenbo replied after a moment’s thought.

Lu Zhe hesitated, “I’ll ask my master’s opinion before deciding.”

Bai Wenbo nodded. “In that case, I won’t force you. The Grand Assembly will be held a year from now; if you’re interested, you’re welcome to join.”

Lu Zhe nodded, then saluted Audis and Bai Wenbo before leaving the study.

As Lu Zhe departed, Audis stroked his beard, as if pondering something. After a moment, he said quietly, “What do you think?”

“He’ll definitely participate,” Bai Wenbo replied, settling back in his chair and gazing at the now-closed door.

(Today I checked the favorites, and it’s really pitifully few. I sincerely ask everyone, if you enjoy the story, please cast a few votes. I’ll be forever grateful.)