At the end of the western street of the cultivator market stood the main gate of a courtyard wall. Above the gate hung a plaque inscribed with the characters 'Jinyang Cultivator Market Master's Estate'.
Behind the gate was a broad path leading straight to a rear square.
On the eastern and western sides of the square stood rows of exquisite single courtyards arranged in neat order, with nine rows and three columns on each side, totaling fifty-seven such residences.
Due north stood three black grand halls, the middle one slightly taller and the two flanking ones somewhat lower.
At this moment.
Inside the central hall, which bore the plaque 'Deliberation Hall', a middle-aged fat man dressed in a dark gold long robe sat upon the main northern seat. He frowned as he stared fixedly at two old men seated on the two armchairs to his lower right, and spoke with a hint of reluctance:
"Two Masters, is there truly no one you can recommend? Why not think on it further... If you can recommend someone, this Wan will certainly offer a generous reward."
Few knew that this reluctant-looking middle-aged fat man was none other than the mysterious master of the Jinyang Cultivator Market, Wan Hong'an.
"Ah, I am afraid I must disappoint Market Master. This old man has always kept to himself and rarely makes friends; regarding this matter... I am truly powerless to help," one of the green-robed old men said, cupping his hands.
The other gray-robed old man also shook his head. "I did once have a friend who knew alchemy, but we parted ways several years ago and have not seen each other since. I fear I cannot be of assistance."
"Ah, very well then. I shall simply have to think of another way." Wan Hong'an let out a heavy sigh, then gathered his expression and raised his teacup. "Come, let us speak no more of this. Two Masters, please, have some tea."
The two old men exchanged glances, both wearing helpless expressions, and each raised their cups to take a small sip.
Once they had drunk, the hall fell quiet and the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Realizing the mood was amiss, the two old men exchanged another look and simultaneously stood up to take their leave. Hearing this, Wan Hong'an hastily rose to see them off, appearing quite deferential toward the pair.
Naturally, he had no choice but to show deference; if these two fellows were to slip away quietly, his own head would roll.
Three months ago, a directive had come down from above ordering him to find five alchemists within half a year to return to the Sect and assist with alchemy. If he failed to achieve this, not only would his position as master of the Jinyang Cultivator Market become untenable, but his head would also be severed.
Though Wan Hong'an appeared glorious on the surface, he was nothing more than a puppet. He did not even know which Sect stood behind him; he only knew that every messenger who came to relay orders was unfathomably powerful, leaving him entirely devoid of the will to resist.
What frustrated him was that half of the six-month deadline had already passed, yet of the five alchemists demanded by his superiors, he had only managed to find two. Whenever he considered this, he felt like a death-row inmate locked in a cage, awaiting execution in the autumn-unable to find peace in either food or sleep.
The moment the three of them stepped out of the hall doors, a youth dressed as a guard came running breathlessly from the square, shouting as he approached, "Master, wait, Master..."
Wan Hong'an's brow furrowed. When the man drew near, he issued a stern rebuke: "What is the meaning of this panic? If you startle the Masters, watch your dog's head!"
As he spoke, he offered an apologetic smile to the two old men.
The gray-robed old man quickly replied, "It is nothing. We are all practitioners of the Dao; Market Master, please attend to your affairs."
The green-robed old man also smiled and said, "Brother Xiuyun speaks correctly. Brother Wan, handle your matters first; we shall take our leave."
With that, the two men stepped out and headed toward the eastern side of the square.
"Speak, what is it?" Wan Hong'an then turned his gaze coldly to the guard.
"Reporting, a young man... he says he wishes to use our earth fire," the guard stammered, casting stealthy glances at Wan Hong'an's expression.
"Borrow earth fire?!"
Wan Hong'an's expression jolted, and he demanded urgently, "Where is he?"
"Right-right at the main gate."
"Wretch, you actually left an honored guest waiting outside the gate!" Seized by a mixture of excitement and anxiety, Wan Hong'an cursed angrily, his figure shifting as he vanished thirty zhang away in an instant.
What excited him was that anyone coming to borrow earth fire was undoubtedly an alchemist, granting him another glimmer of hope in completing the task assigned from above.
What worried him was that alchemists tended to have eccentric temperaments; if this foolish guard had offended the visitor and refused a toast only to drink a forfeit, matters would become troublesome indeed.
"Master!"
A guard stationed at the gate saw Wan Hong'an rushing over furiously and quickly bowed in salute.
"Silence," Wan Hong'an rebuked in a low voice. He smoothed his robes, assumed a benevolent smile, and walked toward the athletic youth standing with his back to the gate.
The youth was none other than Lu Li. Hearing the commotion behind him, he had already turned around, but knowing nothing of the newcomer's identity, he remained silent.
Wan Hong'an stepped forward and cupped his hands politely. "Fellow Daoist, is it you who wishes to borrow the earth fire?"
Despite having a higher cultivation realm than Lu Li, he showed not a shred of arrogance and even appeared somewhat humble.
Seeing the other party speak with such courtesy, Lu Li quickly returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute. "Indeed. May I ask how to address you?"
"Ah, my apologies. I am the master of this Jinyang Cultivator Market, Wan Hong'an. May I ask your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"
He was actually the market master.
This came as quite a shock to Lu Li.
Offering another bow, he replied, "So it is Market Master. Please forgive my lack of manners; the Market Master may simply call me Qin Shouren."
Seeing how well-mannered Lu Li was, Wan Hong'an's favorable impression of him soared. He smiled modestly, "What market master? It is merely an empty title. Master Qin... please, come inside!"
Hearing the title 'Master Qin', Lu Li felt a momentary wave of flattered surprise. What sort of master was he? Yet seeing the other's overwhelming enthusiasm, it seemed his attempt to borrow earth fire had a strong chance of success. Letting out an inward breath of relief, he walked side by side into the estate under the master's guidance.
"Could the Market Master have been hoodwinked? That brat is younger than me-how could he possibly be an alchemist?" The guard who had just delivered the report muttered to his companion near the gate.
"You fool, I advise you to speak less. Whether he can refine pills is his own affair. Even if he is merely a swindler and is put to death by the Market Master, he has only himself to blame. But if he genuinely possesses alchemy skills and hears you running your mouth, you will likely suffer dearly for it later."
The other guard had clearly experienced the harsher side of the world and understood the wisdom of speaking less and doing more.
Accompanied all the way by Wan Hong'an, Lu Li entered the main hall.
Wan Hong'an declined the primary seat, instead sitting shoulder to shoulder with Lu Li across a small tea table. The moment they sat down, two maidservants promptly served tea.
"Master Qin, please!" Wan Hong'an maintained a courteous smile as he raised his teacup in invitation.
Lu Li felt somewhat ill at ease with such fervent hospitality, sensing that the man likely harbored some ulterior motive. However, since he still needed access to the earth fire, he could not afford to be impolite. Lifting his own cup, he smiled, "Market Master, please."
After taking a sip, Lu Li got straight to the point. "Market Master, regarding the matter of borrowing the earth fire that I mentioned earlier-"
Wan Hong'an smiled smoothly. "Master Qin, rest assured, borrowing the earth fire is not a problem at all. However... I have a condition that should hardly count as a condition, as well as a small request.
If Master Qin can fulfill my condition and agree to my request, not only will you have unrestricted use of the earth fire here, but you will also receive a very substantial reward. What do you say?"
A condition that wasn't a condition?
A request?
Thinking to himself that there truly were no free lunches in this world, Lu Li replied, "Market Master, let's hear it first. If it is within my power, this Wan will certainly not refuse."