67: Chapter 67 Deacon Fang—Fang Da!!

He then turned to Lili, who was still wiping away tears of grievance, and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but please fetch another six high-grade spirit nurturing pills for me."

"Y-yes, sir."

Lili wiped the tears from the corner of her eye, glanced at Qin Yan, and was just about to turn and head back to the Storeroom.

At that very moment, a steady and authoritative male voice came from the edge of the crowd.

The voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"No need to fetch them!"

The onlookers instinctively parted to create a path.

They saw a middle-aged man wearing a dark black steward's robe, with a solemn face and an upright posture.

He strode forward with powerful, imposing steps.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, commanding respect without anger, and a faint medicinal fragrance emanated subtly from his entire being.

"S... Steward Fang!"

The counter manager, Long Tao, saw the newcomer.

He quickly trotted up to meet him, a strained smile on his face, and spoke respectfully.

Nearby, Xue Song, upon seeing the newcomer, instantly lost all trace of his previous arrogance.

It was replaced by an expression of utmost reverence.

He hurriedly bowed in greeting, saying in a humble tone, "Steward Fang."

The man before them was none other than the renowned Steward Fang Da from the Hundred Herbs Hall headquarters!

Not only was he a figure of real authority, but he was also a Fourth Rank Peak Master Alchemist!

His status was exalted, far surpassing that of his own uncle, Xue Gang, who was merely at the Fourth Rank Initial stage.

Even his uncle had to address Fang Da politely and respectfully as "Steward Fang"!

Fang Da ignored the greetings from Long Tao and Xue Song, walking directly to Qin Yan's side.

The serious expression on his face instantly melted away like ice and snow.

It was replaced by a warm, spring-breeze-like smile, tinged with a hint of familiarity.

Then, he turned his gaze to Long Tao, who was trembling like a leaf, and Xue Song, whose face had gone stiff.

His voice instantly turned icy and bone-chilling: "Steward Fang? I dare not accept such an address from the likes of you!"

Long Tao and Xue Song trembled all over, startled by this sudden reprimand.

"S... Steward Fang, have we... have we done something wrong to upset you?"

Long Tao's voice trembled, and he seemed on the verge of kneeling.

He had no idea what he had done to anger this formidable figure.

Fang Da ignored Long Tao's plea for mercy, his gaze fixed on Xue Song as he asked in a sinister tone, "I'd like to ask you both!

What heinous, unforgivable thing has Qin Yan done

to deserve you ganging up to target and bully him like this?!"

Fang Da pointed to Qin Yan beside him.

"Qin Yan?"

Upon hearing this name, both Xue Song and Long Tao's faces changed dramatically!

They hadn't known this young student's name before.

But Steward Fang Da could call it out directly, and his tone carried a clear sense of protectiveness!

What did this mean?

It meant Steward Fang not only knew this youth, but was also closely acquainted with him!

A strong sense of foreboding surged in both their hearts—they had probably kicked an iron plate this time!

"Steward Fang, forgive... forgive my presumption, but may I ask... what is your relationship with this... this young brother Qin Yan?"

Xue Song mustered his courage and asked, steeling himself.

He now realized he might have made a grave mistake.

Meanwhile, Qin Yan, who had been named, was utterly bewildered.

He looked puzzled at the imposing steward before him.

He completely failed to understand why this person was helping him, and how he even knew his name.

"Are you questioning me?"

Fang Da narrowed his eyes, a powerful aura pressing down, making Xue Song's breath catch.

"Do you think you're qualified to ask me that question?"

"You mentioned earlier that your uncle is Xue Gang, correct?"

Without waiting for Xue Song's reply, Fang Da directly raised his wrist.

He activated his communicator, found a number, and dialed.

Then he walked aside and spoke a few words softly into the communicator.

As he deliberately shielded the sound,

the crowd could only see his lips moving slightly, unable to make out the specific content.

A moment later, he ended the call and stood calmly in place.

His gaze rested calmly on Xue Song and Long Tao, as if waiting for something.

The entire hall fell silent; everyone held their breath, sensing that something major was about to happen.

In just a minute or two,

a figure rushed out frantically from the staff passageway—it was Xue Gang!

The newcomer was also wearing an alchemist's robe, with a Fourth-Rank Alchemist badge pinned to his chest.

But his face was now full of panic and alarm, sweat beading on his forehead. It was indeed Xue Song's uncle—Xue Gang!

"Uncle! What brings you here?"

Seeing Xue Gang, Xue Song hurriedly called out.

Xue Gang saw Xue Song and was so angry his eyes nearly popped out.

He shot him a fierce glare and growled in a low voice, "You shut up! I'll deal with you later!"

He then turned to Fang Da, forcing a smile even more obsequious than Long Tao's.

Bowing extremely low, he said in a servile tone, "S... Steward Fang, you summoned me? How may I be of service?"

Fang Da's expression was impassive as he stated flatly, "Xue Gang, you are dismissed.

Effective immediately, you are no longer an alchemist of our Hundred Herbs Hall."

"What?!" Xue Gang was thunderstruck, his head jerking up, his face filled with disbelief.

"Steward Fang! Th-this... there must be some misunderstanding!

I... I have always been diligent and dedicated, never committing any major errors!"

As if remembering something, he forced himself to appear composed and said, "Moreover, Steward Fang, according to company regulations, even you don't seem to have the authority to unilaterally dismiss a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, right?

That requires the joint signature of at least three stewards, or approval from the Council of Elders..."

"Oh? Is that so?"

The corner of Fang Da's mouth lifted in a mocking curve. "Then why don't you check your communicator now and see if you've received the latest notification."

Upon hearing this, the sense of foreboding in Xue Gang's heart instantly soared to its peak.

His hands trembling, he frantically opened his communicator.

Sure enough, a priority message from "Hundred Herbs Hall Personnel Headquarters" was prominently displayed!

With trembling fingers, he opened the message. It clearly stated:

[Hundred Herbs Hall Personnel Order]

To: Xue Gang (Employee ID: BH743)

It has been verified that during your tenure, you repeatedly allowed your relative, Xue Song, to rely on your status to cause unreasonable disturbances within Hundred Herbs Hall business premises,

disrupting operational order and creating a bad negative impact.

You were aware of these incidents but failed to report them, even secretly covering them up, seriously violating company regulations and the employee code of conduct.

Now, by resolution of the Council of Elders, effective immediately, all employment relations between you and Hundred Herbs Hall are terminated.

Your alchemist privileges and all related benefits are revoked.

Please complete the resignation handover procedures within today.

This serves as official notice.

Hundred Herbs Hall Personnel Department (Seal)

Looking at this Cold and icy cold dismissal letter,

Xue Gang felt his vision darken, nearly fainting on the spot.

He had worked hard for most of his life,

finally establishing a firm foothold in the Hundred Herbs Hall, enjoying an enviable status and resources...

Now, because of his good-for-nothing nephew, everything was ruined!

"No... this can't be! I... I..."

Xue Gang was incoherent, his face as pale as paper, the man seeming to age ten years in an instant.

(These chapters feel like an urban drama plot, hmm.)