20: Chapter 20 Young Master, Miss's Invitation

[Chu Sheng had just returned from settling the bill at the Herb Hall and, before he could even enter the gates of the Lin Mansion, he was blocked by two rogue cultivators of Qi Induction Second Grade.]

["Alchemist Chu, business is going quite well, isn't it?" The leader grinned, "We brothers are a bit short on cash lately, could you lend us some spirit stones to spend?"]

[Chu Sheng's gaze turned cold. "This is the Lin Mansion."]

["So what if it's the Lin Mansion?" The other man sneered. "We'll just wait outside. Alchemist Chu has to leave eventually, right? You have to buy medicinal ingredients to refine pills, don't you?"]

[A threat, a naked threat.]

Is this Han Li's way of beating me into submission? Or are they just other envious rogue cultivators? But upon careful reflection, the fact that they aren't even afraid of the Lin Mansion suggests only Han Li could be backing them.

"Fight them head-on? I'm at Qi Induction First Grade, they are at Second Grade. Two against one, that's just asking to be slaughtered. Report it to the Lin Mansion? Without evidence, Han Li could easily clear his name. Pay them to settle things? Then I'll be under their thumb forever..."

[He eventually took out ten low-grade spirit stones.]

["This is all I have." Chu Sheng said with an expressionless face.]

[The two men weighed the spirit stones in their hands and smiled with satisfaction. "Alchemist Chu is straightforward! From now on, this amount every month will guarantee your safety!"]

[Watching them leave, Chu Sheng slowly clenched his fists.]

"Frustrating! So frustrating! But the me in the simulation did the right thing; fighting head-on now is just throwing my life away."

"Han Li... this is forcing me to pick a side. I can't stay passive any longer."

[For the next few days, Chu Sheng stayed behind closed doors, refining pills while contemplating a strategy to break the stalemate.]

[Key decision point: Han Li's harassment has arrived, the Lin family vortex is deepening, and Chu Sheng faces a choice.]

[1. Avoid the limelight, cultivate in a low-profile manner, and reduce orders.]

[2. Demonstrate higher value and seek protection from the Family Head.]

[3. Secretly investigate Han Li's dirt and prepare for a countermeasure.]

[4. Contact Lin Bufan of the First Branch Family and find a new backer.]

Chu Sheng rubbed his temples. Option 1 is too cowardly; Han Li won't let me off just because I keep a low profile. Option 2 is too risky; I'm still struggling with first-grade high-tier pills, and if I mess up the refining, it'll be even worse. Option 3... Han Li has men, and I'm going to investigate him?

His gaze landed on 4. This option is available? Lin Bufan... In his memory, the Big Young Master of the First Branch Family is devoted to seeking immortality and has no interest in family power struggles. He has no desire to be the Family Head at all; if he wanted to, no one would be his match. That's why the Second Branch Family and Third Branch Family have ideas. Such a person is actually easier to deal with. Chu Sheng has alchemy skills, he has needs; perhaps they can cooperate. He recalled Lin Hao's words: Lin Bufan is obsessed with the Dao of Immortality. An alchemist and a seeker of immortality—isn't this a match made in heaven? "Besides, by getting involved with Lin Bufan, the circles and resources I can access will be incomparable to these petty squabbles within the Lin Mansion." "Choose 4!"

[Simulation continues]

[Chu Sheng began to consciously inquire about news of Lin Bufan.]

[This Big Young Master of the First Branch Family is over thirty, at Qi Induction Fourth Grade, and is the top dog among the younger generation of the Lin family.]

[But he is often away, rarely returns to the mansion, and has no interest in family affairs.]

["I heard that Young Master Bufan returned recently and is in seclusion at the Quiet Heart Pavilion." One day, Xiao Huan whispered to Chu Sheng.]

[An opportunity!]

[Chu Sheng carefully prepared three Heart-Clearing Pills.]

[On the way to the Quiet Heart Pavilion, he happened to run into this Big Young Master.]

[Strong Luck trait, activate!]

[Lin Bufan was dressed in green, with an ethereal temperament and an air of detachment from worldly affairs in his eyes. When he saw Chu Sheng, he nodded slightly.]

["Alchemist Chu." Lin Bufan spoke first.]

[Chu Sheng cupped his hands. "Young Master Bufan."]

["I have heard that Alchemist Chu's alchemy skills are extraordinary."]

[Lin Bufan's tone was calm. "I have been cultivating recently and am in need of something to clear my heart and calm my spirit. I wonder if Alchemist Chu has any recommendations?"]

[Chu Sheng's heart stirred. "These are the Heart-Clearing Pills I refined. The quality is decent, and they might be useful to you, Young Master."]

[Lin Bufan took them, opened the bottle stopper, and sniffed lightly. "This quality... it is indeed good."]

[The two chatted briefly about pills and cultivation.]

[Lin Bufan's eyes lit up.]

[The first contact went more smoothly than expected!]

[Over the next few days, Chu Sheng met Lin Bufan a few more times, each time bringing some pills, making no requests, and communicating only as an alchemist.]

[Lin Bufan, who started out polite, gradually became more interested.]

[The relationship drew closer!]

[All of this naturally fell into the eyes of all parties.]

[Han Li's expression grew increasingly ugly.]

[Lin Hao was anxious and jumped up and down, seeking out Chu Sheng many times. "Brother Chu, do not forget your roots."]

Watching the simulation progress, Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. "This step was the right one. Although the stalemate isn't completely broken, at least there is room for maneuver. The next step is to continue improving myself, and when my strength is sufficient, I will settle the score with Han Li!"

[Simulation continues...]

[---]

[Just as Chu Sheng wanted to continue watching, the simulation screen suddenly flickered.]

[A line of text appeared:]

[Special event triggered: Second Miss invites you to meet at the Moon Appreciation Pavilion in the back garden tonight at the Hour of the Bo, as she has important matters to discuss.]

[Will you go?]

[1. Go.]

[2. Politely decline.]

[3. Inform Lin Bufan first and seek his opinion.]

Chu Sheng was stunned. "Lin Wanqing is asking me out? At night? The Moon Appreciation Pavilion?" Countless images flashed through his mind... "This... is this progress too fast?" He rubbed his chin. "Could this be a trap set by Second Madam? Does she want to recruit me, this newly promoted alchemist? Or... does Lin Wanqing have her own ideas?" He stared at the options. "Go! Must go!" Chu Sheng slapped his thigh. "The Many Children, Many Blessings quest line has finally started! Only a fool wouldn't go!"

[Choice 1: Go.]

[Simulation continues...]

[The scene shifts, the night is deep.]

[Chu Sheng changed into a clean set of clothes and quietly pushed open the door of the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion.]

[Indeed, a slender figure stood in the pavilion.]

[Lin Wanqing was draped in moonlight, turning back to look, her eyes shimmering with waves of light.]

["Alchemist Chu, you have come."]

Chu Sheng's heart accelerated. "What is this for? A confession? Recruitment? Or... *cough cough*, the first piece of the puzzle for Many Children, Many Blessings?" He rubbed his hands, unable to wait to see what happened next. "Fast forward! Fast forward!"