189: The Forgetful Mage

Inside a room at the Alchemist Guild in the Ye Family Building, Tong Jingshan lay on a large wooden chair. His expression was uncertain, and his gaze frequently flickered across his phone screen...

For him, the changes over these past few days represented a major turning point in his life. From nearly losing his life to now serving under Long Yuan, it could be said that he had staked everything he had!

If Long Yuan did not amount to anything in the future, then he would also be destined for failure, and his very life might even be at risk again.

However, he trusted his own judgment. Long Yuan was undoubtedly a Genius, and whether he succeeded depended only on timing and luck. As long as the opportunity arose, Long Yuan could soar to great heights. Moreover, the events of the past few days further corroborated his thoughts: Long Yuan could not only discern every move of the cultist, but had also attracted the attention of the Xu Family in Shuntian Prefecture and the Geng Family in Yingtian Prefecture!

If this were to get out, it would probably top the trending charts!

Because the Xu Family was the number one super aristocratic Family in the Great Ming Empire—this was beyond doubt. Even they had taken notice of Long Yuan and had even sent two Elder-level figures to evaluate him, showing that Long Yuan had now become their key target for assessment. If the Xu Family truly tied themselves to Long Yuan, then Tong Jingshan believed that Long Yuan's opportunity had arrived!

With the influence the Xu Family possessed within the Great Ming Empire, they had plenty of resources to secretly support Long Yuan. It could be said that when that time came, the last thing Long Yuan would lack was opportunities and resources!

Additionally, the Geng Family was also a super aristocratic Family. Currently, the Geng Family had already obtained quite a few benefits from Long Yuan. Even just in return for his favors, they would likely provide Long Yuan with significant support—support that would be considered immense for any ordinary person.

However, what Tong Jingshan found a bit puzzling was that Long Yuan did not seem very eager to showcase himself. For example, he knew everything about the cultist's recent operations like the back of his hand. If he had joined the official suppression team, he would certainly have earned massive merit. Yet, unexpectedly, he hid in the background, choosing instead to pass information to the authorities through him, Tong Jingshan. This clearly meant he did not want to be famous.

Although doing this allowed Tong Jingshan to gain significant benefits—at the very least, it allowed him to completely whitewash his illegal beast-rearing activities—Tong Jingshan was now counting on Long Yuan to lead him forward. Therefore, deep down, he still hoped that Long Yuan would become famous sooner and seize real power sooner...

Just as he was thinking this, his phone suddenly rang. Tong Jingshan was startled because Long Yuan usually only sent text messages. If he called, it meant that the situation was very likely urgent. And he already knew that the cultist female monk might have already set her sights on him!

And he was currently waiting right here for the female monk to arrive. Could it be that some unexpected change had occurred?

He quickly picked up his phone, and upon checking, discovered it was his father, Tong Fenglai, calling. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and answered the phone: "Father..."

"You brat, did you mess up all five of those beast-rearing bases?! And you still haven't reported it to me?! What exactly are you good for?! You can't even handle such a small matter; you don't deserve to be my, Tong Fenglai's, son!!!" Tong Fenglai's voice was thunderous with rage the moment he started speaking, causing Tong Jingshan to quickly move the phone far away from his ear.

"Exactly how much was lost?! How many can you still recover?! Go look for them immediately! If you can't find them, you must find a way to make up for the losses!!!" Tong Fenglai roared.

"Father... couldn't you ask if I nearly lost my life?" Tong Jingshan retorted coldly. He first lowered the phone's volume while simultaneously scanning his surroundings. He had to be careful with his speech now to avoid being heard by the female monk who might be lurking nearby.

"Is your little life comparable to those thousand-plus exotic beasts? Don't talk about these useless things; go find them for me immediately! If you can't find them, you must make up for the losses! Otherwise, don't even think about returning to the Family! And you certainly won't have a chance to compete for the position of Family Head!!!" Tong Fenglai roared sternly.

"You know it's over a thousand exotic beasts! What could I possibly use to make up for that?!" Tong Jingshan scoffed.

"You?! You brat, have you become completely shameless and stopped caring about consequences? Are you just giving up?! If you don't have money, find a way to make money! Double the selling price of the Medicinal Pill and potions, and use the extra money to purchase exotic beasts!!!" Tong Fenglai scolded.

"What? Double... the price?!?" Tong Jingshan said, shocked.

"That's right! Now is the time to raise prices. The competitors in those third-tier base cities in the southeast have basically been suppressed by our Tong Family. Everything circulating in the market is our stock; we set the price, and if they don't buy it, there's nowhere else they can buy it from!" Tong Fenglai said coldly.

"This... fine! Starting tomorrow, I will announce that all Medicinal Pill in Fengyang will have their prices doubled! However..."

"However what?!"

"I will not be purchasing any more exotic beasts to rear! This business is too risky. If something goes wrong, not only will I be in danger, but it will also implicate the entire Family!" Tong Jingshan said fiercely.

"You dare to disobey my orders?! What kind of risk could there be? Haven't you been doing it for over a decade? More than half of these exotic beasts were supported by me, and you just went all-in and lost them all at once. Do you think you're worthy of the trust I placed in you? Do you know how much damage you've caused the Tong Family this time?!" Tong Fenglai shouted sternly.

"Father, I have things to do right now, I'll reply to you later! Goodnight!!!" Tong Jingshan had no desire to argue with this father of his and simply hung up the phone.

With a "ding," his phone suddenly lit up!

Tong Jingshan quickly checked it, his eyes widening. It was a message from Long Yuan: "The female monk has arrived at your door, handle it carefully! Ten Fragrance Tendon Softening Powder!"

He steeled his heart and lay on the wooden chair, feigning sleep...

At this moment, the room door opened slowly without any wind. A graceful figure appeared at the doorway—it was indeed that female monk!

The female monk was dressed in a colorful robe, her face as calm as still water, holding a horsetail whisk in her hand. She pressed her palms together and said: "Benefactor Tong, this poor nun, Forgetting Love, greets you!"

Tong Jingshan slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sharpness in his gaze. This female monk did not look like an evil person; there even seemed to be a hint of compassion on her face. However... Long Yuan's information could not possibly be wrong. He absolutely must not be deceived by her outward appearance!

"So it is Master Forgetting Love! I don't know what brings you here in the middle of the night, what is your instruction?" Tong Jingshan sat up and asked.

"This poor nun is entrusted by someone to invite you, Benefactor, and the Alchemists of your esteemed guild to a certain place to participate in the research of a certain medicinal liquid!" Forgetting Love said.

"Oh? And if I say I won't go?" Tong Jingshan scoffed.

"Benefactor Tong, this poor nun only says an invitation once! Please consider it carefully, Benefactor!" Forgetting Love said, her tone devoid of any emotion.

"Consider it carefully? Haha, it seems that if I still say I won't go, you're going to make a move on me, right?" Tong Jingshan laughed loudly.

Forgetting Love sighed softly and said coldly: "It seems you are not a smart person..."