Chapter 146 Meng Kang's Request

Looking at the man in front of him, Chu Han frowned slightly. He had practically no connection with the Meng family, so why had this fellow come looking for him? However, he said nothing and merely nodded.

After all, this was someone else’s territory. If he showed not even a shred of courtesy, it could lead to trouble. Although he did not fear the Meng family, unnecessary complications at a time like this were always best avoided.

Following the man, Chu Han walked deeper inside. Of course, he still wore his cloak and mask, ensuring that virtually no one could recognize him.

Led into a room, Chu Han saw a middle-aged man seated right in the center. Aside from him, there was no one else in the room.

The butler who had escorted Chu Han in then withdrew, leaving only him and the middle-aged man in the room. Chu Han remained silent, standing quietly in place. Since the other party had summoned him here, he would wait for the other to speak first.

"Sir, you have finally arrived. Please sit. I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you."

The middle-aged man stood up, greeted him warmly, and pointed to a chair nearby. With an indifferent shrug, Chu Han sat down directly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Meng Kang, and I am the current head of the Meng family. I simply wish to ask: were those medicinal pills put up for auction previously refined by yourself, sir?"

Meng Kang spoke once more. Chu Han was not at all surprised by the question; the only thing that could have drawn the Meng family's attention was those pills. After all, when combining the Profound Gold Pill with the Quantization Pill, even the most formidable of great families could not remain indifferent.

Chu Han nodded, taking it as an admission. Besides, he had indeed refined them himself, and more importantly, with his identity hidden, ordinary people would never recognize him.

"That is wonderful, sir! I have a favor to ask of you. The patriarch of our Meng family, who is my father, has been afflicted with a virulent poison and is on the verge of death. We have sought out numerous alchemists and physicians, but all of them are helpless. Since you are capable of refining the Profound Gold Pill, it shows that your alchemy skills have long reached the pinnacle. I earnestly hope you will agree to examine my father."

Having obtained Chu Han's confirmation, Meng Kang was overjoyed and eagerly blurted out his purpose.

The ancestor of the Meng family had previously suffered severe injuries, and before they could fully heal, he was struck by a lethal poison. Countless alchemists had been unable to do anything. Just as they were about to despair, Meng Kang discovered the Profound Gold Pill and the Quantization Pill. Generally, any alchemist capable of refining such pills possessed extraordinary mastery. With this thought in mind, he believed curing his father should not be too difficult.

Hearing this, Chu Han was slightly taken aback. So that was his objective. He nodded inwardly; paying a visit to have a look posed no real issue, but he would never do something without receiving any benefits. Strong though the Meng family might be, no one could compel him to do what he was unwilling to do.

"Sir, if you truly can help cure my father, I will grant you the qualification to participate in the Grand Alchemist Tournament. You must understand that not just any alchemist can enter this competition; a recommendation from a major family is essential. Judging by your appearance, sir, you travel alone, unattached to any faction. Since that is the case, our Meng family is willing to recommend you for the tournament."

Having lived for many years, Meng Kang instantly saw through Chu Han's thoughts. He spoke directly, offering a tangible reward. As for the Meng family, while they did have a few resident alchemists, their innate talent was mediocre, making it hard for them to achieve notable results in the tournament. It was far better to recommend another alchemist with genuine potential instead.

Upon hearing Meng Kang's words, Chu Han looked at him with surprise. He had indeed heard of this Grand Alchemist Tournament and had always yearned to participate. This competition was open only to alchemists under the age of twenty-three, and the rewards for securing top positions were countless. Although the specific prize for the champion varied each year, without exception, they were invariably treasures of the highest caliber.

"Very well. Since Master Meng has put it this way, I will not stand on ceremony. Lead the way and let me take a look. However, do not hold out too much hope; if a cure is possible, I will do my utmost, but after all, there are so many intractable maladies in the world that I cannot guarantee a successful treatment."

Chu Han nodded. Since the prize was entry into the tournament, he would not stand on ceremony. Though he did not yet know what kind of poison the patient was suffering from, all things in nature existed in mutual opposition and restraint; there was no poison in the world without an antidote, only an antidote that had yet to be discovered.

Ecstatic, Meng Kang immediately led Chu Han out through a back door. He offered a brief explanation: the ancestor was the main pillar of the Meng family, and if malicious individuals were to learn that the ancestor had been poisoned and was on the brink of death, they would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to pillage them. Therefore, the news of the ancestor's poisoning had been strictly suppressed.

Chu Han expressed his understanding. After all, while the various factions in Central City appeared harmonious on the surface, fierce struggles persisted beneath. Wherever there were people, there was pugilistic society; this was simply an undeniable reality.

The two carefully returned to the Meng estate. The wealth of the Meng family was truly enough to rival a nation; the entire mansion was immensely vast, situated right at the very heart of Central City. The colossal estate shimmered with gold, and the cost of its construction alone would require an immense fortune in gold coins.

Following Meng Kang inside, Chu Han observed small bridges over flowing water within the estate, alongside numerous decorative artifacts crafted purely from gold. The luxury was complemented by a touch of quiet elegance, making it a truly magnificent place.

Meng Kang led him into the inner courtyard, where a crowd had already gathered tightly before the door of a room. It appeared the Meng family ancestor was inside that very chamber.

At that moment, an elderly man walked out from within. Meng Kang hurried forward to meet him. "Master Qu, how is it?"

"The poison has penetrated Elder Meng's very marrow and cannot be purged. Furthermore, we cannot even identify what poison it is, let alone cure it. You had best seek a more capable physician."

Hearing this, everyone present wore a gloomy expression. If even Master Qu was helpless, then no one else could possibly succeed, especially since Master Qu was renowned as the most formidable alchemist in Central City.

"It matters not. Please escort Master Qu to rest. I have invited another alchemist here who should be able to treat the elder. Sir, please step forward."

Meng Kang nodded, then beckoned to Chu Han. Without a word, Chu Han stepped forward. Although his face was masked, his youthful stature was evident to anyone, and upon seeing his tender age, the crowd could not help casting looks of disdain.

Especially Master Qu, whose expression turned even more contemptuous. "Patriarch Meng, there is no need to clutch at straws in your panic. Even at my advanced age, I am powerless against the virulent poison in the elder's body. How could this young fellow possibly achieve it? You must not be deceived by a charlatan!"

Hearing Master Qu speak, Meng Kang offered an awkward smile, utterly at a loss for what to say. He certainly could not reveal that Chu Han was capable of refining the Profound Gold and Quantization pills. Leaving aside whether disclosing this would cause Chu Han trouble, no one would believe it anyway.

"Precisely, Eldest Brother! I think you must have lost your mind to bring a mere wet-behind-the-ears kid here," chimed in a man who shared a striking resemblance to Meng Kang, casting a scornful glance. He then turned his gaze to Chu Han. "Boy, I don't know what kind of bewitching soup you fed my eldest brother, but I advise you to get out of the Meng family right now, or don't blame me for being discourteous!"

As they continued to barrage Chu Han with hostility, Meng Kang’s face darkened with anger. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Han stopped him with a gesture.

With a cold, disdainful smile, Chu Han retorted, "Master Qu, is it? Having lived to such an age, you only know how to bicker and vie for petty prestige. No wonder your alchemy skills have never progressed—you are a sheer disgrace to our profession. Since you cannot cure him, get the hell out of here instead of making a fool of yourself!"