Lin Yunsi had never traveled far from home.

He was a pharmacist, with barely the strength to tie a chicken down. Sometimes his mind worked quickly enough, but having been spoiled since childhood, he hadn’t seen much of the world. Lacking an understanding of how things worked and with a touch of fearlessness, he knew Northern Zhou was a complicated place but hadn’t anticipated how complex it truly was.

What should have been a journey of just a few days stretched into twenty as he took multiple detours, switching transport several times before finally reaching Lei City. Without a few bound protective spiritual devices, he might not have survived. Lin Yunsi, never one to experience hardship, found himself regretting the journey halfway through but had no choice but to press on, gritting his teeth all the way.

He’d brought quite a bit of money and supplies, even packing his commonly used alchemist’s cauldron in his storage spirit ring. At first, he hadn’t known to disguise himself; everything about his daily life was meticulous. The hardships he faced over these ten days taught him well—now he knew to make himself inconspicuous. Covered in grime from head to toe, he hadn’t changed his clothes in days, the perfect disguise.

Finally reaching Lei City, his cautious mindset kept him from rushing to the Yin family. Planning to find a place to settle first, he stopped by a small pharmacy along the road and, lo and behold, spotted what he had come for—Four-Star Homeostasis Powder!

And it was just sitting there, boldly displayed on the counter, with a surprisingly affordable price!

He could hardly believe his eyes, thinking he must be hallucinating. After testing it several times to confirm, he was sure it was indeed the same top-tier Homeostasis Powder that Master Chu Feng from Su Ye Immortal Mountain once presented.

And here it was—a whole bunch of it!

Could this be real?

Lin Qinghen was in Lei City, and when Lin Yunsi put the pieces together, he couldn’t believe it wasn’t connected. He was so excited he couldn’t resist asking right there on the spot. But the shop clerk only looked at him oddly, unwilling to answer. Just as Lin Yunsi was about to pester him further, a voice sounded from above him.

“Looking for me?”

Standing at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor, Lin Yunsi looked up sharply and saw him.

Back at home, his impression of Lin Qinghen had been vague, just that he wore a mask.

Lin Qinghen! I knew it was him!

After the grievances he’d endured these past days, Lin Yunsi finally felt a small measure of satisfaction. He shot up the stairs, gasping for breath in front of Lin Qinghen, and blurted out, “Did you make that Red Round Wheat at home, or not?”

Lin Yunsi’s initial plan had been far too simple.

He always thought Lin Qinghen was the type to accept his fate without complaint. After all, the impression of him as useless was deeply ingrained. Lin Yunsi had been studying this quietly at home, not daring to tell anyone. Even though this plant had stirred unrest in the family, Lin Yunsi hadn’t considered that Lin Qinghen might be the one behind it all. After all, he didn’t even know alchemy; perhaps he was being used.

So, Lin Yunsi assumed that if he exposed this secret, with a bit of threat and persuasion, Lin Qinghen would obediently share the secret of the Red Round Wheat.

But now, confronted by Lin Yunsi’s questioning, Lin Qinghen didn’t even budge, leaning lazily back in his chair as he replied, “Yeah.”

He admitted it so quickly!

Lin Yunsi was stunned, suddenly at a loss for words.

It hit him that this was no secret at all, and he hadn’t expected it to be so widespread in Lei City.

“You…”

He stammered, unable to get the words out.

“Take a seat,” Lin Qinghen gestured to a chair nearby, his tone surprisingly gentle. “If you’re interested, I’m about to meet someone here to discuss Red Round Wheat. You’re welcome to listen.”

Lin Yunsi stared at him, bewildered, but sat down despite himself.

Why was Lin Qinghen so calm? He even seemed polite, like an old friend welcoming him from afar.

He stayed standing, awkwardly noticing that there was someone else in the room. This person was unfamiliar, but those eyes unmistakably belonged to Yin Jiuxiao of the Yin family.

He sat closely beside Lin Qinghen, and his blank eyes moved a bit as he said, “Lin Yunsi, right? I recognize your voice.”

Lin Yunsi hesitated for a moment before managing to squeeze out a response. “Um…”

“Sit down,” he said, his tone gentle. “Qinghen is kind. You don’t need to be afraid.”

Honestly, if he hadn’t said that, Lin Yunsi might have been less spooked. The warning set his nerves on edge, but he gritted his teeth and stayed. He hadn’t come all this way just to leave without getting to the bottom of the Red Round Wheat.

Barely settled, Yu Yinyin entered with members of the Alchemist Association. Before her arrival, Lin Qinghen had shared his request with her, mentioning that if the association wasn’t interested, there would be no need for further talks.

The fact they’d come showed clear intent.

“I’ve been bullied at the Yin family,” Lin Qinghen had instructed Yu Yinyin to say, “and I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. The association could help by lending me a hand.”

Upon learning that the researcher behind Red Round Wheat was the person Yin Jiuxiao had married, the association was indeed surprised. They didn’t know the whole story and assumed Die Meng Medicine Hall had other alchemists. Yu Yinyin simply stated that Lin Qinghen could make the decisions regarding the Red Round Wheat.

As for who had bullied Lin Qinghen in the Yin family, he named a few individuals with an aggrieved tone.

“Yin Rongyu, Yin Ye, and a few others whose names I can’t remember,” Lin Qinghen glanced at Yin Jiuxiao. “But Jiuxiao remembers, and I want to stand up for him.”

The Lei City representatives from the Alchemist Association exchanged glances.

Yu Yinyin was well-known for being difficult to deal with. There had been rumors about her two decades ago, and although her methods weren’t flawless, she held a respectable position here. The association had been keen on currying favor with her, especially with the Bee Crystal Butterfly’s incredible essence.

Who would’ve guessed that the mind behind Red Round Wheat was just… a kid?

To the seasoned members of the association, Lin Qinghen did appear somewhat childlike, his demands seeming impulsive and immature.

The association had initially assumed this unique Red Round Wheat was common elsewhere in Northern Zhou, but upon investigating, they found that wasn’t the case at all.

Die Meng’s Red Round Wheat was truly one of a kind.

Lin Qinghen saw the association’s greed clearly. Die Meng was solely reliant on him, supplying a limited amount, and once the mouse plague subsided, retail sales would be only a small part of the market. The main distribution channels for elixirs were tied to organized mercenary groups, a target market the association aimed to expand Red Round Wheat into. Lei City might be mostly managed by the Yin family, but throughout Northern Zhou, the mercenary groups held power like scattered warlords.

The association needed the Red Round Wheat as an entry point to reach these groups, and Lin Qinghen’s terms sounded like an unexpected opportunity rather than a hassle.

“Just one condition?” someone from the association asked.

“Yes. I want the Alchemist Association’s four enshrined elders to accompany me,” Lin Qinghen said. “When I teach my tormentors a lesson, I expect the association to back me up. When I say to hit, you hit. If you agree, we can form a one-day oath that must be honored.”

In the Spirit World, a sworn oath wasn’t taken lightly. Like a marriage contract, such an oath was protected by the laws of heaven and earth, binding beyond any ordinary contract.

“Wait a moment,” one of the association members hesitated. “The Yin family has skilled fighters. Our elders might not be able to contend with the Yin family’s patriarch and elders.”

“Don’t worry,” Lin Qinghen replied. “The people I want to handle are all below Heavenly Tier, and the negligent guards are at most Earth Tier. It shouldn’t be difficult for the association to handle. As for the Yin family’s patriarch and elders, I’ll deal with them myself.”

Hearing this, the association relaxed considerably.

“So, Young Master Lin, your intention is to confront only members of the Yin family?”

The association wanted clarification, wary of being implicated themselves.

“Of course. I may not remember all their names, but only Yin family members.” Lin Qinghen blinked confidently. “Any other questions?”

The association was satisfied.

Lin Yunsi didn’t fully understand the entire backstory, but as he watched them form the oath and saw Lin Qinghen exchange Red Round Wheat seeds, his eyes widened.

“What are you doing?” he asked, unable to comprehend. “Back in the Lin family, Three Mountain went mad looking for this. Don’t tell me you didn’t know. You kept quiet then, but now you’re giving it away so casually, just to vent your own anger? No, for Yin Jiuxiao? Are you out of your mind, Lin Qinghen?”

Lin Qinghen didn’t bother responding. With swift movements, he sealed the one-day oath with the Alchemist Association, a faint smile appearing on his face as he turned to reply calmly, “This is what I choose to do. Matters between us little lovebirds—you wouldn’t understand.”