CHAPTER 35
Never Deceive a Devil
LUO FAN
When we stepped out of the carriage, several men were waiting for us in the courtyard. The alchemist had expected us to return. I was then certain that he just did not make a mistake. He had intentionally given me the wrong elixir.
"I apologize for the deception," he immediately confessed. "But some things are beyond my control."
Beyond his control? Is he trying to imply that someone is behind this?
Ruan Yanjun smirked. "I have no time to waste with trash like you. Either you give me the elixir or I'll kill everyone around here and hang your corpse naked on your front door for your neighbors to see."
The alchemist did not budge. "I'm sorry, but my laboratory is the most important to me. I'll protect it with my life."
From the words he'd said, I figured that my initial suspicion was correct. "Who has threatened you?" I asked.
"Priest Luo, the answer you seek is the death of me."
I was stupefied. It meant if he revealed the person, he would die as a result.
As I pondered about the list of possible culprits, Ma Huan ordered his men to attack. Around twelve of them charged forward at once.
Ruan Yanjun kept me behind him as he single-handedly took care of his opponents. I did not have to fear for my life. I knew that with the most powerful cultivator right in front of me, no one could get an opportunity to even lay a finger on me.
Totally blind, I could only hear grunts of men who kept dropping on the ground, until I heard Ma Huan gasp. Ruan Yanjun had probably given him a fatal blow.
"If you kill me," Ma Huan said in a strangled voice. I could imagine Ruan Yanjun's hand around the alchemist's neck, ready to break it. "I won't give you the antidote and your lover will never see again."
There was silence. I knew that Ruan Yanjun was contemplating killing the alchemist but was worried about my condition.
"Lin Si," Ruan Yanjun called for the coachman. "Take Priest Luo back in the carriage. It seems we'll be staying here for a while."
A man approached from behind me and gently held my arm. "Priest Luo, this way."
I came along as Lin Si escorted me back into the carriage.
Alone, I sat on the couch. I listened as Ruan Yanjun threatened Ma Huan with spine-chilling words that only a ruthless demon could utter until the alchemist finally gave in.
A few minutes later, Ruan Yanjun entered the carriage and sat beside me. "Take this in," he said in a very gentle voice, opposite the hostile way he had spoken with Ma Huan.
I held the pill in between my fingers. This time, I was hesitant to take it in.
"It's safe," he said before I could ask.
"How did you know?"
"I don't, but I have my ways to find out."
Knowing the devil he was, I no longer wanted to find out what wicked trick he had pulled this time.
Without asking further questions, I swallowed the pill. Ruan Yanjun needed me for a purpose that he was yet to reveal, so I was certain he would not give me something that would hurt me, especially after what had happened to me before this.
"Do you feel anything?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing so far."
He sighed. "It might take a while for the pill to take effect. Stay right here. Let me take care of the matters at hand."
I nodded.
Of course, he would. There was nothing that Ruan Yanjun could not take care of. In the end, he always got what he wanted. So I need not worry about anything.
I stayed in the carriage for half an hour, until light began to diffuse into the darkness. Some moments later, I could see silhouettes once again.
Before this, I had always wished to get my vision back, but after totally losing my sight for the last few hours, I realized that this was better than having no sight at all.
Delighted, I stepped out of the carriage and looked for Ruan Yanjun. Aside from the coachman, the front yard was empty.
"Lin Si," I called while I approached him.
"Priest Luo, are your eyes better now?"
"They are. Where's Lord Ruan?"
Before he could answer, a shadow emerged from the door. I immediately recognized his frame. He had probably heard my voice and came out to check on me.
"It looks like our little priest has gotten better." Ruan Yanjun approached me, and then he held my chin and tilted my head up so I would look at his face. "Can you see me now?"
"Just as good as before, not any better."
He sighed. "Fine enough, but I'm not yet through dealing with this small rat problem. Go back in the carriage and rest. I'll bring you the elixir in a short while."
Without waiting for my response, he returned inside the house. I was curious to find out how the negotiation was going, so I followed after him.
I found him standing in front of Ma Huan who was bound on a chair. With his keen senses, I was sure he had noticed me, but he did not say anything and continued interrogating the alchemist.
"Give me the elixir, and you better give me the correct one this time or I will not be very forgiving again."
"If I gave you the elixir, you'll kill me."
Ruan Yanjun smirked. "Aren't Daoists supposed to see and think only in a positive light? How come you know exactly what this devil is planning to do? Unless your mind is tainted with evil, as well."
"I'm not like you. I did this not of my own freewill."
"Is that so, or you just want another duel with me hoping you can break through the seventh level?"
I was surprised that Ruan Yanjun thought that way. When Ma Huan did not respond, I suspected that Ruan Yanjun must have guessed it correctly.
Ruan Yanjun clicked his tongue. "I give you some advice, Daoist Priest. Never ever deceive a demon… or you will pay with your life."
"It's a risk that cultivators do to achieve new heights."
"Since you are willing to risk your life for your ambition, what about the life of another person?" Ruan Yanjun turned in my direction. "Bring him in."
At first, I thought he was directing the order to me and I had no idea what he meant. Until the coachman entered the door holding a child in his hand.
Ma Huan gasped in surprise. "He's just a child."
"Just a child?" Ruan Yanjun grabbed the boy and held his face up. "He does look like you."
The alchemist froze.