After successfully refining a furnace of marrow-cleansing pills, Shen Xiang swallowed three of them. While digesting their effects using the Tai Chi Divine Skill, he also absorbed the elemental spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, employing the Dragon Saliva Technique to condense the "dragon saliva" needed to mature the spiritual herbs.
The next morning, as dawn broke, the royal city erupted into commotion. News of the Danxiang Medicine House being vandalized had spread throughout the city. Usually, such small disturbances wouldn't attract the city lord's attention unless it resulted in fatalities. However, since his own son had been hurt, the city lord had no choice but to take action, lest he become the subject of ridicule.
As a result, Shen Luzong's shop was surrounded by numerous soldiers. Two luxurious carriages rolled down the broad streets, both heading towards the shop.
Outside the store, two grand carriages were parked, surrounded by numerous guards. One side was from the Danxiang Medicine House, while the other belonged to the city lord's entourage. They had come for the same purpose: to find Shen Xiang.
Still practicing in his room, Shen Xiang had sharp hearing and immediately sensed the noisy commotion outside. He woke up and listened closely to the sounds at the shop's entrance.
"Shopkeeper Hua, I didn't expect you to come in person for such a trivial matter regarding your son. I apologize for the trouble," came the voice of a man from the black carriage. This was Hua Gaoyun, the renowned city lord of Nanwu Country.
The shopkeeper, Hua Yueyun, replied, "Hmph! Your son has caused quite a bit of trouble for our Danxiang Medicine House! I'm not here because of him; it's because someone dared to act recklessly at my establishment that I cannot sit idly by."
Her voice was delicate yet carried a hint of anger, surprising Shen Xiang to discover that the head of the Danxiang Medicine House was actually a woman!
After a brief wash, Shen Xiang left his room, crossed the backyard, and entered the shop, where Shen Luzong was already waiting.
"Uncle, why didn't you hide?" Shen Xiang whispered, just as there was a knock at the door.
Shen Luzong replied, "I was worried about you, you rascal! The city lord and the sect master are not to be trifled with."
As the door opened, Shen Xiang and Shen Luzong saw a line of formidable soldiers outside, with the two luxurious carriages being the most eye-catching.
"What brings you here?" Shen Luzong asked with a cheerful smile.
The individuals from the carriages stepped down. The city lord was a burly, middle-aged man with a light beard, dressed in shining golden attire. The sect master of the Danxiang Medicine House was a graceful and charming woman in a blue dress, veiled with white fabric, revealing only her captivating eyes. Upon seeing Shen Xiang and Shen Luzong, her eyes sparkled with interest.
"Is it you who injured my son?" Hua Gaoyun scrutinized Shen Xiang.
"Indeed!" Shen Xiang replied, his expression calm and unafraid. Even in the presence of these prestigious figures from the royal city, he maintained his composure. He could sense that Hua Gaoyun was a martial artist at the eighth level of the Mortal Realm, and rather than fear, he was eager to measure his strength against him.
Just then, a group of rushed individuals squeezed in, pointing angrily at Shen Xiang. These were the guards who had been injured, their wounds still wrapped in bandages.
"Shopkeeper, it was this guy who barged into our Danxiang Medicine House and injured us and the manager!" one guard snarled.
Hua Gaoyun sneered, then turned to the sect master, saying, "Now we have confirmed it's him. What should we do, Shopkeeper Hua?"
What Hua Yueyun said next astonished everyone:
"Everyone involved in the vandalism of this shop will be expelled from the Danxiang Medicine House. Although this young man caused trouble in our establishment, it was also due to our people's initial mistakes. Thus, we will not pursue this matter further. I, Hua Yueyun, apologize to this young man, and his losses will be compensated by the Danxiang Medicine House."
Everyone was taken aback by the sect master's willingness to apologize. Hua Gaoyun was stunned, and both Shen Xiang and Shen Luzong were equally bewildered. However, their impression of the sect master improved significantly. As Su Meiyao had said, the sect master was indeed someone who could discern right from wrong.
"Though Shopkeeper Hua has chosen to spare you, I will not! Capture him! He has caused trouble in the royal city, injuring many; he must be punished severely!" Hua Gaoyun was unwilling to back down easily.
Hua Yueyun sighed softly, "City Lord Hua, these two are alchemists. Are you really going to make an enemy of them?"
Hua Gaoyun was momentarily stunned. The soldiers and guards around him were equally surprised! It turned out that this old man and young man were both alchemists. Alchemists held a distinguished status, especially renowned older alchemists, who were usually found within powerful families, enjoying a life of luxury. It was surprising to see them here, especially dressed so humbly.
Shen Xiang and Shen Luzong remained silent, maintaining their calm demeanor and showing no signs of fear.
Shen Luzong spoke up, "City Lord Hua, this shop was purchased by me many years ago. Your son attempted to buy it from me, but I refused. He took advantage of my absence to bring people to vandalize it. If you don't believe me, you can check inside!"
"Old sir, you must be the owner of the Lingdan Pavilion in Crouching Tiger City. This young man disguising himself must be that renowned genius from the Shen family," Hua Yueyun smiled lightly, her enchanting eyes fixed on Shen Xiang. Shen Xiang remained unfazed, prompting Hua Yueyun to secretly pout in displeasure.
The genius of the Shen family was the one who had defeated both the alchemy prodigy and elder of the Medicine House, gaining notoriety throughout the Nanwu Country. He had come to the royal city, and he was with the owner of the Lingdan Pavilion, who had long been known to be a stake in the Shen family's gambit!
"Right now, I'm no longer the pavilion master; I'm just this boy's old servant," Shen Luzong chuckled, a statement that left everyone in shock.
The owner of the Lingdan Pavilion was well-known in Nanwu Country, yet he had become someone else's servant? If it hadn't been from his own lips, no one would have believed it.
Hua Gaoyun's eyebrows twitched. The two were alchemists, and he didn't want to antagonize them over his foolish son; that wouldn't be a wise move.
Shen Xiang looked at Hua Gaoyun and said coldly, "City Lord Hua, your son has interfered with our Shen family's interests. If it were someone else, I would have certainly killed him! You should understand that threatening a family's assets is a serious matter!"
Shen Xiang's words, filled with a chilling threat, caused many to shudder. Although the Shen family was not a martial arts family in the royal city, it had a long-standing legacy and a solid foundation, which could not be ignored.
Hua Gaoyun furrowed his brows, his face filled with anger, but he couldn't act on it. He had to consider the consequences of opposing the Shen family. Even though he had a good relationship with the Medicine House, it was still merely one of interests.
"Let's go!" Hua Gaoyun barked coldly, filled with resentment, and climbed back into his carriage.