Chapter 292: Human Scum

The Alchemist Association.

This rustic, tower-shaped building was completely unlike the lavish Golden Merchant Guild; it exuded an old-world charm. Located in the heart of Tiansang City, it attracted many passersby. However, almost everyone who passed by would slow their pace.

Xu Xiaoshou inhaled sharply, his body trembling violently.

“What a strong medicinal scent!” he exclaimed. “If ordinary people lived here, they could probably prolong their lives!”

Mu Zixi, holding her twin pigtails, also twitched her nose. After a long moment, she said with disappointment, “Yeah, I smelled it just now, but why is it gone all of a sudden?”

Passersby were also stunned. “What happened? The medicinal scent suddenly vanished?”

The murmurs among the crowd grew noisy, waking Xu Xiaoshou from his deep, frantic inhalation.

“Uh…” Mu Zixi glanced at him suspiciously. “Was that you again?”

“How could it be?” Xu Xiaoshou’s expression was exaggerated. “Do you think your breathing can suck the air dry around here?”

Mu Zixi nodded her small head. “Oh, right…”

“Let’s go!” Xu Xiaoshou called out and quickly entered the ancient tower.

There weren’t many people, far fewer than in the Golden Merchant Guild. However, everyone present had an air of grace and nobility, looking very wealthy and distinguished.

Xu Xiaoshou surveyed the area, then returned to the counter and looked at the pretty receptionist in front of him. He asked, “Hello, what is your President’s name?”

“The President?” The young lady was about to ask the young man what kind of pills he needed, but she didn't expect him to be looking for the President. What was this young man’s status that he could meet the President?

Although she was puzzled, she maintained her professional courtesy. She immediately said with a smile, “Are you looking for President Shiti?”

“Shiti…” Xu Xiaoshou looked at Mu Zixi. “Is that the name?”

Elder Sang had given his junior sister a letter, telling her to hand it to the President upon arrival. Xu Xiaoshou wanted to take a look, but the young girl held the letter as if she bore the weighty responsibility of saving the world, giving him no opportunity to even glance at it.

“Mhm!” Mu Zixi nodded emphatically.

“You’ve seen the letter?” Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

“No.”

“Then how did you know it’s Shiti?”

“I don’t know.”

“You just nodded!”

“The name is written on the outside.”

“Heh.” Xu Xiaoshou was annoyed. She hadn’t even shared it with him! What kind of junior sister was this?

“Wait a moment, I need to have a word,” Xu Xiaoshou told the receptionist, then pulled Mu Zixi aside.

The young lady behind the counter was utterly baffled. What was happening? Were they a young couple having an argument?

“Received Envy, Passive Point, 1.”

“Honestly, tell me clearly, what exactly is written inside?” Xu Xiaoshou said fiercely, blocking Mu Zixi at the doorway.

Elder Sang acted strangely and was completely unpredictable. If a letter sold them both out… it was entirely possible!

Mu Zixi’s small face flushed. “I really didn’t look…”

“Look me in the eyes and say that again!” Xu Xiaoshou slapped his hand onto the doorframe with a thud.

Mu Zixi didn't dare to look. Her ears were red, and she was on the verge of closing her eyes.

Just then, a furious roar came from the doorway. “You beast, let go of that girl!”

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

It took him a moment to react before he realized the voice was addressing him. After all, their current posture did indeed resemble the misdeeds of certain delinquent youths.

But… was it really that serious?

Xu Xiaoshou slowly turned his head, feeling both annoyed and amused. This was the Alchemist Association. Who would dare cause trouble here? Besides, he was talking to his junior sister. Since when did an outsider have the right to interrupt?

“A hero saving the damsel in distress?”

The newcomer was a richly dressed young master, wearing a flowing white robe embroidered with phoenixes dancing among spirit clouds, his hair tied with a purple jade and green crown hairpin, a dragon-patterned jade hanging from his waist, and a three-foot sword in his hand. His robes fluttered elegantly, and his demeanor was exceptional. Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily taken aback by the sight. Besides seeing himself in a bronze mirror, this was the first time he had witnessed such a handsome man face to face.

“Wow!” Xu Xiaoshou turned to his junior sister, saying in astonishment, “Little girl, your spring has arrived!”

Mu Zixi: “…”

“Received Curse, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1…”

She turned her head, glaring furiously. Where did this guy come from, butting in for no reason!

“The world is in decline, and human relationships are cold and heartless!”

The young master drew his long sword, his face filled with righteousness, and strolled gracefully closer. When Xu Xiaoshou heard those two lines, his expression immediately changed.

“That’s so trite! With lines like that, how are you going to save the damsel? Your script is terrible!”

As the white-robed young master approached, he saw that Xu Xiaoshou remained unfazed, still leaning his hand on the doorframe, with the girl still pressed against him. He had clearly stepped in to help, so why… why wasn’t this lovely girl seizing the opportunity to escape?

She must have been terrified!

A cynical look flashed in the young master’s eyes. He, who usually roamed with his sword, drinking and singing, detested people like this more than anything.

“Let go of that girl!”

Xu Xiaoshou was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “You want to take over?”

The young master: “…”

“Received Curse, Passive Point, 1.”

Mu Zixi felt indignant and immediately snapped, “Shameless!”

The young master: ???

“This…” He blinked twice, realizing the girl was indeed scolding him. What was going on? A hero saving a damsel, only to be scolded by her? “But I was saving you!”

The white-robed young master became flustered. “Miss… Miss, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t mean that. I was just going to…”

Xu Xiaoshou smoothly interjected, “Are you planning a hero-saves-damsel scenario, where you step on me and use the opportunity to get close to this young lady? Young man, wake up; that method is long outdated. Leaving aside whether your feet are big enough to actually step on me, that’s another matter. Just your mindset alone—though outwardly well-decorated, secretly, how is it any different from the behavior you’re imagining for me? Scum!”

The white-robed young master was dumbfounded by the words. To be honest, he really did have the idea of saving the damsel… But, scum? He was instantly enraged, and angrily blurted out, “You…”

“‘You’ what?” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes. “Haven’t I made myself clear enough?” He surveyed the young master from head to toe and tutted, “Outwardly magnificent, but inwardly rotten.”

The white-robed young master nearly choked and fainted, unable to catch his breath. Was this guy a verbal cannon? “Can’t he let me say a word? Even just one word!”

The sword he held was trembling. As his mouth moved to speak, Xu Xiaoshou turned his head to the girl in front of him and asked, “Do you girls really find this kind of flashy guy handsome?”

Mu Zixi paused, carefully observing the young master’s face, then glanced at Xu Xiaoshou’s. Her face flushed slightly.

“No, not handsome.”