Chapter 74: Joseph's Return
Chapter 74: Joseph's Return
Aldas stared at the bottle; he had forgotten all the anger and outrage. His voice trembled, “This… is this black potion?”
“Black potions – True. Spirit Potion.” Chen Rui smiled slightly, “Master, do you want it?”
That question was simply nonsense. From Aldas’s frenzy eyes, it clearly stated: “I’ll fight you if you don’t give it to me”.
“Master, I can give it to you, but please promise me one thing.” Chen Rui slowly handed the bottle over.
“Needless to say, I promise you no matter what!” Aldas received the bottle of black potion in a tremble. He couldn’t believe it was the legendary highest-level potion contained in the bottle.
The dark elf moved cautiously lest his shaking hand would break the glass. He immediately placed it nicely on the table. Then, he was afraid of accidentally knocking it down, so he made a safety rack and piled up a lot of things around.
Looked at Aldas’s abnormality, Chen Rui secretly snickered. If the master knew that as long as there was enough aura, not only the “True series”, but also the “Eternal series” could be easily obtained. He would probably hit himself with lightning in excitement and faint happily.
After Aldas placed the black potions, he didn’t open the cork. Instead, he looked at it for a while as if that dark potion was some extraordinary beauty. Only after half an hour, he recovered slightly and asked, “This potion… where did you get it?”
Aldas still had a clear mind after all. Aldas didn’t ask if Chen Rui made it himself as he knew that this apprentice was not “competent”. After learning the basic knowledge of pharmaceutics, Aldas had basically never seen Chen Rui anymore. Instead, the learning progress of the imp was surprising.
“Do you remember my grand master’s inheritance test? Half of it has already passed. As a reward, the grand master’s will instructed me to brew this True. Spirit Potion. When I’m awake, the potion has successfully appeared in front of me. However, the recipe and method can’t be clearly recalled.” Chen Rui felt that the excuses of this grand master were becoming nearly perfect as he couldn’t find any flaws himself.
“So that’s why. Praise the Demon God that the grand master’s inheritance finally shed light on pharmaceutics!” Aldas was moved again, “So, if you can complete this test, can you get the ability to brew black potions?”
“Probably not. Besides, the next half of the inheritance is even more dangerous. One misstep may cost my life.” Chen Rui certainly wouldn’t admit as the cheapest black potions were at least 10,000 auras. Besides, he didn’t want to focus on thinking such matter at the moment, “Master, I want you to promise that if someone knows about the black potion in the future, you will say that you developed them yourself; you must not mention my name!”
“No!” Aldas beat the table furiously; he almost jumped madly. His threatening demeanor was shocking. Chen Rui pointed at the shaking black potions on the table and the dark elf’s anger was instantly gone. He quickly held his precious bottle tight, making a funny pose. However, his resolute attitude was unquestionable.
“This is your glory! I must not do such a shameless thing!”
“Master, you have to think clearly. I’m not giving you this potion for fame, but for you to study it so that you can truly achieve the level of grand master.” Chen Rui said seriously, “Do you want my secret of grand master’s inheritance to be leaked? I am just a human; an outsider; what’s more a powerless outsider. If this biggest secret is leaked, how much trouble would it cost? Can I still stay in the Dark Moon?”
Aldas was really touched for a moment: In terms of value, this bottle of black potion is far more precious than all the potions that Chen Rui had squandered previously. As a potion master, I am absolutely willing to pay any price to exchange for this. Yet, this human only made some jokes, but he didn’t ask for anything and gave it to me.
After the dark elf master calmed down, he began to analyze seriously: Chen Rui was right. If this information is leaked, not only the Fallen Angel Empire, the attention of the other two empires will also focus on the Dark Moon Estate. Every party will fight for Chen Rui at all cost. With Dark Moon’s current strength, Princess Shea can’t hold him. By then, not only will Dark Moon lose Chen Rui, but the balance between the three states will also be broken.
Therefore, even if I study this bottle, I must do it in an extremely secret situation. Before getting any result, I must not let anyone know of it.
Aldas’s analysis made Chen Rui secretly ashamed as he didn’t think of a lot of things. It seemed that he still underestimated the shock that a grand master could bring to the Demon Realm.
“By the way, there is one more thing.” Chen Rui recalled when he “tasted” the black potions and told Aldas the strange feelings including the “principle”. However, the excuses were replaced by the faint feeling acquired when the grand master was inheriting thoughts.
Unlike Chen Rui, a dabbling apprentice, Aldas eyes became serious and he started muttering, “Rhythm… principle…”
The dark elf knew that it was a precious experience left by the grand master. It was like gaining a precious treasure, but he never imagined that someone only mentioned the taste of the potion. Seeing that Aldas was being obsessed, Chen Rui knew that he shouldn’t interrupt. So, he instructed the imp at the entrance and returned to his room.
At that moment, after getting the news of Arux and Royce were at daggers drawn with the Karon Family, Joseph rushed all the way and finally returned to the Dark Moon City before the night falls.
Joseph didn’t go back to his Dark Moon’s mansion, but went straight to the arena to visit the injured Arux. Then, he came to the ransacked magic store under Royce’s accompany. His face became gloomier.
“Sir, this is the case.” Although Royce’s tone wasn’t agitated, he couldn’t conceal the anger in his eyes when he talked about the Karon Family. “The incident at the magic store, I am willing to take full responsibility. Do punish me, sir. ”
Joseph shook his head, “This is all about that dumbass Alan. It isn’t your fault. Are your injuries okay now?”
“It’s still fine. However, Arux is badly hurt, and he needs at least half a month to recover. Mikas isn’t my opponent initially. If it weren’t for his sneak attack with his flame poison, I would never let him do as he likes at the magic store!” Royce clenched his teeth and said, “Alan’s cheating act was exposed by Aguile, and it was known by the entire city. Reka who had joined the Karon Family was also killed by Arux in public. However, Aguile’s potential is really extraordinary. I followed him along the way, trying to recruit him. Coincidentally, I saw Mikas trying to kill Aguile, so I tried to stop, but I didn’t expect so many things to happen! Before Mikas was killed by me, he gave a space bracelet to the guard, Ganke. Many soldiers witnessed it. When Arux and I fought our way to Alan’s residence, Ganke was next to Alan. Those things must be with Alan now!”
Joseph pondered for a moment and asked, “How did Princess Royal react after the incident?”
Royce replied honestly, “Princess Royal naturally wants to see us against Karon Family. On the surface, she sent Old Gauss to mediate, but in reality, it’s to sow dissension.”
In Royce’s heart, for his master to have such capability, his master was definitely not just an insignificant secretary. Princess Royal was very likely to be his chess.
“Well, it seems that there should be no other factors in this matter. If it is related to Princess Royal, she would’ve acted as if it’s none of her business instead of such an obvious provocation.” Joseph nodded thoughtfully and asked, “By the way, is that Aguile truly challenging Arux after a month?”
“Yes. Aguile was only an early Intermediate Demon a month ago. When he defeated Reka, he was already a later-stage Intermediate Demon. According to Arux and my observation, Aguile is probably a mutated Great Demon or descendent of downed royal family. He has some sort of seal on his body that he needs to rely on battle to break through and restore strength. That’s why he has the courage to set a two-month challenge. Arux and him have already signed the War Contract.”
“There’s such guy!” Joseph looked interested, “In your opinion, how probable is this guy joining us?”
“If there isn’t Arux, it is almost 100%.” Royce said affirmatively, “He also has a small force called the Cloak Gang. However, he has offended Alan and has set a duel with Arux. So, he can only seek shelter from a third-party.”
There was a murderous intention in Joseph’s eyes, “Are you talking about Princess Royal?”
Royce nodded, “This afternoon, when Alan sent someone to eliminate the Cloak Gang, Princess Royal’s imperial guards appeared in Cloak Gang’s southeast block, claiming that Cloak Gang has become one of the reserve forces of the imperial guards. Alan’s people were helpless; they could only retreat. These indications showed that Aguile has successfully sought refuge from Princess Royal.”
Joseph frowned, then he heard Royce said, “Sir, you need not worry. Actually, this is my idea for Aguile. When I saved Aguile last night, I proposed to recruit him. Aguile was thankful for my kindness for saving him, and he was moved by the proposal of defecting to sir. However, he insisted that the battle with Arux will never change. If he wins the duel, he asks to replace the Arux’s position to take over the arena. So, before the duel, he will not serve us. I immediately promised on behalf of sir and let him first seek refuge from Shea to protect the strength of Cloak Gang. If I overstep your authority, please forgive me.”
“No, you did very well!” Joseph had already faintly understood Royce’s “intention”; he smiled with admiration, “If Aguile is easily killed by Arux after a month, we don’t lose anything but we can take the advantage to damage Shea. If Aguile truly has the power to compete with Arux after a month, then what we get is a strong member. If I can’t return in time, you must remember to stop the two from killing each other. No matter which party dies, it is not something we want to see.”
Royce bowed, “I understood, sir.”
The fight between Joseph and Kanita was getting fiercer, so it was better to have more talents under him. Otherwise, it wouldn’t matter even if both Arux and Aguile were dead. He then asked, “By the way, the Princess Retail Store that was opened by little princess recently, is the business quite good?”
Royce reported this to Joseph earlier, so he nodded and said, “Yes, especially the demon-fighting chess and princess chess. The Meilon Family once paid 50,000 black crystal coins and bought the alchemy works of an ancient grand master. Rumors says that they still haven’t uncovered the wonders within.”
“The work of a grand master…” Joseph thought of his bet with Alice, and there was a faint cold light in his eyes. “I want to know more about the Princess Retail Store.”
Royce knew that even if he didn’t say it, Joseph could still easily acquire information of the Princess Retail Store because he was now in the Dark Moon, so he told everything that he knew.
As Joseph listened, his face became more serious. He narrowed his eyes, and he fell into deep thought.
Royce exclaimed, “Although I am a layman in business, I’m actually kind of admire the little princess now. She actually manages to turn her weird store into the most famous store in Dark Moon City.”
“No!” Joseph shook his head, “This shouldn’t be little princess’s power, otherwise, her shop has long been famous in the Dark Moon! Don’t underestimate this unremarkable business, the wisdom and knack within are beyond imagination. Let’s go to the Princess Retail Store tomorrow to take a look first.”
Royce said with dissatisfaction, “What about Alan? He is just a trash relying on his family power. Please forgive me, sir, but I can’t stand being oppressed by such a trash!”
Joseph knew that Royce was originally the heir to a big family. Although he was deprived of his honor, his pride in his bones was far more than that of Arux. He assured, “Don’t worry. Although I don’t want to completely fall out with the Karon Family, I will not be bullied. We still have to remain friendly with Alan, but before that, I will give him a little lesson.”
Royce nodded and remained silent. Joseph smiled satisfyingly. He never expected that his “arrogant” subordinate would deliberately instigate him just now.