The Indomitable Master of Elixirs

In the dark dungeons of Zhai Xing Lou, metal restraints were fastened to all four limbs of Gong Zhiyu. They trapped him in this gloomy, damp version of hell when a figure suddenly appeared before him.

Gong Zhiyu raised his head, only to lower it again when he realized the identity of the person.

“My son, are you blaming me?” The person standing before Gong Zhiyu was indeed Gong Qiang, who was wearing a gray robe.

“Father had nothing to do with it. This is what I deserve. I don’t blame father.” Gong Zhiyu spoke calmly.

Gong Qiang shook his head mildly as his gaze traveled from Gong Zhiyu’s bloodied chest to the rest of his torn and battered body.

“Hui Yu is still too immature. He was overly harsh on you. You are his brother, how did he have the heart to do this?” With a certain tenderness, Gong Qiang reached out to caress Gong Zhiyu’s cheek.

Gong Zhiyu instinctively turned to avoid his touch.

“I am too dirty and will taint father’s hand.”

Gong Qiang smiled. He reached out and gripped Gong Zhiyu’s jaw, forcing him to raise his head.

“You have suffered much this month. But Hui Yu also suffered.”

A glint of emotion flashed across Gong Zhiyu’s eyes.

Gong Qiang smiled with satisfaction before continuing. “This kid has had too little experience with handling things. He is not as cautious as you are. Worried about his impulsiveness, I specially gave him a few thousand power soldiers to settle things with Fu Guang City. But he still failed. Not only were the power soldiers all annihilated, he even had both his legs cut off by the new ruler of Fu Guang City…”

Gong Zhiyu’s eyes widened in shock at Gong Qiang.

“Don’t worry, you know how good your father’s gold cultivation skills are. I have already treated his injury. But I am very upset over this Fu Guang City. I am very disappointed that Hui Yu suffered such a disastrous defeat on his very first solo mission.” Gong Qiang shook his head in frustration, even as the traces of a smile lingered on the corners of his mouth.

A drop of cold sweat sprung out on Gong Zhiyu’s temple.

“Father, please hand this matter over to me. I will definitely settle it this time.” Gong Zhiyu offered in all anxiousness.

Gong Qiang smiled as he watched the worry in Gong Zhiyu’s eyes. The hand gripping Gong Zhiyu’s jaw tightened.

“Son, I am thrilled that you are so willing to help bear my burdens. But… this matter with Fu Guang City is not urgent. Today, Yan Luo Dian declared war against Zhai Xing Lou. It looks like that Chi Tong fellow is prepared to fight to the death with us. Before coming here, Hui Yu had approached me to offer his services in the battle against Yan Luo Dian, so as to atone for his past failure. Son, do you think I should agree to his request?”

Gong Zhiyu’s whole body had already tensed up, and he replied without any hesitation, “Hui Yu is too inexperienced to handle Chi Tong. Please hand this battle over to me. I will execute Chi Tong and present his head to father.”

“Oh? Really?” Gong Qiang smiled.

“I will keep my word,” Gong Zhiyu replied resolutely.

Gong Qiang finally relaxed his grip. “Son, you have never disappointed me. Fu Guang City was a one-off exception. This time, you better not disappoint me again.”

“Yes.”

Satisfied with the answer, Gong Qiang ordered his men to release Gong Zhiyu before leaving.

Looking around the dark dungeons, the newly released Gong Zhiyu squeezed his eyes shut as he clenched his fists so tightly that his fingers turned white.