Supreme Alchemist-Chapter 2422 - 2412: Ying Rentian’s Request

"Oh?"

Looking at Ying Rentian, who carried himself with impeccable decorum, Long Yan let out a rather impolite sound. For cultivators, things like royal authority and wealth were truly of little interest. If Ying Rentian hadn’t been a cultivator himself, Long Yan wouldn’t have bothered acknowledging him at all.

"I myself have long admired Brother Long."

Ying Rentian habitually adopted a formal tone when speaking to Long Yan, a product of the education he had always received. However, this only made Long Yan all the more repelled by him.

"Does the Second Prince need something?"

Long Yan quirked an eyebrow and said with a trace of displeasure. This Second Prince was quite different from others. Most cultivators would avoid Long Yan altogether at first sight, yet the Second Prince had come right up to him instead.

Seeing Long Yan’s discontent, Ying Rentian’s heart sank. Ostensibly, the Qin Dynasty held the highest authority in the region, yet few truly regarded the royal family with much importance. The two sides generally kept to themselves, without interfering in each other’s affairs.

"If the Second Prince has something to say, just say it."

Noticing Ying Rentian’s hesitation, Jian Wuchen sighed softly. Though he came across as aloof, it didn’t mean he was a fool. He decided to speak plainly—it wasn’t hard to figure out that Long Yan disliked roundabout approaches, even after a brief acquaintance.

"Here’s the matter: I’d like to invite Brother Long to serve as my adviser."

Ying Rentian gritted his teeth and directly voiced his intent. However, seeing Long Yan’s baffled expression made it evident that Long Yan wasn’t entirely knowledgeable about the rules of the Qin Dynasty. After all, Long Yan had ascended from elsewhere, and many of the intricacies weren’t things anyone had explained to him.

Leaning close to Long Yan’s ear, Jian Wuchen elaborated on the Qin Dynasty’s rules for selecting a successor among the direct bloodlines. Those rules were highly effective at tying various sects to the imperial carriage—securing a suitable heir while fostering connections with influential cultivation sects. It was, in essence, killing two birds with one stone.

"Oh? You want me to represent you in the third competition?"

Long Yan pondered for a moment. Helping Ying Rentian in itself wasn’t an issue. However, doing so might offend many others down the line—it all depended on what price Ying Rentian was willing to offer.

"Yes. If Brother Long is willing to help me this time, I’m willing to agree to three conditions of yours, as long as they don’t compromise the foundation of the Qin Dynasty."

Ying Rentian bit his lip as he spoke, his tone unusually urgent. Emerging successfully from the Heart Inquiry Road was a feat many geniuses found unattainable. If Long Yan stepped in, his chances of securing the throne would become truly solid.

For the other two parts of the competition, as a border pass commander, Ying Rentian was already well ahead of his other two brothers. But he had absolutely no footing in the third segment. Many sects feared the Four Sacred Places’ renowned authority and were unwilling to align with any faction.

Long Yan, however, was different. He wasn’t part of the Four Sacred Places nor tied to any cultivation sect. As long as Long Yan agreed, the outcome of this matter would be as good as guaranteed.

Ying Rentian hedged his bets as a precaution. Although securing victory in just two out of the three competitions would suffice for success, he deemed it wiser to ask Long Yan to participate, for peace of mind.

"The matter itself isn’t an issue. It’s just that I currently can’t spare the time for it."

Long Yan spoke honestly. His main focus was Lingxi’s situation. Additionally, he had promised Shu Mountain’s Tiancheng Elder something and needed to follow through. In truth, Long Yan had almost no time to get involved in royal family conflicts.

"No rush, Brother Long. There’s still roughly a year and a half before the competition begins. As long as you can assist at that time, it will suffice."

Ying Rentian’s tone carried an unmistakable urgency. He was genuinely afraid of Long Yan refusing. The Four Sacred Places had a united front—once the Haoqi Alliance had chosen to support one candidate, the other sects naturally avoided backing others. Where could Ying Rentian find someone capable of rivaling the Four Sacred Places’ genius talents? Apart from Long Yan, no one came to mind.

"That’s acceptable. But I do have one condition."

Long Yan saw little reason to refuse. With the Qin Dynasty’s resources, many tasks he couldn’t accomplish on his own might now be feasible.

"What condition?"

Hearing Long Yan agree, Ying Rentian leaned back against his chair. His greatest fear had been Long Yan’s lack of interest. Ying Rentian had put forward the best terms he could think of. If this failed to tempt Long Yan, nothing he could offer would spark interest.

"I recall there’s an official by the name of Ming Wu. I want him." freёwebnoѵel.com

Long Yan raised the wine cup from the table and sipped lightly, but his words left Jian Wuchen visibly surprised. What was Long Yan up to?

"I know of Ming Wu. His rank and position, I believe, were acquired through dealings within the dynasty. Does Brother Long share some personal grudge with him?"

Ying Rentian glanced nonchalantly at Long Yan. Ming Wu, albeit a city lord, wasn’t aligned with Ying Rentian. Whether Long Yan wanted just one person or a hundred, Ying Rentian wouldn’t bat an eye.

After all, within the Qin Dynasty, there were over three or four hundred cities. Each was part of the larger administrative structure. Though Ming Wu’s title of city lord sounded weighty, to Ying Rentian, he was merely a minor figure. Ying Rentian himself was the genuine Second Prince, after all.

"There’s a bit of bad blood. As long as the Second Prince hands Ming Wu over to Jian Wuchen, consider it partial payment. I’ll come when the time is right."

Long Yan drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. Seeing this, Ying Rentian also laughed before finishing his strong wine in kind. Between the two, an indescribable understanding seemed to arise. As Ying Rentian turned away, he held up three fingers to Long Yan without looking back, then left without hesitation.

"Brother Long, why would you..."

Jian Wuchen finally couldn’t help but ask after Ying Rentian had departed. That was the Second Prince’s promise for three requests—if he chose, Long Yan could easily secure a position as someone second only to one man and above thousands within the Qin Dynasty. Yet, to use one of the requests to help Jian Wuchen settle a vendetta had left Jian Wuchen speechless.

"There’s no need for words between us, Brother Jian. Besides, do you truly believe what happened on the Heart Inquiry Road was just a fleeting dream?"

Long Yan flashed Jian Wuchen a grin. This was simply a matter of binding himself to the Qin Dynasty’s carriage. If he didn’t, there was a chance Long Yan wouldn’t survive until next year. So, in reality, the decision didn’t change much.

Seeing the playful smile on Long Yan’s face, Jian Wuchen’s cold demeanor melted like frost meeting the sun. He raised his own wine cup as well, amazed that his request to Long Yan had been resolved so smoothly.

"Brother Long, should you require my assistance in the future, do not hesitate to ask. I will certainly be there."

When Jian Wuchen spoke this sentence, each word was deliberate. His gaze carried an unprecedented sincerity.

That day, Jian Wuchen indulged in a rare bout of drunkenness. Cultivators could use True Qi to evaporate the effects of alcohol from their bodies, but Jian Wuchen didn’t do so—simply because the person beside him, sharing the drinks, was Long Yan.

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