Chapter 192: Invitation (Part Five)
Chapter 192: Invitation (Part Five)
Master Chen gently knocked on the table. "Always express your gratitude before partaking in a meal."
The disciples chorused their thanks to Mo Hua, their voices filled with excitement and appreciation.
Mo Hua waved his hands modestly, a smile playing on his lips. "You're welcome."
Master Chen nodded, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "All right, everyone, form a line. No pushing and shoving."
There was enough beef for everyone, thanks to Mo Hua's generosity. Though it might not be enough to fill their stomachs, it would certainly satisfy their hunger and tantalize their taste buds.
The disciples lined up eagerly, each taking their share of the meat before devouring it with gusto.
Master Chen also sampled the meat, washing it down with a sip of the potent liquor. His eyes lit up with delight, and he seemed to be in high spirits.
The fiery liquor warmed his throat, and he savored the spicy, invigorating sensation it left in its wake. Satisfied, he asked, "Now, what brings you here?"
"I just wanted to treat you all to some meat and wine," Mo Hua replied casually.
Master Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "So, you're not going to tell me why you've gone to all this trouble? We'll just take your gifts and be on our way, then?"
A mischievous smile played on Mo Hua's lips as he replied, "Well, there is something I'd like to discuss with you."
Master Chen's eyebrow arched higher, and he laughed. "You've certainly gone out of your way with the bribes. It must be something big. Go on, let's hear it."
Without hesitation, Mo Hua said, "Elder Yu has established a new and expansive Refinery Workshop. I was wondering if you'd consider moving there?"
Master Chen's expression turned quizzical. "You're close with Elder Yu as well? Playing the role of a matchmaker for him, are you?"
"Yes, we're quite close," Mo Hua affirmed, nodding confidently.
Master Chen's eyelid twitched. This young man, Mo Hua, certainly had an interesting network of connections. Despite his young age, he was acquainted with a Core Formation stage elder.
Master Chen was usually focused solely on his craft and tended to pay little attention to worldly matters. At most, he would catch snippets of gossip from others. He wondered how Mo Hua, at such a young age, had become so familiar with Elder Yu...
Intrigued, Master Chen probed further. "And do you have some personal stake in this Artisan Guild as well?"
Mo Hua puffed out his chest proudly. "All the array formations in the new establishment were designed by me!"
Master Chen's eyes widened in astonishment.
He was aware that Mo Hua was skilled in array formations, but he had not expected his talent to be of such a high caliber. For Mo Hua to be responsible for the array formations in such a large refinery was truly remarkable.
This revelation impressed Master Chen greatly.
After a moment's thought, he gave a decisive nod. "Very well, I accept."
Mo Hua was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. "What? You're accepting so quickly?"
Mo Hua had prepared a whole speech, expecting to have to persuade Master Chen, but his agreement had come so swiftly that he hadn't even had a chance to begin.
Master Chen laughed heartily. "I don't have much of a relationship with Elder Yu, so naturally, I wouldn't be inclined to work for him. This little shop of mine has been my life's work. Although it may be a bit run-down and business has slowed down, it provides for my needs, and I've also been able to teach my disciples a valuable craft.
"However, since you've taken the initiative to ask, that changes things. Aside from the fact that you've helped us tremendously with your array formations without asking for any compensation, which is a huge favor, I also trust you implicitly. Even though I don't have a close relationship with Elder Yu, your involvement carries a lot of weight."
Master Chen's words made Mo Hua feel a bit embarrassed, and he lowered his head, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks.
Seeing how amenable Master Chen was, Mo Hua decided to press his advantage. "Are there any other alchemists you're acquainted with who might be interested in joining as well?"
Master Chen was taken aback for a moment before he laughed again. "You certainly don't beat around the bush, do you?"
Mo Hua joined in the laughter, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "After all we've been through, what's the point in being shy about it?"
"I don't mind going myself," Master Chen said, "but asking me to recruit other alchemists is a different matter."
"Why is that?" Mo Hua asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I would need a good reason to convince them," Master Chen explained. "Otherwise, they wouldn't just abandon their businesses to go and work for Elder Yu."
"There are plenty of reasons!" Mo Hua exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. He had been worried that he wouldn't have a chance to use all the persuasive arguments he had prepared, but now he had an eager audience.
Master Chen was taken aback. "Is that true?"
Although Master Chen was a loose cultivator in Transcendence City, he made a living through refining and had never ventured into Great Black Mountain to hunt beasts. His interactions with Beast Hunters were mostly related to spiritual artifact transactions, so he didn't know much about their internal affairs.
This was the first time he had heard about such a distribution of spiritual stones.
Master Chen had initially assumed that the Beast Hunters, after claiming the spirit mine, would allow the Core Formation stage Elder Yu to take the lion's share, considering his status.
Now it seemed that the seemingly stingy Elder Yu had a much grander vision than he had imagined.
Master Chen nodded involuntarily.
Mo Hua continued, "By joining the refinery, aside from other benefits, you'll at least have three meals a day. I can't promise they'll be luxurious, but they will definitely fill your stomachs, so Big Pillar and the others won't go hungry anymore."
Master Chen was touched by these words.
Although he was usually strict, he did care for his disciples. Seeing them go hungry pained him as a teacher.
If this arrangement could ensure that the children had their fill, then all his efforts would be worthwhile.
Master Chen agreed, "Alright, I'll talk to them about it, but I can't guarantee their response."
"Mhm." Mo Hua nodded. "I'm not done yet. There's one more thing."
Master Chen was taken aback, "There's more? What else do you want to say?"
Mo Hua didn't answer right away. Instead, he stole a glance at Master Chen's refining furnace and quietly asked, "Don't you think the fire in your refining furnace is a bit small?"
This question sounded familiar.
Frowning, Master Chen thought for a moment before suddenly becoming alert. "Are you plotting to take my refining furnace again?"
"No, no," Mo Hua quickly denied.
Master Chen didn't believe him and firmly stated, "The fire in this refining furnace may be small, but it's sufficient for my needs. Don't even think about taking it apart!"
"I won't, I won't," Mo Hua assured.
Master Chen still looked suspicious.
Mo Hua then said, "I'm not planning to take it apart this time, but wouldn't you like to replace it with a new refining furnace?"
"Replace it?"
"Yes, with a larger one, with stronger fire, and of higher quality!"
Larger, stronger fire, and higher quality?
Master Chen frowned, suddenly shocked. "You mean... a first-rate refining furnace?"
Mo Hua nodded, "Not just a first-rate refining furnace, but also with a first-rate formation drawn inside. This will take the furnace's fire to the next level..."
A first-rate refining furnace with a first-rate formation.
Master Chen could only dream of such a setup.
His only wish in life was to own a first-rate refining furnace—even if he couldn't possess it, just being able to refine a few spiritual artifacts with it would satisfy him.
However, first-rate refining furnaces were extremely expensive, requiring a large amount of spiritual stones for materials and craftsmanship, far beyond what he could afford.
If Elder Yu could really get his hands on a first-rate refining furnace, he wouldn't be able to refuse, especially with Mo Hua's first-rate formation on top of that...
As Master Chen thought it through, he suddenly came back to his senses and was startled once more. He exclaimed, "A first-rate formation? You can draw first-rate formations now?!"
(End of Chapter)
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