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Chapter 401: Further Investigation
Chapter 401: Further Investigation
Deep in the night, Gao Ling arrived and, after taking inventory of the five bottles of alchemy pills for the day, he patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder and said, "You've worked hard, little brother."
"It's nothing," Jiang Cheng replied with a smile. "It's what I should be doing."
"You're too kind, little brother," Gao Ling said, glancing at the camera in the corner. "I hope you don't misunderstand, this isn't because we don't trust you."
Gao Ling coughed and explained, "It's not just here, but in all the other alchemy chambers as well. After an incident happened recently where someone made alchemy pills but didn't hand them over. Instead, they kept them privately and tried to sell them for money."
"Is that so?" Jiang Cheng was a bit surprised.
"Yes, this isn't the first time. Ever since the establishment of the Alchemy Department, these incidents have been happening. We've uncovered quite a few cases, but this time, it caused a huge commotion."
Chang Lin made a firm decision and instructed me to have cameras installed in every alchemy chamber overnight to see who else dares to do such a thing. After all, the treatment we offer here is among the best in the Inner City, and if they continue, it would be truly unconscionable."
"That's true," Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement.
His attitude made Gao Ling doubt Gu Changlin's speculation. Jiang Cheng didn't behave like the other alchemists who would privately keep the pills they made.
After all, Gao Ling had someone specifically assigned to watch over Jiang Cheng the entire day, and Jiang Cheng indeed only produced five batches of pills.
"Since you don't misunderstand, that's good," Gao Ling patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder reassuringly. "Rest assured, once this storm passes, I'll have the camera removed so you can make pills more comfortably. But don't tell anyone about this, or else I'm afraid others will feel unbalanced when they hear about it."
Although Gao Ling said this, he didn't actually plan to remove the camera.
It was just a polite gesture, and whether the camera could be removed wasn't up to him.
"No need," Jiang Cheng smiled. "It's fine to keep it here, and it would be troublesome if others found out."
"Really?" Gao Ling was taken aback.
Could Chang Lin and he have overthought this?
After seeing Jiang Cheng off, Gao Ling took the initiative to contact Gu Changlin and recounted the events of the day, focusing on Jiang Cheng.
Upon hearing this, Gu Changlin's expression turned solemn.
"In that case, it's unlikely that he secretly made a batch or two of pills?"
"I don't think so," Gao Ling replied. "When I suggested removing the camera, he didn't seem to mind, which is very different from others. Moreover, Chang Lin, we've been observing his behavior these past few months, and he's been very cooperative with us. He doesn't seem like a cunning and doesn't seem like a cunning person."
"That's true," Gu Changlin nodded slightly.
On two separate occasions, he requested a reduction in commission, and Jiang Cheng agreed without causing any trouble.
If it were anyone else, this would be highly unlikely.
Perhaps Jiang Cheng understood that such actions were meaningless, and rather than creating an unpleasant situation for everyone, it was better to accept it gracefully.
Of course, there was another possibility; that he was too good at enduring, seemingly calm on the surface, but secretly brewing something.
"It's difficult to paint the bones of a tiger, and it's hard to know a person's heart. I think it's best to send someone to investigate and see what's truly on his mind."
"Understood."
Gao Ling readily agreed.
On the other side, Jiang Cheng returned home, and it was already past ten o'clock in the evening, almost eleven.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Aunt Chen pushed open the bedroom door and walked out, her face filled with worry.
"Little Cheng, why have you been coming home later and later lately? Is your workload increasing?"
"It has increased a bit, but it's manageable."
Jiang Cheng smiled.
Due to the surveillance, he had to prolong the time for each pill refinement to ensure that today's timing was similar to yesterday's. Otherwise, even a fool would become suspicious.
"This..."
Aunt Chen's face grew even more worried upon hearing this.
She remembered that when they were in the outer district, Jiang Cheng could return home by evening.
Now, in this place, it had shifted from seven or eight o'clock in the evening to ten or eleven o'clock. If it continued like this, would they have to wait until the wee hours of the morning?
"Little Cheng, how about we go back? Back to Dinghu Community?"
She asked softly.
Jiang Cheng shook his head with a bitter smile upon hearing this.
There was no going back.
It was even unrealistic for him to think of taking them away right now.
"Go to sleep, Aunt Chen. Rest assured, I'm not an ordinary person anymore. Even if I come home this late, or even if I don't sleep for several days and nights, it won't affect me."
Aunt Chen nodded slightly at his words and turned to go back to her room.
Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, entered the house, took out his phone, and dialed Elder Qin's number.
In just a moment, the phone was answered, and Elder Qin's voice rang out, "Little brother, why are you calling me so late? Is there something urgent?"
"Yes, Elder Qin. I've paid off my debt to Gu Changkong, so I can leave here and join you."
"Really?"
Elder Qin was so excited that he almost jumped up.
He had guessed that Jiang Cheng calling so late must be for something important, but he never expected it to be this!
"Elder Qin, I have a small request if I join you."
"Please speak, little brother."
Elder Qin's expression turned serious.
"Currently, my skill in refining Awakening Spirit Pills is almost perfect. However, I'm more interested in improving my strength. So, after joining you, I'll refine pills for a maximum of six hours a day. After deducting the cost of materials, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. I won't cheat you, but I hope you won't force me to be a mere tool."
"Little brother, please continue."
Elder Qin couldn't quite believe what Jiang Cheng was asking for.
"Little brother, you can refine as many hours as you want, and we won't say anything, even if you take a few days off. However, we hope that you can refine some pills each month. As for the profit split, we can do sixty-four or seventy-three. We'll take three, and you'll get seven."
Elder Qin smiled, sounding a bit conciliatory.
"If possible, it would be even better if you could help us cultivate a few more alchemists. Rest assured, this is additional, and we'll provide you with appropriate rewards, such as cultivation resources or treasures."
(End of Chapter)
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