Path of Alchemy Mastery
Chapter 101: Zhang Baobao, A Brave Warrior

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Zhang Baobao, A Brave Warrior

Chapter One Hundred and One

The legendary Jue Ming Valley was once a massive ruin, hidden within a vast mountain valley.

It is said that secrets capable of transforming a person from the inside out are hidden there, even a Divine Pill that can elevate an ordinary person to the status of Martial King.

Lured by great temptations, countless adventurers have ventured into Jue Ming Valley over hundreds of years seeking their fortunes. Yet, among the tens of thousands who dared to enter, few returned alive, and even fewer were blessed with any kind of windfall.

However, it cannot be denied that there were indeed some lucky individuals who stumbled upon great fortune.

The most recent was a young man pursued by enemies fifty years ago, who had no choice but to flee into the valley.

After a narrow escape from death, he was fortunate to find a peerless divine sword. Practicing within the valley for half a month, he emerged with ease, sweeping away his powerful adversaries and ultimately becoming a great master of the Sword Dao.

Similar examples have been quite numerous over these centuries. However, these people share one common trait: After emerging from the valley, they all keep silent about its secrets, yet they show the utmost respect to the Long Family, guardians of the Jue Ming Valley.

This is also the reason why the Long Family has maintained its status in the Mortal World.

Indeed, it is these surviving lucky few that inspire later generations to enter the valley and risk their lives in pursuit of the same fate.

They say the nearer to home, the greater the fear. Having been away for nearly a year, Long Yunyun’s heart filled with sentiment as she looked at the magnificent buildings of the Long Family in the distance.

"Yunyun, why are you nervous? Look at me, I’m about to meet my future father-in-law, and I’m not nervous at all," Zhang Baobao leaned in, smugly teasing Long Yunyun.

Long Yunyun gave him a cold glance, "Scram."

Unconcerned, Mu Can teased the lucky little creature perched on his shoulder, gently stroking its newly grown, fine fur which truly felt quite nice.

The little creature lay contentedly on his shoulder, occasionally letting out a joyful cry.

Thanks to Mu Can’s generous feeding, most of the Elixirs he brought were now in the little creature’s belly, which was why it had grown so fast.

Without external aid, a Demon Beast’s growth is exceedingly slow.

Even the wealthy Zhang Baobao winced at the sight of those Elixirs Mu Can was feeding, clearly pained at the cost.

Traveling with Mu Can, Xiao Bao gently lifted the little creature from Mu Can’s shoulder, and it settled into a more comfortable position in Xiao Bao’s embrace.

Among the group, only Mu Can and two others could touch the little creature—one was Long Yunyun and the other was Xiao Bao. The rest couldn’t even dream of touching it, not even a single hair.

"My family might be difficult to deal with, so please try not to take offense," Long Yunyun all of a sudden said to Mu Can and the others, a touch of embarrassment in her voice.

"No worries, I get it. After all, it’s normal for a father-in-law to give his new son-in-law a hard time," Zhang Baobao nonchalantly waved his hand.

"Scram." The word Long Yunyun probably said to Zhang Baobao the most was this very word.

Mu Can waved his hand, indicating he didn’t mind. After all, he was there to ask a favor of the Long Family. For his father’s sake, Mu Can didn’t mind taking an even humbler stance.

...

"The young mistress is back, the young mistress is home!" As soon as Long Yunyun entered the Long Family grounds, it was a flurry of activity.

As the sole treasure in the palm of the Long Family, Long Yunyun’s departure had cloaked the entire family in the immense pressure of the Family Head for nearly a year. They dared not speak too much, fearing upsetting the Family Head.

The servants hurried to inform the Family Head of the Long Family. Within moments, a middle-aged man with an imposing aura made his way towards them, striding with the vigor of a tiger and the grace of a dragon amidst the crowd.

""

Family Head of the Long Family, Long Xingjian.

"You still have the face to return." Long Xingjian looked at Long Yunyun, his daughter who dared to leave home without permission, with furious anger.

"Dad." Upon seeing Long Xingjian, Long Yunyun’s eyes reddened, and she quickly rushed into Long Xingjian’s embrace, immediately bursting into tears.

Long Xingjian initially wanted to scold her for her actions, but seeing Long Yunyun’s aggrieved expression, the words that reached the tip of his tongue were not spoken. Instead, he gently stroked Long Yunyun’s head and said softly, "It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back. Your mother has fallen ill because you ran away from home."

Saying this, Long Xingjian sighed softly.

Such a cherished daughter, always pampered and spoiled, otherwise she wouldn’t have had the audacity to leave a note and run away.

"Ah? Mother is sick?" Long Yunyun asked in a panic, hearing her father’s words.

"She’s no longer in serious danger. Ever since you left a note and ran away, your mother fell into a gloomy illness. Now that you are back, there should be nothing to worry about." Long Xingjian looked at Long Yunyun with indulgent affection.

He had planned to properly lecture this disobedient daughter upon seeing her, but now seeing her like this, his heart softened again.

A daughter traveling a thousand miles only worries her parents, but when had the runaway Long Yunyun ever considered her parents’ feelings?

Long Yunyun, feeling ashamed, lowered her head in sorrow.

"Don’t just stand here, these are your friends, aren’t they?" Long Xingjian, upon seeing the twenty or so people Long Yunyun brought back, imperceptibly frowned.

These twenty-odd people, dressed in tattered clothes like bandits or beggars, amongst them five or six little children.

Only Mu Can and Zhang Baobao looked somewhat normal.

However, firstly, the strength Mu Can displayed was almost like that of an ordinary person. Secondly, Zhang Baobao’s strange golden clothes were particularly displeasing in Long Xingjian’s eyes.

Indeed, these people didn’t endear themselves to Long Xingjian.

Long Yunyun, with her head down, did not see the subtle expression on Long Xingjian’s face and heard her father asking about them.

She hurriedly pulled her father and introduced these people one by one.

Everyone greeted Long Xingjian, who, however, maintained a cold demeanor on his face.

"Dad, don’t be like this, they are all my friends," Long Yunyun said, seeing Long Xingjian’s facial expression and feeling a bit displeased.

"Friends? Not everyone is worthy to be friends with my daughter, Long Xingjian. And you’re not young anymore; this time when you return, I will find a husband for you," Long Xingjian said arrogantly to Long Yunyun.

Upon hearing Long Xingjian’s words, Mu Can slightly knitted his brows, but before he could speak up, Zhang Baobao stepped forward.

"Uncle must be Yunyun’s father, let me introduce myself, my name is Zhang Baobao, and I am Long Yunyun’s boyfriend."

"Don’t talk nonsense," Long Yunyun tugged at Zhang Baobao’s clothes. Telling this to Long Xingjian now was akin to slapping him in the face.

But Zhang Baobao did exactly that, straightforwardly. You say I’m not fit to be friends with your daughter, then I will be her boyfriend.

"Heh heh," Long Xingjian laughed instead of getting angry, and looked at Zhang Baobao.

"Do you know how long it’s been since someone dared to talk to me like that?"

Zhang Baobao was also full of pride, "Uncle, you can just comfortably be my father-in-law in the future."

Mu Can gently touched his forehead, Zhang Baobao, truly a brave man indeed.