Supreme Emperor of Mist

At dawn, Lu Yi returned from the Qin Family Pharmacy with five kinds of medicinal herbs and spices required to concoct the Flesh Mending Pill.

It was an eye-catching day for him because the pharmacy is literally swarming with people to purchase the "recently advertised" Flesh Mending Pill. Little did the staff and customers know that this guy in a servant uniform is, in fact, one of the three people who prepared it.

Along with the three ingredients Qin Lan brought home, that's a total of eight different medicinal ingredients.

The facade of only asking for three was to give Qin Kun a blind impression that only three ingredients are required to concoct this medicinal pill. That's because until now, the hidden culprit behind Qin Lan's case is yet to be caught.

But the current Qin Lan has a more important thing to do.

Arranged nicely on the table are twelve pieces of leather made from the White Marten Demon, an ink platter with Foul Essence Ink, and a high-quality brush made from the hair of a demonic beast.

Also, after practicing Heaven Firmament Art, Lu Yi's temperament can be said to be much better. He calmly entered the room that was so quiet without creating too much of a noise that could disturb his young master.

With a hand holding the end of his right, long sleeve, Qin Lan stretched his hand out to reach for the brush.

Then, the tip of the brush is gently dipped into the puddle of Foul Essence Ink. An adequate amount of ink followed as he brings it over to the piece of the leather amulet for inscriptions.

**Siii...**

The moment the first stroke lands on top of the letter, the sound of corrosion between the ink, leather, and spiritual energy can be heard. The ink burned into the leather as Qin Lan tried his best to complete them in a single stroke.

But before the final touch happened, the ink on the brush ran out. The corrosion quickly spreads across the entire piece of leather as it was quickly turned into a pile of burnt animal skin.

"This..." Lu Yi placed the sacks of medicinal herbs aside and made his way closer to the table. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.

If somebody else tells him about this, he might simply laugh it off while questioning that person's sanity. But today, seeing it on the spot made Lu Yi understands more.

These oddities in this world cannot be described with words alone.

"Calm down. I'm still learning and getting used to, so wasting a few of the leather amulets is normal. I'll improve with the more practice I get." Qin Lan allowed Lu Qing Yun to wipe away the sweat on his forehead and neck.

As she did that, a hint of lotus fragrance slowly came into Qin Lan's sense, which seems to make him realized something important.

"Qing Yun. Have anyone told you about your birth and how?" Qin Lan asked.

"Hmm, I remembered that before I was sold to the Qin Family Manor, my family lives near a lotus pond. My dead parents used to be a farmer and sell lotus pods while he has some free time." Qing Yun tried to remember her life before she was sold as a servant to the Qin Family.

In fact, not only Lu Qing Yun came to the Qin Family Manor this way. Even Lu Yi and half of the servants within this manor was adopted by the Qin Family since they're young. One of the reasons behind this is because they could groom those with talent. Also, it could build up their loyalty to the family as they get older.

"Then, do you have some birthmark like a lotus anywhere on your body?" Qin Lan's next question brings blushes onto her face again. But for the first time, Lu Yi shows a different reaction.

He remembered that once, he asked Lu Qing Yun about the Lotus-like birthmark located on the back of her right shoulder.

"Y - Yes..." Lu Qing Yun lowered her head as she answered.

"Then, be careful. Make sure that nobody sees your birthmark because there's something hidden behind the origin of the birthmark. I'll talk to our teacher about it in the future, and we'll see what he can do for you." Qin Lan smiled.

"Let us continue," Qin Lan picked the brush with his hand again and started with the second, third until the last piece of the leather amulet was consumed. At the end of his trial, only three managed to overcome the adversity and obstructions.

"What kind of thing are these demonic amulets, young master? To think that only a quarter of them managed to overcome the trial of turning into ashes..." Lu Yi's interest in the demonic amulets increased slightly. Perhaps it is due to the nature of the cultivation art he's cultivating.

Just like the Heaven Firmament Art, the demonic amulet also undergoes small qualitative changes as it was inscribed. It is also one of the cultivation world's kinds of knowledge and profession to create a foundation for something.

"Demonic Amulet is a kind of protective treasure. From life to travel, creating a safe zone to altering your surrounding, all is possible as long you're capable of creating it." Qin Lan roughly describes the way a Demonic Amulet can be used.

"To use them, just inserting your Spiritual Energy would do. But some of the Demonic Amulets requires a unique method to control, which we will learn more about it later." Qin Land held one of the three Demonic Amulets he made with two fingers and demonstrated.

"Then, what kind of Demonic Amulet is this?" Lu Qing Yun asked.

"Running Amulet. Having this amulet on our body allowed us to move three times faster for an hour. If it takes us three days without rest to the nearby Su-Hang Town, then with this Running Amulet, we'll be able to reach within one day if we keep using it." Qin Lan smiled as he replied.

"WHAT???" Both Lu Yi and Lu Qing Yun lost control of their jaw due to the surprise.

"But don't forget, it is just for an hour. Also, don't forget that we're still using our own stamina as we move. So we'll get tired more easily." Qin Lan returned to the wheelchair he's been sitting on for quite some time.

"What about the price?" Lu Qing Yun asked another question.

"Around ten pieces of gold coins, if there's a demand for it. This is a self-protection Demonic Amulet, after all." Qin Lan answered.

Lu Yi and Lu Qing Yun stare at each other. They were speechless, especially Lu Qing Yun, who's rarely dealing with money because there's no reason for her to do so. Even a noodle stall owner might have more conscience and greed towards the money in comparison to the servants of the Qin Family.

**Knock - Knock - Knock**

The door into the room was knocked three times, signaling the arrival of a servant with instructions.

"Who is this?" Qin Lan raised his voice to question the servant that came without a prior appointment. While at the same time, Lu Yi and Lu Qing Yun quickly tidied the room so it won't look like a mess as it was right now.

"Answering to the third young master's question, this is Xiao-Gong, the butler of the patriarch. Old master requested for your arrival over to his elder's dining hall to enjoy a dinner together."

"The patriarch reminded me to bring Xiao-Ke and Xiao Yun along." the butler politely introduced himself behind the door.

"Ah, it's Butler Gong. I'll be coming out after Xiao-Ke and Xiao Yun help me get a change of cloth. Butler Gong, please wait for us," Qin Lan replied. He immediately went behind the changing curtain and changed while the other two is still cleaning up.

After a while, all three of them came out. Xiao-Ke was pushing the wheelchair, while Xiao Yun is followed by the side.

Nobody speaks on their way to the elders' dining hall. But knowing what to expect, Qin Lan remained calm and collected until they're finally inside the hall itself.

Except for the upper echelon of the Qin Family, the six oldest youths from Qin Family also present. Other than that, there are two tables set aside near the master table, which is specifically prepared for honored guests.

The two tables of guests finally made their appearance along with Qin Tian and other elders, after they've been waiting for close to an incense stick of time.

"That's the Hu Family and Chu Family!" Qin Huang was the first one to recognize the two groups of guests wearing their own distinctive family color. The Hu preferred red in their overall garment, while the Chu preferred violet.

As for the Qin Family, their choice of color is either Sky-Blue like Qin Lan or a shade darker like Qin Tian's depth blue.

Only the Jiao Family is obsessed with green, but none of them are here today at this banquet.

"Everyone, to your seat please," Qin Tian waved his hand as he shows where the members from Hu and Chu Families will be seating. The first and third elder are arranged together to a table, second elder and fourth elder likewise.

Amongst the youngster's generation, Qin Lan was the only one to be given special treatment, as he was arranged to be seated by Qin Tian's side. He's also the only one with two attendants accompanying him because of his disability.

"Lan-Er, come with grandfather. I'll introduce you to the patriarch of the Hu Family, Hu Yong." Qin Tian waved his hand before Qin Lan and Xiao-Ke.

"Brother Yong, please met my third grandson, Qin Lan." Qin Tian said.

"Hahaha, brother Tian, I heard that your third grandson's recovery is going very well. From the way he looked, he's on the right track!" Hu Yong laughed and extended his hand over to his granddaughter.

"This is my beloved granddaughter, Hu Jia. Jia-Er, I hope you'll get along with Lan-Er. Feelings can be developed once both of you get married." Hu Yong's word dropped a hint of what the elders are trying to arrange between them.

"Greetings, Lady Hu," Qin Lan greets her while he's still seated in the wheelchair. He knows that the issue behind this is not as simple as just a banquet.

"Humph! How can I be arranged to marry a cripple? I don't want to push him wherever he wanted to go!" Hu Jia immediately vents her dissatisfaction by throwing the gift her grandfather prepared at Qin Lan.

But none of them noticed how smooth is Qin Lan's hand movement that catches the box before it landed on his groin! They're all anticipating what Qin Tian and Hu Yong would do after hearing what Hu Jia has just said!

"Ahem." Qin Lan coughed once.

"As you can see, Lady Hu, I have servants beside me for that. If I've really managed to marry a beautiful and charming wife like you, of course, I'll be waiting for you by the bed so we can warm each other together."

"We can leave pushing me around and eating to my servants." Qin Lan retorted.