Chapter 21: The Core Apothecary’s Challenge

Dutaine sneered quietly. “What a pretense.”

Yet, everyone present distinctly heard him.

The receptionist stiffly registered the apprentices’ information for Dutaine. Even the most foolish person could tell these two clearly didn’t get along.

As a mere employee, she couldn’t afford to offend such influential figures. Her only wish was to quickly complete her tasks and see these ‘great gods’ depart.

Young Merlin glared at Dutaine.

Lu Yuan, however, interjected, “Alright, alright, you go in first. Squabbling with a child is truly childish.”

“Pfft—” Young Merlin couldn’t help but laugh. This inexplicable squabble was indeed childish. Waving at Lu Yuan, she stepped into the Apothecary Assessment Room alone.

Dutaine, still somewhat stunned, let out a cold snort. “Lei Yin,” he scoffed, “instead of fretting over whether your little apprentice can pass the apothecary assessment, you’d do better to worry about whether you can even retain your own position as a core apothecary.”

Dutaine continued, his voice laced with a sneer. “Speaking of which, you might not know this, but I heard a newly promoted apothecary is also vying for a core apothecary qualification today. In terms of talent and strength, they are said to be no weaker than you.”

“I’m truly curious to witness the sight of you, once hailed as a genius, after transforming into a poison apothecary and then being stripped of everything by the guild.”

Lu Yuan cast an indifferent glance at him, shaking his head. “Obnoxious,” he uttered.

“You…” Dutaine seethed with anger. He had repeatedly tried to provoke Lei Yin with malicious intent today. The old Lei Yin would have been unable to endure such harassment, surely arguing with him, face flushed with indignation.

The sight of the once-hailed genius losing their composure was exactly what Dutaine craved. Having tasted this sadistic thrill months ago, he found endless delight in mocking the spirited Lei Yin.

However, this time, Lei Yin seemed to have taken some unknown medicine, completely ignoring Dutaine. This left Dutaine with a suffocating sense of frustration, akin to punching a cotton ball with all his might. Moreover, Lei Yin’s calm and indifferent expression only stoked the flames of his fury.

“If I were you, having brought such immense disgrace upon the guild, I would have already taken my own life out of sheer shame.”

Lu Yuan didn’t even spare him a glance. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be yapping so furiously. Whether I can retain my position as a core apothecary, what concern is that of yours?”

“’Lu mou’?” Dutaine questioned, utterly perplexed.

Lu Yuan remained silent. He hadn’t fully adapted to the role of Lei Yin, having subconsciously used his old form of self-address. Without a glance at Dutaine’s expression, he simply turned and strode away.

Seeing their mentor put in his place, Dutaine’s apprentices all looked sullen, each keeping their eyes downcast and minding their own business. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to defend him.

They were merely junior apprentices, whereas Lei Yin was a core Grand Apothecary, a rank even higher than their own mentor. To step forward at such a moment would surely be courting death.

When titans clash, mere mortals like them could only scramble to get out of the way.

Dutaine observed the expressions of his apprentices and naturally understood their unspoken thoughts, causing his own face to darken even further.

“What?” he demanded, “Are all of you cowering before a mere good-for-nothing? Let me tell you, the one competing with Lei Yin for the core apothecary position today is Apothecary Ruolin. You’ve all heard of Apothecary Ruolin’s reputation, haven’t you?”

“Apothecary Ruolin? Is that the genius apothecary from the southern branch? At just nineteen, she crushed countless older, veteran apothecaries to successfully become a Grand Apothecary!”

“And I heard she’s quite a beauty! She’s actually transferring to our branch?”

Upon hearing that the new apothecary was a great beauty, the spirited young apprentices immediately erupted into wolf-like howls.

“Hmph.” Dutaine was quite pleased with his apprentices’ reaction. He declared proudly, “Now do you understand why I chose to forgo the core apothecary promotion this time? I simply couldn’t stoop so low as to compete with a young lady for that single spot; it would be an utterly unfair victory.”

“However, I predict that brat Lei Yin won’t even be able to contend against a girl.”

“Our teacher is mighty!” the apprentices all cheered. Yet, inwardly, they were all thinking, ‘It’s not that you wish to avoid an unfair victory, but rather that you lack the confidence to win in the first place.’