Wei Shangren's smile slowly solidified, unable to utter a word.
Zhou Xun, however, showed a look of surprise. Originally, he was ready to run away, but now the situation had taken an unexpected turn.
He then looked at Wei Shangren with a half-smile and said,
"Brother Wei still loves to joke around. I almost believed it just now!"
Wei Shangren immediately forced an awkward smile, nodded stiffly, and said,
"Yes... yes, I was just joking with Brother Zhou earlier, haha..."
Having said that, he hurriedly pushed through the crowd and left in a fluster.
He wanted to go back and ask his brother why that middle-aged steward accepted bribes but did nothing. Wasn't he his brother's wife's uncle?
He couldn't understand it!
Neither could Zhou Xun.
He would not really think Wei Shangren was just joking with him.
That middle-aged steward must be his brother's brother-in-law, and something similar to his own setback must have happened.
But something unexpected must have occurred for the situation to end up like this.
That middle-aged man was the Chief Steward of Pill Treasure Pavilion.
To make such a person's plans fail, it must involve the higher-ups of the Pill Treasure Pavilion. If so, Zhou had to carefully consider whether it was necessary to join the Pill Treasure Pavilion.
...
On Wei Shangli's side, he was even more astonished when he heard Zhou Xun's name.
He looked blankly at his third brother, Wei Shangyi.
He thought he must have misheard it.
His brother-in-law had guaranteed it so well, and he had personally seen the comments and that big cross.
But now Zhou Xun was still admitted.
He couldn't believe his brother-in-law would accept bribes and do nothing.
He was a son-in-law of the Wu Family and a young Talisman Master with great prospects. Coupled with their relationship, there was no reason to deceive him.
Normal people wouldn't do such a thing!
Could it be, he really was abnormal?
Wei Shangli even started to have a little suspicion.
He wasn't the only one.
Even Steward Lin was somewhat incredulous when he saw Zhou Xun's name.
But he still calmly read out Zhou Xun's name.
This was a list personally determined by Master Yun Ku. Although he was a member of the Lin Family, he didn't dare to offend this Honored Guest Elder.
If he hadn't been accustomed to large occasions due to his daily encounters, he would have almost embarrassed himself.
While mechanically reading the list, his mind was racing.
Once the list was submitted, only Lin Zhishan and Master Yun Ku had the power to make changes.
"Could this person be related to Lin Zhishan or Master Yun Ku?" the middle-aged man speculated.
Impossible!
Soon, Steward Lin dismissed the thought.
If Zhou Xun had such a strong connection, he would have joined the Pill Treasure Pavilion long ago, rather than being dismissed by the Miaofu Pavilion.
It seems that this expansion, Master Yun Ku noticed this kid was from Red Leaf Square, and that's why he gave him a spot.
It must be like this.
However, nothing is absolute. Often, the most unlikely thing is the truth.
He couldn't afford to take any risks with this matter!
The position of the Chief Steward of the Pill Treasure Pavilion was a lucrative one, with countless people eyeing it.
In the future, he could no longer be against Zhou Xun. Instead, he had to find a way to befriend him.
Steward Lin carefully recalled his comments.
"Miaofu Pavilion dismissal, not recommended for admission!"
"My reason for dropping this person is completely understandable, no one would think I was targeting him. Even if Master Yun Ku finds out, he will only think I'm being fair!"
"Except for the Wei Brothers, no one knows the truth. I'll return the Spirit Liquid and warn them, and this matter will be over!"
Having thought it through, Steward Lin felt much relieved, and his voice was more robust when he read out the names.
Soon, the list of thirty admitted apprentices and fifty admitted miscellaneous workers was completely read out.
"All those admitted, please report to the Pill Treasure Pavilion in three days. If you don't show up by then, it will be considered as a waiver!"
After saying the final sentence, Steward Lin stepped off the stage.
After the people of the Pill Treasure Pavilion left, the people in the square slowly dispersed.
As everyone returned, the list of people admitted from the recruitment fair began to spread throughout Red Leaf Square.
Especially the alchemy apprentices, each was the target of everyone's envy.
Many people, upon returning home that day, had their doorsteps worn down by matchmakers.
...
Yuxiang Tower, private room.
After everyone dispersed, the Wei Brothers invited familiar friends to celebrate together.
They couldn't manage to bring down Zhou Xun, but the great joy of their third brother couldn't be ignored.
The relationship between brothers also needed to be cultivated.
Wei Shangli understood this well.
The banquet included Talisman Masters and apprentices from the Miaofu Pavilion, as well as Steward Lin, and even a newly recognized alchemy apprentice from the square who had just been admitted.
There was toasting and laughter until late at night when everyone finally dispersed.
As they were leaving, Steward Lin found Wei Shangli.
With an apologetic face, he said,
"I'm truly ashamed, dear nephew. Things didn't go through... This thing... you better take it back!"
While speaking, he took out the bottle of Spirit Liquid and handed it back.
"What are you talking about, Uncle? This Spirit Liquid is just a gift of respect from me to my elders, how can it be taken back? Please feel free to keep it, Uncle!"
Wei Shangli, being very bright, knew that refusing this would offend his uncle, and his third brother would still need his help in the future.
"I accept your gesture, but you should take back this Spirit Liquid!" Steward Lin was determined to return it.
"My third brother Shangyi will be heading to the Pill Treasure Pavilion soon, and I hope you can look after him. Consider this Spirit Liquid as a reward for it, how about it?"
Seeing this, Wei Shangli reluctantly said.
Steward Lin was moved upon hearing this. He was also reluctant to give up the Spirit Liquid.
After weighing it for a bit, he finally leaned forward and whispered,
"The last thing was quite peculiar. I advise you to reconcile with that person."
"Also, this Spirit Liquid was received to look after your third brother, it has nothing at all to do with that person... And you must keep the last thing a secret, otherwise, I really wouldn't dare accept this Spirit Liquid!"
"Rest assured, Uncle, Shangli knows the importance of this matter, and I've already warned my second and third brother to keep it to themselves!"
"In that case, I'm relieved!" Steward Lin nodded in satisfaction and took back the bottle of Spirit Liquid.
"Oh, also, let's keep a low profile and avoid contact for the time being, to prevent unnecessary suspicion from others!" Steward Lin remembered something and turned back to advise.
"Shangli will remember!" Wei Shangli nodded, cupping his hands in respect.
After Steward Lin left, his face became a bit serious.
The fact that this Chief Steward of the Pill Treasure Pavilion was acting so cautiously indicated that things had taken an unforeseen turn, possibly even involving the higher-ups of the Pill Treasure Pavilion.
"Big Brother, I have an idea to deal with Zhou Xun!"
While deep in thought, Wei Shangren's voice rang out.
He had held this back for a long time, not having the chance to speak during the crowded banquet.
Looking at his second brother, Wei Shangli wore a complex expression. After thinking for a while, he finally spoke,
"Second Brother, is there a possibility of reconciliation with Zhou Xun? Although we took action, he himself doesn't know about it."
"Reconciliation?" Wei Shangren sounded like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on, his voice raising abruptly.
"Absolutely impossible, and moreover, our actions, I have personally told him..." Wei Shangren said angrily.
"You..."
Wei Shangli felt a sense of exasperation, feeling that his brother was the biggest obstacle to revitalizing their family!
"Big Brother, there's no need for reconciliation. There are still three days before the report, we just need to ensure he can't report, and he won't be able to turn the tables!"
Wei Shangli looked at his naive brother, took a deep breath, and finally said,
"This matter will be handled by your elder brother, you focus on learning Talisman Making, and soon become a Talisman Master!"
Wei Shangren both feared and respected his elder brother, and seeing him instruct like this, he had no choice but to agree reluctantly.
...
After learning of his admission, Zhou Xun returned home.
He opened the Spirit Rice Jar and scooped three big spoons full, deciding to have enough to eat today.
He had already decided to report to the Pill Treasure Pavilion in three days.
"Even if the Chief Steward of the Pill Treasure Pavilion makes things difficult for me, the most that can happen is being dismissed again, my circumstances wouldn't be worse than now!"
"Moreover, today's changes show that Steward Lin is not someone who can control everything in the Pill Treasure Pavilion, I have a significant chance of establishing myself there,"
"Being an alchemy apprentice at the Pill Treasure Pavilion is my most legitimate opportunity and the best chance to come into contact with various Spirit Medicines!"
"The risk-reward ratio is perfectly balanced, too good to miss!"
Having thought it through, Zhou Xun began to enjoy the Spirit Rice.
"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou!"
Before finishing eating, there were loud knocks at the door from outside.