Chapter 79: Why Haven't You Gone Over to Apologize Yet?

“The expert inside is truly remarkable! With just a few pointers, my second-grade pills have advanced to the highest level.”
“Of course, his skills aren’t exaggerated. If only I had come earlier—the first guy to enter spent only a hundred spirit stones, and now the price has risen by several hundred already.”
“Tsk, you’re so short-sighted. You’re worried about a bit of money? If I could receive guidance from the expert, I’d gladly pay a thousand spirit stones.”
“Well, brother, I don’t have as much wealth as your family…”
“What’s going on here?”

The master of the Hundred Herb Pavilion arrived, and upon seeing the crowded scene before him, he was momentarily stunned:
“The young lord from the Wang family of Blackstone Mine, the heir of the Ye family, and Liu the merchant’s son… These are all prominent heirs from the major families of Blazing Fire City. Why are they all rushing inside as if possessed?”
“Who’s guiding them? Who could be so skilled that so many noble sons seek his tutelage?”
“Could it be that the three grandmasters have emerged?”
“No, none of the three grandmasters are named Li. Is this some newly risen luminary?”
“But charging thousands for guidance seems excessive. Just who is this person inside?”

Listening to the crowd’s discussions, the master of the Hundred Herb Pavilion grew increasingly curious about the expert within.
But as Zhao Junshan, standing nearby, heard the mention of the expert, his expression suddenly changed. Could the person inside be…
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
How could that kid possibly attract so many people seeking guidance?

After regaining his composure, Zhao Junshan turned to his father and said, “Father, that boy is the one who forced me here before…”
The master’s face darkened. “Where is that rascal?”
“Huh?”
Zhao Junshan was also confused. “He was just here moments ago.”
“He got away? Father, what should we do?”
“What’s his name?”
“I think it’s Li something… Oh right, Li Jian San!”

Moments later, the master of the Hundred Herb Pavilion bellowed,
“Li Jian San, you little scoundrel! You dared to humiliate my son, but now you dare not show yourself?”
“Li Jian San, get out here at once!”

Inside the pill refining room, Li Jian San frowned when he heard the angry shout.
A disciple at the pill furnace whispered to him, “Master, I think that person is insulting you…”
Li Jian San’s face was streaked with annoyance.
Of course I know, do you really need to remind me?

Li Jian San opened the door and stepped outside.

As the crowd parted to make way, the master of the Hundred Herb Pavilion, still not having seen Li Jian San, shouted angrily,
“So you’re the little scoundrel who bullied my son?”
“He was born asking for a beating. I simply taught him a lesson and showed him how to behave. What, are you here to pay tuition now?”
Li Jian San replied calmly.
“Insolent brat, so arrogant!”
The master’s face turned livid. “I originally intended for you to kneel and slap your own face to apologize—a small punishment for a big lesson. But now, that won’t suffice.”
“To make me kneel and slap my own face? I’m afraid you’re not qualified for that!”
Li Jian San walked slowly to stand before the master.

Seeing the tense standoff, the surrounding crowd was stunned.
“This expert actually offended the master of Hundred Herb Pavilion?”
“You weren’t here earlier, but it’s true—the expert competed with Zhao Junshan, and Zhao Junshan lost, then the expert forced him to kneel and bark like a dog. We laughed ourselves silly!”
“So now he’s brought his father for revenge.”
“The expert’s offended them—he’s probably finished.”
“Not necessarily. Look at the expert—so young, yet with such extraordinary pill refining skills. With talent like that, he must be a prodigy from a major power.”
“Who will suffer in the end remains to be seen…”

When the master of the Hundred Herb Pavilion finally saw Li Jian San, his expression froze.
How could it be this person…

“Hahaha, kid, do you know who he is?”
Seeing Li Jian San’s continued arrogance, Zhao Junshan stepped forward to threaten him coldly,
“He’s my father, the master of Hundred Herb Pavilion. How dare you act so brazenly in front of my father? Do you know how many people he’s strangled with his own hands?”
The master barked, “Junshan, enough!”
Zhao Junshan was stunned, then laughed,
“Haha, father, you’re right. We shouldn’t waste words with him. Just act—break his legs first, then make him kneel before me…”
The master’s face turned ashen as he snapped,
“Zhao Junshan, I told you to shut up!”
Zhao Junshan was bewildered. “Father, why…”
“My lord, my son’s temperament is unruly and he has offended you many times. Could you find it in your heart to forgive us just this once?”

Zhao Junshan hadn’t even regained his senses when he heard his father speak to Li Jian San in such a humble, deferential manner.
What was going on?
Weren’t they here for revenge?
Why was father…

Why was he apologizing instead,
And with such humility,
Even sounding afraid to offend him…
Zhao Junshan was utterly confused. “Father, weren’t we here to teach him a lesson? Why are you…”
Smack!
The master’s expression changed and he slapped Zhao Junshan across the face.
“I told you to shut up!”

Everyone was instantly dumbfounded.
“What’s going on? Wasn’t he always spoiling his son?”
“How could he disregard all decorum and slap his own son so hard in public?”
“Is it because of the expert?”
“The expert must be so formidable that even the master of Hundred Herb Pavilion is forced to yield!”
“It seems my guess was right—the expert is definitely from a major power. Otherwise, the master wouldn’t be so humble. Good thing I never offended him…”

Standing before Li Jian San, the master of Hundred Herb Pavilion had lost all his temper.
“My lord Li, would you be willing to let this matter pass?”
Seeing Li Jian San unmoved, the master kicked Zhao Junshan and said coldly,
“Hurry up and go apologize!”
Zhao Junshan’s face was wretched.
He had thought that his powerful father would finally put Li Jian San in his place,
He had thought he could regain his dignity,
He had thought he could teach Li Jian San a harsh lesson and make him kneel and apologize,
But never did he imagine that not only would his father bow and scrape before Li Jian San,
He himself would have to kneel and apologize as well.
Such a scene was the greatest humiliation!
“Scoundrel, kneel at once!”
At his father’s command, Zhao Junshan finally knelt with a thud.
“My lord Li, you are magnanimous. Could you forgive our previous offenses?”
Only then did Li Jian San reply indifferently,
“Didn’t you say I should kneel and slap my own face to apologize?”