While Zhao Shilie naturally didn’t feel any goodwill towards Zhao Hao, as he saw it, Zhao Hao could aid him in suppressing Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng.
The more intense the fight between his Royal Nephews, the more evenly matched they were, the better it would naturally be for Zhao Shilie.
The Zhao Hao who had originally been completely ordinary before having suddenly cropped out of nowhere at this time was naturally seen as a good chess piece by Zhao Shilie.
As for whether or not Zhao Hao would be stronger than Zhao Yuan in the future and affect his, Zhao Shilie’s position, that was a different question altogether.
At the end of the day, Zhao Hao was currently no more than a mere Martial Artist.
“What is my Eastern Tang Kingdom most famous for in the East Heaven Region? It’s alchemy, isn’t it; and wouldn’t that be a good area in which to compete whilst making sure that your relationship is not soured.”
Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng were also not good-for-nothings. By tradition, the entire Eastern Tang royal family were all good hands at pill concoction, just like how they were also proficient in the areas of martial arts and political administration.
The greatest alchemy power on Eastern Tang soil, the Pill Pavilion, was actually backed by its royal family.
“In making this proposal, Zhao Shilie would naturally have done so based on his understanding towards Zhao Hao, which he should have a certain level of. Looks like this will be interesting.” Yan Zhaoge did not speak, just watching Zhao Shilie’s performance coldly from the side.
Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng having also thought of this, they naturally hesitated, but could not show any weakness.
Of the two of them, one was the son of the Queen while the other was the son of a concubine. Meanwhile, Zhao Hao’s birth mother was but a mere palace maid.
The environments the two had been raised in as well as the educations they had received since youth had both been far superior to that of Zhao Hao.
If they completed in martial arts, Martial Scholars against a Martial Artist, there would be no glory in winning no matter how one saw it.
The two glanced at Zhao Hao, then nodded their heads to express their agreement.
Although Zhao Hao’s cultivation had soared tremendously, the two Zhao brothers just didn’t believe that he would even be able to obtain a victory over them in the dao of alchemy.
Zhao Shilie smiled lightly, “The Pill Pavilion’s Head Tribute Elder, Mr Wang, just happens to be here as well. With Young Master Yan’s background, he must have a lot of knowledge in this area. This Prince also knows something about the dao of alchemy. Along with Mr Wang, the three of us can also act as judges for you; this is also a rare opportunity.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed, neither confirming nor rejecting his words. From far, a few martial practitioners now escorted an old man over.
Seeing this old man, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng both hurriedly rushed to greet him first, “Greetings, Elder Wang.”
It was only Zhao Hao who remained standing where he was, only mildly nodding his head to the old man.
However, not only did Elder Wang not take offense as a result, he actually nodded back at Zhao Hao.
Seeing this, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng were both instantly shocked.
Afterwards, when old Mr Wang understood the situation, he only shook his head, “What is this to even compare about; the Sixteenth Prince’s skill in the dao of alchemy is superior even to mine.”
“At his age, with his cultivation base, the level of his skill in pill concoction is something that this old man has never seen in my life before.”
His position being special, having a straight disposition, he could speak a little unrestrainedly without having to concern himself with what he said.
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng were both completely stunned.
On Eastern Tang soil, there was only one person who could compete with this Elder in the dao of alchemy, and that was the King himself.
Even Prince Jin, this Martial Grandmaster, was inferior in this area to the Mr Wang who was only in the Martial Scholar realm.
His expression calm, Zhao Hao said simply, “For a Martial Scholar, your skill in alchemy can already be considered as not bad.”
A smile appeared on Zhao Shilie’s face, “This, however, is something that even this Prince does not understand. To think that a thousand li horse would appear in my Eastern Tang in the area of alchemy.”
“You didn’t know, huh,” Yan Zhaoge quickly and discreetly rolled his eyes, “If you didn’t know, you would come up with this sort of suggestion?”
“Still, how did you come to know of this?”
Yan Zhaoge’s line of vision slid past Zhao Shilie and Zhao Hao, finally coming to land on Pill Pavilion’s Head Tribute Elder Mr Wang.
Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng’s faces looked a little ugly as Zhao Hao now laughed arrogantly, “Royal Brothers stand no chance at all in the dao of alchemy; maybe we should just go back to competing in martial arts.”
The Yan Zhaoge who had not spoken up all along now finally opened his mouth, “As His Highness Jin said, this kind of small things do not need to risk harmimg the relationship between you.”
“Just compete in alchemy then.”
Zhao Yuan looked at Yan Zhaoge bemusedly; even Zhao Shilie was a little startled.
Yan Zhaoge continued, “However, since I just happen to be here at this moment as well, why not add some festivity to this occasion?”
Zhao Shilie raised his brows slightly, “Oh? Which side does Zhaoge intend to wager on?”
If Yan Zhaoge were to wager on Zhao Hao, Zhao Shilie would really be bemused then. As he saw it, this was not merely a simple gambling game.
Rather, him doing so would mean that Yan Zhaoge, as well as the Yan Di behind him, amongst the Princes of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, would be giving up on Zhao Yuan and switching over to supporting Zhao Hao instead!
Zhao Yuan’s expression did not change, but it could obviously be seen that he was currently gazing at Yan Zhaoge nervously.
“I’m backing Brother Zhao Yuan.” Yan Zhaoge was forthcoming with his words.
Zhao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, as the others became even more confused.
Zhao Shilie said, “From old Mr Wang revealing Heaven’s will with a single phrase, this Prince naturally looks favourably on Royal Nephew Zhao Hao.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “Then it’s all set.”
“What does Zhaoge want to wager?”
“I want to gamble for Your Highness Jin’s share of the Pill Pavilion.”
Hearing his words, Zhao Shilie’s gaze abruptly flickered, as he stared at Yan Zhaoge closely.
The Pill Pavilion was a very wealthy organisation. Not only was it the top alchemy organisation within the Eastern Tang Kingdom, it was also the Eastern Tang’s greatest source of exports.
The power who had the greatest stake in the Pill Pavilion was exactly the Eastern Tang royal family, the one with the greatest speaking power naturally being the King himself. However, Zhao Shilie also had an relatively huge share of the pie.
Bringing precious medicines to the world, the Pill Pavilion was an extremely profitable business, even having begun jostling into the other markets in the East Heaven Region.
The others jumped simultaneously. A small competition having such big stakes; wasn’t this a little too hasty?
But considering it carefully, with Yan Zhaoge’s background, what other things of Zhao Shilie would he even set his eyes on?
Thinking about it from this perspective, their minds all relaxed, though they just couldn’t help but feel within their hearts: Having such a mighty father, must really be comfortable…
“As for my wager, I believe that Your Highness Jin will also be very interested in it.” Saying thus, he waved his hand, the low-grade spirit artifact, the Radiant Sun Wheel, appearing before him.
Zhao Shilie immediately exclaimed, “Xiao Shen’s Radiant Sun Wheel?!”
Everyone else was also extremely startled, “The Sacred Sun Clan’s Xiao Shen’s protective spirit artifact? How is it……”
How was it that it was in Yan Zhaoge’s hands?
Unless…
Yan Zhaoge said calmly, “Xiao Shen was defeated by me, and this thing of his naturally became my spoils of battle. If I use it to gamble with Your Highness Jin, I guess it should be worthy enough?”
Zhao Shilie’s breathing became rough. Even though he was already a Martial Grandmaster, a spirit artifact was still a precious treasure extremely hard to come by.
His share in the Eastern Tang’s economic lifeline, to him, had not just its economic value, but also concerned the long-standing problem of the future King.
It was hard to accurately say which one of the two was more valuable.
However, that that spirit artifact of Xiao Shen’s had landed in Yan Zhaoge’s hands would definitely be a massive humiliation for the former.
If Zhao Shilie were to successfully get it back for him, it would definitely be doing him a great favour. Xiao Shen aside, behind him still stood the Sacred Sun Clan’s Grand Elder.
It was only that looking at how Yan Zhaoge, even knowing how proficient Zhao Hao was at alchemy, had still dared to propose these stakes, Zhao Shilie could naturally feel a warning bell sounding within his heart.
How much confidence was required to face this head on?
Zhao Shilie’s senses told him that it was best not to carry on the gamble with Yan Zhaoge.
The others all stared at Yan Zhaoge shell-shocked. Never would they had thought that Xiao Shen, who was already in the late outer aura stage, would actually be defeated by Yan Zhaoge.
The only exception was Zhao Hao. As if not having completely realised what Yan Zhaoge’s offering up of Xiao Shen’s Radiant Sun Wheel meant, he still faintly had an expression of total disregard for everything on his face.
Maybe he did understand what it meant, but still didn’t put it into his eyes…
Perhaps he did also understand that Zhao Shilie was intentionally making use of him, just that he similarly didn’t care about that as well; there would naturally come a time when he repayed him in the future.
Zhao Hao looked at Yan Zhaoge as he let out a cold snort, “Hmphh, Broad Creed Mountain, someone originating from Broad Creed Mountain…Hehe!”
“Royal Uncle Jin, since he wants to gamble, let’s just gamble then.” Zhao Hao said calmly, before, with a flick of his sleeve, a small, intricate pill furnace directly landed on the ground before him.
From within the pill furnace, embers of flame sprang out without warning, some faint green smoke rising into the air, actually gradually coming together to form the image of mountains and rivers.
Seeing this scene, their minds almost all drew a blank.
Mr Wang, however, abruptly opened his eyes wide.
Zhao Shilie’s eyes just brightened.
“Talented, wilful, wildly arrogant; however…”Yan Zhaoge let out a slight smile from the corner of his mouth, “… however, he’s stupid.”
“Unluckily for you, though, little fella, I also just happen to possess that kind of bad temper that does what I want when I’m not satisfied.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 53: The Expert Reborn
HSSB53: The Expert Reborn
“The smoke of the pill furnace taking form?” Old Mr Wang stared at the little pill furnace on the ground, his eyes opened wide, “This is a phenomenon that only appears when one’s skill in alchemy has reached the point of perfection ah.”
His skill in alchemy was steadily amongst the top three in the Eastern Tang Kingdom, but even he could only cause such a phenomenon whilst concocting pills once in a while, and only by coincidence.
It was only after quite some time had passed that he suddenly raised his head, looking towards Zhao Hao, “Earlier in the Pill Pavilion, you didn’t reveal all of your ability?”
Zhao Hao laughed arrogantly, “Now, it might also not be everything ah.”
Old Mr Wang coughed a little, before continuing to press him, “Previously, on asking about Sixteenth Prince’s Master, Sixteenth Prince had always been unwilling to answer; could you reveal it to me now?”
“This old man has no other intentions, just wishing to meet that expert once.”
Zhao Hao said mildly, “I already said it earlier. No one taught me to concoct pills; I just learnt it for myself through experimentation. It is up to you whether or not you want to believe me.”
Having been spoken so rudely against and contradicted, Old Man Wang was not angered.
He only continuously shook his head, sighing, “If Sixteenth Prince does not wish to tell me, this old man will also not make things make difficult for you.”
He turned his head, looking towards Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng whereupon he sighed, “Having personally coached Eldest Prince and Third Prince before, their skill in alchemy is something that this old man knows very well.”
“Amongst those of a similar age, they can be considered superior, only…sigh!”
Old Mr Wang did not finish his words, but what he had left unsaid, everyone knew.
He looked at Yan Zhaoge somewhat like it was intentional, but also somewhat like it was not.
As this Elder saw it, having already said things to this point, he had actually already given Yan Zhaoge an extremely obvious hint.
If Zhao Yuan competed in the dao of alchemy with Zhao Hao, there was no way he would win. If Yan Zhaoge still insisted on continuing with the gamble, it would be as good as him freely gifting Zhao Shilie the Radiant Sun Wheel for nothing.
As old Mr Wang saw it, let alone Zhao Yuan, even if Yan Zhaoge himself personally competed, he would also definitely be unable to win against Zhao Hao.
After all, he had never heard of Yan Zhaoge being proficient in alchemy before this.
As one of the Sacred Grounds of the current world, Broad Creed Mountain naturally did not lack great alchemists.
With the legacies he had received, perhaps Yan Zhaoge did have a few tricks up his sleeve, but winning against Zhao Hao-the chances of that happening were just far too slim.
This was because according to his predictions, aside from a few techniques that he was temporarily unable to use because of his cultivation currently being too low, Zhao Hao’s alchemy skills was already sufficient to compete with any one of the current world’s alchemy grandmasters.
Yan Zhaoge momentarily fell silent, seemingly hesitating, before he raised his head to look at Zhao Shilie, “What does Your Highness Jin think?”
Zhao Shilie narrowed his eyes before he slowly said, “If there are festivities to help liven up the occasion, this competition would naturally be more meaningful. If Zhaoge insists on the gamble, this Prince will just go along with it then.”
Staring at him, Yan Zhaoge suddenly broke into a smile, “Alright, let’s do it then.”
Looking at Yan Zhaoge’s smile, Zhao Shilie vaguely felt as though something was wrong.
After pondering for a time, he said, “What you will be competing in will be pill concocting techniques and skills, and not who has obtained unique or precious pills or pill formulas.”
“You can all just concoct a simple kind of pill simultaneously.”
“The overall judging criteria will be the quality of the concocted pill, the speed of concoction, and then the amount of medicinal dregs that are left behind, in that order.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, knowing that Zhao Shilie had said this because he was afraid of him providing Zhao Yuan with one of Broad Creed Mountain’s secret pills in order to help him get through this trial.
His worries weren’t ungrounded; however, Yan Zhaoge didn’t actually need to make use of Broad Creed Mountain’s pills.
The pill formulas he had learnt from the Divine Palace’s collection had been many, and amongst those were many of the most efficacious pills and wonderful medicines.
But even from the start, Yan Zhaoge had also never
intended to use such a method.
Zhao Hao, on the other hand, retained the same uncaring attitude, “Whatever; even if it is comparing whose final medicinal product is of a higher grade, I’d still go along with it.”
Hearing his words, Zhao Shilie glanced over at him.
While this kid had gradually caused him to feel threatened, more than that, he just seemed like a fat goat to be fleeced.
Yan Zhaoge gave Zhao Hao a sideways glance, thinking, “As I thought, you were indeed the one who spread the Smoke Cloud Powder.”
Although it was a little strange and he could not completely confirm it yet, the more Yan Zhaoge looked at it, the more Zhao Hao’s figure corresponded with that of a person who had already long since been buried by history and turned into a legend.
Wild and arrogant, unwilling to be under others, acting outrageously without fear of anything whatsoever, his fangs bared wide.
A Martial Saint of days long past, proficient in both alchemy and the sword, the Pill Fire Divine Sword Gao Zhe.
Undoubtedly, the Smoke Cloud Powder which had suddenly appeared in the markets of the Eastern Tang originated from Zhao Hao.
Because of his dealings with the Pill Pavilion, Zhao Shilie, from old Mr Wang, had managed to find out about the superb alchemy skills which Zhao Hao possessed.
Thinking about it, the King of the Eastern Tang would definitely know about this as well.
However, as he saw it, another one of his sons turning out to be so talented was naturally a good thing, and something to be happy about.
Currently, they believed maybe that Zhao Hao had had a fortuitous encounter, or even that he had been hiding his talents all along.
However, they probably would not have thought that within the shell of this Sixteenth Prince who had all along been completely ordinary, there now probably resided another soul.
A reincarnated Martial Saint expert.
“….But, why I do feel that he’s so stupid?” Yan Zhaoge was a little speechless, feeling extremely curious at this.
Because he had long grown used to being above all others in his later years, he had been unable to adjust to the differences brought about by his change in identity and adapt to the situation before him?
History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474 Page 40
