What Qin Meng and Old Liu hadnât expected was that they would run into Ye Qingchen today under such circumstances.
Wang Tianlin, seeing that the two had been investigating for so long without returning, couldnât help but say impatiently, "What are you two doing? Is the man dead or not? Donât waste time."
After he finished speaking, he turned to Liu Wanâer. "Miss, I think that man is most likely dead. Even if he isnât, after losing so much blood, he canât be saved. Itâs better if we donât meddle. If we delay this trade and Pill King Xia gets angry, things will get difficult."
Liu Wanâer frowned. If she could easily save a life, she would not hesitate for a moment. However, as Wang Tianlin said, this transaction was of great importance to the Liu Family Commerce Guild. If she delayed it, she wouldnât be able to answer to her family.
Just then, Qin Meng jogged back, followed by Old Liu who was carrying Ye Qingchen on his back.
Upon hearing Wang Tianlinâs words, Qin Meng said anxiously, "Leader Wang, this man is our lifesaver! Please, show some mercy and let us bring him along."
Wang Tianlin spoke dismissively, "How long have you two been with the Commerce Guild? Do you really think we can delay the entire caravanâs schedule for you?"
Still unwilling to give up, Qin Meng glanced toward Liu Wanâer, who said calmly, "Then bring him along. But you two are responsible for taking care of him. The schedule cannot be delayed because of him."
Qin Meng immediately nodded his thanks. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss! Old Liu, quickly get our benefactor onto the carriage."
Seeing that Liu Wanâer had agreed, Wang Tianlin wanted to protest, but he thought better of it and simply sighed helplessly.
The caravan continued its journey, with Qin Meng and Old Liu taking turns looking after Ye Qingchen. In truth, their care amounted to little more than checking his breathing intermittently. After all, they were merely guards and possessed no quality Healing Elixirs.
To their surprise, Liu Wanâer took out a fourth-grade Spirit Pill and gave it to Qin Meng, saying it could help Ye Qingchen recover some of his vitality.
Qin Meng naturally understood the value of a fourth-grade Spirit Pill. Since a fifth-grade Alchemist was revered as a Pill King, a fourth-grade pill was almost the highest quality an ordinary person could ever hope to encounter.
Qin Meng hurriedly fed the Spirit Pill to Ye Qingchen and anxiously watched for any sign of improvement.
However, what Qin Meng didnât know was that Ye Qingchen was now an expert at the Martial King Realm. To him, the effects of a fourth-grade Spirit Pill were minuscule.
Before falling unconscious, Ye Qingchen had summoned his Willow Wood Martial Soul to restore his vitality, only passing out after completely exhausting both his Soul Power and Spiritual Energy. After a period of rest, the Martial Soul had already begun to spontaneously repair his injuries.
The caravan traveled by day and rested at night. After a full dayâs journey, there was still no improvement in Ye Qingchenâs condition, making Qin Meng and Old Liu even more anxious.
Having already administered a fourth-grade Spirit Pill to no effect, what else could they possibly do? The two could only sit at the tentâs entrance, sighing as they guarded Ye Qingchen.
When Wang Tianlin made his rounds that night, he saw this scene. He decided that if Ye Qingchen hadnât improved by morning, he would insist that the Miss leave this burden behind, no matter what.
His mind made up, Wang Tianlin arrived outside Ye Qingchenâs tent early the next morning. He woke the groggy Qin Meng and Old Liu, who were dozing at the entrance, and said, "Qin Meng, Old Liu, youâve done more than enough to repay your debt of gratitude. Weâre about to enter a region frequented by bandits. If we continue to bring this burden with us, it will surely endanger the caravan. Youâd better think carefully: either you leave that burden behind, or you stay behind with him."
Qin Meng and Old Liu turned pale and hastily pleaded, "Leader Wang, our benefactor showed significant improvement yesterday! We brothers will definitely take good care of him. Please show mercy, Leader Wang!"
Wang Tianlin scoffed, "Significant improvement? Fine. Iâll see this âsignificant improvementâ for myself."
With that, Wang Tianlin strode directly into the tent. The scene inside, however, left him slack-jawed and speechless.
Ye Qingchen was sitting leisurely on a pelt rug, intently studying a map. He showed no signs of injury at all.
Seeing Wang Tianlin enter, Ye Qingchen looked up, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "Thank you all for the rescue."
At that moment, Qin Meng and Old Liu also entered. Seeing the fully recovered Ye Qingchen, they stared at each other in bewilderment. He had seemed to be on deathâs doorstep just last night; how had he recovered completely in a single night?
Could it be because of that fourth-grade Spirit Pill?
They nodded to each other, concluding it was the only possible explanation.
Wang Tianlin came to his senses and remarked with curiosity, "To think that someone on the verge of death yesterday would be so full of life today. Youâre no ordinary man, it seems."
Qin Meng and Old Liu hurriedly approached Ye Qingchen, knelt on one knee, and said, "Benefactor, itâs wonderful to see youâre all right!"
This time, it was Ye Qingchenâs turn to be perplexed. Using his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, he had seen Qin Meng and Old Liu standing guard at the entrance. He didnât know them, so why were they calling him âBenefactorâ?
And wait, didnât they rescue me?
Noticing Ye Qingchenâs confusion, Qin Meng quickly explained, "Benefactor, a great man like you is often forgetful. We two brothers were framed by villains and sold to Dragon Tiger Mountain as slave miners. It was you, Benefactor, who righteously intervened and gave us the chance to see the light of day again. Benefactor, please accept this bow from us brothers!"
As they spoke, they moved to kowtow, but Ye Qingchen swiftly helped them up.
He recalled rescuing the miners, though his main goal had been to save his own father. Freeing the others had been incidental, and heâd never expected any repayment.
After helping them to their feet, Ye Qingchen said, "Thereâs no need for such formality. Even if I inadvertently saved you in the past, youâve now saved me. Weâre even. Please, donât call me Benefactor anymore. My name is Ye Qingchen. You can just call me by my name."
Qin Meng and Old Liu exchanged an embarrassed glance and said, "Calling you by your given name would be too disrespectful. Weâll call you Young Master Ye instead."
Ye Qingchen nodded.
Waving his hand impatiently, Wang Tianlin cut in, "Stop with the melodrama! If youâre done, hurry up and pack. Weâre moving out!"