Dan Wu Wang still had his hands clasped behind his back. He might not look like a master, but his bearing and demeanor were unmistakably those of one.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the path of alchemy has always been a mysterious and unfathomable existence.
Ever since the ancient itinerant magicians, alchemists have represented power and nobility.
As the second disciple under the Pill King, Dan Wu Wang had never encountered anyone who dared to speak to him like this all these years.
And seriously, is this for real?
This is my place, my territory.
You’re the one who came knocking, you’re the guest here.
What kind of guest comes into my house and then asks me to report my name and identity?
Even a police check isn’t this rude.
Yet this kid spoke as if it was perfectly natural.
That look made Daniel Ward feel distinctly uncomfortable.
“I am Master Daniel Ward, second disciple under the Pill King.”
With a flick of his sleeve, Daniel Ward spoke coldly: “And who are you? Why have you come here?”
Daniel Ward hadn’t planned to make a fuss over what happened earlier with Evan Lin.
He held himself in high regard, but he wasn’t the type to bully others just because he had power.
Honestly, in his mind, Evan Lin wasn’t even worth bullying.
No need.
Just another clueless junior.
“Your surname’s ‘Dan’—does that mean your pill-refining skills are impressive?”
Evan Lin spoke up again.
Daniel Ward was starting to get angry.
I answered when you asked who I was, but now it’s my turn to ask, and you won’t answer?
What’s your deal?
Just ignoring me outright?
“You see my master and you don’t kneel? You dare stand there and talk?”
Lucy Sun’s expression changed as she snapped, “And if you dare talk to my master like that again, believe it or not, I’ll slap you right now!”
“Go ahead and try.”
Evan Lin looked at her and replied without hesitation.
Lucy Sun’s face changed again.
She remembered how those two gate guards earlier ended up slapping each other’s faces, never even touching this kid.
Of course she didn’t actually dare to slap Evan Lin.
She was just saying it offhand, never expecting Evan to take her so seriously.
This is too much.
“Is there really someone who’s asking to be slapped?”
Tim Xu’s face turned cold. “I’ll do it!”
Tim Xu rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. Ray Zhao moved aside, but he didn’t actually dare to slap Evan either.
“Enough!”
Across the way, Daniel Ward barked sharply.
Tim Xu froze, quickly stopping himself.
“How many times have I told you? Alchemists can be proud to their core—like how you look down on this kid—but you can’t show it outwardly.”
Even if you show contempt, that can be forgiven—but calling for violence is absolutely unacceptable!
Daniel Ward looked at Tim Xu and the others, speaking earnestly: “Alchemy isn’t just about refining pills—it’s about refining your own heart.”
Look at me—I rarely get angry, so my pill arts have advanced rapidly. All these years, have you ever seen me lose my temper at anyone?
He asked the question, looking at his four disciples.
All four disciples were personally chosen by him, so he always hoped they’d turn out well.
Alchemists naturally held a lofty status—even within the Rowe clan, others treated them with utmost respect.
Daniel Ward had seen it all; faced with so much respect, he could keep his heart calm as still water.
But Lucy Sun and the others were still young, a little rebellious and proud—it was normal for them to look down on others.
He’d been worrying about how to teach them, and now that Evan Lin showed up, it gave him the perfect opportunity.
“Master’s pill arts are extraordinary, and his temperament is rock-solid. Ordinary matters could never shake his mood—it’s us disciples who acted out.”
Tim Xu bowed, full of shame. “Your disciple has learned his lesson.”
“We were out of line. Thank you, Master, for showing us the way.”
Lucy Sun quickly chimed in, her tone respectful.
“You really should thank our master. Otherwise, with what you just said, if the Rowe clan heard it—even if Master let it slide, they’d step in to defend him!”
Ray Zhao spoke harshly, but since Daniel Ward had already intervened, he couldn’t actually do anything to Evan.
“Master is wise and principled, not bothered by small fry like you or angered by your words. With that kind of temperament, you’ll never reach his level. Hurry up and thank him for enlightening you!”
Chloe Cheng joined in, backing them up.
Their words carried a hint of frustration.
Evan Lin had crippled Chen Renren right in front of them, and now that Daniel Ward had spoken, they couldn’t retaliate.
The more they saw Evan’s calm demeanor, the more it irritated them.
Lily Liang stood off to the side, her mind a mess.
Others thought Daniel Ward had a lofty temperament, but Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
If he really had such a high-minded character, there’d be no need to stare at Evan Lin and talk about looking down or calling for violence.
Honestly, Daniel Ward was still a bit petty.
But Lily didn’t dare speak up—she was just relieved there wouldn’t be a fight.
She really didn’t want Evan Lin to clash with Daniel Ward. Alchemists were mysterious and held high status—who knew what kind of disaster that might cause?
“You’re alright.”
Everyone was staring at Evan Lin, waiting for him to speak.
You’re alright.
Evan’s three-word reply nearly made Lucy Sun and the others laugh from sheer anger.
Who was Daniel Ward, anyway? Did you really think you could just tell him, ‘You’re alright’?
Does he really think he’s somebody?
But at this point, they only dared to curse in their hearts—no way would they say it out loud, not wanting another scolding from Daniel Ward.
“What did you just say?”
Daniel Ward raised his eyebrows, thinking he’d misheard.
He wasn’t really a bad person.
He was an alchemist with decent talent, usually kept to himself in the pill room, not ambitious, and rarely bullied anyone.
As for bullying men or women, that had nothing at all to do with Daniel Ward.
Otherwise, after Evan Lin crippled Renee Chen just now, any violent person would have called the Rowe clan over and had them destroy Evan.
What a joke.
After all, Renee Chen was his disciple.
But even though Daniel Ward hadn’t come out earlier, he knew exactly what had happened inside.
Renee Chen was at fault.
Daniel Ward knew what kind of awful things Renee had done.
He’d tried to manage her before, but it was useless—old habits die hard.
But this time, it would work. Having Wang Xue turn Renee into a woman—after that, whatever she did wouldn’t matter anymore.
In this world, a man forcing a woman is wrong; a man forcing a man is probably wrong; but a woman forcing a man—not necessarily wrong.
That’s why Daniel Ward sided with reason, not with family.
That was his logic—so he didn’t punish Evan Lin, nor did he call the Rowe clan for help.
But hearing Evan Lin’s ‘You’re alright’ just now left him stunned all over again.
After that, he felt even more annoyed.
Who are you to judge whether I’m alright or not?
Who do you think you are?
I’m a respected alchemist. Not stooping to your level is one thing, but you can’t keep pushing your luck.
Daniel Ward took a deep breath, ready to stop paying attention to the guy.
“You haven’t bullied anyone, your temperament’s decent. I’ll spare you all later.”
“And since you take ‘Dan’ as your surname, show me your pill refining skills—I might give you some pointers.”
The young man spoke calmly.
His words were thunderous.
Hearing this, Daniel Ward’s gaze sharpened and his brow furrowed.