Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Retaliation.
Ace leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily as he enjoyed the rare moment of peace.

“I wonder what the deal is with that old man Wuzi…” he muttered to himself, his thoughts drifting aimlessly.

— Human, don’t you want to learn more advanced alchemy yet?

Ace cracked one eye open, a wry smirk tugging at his lips. “That’s what those Alchemists are for. You think those bald humans are here to look pretty?”

— No, they’re just outside help. You need to learn alchemy yourself.

The voice persisted, but Ace promptly tuned it out. He had no interest in playing around with cauldrons and fire when he had people to do it for him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon began to rise, Ace glanced toward the entrance. It’s about time those two returned.

Right on cue, Liu Mei burst through the doorway, practically radiating excitement.

“Master!” she called, her voice bright as she threw herself at him, arms wrapping around his waist in a fierce hug.

Ace stumbled slightly, caught off guard by the sudden force of affection. He chuckled, ruffling her hair. “You’re awfully energetic today.”.”

Shan Yifeng followed behind, his usual sharpness dulled by deep contemplation.

Ace’s eyebrow quirked as he took in the boy’s uncharacteristic silence. “Something on your mind, Yifeng?”

Shan Yifeng hesitated, his fingers twitching at his sides. Then, with a slow exhale, he shook his head

Still, he couldn’t keep the question in any longer. “Master, why are we in this city? Is it just to help with alchemy?”

Ace leaned back, silent for a moment. His mind drifted to the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, the overwhelming sense of danger he had felt back then.

His fingers tapped idly against the armrest. “That’s part of it,” he said at last, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. “But not the whole reason.”

Shan Yifeng’s eyes flickered with realization, but he chose to keep his thoughts to himself. Instead, he simply studied his master for a moment before turning away.

Before Ace could say anything, Liu Mei suddenly perked up. “Master, master! Can I have some fun too?”

Ace blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… sure?”

”

“Junior Brother! Now you can’t stop me!” Liu Mei announced triumphantly, hands on her hips, her entire being practically vibrating with excitement.

Shan Yifeng’s brows knit together in immediate concern. “Master! She’s just a kid!” His voice had a rare urgency, as if genuinely worried about whatever chaos Liu Mei was about to unleash.

Ace waved a hand lazily. “It’ll be fine. You two aren’t normal kids anyway.”

Liu Mei gasped theatrically, pressing both hands to her chest. “We’re special?”

Ace chuckled. “Well… yeah, you both are.”

Liu Mei preened at the praise, beaming even.

Shan Yifeng adjusted his sleeves and looked at Ace. “Master, I’ll be heading out to explore the city as well.”

Ace, reclining lazily in his chair, waved him off. “Sure, sure. Just don’t go outside the city walls, okay?”

“Got it. Then, I’ll be going.”

Ace frowned. “Wait… now?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You just agreed,” Shan Yifeng said matter-of-factly.

“B-but it’s NIGHT!” Ace sputtered, sitting up straight.

Shan Yifeng blinked. “Uh… isn’t that good?”

Ace looked at him like he’d just suggested jumping into a pit of fire. “No! No, it is not good! Both of you need to be back home by sunset. No going out when it’s dark!”

Liu Mei, who had been silently enjoying the conversation, suddenly pouted. “But you just promised I could play…”

Ace shot her a firm look. “No complaints. Both of you, off to bed. Now.”

Liu Mei crossed her arms with a dramatic huff, while Shan Yifeng sighed but didn’t argue. Begrudgingly, they turned toward their rooms.

Ace leaned back with a sigh of relief, only for a small voice to grumble behind him.

“So unfair…”

______

When Ace woke up the next morning, something felt… off.

The air hung thick with unease, pressing down on him like an unseen weight.

Somewhere in the distance, muffled cries echoed through the mansion, blending into the morning stillness like a chilling undercurrent beneath a calm sea.

His instincts flared. Something had happened. Something bad.

He moved with deliberate slowness, dressing as he listened to the silence. A silence that was too heavy, too unnatural.

By the time he stepped into the main hall, he knew.

A crowd had gathered. Their expressions were grim, some pale with quiet horror, others burning with barely restrained fury.

Hua Lesy stood among them, her posture stiff, her arms crossed so tightly it looked like she was holding herself together.

Ace approached her, voice low. “What happened?”

Hua Lesy let out a shaky breath, her arms crossed tightly as if holding herself together. She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she exhaled again—long, uneven. Then, finally, she spoke.

“It’s… a declaration of war.”

Her voice wavered, laced with a pain she barely contained. She swallowed hard before continuing.

“One of our elders was murdered.” She paused, blinking rapidly as if trying to push back the emotion rising in her throat. “Her head… it was sent to us early this morning.”

Ace remained silent, his expression unreadable.

“The messenger who brought the head…” Another pause, her lips pressing together before parting again.

“He also committed suicide on the spot. He was just a commoner. They forced him.”

She clenched her fists, trembling. “It’s them. The Xiao family.”

The name hung in the air like a death sentence.

On the second floor, Shan Yifeng and Liu Mei had the perfect view of the tense meeting below.

The air was heavy with grief and anger, but for Liu Mei, something else was far more irritating—Elder Lesy standing just a little too close to Ace.

“Junior Brother, do you think it’s the same one from yesterday?”

Liu Mei’s voice was light, almost playful, but there was a sharp glint in her eyes.

Shan Yifeng leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the gathering below. “Most likely,” he murmured. “I wonder what they did with the limbs.”

Liu Mei tilted her head, considering his words. Then, as if struck by inspiration, she turned to him with a teasing smile.

“Oh my, are you interested in such things? Should I get some for you? Maybe a hand? Or a foot?”

She trailed off abruptly, her attention snapping toward Elder Lesy, who was deep in conversation with their master.

Her expression darkened.

“Liu Mei.” Shan Yifeng’s voice held a warning edge.

“Tch.” Liu Mei clicked her tongue, crossing her arms. “She’s too close to Master.” She muttered under her breath, barely restraining the pout forming on her lips.