Chapter 547: The Ultimate Goal!
Given Yang Haoran's cautious nature, whenever he engaged an opponent and killed them in a particular place, he would usually clean up the scene as quickly as possible and leave swiftly to avoid further complications.
<r>Today was an exception. He really wanted to finish things quickly and leave this troubled spot, but seeing that the young girl's emotions hadn't stabilized, he could only risk waiting longer.
<r>It was only now, when he felt the time was right, that he finally uttered the words he needed to say.
<r>These words were an indispensable step towards achieving his ultimate goal for this trip, so he was very patient.
<r>In the past fifteen years, Feng Xiao likely hadn't left the valley much, nor had she had much contact with outsiders. She was therefore quite naive and guileless, and upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, she immediately found herself at a loss.
<r>"What should I do then? " Feng Xiao asked Yang Haoran.
<r>Yang Haoran pretended to ponder for a moment, then asked Feng Xiao, "Since your master already harbored suicidal thoughts, did he make any arrangements for you beforehand? For instance, did he tell you to find anyone?"
<r>Hearing this, Feng Xiao gently shook her head and replied, "Master didn't make any such arrangements. Besides, Master had no friends, at least none that I knew of."
<r>
True, how could someone who wasn't responsible for himself be responsible for others?
<r>However, even if Pharmacist Feng had made arrangements for Feng Xiao before his death, Yang Haoran would have found a way to make Feng Xiao change her decision to achieve his own goals.
<r>"How about this? You come with me and leave this place."
<r>Yang Haoran extended an invitation to Feng Xiao. After Pharmacist Feng's death, the main reason Yang Haoran hadn't simply taken a few items from his belongings and left was precisely to take Feng Xiao with him!
<r>His initial goal for this trip had been to obtain some medicinal compounds from Pharmacist Feng, even if it meant exchanging items for them.
<r>Of course, he had also considered recruiting Pharmacist Feng. If he had a Pharmacist under his command, it would be like having a healer in a gaming team—an absolutely indispensable support, whether for grinding in the wilderness or raiding dungeons. The overall combat power and survival rate of the entire team would significantly increase with a healer's presence, highlighting their importance.
<r>However, after he arrived in the valley and met Pharmacist Feng himself, his desire to recruit him significantly diminished.
<r>The reason was simple: an unruly individual like Pharmacist Feng wasn't easy to subdue, and there was a good chance he might even turn around and harm his master.
<r>Still, he didn't give up completely because of this. While the idea had diminished significantly, it didn't mean it was entirely absent from his mind. He still decided to give it a try; he wouldn't know if it would work unless he tried.
<r>Even if he ultimately couldn't recruit Pharmacist Feng, his final objective for this trip would then be to acquire some medicinal compounds he needed.
<r>It was just that he hadn't had the chance to implement any of this before Pharmacist Feng died.
<r>Feng Xiao's appearance changed his thoughts, and his ultimate goal shifted.
<r>He knew his chances of recruiting Pharmacist Feng were slim, but Feng Xiao was different. After all, she was still a young girl, unacquainted with the treacherousness of human nature, and quite guileless, making it easier for him to achieve his aim.
<r>Therefore, his ultimate objective for this trip became Feng Xiao. He intended to take her with him and have her follow him from now on!
<r>The only drawback was that he didn't know Feng Xiao's level of alchemy. However, this wasn't an unchangeable situation; even if her alchemy skills were mediocre, as long as Feng Xiao was willing to follow him, he would find a way to improve them. What he needed to do now was to make Feng Xiao willingly come with him!
<r>At that moment, Feng Xiao's expression changed upon hearing Yang Haoran's words.
<r>"You want me to leave with you? " She thought she might have misheard and asked Yang Haoran for confirmation.
<r>Hearing her, Yang Haoran nodded affirmatively, his expression serious.
<r>"You mentioned earlier that your master not only had no friends but also offended many people due to his personality. If you continue to stay in this valley, your situation will only become more perilous. Come with me, and as long as I live, I promise that no one will be able to harm you."
<r>Yang Haoran made this promise to Feng Xiao, naturally aiming to instill a sense of security in her and get her to accept his invitation.
<r>However, this promise wasn't a lie uttered solely to achieve his goal; it came from his heart. Although it served a certain purpose, the promise was genuine, and he had no intention of deceiving Feng Xiao.
<r>Feng Xiao had nowhere to go, and she also found Yang Haoran's words very logical. Staying here alone truly wasn't safe, and if she were to fall into the hands of evildoers, she felt her future fate would likely be quite miserable.
<r>Feng Xiao didn't truly understand the status of Pharmacists in this world. If she did, she wouldn't be thinking this way.
<r>If she didn't leave the valley, even if someone found her here and took her away in the future, as long as she cooperated, her days wouldn't be difficult. Her captors would practically revere her like an ancestor, so how could they possibly harm her?
<r>Unless she was truly down on her luck and encountered an unconventional deviant who disregarded all norms, that would be another matter entirely. But such deviants were, after all, a minority, and it wasn't certain she would ever encounter one.
<r>Feng Xiao didn't understand these deeper implications. Seeing Yang Haoran speak with such gravity, and indeed logically, she felt a stirring of inclination.
<r>Yang Haoran took in all of Feng Xiao's reactions, missing not a single subtle expression, seeing everything clearly. Naturally, he realized Feng Xiao was swayed.
<r>So, striking while the iron was hot, he continued, "While I don't know your current level of alchemy, I will do my utmost to help you research various medicinal compounds. Whatever ingredients you desire, whatever you need, I will find every possible way to acquire them for you. Though I cannot become your master and teach you how to refine medicine, I can sponsor you. With my support, coupled with your own diligent efforts, it's only a matter of time before you become a true Master Alchemist!"
<r>"Really? " Feng Xiao's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked for confirmation.
<r>It was clear that Feng Xiao had a deep passion for alchemy; otherwise, her reaction wouldn't have been so strong when Yang Haoran uttered those words.
<r>"Of course it's true, Big Brother here never lies; everyone who knows me can attest to that. " A faint smile appeared on Yang Haoran's face, his words brimming with sincerity.
<r>To deliver such shameless words with such sincerity required more than just a thick skin; it also demanded considerable psychological fortitude.
<r>Receiving Yang Haoran's affirmation, Feng Xiao's earlier slight inclination transformed into genuine temptation. Yang Haoran, observing her reaction, felt it was time to conclude. He shed his faint smile, his expression growing serious.
<r>"Sigh, do you know why your master, before his death, insisted on dragging his heavily injured body to bring me into the barrier? " Yang Haoran asked Feng Xiao with a soft sigh.
<r>At the mention of Pharmacist Feng, the excitement vanished from Feng Xiao's face, replaced by a melancholic expression. She remained silent, gently shaking her head.
<r>"Because your master was worried about you. He knew he hadn't made any arrangements for you, and his heart couldn't rest easy, which is why he dragged his severely injured body back to see you one last time before his death. The reason he brought me into the barrier with him was to entrust you to me, and also to prompt you to leave with me."
<r>At this point, Yang Haoran sighed softly again, then continued, "Actually, you shouldn't blame your master for being irresponsible, because he wasn't as unprepared for your future as you might think."
<r>These words brought a puzzled look to Feng Xiao's eyes.
<r>"I don't blame my master, but Big Brother, are you saying that my master already made arrangements for my future?"
<r>Yang Haoran nodded affirmatively, then said, "Your master indeed made arrangements for you. Leaving with me is his arrangement; it's just that he hadn't had the chance to tell you before he left this world. Otherwise, why would your master have brought me into the barrier to see you?"
r
Comments