Chapter 2339 +15 BONUS
Inside Sovereign’s Apothecary, Andrew had already finished what he was working on. Once Brielle got her hands on the Soul–Restoring Pill, she treasured it and immediately placed it in the vault.
With nothing else to do, Andrew figured it was time to leave. He could finally spare some time to head over to Chetvine Grand Auction House and investigate.
Amari grinned shamelessly. “Andrew, do you have time for a little chat?”
Andrew smiled. “You want to ask me how I became a ninth–grade supreme alchemist, right?”
Amari looked a bit embarrassed, chuckling awkwardly. “Well… something like that. Come on, you won’t be stingy with your experience, will you?”
Andrew smiled warmly. “What’s there to hide? Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you. We’re fellow disciples, and I wouldn’t hold anything back.”
Amari beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly. “Ever since Mr. Maverick Zeroual disappeared, honestly, I’ve been pretty uneasy about it. Now that you’re back in Chetvine and we’ve reunited, besides handling our current business, we should also keep an eye out for news about Mr. Zeroual.”
Andrew nodded solemnly at this. “Don’t worry. Mr. Zeroual is incredibly capable, and ordinary people can’t touch him. Besides, you know he’s not interested in worldly affairs. He loves exploring famous mountains and rivers, going on adventures. For all we know, he might be in some hidden paradise right now.”
Amari said, “I hope so. The martial arts world in Holtrien is pretty chaotic these days. Down south, I heard Mr. Thornton was chased out and forced to step down from the Southern Martial Union. And the northern martial arts scene here in Chetvine is even more chaotic.
“Not only are there heavy grudges between the martial arts factions, but the major local families, wealthy clans, and even the powerful houses in Chetvine are all meddling, stirring things up behind the scenes.”
Andrew remained calm. “Don’t worry about all that. Just focus on your alchemy at Sovereign’s Apothecary. By the way, Amari, I remember Mr. Zeroual mentioned you had a marriage arrangement in Chetvine, right?”
Amari’s face flushed red as he snapped, “Marriage? What marriage? Andrew, stop teasing me. I’m old enough to be a great–grandfather. What marriage are you talking about? People would laugh at me.”
Andrew’s expression was serious. “I won’t pry into your business. It’s your life, and I won’t interfere. But with Mr. Zeroual gone, I’ll have to look out for you as your senior. If you’re ever struggling, you can tell me. I’ll help however I can. You’ve spent your life alone. If love found you in your later years, I’d honestly be happy for you.”
Amari actually looked shy for a moment before stomping his foot. “Enough! You don’t even have a partner yourself, yet you’re worrying about me? I’m an old man! Whether I have someone or not doesn’t matter. But you, you’re not even 30 yet, young and talented with a bright future. If I had your looks and charm, I’d have women on each arm living the good life.”
Andrew smirked, a trace of roguishness slipping out. “And how do you know I don’t already? To be honest, I’ve already found a few ladies myself. When they come to Chetvine, I’ll bring them to meet you.”
Amari was stunned. “Several? In these ten years you spent wandering, you were still that impressive, huh?”
Andrew laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. “Not that impressive at all… Just average, really.”
Amari’s expression was complicated as he ground his teeth. “Damn it, so you really were out there finding partners behind my back? What happened to growing old and lonely together? Andrew, you’re a traitor. You’re not playing fair.”
Even though he knew Amari was joking, Andrew could still sense some regret and envy mixed into his joke. The reason behind it probably had to do with Amari’s marriage arrangement here in Chetvine.
However, Andrew actually didn’t know much about Amari’s private affairs. So it was not convenient to ask more right now. He could only wait and see if Amari brought it up himself later.
“Alright then, I’m heading home.”
With that, Andrew prepared to leave Sovereign’s Apothecary.
“Hold it!” A voice, old but still sharp and commanding, rang out behind him.
Andrew turned his head, and his lips curled into a smile. “Old bastard Theon, long time no see.”
It was none other than Theon. “Did you refine a ninth–grade Soul–Restoring Pill just now?”
Andrew shrugged. “Whether I did or not, why don’t you go ask Madam Baxter yourself?”
Theon snorted. “Andrew, you shouldn’t have come back here. There’s no place for you in Sovereign’s Apothecary anymore.”
Andrew remained as calm as ever. “I know you don’t want me back. You’re afraid I’ll compete with you for the chief alchemist position. But Theon, you underestimate me. I only returned because I needed something from Sovereign’s Apothecary. As for that chief alchemist title or any of that nonsense, I’m not interested.”