Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2777 - 1028: The Depths of Great Clans, Precocious Youth (Part 2)

"Where is the Chess Scripture?"

A hesitant look crossed Zhou Fuqiu's face.

Lin Jingshu's expression grew slightly grim. "Our Tianyuan Daoist Sect places immense importance on the art of chess. All who achieve mastery in it are skilled in Go. How could you be so negligent?"

Zhou Fuqiu offered a wry smile. "I truly have no interest in playing chess. I have disappointed you, Mother."

Lin Jingshu's brow furrowed, sensing that her son might have inherited only his father's temperament.

Her own Lin Family had deep roots within the Daoist Sect's Han Gate, whereas her husband’s Zhou Family, hailing from the North Sea, served as Guest Elders of the Star Gate.

Perhaps, from the very core of their being, they simply held no fondness for matters of the chessboard.

Shaking her head, Lin Jingshu set aside this particular concern and proactively stated, "An urgent dispatch has arrived from your father's side. Demon Beasts have been sighted along the coastline. The Zhou, Lin, and Yin families are experiencing a shortage of personnel, and I must depart to offer my aid."

Zhou Fuqiu inquired, "And what of home?"

Lin Jingshu waved a dismissive hand. "Worry not, the ancestral spirits are watching over our home, and no one would dare to cause trouble. I have already made arrangements for Granny Lin to oversee all domestic affairs. Though she is elderly, she has cultivated to the Late Stage Qi Refinement Realm. My only concern lies with your sister."

Zhou Fuqiu understood, nodding with conviction. "Rest assured, Mother. I will look after my sister with the utmost care!"

Lin Jingshu gestured, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

The previously well-behaved young girl scampered over, and Zhou Fuqiu also drew nearer.

The elegant woman scooped the girl into one arm while gently ruffling the boy's hair with the other.

"It will not be a long absence; your father and I shall return soon. You two must behave yourselves while we are away."

"Mm!"

"Mm!"

With that, Lin Jingshu, cradling the small girl, began to walk away, the young man following closely behind.

Just beyond the waterside pavilion, the previously mentioned Granny Lin waited quietly, her shoulders slightly stooped.

"We shall await your return."

The young boy took his sister from his mother's embrace and waved farewell.

A pang of reluctance touched Lin Jingshu, but the appointed time had come. She summoned a Flying Sword and stepped upon it.

In the distance, a colossal Flying Boat already hung suspended in the sky, with figures converging towards it from every direction.

Lin Jingshu offered a final wave and a smile to the children before ascending to the Flying Boat via Sword Control.

Shortly thereafter, the Flying Boat was prepared for departure. After a moment of hovering, it slowly began its journey towards the coast.

Back on the ground.

A gentle drizzle began to fall, obscuring Zhou Fuqiu's view of the departing Flying Boat. He then lifted his sister into his arms.

"It is too chilly out here; let us return indoors!"

"Brother, how much longer until Mother returns?"

"Not much longer," Zhou Fuqiu replied, stroking his younger sister's head. He then turned to Granny Lin, who was standing nearby. "The tonic that Seventh Uncle's family sent is in the waterside pavilion. Please, Granny, would you be so kind as to prepare some for me to consume while I study at night?"

Granny Lin was not a member of the Zhou Family; she served as a dowry maid from his mother's lineage and was thus unburdened by the affairs of the clan. However, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the care of Fuqiu and his sister.

Hearing his request, she nodded with a warm, kind smile.

"Young Master is truly dedicated to his studies!"

That night.

Zhou Fuqiu found himself engrossed in his studies by the dim candlelight, sipping the revitalizing tonic brewed by Granny Lin. He felt invigorated, his mind sharp enough to grasp ten lines of text at a single glance.

He mused internally that the tonic provided by Seventh Uncle's family was indeed of exceptional quality.

However, on the third day, an unexpected incident occurred.

Crash!

A porcelain bowl tumbled to the ground, shattering into countless pieces.

Pausing his reading, Zhou Fuqiu turned to discover his younger sister lying on the floor, her face flushed and her mouth covered in soup.

"Mao Mao!"

Zhou Fuqiu's expression contorted in alarm. He swiftly scooped her up and rang the bell hanging within the waterside pavilion.

Granny Lin appeared promptly in the room.

"How did this happen?"

Zhou Fuqiu appeared visibly distressed. "I am uncertain. I was merely reading, and Mao Mao was playing beside me. Then, she suddenly..."

His gaze fell upon the shattered bowl on the floor. It had once held a half-filled portion of the tonic, but now only a small amount of liquid remained.

"It was the bowl of tonic!"

Granny Lin examined Zhou Qingyu's small body and let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Her vital signs are still present; do not despair. We must seek out Elder Hai Bo. He is renowned for his exceptional healing techniques."

With those words, she produced a Talisman, affixed it to herself, then lifted the young girl with one hand while taking the boy's with the other. Transforming into a streak of green light, they shot out of the residence.

...

Deep into the night.

A smiling elder reassured Granny Lin and Zhou Fuqiu, "No need to fret. It’s merely that she’s not reacting well to the tonic. This particular one possesses too strong a fiery nature, not quite appropriate for youngsters, especially considering Qingyu's delicate constitution. I have already employed medical magic and elixirs to tend to Qingyu; she simply requires a period of rest."

Upon hearing this, Granny Lin’s immense relief was palpable.

She turned to a guilt-stricken Zhou Fuqiu, saying, "Young Master Fuqiu, there is truly no reason for you to blame yourself."

"But how can I not? Mother specifically entrusted me with her care before her departure." Zhou Fuqiu gazed at his sister with profound heartache. Her once rosy, exquisite face was now alarmingly pale, betraying even the faint outlines of her translucent veins. "It is entirely my fault for allowing her to consume that tonic."

Though Zhou Fuqiu presented as a young man, he was, in actuality, only a five-year-old child exhibiting precocious development.

Heartache, trepidation, panic, and guilt—all these emotions surged within him uncontrollably.

The highly skilled Elder Hai Bo inquired with curiosity, "While this tonic can indeed invigorate the mind and sharpen the eyesight, its suitability for children is questionable, and its preparation is rather intricate. For what reason did you prepare it for young Fuqiu?"

Granny Lin hesitated before replying, "It was a gift from the Seventh Elder’s family. As Young Master Fuqiu felt invigorated after consuming it, I brewed two bowls daily."

"Ah, I comprehend!" Elder Hai Bo appeared to ponder this revelation, then gestured dismissively. "Cease brewing that concoction forthwith. Furthermore, I possess a Fire-removing Pill here; let young Master Fuqiu take it."

Having imparted his counsel, he swiftly departed from the chamber.