Chapter 43 The Law of "It Actually Smells Good"

Upon hearing Fang Xu’s words, Qiu Chuji couldn’t help but be stunned.

In Qiu Chuji’s memory, their abbot had always demanded that they minimize the number of failed alchemical attempts, so as not to waste medicinal ingredients.

But why, when it came to Fang Xu, did he hope for the exact opposite, that Qiu Chuji would increase the number of explosions in the furnace?

Setting aside the issue of wasting ingredients—after all, judging by Fang Xu’s attire, Qiu Chuji could tell he was a man of great wealth and likely didn’t care about such things—there was something else at stake. As an alchemist, Qiu Chuji’s pride would not allow him to oblige Fang Xu’s request. Increasing the number of failed attempts wasn’t just toying with his own life; more than that, it was an insult to the entire profession of alchemy. So, hearing Fang Xu’s words, Qiu Chuji was certain that Fang Xu was here to make a mockery of him.

“Benefactor, do you understand what a furnace explosion means to an alchemist?” Qiu Chuji demanded, his gaze clearly tinged with anger as he looked at Fang Xu.

Indeed, Fang Xu had managed to infuriate him, especially with his enthusiastic demeanor. If not for Fang Xu’s obvious status, Qiu Chuji would likely have shown him the door already.

“Does it mean something special?” Fang Xu replied, oblivious to the deeper significance. All he wanted was for Qiu Chuji to increase the frequency of furnace explosions.

In Fang Xu’s view, by ramping up the number of failed attempts, they could isolate the key components of a bomb through minimal trial and error. To him, it was an endeavor with only benefits, no drawbacks.

Yet, seeing Qiu Chuji glare at him as if ready to devour him, Fang Xu couldn’t help but stifle a laugh—he even worried that Qiu Chuji might just pounce and bite him. What would he do then? With this in mind, Fang Xu decided to ask what had so agitated Qiu Chuji.

Qiu Chuji went on to explain what a furnace explosion truly meant to an alchemist, and only then did Fang Xu understand the source of Qiu Chuji’s agitation. Still, there was nothing to be done. In Fang Xu’s eyes, if they could successfully create bombs, then Great Qin could stand unrivaled.

Why did the Eight-Nation Alliance invade back then? It was because they possessed the technology to make bombs. At that time, China only knew how to wield swords and spears. A single bomb could wipe out an entire battalion, and with bombs, who’s to say they couldn’t also invent firearms?

Thus, Fang Xu’s intentions were all for the sake of Great Qin. Whether it was a side effect of inhabiting this body or simply the ambition of a man, he did not know.

“Since you now understand, benefactor, then I see you out,” Qiu Chuji said curtly, clearly intent on dismissing Fang Xu.

Fang Xu understood this reaction. After all, Qiu Chuji was an alchemist with his own dignity. Asking him to deliberately increase the rate of failure was indeed unreasonable.

Putting himself in Qiu Chuji’s shoes, Fang Xu could easily grasp his feelings. It was like back in his previous life, when he worked in sales: only by closing a deal did he earn his commission, and his professional ethics and pride demanded he strive for success in every transaction. Imagine being told to increase his failure rate—how would that make him feel?

“It was indeed reckless of me. But, Chuji, if you knew what I intended to accomplish, perhaps you would agree after all,” Fang Xu said, watching as Qiu Chuji continued sweeping.

“Spare me. I have no wish to become a disgrace among alchemists,” Qiu Chuji replied coldly, his anger plain to see.

“What am I to do now?” Fang Xu thought anxiously. After finally finding Qiu Chuji and coming so close to success, he would be loath to see all his efforts go to waste because of a setback now.

What should he do? Was there any way to persuade Qiu Chuji to agree? Fang Xu fretted, while Qiu Chuji paid him no mind.

In Qiu Chuji’s view, Fang Xu was free to do as he pleased; it was not his place to stop him.

Yet, as Fang Xu began scrutinizing the Quanzhen Temple, Qiu Chuji’s curiosity got the better of him. Fang Xu, noticing Qiu Chuji’s gaze, allowed a faint smile to play at his lips. Everything was going just as he had anticipated.

“Ahem, this Quanzhen Temple must be quite old, isn’t it?” Fang Xu remarked offhandedly to the guard at his side, who, not knowing Fang Xu’s intentions, instinctively nodded in response.

After all, Quanzhen Temple was the most renowned monastery in the north. Elderly folks with any sense of history always praised its commitment to healing and charity; few institutions had persisted as steadfastly as Quanzhen had.

In Fang Xu’s mind, if one truly wished to find another temple in this land, it would hardly be a challenge. Why, then, was he so fixated on this small Quanzhen Temple? Qiu Chuji was part of it, of course, but more importantly, Fang Xu understood its history. He knew the sacrifices Quanzhen Temple had made for Great Qin, and that made him all the more determined to help.

“Chuji, if you help me, I will fund the restoration of Quanzhen Temple. Don’t you wish for the temple’s incense to flourish?” Fang Xu said with a smile, turning to look at Qiu Chuji, who was still pretending to sweep.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Chuji’s hand slowed. Fang Xu knew he was weighing his options.

To Qiu Chuji, Quanzhen Temple was his home and his faith. How could he not wish to see it thrive? Since childhood, he had never seen the temple bustling with worshippers. Truth be told, he longed for it.

Yet, to deliberately increase the rate of failure in his craft was a difficult pill to swallow. He, too, had his principles.

But when one’s principles come into conflict with one’s deepest beliefs, the outcome is clear.

After much deliberation, Qiu Chuji finally set down his broom and turned to face Fang Xu.

“If I do as you ask and increase the frequency of failed attempts, can you truly guarantee that the Quanzhen Temple will prosper?” Qiu Chuji looked Fang Xu in the eye, his tone earnest. He wanted to be sure Fang Xu was not merely toying with him.