C42 Inscription Geniuses

It was clear that Li He didn't buy Zhao Shude's story.

He suspected Zhao Shude was spinning a tale just to line his own pockets.

Under normal circumstances, Li He wouldn't bother with the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce's dealings—that was Zhao Shude's domain.

But today was far from normal, especially with Su Yuqing right there beside him!

Zhao Shude might be oblivious, but Li He knew all too well that Su Yuqing's status dwarfed both his and Zhao Shude's.

If Zhao Shude's underhanded dealings came to light under Su Yuqing's watchful eye, they'd be in deep trouble.

The consequences would be too great for Zhao Shude and Li He to bear, even combined.

Zhao Shude quickly picked up on the edge in Li He's voice and hurriedly bowed his head to clarify, "It's not what you think, I..."

He had to clear the air; after all, he hadn't done anything wrong.

"I'll see for myself!" Li He cut him off, not allowing for any explanations. With a flick of his wrist and a wave of his hand, the three inscriptions on the table soared towards him as if pulled by an unseen force.

He examined the inscriptions closely, but nothing seemed amiss.

Still, his initial suspicions made him distrustful of Zhao Shude, prompting him to scrutinize one of the inscriptions even more closely.

After a short while, Li He's brow furrowed.

All the while, Zhao Shude was discreetly watching Li He's reactions.

He had been confident, having managed the inscription booth for nearly two decades. Though not an apprentice, he could authenticate the inscriptions' authenticity.

But now, seeing Li He's furrowed brow, Zhao Shude felt his heart lurch.

As Li He picked up another inscription and alternated his gaze between it and Zhao Shude's face, Zhao Shude's heart threatened to leap out of his chest.

"Master Li... could it be..." Zhao Shude's confidence waned, his blood turning to ice, his limbs going numb, as he spoke with a raspy voice.

Before he could finish his sentence, Li He cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Li He then turned to Su Yuqing, his tone shifting to one of reverence. "Miss Su, would you mind examining these three Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns?"

"Do you suspect there's an issue, Uncle Li?" Su Yuqing asked with a light, amused smile.

Her voice was as soothing as her name suggested, like raindrops on a jade plate, bringing a sense of ease to all who heard it.

"I can't quite put my finger on it, so I'd appreciate it if you could take a closer look, Eldest Miss," Li He replied, his smile tinged with frustration.

Li He's unusual demeanor immediately aroused Zhao Shude's curiosity.

It became clear that there was indeed something amiss with the inscription pattern, yet it wasn't a counterfeit. At that moment, Zhao Shude was eager to discover what he had overlooked.

Su Yuqing took the three patterns and scrutinized them briefly before emitting a soft exclamation, her eyes betraying a flicker of surprise.

Li He's expression grew even more wistful, as if he had anticipated her reaction.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Yuqing reached out and touched one of the patterns, her fingertip glowing with a pale white light.

"Pulse Condensation Stage!" Zhao Shude's eyes widened, his heartbeat faltering at the sight.

He had known of Miss Su's esteemed status from observing the deference shown by the venerable Zhao Shude and Li He, but he had not anticipated that she was a cultivator at the Pulse Condensation Stage, let alone an Inscription Master.

A fifteen or sixteen-year-old at the Pulse Condensation Stage and an Inscription Master to boot—she was a prodigy beyond compare.

Zhao Shude felt momentarily dazed by the revelation.

Yet, with this turn of events, his earlier apprehensions dissipated.

If the inscription was problematic enough to warrant such gravity from two Inscription Masters, it was likely beyond his ability to discern. He could rest assured that any responsibility for the oversight would not fall on his shoulders.

Su Yuqing's fingertip traced the pattern of the Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern, her smile serene but her eyes now reflecting a newfound solemnity.

Turning to Li He, Su Yuqing inquired, "Uncle Li, by how much could you enhance the Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern if you were to craft it?"

"Sixty to eighty percent," Li He pondered before offering a rough range.

"Uncle Li is the sole Inscription Master stationed by the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce in Changqing Town. Normally, the same Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern would yield an increase in power between sixty to eighty percent. However, these three inscriptions have exceeded that by over a hundred percent," Su Yuqing explained. "Uncle Li, you're not quite at his level."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shude nearly passed out.

It all made sense now—the grave expressions of the two Inscription Masters weren't due to poor quality; these inscriptions were exceptional, surpassing even those crafted by Li He!

Li He's gaze sharpened as he asked, "Miss, are you suggesting that the creator of this Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern is an Inscription Master of a higher rank than myself?"

Zhao Shude's head spun as he processed Li He's words, feeling a rush of blood to his brain that left him unsteady on his feet.

"What puzzles me the most," Su Yuqing continued, seemingly oblivious to Zhao Shude's disorientation, "is that despite the amplification and brushwork clearly indicating a master's hand, there's still something—"

She paused, carefully choosing her next words, then resumed, "It's as if there's an underlying naivety to it, akin to a child who isn't even tall enough to reach the stove, yet somehow manages to prepare a gourmet dish worthy of a top chef."

Zhao Shude, still reeling, recalled Chu Yan's composed declaration: "I am the one who inscribed these patterns."

"Could it really be him?" Zhao Shude's thoughts were in turmoil. Was the young man telling the truth? Was he truly an Inscription Master prodigy who had etched these three Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns after just one night of practice?

Li He, too, was visibly perplexed, clearly struggling to grasp the key to this enigma.

"And there's more..." Su Yuqing's gaze lingered on the inscription patterns, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes as she trailed off, hesitant to continue.

Li He failed to pick up on Su Yuqing's demeanor. Abruptly, as if something dawned on him, he turned to Zhao Shude: "You mentioned that a young man sold this inscription pattern. How old is he, and what does he look like? When did he leave here?"

Li He's voice carried a stern edge, causing Zhao Shude to shudder back to reality. He quickly gave a detailed description of Chu Yan's features.

While dispatching people to investigate outside, Li He pivoted to address Su Yuqing: "It seems we must once again impose upon the young lady to lend her assistance."

With his instructions complete, Li He signaled Zhao Shude to ready the writing materials.

"Of course," Su Yuqing responded with a smile and a nod, her curiosity piqued. "I wonder about the origins of this youth. But Uncle Li, what's your take?"

"I doubt it's him," Li He replied, shaking his head. "I suspect there's an Inscription Master behind him. Regardless of where this master hails from, now that they've come to Evergreen Town, it's only right that we ascertain their identity."

After speaking, Li He caught the upturned corner of Su Yuqing's mouth and inquired with a hint of curiosity, "Miss Su, do you perhaps see things differently?"