The Vigilant Guardian

Chapter Ten: The County Office Murder Case

The night sky was as clear as a polished mirror, adorned with twinkling stars.

At the tallest structure in the Great Feng Capital, the Star-Viewing Tower, the office of the Astronomical Bureau stood proudly.

A girl in a yellow dress ascended gracefully. As she passed the seventh floor, she heard a raucous clamor emanating from the alchemical chamber.

A group of white-clad alchemists were embroiled in a heated argument, their faces flushed with frustration.

"Why have we failed again? The steps are so simple!"

"I told you, it's definitely the salt's dosage that's wrong."

"No, I think it's the water."

"Could it be the fire? Just now, I saw Brother Wan boil the salt!"

"It's too difficult; the alchemical spell to turn salt into silver is just beyond my grasp!"

The girl, Cai Wei, twitched her lips and muttered, "These fools are still trying to concoct fake silver."

Two days prior, she had returned to the Astronomical Bureau with tales of transforming salt into silver, and her senior brothers had been skeptical.

"Salt can turn into silver? Not even a three-year-old would believe that!"

However, shortly thereafter, the case of counterfeit silver was uncovered. The Emperor, intrigued by the remarkable power of the fake silver, ordered the Astronomical Bureau to produce more.

Thus, the alchemists of the Bureau had thrown themselves into relentless labor, working day and night in a grueling 996 routine.

From two days ago until now, they battled and fell, only to rise again.

"Cai Wei! It's Cai Wei, Junior Sister!" Someone called out with excitement.

Instantly, weary faces turned towards her, eyes shining with renewed hope.

"Junior Sister Cai Wei, how did you manage to produce this fake silver?"

"Cai Wei, come help me check! Is there an error in the steps? You're the only one who has succeeded!"

Surrounded by her senior brothers, Cai Wei had no choice but to enter the alchemical chamber to observe their attempts.

"Another failure!" lamented a white-clad alchemist at the scene.

"Junior Sister Cai Wei, what went wrong?" The group stood eager for guidance.

There's no problem; I did it just like this before... Cai Wei pondered, "This is an ancient alchemical technique, profound and obscure. It's not something you can grasp easily. One must teach it thoroughly for true understanding. Let me share with you a key incantation—remember it well."

Her senior brothers eagerly leaned in.

"Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus!" Cai Wei focused her energy, enunciating the marvelous incantation.

"What does this incantation mean?" Her brothers were bewildered. Each word made sense, yet together they were nonsensical.

I don't even know what it is... Cai Wei feigned a mysterious smile, choosing silence.

"A prodigy! The author of this incantation is truly an alchemical genius," one of her brothers marveled.

Where's the prodigy? Don't overthink it, Brother! Cai Wei maintained her smile.

"Junior Sister Cai Wei, who taught you this incantation? Did you meet a master of alchemy who guided you?"

Cai Wei thought, well asked! She deftly deflected the praise.