Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

“That’s hard to say. Nobody has ever seen your adjutant. Maybe you made it up,” Dalian said with a wicked grin. “Why don’t we meet her?”

Isaac stared at Dallian for a long time before speaking:

"Let's not do it, I'm afraid you'll feel inferior."

"what!?"

"Alright, alright, we've come all this way, let's not bicker," Hugh quickly reassured her.

"Hugh! That damn alchemist actually looks down on me."

"Relax, Isaac doesn't have a fixed standard for judging other people's appearance; he's always been quite confused about it."

“Hey, I don’t like hearing that,” Isaac retorted. “How can I not judge appearance? I can still tell the difference between beauty and ugliness.”

"...What do you think of Miss Estella's appearance that we met before?"

"generally."

"My childhood sweetheart Camilla."

"generally."

“Dalian”.

"It's just so-so."

"Evaluate yourself."

"A muscular, masculine man."

"..."

Hughes turned to Dallian and shrugged, as if to say, 'See?'

“Well, it’s a waste of time to talk about these things with a man who has no sense of reason like this.” Dalian sighed, looking at Isaac with pity. “What a pitiful man.”

"What do you mean? Did I say something wrong?"

Chapter 991: Say it again and I'll beat you to a pulp

High-class prostitutes in social circles are different from ordinary prostitutes. Before being redeemed, they remain virgins and are the goddesses that the upper class dreams of. Many people exhaust their wealth and spend lavishly just to win a smile from her.

After agreeing to marry a man and having him redeem her, she would live as a noblewoman. Although this would cost a lot of money, the face-conscious nobles would naturally choose a respectable female companion to walk hand in hand with.

After the carriage circled the alleys several times, it arrived at the foot of a luxurious building.

It was an elegantly built mansion on a quiet residential street. Those unfamiliar with it would hardly notice that it was actually a place of opportunity. It was perfectly suited as a nighttime social venue for the nobility.

"Lieutenant, is it really alright to bring such a young child here?" Aruman glanced at Dalian with some concern.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Dalian said mercilessly. “Don’t forget, you only agreed to lend me the Book of the Salamander’s Mark because you promised to let me see that woman.”

"Of course, of course."

At this moment, someone came out to greet them.

The lady of the house who came out to greet Aruman and his companions was dressed in luxurious attire that would easily be mistaken for that of a noblewoman. Her elegant demeanor exuded the nobility of royalty.

"Coming here before the sun has even set, and bringing a child to a place like this, what an ill-mannered guest."

"I apologize for my rudeness, madam. I had an urgent matter to discuss with you today, which is why I came here so abruptly."

Aruman bowed respectfully.

With numerous wealthy patrons behind her, Viola owns several mansions in the capital, so no one knows where she will appear tonight.

The person in front of me is the only woman who knows Viola's whereabouts, and I must not offend her.

Perhaps finding Aruman's nervous presence in his way, Dalian simply walked around to stand in front of him and spoke to the woman before him in an arrogant tone:

"I want to see that woman named Viola de Plessy."

"You wish to see the 'Moon Goddess of the Royal Capital'?"

"I don't care if she's a goddess or not, stop talking nonsense and tell me where that woman is! Honestly, you old woman, you're so long-winded."

This action nearly scared Aruman out of his wits.

"I'm so sorry, this little girl doesn't know her manners! Hey... apologize quickly!"

"What are you doing?! Let go! You little brat!"

Aruman forcefully pressed Dalian's head down, while Dalian struggled desperately.

Why should I bow down to this old woman?

"Don't use that kind of rhetoric! Lieutenant, you should try to talk to this kid too!"

Aruman was almost in tears.

Hugh: "...I was just passing by. Good evening."

"You don't look like you're just passing by! Don't pretend it's none of your business."

The hostess watched silently as Aruman screamed in agony and the others made a ruckus, then laughed.

Ignoring Darian's rudeness, she took a letter from her pocket.

"It's okay if you don't apologize, just take this with you."

The letter had a faint scent of perfume, and Aruman quickly recognized it as the one Viola used.

"Huh?"

“Actually, Viola had already instructed me beforehand not to see anyone today, but if ‘Black Princess’ or ‘Alchemist of the Early Century’ came to visit, I would take you to see her.”

"Is that right?"

The hostess smiled and looked at Isaac in front of her.

"Black hair, black eyes, and an unparalleled beauty—you must be the legendary alchemist."

"Forget about 'stunningly handsome,' that doesn't describe me. Please call me 'a muscular man exuding masculine hormones,' thank you."

“I was shocked when Viola first came to this street, but if you dress up a bit, you could definitely be even more outstanding than her. I wonder if you would be willing to enter the social scene…”

"Stop talking, or I'll beat you to a pulp."

--------------

Viola de Plessy currently resides in a beautiful mansion located on Park Avenue.

The courtyard was a lush and verdant scene, with large roses blooming in the spacious flowerbeds. In the center of the flowerbeds was a small fountain, the rippling water reflecting the silhouette of a crescent moon on the horizon.

Guided by the maid, Aruman and his companions headed toward Viola's room.

The room of this socialite, a representative of the inner circle, was a spacious bedroom facing the balcony. The room's owner was currently standing by the window, gazing at the white crescent moon that had just risen below the horizon.

"Viola!"

Upon seeing that beautiful figure, Aruman immediately called out her name.

The woman's shoulders shrugged slightly as she turned around.

The moment she turned around, everyone saw her—a woman with breathtaking beauty, like a dream.

Her graceful body curves and pearly skin resembled a fine industrial product, instantly evoking the reputation of "mercury filigree."

"Long time no see, Aruman, oh dear... Did you bring your friends along?"

Viola turned around and recognized Aruman. She gently touched her cheek with her fingertips, wiping away tears welling in her eyes.

She gently lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed to everyone.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Viola de Plessi."

"Hello, my name is Hugh Anthony Diswald," Hugh introduced himself simply.

Isaac: "...Isaac Yao."

"Ah, are you Lord Isaac, hailed as the 'Last Successor of Mystery' and the 'Alchemist of the Early Century'?" Viola covered her mouth, feigning surprise. "I apologize for not greeting you sooner."

"No need, I'm not really your guest."

Aruman looked at Isaac and Hugh with some displeasure.

He felt that, faced with such a stunning beauty, these two shouldn't remain completely silent about their admiration.

But he was more concerned about something else.

"Viola, were you crying just now?"

"Ah, please excuse my poor appearance."

Viola wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes.

"I didn't expect you could actually bring the legendary alchemist here, Aruman."

"I would even pluck the moon from the sky for Miss Viola."

Isaac: "...Can I go back now?"

Hugh: "Since we're already here, we can sit for a while longer."

"Tsk."

Isaac didn't act like a stranger at all. He casually pulled out a chair, sat down, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and put one in his mouth.

Chapter 992: Challenge

"Phew... Seriously, what was the point of coming all this way to this place again..."

Isaac exhaled a smoke ring, pondering why he had agreed to come here with Darian in the first place.

She seemed to be asking about the whereabouts of her textbook, but the woman named Viola in front of her didn't seem like someone who knew where the textbook was.

"Your Mightiness!"

"Ok?"

Isaac looked up and saw Aruman standing in front of him with a serious expression.

"Please do not smoke in Viola's room. What if the smoke damages her delicate skin?"

"..."

Isaac's eye twitched.