Chao Zhang's words carried a hint of flattery, appearing even more reverent than during Zhang Yan's last visit.
In the Elixir Cauldron Institute, Zhou Chongju enjoyed penning books and refining elixirs, leaving miscellaneous affairs unattended. Hence, the institute's matters were usually decided by the two deputy directors.
However, the two deputies had vastly different dispositions. Deputy Director Gu was solely responsible for the medicine gardens; he was straightforward in nature and did not concern himself with anything outside his domain.
Dou Ming, on the other hand, was quite the opposite, driven by selfish motives. He ingratiated himself with several noble families in hopes of getting a few of his relatives admitted into Mingcang Sect, going as far as to offer rare pills and ruthlessly exploit those beneath him. With him gone, Chao Zhang felt as though clouds had lifted to reveal the sun.
