"Stead buns, freshly baked stead buns."
"Candied hawthorns, rock sugar candied hawthorns, sweet and sour rock sugar candied hawthorns."
"Don’t miss out as you pass by, fine furniture made from the best huanghuali wood."
Zhong Lin walked down the streets of Black Mountain County leading a horse, feeling as if an eternity had passed despite the short ti he had spent away.
Suddenly, Zhong Lin stopped, looking up at the big letters of "Xu’s Clinic" and the busier, older figure inside, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He tied his horse to a nearby post, stepped into the clinic, and sat directly on the consultation stool among the crowd, resting his hand on the cotton-wrapped bag.
Old Man Xu didn’t even lift his head, his fingers feeling Zhong Lin’s pulse by habit, casually asking, "Anything wrong?"
This was also Old Man Xu’s usual practice - checking the pulse for a general observation before diagnosing.
Zhong Lin remained silent, still smiling as he looked at Old Man Xu.
Xu Le also didn’t pay it any mind, continuing with the pulse reading, but imdiately his expression turned angry as he felt the strong and vigorous pulse, far exceeding that of an ordinary person, a pulse only a Martial Artist could possess.
You, a Martial Artist, co to my clinic for a consultation, making fun of this old man?
"You..."
Old Man Xu raised his head, about to scold, when he suddenly froze upon recognizing Zhong Lin, a wave of excitent overtaking him. He jumped up so abruptly that his chair behind him produced a loud noise from the sudden movent.
But seeing Zhong Lin’s amused expression, he couldn’t help but scold, "You rascal, why are you back?"
"Haha, Old Man Xu, seeing you so full of energy while cursing, looks like you’ll live a few more years, not bad at all," Zhong Lin said with a smile.
"Can’t expect ivory to co out of a dog’s mouth."
Though he was cursing, Old Man Xu couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
The two had been through thick and thin together, from initial dealings of buying herbs to later transactions and living through a siege together, their relationship deepened considerably despite the age difference, becoming like friends of different generations.
Old Man Xu gave Zhong Lin a hearty slap on the shoulder, while Zhong Lin quickly restrained his inner breath, fearing it might uncontrollably harm this old fellow.
Leaving the clinic in the care of the apprentice, Old Man Xu pulled Zhong Lin into the backyard.
"Where’s Brother Xiu?"
"He’s at school at this ti, where’s Little Stone? Didn’t he co back with you?" Old Man Xu asked.
"No, I just passed by, thought I’d drop by and see you," Zhong Lin replied with a smile.
"That’s a sha, Brother Xiu ntioned Little Stone a few days ago. By the way, how are things in Tianyang County? Have you completed the ’Herbal Compendium’?"
Zhong Lin was taken aback, suddenly rembering that his Master Yin Daoyan had taken him away to help complete the illustrations for the ’Herbal Compendium’, but he beca a disciple before even reaching Tianyang County. Afterward, he was caught up in cultivation and forgot all about it.
Not only did Zhong Lin forget, but it seed Yin Daoyan himself might have forgotten too.
Old Man Xu looked puzzled, "What, didn’t go well?"
Zhong Lin shook his head with a wry smile, "No, it’s just life is unpredictable, and many things happened in between."
"Tell about it."
"Well... it’s a long story."
"It’s fine, I have ti. Tell as long as you want."
With that, he poured Zhong Lin a cup of tea, sitting nearby with interest, waiting for Zhong Lin to continue.
Zhong Lin looked speechless at Old Man Xu, not realizing this old man liked listening to gossip.
But since he was idling around anyway, Zhong Lin took a sip of tea and began recounting the events of the past year.
Unlike Uncle Taro who couldn’t grasp much, Zhong Lin made no reservations with this intergenerational friend, starting with his apprenticeship, becoming the Young Master of the Hundred Herbs Hall, joining the Sword Cauldron Sect, and his current Second Grade cultivation and identity as a Fourth Grade Alchemist.
Upon finishing, Old Man Xu had his mouth agape in a dazed expression.
Seeing this, a hint of pride rose in Zhong Lin’s heart, his lips curling slightly.
Sohow, in front of Old Man Xu, Zhong Lin could lower any guard, hence showing off like this.
"Ah! Don’t make that face, it’s nothing significant, just small stuff," Zhong Lin shrugged off like it truly was trivial.
A while later, Old Man Xu suddenly reached out and touched Zhong Lin’s forehead.
"What are you doing?"
"No fever! How co you’re spouting nonsense in broad daylight," Old Man Xu muttered.
"Hey! So you didn’t believe a word I said!"
"Nonsense, as if I don’t know your weight and height. Master under Yin, Young Master of Hundred Herbs Hall, why not just say you’re chosen by the Princess to be a Prince Consort? It’s more believable, your look is still decent," Old Man Xu teased.
Perhaps due to Qi Refinent, Zhong Lin’s skin and features had changed remarkably, becoming more refined, harmonious, and handso.
This had already been proven on the streets earlier, with countless young ladies casting glances, so even boldly attempting to flirt, while a few went as far as intentionally tripping to fall into his arms.
Zhong Lin stroked his chin, nodding, "You wouldn’t believe it, but there really was a Princess who fancies , I just didn’t agree."
Old Man Xu looked disdainful, smirking, "Keep bragging!"
Zhong Lin shrugged, offering no further explanation.
"Alright, let’s not talk about this. You seem to be doing well in Tianyang City,"
"Yes, pretty well."
"Good, keep it that way. Rarely co to Black Mountain County, not much to see, and don’t influence Master Yin’s opinion on you, not good for you," Old Man Xu said seriously.
Zhong Lin’s hand holding the wine cup slightly trembled, glancing at Old Man Xu, he smiled and nodded, "Got it."
The two chatted idly for quite a while longer, eventually being brought back ho by Old Man Xu.
Madam Xu was overjoyed by Zhong Lin’s visit, preparing a large table of dishes, and Zhong Lin and Old Man Xu drank until past midnight.
The next morning, after having porridge at Old Man Xu’s house, Zhong Lin got up and went to the governnt office.
"Greetings, Young Master Zhong."
In the backyard of the office, i Haiming, the magistrate of Black Mountain County, bowed deeply to Zhong Lin, filled with awe and fear.
He feared Zhong Lin quite a bit.
As a mber of the i family from Tianyang City and uncle to i Weixuan, though demoted to Black Mountain County as a magistrate, his family connections remained, with frequent correspondence. Hence, he was aware of Zhong Lin’s deeds through hearsay.
Disciple of Yin Daoyan, Young Master of Hundred Herbs Hall, True Disciple of Sword Cauldron Sect, Upper Third Grades Martial Artist, Fourth Grade Alchemist...
Any of these titles alone could shake Great Chen.
Who could have thought the protagonist of these titles was once a re sketch artist in the Black Mountain County governnt?
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