Chapter 608 - 341: Junior Chen Yi Pays His Respects...

"It is my disciple’s blessing to have my martial aunt come and see her," he thought while treating a patient and glancing at Pei Guanli, who was staring unblinkingly at Yuan Liu’er.

About fifteen minutes later.

Yuan Liu’er woke up. Feeling incredibly refreshed, she instinctively stretched her body. Her bones and joints popped in unison, as if she had been reborn and received immense nourishment. However, before she had time to figure out why, she realized her situation and immediately apologized to Ma Liangcai.

"Master, I... I fell asleep just now," she said apologetically.

Before Ma Liangcai could speak, Pei Guanli patted her shoulder and slung an arm around her. "What do you mean, fell asleep? You’ve entered the entry-level of the Medical Dao and reaped the benefits."

Yuan Liu’er froze for a moment. Somewhat unaccustomed to the intimacy, she shrugged slightly, turned her head to look at her, and asked, "Miss, are you saying I’ve reached the entry-level of the Medical Dao?"

"Yep, that’s what my brother-in-law said."

"Brother-in-law?"

"Your martial grandfather. The shopkeeper of this medicine hall."

Ma Liangcai finally found a chance to interject. He stood up and said, "Liu’er, why aren’t you greeting your martial grand-aunt?"

Belatedly realizing the situation, Yuan Liu’er bowed. "Liu’er greets Martial Grand-Aunt."

Pei Guanli’s smile grew even brighter, but noticing the other people in the medicine hall looking their way, she pulled Yuan Liu’er toward the inner hall. "Come with me. Your martial grandfather asked me to tell you a few things before he left."

"Oh..."

Ma Liangcai sent them off with a smile. After wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his face crumpled into a miserable expression. He had been teaching Yuan Liu’er the Medical Dao for no more than half a month in total, yet she had already reached the entry-level. His feelings were somewhat complicated.

"Master was right. Liu’er’s talent is rare in this world. For me to be her mentor is truly, truly..." Ma Liangcai couldn’t find the right word, mostly feeling that he was unworthy. After all, he had been studying under Chen Yi for so long, yet his Medical Dao had still not reached the Minor Success Realm.

"Understand the constant to adapt to changes, understand the constant to adapt to changes... What does it mean to understand the constant to adapt to changes?" he muttered.

Chen Yi naturally had no idea what was happening inside Jishi Medicine Hall. Even if he knew that the Tiger Girl was a bit unreliable, he couldn’t find anyone more suitable to teach Yuan Liu’er Martial Arts in his stead for now. Fortunately, after the Annual Examination, he would have more free time, so he didn’t have to worry about Pei Guanli leading Yuan Liu’er astray.

Chen Yi strolled along Chuandong Street, pausing every now and then. Just like when he came, he wasn’t in much of a hurry. He looked around as if on a spring outing, checking out this and that. He even bought a stick of candied haws and ate it with great relish.

The early afternoon sun shone brightly, accompanied by a cool breeze.

Everything along the way was vivid and clear. There were fewer commoners with sorrowful faces; Jianghu People laughed and cursed freely, street vendors called out warmly, and shop waiters shouted their slogans to attract customers. It was just like the first time Chen Yi came here—bustling, noisy, and with a faint hint of prosperity.

Of course, there were some changes. For instance, there were fewer Poshisu People on the streets, especially those leading barbarian slaves. After the incident with Asutai and Lv Jiunan, the Governor’s Office and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office had arrested many Poshisu People. Some were convicted, while others were deported; all in all, it showed a newfound sense of caution. Even the City Guard Army, who normally wouldn’t patrol the streets during the day, were guarding the city’s main thoroughfares like government officials.

Chen Yi saw all this and couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratification.

Outsiders only knew that this was the Xiao Family’s doing—that it was the Xiao Family who eradicated Liu Hong and resolved the grain price crisis. However, as the instigator, Chen Yi couldn’t think that way. At the very least, he had to maintain the mindset of "I have bled for the Xiao Family." That way, when Xiao Jinghong eventually found out what he had done, he would at least have some leverage to prevent her from dealing a heavy hand against him.

Chen Yi made his way to South Street. When his gaze swept over the Governor’s Office, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Chen Yunfan was sitting boldly on the threshold, speaking to the crowd of commoners outside who were cursing Liu Hong and his accomplices. "Save your breath. The man is dead. No matter how much you say, Lord Liu can’t hear you anyway, so why bother?

"Or are you planning to follow him into the afterlife?"

Unexpectedly, someone in the crowd shouted, "You’re no good either!"

Infuriated, Chen Yunfan scoffed and was about to march over to argue with the person, showing absolutely none of the dignity expected of a Junior Fourth-grade Assistant Governor.

After a bout of noisy arguing, the commoners gathered outside the office finally dispersed.

Having watched the whole spectacle, Chen Yi greeted Chen Yunfan from afar.

Chen Yunfan had naturally seen him early on. Seeing Chen Yi bow, he simply nodded and turned back into the Governor’s Office. He had just received a reward from the Holy Emperor that morning and had no desire to see Chen Yi right now. If he had to hear words like "Congratulations," "Felicitations," or "Brother is brave and resourceful," he might just die of anger.

Chen Yi stared at his back for a moment in slight surprise but didn’t think much of it, assuming that they were just busy inside the Governor’s Office. Still, for Chen Yunfan to be this diligent was truly a rare sight.

"It seems Chen Xuanji’s visit to Shu State is weighing heavily on Brother’s mind," Chen Yi muttered. Shaking his head, he headed straight for Hundred Herbs Hall.

He lacked any goodwill toward that "father" he had never met, and he had no idea if the man had any ulterior motives for coming to Shu State other than inspecting the Three Towns. Either way, he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

Not long after.

Chen Yi arrived outside the West Market and looked at the signboard hanging above the doors of Hundred Herbs Hall. The three characters he had written still shone brilliantly. Images flashed through his mind, illuminating his surroundings. Having not visited for several days, the exterior of Hundred Herbs Hall had also undergone a transformation.

Because Xinglin Hall had been shut down by the Government Office, Hundred Herbs Hall’s medicinal herb supply had returned to normal. They no longer needed to limit tea purchases, resulting in a continuous stream of customers.

There were also many scholars in long gowns gathered at the entrance, including quite a few elderly men. They sat clustered in a corner outside Hundred Herbs Hall, doing their best not to obstruct the passing pedestrians. Most of them had set up makeshift tables using wooden stools and were holding writing brushes, copying the calligraphy on the signboard.

Additionally, many travelers from out of town were pointing at the signboard.

"As expected of Mr. Qingzhou, who is renowned throughout the world for his poetry and calligraphy. This new style—Cursive Script—is truly uninhibited and elegant," one traveler said.

"You only see the surface, my friend. In truth, there are hidden profound mysteries in Mr. Qingzhou’s Calligraphy Dao," another traveler chimed in. "Every stroke is free and unrestrained, but an underlying sense of aloof arrogance runs through it. Look closely at the character for ’Herb.’ Isn’t that downward stroke vigorous and powerful?"

A middle-aged scholar stroked his beard and continued, "When studying calligraphy, one must not only look at its form but also understand its intent."

"You are absolutely right, my friend. We have been enlightened..."

Chen Yi glanced at the scholars copying the signboard and was about to enter Hundred Herbs Hall to find Wang Ji and give him some instructions.

Unexpectedly, just as he lifted his foot, a cold, arrogant voice rang in his ear. "Come, drink with me."

Chen Yi frowned slightly and turned to look at Yunqing Building behind him. Through a third-floor window facing the street, he saw a figure sitting with his back to the road. The man’s long black hair was tied with a red ribbon, and a glimpse of snow-white clothing could be seen on his shoulders.

"It’s him?" Chen Yi thought, his frown deepening as the man’s identity flashed through his mind. "Why would he invite me for a drink?"

The man was none other than the unfathomably powerful swordsman he had encountered after killing Du Cang with a punch.

—Monarch Xue Jian, Lone Immortal Ye.

Chen Yi just couldn’t understand why this man had sought him out.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yi looked around. Seeing that no one had noticed anything unusual, he turned and entered Yunqing Building.

He thanked the waiters inside, who were familiar with him, and went straight up to the third floor, arriving outside the private room. After straightening his clothes, he pushed the door open. Seeing Lone Immortal Ye sitting upright at the table, pouring and drinking wine by himself, Chen Yi turned and closed the door behind him.

CLICK.

Chen Yi took a seat at the table, sitting face-to-face with Lone Immortal Ye, and cupped his hands in greeting. "Junior Chen Yi pays his respects to Monarch Xue Jian."

Lone Immortal Ye set down his wine cup, his long, narrow eyes fixing on Chen Yi with the sharpness of a drawn sword.

Chen Yi’s body tensed, but he forced himself to remain calm inward. With his current Cultivation, he was far inferior to Monarch Xue Jian. If Monarch Xue Jian wanted to kill him, even if he fought with his life on the line, he would likely end up dead.

Fortunately, Lone Immortal Ye only glanced at him before withdrawing his gaze. However, Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism in their surroundings remained slightly unusual, as if forming a cage of Sword Intent, a world of its own.

As Lone Immortal Ye poured wine, he spoke seemingly to himself, "It has only been a few days, yet your Sword Dao has reached Great Success...

"Not bad."