The Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup sold quickly, as did the Hemostatic Powder and the golden sore medicine.
After collecting all the Silver Coin, Zhong Lin headed straight to the stall of the ghost-faced man.
Still sitting there cold and aloof, a few porcelain bottles laid before him, among which was the "Bone Strengthening Pill" Zhong Lin yearned for.
Just about to pull out Silver from his pocket, Zhong Lin suddenly asked,
"The price hasn’t gone up, right?"
"Good if it hasn’t. Five Bone Strengthening Pills."
"One hundred fifty taels of Silver."
Zhong Lin handed over the Silver cheerfully, but he couldn’t hide the feeling of his heart bleeding.
Putting the porcelain bottle containing five Bone Strengthening Pills into his pocket, Zhong Lin stared intently at the ghost-faced man.
"No jokes, I am a rare alchemy genius, just short of an opportunity. You teach me Alchemy, once I learn, I’ll handle the refining, you do the selling, we split the profits fifty-fifty, or even thirty-seventy, I get thirty, you seventy, how about it?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhong Lin got up and left, his eyes inadvertently glancing at the broadsword next to the man.
This ghost-faced man was a tough character; even a glance from him made Zhong Lin feel as if he had plunged into an ice cave, like encountering a natural enemy.
Someone who could give him such a feeling was at least a Middle Third Grades expert.
"Can’t provoke him, at least not now. Quickly increase strength, once I cultivate Qi-Blood I’ll go to the county. With the help of the System, I refuse to believe I can’t learn Alchemy. Then I’ll achieve freedom with Elixirs."
Touching the porcelain bottle in his pocket, that heartache returned.
Zhong Lin did not leave immediately, instead, he wandered around the Black Market, and when he came out, he carried a big rooster and a bag of eggs.
In the county, food purchases are limited in quantity and price. Although Zhong Lin had pre-bought a large quantity of grain, meat couldn’t be stored long-term. Now that he had found some, he planned to treat his taste buds well.
"The eggs can be saved for Little Stone to have one every morning, and I’ll cook half the chicken in stew, the other half makes spicy chicken."
Zhong Lin smiled broadly, fantasizing about how to eat at home, when suddenly a tall figure blocked his way—it was Yun Ye, the guardian of the Black Market entrance.
Zhong Lin dared not slack, cupped his hands and bowed: "Greetings Yun Ye, what brings you here?"
"Painter Zhong, the young master invites you, please come with me!"
Zhong Lin’s pupils shrank as Yun Ye addressed him by name. He knew it wouldn’t be hard for businessmen to investigate him, especially since the Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup from Xu’s Medical Hall had some fame in Black Mountain County, but he didn’t expect his identity to be exposed so quickly.
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Lin suppressed his inner tremors and respectfully said, "Yun Ye, which young master are you referring to...?"
"Second Young Master Du."
There were two major families in Black Mountain County, one with the surname Du and the other Zhang. Coincidentally, the County Magistrate of Black Mountain County was surnamed Du, and the other power-holding Chief Clerk was surnamed Zhang.
Second Young Master Du was the second young master of the Du family, but why did he seek Zhong Lin?
"Since Second Young Master invites me, I dare not delay. Please, lead the way."
Yun Ye nodded, walked ahead, and Zhong Lin followed closely behind, juggling a big rooster and eggs, which looked quite comical.
As the two left, the crowd at the Black Market erupted in discussions.
"Who is that person? To have Yun Ye invite him personally?"
"Don’t know, but if Yun Ye personally invites him, he must not be an ordinary person."
"Nonsense, Yun Ye is part of the Du family and a Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm expert himself; anyone invited by him personally can’t be average."
"A bunch of fools, didn’t you recognize that’s the guy who sold the medicine last time?"
"Hiss! It’s him, and he’s not dead?"
Someone recognized Zhong Lin’s identity and was shocked, recalling the assassins that targeted Zhong Lin last month.
"He’s not dead, but Skinny Monkey and Dong Yan are missing. Tsk, another ruthless person!"
"Hey! Do you think it’s because his medicine attracted the attention of a certain young master from the Du family?"
"Stop saying it! Truly, stop talking."
"Shh! Mind your words, this matter has nothing to do with small figures like us."
Zhong Lin followed Yun Ye out of the Black Market, took several turns, and walked for a few more miles before reaching a secluded courtyard.
The courtyard wasn’t lavishly decorated but arranged in an orderly manner, showing particular care. A small stream ran through the center of the yard, though it had dried up recently due to drought.
"May I ask, Yun Ye, what business does Second Young Master have with me?" Zhong Lin asked quietly.
"You’ll find out once we arrive."
Yun Ye gave Zhong Lin a peculiar look but said no more.
Upon entering the courtyard, Yun Ye remained silent, and Zhong Lin too kept quiet as they passed through a bamboo grove to the main hall.
Not yet approaching, Zhong Lin caught a strong scent of wine and meat, and heard the laughter and playful sounds of women, along with music from strings and winds.
Two maids stood at the door and, seeing Yun Ye, gave a slight bow before opening the door.
Inside, twelve smokeless candles lit up the room as seven scantily-clad women danced to the accompaniment of melodic instruments.
In the center, behind the table, a young man in his twenties with a handsome face, full forehead, dressed in brocade attire, and wearing a Jade Pendant with golden tassels, sat drinking while enjoying the dance.
On either side of the young man were two maids, each in a pink camisole and white underpants, with hair cascading over their shoulders. Their appearances rivaled the Oiran of Nuoxiang Building.
"This must be Du family’s Second Young Master, Du Chong."
Though Zhong Lin had never met the Du family’s third young master, he had heard of his notoriety for indulging in beauty.
"Young Master, Zhong Lin is here," Yun Ye said in a low voice.
Zhong Lin quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply, "Greetings, Second Young Master."
Du Chong waved a hand, and immediately the dance and music in the hall ceased.
"You are Zhong Lin? Didn’t expect a painter to have such skills, capable of counter-killing Dong Yan."
Zhong Lin took a deep breath and in a steady voice said, "Second Young Master praises me overly, killing Dong Yan was merely an act of self-preservation, and I took advantage of an ambush."
Zhong Lin first pointed out that he killed for self-preservation, lest he provoked Second Young Master Du if he had a connection with Dong Yan.
He also said he took advantage of an ambush to downplay his threat level.
In front of those who could decide one’s fate, the first rule was to tread cautiously and show reverence.
You might call Zhong Lin cowardly, but sometimes a bit of cowardice elongates life. Those unafraid would find the grass on their graves three feet high unless they were the protagonist.
Du Chong’s lips curved slightly; he clearly saw through Zhong Lin’s little schemes, but he relished people being cautious around him, as it enhanced his superiority.
Like a Divine being, his mere wave could decide others’ fates.
"You... are very good."
"Thank you, Second Young Master, for the praise."