"Brother Mei, can you explain to me what exactly the old man wants me to do? And also the old man’s identity, so I have some understanding in my heart."
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhong Lin asked in a low voice.
He was still in a fog, not knowing what was going on.
Mei Weixuan finished the wine in his cup in one gulp, and with a half-smile, he said, "Brother Zhong, the opportunity has arrived for you!"
"Have you heard of the Hundred Herbs Hall?"
"I know a bit; I once bought some Blood Replenishing Pills and Bone Strengthening Pills at the Black Market and learned these elixirs came from the Hundred Herbs Hall. To be honest, I was planning to go to Tianyang County in a few days to purchase some elixirs for cultivation."
Zhong Lin did not hide anything at all. After all, buying elixirs at the Black Market is not something that can be hidden; as long as some people investigate, they can find out.
"Haha, Master Yin is the Hall Master of the Hundred Herbs Hall in Tianyang County and also a Second Grade supreme expert in the Meridian Passage Realm. Wouldn’t you say your opportunity has arrived?"
Zhong Lin was firstly shocked by Master Yin’s identity and secondly delighted to learn that the Martial Arts’ Second Grade was called the "Meridian Passage Realm."
"During the refugee rebellion in Black Mountain County, my second uncle suffered heavy casualties due to mismanagement and had no choice but to seek assistance from the family. The family elders sent me to handle the matter. It just so happened that I was gathering herbs with Master Yin in the Black Mountain Range. Otherwise, do you think my second uncle could have gotten Master Yin to assist?"
"However, I also didn’t expect to stumble upon a clue about the Blood Soul Pill. It seems my second uncle will not only avoid punishment this time but will also be rewarded. Tsk tsk, nobody has such luck."
Zhong Lin caught a name of an elixir he had never heard before.
"Don’t ask about that; knowing too much won’t do you any good. You just need to know that in the entire Great Chen Country, people wanting to establish a connection with Master Yin could form a line from this Black Mountain County to the Capital. Yet you were able to gain Master Yin’s favor effortlessly. If this were to spread, who knows how many people would be driven mad with jealousy. Even just a little bit of what leaks from Master Yin’s fingertips would be enough for you to benefit for a lifetime."
Mei Weixuan sighed with emotion.
Zhong Lin gave a wry smile, "The only skill I have to show for is my painting talent. I never thought it would attract Master Yin’s appreciation."
"Hehe, what’s needed is your remarkable painting talent. Master Yin is writing a grand masterpiece, intending to compile a book of all the herbs in the world to explain the properties, main uses, application principles, place of origin, form, harvesting, processing, prescription, and combination of various herbal materials. The illustrations for these herbs need to be drawn, but suitable artists have been hard to find, and your three-dimensional painting technique is the best method for illustrating."
Zhong Lin was stunned upon hearing this. Isn’t this an alternate world’s version of "The Compendium of Materia Medica"?
In his previous life, Zhong Lin had never studied Li Shizhen, the Herbal Sage of Huaxia’s "The Compendium of Materia Medica", but he had heard that the book documented nearly two thousand types of medicines. This book is also known as the "Classic of Oriental Medicine."
He didn’t expect this Master Yin to have such aspirations, wanting to create something similar to what the Herbal Sage Li Shizhen did.
What Zhong Lin didn’t expect was that he would actually get involved, even though it’s just for illustration. But if Master Yin really completes this masterpiece, he might also be immortalized through the ages.
"Unbelievable," Zhong Lin murmured.
"So you know just how lucky you are now!"
When you’re sleepy, a pillow arrives.
Originally, his plan was to go to Tianyang County, then contact Hundred Herbs Hall to see if he could learn alchemy. But he didn’t expect to directly contact the Hall Master of Hundred Herbs Hall. Life truly is mysterious!
"What is the name of this masterpiece by Master Yin?"
"’Dao Yan Materia Medica’."
"Good name, ’Borrowing the words of the heavens to recount the essence of a hundred herbs, alleviating the suffering of all beings,’ a toast to that."
Zhong Lin’s eyes lit up, he praised, raised his wine glass, and drank it all in one go.
"Your interpretation is quite novel; Master Yin would surely be pleased to hear it. However, the words ’Dao Yan’ actually come from Master Yin’s name, his full name is ’Yin Daoyan.’
Zhong Lin spat out a mouthful of wine, fortunately turning his head at the last moment, otherwise, nothing on the table would have been edible.
Mei Weixuan looked puzzled.
"What’s the full name of Master Yin?"
Zhong Lin asked again, afraid that he had heard it wrong before.
"Cough cough... good name."
Zhong Lin gave a thumbs up, praising heavily, though his mouth twitched sharply.
Zhong Lin also knew he was too excited. If not for the association with those three words, the name "Daoyan" actually holds significant meaning. Moreover, this world does not have such female illness name; it was just his own dirty thoughts.
After calming his breath, Zhong Lin asked, "Then who is the woman by Master Yin’s side?"
"Oh! That’s Gu Yourong, Sister Gu."
"Yourong? Well, it is quite generous."
Zhong Lin nodded, remembering the astonishing curve on that woman’s chest. The name truly fits, adding more depth to it.
"Are you and Miss Gu both disciples of Master Yin?"
"No, at most just registered disciples; Master Yin hasn’t taken on apprentices. This is also why so many people seek to curry favor with Master Yin. If you are accepted as a disciple by Master Yin, or if a person from your family is favored, it would be a rise to unimaginable heights!"
As they spoke, there was a knock on the door, followed by a group of dancing girls led by Fuxiang entering.
"Young Master Zhong, you finally came to see Fuxiang. Fuxiang thought she might never see you again."
As she spoke, Fuxiang threw herself into Zhong Lin’s arms, tears rolling down her cheeks like pearls, evoking tender affection.
Zhong Lin took the opportunity to hold Fuxiang’s slender waist and said gently, "It’s all because of the recent issues with the Chaotic Army; I came as soon as I had time. It’s been quite a while since I’ve painted for you, Miss Fujian, I’ve missed it dearly!"
Fuxiang’s delicate face suddenly turned red, and she lightly hit Zhong Lin’s chest twice.
Mei Weixuan blinked twice, showing a smile that all men understand.
"Brother Zhong, you’re quite the player!"
"Haha, it’s just a small path, just a small path. Lv’e, this is the big man from the county, surname Mei, you have to entertain him well and don’t neglect him."
Zhong Lin put emphasis on the words "surname Mei," making Lv’e, the girl who came with Fuxiang, bright-eyed, her smile becoming even more charming.
The girls who manage to stay in Nuoxiang Building aren’t just pretty; they aren’t lacking in wisdom either. Just hearing the surname "Mei" made her associate think of many things, such as the county magistrate’s surname being Mei.
"Young Master Mei, Lv’e is late, I shall punish myself with a drink. Please don’t be angry!"
"Haha, how could I be angry with a beauty? Come, let’s drink."