novelraw Chapter 222 - 158: Time Turns Like a Wheel, the Pharmacist’s Request
Chapter 222 - 158: Time Turns Like a Wheel, the Pharmacist’s Request
"If recruiting back then was akin to ’sending charcoal in the snow,’ trying to recruit now is much harder. This individual is most likely from a major power in Qingzhou Prefecture or a noble family. The martial arts used that day to defeat Yuan Wuming were most likely genuinely a Sixth-Grade Martial Arts."
"At such a young age, possessing the strength to reverse attack the Sixth Grade, even in Qingzhou Prefecture, he would probably be considered a genius."
As of today, Xu Zhen understood that it would probably be difficult to recruit Su Mu again, but he still planned to try.
Moreover, these past two days, even the Changfeng County Captain and County Magistrate couldn’t sit still, having visited his Demon Slayer Bureau multiple times, but unfortunately, they didn’t see Su Mu.
Su Mu flipped through the registry in his hands page by page, and sure enough, there were quite a few types of Demon Beast Blood available for exchange in the last several pages, but they were all Ninth Grade Demon Beast Blood, with none of the Eighth Grade, and none were of the Fire Attribute Demon Blood either.
"The lowest price requires three instances of Second-Class Merit, while the highest requires seven?"
The more expensive demon blood naturally had better quality, but the cost-effectiveness wasn’t high. Su Mu could completely use the Water Refining Technique to purify the demon blood. The demon blood needed for the Jade Bone Pill was not like forging a weapon, which didn’t require chasing high quality too much.
After pondering for a moment, Su Mu spoke up.
"Director Xu, I’d like to exchange for three portions of Rock Patterned Snake Blood."
"Alright, I’ll have someone fetch the demon blood for Mr. Li."
During the wait, Xu Zhen subtly extended an olive branch, finally mentioning the matter of the Golden Order Blade Catcher with a gritted tone, but Su Mu remained indifferent, simply shaking his head and politely declined.
"No wonder he is a descendant of Qingzhou Prefecture. This Li Feiyu probably looks down on being a Golden Order Blade Catcher."
Seeing Su Mu’s expressionless direct refusal, Xu Zhen sighed inwardly and did not mention it again, further convinced that Su Mu was indeed from Qingzhou Prefecture.
At this point, he shifted the conversation to the Changfeng County Magistrate and County Captain’s intention to host a banquet, which Su Mu also politely declined.
"Thank you for the love and kindness of the esteemed officials, but I must return to Cyan Cloud quickly."
Soon, three jars of demon blood were delivered. After Su Mu verified them briefly, he got up and left.
Upon leaving the Demon Slayer Bureau, Su Mu assumed a different appearance and headed to Hongmen Martial Arts Hall.
"Please pass this saber and this letter to your Martial Arts Hall’s Zhang Jin, and say it’s returned to the rightful owner."
A Hongmen Martial Arts Hall student hesitated at first, glancing at the long saber Su Mu handed over. Just from the scabbard, it didn’t seem to be a good saber, probably a ploy to make unique acquaintance with Master Zhiyin Zhang Jin.
"Alright, I will deliver it to Master Zhiyin Zhang Jin."
Su Mu slightly cupped his hands, nodded slightly, and left.
"Really, all kinds of people trying to make acquaintances..."
The Martial Arts Hall student’s words ceased as soon as the blade emerged from the scabbard, revealing the piercingly cold light of the Cold Heron Saber, causing this Martial Arts Hall student to recall something suddenly, urgently wanting to chase after Su Mu’s figure, but Su Mu had already vanished into the crowd.
Immediately, this Martial Arts Hall student hurriedly rushed into the hall, and before long, Zhang Jin, followed by Li Yuanshan and Zhang Hengyuan, hastily arrived at the entrance of the martial arts hall.
"Master, Second Instructor!"
The Martial Arts Hall student respectfully spoke upon seeing the two people, especially the one who had transferred the long saber, visibly trembled all over.
"Alas, it seems Mr. Li has already left... our Hongmen Martial Arts Hall has missed a significant opportunity this time."
Zhang Hengyuan, the current master of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall, held a letter in his hand, within lay a saber technique derived from the secret saber Su Mu had comprehended from the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall plaque.
Su Mu once saved Zhang Jin at the Lin Family Manor, and in return, the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall repaid this favor with three jars of high-quality demon blood that could equal the value of ten regular jars.
That day, the white-haired elder at the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall didn’t set any conditions, and Su Mu was aware of their intentions; clearly, they wished for Su Mu to look after Hongmen Martial Arts Hall more in the future.
However, Su Mu would not stay long in the Qingyun Three Counties, and he had no time to care for Hongmen Martial Arts Hall; this favor had to be repaid clearly, for Su Mu as a person only sought to have a clear conscience and a free heart.
Moreover, the Hongmen Secret Saber helped Su Mu slay Yuan Wuming; if not for severing Yuan Wuming’s palm, he would’ve had to pay a greater price using just his entry-level Molten Fire Golden Body to withstand Yuan Wuming’s dual-handed saber strike.
Thus, this time Su Mu returned the Hongmen Secret Saber to clear the favor.
This point, Zhang Hengyuan, the current master, could naturally see; just like the white-haired elder said that day: Unspoken, the bond always remains.
Yet now, Su Mu returned the Hongmen Secret Saber, using a secret saber to settle the obligation.
If given a choice, Zhang Hengyuan would rather not have this lost saber technique and retain Su Mu’s favor.
"Alas, success also by the secret saber, damage also by the secret saber."
...
The regret of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall master was unknown to Su Mu.
After settling the favor, Su Mu crossed Changfeng, traveling several hundred miles in less than half a day, with the Qingyun County Town in sight come dusk.
Upon entering the city, Su Mu reverted to his true visage and carefully took out a string of colorful cords from his bosom, tying it around his wrist. After bringing the demon blood back to his residence, he smiled knowingly and went to Xinghua House in the market to buy some pastries.
However, upon arrival, he saw the shop’s door tightly shut, with a closed notice posted at the entrance.
Seeing Su Mu standing outside the shop, an elderly man from the neighboring rice and flour shop spoke:
"Young man, you’d better head back first; it’s estimated that Xinghua House won’t be opening for quite some time."
On hearing this, Su Mu was startled, coming before the old man and cupping his hands in salute.
"Why do you say this, sir?"
The old man sighed softly, "Seven or eight days ago, Old Li from Xinghua House passed away. They weren’t people of Qingyun City, so Ma Po took Old Li and returned home."
Upon hearing this, Su Mu trembled all over, his fists slightly clenched, then he cupped his hands towards the old man, "Thank you, sir, for explaining this to me."
Su Mu took a final glance at Xinghua House, memories surfacing of the stooped elderly man making pastries, and the old woman with a face full of pockmarks.
"Young man, you’ve been away for several days, is it still the usual routine?"
The echoes of their voices from the past surrounded him, and as Su Mu drew a deep breath preparing to leave, the old man called out to him.
"Yes, young man, is your surname Su? Do you also love eating osmanthus cake?"
Su Mu’s eyes flickered, nodding slightly.
"That explains it; the old man always found you familiar; Ma Po said before leaving, there’s a young man surnamed Su who loves pastries, particularly favoring osmanthus cake, saying he would frequently come to buy pastries every few days..."
"Young man, wait a moment."
After saying this, the old gentleman turned and trembled as he walked back into the courtyard; Su Mu stepped forward to offer help, but the old man waved him off. Before long, the old man returned with an exquisite food box.
"These pastries inside are what Ma Po wanted me to pass on to you, young man. Rest assured, stored in a cool place, they will last a month without spoiling."
Su Mu’s nose tingled slightly, as he carefully took the food box with both hands. When he intended to take out some silver notes to express his gratitude, the old man quickly waved him off, refusing to accept, and Su Mu could only give up.
"Thank you, sir. Did Ma Po leave any other message?"
The old man shook his head.
"Sir, please take care of yourself."
"This old body is still strong and can live for many more years."
As he walked away from the market with the box of pastries in both hands, Su Mu suddenly realized that within this familiar market, many of the shopkeepers’ faces had aged quite a bit. With his ability to recall everything at sight, Su Mu could vividly remember everything from when he first arrived in Qingyun County, including each shop’s shopkeeper and clerk.
The cool breeze of late autumn swept through the market, locust leaves rustling down, as time wheel turns endlessly.
Not long after arriving at the medical hall, light footsteps sounded from the quiet courtyard, and a little doctor in a light yellow dress came running joyfully to welcome him.
"You’re back, big brother, come in quickly..." Her cheeks suddenly flushed with two blushes like the evening clouds, "Why are you staring at me, big brother, is there something on my face?"
"No... nothing... I brought some pastries - from Xinghua House."
The little doctor, around the same age as Su Mu, Su Mu realized for the first time that she had already blossomed into an ethereal beauty, no longer a child.
"You’re so good, big brother."
As she got closer, the little doctor specifically glanced at the Peace Rope on Su Mu’s wrist. Seeing it intact and not removed, she felt delighted inside.
Inside the study, when Su Mu saw the pharmacist, his brows unintentionally furrowed slightly. After consuming the pastries and having dinner, the pharmacist asked the little doctor to step out.
Both seemed to see that the other had something to say.
"Su Xiaoyou, I have a question I wish to ask you."
"Please go ahead, Pharmacist."
"I hope you’ll think it over carefully before answering..." The Pharmacist’s old eyes slightly squinted; at this moment, Su Mu subtly felt a sense of pressure, seeing an unprecedented seriousness on the Pharmacist’s face.
"I want to know... how do you feel about Xiaoyue?"