A Long-Standing Friendship, Basic Respect!

Commander Han clearly hadn't eaten enough.

But looking at his dark face, he probably didn't have a good appetite.

So Commander Han casually took the list from Lin Yan's hand, stuffed it into his pocket, and got up to leave.

"I'll lend you one set of his medicinal bath materials for now."

Just then, Duke Lu pointed at the dark-faced man and slowly spoke, saying, "Leave these medicinal ingredients here, and come back to pick them up this afternoon. I'll give him a set of medicine then."

The dark-faced man nodded, turned into the house, took out a paper packet, and placed it aside.

Duke Lu then pointed to the medicinal materials brought by Commander Han and explained, "These medicinal ingredients benefit the Five Viscera and Six Bowels, and are quite effective for Inner Strength martial artists."

"However, for those in the Essence Refining Realm, although there are benefits, the medicinal effects are relatively weak."

"Once you reach the Essence Refining Realm, every bit of improvement is equivalent to an enhancement of the skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood, marrow, and Five Viscera and Six Bowels."

"Therefore, a medicinal bath that only benefits the Five Viscera and Six Bowels is no longer sufficient."

"Additionally, this Essence Boosting Pill can enhance Blood Essence, but its effect is not enough for you. You need to switch to a Great Essence Boosting Pill."

As Duke Lu spoke, Lin Yan nodded and stood up, about to express his gratitude.

However, he saw Duke Lu raise his hand.

"Don't rush to thank me. Exchanging these medicinal ingredients and adding new medicine will cost at least three taels of silver."

"The price difference between an Essence Boosting Pill and a Great Essence Boosting Pill is about seven taels of silver."

"The total cost is ten taels of silver."

Duke Lu said calmly, "I'm not making money off you, but I can't be expected to pay for you, can I?"

Lin Yan immediately opened the bundle. Inside were twelve taels of silver, his salary for the month.

It turned out that at the end of the month, only two taels were left.

It was enough for daily life, but saving to buy land and build a house was a distant dream.

He sighed and thought to himself, "They say scholars are poor and martial artists are rich, simply because martial artists consume so much."

Practicing martial arts consumes physical energy, so one eats more.

To strengthen one's foundation and become more robust, one must eat well.

Coupled with internal and external medications, and various medicinal ingredients, it was indeed not something ordinary families could afford.

This was why Lin Yan, despite working as a butcher by day and acting as Wuchang by night for years without rest, hadn't saved much silver.

This was also because he possessed the Devour Fiend Qi divine ability, allowing him to consume fiendish energy to enhance his cultivation.

Therefore, his need for external "nourishment" was not too strong, which allowed him to save some silver.

Before he could speak, he heard Duke Lu chuckle again.

"Actually, under normal circumstances, these three packets of medicinal ingredients should be for the 'Blood Refining, Marrow Washing' level."

"Because the medicinal bath specifications for the Banner Bearers of each ward are at this level."

"For example, Liang Hu of Qing Shan Ward, although he has already reached the Inner Strength realm, he actively deducts silver from his monthly 'Inner Strength medicinal bath materials'."

"The reason your twelve taels were not deducted is because Han Zheng personally paid the difference to help you exchange the medicinal ingredients."

"He truly treats you well."

Duke Lu smiled and said, "You need to accumulate some merit points quickly and succeed him as Banner Commander."

If Lin Yan had enough merit points, he could succeed him as Banner Commander.

Then, with Commander Han's merit points, he could be promoted to one of the Inner Town Garrison Commanders.

Over the years, he had been in the position of Banner Commander of the Outer Southern Department, unable to get promoted for many reasons.

A significant portion of the reason was the suppression, overt and covert, from his enemies in Phoenix Perch Prefecture City.

However, another part of the reason was that there was no suitable candidate in the southern area of the outer city to succeed him as Banner Commander!

With Lin Yan's current cultivation in the Essence Refining Realm, if he revealed it, he would be qualified to hold the position of "Banner Commander."

But his merit points were far from enough; he was too inexperienced.

"If you can eliminate a few high-ranking members of 'Jie Jin,' that should be about enough."

Duke Lu said this and then chuckled, "Once you succeed as Banner Commander, the medicinal ingredients and pills needed for monthly cultivation will also be sufficient."

"Thank you for your guidance, Duke Lu."

Lin Yan stood up, bowed, and then took his leave, preparing to depart.

But Duke Lu suddenly said, "I heard you wrote a letter to the Outer Southern City Guard Office, asking them to pay attention to the plight of the families and relatives of those who die while defending the city?"

"That is indeed true."

"It is not wise to pressure the Outer Southern Prefecture Office so soon after arriving in Lin Jiang Ward."

"..."

Lin Yan was silent for a moment before replying, "The night before last, a Night Patrol Envoy named Zhou Ji died defending the city!"

"Yesterday at noon, in broad daylight, someone broke into his home, bullied the grandfather and grandson, intending to strip his family bare, seize the Night Patrol Envoy position, and even pocket the death benefits."

"My second brother, Lin Lei, didn't study much and could barely read, but yesterday he couldn't help but step forward and speak up righteously."

"He's not a martial artist and was almost beaten, but he still didn't back down."

"Actually, people like him are usually honest and steady, tolerant and yielding, even appearing a bit cowardly, so they rarely cause trouble."

"But yesterday, he no longer feared trouble."

Lin Yan said with a smile, "With such an example before me, as the Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department, within my jurisdiction, and as someone who defended the city together that very night! Wouldn't it be laughable if I remained silent out of fear of trouble and self-preservation?"

He exhaled and said in a low voice, "Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be allowed to freeze to death in the wind and snow..."

Afterward, he bowed to Duke Lu and the other person and walked out of the courtyard.

"Be careful in your actions recently."

Duke Lu watched his retreating back with a smile and said, "Be cautious."

Only after Lin Yan had walked out of the courtyard gate did the dark-faced middle-aged man finally couldn't help but speak.

"Duke Lu, what did he mean by that 'those who carry firewood for the masses should not be allowed to freeze to death in the wind and snow'?" the honest man asked, scratching his head. "It wasn't snowing yesterday, was it? And no one froze to death."

"You have a good memory, reciting the sentence word for word."

Duke Lu chuckled and murmured, "This sentence, when read carefully, has quite some depth... but it's easy to say, how many can truly step forward?"

With that, he picked up the bundle of medicinal herbs and slowly stood up.

"When he comes to pick up the medicine this afternoon, ask him for me. If he doesn't mind, I'd like to meet Lin Lei."

"In the inner city, many wish to meet Duke Lu but cannot. His brother has such an honor, why would he mind?" the dark-faced man said, looking quite bewildered.

"No!"

Duke Lu shook his head. "I don't want to meet his brother, but the second young master of the Lin family, Lin Lei!"

The honest middle-aged man became even more bewildered.

Isn't Lin Lei Lin Yan's second brother?

Duke Lu didn't explain, merely stating, "Although I mean no harm, it's not right to hide it from Lin Yan and rashly get acquainted with his family."

"For a long-lasting friendship, there must be basic respect."

"Of course, the cost of ten taels of silver I received from him is also a form of respect for him."