At Your Beck and Call

Before night fell, everyone finally returned safely to the Feng Family.

At Feng Shaolong's command, the Feng Family servants immediately sprang into action, carrying all the corpses into a room and locking it.

At the same time, the Feng Family's own physicians, along with their apprentices and laborers, carried all the injured into the clinic to stay.

Bang!

As the sky turned completely dark, every door was swiftly shut tight. Only lamplight swayed inside the rooms, casting shifting shadows over Zhang Lingshan and the others' faces.

Strictly speaking, Zhang Lingshan had suffered only minor injuries and did not need to stay here under anyone's care.

But there was clearly no time to make it back.

To avoid running into an accident while traveling at night, he could only endure one night here.

Mother and Xiao Yu must be worried.

Zhang Lingshan thought to himself.

He only hoped the night would pass quickly.

Lying on the sickbed, listening to the wounded beside him groan and whimper in pain, Zhang Lingshan sighed inwardly and slowly closed his exhausted eyes.

At last, he gradually fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes again.

Sunlight streamed in from outside. He lazily rolled over and found the sickbed beside him empty.

"Where did that fellow go?"

Zhang Lingshan grabbed a physician's apprentice and asked in confusion.

The apprentice shook his head. "He died. He didn't make it through last night and was carried out this morning.

"You were right beside him and still weren't woken up. You must have been exhausted too. Sleep a little longer.

"The Solid Essence Tea will be ready soon. Sixth Young Master specifically told us to brew it for everyone.

"You hunted two Demon Rabbits this time and rendered great service, so you get to drink it. You normally wouldn't have such a chance. Cherish it well and drink more. It'll do you good."

After speaking, the physician's apprentice looked at Zhang Lingshan's palm in surprise. "It's almost healed. Change the medicine once more and you'll be fine. I'll go get it for you. Just rest."

"Mm, thank you."

Zhang Lingshan cupped his hands.

A short while later, after changing his medicine, he no longer felt sleepy. He got out of bed and went into the courtyard to bask in the sun.

Taking advantage of the rare fine sunshine in this deep winter season, he stretched lazily. Then a hearty laugh came from the entrance. "Junior Brother Shan, up so early? Not sleeping a little longer?"

"Senior Brother Feng."

Zhang Lingshan cupped his hands. "I couldn't sleep. I'm still shaken by yesterday's battle. It was my first time seeing a Demon Beast. Sigh, the fellow in the next bed didn't make it. He passed away last night."

"Uh..."

The smile on Feng Shaolong's face immediately froze.

Only then did he realize he should not be so happy, considering yesterday's heavy casualties.

But if he was forbidden from smiling, he truly could not hold it back.

Who could blame him when the harvest had been so abundant?

When he went to report to his father that morning, his father had even praised him for doing well.

Setting aside the Demon Rabbits and medicinal ingredients, merely recruiting Junior Brother Shan had made his father view him in a new light and reward him handsomely.

How could he not be happy upon seeing Zhang Lingshan?

Junior Brother Shan was his lucky star!

Cough, cough.

Feng Shaolong hurriedly coughed twice, concealing the smile on his face, then sighed. "Yes.

"Who would have thought there were actually Demon Beasts on Cold Moon Mountain? We had never encountered any before, at most poisonous snakes, tigers, leopards, and the like.

"Originally, with all of us proceeding steadily and surely, we could have returned in perfection. Who could have expected... sigh..."

Feng Shaolong let out a long sigh.

Zhang Lingshan did not continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "Senior Brother Feng, how come I'd never heard of Demon Beasts before?"

Feng Shaolong said, "Forget about you. I had never heard of them either, until I encountered one once in the past and learned of them.

"But you cannot blame people for not telling us. Even if they had, no one would believe it without seeing one.

"Before you saw a Demon Rabbit, if I told you there was a rabbit in this world bigger and stronger than a man, would you have believed me?

"Even if you did, you would still be greatly shocked when you saw it.

"So what difference would it make whether we said it or not?

"And most importantly, not everyone is as brave as you, Junior Brother Shan.

"If everyone in the world were told that such Demon Beasts existed, who would still be able to live their days in peace?

"Not telling them is also for everyone's own good."

Feng Shaolong explained heavily.

But Zhang Lingshan did not agree with his explanation.

Either Feng Shaolong had failed to consider things properly by not warning them about Demon Beasts beforehand, or he simply did not believe ordinary Herb Gathering Guards had the right to know.

Either way, it proved he was not much of a person.

Though dissatisfied inwardly, Zhang Lingshan nodded as if he agreed completely. "Senior Brother Feng is right. Before seeing a Demon Rabbit, who would have known such a thing existed? Luckily, we made it through this time. If there are Demon Beasts again next time, I don't think I'll have the nerve to continue being a Herb Gathering Guard."

"Junior Brother Shan, you jest. It was not luck. You possess both strength and talent. Had you not remained calm in the face of danger, our casualties would likely have been even greater."

Feng Shaolong smiled awkwardly and flattered him.

Originally, he had wanted to recruit Zhang Lingshan into the Feng Family Pharmacy's Hunting Squad, where he could hunt Demon Beasts specifically in the future.

But seeing how frightened Zhang Lingshan still was, if he brought it up now, he would probably be rejected outright.

Yes, he should not rush things. He had been too excited and had lost his sense of measure.

He should wait a while before mentioning the Hunting Squad.

By then, Zhang Lingshan would have recovered from the shock. If he offered him a hefty sum, he would surely join in delight.

After all, Demon Beasts were good things.

Once Zhang Lingshan ate Demon Rabbit meat, he definitely would not let the chance to join the Hunting Squad slip away.

Moreover, his father had said that someone like Junior Brother Shan was a natural nemesis of Demon Beasts, a one-in-ten-thousand prodigy at subduing demons. His qi and blood could resist Demon Aura.

How could such a person be content with mediocrity?

Joining the Hunting Squad was his best destination, the path ordained by fate.

Zhang Lingshan had no idea what Feng Shaolong was thinking, nor did he know he was some one-in-ten-thousand prodigy at subduing demons.

He only knew that he had rendered great service, so he needed more pay!

Thus, he did not beat around the bush. Just as Feng Shaolong was praising him, he immediately followed up, "Senior Brother Feng, seeing as I've made such an outstanding contribution to our Herb Gathering Squad, shouldn't I get a raise?"

"Uh..."

Feng Shaolong had not expected Zhang Lingshan to be so direct and was stunned for a moment.

Shouldn't he have been the one to bring it up and make Junior Brother Shan feel grateful? How had the other man beaten him to it?

If it had been anyone ordinary, Feng Shaolong would certainly have made them sweat a little and practiced the art of controlling people.

But the man before him was no ordinary person. He was a one-in-ten-thousand genius.

If he dared to make things difficult for him and drove him away, his father certainly would not let him off.

So Feng Shaolong forced out a smile. "You should get a raise, you should get a raise.

"But as for exactly how the accounts will be settled, I need to ask my father. I cannot decide that on my own.

"Still, I can pay out of my own pocket! I'll first advance you twenty taels in medical expenses, Junior Brother Shan. You can recover in peace."

As he spoke, he immediately pulled a twenty-tael Silver Note from his robes, looking exceedingly generous and forthright.

Zhang Lingshan snatched the Silver Note into his hand, his face instantly breaking into a smile. "Thank you, Senior Brother. Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Twenty taels could be exchanged for Snow Silver Flowers. At an eighty percent discount, that meant twenty-five taels' worth of Snow Silver Flowers. Three meals a day would turn into twenty-five points of Energy Value within nine days.

If exchanged for Spirit Root Grass, it could become fifty points of Energy Value within seventy-five days.

He normally needed a month to earn twenty taels, yet now he had received twenty taels all at once, and this was only from Feng Shaolong's own pocket.

Profitable, far too profitable!

Once the value of the Demon Rabbits was settled, he would definitely receive another sum.

No wonder Feng Shaolong seemed so high-spirited and happy today. This trip must have earned the Feng Family Pharmacy a great deal, or else he could not possibly be so generous.

And speaking of Demon Rabbits.

Zhang Lingshan immediately turned his thoughts to them and added, "Senior Brother Feng previously promised us Demon Rabbit meat. When will we get to eat it?"

"Uh..."

Feng Shaolong did not know how many times he had been left speechless today.

This fellow really spoke with a single blade, going straight to the point.

Originally, he should have ordered the Demon Rabbit meat prepared and brought out, while everyone praised Sixth Young Master for his towering generosity, lavish hand, and broad-minded character.

Then, after he waved his hand grandly, everyone could begin eating.

Yet this fellow had once again gotten ahead of him.

Eat, eat, eat. All he knows is eating.

Feng Shaolong grumbled inwardly, but wore a smile on his face. "Rest assured, Junior Brother Shan. Since I promised, you will definitely have Demon Rabbit meat to eat. Once the kitchen finishes it, I'll bring it to you at once."

"Good, good, good. Thank you, Senior Brother Feng."

Zhang Lingshan cupped his hands in delight.

Just then, the physician's apprentice brought over the Solid Essence Tea.

Zhang Lingshan took it in one gulp and said, "Another bowl."

The physician's apprentice gave him a surprised look, then filled another bowl.

"Another bowl!"

Zhang Lingshan drained it in a single gulp again.

It had to be said, this Solid Essence Tea had quite a good effect.

His stomach had felt empty, but after two bowls, it was immediately filled. A warm current rose up, spreading throughout his body and making him feel comfortably warm all over.

Most importantly.

After two bowls.

His Energy Value immediately increased by 0.1 points.

The effect was immediate.

Though it did not add much Energy Value, it was fast.

If he did not drink several more free bowls of such a good thing, would that not make him a fool?

So after that, bowl after bowl after bowl.

The physician's apprentice was dumbfounded. Was this fellow drinking like a donkey? Wouldn't his belly swell from drinking so much?

Even if it was free, one person could not possibly burn through it like this.

Everyone was supposed to get some, yet he was drinking it all dry. That was not appropriate!

Unable to help himself, the physician's apprentice looked toward Feng Shaolong, hoping he would stop him.

But Feng Shaolong's eye twitched as he forced a smile. "Drink, drink. Junior Brother Shan can drink as much as he wants. If there isn't enough, brew more. In any case, everyone who fought yesterday must get some."

After saying that, he told Zhang Lingshan, "Junior Brother Shan, drink slowly. I'll go check on the others."

"Please do, Senior Brother Feng. No need to mind me."

"Mm."

Feng Shaolong quickly left the place, cursing inwardly.

The brat sees something free and loses his mind. No wonder someone complained to me that after eating one meal here, you also had to eat one at the martial hall. You're addicted to taking advantage of things. I thought someone was slandering you, but today I've seen what it means to be a bastard if you don't take a free advantage.

Feng Shaolong held Zhang Lingshan's behavior in deep contempt.

A poor wretch was still a poor wretch.

The moment he saw the slightest benefit, he clung to it endlessly. He had ruined all the good impressions he had made himself.

Filled with contempt for Zhang Lingshan, Feng Shaolong returned to the courtyard and saw a tall figure standing there. Though not imposing, the figure instead carried a somewhat scholarly air.

"Father, why are you here?"

Feng Shaolong asked in surprise.

Usually, he was the one who went running to his father's courtyard. Why had his father actually come here in person?

He was flattered beyond measure!

But they had only parted a short while ago. He had just seen his father that morning to report on Zhang Lingshan and the Demon Rabbits, and now his father had rushed over again...

"Well? Has that Junior Brother Zhang Lingshan of yours agreed to join our Hunting Squad?"

Sure enough, Feng Ji went straight to the point.

At the mention of this, Feng Shaolong's stomach filled with resentment. He complained, "Father, you don't know it, but that kid says he's timid. If there are Demon Beasts next time, he wants to quit being one of our Herb Gathering Guards."

"Nonsense! The timid ones were already beaten to death by the Demon Rabbits. Could he possibly be timid? Did you not explain things properly to him? Since you cannot handle it, I'll go speak to him myself."

Feng Ji snapped, striding toward the entrance as he spoke.

Feng Shaolong had not expected his father to value Zhang Lingshan far more than he had imagined. He hurriedly pulled his father back. "Father, don't be hasty.

"It's only because it was his first time seeing a Demon Beast, and so many people died, that he is still shaken. He needs some time to recover.

"But don't worry that he won't join. I've already figured out his temperament.

"That kid loves taking advantage of things, and he loves money. Give it a few days, and I'll definitely bring him into our Hunting Squad!"

Feng Shaolong thumped his chest and vowed solemnly.

Only then did Feng Ji calm down somewhat and nod. "It would be best if you can settle it. If I go find him personally, it will also cause trouble if word gets out.

"Remember, don't be afraid to spend money. A talent like this is a treasure. Keeping him will earn us even more money.

"And tell your people to keep their mouths shut. If anyone leaks the details of how Zhang Lingshan drove back the Demon Rabbits, I'll hold you accountable!"

With that, he could not be bothered to waste words with Feng Shaolong and immediately left. Clearly, as the head of a family, he was not idle with nothing to do.

Hearing the severity in his father's final tone, Feng Shaolong could not help growing nervous. He immediately went around checking on his subordinates.

Most importantly, he had to make them keep their mouths shut and stop talking nonsense.

At this moment.

Zhang Lingshan finally stopped drinking Solid Essence Tea. He patted his belly, his face full of satisfaction.

In this short time,

his Energy Points had already increased by 3.

Though his stomach was bloated, it had been well worth it.

Basking in the sun, he quietly pondered Feng Shaolong's attitude just now.

Feng Shaolong's temper is actually this good? He grants every request—I ask for something, and he gives it to me. Not only does he not get angry, he even smiles along with me and gives me plenty of face...

Zhang Lingshan was somewhat puzzled.

He still remembered that back at the Hong Clan Martial Hall, Feng Shaolong had not even spared him a glance. Only after he had undergone Skin Grinding had Feng Shaolong recruited him into the Feng Family Pharmacy.

But even as of yesterday, he had merely been a lowly Herb Gathering Guard. Although Feng Shaolong's attitude toward him had been fairly decent, he would never have acted as he had today.

What exactly had changed?

Obviously, the change had happened yesterday.

After thinking it over, Zhang Lingshan felt that there was only one explanation for the change.

It seems that taking that blow from the Demon Rabbit head-on showed that I'm no ordinary person. Now, I have enough value for Feng Shaolong to look upon me with new eyes.