Trade

"To be frank, my dear nephew, we have come today with a request!"

Steward Lin looked at the huffing Zhou Wenxin, then at Fang Yuan, his expression hesitant.

"That's right, my father is unwell. We heard that the Young Layman has miraculous healing abilities, so we've come seeking medicine!"

Second Brother Zhou, maintaining his composure, bowed deeply. "We hope the Young Layman will not refuse our plea for help. My Zhou Family will be eternally grateful!"

Beside him, Zhou Wenxin wanted to say something more, but was silenced by a stern look.

I can't believe this Zhou Family matter has ended up with me again...

Fang Yuan felt speechless upon hearing this.

At the same time, he looked at the well-dressed Zhou siblings and their robust servants, knowing clearly that if Steward Lin hadn't been present today, these people would never have been so agreeable.

Even Steward Lin's relationship with him had grown distant since the last incident.

This situation today, unless he immediately summoned the Flower Fox Ferret, went on a rampage, and fled overnight, was unavoidable.

This Lin Benchu still hasn't forgotten to exploit me. What a scoundrel...

Fang Yuan grumbled inwardly, but said aloud, "You've come too late, brother. My master, Heart-Questioning Hermit, is the true master physician. As for me? I've only learned a fraction of his knowledge. Without examining your father in person, I can't say for sure..."

"You little rogue..."

He had merely created an escape route for himself, but Zhou Wenxin beside him was on the verge of tears from indignation.

In her eyes, being bullied by this country bumpkin in the County Town before was already a grave humiliation.

Now, she had condescended to beg him, and what's more, he wasn't even grateful!

This made the young lady Zhou grit her teeth, tears welling up.

"Heh heh... Nephew, you are too modest. But even if Heart-Questioning Hermit is not here, I recall you should have quite a few good medicines here, right? As long as there's one that can help Old Master Zhou strengthen his foundation, that would be enough..."

Steward Lin said, rubbing his hands with a chuckle.

Fang Yuan frowned, suddenly feeling a sense of "guard against the day, guard against the night, but the old thief is hard to guard against."

Steward Lin, having interacted with him most deeply in the Secluded Valley, truly knew him inside and out.

Fortunately, he wasn't his master, Heart-Questioning Hermit. If Steward Lin had found out about the Heart-Questioning Tea Tree, he would have been in trouble immediately.

"Oh? That's right. The last time I saw the Young Layman, he was selling Red Ginseng. Although the year was insufficient, its medicinal properties were astonishing. After my father used it, his condition slightly improved!"

Second Brother Zhou seemed to recall something and nodded repeatedly, a hint of joy on his face.

Fang Yuan secretly rolled his eyes. In front of Steward Lin, he couldn't speak carelessly.

He put on a troubled expression, and after a long while, said, "Uncle Lin also knows that my master and I have lived in the Secluded Valley for less than twenty years. Any aged medicinal herbs were personally collected by my master from the deep mountains. Each one used is one less. By now, there are very few left..."

"I know this as well..."

Steward Lin felt a little awkward. He knew Heart-Questioning Hermit was an extraordinary person, able to traverse the deep mountains with ease, but Fang Yuan? He was likely less capable.

Now, he was coveting even the few things Fang Yuan had left. It was truly a bit much...

However, for Lei Yue's future, he had to shamelessly press on. He immediately said, "Nephew, whatever your request, just name it!"

"Indeed. My Zhou Family has also issued a public notice. As long as the Young Layman can cure him completely, we will agree to any request."

Second Brother Zhou chimed in.

"Then I'll say it..."

Fang Yuan's heart leaped. This was what he truly wanted. Otherwise, handing over the item for mere "favor"? He knew that favors were the most unreliable things, easily forgotten. Just like Steward Lin, it was better to cash in quickly and secure the profit.

"Regarding precious herbs for strengthening the foundation, I have one last plant – a sixty-year-old Red Ginseng. The herb is absolutely genuine, but whether it can help Old Master Zhou, I dare not guarantee. Therefore, I don't dare to ask for anything in return. Living in the deep mountains, I merely wish to learn some Martial Arts for self-defense. I hope to obtain a martial arts manual..."

"You want to learn martial arts?!"

Steward Lin was somewhat surprised. He looked at the surrounding deep mountain environment and then understood.

However, the Zhou siblings' faces immediately turned grim.

Seeing their expressions, Fang Yuan knew they thought he was a villain coveting their family's secret martial arts. He immediately waved his hands, "Of course, I only seek basic martial arts for self-defense. I absolutely wouldn't dare to hope for anything too profound. As long as Uncle Lin thinks it's the most widely circulated and easiest to learn, that would be enough!"

"This... is quite simple..."

Steward Lin stroked his beard, feeling relieved.

If Fang Yuan had requested profound martial arts from the Gui Ling Sect, let alone whether the Zhou siblings would agree, even if they did, the Sect would have objections.

But only asking for basic martial arts, with no specific type?

Did wealthy families like theirs not hire 'Jianghu experts' to guard their homes? Basic manuals, perhaps not ten or eight, but four or five would be available.

And they would be common ones, absolutely without any trouble.

"This matter is easily settled. I will agree on behalf of the Zhou Family! Just come to me for it!"

Steward Lin said with a smile.

"Good, then it's settled. One sixty-year Red Ginseng for a martial arts manual, nothing else involved... Of course, it's not under the Zhou Family's terms! It's purely a trade between me and Uncle Lin!"

Seeing Steward Lin's eagerness, Fang Yuan understood something. It was a good opportunity to grant a favor and distance himself.

"Agreed!"

The Zhou siblings exchanged glances, realizing there was no room for them to interject and could only watch as the two men reached an agreement.

Zhou Wenxin, however, muttered in dissatisfaction, "Learning martial arts at this age? Heh... doesn't even know the Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, and still expects to achieve something?"

Her disdain was evident in her words.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression, pretending not to hear. Instead, he secretly noted down the name "Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower," intending to research it later.

"Uncle Lin, please follow me!"

Fang Yuan generously opened the door and invited Steward Lin into the warehouse, not stopping the Zhou family from following.

As long as the Heart-Questioning Tea Tree and the Crimson Jade Rice fields weren't exposed, it didn't matter if this place was seen.

If not, it wouldn't dispel their covetous intentions.

Otherwise, in the future, anyone who encountered a difficult-to-heal severe injury would come to him for medicine. How could he live like that?

"Hmm, nephew, you've managed this place well."

Inside the warehouse, a pungent smell wafted out, causing Zhou Wenxin to cover her nose. Steward Lin, however, seemed unbothered, walking with his hands behind his back. "Especially this Jade Crystal Rice, it's grown the best. After I ate it last time, I truly lost my appetite for three months, not thinking of meat..."

"If Uncle Lin likes it, you can take a few bags of rice with you when you leave later..."

Fang Yuan replied without looking back.

Zhou Wenxin, however, seemed to recall the incident where she was teased by a rice ball last time, her face turning as red as blood.

At the very back, there was a row of wooden shelves, most of the boxes on them empty.

Fang Yuan went to the right side, took out a box, and said, "Uncle Lin, please take this!"

Lin Benchu took the wooden box and opened it. Inside, he saw a ginseng plant, entirely crimson like jade. It was well-preserved, with excellent quality. Even more rare was that not a single root hair was damaged.

"Hmm, very good! Very good!"

His eyes flickered as he unconsciously scanned his surroundings, then secretly shook his head, thinking, 'It seems the Heart-Questioning Hermit's fortune is indeed running out...'

"Good! Good! Good!"

Second Brother Zhou looked at it and was overjoyed. "This medicine is at least sixty years old. The older the Red Ginseng, the stronger its medicinal effect. Anything over fifty years can be considered a treasure. My father has hope of recovery!"

"Mmm, nephew, you keep it..."

Seeing this Red Ginseng, Steward Lin felt a slight reluctance but still handed it to Second Brother Zhou for safekeeping. He then said to Fang Yuan, "Don't worry, I'll have someone send you the martial arts manual you wanted as soon as I get back."

"Thank you, Uncle Lin!"

Fang Yuan cupped his fists and replied indifferently.

"Mmm, I won't stay any longer, I'm leaving now!"

The trade was concluded, and lingering would only lead to awkwardness. Steward Lin, with his hands behind his back, disappeared with the Zhou family outside the valley.

"Heh heh?!"

Fang Yuan watched their receding figures and sighed silently.

At this moment, a white shadow flashed behind him, and the Flower Fox Ferret reappeared, gesturing with its little paws. Its bright, intelligent pupils seemed to hold a hint of confusion.

"You don't need to act this time..."

Fang Yuan stroked the Flower Fox Ferret's head and muttered to himself, "But next time, if anyone approaches the plantation without me accompanying them, act directly, understand?"

Wild beasts have a strong sense of territory, and the spirit-infused Flower Fox Ferret nodded its little head, behaving very humanely.

"I don't know if one stalk of Red Ginseng will be enough to cure the Zhou family patriarch's illness. If it's not enough, there might be some minor trouble later..."

Fang Yuan subconsciously glanced at his attribute panel:

"Medical Skill [Level 1] -- Can treat simple injuries, including minor external wounds. With herbs, additional healing bonuses can be obtained."

"Planting Skill [Level 3] -- You are an undisputed expert in the field of planting. Your hands possess incredible power. Crops planted by you have a very small chance of undergoing beneficial trait mutations!"

"Minor injuries, I wonder if the Zhou family patriarch qualifies... The additional herb bonus effect is worth looking forward to..."

Fang Yuan naturally wanted to improve his Medical Skill.

Through his experiments with the Planting Skill, he had a general understanding that to improve a specialty, there was a matter of proficiency and bottlenecks.

His Planting Skill had leveled up to two through constant cultivation of plants, but without Spirit Seeds, he couldn't break through to level three.

For Medical Skill to progress, he would inevitably need to find a large number of patients to practice on.

"It's just... the Zhou family? Heh heh..."

Fang Yuan shook his head and sneered silently.