The Eve of Departure

Hearing this, Cheng Buzheng's expression turned excited, as if he weren't the same person who had been sulking just moments ago. He displayed the temperament of a young boy to the fullest, acting just like a little fanboy.

"Then many thanks, Brother Qian. I am well aware of your prestige in the town. However, as a mere medicine apprentice, no one would go out of their way to cause me trouble!"

Following that, the two chatted about interesting anecdotes and family matters in the town.

Suddenly.

"Brother, has your family's caravan had any shipments passing through Yaoshan Town in the last few days?"

Hearing this, Qian Zhe did not hesitate in the slightest and blurted out:

"There is a caravan heading to the county seat tomorrow that happens to pass through Yaoshan Town!"

"Why do you want to go to Yaoshan Town?"

Qian Zhe reacted immediately and asked with some curiosity.

Cheng Buzheng wore an indifferent expression as he replied:

"Isn't it because the Medicine Hall needs to restock some medicinal herbs? The doctor has gone out for house calls, and since I'm idle, I thought I might as well go to Yaoshan Town to purchase some herbs and take the opportunity to look around."

As he spoke, an excited look appeared on his face.

"Brother, you know as well as I do that to reach Yaoshan Town, one must cross the Cangqing Mountain Range. That place is infested with bandits, and only your family's caravan can pass through unscathed. Any other merchant caravan would have to be stripped to the bone just to get through. If I went alone, I would certainly be like a meat bun thrown at a dog—never to return. Not to mention, who knows how many wild beasts are waiting for a little lamb like me along the way!"

Cheng Buzheng said this with a playful laugh, his face showing a helpless expression as he mentioned the various difficulties.

However, his heart was not as helpless as he appeared. He was waiting anxiously for Qian Zhe to make his final decision; this was related to the very first step of his path to immortality.

Otherwise, he would not have told Qian Zhe the preparation process and ingredients for the lobster delicacy. Everything had been a layout he orchestrated; from the moment he started cooking by the roadside to today, it was all to lure him into the trap.

Cheng Buzheng did not use this to trade with him. Doing so at this critical moment would have made his motives too obvious, making it easy for the other party to see through him and potentially leading to unexpected complications.

In the town, there were only a few merchant caravans with the strength to cross the Cangqing Mountain Range.

The leaders of the other caravans were not people a mere medicine boy like him could speak to; only if the doctor himself stepped forward would it be possible.

If there were a safe way, he would not want to risk his life. Even if bandits and outlaws saw how destitute he was and let him pass, he still could not escape the attacks of wild beasts along the way. Those beasts would not care whether he was poor or not; they would only fixate on the flesh and blood on his body.

Therefore, Cheng Buzheng had to rack his brains to secure an opportunity to reach the county seat. He knew that the Qian Family caravan departed every seven days, which provided enough time to reach the county seat.

However, he did not say he was going directly to the county seat, but rather to Yaoshan Town, which was closest to it.

He feared his plan would fall short of success, so by not mentioning the county seat, he had the perfect excuse to traverse that dangerous stretch of territory.

After all, the time for the Immortals to recruit disciples in the county seat was during this period. When Qian Zhe heard him say he was going to Yaoshan Town to purchase medicinal herbs, he had asked detailed questions, which showed that he had not completely let down his guard.

These powerful families did not want the existence of Immortal families within their jurisdiction.

Otherwise, it would likely threaten their family's rule, yet they could not openly oppose the Immortals recruiting disciples.

It was even possible that the bandits and outlaws in the Cangqing Mountain Range were supported by them!

There is no fault in being overly cautious. He would rather prepare for the worst-case scenario than hope for a favorable outcome, so as not to let his plans go to waste.

Cheng Buzheng secretly speculated in his heart.

In the end, Qian Zhe did not disappoint him.

He saw Qian Zhe wave his hand, appearing quite generous:

"No problem. As it happens, I am heading back to the county seat tomorrow, so you can set off with me then.

It'll be just right to have someone to keep me company on the road!"

"It is my good fortune to be able to keep you company, Big Brother!"

Cheng Buzheng immediately began to flatter him. At this critical juncture, he would not allow himself any slack, even though he felt a bit nauseated by it.

As the saying goes, one is often forced by circumstances in this life!

At the same time, Cheng Buzheng thought to himself: He is probably heading to the county seat at this time to participate in the Immortal selection as well!

Otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence!

It seems that once I reach the county seat, I must still use some disguise to avoid being recognized by this 'good big brother'!

After confirming the time with Qian Zhe, he showered him with more flattery, followed by a string of witty remarks that left this 'good big brother' laughing heartily.

Afternoon.

Cheng Buzheng walked out of Liuxian Restaurant with a light step. A cool breeze brushed against his face, jolting his heart.

The slight joy that had been on his face just moments ago vanished quietly. He secretly warned himself, Until the dust settles, I must not be the least bit careless!

After a brief adjustment.

Cheng Buzheng returned to a state of calm. He looked at the bustling street, where young villagers haggled with peddlers over a single copper coin, and old men and women sold vegetables, small fish, and tofu they had grown or caught on the sides of the road.

The lives of mortals are so similar; this is the fleeting life of a mortal. Perhaps, in the future, he too would be rushing about, toiling for a living.

Born as an ant, one should harbor the ambition of an immortal.

Cheng Buzheng made a secret resolution in his heart, a flash of determination crossing his face. He did not delay any longer and headed toward the town's post station.

Evening, Bairen Pharmacy.

Xiao Li, who was on duty, lay listlessly in a large chair, his eyes narrowed as his mind wandered.

Suddenly.

Xiao Li felt a shadow fall over him. Startled, he let out a yelp, then patted his small chest, wearing an expression that said he had been scared to death.

"Senior Brother Buzheng, you scared me to death! You have to buy me a skewer—no, two skewers of candied haws, or this isn't over!"

Cheng Buzheng looked at Xiao Li's chubby little face and laughed.

"You, really.

When the doctor is home, why aren't you jumping around? As soon as he leaves, you become all listless!"

"How can that be the same?" Xiao Li glanced at Cheng Buzheng sideways and pouted.

Cheng Buzheng looked at the listless Xiao Li lounging in the chair and found it quite amusing. He treated all the medicine boys like his own younger brothers and usually looked after them.

But he was leaving tomorrow. He didn't know if he would be accepted by the immortal. Even if he wasn't, he would not return to being a medicine boy.

If he ever returned, who knew what year or month it would be.

He reached out his hand, but Xiao Li dodged it.

"I won't let you pinch me again!" Xiao Li glared at him indignantly.

Cheng Buzheng smiled and teased, "I wasn't going to pinch you. Do you believe me?"

"I don't...!"

Cheng Buzheng turned his head, looked at the sky, and said:

"Alright, keep watch for another hour, then get ready to close up!

Get some rest early!"

Hearing this, a look of joy immediately appeared on Xiao Li's face. He thought to himself:

This is much earlier than our usual closing time!

"Thank you, Senior Brother. Senior Brother, do you want me to knead your shoulders?"

As he spoke, he leaned his face, which was brimming with joy, toward him.

"Next time," Cheng Buzheng waved his hand and turned to walk toward the stairs.

Returning to the second floor, he glanced at the doctor's bedroom. The door was tightly shut, and a brass lock hung from the handle, securing it firmly.

Cheng Buzheng's heart stirred slightly.

Back in his own room, he sat in a chair, reached out to pull a sheet of white paper from the table, took a brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing about his upcoming departure.

The characters in this world were vastly different from those of his past life. Having been reincarnated, he knew that literacy was of the utmost importance; otherwise, no matter what he did in the future, he would inevitably be restricted at every turn.

Unless, of course, he spent his whole life scratching a living from the dirt.

Thus, he had dragged his older brother along to secretly learn from the village scholar. Relying on the wisdom retained from his past life, he was able to read books fluently in less than half a year. Although he couldn't write a decent essay, he was more than qualified to be a tutor.

His brother, however, was much slower than him. By adding phonetic spellings to the characters, he finally taught his brother how to read and write, sparing him from having to memorize thousands of characters by rote.

The results were gratifying. In the end, after a year, his brother was also able to read books fluently.

Cheng Buzheng wrote about his departure, but he did not write everything down in full detail—for instance, he omitted his participation in the Immortal selection and his use of the Qian Family caravan.

Although the doctor had treated him well and he didn't want to disappear without a word, he also didn't want to invite unnecessary trouble. He wrote what he could and kept the rest vague.

A quarter of an hour later, he finished writing.

Cheng Buzheng waited quietly for the ink to dry, recalling and planning to see if there were any omissions.

Half an hour later, Cheng Buzheng pushed open his door and took a look around. Seeing that there was no one outside, he walked to the doctor's door, took a letter from his bosom, and slid it through the gap in the door into the doctor's room.

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