Due to the requirements of the protection policy, after all college students enter the squad, they will be assigned to positions away from combat such as clerical work, assisting in searches, delivering items, etc.
Lin Nan was personally transferred to the team leader's office by Katori, responsible for nominal "clerical work." Ukitake took advantage of him and was also transferred to the team leader's office, responsible for assisting in the deployment and logistics arrangements of the team's work.
However, due to the effective counter-insurgency operations jointly conducted by 8th Division and 11th Division, the security conditions of Rust Face and the two nearby districts have improved significantly.
The main job of most of the team members is no longer search and encirclement, but focuses on controlling traffic arteries and preventing stolen Zanpakuto from secretly circulating.
Lin Nan has no interest in civilian work, so he took the initiative to apply to Katori for a plainclothes investigation job:
"Since those knives have never been shown, it is not ruled out that they are hidden somewhere. Anyway, I have lived here, so why not let me pretend to be wandering around and then go find out."
Katori is a little worried about Lin Nan going out on his own: His strength has indeed increased a lot, but what if he encounters a strong enemy or is surrounded?
But he really couldn't resist Lin Nan, so he had to find a huge dark gray cloak for him to wear. He repeatedly told him to carefully hide Zanpakuto... until Lin Nan's ears were almost calloused, then he was let out.
Lin Nan looked at the big cloak on his body and thought of Katori's concerned and unquestionable eyes when he faced him just now...
Why do I suddenly feel a heartbeat?!
Has she started to care about me?
Alas, I was young and didn't know how good my sister was. My sister treated me like a treasure...
Lin Nan's old face turned red for a long time, and he kept looking towards both sides of the road with a silly smile on his face as he walked.
A wild dog looked at Lin Nan from a distance, screamed and ran away.
After living in Rukongai low-numbered areas and Seireitei for a period of time, you will feel that Rust Face District is particularly shabby.
The houses are low and dilapidated, and the residents are usually wandering souls without spiritual qualifications.
But Lin Nan still felt that there was an atmosphere around him that had never existed before - a sense of tranquility.
Maybe it's because Court Guard Squad is stationed in this area and has a good effect on promoting order?
Lin Nan was walking aimlessly in the alley. The last time he walked through this place, he was still a wandering soul whose identity was doubtful and facing pursuit. He had no chance to feel the tranquility here.
So far, the team has not received any suspicious information. He can only wander around aimlessly, hoping to find anything out of the ordinary.
After many twists and turns, he finally found the small house where he had lived before. The old man who kindly took him in lived here.
Pushing the door open and entering the house, I found that the old man was already bedridden.
There was only a thin figure lying in the empty room, covered with a torn quilt. There were several neighbors taking care of the grandfather, but they were unable to do anything about his situation.
Lin Nan is a little sad, but there is nothing that can be done. The old man has no spiritual power foundation and cannot eat. His life will always be due to the exhaustion of the meager spiritual power in his body.
This day is a matter of time.
After greeting the neighbors, Lin Nan silently walked to the door and picked up the clay pot he used to fetch water from the river. "I'm going to fetch water."
When they last met, he promised the old man that he would bring him another bottle of water.
Fortunately, there is still a chance.
Relying on the vague impression in his mind, he found the direction of the river, Lin Nan cast Shunpo, and reached the river; he took out the clay pot, filled it with river water, then picked up the clay pot and prepared to return the same way.
There was a sudden noise in the trees not far away.
It seemed as if someone was hiding in it and accidentally stepped on a branch.
Lin Nan was instantly alert, and only one thought emerged: the rebels' ambush!
He immediately assumed a vigilant posture, lifted up his cloak with his right hand, and held the handle of the knife. "Who? Come out!!"
The trees by the river swayed slightly, and a man with a light blue bun slowly stood up:
"Sorry, I was in the bushes, did I scare you?"
Lin Nan looked at the other party carefully. He saw that the other party had his light blue hair tied neatly behind his head, and his clothes were ordinary and old, but they were washed very clean.
With his bare hands, he held a somewhat funny-shaped basket in his left hand, which contained some green leafy plants that looked like vegetables or herbs.
"What are you doing?" Seeing that the opponent had no weapons, Lin Nan relaxed slightly, but still maintained the posture of holding the knife.
"I am a resident of Rust Face, and I live in a village not far over there." The visitor introduced himself kindly, "I am a pharmacy expert, you can call me Hongyuan Haili."
"I'm asking what you are doing in the bush? There is nothing there except leaves." Lin Nan asked coldly.
After all, this is Rukongai. You can't be too cautious. What if the other party is a spy of the rebels?
Hongyuan Haili grabbed a plant with small and complicated leaves from the basket at hand and explained:
"I was just looking for this herbal medicine. Combined with several other medicinal materials, it can help the spirit body absorb trace amounts of Reishi and recuperate the body..."
Lin Nan's attention was suddenly attracted. "What did you say?"
Help the spirit body absorb Reishi? Why does it sound so like an advertisement for fake health products?
He let go of the hand holding the knife and came directly in front of Hongyuan Haili. He couldn't help but pick up the plant with small and complicated leaves. "Only rely on this thing? Absorb Reishi?"
"No, no, strictly speaking, it just slightly stimulates the soul and increases its activity, so that it can have a certain absorption capacity for Reishi in the atmosphere.
Moreover, it is necessary to mix four different herbs in strict accordance with a certain proportion to achieve such a medicinal effect..."
Lin Nan After listening, a thought flashed through his mind: If what he said is true, can the old man be saved?
However, a new problem emerged immediately.
"Most of the residents of Rust Face have no spiritual power potential, so they have no need to eat or replenish their spiritual power on weekdays. What's the use of this medicine you made??"
Hongyuan Haili smiled kindly, "You are right, this medicine is mainly sold to Rukongai low-numbered areas, where there are more rich people. I am just a researcher."
After explaining, he moved his eyes to Lin Nan's waist and asked with some curiosity, "I see that you are wearing a knife, but it is not the same as Soul Reaper. So... are you Soul Reaper?"
"Me? No, this knife is only for self-defense - you know, wars are happening everywhere now - since it is sold in low-numbered areas, why do you need to do research at Rust Face District so far away?" Lin Nan shook his head casually without revealing his identity.
"Because my whole family lives here and I am used to it. And although Rust Face is a bit shabby, life is still very peaceful..."
Hongyuan Haili was like reuniting with a friend whom he had not seen for many years. He opened the conversation directly and shared his research experience and life details without hesitation.
Lin Nan had no interest in exploring other people's privacy, so he had to politely refuse. "When you meet other strangers, do you reveal your privacy in the same way?"
Hongyuan Haili was stunned for a moment, finally realized his gaffe, scratched his head and said with a smile:
"I'm sorry, I haven't communicated with others for a long time; you are the first person who doesn't think I am a madman and is willing to understand my research results. So I have a few words with you, please bear with me!"
Lin Nan's first impression of the other party was not bad, he just simply didn't want to hear too many strangers' stories:
"Just call me Lin Nan. Are there any ready-made products for your research results? I want to buy some."
Hongyuan Haili nodded, then shook his head. "Yes, but unfortunately I didn't bring it with me. I also have some newly made medicines at home."
Lin Nan asked the other party for his home address and found that Hongyuan Haili's home was closer to 8th Division's residence than back to Block 26.
He calculated the time, bent down, picked up the water jug, and said:
"It's a bit far, and it would be too late to make a round trip. How about this, I will go to your house to pick it up in person tomorrow morning, and you can just wait for me at home."
Hongyuan Haili was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "Okay! Then we've decided! I'll wait for you at home tomorrow!"
The other party's overly excited attitude made Lin Nan feel a little weird. He just bought a few pills and was not a big customer. Why was he so excited?
"Because this is my first time selling something myself! This is certainly something to be happy about!"
Hongyuan Haili couldn't control the expression on his face, grinning from the corner of his mouth to his ears, dancing on the spot, exuding an innocence that was not for his age.
Aren't you a fool? Lin Nan's eyes twitched slightly, and he began to worry about the quality of the other party's products.
From the following conversation, Lin Nan roughly learned that Hongyuan Haili was only responsible for production at home. At a fixed time every week, the wealthy businessman responsible for sales would send someone to pick up the goods, and then leave a reward for Hongyuan Haili.
Yes, remuneration, not sales dividends or profit sharing.
Not only did this guy not realize how much money his invention could make, he also packaged himself up for wealthy businessmen and became their money-making tool.
If it's not a brain problem, then this person is really too kind.
After agreeing on a time with the other party, Lin Nan returned to his home in Block 26.
I chatted seriously with the old grandfather for a while, and then fed him some water. It wasn't until the sky gradually became dark that he left and returned to the 8th Division station.
"Kyoraku is not here. It's really troublesome to use cash."
Lin Nan looked at the light in the team leader's room and murmured to himself, "I can only shamelessly borrow some from Katori."