Herb Garden

The Herb Garden backed onto a branch of the Vast Mountains. Built against the slopes, it lay within a valley.

Lin Chen set out from Kaiyang City and reached the outskirts of the Herb Garden around four in the afternoon.

He looked up. A wall of stacked bluestone wound along the mountainside, enclosing a broad stretch of valley floor. Above the heavy, weathered wooden gate were the words "Lin Medicine Garden."

Lin Chen approached. The two guards on duty spotted him from afar and hurried to open the gate.

"Greetings, Young Master. Elder Lin Song is in the small building inside the valley. You can go straight to him. As for Steward Lin Tie... would you like us to send someone to notify him?"

"Oh? Did you know I was coming today?"

Lin Chen asked.

The guard quickly shook his head. "No. Steward Lin Tie mentioned it some time ago and told us to keep watch for you."

Lin Chen nodded slowly, deep in thought.

Elder Lin Song was the Herb Garden's strongest defender and had been stationed here for years. That needed no explanation.

Lin Chen also knew something about Lin Tie.

He had originally been a Lin Family disciple who worked in the Herb Garden for years. Later, he had been fortunate enough to break through to the Spirit Martial Realm. Because he was quick-witted and knew when to advance or retreat, he had been promoted to steward.

The Herb Garden had had no chief manager for some time, so Lin Tie had taken on those duties as steward. From the look of things, he was indeed thorough in his work.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Lin Chen gave a brief reply and headed toward Elder Lin Song's building.

Along the way, Lin Chen swept his gaze across the garden. The spirit herbs were flourishing, every leaf plump and wreathed in spiritual energy.

These are all my Lin Family's wealth!

Lin Chen nodded to himself.

Before long, he reached the depths of the valley.

A two-story building of solid timber stood there. On the stone terrace before it, an elder in a blue robe stood with his back to Lin Chen, head lowered as he examined the herbs on a table. He appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with a lean face and clear eyes.

"Junior Lin Chen greets Elder Lin Song."

Lin Chen stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Lin Song turned slowly and studied Lin Chen for a moment. "Your father sent word that you asked to come to the Herb Garden yourself."

"Why choose this place? Most young people in the clan prefer to gain experience with the merchant caravans or hunt in the mountains."

Lin Chen replied, "Elder, I prefer quiet. The Herb Garden is peaceful, just the place for me to devote myself to cultivation."

"Peaceful..."

A faint, almost imperceptible flicker crossed Lin Song's eyes. "If it's peace you want, my Herb Garden certainly has it. Few people have come and gone here over the years."

"Very well. Since you've come to the Herb Garden, there are a few things I must make clear."

Lin Song spoke evenly, but his voice carried authority. "First, the servants record every spirit herb in the garden. A detailed account must be submitted each year, and there can be no mistakes. Lin Tie generally handles this. If you have questions, ask him."

Lin Chen nodded. "Understood, Elder."

Lin Song gave a slight nod. "Second, the Herb Garden may be secluded, but it is not without danger. Demonic beasts occasionally stray out of the mountains. If the guards cannot deal with them, you must step in and keep the garden safe."

As he spoke, Lin Song's gaze settled on Lin Chen again.

"Third, for us disciples of the Lin Residence, our own cultivation is what matters most. The Spirit Martial Realm is unlike the Body Tempering Realm. Progress cannot be made in a single leap. You must refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth day after day, gradually strengthening the spiritual power within you. Taking several years to advance a single level is nothing unusual."

"So although you've come to the Herb Garden, you must never neglect your daily cultivation. Remember: cultivation is like rowing against the current. If you don't move forward, you'll be swept back."

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I'll remember it."

Lin Chen answered sincerely.

Lin Song nodded. "Your quarters have been arranged. I usually cultivate in seclusion, so don't disturb me unless it's important. Ask Lin Tie about the Herb Garden's daily affairs."

His words had barely fallen when hurried footsteps sounded in the distance.

A stocky, dark-skinned man jogged over. He looked to be around forty, wore a short gray tunic, and had a ring of keys at his waist. It was Lin Tie.

"Elder! Young Master!"

Lin Tie stopped before the stone terrace. "They were harvesting the dew-condensing grass on the east side. I was afraid their inexperienced hands would ruin the herbs, so I stayed until they finished before coming over. Elder Lin, Young Master, please forgive me!"

Lin Song glanced at him. Without addressing the apology, he ordered, "Lin Tie, from now on, Lin Chen will be in charge of the Herb Garden. You will assist him. See that you do your utmost."

With that, Lin Song rose. "Familiarize yourselves with the work. I leave the Herb Garden to you. Unless it's important, don't disturb me." He turned and entered the small building.

"Yes, Elder Lin." Lin Tie nodded repeatedly. When he turned to Lin Chen, his face was full of warm smiles.

"Young Master, you're finally here. I've been managing the Herb Garden in your absence, and I've been on tenterhooks the whole time, afraid of making the slightest mistake. Now that you're here, I can finally rest easy."

As he spoke, he took a thick ledger from his robe and presented it with both hands. "This is the Herb Garden's register. It records all sorts of matters. Please take a look, Young Master."

"Thanks for the effort."

Lin Chen accepted the ledger.

"It's only my duty."

Lin Tie waved his hands, then stepped closer and gently opened a wooden box, revealing several spirit herbs wreathed in spiritual energy.

"Young Master, this is this year's allotment: two Azure Spirit Ginseng roots over thirty years old. They're greatly beneficial to warriors in the early Spirit Martial Realm."

Lin Chen recalled his father's instructions that day and understood. He accepted them at once. "Just follow the rules."

"Of course. Rest assured, Young Master."

Lin Tie's smile broadened. "I've worked in the Herb Garden for more than ten years. No one follows the rules more closely than I do."

Afterward, Lin Tie enthusiastically led Lin Chen around the Herb Garden. He was respectful in his speech, and his familiarity with its affairs showed through.

At last, he opened the door to a small house.

"Young Master, this is your room. Everything has been prepared. Have a look and tell me if anything's missing. I'll see to it at once."

Lin Chen entered. The room was spacious and tidy, furnished with a table, chairs, and bookshelves. The decor was not lavish, but someone had clearly taken great care with it.

"This place is excellent. You've put a lot of thought into it, Steward Lin."

Lin Chen walked to the window. From there, he could see most of the Herb Garden.

He looked at Lin Tie and finally smiled. "I've only just arrived. I'll be relying on you to handle the Herb Garden's daily affairs, Steward Lin."

"Not a problem. Not a problem."

Lin Tie caught his meaning and answered at once, relief washing over him.

His deeper worry concerned the authority and standing he had worked so hard to gain in the Herb Garden over the past decade or more.

The Young Master had arrived out of nowhere to take charge. That left Lin Tie, the steward who had only been "acting" as manager, in an awkward position. He feared he would be sent straight back to where he had started and lose everything.

But when Lin Chen said he would still rely on him for the Herb Garden's affairs, Lin Tie finally set his mind at ease. At the very least, it meant he was still needed for now.

"Young Master, you've come a long way. You must be tired. I'll take my leave. If you need anything, just say the word."

Having received the reassurance he wanted, Lin Tie tactfully withdrew.

"Lin Tie certainly knows what he's doing."

Lin Chen murmured as he watched Lin Tie leave.

He had come here to manage the Herb Garden, but his chief aim was still to grow stronger.

Lin Chen had no intention of involving himself in the garden's daily trifles. He would leave them to his subordinates and personally step in only when something important arose.

As long as Lin Tie handled those matters well, Lin Chen had no objection to passing the busywork to him and enjoying some peace.

And so, time slowly passed.

Lin Chen's arrival sent a ripple through the Herb Garden.

But in the end, everything settled back into calm. Apart from having a new chief manager, little seemed to have changed.