The man who entered Physician Chen's study was around fifty, but he was extremely small and thin, looking like a sickly old wretch. His little eyes, however, were exceptionally piercing. He was clearly an expert.
"Xuan Ju, don't keep bringing that up. Since the manor lord personally gave the order, I naturally wouldn't dare take it lightly. I haven't slackened in the slightest this past year. The information on exotic beasts was ready long ago." Physician Chen pointed to the wooden box on his desk. "There are fifteen reports on exotic beasts here. Ten are fully confirmed, while the other five still need investigation."
"Ten?" Xuan Ju's eyes lit up. "That already exceeds your quota. Originally, eight would have been enough. With another five unconfirmed reports on top of that, you've rendered a great service this time. I imagine at least three of those five will prove genuine."
"Though I haven't investigated thoroughly, would I put them among the reports awaiting investigation if I weren't at least eighty percent certain?" Physician Chen said mildly.
"That much I do believe. We've worked together for over twenty years, and you've never disappointed me. Even my predecessors couldn't praise you enough." Xuan Ju beamed. "I trust you won't disappoint me with the Beast Immortal Grass either?"
"Hmm? Don't you know?" Physician Chen asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Know what?" Xuan Ju asked.
Seeing that Xuan Ju genuinely seemed unaware, Physician Chen shook his head. "There was something of an unexpected development with the Beast Immortal Grass. I'm afraid we only have eighty percent of the usual quota!"
"What happened?" Xuan Ju's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked.
As far as he was concerned, the Beast Immortal Grass should have been the most reliable part. How had that, of all things, gone wrong?
If Physician Chen