After putting away the herbs, An Jing couldn't help but stretch lazily.
"Now that no one's here, it's a good time to go next door for some tea and listen to some storytelling."
An Jing packed the ledger and abacus, then picked up a small wooden stool and walked out of Jishi Hall.
Opposite Jishi Hall was the Yu State River, and upon stepping out, one could see the exquisite carved railings and the shimmering Yu State River.
The Yu State River was lined with shops on both sides, and there was a teahouse right next to Jishi Hall.
"Hey, isn't that Little Doctor An?"
"Little Doctor An, come in, come in!"
.......
The people in the teahouse greeted An Jing warmly as they saw him enter.
After greeting everyone, An Jing moved a small wooden stool to the back and sat down.
The teahouse attendant first stoked the furnace until it was red-hot, placing a copper kettle filled with well water on an iron plate with a hole in it on the stove. Then, he set up wooden tables and bamboo chairs, putting a few cents' worth of common flower tea into white porcelain cups.
A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted through the air, soothing and delightful.
"Little Doctor An, please enjoy the tea."
The attendant brought a bowl of flower tea and placed it on the table.
"Thank you." An Jing took out ten copper coins and handed them over.
The attendant took the coins, nodded, and left.
The staff at Datong Teahouse knew well that besides being proficient in medicine, Little Doctor An liked to come to the teahouse to drink tea and listen to storytelling whenever he had free time.
At this moment, the tea customers, whether they were scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants, and no matter their social standing, were drinking tea and discussing everyday trivialities, international affairs, and business information.
Coming uninvited, leaving without notice, feeling free and unrestrained; some smoked leisurely, some sipped their tea, speaking at length freely.
An Jing sat on his small wooden stool, straightened his clothes, and then took a small sip of the flower tea.
"This ordinary life is indeed a blessing."
On the high stage of the teahouse stood just a single table, a folding fan, a wooden block for emphasis, and a cup of tea.
On the high stage stood a middle-aged scholar, Mr. Zhou, the storyteller of Datong Teahouse.
Mr. Zhou took a large gulp of tea, rinsed his mouth, and then picked up the startling block.
"Pa!"
The sound of the startling block silenced the audience.
"Last time we talked about the top ten experts on the Tiger List of the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List. They are exceptional heroes, their strength comparable to the First Grade, rarely seen among ordinary people. Today, we'll talk about the five gangs and seven sects in the land of Great Yan."
Mr. Zhou spoke with forceful clarity, his expression full of yearning, capturing everyone's attention.
The audience, upon hearing this, all sat up straight, listening intently.
Mr. Zhou continued, "The five gangs and seven sects are the twelve most powerful forces in Great Yan. Today, let's start with the Sanhu Gang."
"The Sanhu Gang, as the name suggests, was established hundreds of years ago by a group of forest heroes with the support of White Lake, Tianxing Lake, and Jinshan Lake. After hundreds of years of development, the gang now has tens of thousands of members, and it's filled with hidden talents. It's renowned in the Jianghu community; just shouting 'Sanhu Gang' on the Sanhu River can usually solve any major or minor issue."
"The Sanhu Gang has many experts and a strict hierarchy with Incense Masters, Pavilion Masters, and Sect Leaders."
Someone asked loudly, "Mr. Zhou, didn't you say last time that First Grade experts are extremely rare? Does the Sanhu Gang have any First Grade experts?"
Mr. Zhou replied solemnly, "First Grade experts are exceptionally rare and are top-notch in the Jianghu. The Gang Leader of the Sanhu Gang is likely at the peak of the Second Grade, not yet reaching the First Grade."
The audience began to discuss among themselves.
"The Sanhu Gang doesn't even have a First Grade expert, how can it be considered one of the five gangs and seven sects? The Cao Gang's Guest Elder Tian Liu is a First Grade expert, and everyone in Jiangnan Dao gives the Cao Gang some respect."
"I thought the Sanhu Gang was something extraordinary, but in the five gangs, it must be the weakest."
........
Mr. Zhou's folding fan opened and closed with a "huff huff" sound as he chuckled, "Those who travel the Jianghu and underestimate the Sanhu Gang don't often meet a good end. You only see how many people they have, thinking their power is low, but do you know who stands behind the Sanhu Gang?"
"Someone stands behind the Sanhu Gang?"
The audience collectively gasped.
It was already well-known that the Sanhu Gang was one of the five gangs and seven sects. If someone powerful were backing them, it would be a terrifying presence.
An Jing took a gentle puff from his pipe, a look of curiosity appearing in his eyes as well.
"Outer Heaven."
Mr. Zhou said this as he snapped the startling block onto the table.
The sound thundered through the teahouse, instantly silencing everyone.
"What kind of force is Outer Heaven?" someone asked, puzzled.
"You might not know Outer Heaven, but if I use another name, you might recognize it," Mr. Zhou said with a smile, slowly uttering two words, "Demon Sect."
There was a collective gasp.
The teahouse became completely silent, everyone looking utterly shocked and stunned.
Just hearing those two words was enough to send shivers down one's spine, a terrifying existence that made the entire Great Yan Jianghu tremble.
"Demon Sect?"
That was an ominous name. People of the Demon Sect were hunted by the entire Jianghu, and even the families of Demon Sect disciples were implicated.
An Jing sipped his tea, reflecting: It's hard to imagine the lives of Demon Sect disciples' families; they must live in great misery, unable to live like ordinary people.
"Doctor An, Wang Zhiping of the Red House is here to see you."
At that moment, a rough voice sounded from outside the door.
"Wang Zhiping?"
An Jing narrowed his eyes. Red House was a flower house in Yu State City operated by the Cao Gang, and the one in charge was none other than the recently prominent Pavilion Master Wang He.
The Cao Gang was also one of the five gangs and seven sects, becoming one of the largest gangs in the country within thirty years. After swallowing the Nu Jing Gang last year, their power skyrocketed, developing so rapidly that it left everyone in awe.
Thunder Blade Wang He was a prominent member of the Cao Gang, recently rising quickly due to his outstanding abilities and ruthless methods, soon being promoted to Pavilion Master in charge of the Red House flower house.
Before Wang He became Pavilion Master, his primary responsibility was the Cao Gang Pharmacy Garden. Jishi Hall primarily sourced its herbs from the Cao Gang Pharmacy Garden, making them quite familiar with each other.
However, since Wang He became Pavilion Master, their contact had dwindled.
Everyone turned to look at Wang Zhiping, knowing him to be the nephew of Thunder Blade Wang He.
"What can I do for you?"
An Jing stood up slowly and asked.
Wang Zhiping took out a white piece of paper and smiled, "Doctor An, this is last month's prescription list. Please take a look, and if there are no issues, I'll have someone deliver the herbs later."
"Alright."
An Jing took the prescription list but did not hurry to check it, instead looking at the motionless Wang Zhiping, "Do you have anything else?"
Wang Zhiping smiled and said, "There is one more thing my uncle wanted me to ask: Doctor An, would you consider selling your land deed? My uncle said that if you're willing to sell it, he would help you find a larger piece of land to build a bigger clinic."
"Oh?"
An Jing remained calm, "Tell your uncle that I don't have any plans for now. When I do, I'll talk to him."
Wang He liked to play tricks and often took small advantages in the herb business with fraudulent practices. His promise to help build a larger clinic was likely just a ruse to get something for nothing...
Wang Zhiping lowered his voice, "Doctor An, my uncle said he would add three hundred taels of silver."
Hearing this, An Jing was certain of his suspicions.
An Jing's land deed was not large, but its location by the Yu State River was excellent. Wang He likely wanted to build another flower house there, which would surely be lucrative.
"I'm not willing to sell at any price."
An Jing shook his head and refused.
"Well, then I'll not disturb Doctor An anymore."
Wang Zhiping took a deep breath, forced a smile, cupped his fists to An Jing, and left.
Although no harsh words were spoken, everyone could see that Wang Zhiping would not let this go easily.
"Doctor An, the Cao Gang is not to be trifled with..."
Someone whispered a reminder.
More people sighed and shook their heads without saying anything.
"This is really a killjoy."
After Wang Zhiping's disturbance, An Jing no longer felt like listening to the storytelling. He picked up his small stool and went back.
A moment later, several members of the Cao Gang delivered the herbs to Jishi Hall.
"Doctor An," the Pharmacy Garden steward weighed the silver coins in his hand with a wry smile, "They said the price of herbs went up by thirty-three percent this time. The silver you gave won't be enough."