Sitting atop a tree stump, Zheng Ming watched Fu Yuqing approaching from a distance, and couldn't help a ripple of emotion in his heart.
Although Fu Yuqing was dressed in the most common cloth of Luming Town, her waist was soft and pliant, her figure graceful and sinuous, exuding an indescribable nobility. Most men, upon setting eyes on her, would be captivated by this nobility, then unwittingly submit to its sway. Of course, Zheng Ming found the memory of moments before he fainted even harder to forget.
Zheng Ming felt a fragrance emanating from her that at first was imperceptible, but soon it penetrated to your every nerve, leaving your head spinning. And that warm, soft part of her—truly, it was so big!
"If you keep ogling me with those thieving eyes, beware I don't gouge them out!" A hint of menace tinged her words as they came from Fu Yuqing's delicate mouth.
These words, utterly unbecoming of Fu Yuqing's status, made Zheng Ming startle. And it was at that moment that Fu Yuqing cracked a smile.
With just a light smile, she instantly seemed to change the colors of the world around them.
Although Zheng Ming had seen much beauty in his previous life, he felt a bit dizzy at this moment. He steadied his Heart God, thinking of the changes in Fu Yuqing these past days, he couldn't help saying, "Big sister, you are meant to be in the world, not of it. In renunciation, the saying goes that you see the mountain as a mountain, and the water as water. When entering the world, it's about seeing the mountain as not a mountain, and water as not water. If you imitate blindly, you'll have missed the point!"
"Seeing the mountain as not a mountain, and water as not water..." As Zheng Ming spoke, Fu Yuqing seemed rather indifferent.
But when Zheng Ming finished his sentence, her bright eyes suddenly shone with a rare brilliance.
"The mountain is not a mountain, the water not water, seeing the mountain as a mountain, and water as water..." The glow in Fu Yuqing's eyes became even more dazzling!
Seeing a slightly maddened Fu Yuqing, Zheng Ming couldn't help but knock on his own head. He had merely intended to give this woman a casual hint, but he hadn't expected to nearly drive her mad with it.
As Zheng Ming was thinking of how to bring the conversation back around, he saw Fu Yuqing suddenly leap into the air, her hand mysteriously producing a Silver Small Sword half a foot in length.
A flash of Sword Light, and Zheng Ming felt as if the world around him had changed.
Immediately after, every tree within a twenty zhang radius was felled.
Although none of the Sword Qi targeted him, Zheng Ming still felt a great threat looming in his mind. At that moment, death felt so near to him.
Just a thought from Fu Yuqing, and he might well die under her sword!
Zheng Ming almost couldn't help activating his Li Ruohai card, but he felt Fu Yuqing wouldn't hurt him, so he did not activate the card.
Still, Zheng Ming's forehead was drenched in sweat.
"Seeing the mountain as a mountain, and water as water, seeing the mountain not as a mountain, and water not as water!" Fu Yuqing, standing in midair as if she were a Banished Immortal from the heavens, had a serene voice that held an enchanting power.
"This sword technique, shall be named Mountain Water!"
Having said this, Fu Yuqing sheathed the short sword and landed back on the ground, bowing lightly all around and saying, "Disciple Fu Yuqing of the Heart Sword Pavilion, I thank the senior for your guidance."
She was thanking someone behind him while he was seated right there—what did that mean?
What senior, it's rather embarrassing to be called such, I'm younger than you.
As Zheng Ming silently protested in his stomach, Fu Yuqing turned her head and said, "I had thought you just found an ordinary master, but it turns out your master is such a respected senior."
"You must diligently follow your master's teachings and not fail the good intentions your master has for you."
What master? The words were on the tip of Zheng Ming's tongue to deny it, but then they died in his throat.
Looking at the neatly sliced trees around him, he had a more sober understanding of Fu Yuqing's strength.
Fu Yuqing must be at least a Fourth Grade Martial Artist or above, for she had not used the sword in her hand to cut down these trees, but the Sword Qi emitted from it.
Sword Qi was a technique only a Rank 4 Martial Artist could execute.
Although the Zheng Family dominated Qingchuan County, according to what Zheng Gongxuan had said, the Zheng Family Head was merely a Ninth Grade Peak Martial Artist.
No wonder his father had such a strange reaction to Fu Yuqing, and Zheng Ming also understood her attitude towards his joining.
Fu Yuqing merely regarded him as an indifferent passerby; as for titles like Young Mistress, they were just names to her.
Because things of the secular world simply had no hold over her!
"I know that. Today not only did my master tell me to convey these words to you, but he also wants you to accompany me on a task." Zheng Ming, having thought up a whole explanation, decided not to go with what he had prepared.
Since Fu Yuqing had created a fictitious senior for herself, she decided to simply use this imaginary Master to make her case.
As for that last phrase about seeing mountains as mountains and water as water, Zheng Ming decided he would save it to tell Fu Yuqing later, lest she become obsessed all at once.
"If the senior has instructed it, naturally I shall follow," as Zheng Ming had expected, Fu Yuqing did not ask any questions, agreeing readily without hesitation.
From Luming Town to Qingchuan County Town, it's a distance of over fifty miles, Zheng Ming and Fu Yuqing took the Zheng Family's carriage and arrived at Qingchuan County within two hours.
This was Zheng Ming's third visit to Qingchuan County. On previous occasions, he had come with Zheng Gongxuan. Compared to Luming Town, Qingchuan County was not only much bigger, but also much more prosperous.
The streets were laid out in a grid, and in front of various kinds of shops, the crowd was bustling. By Zheng Ming's estimation, Qingchuan County Town had at least one hundred thousand residents.
One hundred thousand people—this number made Zheng Ming swallow hard. If all these people became his Prestige Points, that would be amazing.
Though Zheng Ming had never met the head of the Zheng Family, the Family Head must definitely be one of the individuals with the highest Prestige Points in Qingchuan County.
After all, he was in charge of the entire Zheng Family.
Should he aim to become a Family Head himself? The thought suddenly sprang up in Zheng Ming's heart.
"Are we going to the Zheng Family?" Fu Yuqing, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, had her exquisitely beautiful face mostly concealed under it.
"No, we are going to Medicine King Pavilion!" Zheng Ming glanced in the direction of the Zheng Family main house to the north of the city and shook his head.
The Medicine King Pavilion was easy to recognize. The Qingchuan County's Medicine King Pavilion had a similar appearance to Luming Town's Medicine King Pavilion, the only difference being one was larger than the other.
Occupying ten acres of land, Medicine King Pavilion had more than a hundred counters, behind which hundreds of clerks and cashiers were bustling about. The customers of the pavilion were continuously handing over large amounts of silver notes to the counters.
Describing it as a goldmine was an understatement for the prosperity of Medicine King Pavilion.
"May I ask what the two of you are looking for?" A chubby-faced clerk saw Zheng Ming and Fu Yuqing and approached them quickly.
Fu Yuqing, still unaware of what Zheng Ming had brought her here for, naturally did not speak. The one who talked to the clerk was Zheng Ming, "I have a big deal to discuss and wish to meet your Medicine King Pavilion's top manager!"
The clerk's brow furrowed; the kid wasn't old, but he certainly was bold. Though Qingchuan County was just a county city, due to its location near the Nine Thousand Miles Wilderness and its multitude of medicinal materials, the main branch of Medicine King Pavilion placed immense importance on it.
Stationed here was a steward elder of Medicine King Pavilion, who typically paid no mind to the pavilion's operations. Even if the head of the Zhao Family, the largest family in Qingchuan County, desired an audience with the elder, it could only happen by appointment and if the elder was in the mood to meet the Family Head.
"I'm sorry, young brother, but our Elder is in secluded cultivation refining pills, so..." The clerk spoke with polish, his refusal quite tactful.
He not only made it clear that their Elder was busy but also highlighted his identity as an alchemist, not just anyone could meet with him on demand.
To meet an alchemist, one must at least have a status to match, and as for you, a mere brat, better to go back to where you came from!
Zheng Ming saw the clerk's smile and understood his meaning very well, but he had already prepared for such a scenario. Otherwise, he could have come by himself; why would he need to bring Fu Yuqing with him?
"Just report one thing, say the words 'Heart Sword Pavilion.' If your Elder is still unavailable, we will leave immediately."
Fu Yuqing stood behind Zheng Ming, ready to watch how he would handle the situation, but she didn't expect him to wield the reputation of her sect like a banner.
This guy, using the name of his own sect without giving her any advance notice—does he not realize that some things are not to be casually exploited?
The clerk didn't recognize the name Heart Sword Pavilion, but as a Medicine King Pavilion employee, he had good training and promised to report the message before he went to do so.
It was only a matter of minutes before a middle-aged man, over forty years of age, came striding over, flanked by a group of people.
Despite his skinny frame, the man radiated an aura, a kind of oppressive presence that felt tangible.
"I am Guo Longfei, a steward Elder of Medicine King Pavilion. I have had the honor of meeting you both!" The middle-aged man, speaking as he cupped his fists in a salute, then made a welcoming gesture and said, "This isn't the place to talk, please come inside."
Many people at Medicine King Pavilion who were conducting their business recognized Guo Longfei. Seeing this Medicine King Pavilion steward Elder, usually so imposing, treating the two guests so courteously caught everyone by surprise.
The spacious guest hall of Medicine King Pavilion naturally had beautiful maids serving fragrant tea. After Guo Longfei inquired after their names, he couldn't have been more forthright, "Your visit to our Medicine King Pavilion is the highest honor. Whatever medicinal items you require, I can authorize them to be sold to you at a fifty percent discount."
A fifty percent discount—that was an incredible concession. In comparison, at Luming Town's Medicine King Pavilion, the best Zheng Ming's family could get was a mere 9.8 percent discount.
The influence of Heart Sword Pavilion was so great that it instantly granted them a substantial discount. "Elder Guo, we haven't come here to buy medicine this time." ps: New book streaking, calling for recommendation and collection votes, please support me, brothers!