The next day.
Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes after a night of adjusting his breath and practicing qi. Seeing that it was already bright outside, he immediately stood up.
When Li Xuan walked onto the street, the first thing he saw was that the woman and A’li were already standing in their usual spot where he had set up his stall. The woman was frequently looking around. Upon seeing Li Xuan, a hint of surprise clearly flickered in her eyes.
“Um, Mr. Li, you’re here.” As Li Xuan approached, the woman quickly pulled A’li over to meet him.
Li Xuan nodded, then patted A’li’s head and said, “Big sister, why did you come so early?”
The woman seemed a bit reserved. “A’li kept urging me to bring him, saying he couldn’t let you wait too long.”
Li Xuan was slightly surprised and then smiled. “I didn’t expect A’li to be so sensible. However, I have some things to do today. How about this: Big sister, I’ll take you to the pharmacy.”
“Big sister, don’t worry. After I’m done with Doctor Luo Ren, I’ll come back. Also, at the pharmacy, you can let A’li have a look at the medicinal herbs to gain some understanding.”
“Mr. Li, that… since Mr. Li has something to do today, why don’t I take A’li back and come back tomorrow?” The woman hesitated, as she had a slight conflict with the pharmacy people yesterday and now had to wait there today, making her naturally resistant.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded in understanding. “Alright. Big sister, why don’t you give me your address? If I finish early, I’ll come to pick up A’li. If it’s late, then you and A’li can come early tomorrow morning, how about that?”
“Yes, yes, yes. Mr. Li, you’re too kind.” The woman immediately nodded and told Li Xuan her address.
“Okay, I’ve noted it down. Big sister, since that’s the case, you should take A’li back first.” Li Xuan noted down the address the woman had given, then patted A’li’s head and said with a smile, “A’li, big brother will come find you after I finish my business, okay?”
“Okay, big brother. Mother said I shouldn’t cause trouble for others. A’li understands.” A’li nodded vigorously.
Li Xuan smiled. Seeing how sensible A’li was, it reminded him a little of himself in the past.
Creak.
At this moment, in the pharmacy diagonally opposite Li Xuan, the woman, and the child, with a creaking sound, Luo Ren and six disciples walked out of the pharmacy’s main entrance.
Upon seeing Li Xuan, the woman, and the child on the street, Luo Ren’s eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
Seeing Luo Ren and the six disciples approaching, the woman visibly showed fear and quickly pulled A’li behind her.
“Senior Li, good morning.”
Luo Ren cupped his hands in greeting to Li Xuan, then looked at the woman beside Li Xuan. He stood for a moment and then bowed to the woman, saying, “My apologies for the actions of my pharmacy’s attendant yesterday. I, Luo Ren, offer my sincerest apologies to you.”
The woman was visibly surprised, looking quite flustered. She then instinctively moved closer to Li Xuan.
“Big sister, don’t worry. Doctor Luo has learned from his mistakes and will be a good doctor from now on. Alright, big sister, you should take A’li back now. Tomorrow, I’ll start teaching A’li.” Li Xuan said to the woman.
The woman seemed relieved, pulled A’li, bowed to Li Xuan, and hurried towards their home.
At this moment, Luo Ren and the six disciples behind him had subtle changes in their expressions after hearing Li Xuan’s words. However, Luo Ren and the others remained silent, their expressions only growing slightly more complex.
“Doctor Luo, let’s go,” Li Xuan said to Luo Ren after watching the woman and A’li gradually disappear around the corner.
Luo Ren quickly came back to his senses and nodded, “Alright.”
The center of Posuo City.
Looking at the only decently built house in Posuo City, Li Xuan turned to look at Luo Ren. At this moment, six figures were standing on and below the steps. Each of them held a long spear, seemingly guards of the City Lord’s mansion.
Luo Ren understood Li Xuan’s intention. He quickened his pace and approached a guard below, whispering a few words.
“Um, Senior Li, it’s settled.” After speaking with the guard, Luo Ren turned and called out to Li Xuan. Li Xuan nodded and followed behind Luo Ren towards the house above the steps.
“Senior Li, that Qi-boosting Pill…” Luo Ren looked around as they reached the door and then spoke in a low voice.
Li Xuan smiled and took out a medicinal bottle from his sleeve, offering it to Luo Ren.
Luo Ren was overjoyed. He took it with both hands and bowed to Li Xuan.
“Is that Doctor Luo Ren?”
At this moment, a slightly aged voice suddenly came from inside the house. Luo Ren quickly responded, “City Lord, it is I.”
“Come in.” As the words fell, the door in front of Li Xuan automatically opened. Luo Ren tugged at Li Xuan and then hurriedly entered.
As soon as he entered, Li Xuan surveyed the surroundings. Although the house wasn’t very large, it was considered top-notch in Posuo City. Then, Li Xuan’s gaze shifted to the center.
There, five figures had already stood up. And one figure above cast a look of surprise at Li Xuan. xxs1
“Greetings, City Lord. This is what was prepared for you this year,” Luo Ren said, bowing to an old woman sitting above.
“Luo Ren, who is this? Didn’t I tell you? No outsiders are allowed here except you.” The old woman above, seemingly uninterested in what Luo Ren held, frowned and directly inquired.
“Replying to the City Lord, this person’s name is Li Xuan. He is the son of an old friend of mine. He came to seek refuge with me a few days ago. Today, as I was bringing medicine to the City Lord, I brought him along to see the world,” Luo Ren replied, bowing.
“I see. Luo Ren, how are the herbs harvested this year? You said the item prepared for the City Lord this year is in this small bottle?” The old woman slowly retracted her gaze and looked at the jade bottle in Luo Ren’s hand.
Luo Ren nodded and said, “Replying to the City Lord, my nephew brought this Qi-boosting Pill when he came to seek refuge with me. After my examination, I found that these six Qi-boosting Pills have excellent healing effects.”
“Their efficacy is several times better than the herbs harvested in previous years. That’s why I shamelessly asked my nephew for them. This is also why I brought him here to get acquainted.”
“Oh? Are the effects truly excellent?” The old woman questioned. Just as Luo Ren was about to reply, he felt a suction force. The jade bottle left his hands and flew rapidly towards the old woman sitting above.
“Hmm, there seems to be a trace of spiritual energy in this Qi-boosting Pill. It is indeed several times better than the herbs you harvested in previous years. Alright, Luo Ren, I’ve accepted the item. Take your nephew and leave.”
The old woman sniffed, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, and then said to Luo Ren.
“Yes, City Lord.” Luo Ren felt as if he had received amnesty. He bowed to the old woman, then turned and winked at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan also bowed slightly to the old woman, then slowly walked out of the room with Luo Ren.
“Third brother, follow him. The nephew Luo Ren mentioned should have more than just this bottle of Qi-boosting Pills. If we can obtain all of them, our success rate in entering that cave mansion later will increase significantly.”
Less than three minutes after Li Xuan and Luo Ren left the house, the old woman sitting above suddenly spoke and gave an order.
“Yes, Mother.” A middle-aged man among the five figures below stepped out. As he spoke, he vanished from the hall.