Chapter 31: Reward

Before long, Bai Yichen had followed Zhang Feiyan and Sun Bo back to the Zhang family estate in Dongjiang County.

There, he met the head of the Zhang family, who was also Zhang Feiyan's father. His attire resembled that of a cultured, homebound scholar, and he wore a friendly expression.

Next to the head of the Zhang family was a noblewoman dressed in the garb of a family matriarch, who seemed quite surprised that Zhang Feiyan had returned with Sun Bo.

However, upon hearing Sun Bo explain the situation—omitting Zhang Feiyan's suspicions about the second wife—the family head was quite concerned.

Knowing Bai Yichen possessed extraordinary martial skills, and especially because he was a Taoist from the Xuan Zhen Guan, he treated him even more hospitably.

The noblewoman, upon learning this, took a keen interest and examined Bai Yichen more closely.

Indeed, among the martial arts circles, renowned masters are treated with respect wherever they go.

Soon, a simple vegetarian banquet was arranged, the scale of which was only slightly less than that of previous meals at the Xuan Zhen Guan.

For those beggars, it seemed they would have to beg for a lifetime just to enjoy this meal.

However, Bai Yichen had already had enough of the intrigues of the court from his previous life and was genuinely disinterested in such family gatherings.

Thus, he proposed that he had yet to complete his morning practices and needed to find a guest room, proceeding directly to the guest room to practice.

It wasn't that he didn't need it; he had indeed been too busy on the road that morning to practice.

Seeing this, everyone exchanged glances but dared not stop him. Instead, the family head chuckled, saying he felt the same way—if he didn't recite the Taoist scriptures every day, he couldn't sleep.

He immediately instructed the servants to arrange a nice guest room for Bai Yichen.

Soon after, they delivered a few local chronicles and a map of the land, as he had requested.

There was also a box of excellent vegetarian food, though it lacked the shining silver.

...

After finishing today's practice, Bai Yichen began to browse through the local chronicles and the map, nodding in satisfaction.

Hmm, it seems following the route I previously envisioned will suffice.

In the afternoon, Bai Yichen suddenly felt someone approaching.

Then, he heard a gentle knock at the door.

"Daoist Shaochong, have you completed your practice?"

Oh, why is she here?

"What's the matter?"

After pondering for a moment, Bai Yichen got up to open the door.

He saw that Zhang Feiyan had changed into a new silk long gown, and her appearance was noticeably tidied up.

Then his gaze shifted back, and he noticed that Mr. Zhang was standing behind her.

Mr. Zhang seemed to be eagerly anticipating Bai Yichen's change in expression.

However, Bai Yichen greeted the two with an unchanging face.

After all, with his perception, he naturally sensed that more than one person had arrived, so he wouldn't display such a lack of composure.

"Mr. Zhang, you've arrived at just the right time. I've just finished my studies and am about to leave. Thank you for providing the vegetarian meal and guest room, so I must bid farewell."

Bai Yichen casually poured a cup of tea, toasting Mr. Zhang with it as a gesture of respect.

Seeing this, both Mr. Zhang and Miss Zhang looked greatly taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.

He chuckled inwardly, thinking they still want to trick me; how utterly foolish.

Ultimately, Mr. Zhang, being experienced, quickly adjusted his demeanor and hurriedly made a gesture to keep him from leaving, saying, "We have yet to express our gratitude for the life-saving grace the Daoist has shown my daughter. If we let the Daoist leave now, wouldn't it make the Zhang family appear ungrateful and heartless?"

"Oh, how does Mr. Zhang plan to repay me?"

"By the way, I also have orders from the temple, so I'm afraid I cannot stay too long. I wonder what brings you and Miss Zhang here?"

Bai Yichen was too lazy to engage in much small talk with Mr. Zhang and directly hit the nail on the head with two questions.

However, Miss Zhang, seeing this, became quite anxious and quickly said, "Actually, my father and I came hoping the Daoist could escort me and a younger brother from our clan to Yukun Mountain in a month."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yichen's expression remained unchanged, and he took another sip of tea.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.

"Forget it. In truth, my household has been restless lately, and since Yan'er has some fondness for her aunt, sending her into the mountains to practice might be a good path. I hope the Daoist can assist us in this matter, and I will also discuss it with her aunt."

Mr. Zhang earnestly expressed himself.

Zhang Feiyan looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Yet Bai Yichen remained unmoved, completely ignoring them.

Although he was a former assassin, he still valued a fair trade and refused to make a losing bargain.

If they didn't present something of real value, how could they expect to pull a fast one on him? It was a daydream!

Seeing his attitude, Mr. Zhang had no choice but to say, "This time, in celebration of Master Qingsong's eightieth birthday, my aunt specifically asked us to collect fifty-year-old Astragalus and Rehmannia, two precious medicinal herbs."

"Then she had us ask Jiangzhou's top apothecaries to create Rehmannia Astragalus Pills according to the formula. This pill is best for tonifying Qi and invigorating blood, greatly beneficial to martial artists. In addition to the eighty pills as a gift, I'm willing to offer ten pills as a reward for this trip, and I hope the Daoist will be kind."

He then retrieved a heavy wooden box from his body and opened it, revealing ten pills the size of longan, neatly arranged in two rows inside, coated in wax.

Bai Yichen finally raised his eyes to take a look; it wasn't too foolish of him to know they were bringing out some good items. After all, he had moved past the point where silver alone could impress him.

However, he did not immediately agree but instead asked with a half-smile, "Then how many pills will be sent to Daoist Mo Mei?"

"Uh…" Mr. Zhang was momentarily stunned, hesitating again. This was perhaps the umpteenth time he had been caught off guard by Bai Yichen's words today.

Naturally, Miss Zhang wouldn't know either.

Seeing this, Bai Yichen bluntly stated, "These ten Rehmannia Astragalus Pills will serve as a deposit. After delivering them, give me another ten. Is that acceptable?"

Mr. Zhang seemed somewhat hesitant, while Miss Zhang looked at Mr. Zhang with a pitiful gaze.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Zhang's expression shifted, and he finally gritted his teeth and firmly said, "Alright, then it shall be as the Daoist says!"

He then grandly pushed the heavy wooden box toward Bai Yichen, who received it with a pair of pristine hands, devoid of any trace of smoke and fire.

Bai Yichen chuckled, directly putting it away.

He then said, "What I said earlier about bidding farewell was not mere words. I do indeed have matters to attend to in the temple, and I will come to you seven days before the departure date."

Mr. Zhang's face showed obvious surprise, and he appeared somewhat unable to hold back.

"Daoist, are you not jesting with us? My Zhang family does have some minor reputation in Dongjiang County."

Bai Yichen's eyes were cold as he reprimanded, "Oh, since you're so capable, why did you need me to save your life last night, and now you want me to escort you today?"

"If I truly coveted your pills, you probably would have lost your lives by now. Besides, as the disciple of Xuanzhen Temple, how could I deceive you? Are you questioning my sect?"

With the last sentence, he used a thunderous voice.

In an instant, Mr. Zhang and Miss Zhang felt as though they had fallen into an abyss, overwhelmed with fear.

When Mr. Zhang regained his composure, he quickly apologized.

"I would never dare to question Xuanzhen Temple; I will comply with the Daoist's words."

Bai Yichen coldly nodded, considering the matter settled.