The Apothecary Fairy

Lin Yu smiled radiantly, her lips gently pursed. "Ignorant child, has the 'Crimson Poison Pill' inside you begun to take effect? How do you feel?"

Yang Fan felt a warm sensation coursing through his body, as wisps of life essence permeated his being, adding an extra layer of comfort to the warmth. 

"Is this truly the 'Crimson Poison Pill'?" 

Yang Fan could no longer contain his astonishment and gazed at Lin Yu with skepticism.

Upon hearing his words, Lin Yu was momentarily taken aback by the disbelief reflected in his eyes. "Of course, it is an authentic 'Crimson Poison Pill'," she affirmed confidently.

Yet, Yang Fan noticed something was amiss. There was none of the torment or desperation that typically accompanied the effects of the pill; instead, he felt a sense of warmth and well-being.

"Are you sure you didn't mistake the pill?" 

Yang Fan's skeptical gaze turned to one of suspicion, fixed intently on Lin Yu.

"Impossible!"

It dawned on Lin Yu that after consuming the 'Crimson Poison Pill,' Yang Fan appeared entirely unharmed. How could a mere mortal, if truly affected by the pill, remain unaffected? 

Unless… that particular pill was flawed.

"Miss, if you doubt my words, why not take one yourself? I swear by heaven, I am not deceiving you." 

Yang Fan raised his hand, swearing in earnest, urging her on.

Just as Lin Yu prepared to respond, she suddenly noticed Yang Fan's unexpected movements, her expression shifting alarmingly. "How can you move?" 

"Eh? I thought I was under your advanced acupuncture technique; how can I possibly be moving?" Yang Fan exclaimed in surprise. He stretched his limbs, puzzled at how his acupoints had seemingly unblocked themselves without any external intervention.

"Who exactly are you?" 

Lin Yu's expression turned wary, her hands shimmering with energy as she prepared to cast a spell. 

At that moment, even she understood that this individual was not an ordinary person; he had likely been feigning weakness all along.

*Whoosh!* 

The guards around them, wielding gleaming weapons, began to close in on Yang Fan, the atmosphere thick with tension, a battle on the verge of erupting.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged nobleman anxiously observed from a distance, worry etched across his face for his daughter.

"Rest assured, my lord, your daughter will be safe," the cold-faced youth beside him reassured.

Yang Fan's expression remained serious. While Lin Yu was a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator—more powerful than himself—she was surrounded by a multitude of guards, numbering in the hundreds.

Yet, he harbored confidence in his ability to carve a path for himself if it came to it. 

Still, his gaze flitted back to the scattered medicinal herbs. There was a pang of regret within him, a yearning to seize that opportunity.

In that tense moment, a soft sigh emerged from behind Lin Yu's carriage:

"Lin Shijie, let him go…"

The voice was like a celestial melody, soothing and harmonious, reminiscent of babbling brooks and gentle morning breezes, as if evoking images of tender shoots breaking through the soil.

A serene and tranquil aura enveloped the surroundings, transforming the chaos into a picturesque scene akin to idyllic pastoral life.

There was something almost magical in the voice, a gentle whisper that seemed to cleanse the soul.

Yang Fan stood there, feeling a profound peace wash over him, while his heart surged with tumultuous waves of emotion. 

At that moment, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if drawn to the source of that voice. 

He raised his deep-set gaze toward the carriage, imagining a breathtaking face hidden within—a visage so enchanting that it seemed to transcend the mortal realm, complemented by a fragrance that blended floral notes with the delicate sweetness of a woman's essence.

"Shijie, this person's origins are unclear; why do you wish to let him go?" 

Lin Yu turned to the carriage, her brow slightly furrowed in inquiry.

The gentle breeze rustled the curtain of the carriage, unveiling a fleeting glimpse of ethereal beauty.

Yang Fan caught sight of eyes as deep and tranquil as an orchid in a secluded valley, radiating vitality as if filled with life and nature's essence. 

In that moment, silence fell over the crowd; the guards stood transfixed, gazes fixed upon the carriage.

*Clatter!* 

Several weapons fell to the ground, breaking the enchanting spell cast by that brief vision.

The curtain flapped back into place, shielding the ethereal figure from their enraptured stares.

Among the onlookers, only Yang Fan retained clarity in his thoughts. 

His sharp gaze captured every detail of that fleeting moment, noting not only those mesmerizing eyes but the outline of a face obscured by a veil. 

Yet, that delicate profile stirred something deep within him, igniting his heart in a way he hadn't anticipated.

Under Lin Yu's scrutiny, the mysterious figure finally spoke, her voice soft as wind chimes, gentle as flowing water, making hearts race: 

"Shijie, this person is of the same path as I. The earlier chaos may have been an unintentional act on his part. Therefore, there is no need to put him in a difficult position."

"Shijie, our carriage has been disrupted, and countless injuries have occurred. Even if this was unintentional, we cannot simply let him go," Lin Yu retorted, her voice tinged with reluctance.

"Yes, we cannot let him escape! He must pay for the damages!"

"Compensation! Compensation for the losses!"

The crowd surrounding the caravan joined in the clamor, their voices rising with fervor.

Not only were the caravan members unwilling to overlook Yang Fan's actions, but even the nearby victims clamored for justice.

It was clear that Yang Fan's inadvertent actions had stirred public outrage.

"Even if we are willing to forgive this young man, the others might not agree," Lin Yu said with a wry smile, moving closer to the curtain, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Shijie, why do you plead for this stranger?"

Having spent years alongside her sister, she knew Lin Yu's character well. It was truly perplexing for her to advocate for an unknown youth.

"He is also an apothecary," her sister replied softly.

From a distance, Yang Fan could hear that melodious, soothing voice.

"Even the sound is so captivating…" 

Yang Fan couldn't help but yearn to catch a glimpse of the figure inside the carriage.

But what startled him even more was the implication of her words: he was also an apothecary.

"Could it be that this mysterious sister within the carriage is a rare apothecary of the immortal realm…" 

From the moment that voice resonated, Yang Fan felt a wave of warmth wash over him, accompanied by an indescribable allure that beckoned him to step into the carriage and meet that sister.

"Young man, you are also an apothecary?" 

Lin Yu's expression shifted to surprise as she scrutinized him closely.

Hmm, he doesn't look bad… 

Yet, she thought, how could a mere apothecary in the realm of immortals be so frail and weak?

With a mixture of skepticism and curiosity, she fixed her gaze on Yang Fan.

"I am indeed an apothecary, though I am just a novice. By the way, my surname is Yang; please don't refer to me as 'young man,'" Yang Fan replied nonchalantly, dismissing her doubtful gaze.

"Such an insolent brat…" Lin Yu thought, inwardly cursing as she smirked. "Very well, since you claim to be an apothecary, you shall be responsible for treating these injured people."

With a commanding tone, she called out, "All injured individuals, gather here and let this 'divine healer' tend to your wounds!"

"Yes, Miss!" 

"Yes, Fairy Lin!"

In an instant, a throng of over a hundred people surged toward Yang Fan, blocking nearly half the road.

However, as they approached him, their expressions turned to doubt. "This young man looks too youthful; is he really a divine healer?"

Faced with the onslaught of injured souls, Yang Fan found himself momentarily dumbfounded, cursing Lin Yu inwardly for placing such a title upon him.

Yet, amidst the throng, he felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of treating these patients. 

Adopting a solemn demeanor, he proclaimed, "Rest assured, Miss Lin, as an apothecary, it is my duty to save lives and alleviate suffering…"