Chapter 2: Father and Son

Old Mr. Lin fixed his gaze on the phlegm spat out by Lin Yao, biting down hard on his own lip with a set of small, snow-white teeth: "Good, tuberculosis!"

Old Mr. Lin shouted, "Account keeper, account keeper, take note that the water tank broken by Old Wang is not three but seven! Make sure to go to his house to settle the account at the end of the month, don't forget!"

He recalled the horrifying scene from eight years ago when his mother suddenly spat out black blood and died. Especially the moment before her death, when she shouted at him with all her strength: "Xiao'er, promise me, you must live well."

The hands hidden in the sleeves were tightly clenched into fists; of course, he must survive

Hu Zhutie stood frozen in place, his face alternating between shades of green and white. He lowered his head, trembling as he opened his palms to reveal three elixirs cradled within.

As for oneself? One is merely the illegitimate child born of a concubine secretly kept by Lin Shan.

Mr. Lin's face twitched, and he lowered his voice in anger: "Wuniang! You---"

Elder brother, he..." Lin Xiao looked at Lin Shan with a hint of hesitation

"Hiss—" Lin Xiao gasped, exclaiming, "The Black Blade Bandits? They were still two thousand miles to the north just half a month ago!"

In the corner of the main hall, a black curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing a clerk with two mouse-like whiskers and a pair of triangular eyes that blinked incessantly, holding a small teapot and walking slowly out of the office. Upon seeing Lin Xiao's back, the clerk's whiskers twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth, and then he let out a gentle sigh

"Mother, Xiao'er will definitely live well! You must not worry." Lin Xiao gritted his teeth tightly, fully turning his body and heading towards the storage room where he lived

Lin Xiao, small yet remarkably upright, slowly moved to the front of the storage room. He gently pushed open the door, and instantly, the lights inside flickered as someone turned on the lamp on the square table.

Mr. Lin also saw Lin Yao, his eyes wide open in shock, and his right hand trembled as he raised it, pointing at Lin Yao repeatedly. Just as Lin Yao was about to follow the head of the Wang family in leaving, he suddenly felt a chill run down his back and obediently stopped his forward movement.

"Drink—alcohol!" Mr. Lin chuckled ominously, gently patting his thigh with his right hand, and asked in a strange voice: "There are many types of alcohol: grain wine, fruit wine, and even flower-infused wine. Are you drinking grain wine, fruit wine, or flower wine? Hmm?"

With a forceful stomp on the ground, the thick stone slab beneath Huawuniao's feet, measuring about one foot, was instantly shattered into pieces

The old man sighed and smiled respectfully, saying: "I understand, I understand! Hahaha, the old gentleman has benefited the local community; this is an act of immeasurable merit."

Lin Shan waved his right hand gently, and a very soft stream of energy slowly lifted Lin Xiao up. He said lightly, "Good child, no need for excessive courtesy. Sit down and let's talk"

The elderly man clasped his fists towards Mr. Lin with effort and smiled, saying: "Today my son is getting married. If you have some free time, Mr. Lin, please come and have a few cups of rice wine."

With a gentle flick of her fingers against the table, Lin Shanyou said: "In a world of chaos, what strange occurrences cannot happen? Take good care of these two items."

After a busy day in the pharmacy, Lin Xiao carefully extinguished the last embers in the furnace, picked up the pestle covers and mortars carelessly discarded on the ground by the apprentices of the Rejuvenation Hall, wiped them clean, turned off the lights in the pharmacy, and was the last to leave the premises

Dressed in a blue robe, Lin Xiao walked quietly along the somewhat eerie path of the flower forest. The surroundings were dimly lit, with only the brilliant lights from the main house in the distant backyard casting a faint glow, making the path ahead barely visible. However, the dim light was not a significant issue for him. Having practiced the internal skill "Evergreen Formula" taught by Lin Shan since childhood, the results of ten years of hard work meant that even a slight glimmer of light was as good as broad daylight for Lin Xiao.

"Don't drink!" Lin Yao shrank her neck and cautiously took a step back.

"Is there any doubt? You know it in your heart!" Hua Wuniang sneered as she twisted her waist, glaring fiercely at Mr. Lin and said, "That wild child in front, I have endured for so many years! Hmph! Lin Shan, don't go too far! I know you possess excellent skills; after all, my father passed on all his unique techniques to you! However, I am not someone to be trifled with!"

Lin Xiao set down the teapot, surprised as he wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and furrowed his brow, saying: "The old lady's illness should not be recurring. Is there a reason for this?"

After taking a few more steps, he finally reached the black lacquered door at the end of the courtyard leading to the backyard. Lin Yao could no longer endure the mysterious gazes directed at him by those people along the way. Annoyed, he turned his body, forcefully snapped his folding fan shut, and pointed it emphatically towards the pharmacy, ready to shout some curses.

Lin Xiao stood under a large plum tree, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, quietly observing the brightly lit main house and the nearby several buildings.

"What have you been doing? It has been two days since we last saw each other, hasn't it?" Mr. Lin was already standing in front of Lin Yao, glaring fiercely at his eldest son, who was half a head taller than him.

Lin Shan squinted his eyes and smiled slightly at Lin Xiao, saying: "It doesn't matter, you can take it. This is the Naturalization City—tut tut!"

In the distance, lively sounds of merriment are coming from the main house, where Hua Wuniang is hosting a grand banquet for her guests, which is her favorite activity

Mr. Lin stared blankly at the backs of the two women, Hua Wuniang and her daughter, and weakly tossed the three purple plum He Yang pills in his hand to Hu Zhutie

Lin Xiao's hands were trembling, Dan Ling, https://m.hetushucomcom he had only vaguely heard of such an item.

The water stains dampened Lin Xiao's collar, and Lin Shan looked at Lin Xiao with affection, gently saying: "You should be aware of the old lady Wang's illness from our last visit. It should not have relapsed. However, three days ago, the old lady's condition suddenly worsened, prompting the head of the Wang family to hastily arrange for the second young master of the Wang family to finalize a marriage within three days, marrying the young lady from the Zhang family. This is to bring her good fortune."

Several main post gentlemen exchanged glances, and once again let out a deep sigh. They called over a few apprentices beside them to close the main hall's door, and one by one, they rose and followed the accountant into the backyard

The head of the Wang family, possessing a robust true energy and a set of "Mountain Crushing Palm" techniques that made no one dare to provoke him within a radius of five hundred miles around Guihua City, nearly stumbled to the ground after stepping on empty air on the steps. He managed to twist his body, turned back to glare at Mr. Lin with bared teeth, shook his head, and with his hands clasped behind his back, strode away with an air of arrogance. As he walked, he muttered to himself, "I am indeed wealthy!"

Hui Chun Tang was busy from early morning until the moon was high in the sky, and only then did it return to tranquility

Closing his eyes, tears streaming down his face, Mr. Lin murmured softly: "Mentor, father-in-law... Wuniang is like this, but Yaor has indeed been ruined."

Old Master Wang clenched his right fist and struck it hard against his left palm, laughing heartily at Lin Yao: "Noble nephew, you have returned? Hmm, today your brother Wang Er has accomplished a good deed. Would you be willing to accompany me for a drink?"

The sighs seemed to be contagious, as several main post authors, including Master Hu, all let out a heavy sigh.

The woman rushed to Lin Yao's side, resembling a mother tiger protecting her cub, and embraced Lin Yao tightly. She affectionately stroked Lin Yao's face and exclaimed, "Dear Yao'er, don't worry, with your mother here, no one can lay a finger on you! Hmph! That cruel and short-lived father of yours wants to break your legs, intending to harm you! If he harms you, he can let that wild child from outside take over the Rejuvenation Hall!"

With a flick of his large sleeves, Mr. Lin had already drawn the three Purple Plum Harmony Pills from the hands of Hu Zhutie, who was standing two zhang away. He cast a cold glance at Hu Zhutie and said in a chilling voice: "Prepare two months' worth of 'Huiyang Heqi Decoction' for the young master. If he dares to step out of the Rejuvenation Hall within two months, break his legs!"

I do not have such thoughts!" Mr. Lin Shan shouted loudly, "Where do I have that kind of intention?" He tightly clenched his fists, his hands trembling in his sleeves, and a stream of flexible true energy spread from his fists, causing the wide sleeves of his robe to rustle.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yao began to cough violently, bending forward and backward. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and spat out a chunk of phlegm streaked with blood

Mr. Lin, a frail old man, stood only at the height of this robust elder's armpit, yet his face bore a clear and spirited expression. He exuded a natural confidence and dignified demeanor, making it seem as though he was not shorter than the elder, but rather creating an illusion that the two were standing shoulder to shoulder. Mr. Lin stroked his beard and smiled gently, saying: "The old lady's illness is nothing to worry about. This spring is quite favorable, and with this joyful occasion, the elder's spirits are lifted, which has alleviated some of the illness. With careful nurturing over the next few months, it is possible that the root of the ailment could be resolved."

Dim is Lin Xiao's mood

Old Mr. Lin hurriedly shook his head and smiled, saying: "Old Master Wang, you are being too polite, too polite. This old man here is always tied up with matters every day, hence, hehe!"

Dan Ling represents the identity of the master of the Rejuvenation Hall

The woman gave a cold smile, tilting her eyes at Mr. Lin and said with a sneer: "What about me? Lin Shan, don't forget, this Huichuntang is the inherited property of my family, the Hua family! You are merely my father's disciple, so don't even think about having any ideas regarding Huichuntang! I intend to leave this Huichuntang to Yao'er!"

The backyard of Huichuntang is a large courtyard consisting of five sections. The first four sections are occupied by the various head physicians, attending physicians, pharmacists, apprentices, and servants of Huichuntang, while the last section is home to the Lin family, including Lin Shan, Hua Wuniang, Lin Yao, Lin Xiao, and some relatives connected to them.

Old Mr. Lin gazed at the back of the Wang family head and said ominously: "Account keeper, account keeper, take note: three large water tanks, three hundred taels of silver! The Wang family is wealthy, no need to save money for them"

Lin Yao walked flamboyantly through the courtyard behind the main hall of the Huichuntang. Everyone he encountered along the way greeted him with utmost respect, yet there was a hint of something peculiar in their gazes. Everyone carefully concealed that hint of peculiarity deep within their eyes, but Lin Yao's expression grew increasingly grim.

However, the future owner of Huichun Hall should be Lin Yao

At that moment, a door opened in the row of guest rooms on the south side of the vast courtyard of the Huichuntang. A majestic old man, over nine feet tall and sporting a full beard, stepped out slowly, dressed in an extremely luxurious embroidered robe. As he inclined his body to greet the frail old man beside him, he said with a smile: "Since Old Mr. Lin has said so, I can rest assured."

With her head held high, Hua Wuniang effortlessly lifted Lin Yao into the backyard as if she were carrying a chick. She smiled gently and said, "Good Yao'er, don't be afraid, your mother will take care of you. In a radius of five hundred miles around the Huazhi City, who would dare to touch a single hair on your head"

Gazing blankly at the lights over there for a moment, Lin Xiao shook his head, and a few traces of determination appeared on his youthful face

The right hand shot out like the wind, and before Lin Yao could evade, Mr. Lin accurately pinched his wrist pulse with two fingers, beginning to diagnose his condition.

The majestic old man, with an even broader smile on his face, repeatedly laughed and said, "I am grateful for your auspicious words. I am grateful for your auspicious words. Hahaha"

Lin Xiao sat at the square table, casually picked up the teapot on the table, and brewed a cup of tea for Lin Shan. After that, he embraced the teapot and drank heartily with a 'glug glug' sound

Wang Laojia's eyes flickered over Mr. Lin's face, then glanced at Lin Yao, who stood trembling in place like a rabbit. He quickly broke into a silent smile, patted his backside, and turned to leave

Lin Yao coughed while loudly complimenting Hua Wuniang

Two old men looked at each other and smiled. Mr. Lin smiled lightly, as if the clouds were drifting by, while the robust elder laughed so heartily that he bent forward and backward, his powerful energy causing the walls of the courtyard to resonate with a buzzing sound. Suddenly, with a loud crash, three of the six-foot-high water tanks on the north side of the courtyard burst, and a deluge instantly flooded half of the courtyard.

He said in a low voice: "I rely on no one. I have a brain, and I have two hands. I want to become a divine doctor even more formidable than my father. I can survive on my own."

The family tree is the genealogy of the Lin family. It is of utmost importance; the souls of our ancestors cannot be without descendants to worship and support them. Lin Shan lightly tapped the genealogy and said coldly, "Do you remember? You are the last branch of the Lin family's lineage."

How did mother die? Over the years, he has gathered some clues. The only possible source of a disease that even his father, Lin Shan, known as a divine doctor, could not uncover, must be related to Hua Wu Niang

Lin Xiao smiled faintly, respectfully saluted several main thread masters with the courtesy of a disciple, and then quickly walked towards the back courtyard

Master Wang clapped his hand on his mouth with a sound of "pa," feeling embarrassed. He cupped his fist towards Mr. Lin and chuckled awkwardly, "Hahaha, well, let's put this on the account, put it on the account." After saying this, he turned to leave but caught sight of Lin Yao, who was standing there dazed, pointing the fan towards the pharmacy, mouth open as if about to scold, yet his eyes were fixed on himself and Mr. Lin.

Standing up, Lin Shan said nothing more. He let out a soft sigh and departed gracefully

The "Compendium of a Hundred Diseases and a Hundred Herbs" by the Hua family reportedly contains a chapter that is absolutely forbidden for outsiders to study. Lin Shan is undoubtedly an outsider

"Hmph, do not speak of him," Lin Shan interrupted Lin Xiao rudely. He then casually picked up the green wooden token and solemnly placed it in Lin Xiao's palm: "My dear child, take this 'Dan Ling.' If any unforeseen circumstances arise in the future, holding this Dan Ling, if you encounter the one who issued it, you will always be able to ensure your safety."

Behind the woman, four equally opulent maidservants closely followed her. However, the appearances of these lavishly adorned maidservants were rather dismal. Among them, the most beautiful one resembled the coachman, Old Three, who drove Lin Yao.

The final roar was like a crane's call, piercing the sky like a book. In the courtyard, that row of large water tanks shattered with a loud crash, breaking four of them.

In the main hall, Master Hu was gathered with several other masters, laughing and chatting about something. Upon seeing Lin Xiao, they all nodded in his direction, their eyes filled with friendliness and admiration, as well as an indescribable sense of helplessness.

With a loud bang, the black-painted gate leading to the backyard was pushed open, and a middle-aged woman, adorned in luxurious silks and satins, her head crowned with jewels and wearing twelve large gemstone rings on her fingers, rushed out in a flurry. This woman had a relatively slender figure and a strikingly beautiful face; however, the lavish materials she was wrapped in made her waist appear as if she were a pregnant sow. She had applied a layer of white powder approximately two millimeters thick on her face, completely covering her originally lovely features. As she shouted loudly, the white powder began to slowly slide down her cheeks with a soft rustling sound.

The man with a tuft of goat-like beard walked over briskly, holding three thumb-sized pills sealed with wax in his hand. While Mr. Lin was checking Lin Yao's pulse, he turned to look at the man with the beard, furrowing his brow and exclaiming: "What is that you are holding? Hmm? What is it? Zimei He Yang Dan! Zimei He Yang Dan! Who told you to go to the pharmacy to get this? Huh?!"

Lin Shan, dressed entirely in white, sat quietly at the table, gazing at Lin Xiao.

He is absolutely not allowed to approach that area. After his mother inexplicably fell ill and passed away, Lin Xiao was brought back to the Huichun Hall by Lin Shan, but was arranged by Hua Wuniang to stay in a storage room in the backyard. He had no qualifications to approach the main house, which was reserved for the direct descendants of the Hua family. Even now, the master of Huichun Hall, Lin Shan, is powerless to change this fact. After all, Huichun Hall is a property of the Hua family. Even now, the master of Huichun Hall, Lin Shan, is powerless to change this fact. After all, Huichun Hall is a property of the Hua family.

Lin Xiao looked at Lin Shan in surprise, then hurriedly bowed his head and said: "Xiao'er greets Father"

Lin Shan nodded gently and said calmly: "Three days ago, we received the tragic news that Guishun City, located three hundred and seventy li to the north, was breached by the 'Black Blade Bandits'. There were over ninety thousand men, women, and children in the city, and none survived"

It seems that Lin Yao is also adeptly navigating the situation, receiving countless compliments from guests. As the future heir of the largest pharmacy and medical clinic in several counties of the Northwest, Lin Yao naturally possesses the qualifications to be flattered by others

On the table in front of Lin Shan lay a green cloth package. He opened the package, revealing a thick family genealogy and a palm-sized green wooden token inside.

This. Lin Yao was already half a foot shorter than Mr. Lin. He frowned and said in a low voice: "Flower—flower—flower wine"

"Old fool, whose leg do you intend to break?" As soon as Mr. Lin finished speaking, an angry curse was heard coming from the backyard

The accountant shook his head and waved his hand, saying: "Alright, gentlemen, let us go drink, let us go drink. Well, the Wang family head has sent a jar of tribute wine for the old master today, just in time for us to enjoy."