Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy
Chapter 136 - 99, 100. Traveling a thousand miles to say goodbye, the land is full of pits breeding ghost seeds (Big Chapter - asking for subscriptions)_2

Chapter 136: 99, 100. Traveling a thousand miles to say goodbye, the land is full of pits breeding ghost seeds (Big Chapter - asking for subscriptions)_2

Song Cheng’s chariot was driven by Ling.

When traveling outside, Son-in-law Song always used Ling’s services, while Miss An was served by Ying.

The couple each employed one.

However, the distance between the eastern and western districts was quite far, and by the time Song Cheng reached the city gate, evening had already fallen.

Outside the city, the white fog stood like hesitant pale giants on the wilderness, splitting and merging intermittently...

In such a situation, Song Cheng did not rashly leave the city.

He felt that Yune was outside the city.

But so much time had passed, and so many things had happened in between, he couldn’t be sure of what kind of existence Yune was now.

So, he had the Prefectural Yamen in West City arrange a residence for him, and then he went to sleep with Ling attending to him.

...

Elsewhere, Zhao Hua had just arrived at the foot of Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple, but he didn’t rush to climb up the mountain and instead waited quietly.

...

The following day at dawn, as the sky began to lighten.

Zhao Hua started to climb the mountain and, after being announced, met with Madam Tong.

"Hua, what brings you here?" Madam Tong felt worn out these past few days, but upon careful thought, it wasn’t just a few days; ever since she took over Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple, there hadn’t been a day she wasn’t tired.

Zhao Hua smiled and said, "I’ve come to bother Sister-in-law amidst her busyness, because there really is an important matter."

"What matter?" Madam Tong asked.

Zhao Hua hesitated, then said, "Sister-in-law, I need to get some things done outside, and I need people who can fully carry out my commands... But some matters are not convenient to discuss with others. So, I’d like to ask you for a few Medicinal Humans to help me with some tasks."

Madam Tong chuckled and said, "Did you take a fancy to a girl? Your brother and I can propose a marriage for you! Every family would give us face."

Zhao Hua scratched his head and smiled, "It’s not that..."

Madam Tong’s smile abruptly faded, and she said with a mix of suspicion and caution, "Hua, you’re not planning to do something shameful, are you?"

Zhao Hua waved his hands in a hurry, then solemnly swore, "If I, Zhao Hua, do anything to let down my brother and sister-in-law, may lightning strike me down, my offspring cut off, and die an unnatural death..."

Before he could continue, Madam Tong said, "Enough."

Her words fell like thunder, carrying a measure of authority.

The Taoist Temple Master of Pearl Mountain was no longer the little physician of the medical hall, nor the insignificant burden who had followed Song Cheng to the county town.

It wasn’t only Song Cheng who was growing in this world.

Everyone was.

Hoodwinking Madam Tong was out of the question.

Madam Tong said, "Hua, you’ve already sworn the oath, won’t you tell your sister-in-law what you really plan to do?"

Zhao Hua sighed softly, then leaned in and whispered his intentions. At the end of his explanation, he spread his hands and said, "See, sister-in-law, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but it’s better left unsaid. Such dirty affairs are not suitable for big brother; I will handle them. I’m used to it."

Madam Tong was taken aback, then suddenly realized, murmuring, "An Residence’s eldest son, the old patriarch, the lady of the house..."

Zhao Hua forced a smile and said, "It’s a trap set by Sister-in-law An. But then again, if the tiger had no intention of harming others, how would it step into that trap? If An Changsheng had not thought about colluding with bandits again, attempting to kidnap Sister-in-law An, how could he provide others with a pretext?

And as for the old patriarch, the lady of the house, eh... that situation allowed no room for kindness. If you hold a knife but don’t strike the opponent, you have to turn it on your own people."

Madam Tong was silent for a long time, then clapped her hands, summoned two Form Realm Medicinal Humans, and instructed, "Follow him from now on and obey his orders."

Nowadays, Pearl Mountain Taoist Temple either didn’t make Medicinal Humans, or they were all of the Form Realm.

The Medicinal Humans respectfully agreed, then stood behind Zhao Hua.

As Zhao Hua was about to take his leave, Madam Tong said, "Hua, where it is possible to spare someone, spare them. If you can leave a sliver of hope, then... then..."

She hesitated, then finally sighed deeply and said, "You do as you see fit, just don’t cause any trouble unnecessarily, and... try to be as kind as possible to others."

Zhao Hua bowed and said, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I won’t kill the wrong person."

Then, he led the two Medicinal Humans away.

...

...

The dawn broke, and golden rays of light fell from the sky.

Between heaven and earth, a mysterious grey fog began to emerge, as thin as transparent gauze, brewing something unknown.

Ghost Tide had broken out in early March last year, but now it was only the start of February...

In the Eastern City at dawn, as the city gates had just opened, the sound of wheels creaking from many unicycles echoed; people pushed them loaded with bundles of firewood, freshly picked beautiful flowers, even coal, and various other goods, rushing into the city.

Song Cheng walked alone towards the Eastern City gate.

When he smelled the flowers, he fumbled in his bosom and took out some copper coins, handing them to an old flower seller and said, "Old man, I’ll buy a bunch."

The old man didn’t recognize Second Master Song at first, as most people were immersed in their own circles, busy with their lives, who would notice significant figures walking in the streets?

The old man’s eyes weren’t good either, so he was even less likely to recognize him. Stopping his unicycle, he asked, "What flowers would you like, sir? There are plum blossoms, peach blossoms, daffodils, and February Reds as well."

Murmuring to himself, "Where does the dew weep and the rose weep reddest? Just when the cuckoo cries." Song Cheng then said, "February Red, please."

The old man replied, "Alright", and took a bunch of azaleas still covered with dew from his cart and carefully wrapped them in patterned paper before handing them to Song Cheng.

Song Cheng, holding the flowers, stepped forward.

It wasn’t until the voice of the city gate guard respectfully calling out "Second Master Song" from afar reached the old man that he turned his head in surprise.

In his aged eyes, as the guard bowed to send him off, he realized that it was indeed "Second Master Song".

"The second master is so young." The old man murmured to himself, feeling an inexplicable fondness for the youth. After all, these days, he had not seen someone of high status who still carried copper coins to buy flowers.