Chapter 61: Let's Make a Deal

Speaking of the censor official, ninety-nine percent of the people in Yunan City probably don't know what it does.

They probably only know it's an official bigger than a county magistrate.

Chen Wuji actually isn't very clear either, but he knows this is definitely a blowhard.

Censors, they hear rumors and submit memorials; in some dynasties they even dare to criticize so sharply that the emperor wouldn't dare leave the palace.

But there's no doubt, this is a big shot he can't afford to provoke.

After Zhang Lao settled the payment with Chen Wuji, he fell silent, sitting cross-legged on the soft cushion, occasionally glancing at Chen Wuji, his fingers unconsciously pinching back and forth; in a daze he shifted from being a divine doctor to a quack.

Chen Wuji felt a bit creeped out being stared at by this old geezer.

He always had the feeling that this old geezer could see through him?

But thinking it over, it seemed unrealistic—how could he possibly meet a hermit master just by casually selling medicinal herbs?

This story is obviously exaggerated.

What Chen Wuji didn't know was that the seemingly calm Zhang Lao was nearly jumping out of his skin.

As he stubbornly prepared to forcefully break through the mist before him, to see what fate this kid actually had, a strong sense of danger suddenly shrouded his heart, and at the same time he felt that if he continued calculating, he would die.

Zhang Lao actually wasn't afraid of death at all; he even felt he had lived long enough.

In his youth he apprenticed under a corrupt Daoist, learning some skills, which caused him thereafter to be unable to view people with normal eyes; at a glance he saw their fate locked in place, full of joy and sorrow, parting and reunion, then returning to dust.

Thus he believed people merely pass through this world, experiencing a single round of life-and-death joy and sorrow, while all other external things are illusory.

After seeing too many people, his youthful grand ambitions gradually turned into just sleeping and seeing patients.

Sleeping is to let himself live more comfortably.

Seeing patients is purely because the world's suffering is too great; if he did nothing, he would feel guilty.

Until today, Zhang Lao had met the first person who made his fingers almost pinch to breaking, yet he still couldn't see through.

His body was shrouded in a heavy layer of fog, unknown where it came from, where it went, or what the future held.

The appearance of this kid made Zhang Lao suddenly realize he still hadn't seen through this mundane world.

And his arts were not yet perfected.

This further aroused his strong interest.

More excited than when he got his first toy horse as a child.

Zhang Lao gazed at Chen Wuji, the thumb pressing on the Xu position trembling slightly.

"Shall we count it? Want to gamble one round?" he felt somewhat torn inside.

With a single finger to pierce the mist before him, he might see something, but he would surely die.

After hesitating a while, Zhang Lao relaxed his finger and exhaled a heavy, turbid breath: "Little brat, why won't you become my disciple? If you become my disciple, all this before you will be yours—though not wealthy, it's absolutely better than being a hunter."

Chen Wuji firmly shook his head: "I don't believe in free lunches; free things are the most costly."

Chen Wuji's wariness of this old man has now surpassed that of Yuan Laoer.

He doesn't believe at all that anyone in the world could be selfless to this extent.

Zhang Lao was choked badly and couldn't speak for a moment.

That's a very convincing reason, but hearing it just made him angry.

He is an esteemed divine doctor of Yunan, with profound family learning—what could he possibly scheme against this kid?

In the city, even a random servant from a noble household outranks his status.

It makes this old man furious!

As the two stared at each other, several people walked in.

Servants led the way, maids followed, guarding the man and woman in the middle.

The man was around forty, with a bit of facial hair, refined and steady, extraordinary bearing—one could tell at a glance he was an official.

And accompanying him, half a step behind, was precisely Xiu Er, whom Chen Wuji had seen a couple days earlier.

Thus, the middle-aged man's identity was easy to guess.

A high official from the capital, Imperial Censor Zhang.

"I've seen you, Old Zhang, regarding my daughter's matter—thank you for your trouble." Imperial Censor Zhang gave a salute to Zhang Lao.

Zhang Lao waved his hand: "It's nothing to do with me; that kid cured her."

Seeing this, Chen Wuji stood up and returned the salute.

Imperial Censor Zhang glanced at Chen Wuji's attire, his brows slightly furrowed, yet he still returned the salute with great courtesy: "Young friend, so young and already skilled in medicine—a youthful talent, truly rare."

After a lukewarm compliment, he pondered and said: "My daughter's condition has greatly improved; if you have any request, young friend, speak boldly—I am not a stingy official."

Chen Wuji understood his implied meaning.

They were worried he'd climb the social ladder on this favor, wanting to use a generous gift to completely sever this medical gratitude.

Chen Wuji couldn't help but want to laugh; this official overthinks things.

He shook his head and said: "Your daughter has already paid the consultation fee."

"I'm returning to my hometown to honor ancestors; I'll stay in Yunan for a few days—you can think it over and tell me later." Imperial Censor Zhang shook his head: "Young people shouldn't be impatient, nor need deep scheming; just say what comes to mind."

Chen Wuji couldn't help but want to kick his size-42 foot into this guy's face.

I don't have to give, right? Not giving means I'm scheming?

I happened to treat her, took the fee, and that's it—where does all this fuss come from?

"I've decided—between doctor and patient there aren't that many complications." Chen Wuji spoke frankly: "I'm not impatient, nor do I want any scheming; I'm just being straightforward."

Imperial Censor Zhang suddenly grew impatient: "But I think you haven't figured it out yet."

Chen Wuji: ……

He really couldn't take it anymore.

"I get it—you want some benefit from the kid, right? Then give it." Chen Wuji shouted.

In our village there is a headman named Yuan Jintang; he and his brother Yuan Jinbao bully the countryside, oppress the people—Censor Lord, can you have them killed? Hang the corpses at the village entrance to dry for a few days and that'll do.

"Got it, Xiu Er, let's go." Censor Lord Zhang gave Chen Wuji a deep look, then nodded.

He actually really agreed?

Chen Wuji suddenly felt it was a bit absurd.

Censor Lord Zhang nodded at Zhang Lao as a greeting, then left.

"Dad, you didn't promise to take a look at my head ailment in passing? Chen Liehu's treatment method, though somewhat unconventional, is a prescription even Divine Doctor Zhang praises." Xiu Er's voice came from outside.

No need for many words, Father knows what to do.

Dad!

……

Zhang Lao poked his head out to look, then suddenly laughed, "Kid, see? This is called respecting the robe before the person. If you become my disciple, although you still won't catch their eye, at least you won't be so blatantly despised."

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "I don't think there's anything wrong; a capital official naturally should be high and mighty."

Old man, I'm just a hunter; people can stoop to talk terms with me, I think he's already very good. The only thing I can't figure out is that I feel I have nothing to gain, why does he insist I do?

"That's what you think!" Zhang Lao chuckled, "Do you know which surname is the most noble in Yunan?"