Chapter 112 - 107: The Benefits of Thick Skin

Chapter 112: Chapter 107: The Benefits of Thick Skin

"Are you serious?" Su Tan asked.

"Yes! Absolutely! The heavens and earth can bear witness to this kid’s absolute sincerity!" Yun Buliu declared, his voice full of vigor.

PFFT.

Su Tan almost coughed up blood.

"A kid?" Su Tan thought. "An old grandpa who sounds to be in his sixties or seventies is calling himself a kid? Does he think I’m some ancient monster?"

Su Tan felt deeply disturbed, his expression turning odd. Yun Buliu was a resounding name in the Celestial Fragrance Empire. His title as the Medicine King had long been widespread. Being treated as a senior by such an old man... he was not used to it at all. It felt incredibly uncomfortable.

The crucial point was that this guy wasn’t just paying lip service. He was completely serious. He genuinely considered himself a junior.

Su Tan pondered for a moment.

"My knowledge is shallow and limited, so I cannot be your master, old sir. Please get up," Su Tan said.

He definitely wasn’t going to take Yun Buliu as his disciple. For one, Su Tan had no intention of taking any disciples; and secondly... he didn’t know the first thing about teaching people how to concoct medicine.

Was he supposed to teach Yun Buliu by telling him to just casually light a fire, casually toss in some medicinal ingredients, and say, "Yes, yes, yes... just toss them in casually. Good, the elixir is done"?

That definitely wouldn’t work. The title of "Master" carried immense weight. Su Tan didn’t believe he could shoulder that burden; he was unqualified to be called a master. He had nothing to teach Yun Buliu. One shouldn’t make promises lightly, lest they let others down.

"Sir... please don’t flatter this kid... What ’old sir’? Just call this kid Little Liu," Yun Buliu pleaded. "If even you cannot bear the title of Master, then who else in Celestial Fragrance could possibly be this kid’s master? You are far too modest. Please, I beg you to accept this kid as your disciple. I will serve you well!"

The constant use of "this kid" left Su Tan utterly speechless.

"Am I that old?" he thought. "Or do you just think you’re that young?"

In this world, once one’s cultivation reached a certain level, they could indeed retain their youthful appearance. But Su Tan was not one of those people. He was only in his early twenties. Perhaps as a blind man, this body had endured a lot of hardships, making him look a bit more weathered than his peers. However, compared to Yun Buliu, he was definitely leaps and bounds younger.

Being repeatedly addressed as "this kid" by an old man made Su Tan’s heart shudder. Furthermore, he wanted to serve him? At his advanced age, it would be more fitting for Su Tan to serve him instead.

No, no, absolutely not. Su Tan definitely wouldn’t agree.

"I truly have nothing to teach you. Please get up," Su Tan said. According to the grading system for Alchemists, the elixirs Su Tan could refine were definitely lower in grade than Yun Buliu’s.

"No... Sir, you underestimate yourself. Although the medicinal liquid you concocted doesn’t even have a formal grade, its quality is absolutely Perfect. Just having such Alchemy Skill is enough for this kid to benefit endlessly!" Yun Buliu argued.

Not to mention, who knew what other incredible abilities he possessed?

"Perfect?" Su Tan thought about it. The medicine clearly still had flaws... yet, in Yun Buliu’s eyes, it was truly flawless. Perhaps this was the difference in judgment standards between the system and the people of this world. Or rather... the Alchemy Skill in this world was simply too backward.

But regardless of whether he actually had the ability or not, he didn’t want to take in a disciple. They remained at a stalemate for a long time. Su Tan still refused to accept him. Finally, Yun Buliu had no other choice.

"Then, Sir, could you bestow some medicinal liquid upon this kid so I can take it back and study it? Please rest assured, Sir. Even if we do not formally address each other as master and disciple, as long as this kid can comprehend a principle or two from your medicinal liquid, I will treat you with the respect due to a master!" Yun Buliu said, taking a step back in his demands.

"Do as you please. It’s just some medicinal liquid," Su Tan said.

It was just bathwater, after all. The medicinal liquid had been diluted beyond recognition. If he wanted it, he could have it.

Hearing this, Yun Buliu’s eyes lit up with sheer joy. "Thank you, Master!"

Then, Yun Buliu performed half a disciple’s bow. "Although you won’t accept Buliu as your disciple, since you are willing to impart the pharmacology of your medicinal liquid to this kid, you are half a master to me. The ancients said that even one who teaches a single word is a master. Therefore, you are more than worthy of being called Master."

Following that...

THUMP THUMP THUMP.

He kowtowed heavily five times. As for the remaining four kowtows for a full disciple ceremony... he refrained from doing them for now.

Su Tan shook his head helplessly. This old man was far too particular about formalities.

RUSTLE.

Yun Buliu took a jade bottle out from his robes. "Then, Sir, your student will now collect the medicine."

"Take it, take it!" Su Tan sighed. To think he was repeatedly asking for permission just to take a little bit of diluted medicinal liquid.

"Well, not bad," Su Tan thought. "He’s quite sensible. It’s just this whole apprenticeship thing... that isn’t so great."

After collecting the medicine, Yun Buliu stood behind Yun Chu, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Sir, I am truly sorry for delaying you just now. Please proceed and treat Young Master Yun’s illness. This kid promises not to say another word to disturb you," Yun Buliu said.

He felt that this trip had been immensely rewarding. Not only had he acknowledged half a master, but he had also obtained a few bottles of Perfect quality medicinal liquid. It was a massive gain. In order not to provoke any further annoyance from Su Tan, he decided to stay completely silent.

Yun Chu was absolutely stunned by Yun Buliu’s sequence of actions. She had also wanted to take Su Tan as her master. But it had been more than a month, and she had never dared to say it out loud. Seeing Yun Buliu’s actions today made her realize... things weren’t as complicated as she had imagined.

Didn’t Yun Buliu almost succeed? He was now considered half a disciple to Su Tan. Should she give it a try too?

She pondered for a moment, then mustered her courage and looked at Su Tan. She said weakly, "Um... Sir... Actually, I... I... I would also like to take you as my master..."

Hearing this, Su Tan paused for a brief moment. He had originally wanted to keep Yun Chu around. Now that she suddenly wanted to acknowledge him as her master, it perfectly aligned with his intentions.

But then he thought about it. Was this girl doing it on purpose? He had just declared he wasn’t taking any disciples and had given Yun Buliu a myriad of reasons. If he were to suddenly accept her as a disciple right now, what would Yun Buliu, who was standing right there, think of him?

Su Tan said in exasperation, "Don’t add to the mess!" Saying that, he began his treatment for the girl.

Yun Chu opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. She simply couldn’t throw her dignity aside like Yun Buliu had. Thus, the matter was suppressed once again. Ultimately, it was a question of who had the thicker skin.

Three hours later, Yun Buliu and Yun Chu exited Su Tan’s courtyard.

Yun Buliu could no longer hold back the smile on his face. "Saint... um, Young Master Yun, thank you so much for bringing me here. Otherwise, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have had this fateful encounter..."

"Just call me Chu’Er," Yun Chu said indifferently.

"Yes, Yun... Chu’Er. This old man is anxious to return to his quarters and study Mr. Su’s medicinal liquid, so... I shall take my leave now!" Yun Buliu said.

"Mhm!" Yun Chu nodded.

Overjoyed, Yun Buliu rushed straight back to the farmhouse he had rented in Chen Family Village. Watching his elated retreating back, Yun Chu actually felt a trace of envy.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Outside a farmhouse courtyard, Yun Buliu knocked on the door. "Open the door, Xiu’Er! Your master has returned!"

"Coming, coming..." a woman’s voice called out from inside the yard.

CREAK.

The door opened. A woman with outstanding looks and an elegant temperament stood in the doorway. She had her hair tied in a single ponytail with straight bangs across her forehead. She wore a tight-fitting white suit that perfectly outlined her curves. She stood straight and tall, giving off the impression of a capable, statuesque, and scholarly lady from a prestigious family.

She was one of the only two disciples Yun Buliu had taken in his entire life—Shangguan Xiu’Er.

"Master, you... seem to be in very high spirits today." Shangguan Xiu’Er’s beautiful, delicate, oval-shaped face was filled with confusion.

"Haha... nothing escapes your eyes! Today, your master encountered a tremendously good thing!" Yun Buliu laughed heartily and pushed his way through the door.