Chapter 268 - 138: Jiangyin Garrison Commander, a Dragon Tiger Realm Master, Wants to Take Me as His Disciple!?

Chapter 268: Chapter 138: Jiangyin Garrison Commander, a Dragon Tiger Realm Master, Wants to Take Me as His Disciple!?

Chen Jing made the decision with a casual air. At his side, Chen Chuan, dressed in a Profound Brocade Robe with temples touched by frost, heard his words and immediately grasped the meaning:

"The Lineage Master is right. The peace and stability of Jiangyin Prefecture rely on the Prefecture Lord, and on all of us Prefecture Officials and Lineage Masters!"

"Without our collective efforts to maintain it, we wouldn’t have enjoyed these decades of peace and prosperity."

"A country bumpkin from out of town with a murky background... Since he’s been mixed up in a divine calamity... we naturally can’t let him off lightly."

"I’ll go at once to invite Old Master Huang. We’ll present a joint petition from the Upper Nine Professions to the Prefecture Lord and request he issue a command!"

...

The Medicine Shop, home of the Huang Family.

Throughout the estate, white mourning cloths fluttered in the courtyard.

When Chen Chuan from the Fishing Trade arrived, he passed through the red-lacquered, gilded main gate. He looked upon the rustic grand courtyard, filled with the scent of herbs. White silk lanterns hung on either side of every doorway, and the sight made him shiver.

As he was invited into the main hall, he couldn’t help but think:

’This Old Master Huang Ai of the Medicine Shop... in his youth, he traveled far and wide. He moved heaven and earth just to get into Cangdu, where he finally received a few words of guidance from a legendary senior, a National Master of the Alchemy Dao. That’s how he got to where he is today.’

’The foundations of other Grand Lineages were built over three generations. But this man... he single-handedly built a monopoly over the Great Pill and Secret Medicine trade in all of Jiangyin Prefecture. Seventy percent of all Pill Masters come from his Medicine Shop!’

’It’s just a shame.’

’Such a vast family fortune... and not a single successor left.’

He recalled that Old Master Huang Ai’s family line had been thin for three generations; he’d had only two sons.

His eldest son died young, leaving him with only a single legitimate grandson, Huang Xiuwen, whom he had raised since childhood.

As for his younger son, years ago he had become smitten with Prefecture Official Ye Luan of the Embroidery Lineage. She, however, was relentlessly pursuing Duan Martialist. Consumed by jealousy, the younger son looked for any excuse to provoke Duan Martialist. In the end, he was struck down and killed, his corpse delivered right to the family’s door.

But in those days, Wang Xuanyang was at the height of his power, a force to be reckoned with. Old Master Huang had no choice but to swallow his fury, bow his head, and travel to the Celestial Blade Sect Mountain Gate to offer a groveling apology. Only then was the matter put to rest.

He must have thought the incident was behind them. At least he still had a sole heir—a precious, noble-born boy—to be his successor.

And now look. Not only were both his sons gone, but his only grandson had also been lost. The boy had gone to Anning County with their family’s Great Pharmacist, hoping to curry favor and build a connection with Miss Beicang. He’d gotten caught up in whatever happened there, and now he was gone—vanished without a trace, no body to be found. A truly tragic end. The old man had now outlived his children and his grandchild.

How could Master Huang not be driven mad by it all?

While these thoughts ran through Chen Chuan’s mind, he crossed the courtyard and entered the main building.

A carved door swung open, and an old man emerged, walking toward him. He leaned on a dragon-headed cane. His frame was tall and scholarly, and he was dressed in flowing, wide-sleeved robes and a tall, formal cap with a broad sash.

"You’re the fellow who works for Lineage Master Chen of the Fishing Trade?"

Huang Ai glanced up, a cheerful smile on his face.

"He never shows up unless he wants something. Last time it was because of Duan Chenzhou. This time...?"

"Elder Huang!"

Chen Chuan was slightly taken aback to see the old man in such good spirits; it was unexpected. He quickly regained his composure, his expression turning solemn as he bowed with clasped fists.

"It is Duan Martialist’s disciple... He has entered the Prefecture City."

"And upon his arrival, he shot down my Fishing Trade’s signboard."

"This young man was once involved in a divine calamity, and his background is unclear."

"My Lineage Master believes that for the good of the Prefecture City, we should act. He wishes to ask you, Old Master Huang, to take the lead. We can then gather a few other leaders from the Upper Nine Professions and jointly petition the Prefecture Lord. We’ll ask to have the boy imprisoned in the Prefecture Yamen for a thorough investigation. If he truly has ties to the Outer Dao, we’ll have prevented a greater disaster!"

Huang Ai, whose expression had been mild and cheerful, heard this, and the White Marble Ring on his withered finger was instantly clenched in a tight fist.

After a long moment, his hand gradually loosened.

"Lineage Master Chen is very considerate. As this concerns the welfare of Jiangyin Prefecture, we must of course be cautious."

"The Prefecture Lord is occupied with countless duties; he has no time to investigate such a minor affair. We shall petition for a joint directive and handle the matter on his behalf."

With that, he waved his hand in dismissal.

Seeing this, Chen Chuan breathed a sigh of relief. His goal was achieved. As long as two of the Nine Lords came forward, it was practically a sure thing.

So he immediately took his leave.

Not until Chen Chuan had left the Huang Residence did Huang Ai retreat back through the carved doors into the dim interior.

Within, a hazy smoke swirled like an immortal’s paradise, with clouds of vapor drifting everywhere.

"Master, here."

"Hn."

Huang Ai grunted noncommittally, taking the exquisitely crafted pipe from an Attendant’s hand. He reclined on a divan, breathing out clouds of smoke, his eyes growing distant.

As the Pure Land Forgetfulness Ointment in the pipe began to burn, Huang Ai’s Divine Soul sank into the haze. It was as if he could see his sons and his grandson, all of them still alive and well...

But after only a short while, the ointment in the pipe was spent. The vision of his family, happy and whole, dissipated in an instant, pulling Huang Ai back to reality. He stared blankly.

Snapping back to his senses a moment later, he was overcome with a towering rage. He slammed his hand down, shattering the small table before him.

"The ointment! The ointment!"

The Attendant waiting outside the door heard the roar, shuddered, and immediately fell to his knees on the threshold.

"Ma... Master."

"The Pure Land Forgetfulness Ointment from Little Wuxiang Temple... you’ve... you’ve smoked it all, Master."

"It’s... it’s gone!"

GASP... GASP...

In the dim light, Huang Ai’s hair and beard seemed to bristle with rage. His face was white as a sheet, his eyes blood-red. He stared at the Attendant, forcing the words through his clenched teeth:

"If it’s gone, then go to Little Wuxiang Temple and get more!"

"Without the ointment, I can’t see my two sons, or my dear grandson."