Chapter 103: The Hundred Birds and Pine Crane Painting

Ye Wushang frowned.

After passing the test, there were still two more requirements.

To be honest, cultivating the supreme-grade Langya Grass seeds was of utmost importance to him. As his training intensity increased, in order to strengthen his physical body, he had to rely on these primordial seeds as a source of power. If the supply couldn’t keep up with the demand, sooner or later his body would collapse and his cultivation would fall apart.

“Please, Master Huang, do speak.”

With this thought, Ye Wushang nodded in acknowledgment. As long as the conditions weren’t excessive, he would do his best to fulfill them.

“First,”

“I’m almost sixty years old now, and I find it increasingly difficult to manage the Medicine King Valley.”

“There are too few capable people here, and I need to hand over my life's work to someone I trust.”

“Although this is our first meeting, I have long heard of your deeds. Not only are you competent, but your character is also exemplary.”

“That’s why I want to entrust you with the management of all the medicinal fields in the Medicine King Valley. Is that acceptable to you?”

Boom.

The moment these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

Not only Ye Wushang himself, but even Huang Pianruo, the other attendants, and especially Xue Kaichen were stunned!

"This... isn’t this a bit inappropriate?"

He was, after all, an outsider. There was also the senior disciple, Xue Kaichen. Though his abilities were average, his character was decent, and being young, with enough honing, he would surely accomplish great things in the future.

Yet, on their very first meeting, he was to be handed everything. It sounded like a fantastical tale.

He simply didn’t believe in windfalls falling from the sky.

“If I say it’s appropriate, then it is.”

Pharmacist Huang seemed resolute, and solemnly said, “I’ve considered this for a long time.”

“It’s just that I hadn’t found the right person, and your appearance fills that vacancy.”

“You don’t need to consider any other factors. Just tell me: do you accept or not?”

At this point, he glanced at Xue Kaichen.

Xue Kaichen’s expression was complicated—truthfully, he felt quite hurt. After all these years, even if he hadn’t achieved much, he had certainly worked hard. After so much effort, being surpassed by an outsider would make anyone feel disgruntled.

But with his master’s command, he could only comply.

Seeing Ye Wushang’s hesitation, he stepped forward and said, “Mr. Ye, please do accept.”

“We’ve all witnessed your abilities. With you leading us, I believe the Medicine King Valley will flourish.”

“As for your character, the fact that you healed my sister’s brother without expecting anything in return shows you are a good person.”

“This is what we all hope for. Please, we implore you to agree.”

After he spoke, the other attendants also made their requests.

“Wushang, accept it,” Huang Pianruo urged. “My master has always been deliberate in his actions; his choice must come from careful consideration.”

“The Medicine King Valley is a vast undertaking...”

“I have no problem taking over, but I have a question I’d like to ask, Master Huang,” Ye Wushang interrupted, lifting his head to look at Pharmacist Huang. “Even if you appreciate me, you wouldn’t hand over the Medicine King Valley unconditionally, would you?”

The Medicine King Valley’s medicinal fields were abundant, the spiritual energy dense, and the supply of medicinal herbs practically inexhaustible. Gaining control would certainly eliminate many of his worries.

However, he could not accept such a gift without merit; it would weigh too heavily on his conscience.

Moreover, no one is a fool. To gain something, you must give something in return.

“Haha.”

Pharmacist Huang laughed heartily and nodded. “That’s right—strong ability, good character, and an uncommon temperament.”

“To give you the Medicine King Valley, I do have one request.”

“The supreme Langya Grass seeds you cultivate—I need you to provide ten stalks every month to my master.”

“I used to provide them before, but now it’s your turn.”

Ye Wushang was greatly surprised. “You have a master?”

“I’m just over fifty years old; isn’t it normal to have a master?” Pharmacist Huang smiled. “But don’t inquire further. Both Kaichen and Pianruo know of this grandmaster, but neither has ever met him.”

“His identity is special, and he cannot appear in public.”

“From now on, I will devote myself to serving him, so I won’t be able to manage the Medicine King Valley anymore.”

“I trust you with it, and I know you won’t disappoint me, will you?”

Since things had reached this point, Ye Wushang could only agree.

Providing ten supreme Langya Grass stalks per month was a bit much, but with effort, it should be manageable.

What piqued his curiosity was: who exactly was Pharmacist Huang’s master, to make him willing to give up the Medicine King Valley?

But since the matter was not open for discussion, he wouldn’t press further.

“Alright, I agree.”

Ye Wushang nodded and asked, “Master Huang, providing ten supreme Langya Grass stalks each month—this is your second request, isn’t it?”

“Not quite.”

Pharmacist Huang shook his head and walked over to Huang Pianruo. “My second request is that you take Pianruo as your disciple.”

“What?” Ye Wushang exclaimed in shock.

Huang Pianruo also stared at Pharmacist Huang in disbelief—clearly, she had not expected this.

“Since I’m entrusting the Medicine King Valley to you, I’ll have no further opportunity to teach her.”

“Let her follow you, so she can learn more about medicinal therapies.”

“Besides, from now on you’ll oversee everything, but affairs within the valley—including mundane business—let Kaichen handle.”

“Compared to the first, this second condition is non-negotiable. If you don’t agree, there’s nothing more to discuss.”

Looking at his resolute stance, it was clear there was no room for negotiation.

The truth was, Ye Wushang’s reluctance to take Huang Pianruo as a disciple stemmed mainly from not wanting to incur karmic entanglements, and also from fearing any romantic complications.

But the supreme Langya Grass was critically important, and now the Medicine King Valley was being offered freely—a tremendous boon for his cultivation.

He knew opportunities like this were rare. Though unwilling, he could only acquiesce. “Very well, I accept. I’ll take Pianruo as my disciple...”

“Yes!” Xiaocui leapt up in excitement.

Tears welled up in Huang Pianruo’s eyes—was this the end of her hardships? All her scheming had come to nothing compared to a single word from her master.

Though the price was high—handing the Medicine King Valley to Ye Wushang—she trusted him. In his hands, the Medicine King Valley would only flourish.

“Master, please accept my bow!” she cried, about to kneel.

Ye Wushang stopped her, shaking his head. “Not so fast.”

“Whether you can be my disciple depends on your aptitude.”

“In any case, I’ve agreed to Master Huang to teach you, but how I do it is something I’ll need to consider.”

“But—”

“Pianruo, haste makes waste. Since Mr. Ye has agreed, I trust he’ll honor his word,” Pharmacist Huang interrupted.

He clapped his hands, and two attendants appeared from the corridor, carrying a tray.

On the tray lay a painting.

Pharmacist Huang picked it up and handed it to Ye Wushang. “At our first meeting, you spared my Medicine King Valley from disaster.”

“And now, you’ll be managing the valley for me. I have nothing else to give you. This ‘Hundred Birds and Pines with Cranes’ is the work of the Tang dynasty master Yuan Chongming.”

“I offer it to you as a token of my gratitude. Please accept it.”

Ye Wushang was taken aback.

Looking at the lifelike scroll, he felt unworthy. After all, he had done nothing to merit being given the Medicine King Valley for nothing.

Though he had agreed to teach Huang Pianruo, he had yet to begin. Now, receiving a famous painting as well, he could only repay this kindness by managing the valley to the best of his ability.

“Thank you for your generosity, Master Huang. Rest assured, I will care for the Medicine King Valley.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ye Wushang accepted the painting.

Coincidentally, tomorrow he would attend his grandfather’s sixtieth birthday. The meaning of the “Hundred Birds and Pines with Cranes” was longevity. Giving this as a birthday gift would surely make his grandfather happy.

“Well, my affairs are settled,” Pharmacist Huang said with a smile. “Now unburdened, I will spend my remaining days at my master’s side—until the end.”

He patted Xue Kaichen on the shoulder and advised, “Kaichen, from now on, do your best following Ye Wushang.”

“Help him manage the Medicine King Valley. By his side, you’ll learn things you never could from me.”

“I hope that the next time fate brings us together, I’ll see you in a whole new light.”

“Master...” Xue Kaichen was filled with conflicting emotions.

He wanted to say something, but his master only laughed and left.

“Valley Master, the valley is running smoothly, and our mundane ‘Medicine King Pharmaceuticals’ business is steadily improving.”

“But we’ve hit bottlenecks in many areas. Now that you’re in charge, what are your orders for the future?”

No longer calling him Mr. Ye, Xue Kaichen now addressed him as Valley Master, respectfully seeking guidance.

Ye Wushang was still unaccustomed to this, and wasn’t clear on all the details. After a moment’s thought, he said, “No rush.”

“For now, I’ll go back and cultivate the supreme Langya Grass according to Master Huang’s instructions.”

“You can summarize all the affairs of the Medicine King Valley in writing for me. Once I’ve reviewed them, I’ll make my decisions.”

The immediate priority was to cultivate the Langya Grass seeds well. Only with them could his own cultivation continue to advance.

As for everything else, he could refine those matters gradually.

Xue Kaichen now wanted nothing more than to follow Ye Wushang. He agreed at once, “Yes, Valley Master.”

“I’ll get right on it. Within three days, I’ll have all the information about the Medicine King Valley ready for you.”

“I look forward to seeing our Medicine King Valley transformed and reaching new heights under your leadership!”

With that, everything was settled.

Xue Kaichen departed.

As Huang Pianruo was about to speak, Ye Wushang interrupted, saying solemnly, “You’re the same as Xue Kaichen.”

“He’ll organize all the information about the Medicine King Valley to help me grasp the big picture.”

“You, on the other hand, need to write down everything you know about medicinal herbs, also in written form for me.”

“Based on your knowledge and understanding, I’ll create a tailored learning plan for you.”

“Your task is much simpler than his—two days should suffice.”

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