After lunch, it was already afternoon. Leaving his parents' courtyard, Ye Chen departed from the estate, intending to make a trip to Reviving Spring Hall.
Four months had passed, but he wasn't sure if the Hundred Herbs Liquid had been sold yet.
Ye Chen walked into a deserted alleyway, once again donned the pitch-black robe, and arrived at Reviving Spring Hall.
It was still midday. There were no customers at Reviving Spring Hall. Although the rare leisure was welcome, Physician Xiao felt a tinge of melancholy and helplessness in his heart.
Last time, that mysterious black-robed figure had said he would return in three days, but he hadn't arrived as promised. Instead, Master Li Yun had specially come by, even staying for a full day.
All for the sake of waiting for that mysterious black-robed figure.
Unfortunately, the agreed-upon time had passed silently, yet the eagerly anticipated black-robed figure had broken his promise and failed to appear, leaving both Physician Xiao and Master Li Yun deeply disappointed.
Physician Xiao's disappointment stemmed from the fact that if the black-robed figure didn't come, Master Li Yun's promise would have no chance of being fulfilled.
Master Li Yun's disappointment was the regret of not being able to catch a glimpse of the mysterious black-robed figure. He wanted to know who this black-robed figure truly was, especially after seeing the results of the healing medicinal liquid and the pills refined from that list of ingredients, which filled him with an even more urgent hope.
However, both men were only slightly disappointed and hadn't given up. They merely thought the black-robed figure might have been delayed by some important matter, which was why he hadn't arrived.
In the following days, Master Li Yun appeared for several consecutive days, and Physician Xiao likewise craned his neck in anticipation of the mysterious black-robed figure's arrival.
Sadly, the mysterious black-robed figure seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth, never appearing again. However, because Master Li Yun had stationed himself there for several days, many forces in the city came to pay their respects, and for a time, Reviving Spring Hall's business improved considerably.
But after five days had passed since the agreed-upon date, even Master Li Yun stopped coming, causing Physician Xiao to sigh inwardly.
Although it seemed like he had earned three hundred gold coins for nothing, to him, it was far less important than a single promise from Master Li Yun.
Nevertheless, Master Li Yun, holding onto a final shred of hope, left a verbal message, stating that if Physician Xiao saw the mysterious black-robed figure arrive, he should immediately notify him, and the promise would still be valid.
However, after a full four months with no sign of the mysterious black-robed figure, both Physician Xiao and Master Li Yun had lost their last shred of hope; the possibility seemed slim.
"He probably won't come again..." Physician Xiao muttered to himself, idly wiping the counter alone. Remembering the promise with Master Li Yun, he sighed gloomily; he had missed out on a great opportunity.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded. Physician Xiao, listless, didn't even look up. "Welcome to Reviving Spring Hall."
At this moment, Ye Chen, draped in a black robe that concealed him completely, walked into Reviving Spring Hall. His voice was slightly hoarse as he spoke, "Physician Xiao, my apologies for being late."
Physician Xiao was deep in thought when he suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice, yet couldn't quite place it. But when he looked up, his entire body froze.
Wasn't this black-robed figure before him, concealed so thoroughly, precisely the mysterious black-robed figure he and Master Li Yun had been eagerly anticipating for so long?
After four months, he had finally appeared.
After a moment of astonishment, Physician Xiao immediately stood up with immense joy, almost exclaiming aloud, his face filled with excitement. "Si... Sir, you've finally come! Please, please, have a seat."
"No need. I came here only to ask one thing: has the healing medicinal liquid been sold? If not, I'll take it back and find a way to sell it myself," Ye Chen got straight to the point.
Hearing the black-robed figure mention leaving so soon, Physician Xiao seemed flustered and hurriedly said, "Sir, please wait a moment. The healing medicinal liquid you entrusted this old man to sell has been sold, for three hundred gold coins as you said. Please wait a moment, this old man will fetch the money for you right away."
Ye Chen nodded slightly. Although he sensed Physician Xiao's tone was much more polite than last time, even carrying a hint of reverence, he guessed the other party probably knew, nine times out of ten, that he was an alchemist, hence the respect. Therefore, he didn't pay it much mind.
Not long after, Physician Xiao reappeared. He had retrieved a money bag the size of a human head from the inner account treasury, stuffed full. Opening it revealed a dazzling pile of gold coins, hundreds of them, enough to stir anyone's heart.
Physician Xiao said, "Sir, this is the three hundred gold coins obtained from selling the healing medicinal liquid. Please accept it."
Ye Chen picked up the money bag, gave it a slight heft, and accurately knew the exact amount—exactly three hundred gold coins. He took out five gold coins and placed them on the counter. "Physician Xiao, as agreed, this is your payment."
But Physician Xiao hastily waved his hands in refusal. "Sir, this absolutely won't do. This old man cannot accept these five gold coins. Please take them back."
Ye Chen frowned. "Physician Xiao, this is the payment you deserve."
However, Physician Xiao repeatedly declined. Although five gold coins were enough for an ordinary family to live on for two or three months, losing such an important guest over these five coins would be a great loss.
Ye Chen immediately felt somewhat displeased. He still took out five gold coins and placed them on the counter, his voice turning noticeably colder. "I'm sorry, but I don't like owing favors. These five gold coins are left here for you. If you don't want them, throw them out on the street. I won't care..."
After saying this, Ye Chen turned and left.
The cold tone made Physician Xiao freeze for a moment, then feel regret. He realized his excessive eagerness must have made the black-robed figure suspect he had some ulterior motive.
He hurriedly stepped forward. "Sir, please wait! This old man has no designs on you. It's just that previously, a distinguished personage saw the healing medicinal liquid you were selling and bought it at full price. Moreover, he entrusted this old man to ask, if you came, if you could spare a moment. That distinguished personage wishes to meet you."
Clarifying the real purpose, Physician Xiao naturally didn't dare mention that the list of medicinal ingredients had also been seen by this person, fearing it would provoke even greater displeasure from the black-robed figure.
Ye Chen uttered an "Oh," observing Physician Xiao's expression which didn't seem false. Moreover, it was unlikely he could deceive or hide anything from him. He figured his healing medicinal liquid had most likely been recognized by an expert; otherwise, they wouldn't be so eager to meet him.
Luo Feng City wasn't particularly large nor small. There were two alchemists: one was Master Zhao De, the other was Master Li Yun from the royal capital.
Ye Chen guessed it was probably one of the two and asked, "I wonder if it's Master Zhao De or Master Li Yun?"
This seemingly casual inquiry made Physician Xiao regard the black-robed figure before him with even greater reverence. He could even guess who wanted to meet him; he truly was a senior expert.
Physician Xiao hurriedly replied, "Reporting to you, sir, it is indeed Master Li Yun. He instructed this old man that if you appeared, I must inform him. Master Li Yun urgently hopes to meet you, sir. Please agree."
Ye Chen originally intended to leave, but considering the other party's status as an alchemist, he felt it unwise to refuse anything too absolutely. Leaving a favorable connection might prove useful in the future.
He nodded. "Very well, I'll wait for his arrival."
Hearing this, Physician Xiao was overjoyed and nodded emphatically. "Please wait a moment, sir. This old man will immediately send someone to deliver a message to Master Li Yun."
Ye Chen nodded without speaking, then sat down in the guest seat arranged by Physician Xiao. He lightly sipped the clear tea, closed his eyes to rest, and quietly waited for Master Li Yun's arrival.
Approximately half a quarter of an hour later, hurried footsteps sounded. Ye Chen slightly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the white-robed elder who had just entered. On his chest hung a cauldron-shaped badge inlaid with a star, shining brilliantly and conspicuously—the mark of a One-Star Alchemist.
It seemed this elder was the Master Li Yun Physician Xiao had mentioned.
Behind him, two dignified elders also arrived. Ye Chen recognized them; they were the Grand Elders of the Hua family and the Tang family.
Although the Hua and Tang families weren't on par with the three great families, they were only slightly inferior major families. The two Grand Elders were highly respected figures within their families. Unexpectedly, they had followed Li Yun here.
It was clear these two Grand Elders also wanted to know who this mysterious figure was that had made Master Li Yun so anxious.
Master Li Yun looked quite excited, having rushed over without stopping the moment Physician Xiao sent word.
Upon entering Reviving Spring Hall, his gaze immediately fell upon the mysterious black-robed figure seated there. He couldn't help but step forward with full expectation, his heart somewhat apprehensive, like when he first faced his teacher while learning alchemy. Finally unable to hold back, he took out a medicine bottle and spoke, "May I ask, sir, are you the one who sold this bottle of healing medicinal liquid?"
Ye Chen glanced at the bottle. It was indeed the healing medicinal liquid he had entrusted Reviving Spring Hall to sell that day. He nodded. "Correct, that's me. What is it you want?"
"This humble one wishes to ask for your guidance, sir!" Master Li Yun said, but his words were nothing short of astonishing.