Under the guidance of the waiter, they walked across a small bridge, circled around a small lake, and followed the long corridor to the back.
In the distance, the melodious sounds of a zither reverberated through the air, soft and serene.
At the end of the corridor was an octagonal pavilion. There was a square table in the pavilion and a zither was placed on top of it. A person was sitting behind the zither, slowly plucking the strings. The sound of the zither, which was like flowing water, came from there.
An incense burner on the table held a stick of agarwood, its aroma thick and lingering.
It was a woman in her twenties, dressed in a lavender dress. Her long hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and her skin was fair and smooth. Her features were picturesque, full of the classical beauty of ancient China.
In particular, that classical charm, coupled with the zither in front of him, and the lingering fragrance, made it even more unforgettable.
The assistant stopped in his tracks and gestured for Lan Jue to continue.
Lan Jue walked slowly to the pavilion and stopped. She listened with an appreciative look in her eyes.
Finally, the music died down.
The woman pressed her hands against the strings, letting the music dissipate. She lifted her head to look at Lan Jue.
She smiled. "Long time no see, Jewelry Master.
What's wrong?
My medicine isn't working, so you've come to reprimand me? "
Lan Jue laughed. "You jest, Pharmacist. If your medicine isn't working, then the Eastern Alliance won't have any good medicine.
It's expensive, but the quality isn't a problem. "
The Pharmacist looked at him with interest. "I'm curious. What do you need so many high quality medicines for?
Are you planning to raise an army? "
Lan Jue smiled. "That's a secret."
The Pharmacist pointed to a nearby stone block. Lan Jue walked over.
He sat down beside her.
The Pharmacist propped an elbow on the table, supporting her head. "Don't you always have your little girls come?
Why are you here today?
It looks like.
Not a good thing. "
Just then, a young woman dressed in the same simple clothing approached.
She offered two cups of tea.
The tea was light green tea, but it was refreshing, as if it could cleanse the body and mind.
Lan Jue took a sip and praised, "Good tea.
You really know how to enjoy life! "
The Pharmacist smiled. "Really?
How can you enjoy it?
Even the maids are four beauties. "
Lan Jue chuckled. "They're actually just my friends, or rather, my younger sisters."
The Pharmacist frowned. "You men.
They were all animals that said one thing but meant another.
Don't tell me I can't see the look in those little girls' eyes when they talk about you?
I'm an experienced person. "
Lan Jue's facial muscles twitched. She wanted to say something, but she held back in the end.
"Why are you looking for me?
Speak, "the Pharmacist said.
Lan Jue: "The two castles have come to visit, and there will be a series of matches. Currently, it is tentatively scheduled to be five matches, four one-on-one matches, and one five-on-five match.
There's still one person missing. "
The Pharmacist laughed. It was a beautiful sound. "Very well.
I've been bored out of my mind lately, I'll take it.
An s-ranked power gem, I'll take it. "
Lan Jue smiled wryly. "We're on Skyfire Avenue.
You're probably the wealthiest of them all.
What do you need so much money for? "
"To enjoy life," the Pharmacist said matter-of-factly.
"No one cares for me, no one loves me. All I can do is work hard and save up for my coffin.
If the council agrees, I'll go. If not, then forget it. Find someone else. "Her face grew cold, and she picked up her teacup.
She was sending her guest off. This woman.
She changed her face on a whim.
It was why Lan Jue didn't want to interact with her.
Temperamental miser. That was the nickname everyone on Skyfire Avenue had given her.
Lan Jue rose to her feet.
"Fine, I'll find someone else."
I'll go find someone else. "S-rank power gems were out of the question.
She'd have to pay such a high price for just one match.
Skyfire Avenue was a loose organization. Even if they had the money, they wouldn't spend it like this!
"Stop." The Pharmacist interrupted as Lan Jue turned to leave.
"Hm?" Lan Jue turned to look at her.
"You don't have to pay," the Pharmacist said. "If you do something for me, I'll do it."
Lan Jue looked at her in surprise. "You have money, and you're strong. What can't you do?
Do you really want me to do it? "
The Pharmacist's expression turned strange. A moment ago she'd been hard and cold, but now her eyes had softened.
"Only a man can do it. I can't do it myself."
Lan Jue's heart skipped a beat. She took a step back. "I can sell my skills, not my body!"
"Scram!" The Pharmacist's eyes flashed with anger. She hurled her teacup at Lan Jue.
Lan Jue let out a hearty laugh. He lifted his hand and caught the teacup, not spilling a single drop.
"Speak. What do you want?" Lan Jue asked.
The Pharmacist looked hesitant. She rose to her feet. "Come with me." As she spoke, she followed the hallway to the back of the building.
The Pharmacist's figure was excellent. From behind, her slender waist and perky butt exuded a feminine charm.
But Lan Jue's eyes were calm as she stared ahead. She didn't bother to look at the Pharmacist.
He kept telling himself not to look at her!
He remembered clearly. When he'd first arrived at Skyfire Avenue and passed the Skyfire Avenue Council's inspection, the Wine Master had told him about the many things he needed to pay attention to in Skyfire Avenue. One of the most important was the Pharmacist.
The Pharmacist was a unique figure in Skyfire Avenue. She wasn't a member of the Skyfire Avenue Council, but her authority in Skyfire Avenue was even greater than the average council member.
The Wine Master had warned Lan Jue not to provoke the Pharmacist. If he did, no one would be able to help him.
Lan Jue could sense the Pharmacist's Discipline. She was at least ninth level eighth rank, or ninth level ninth rank.
She was incredibly strong.
This was why the Gourmet had asked him to find the Pharmacist, and he'd come.
The Pharmacist's Discipline was more than enough.
The Pharmacist led him to a building in the back of the building. They passed through a small courtyard, then another.
The Pharmacist came to a stop in front of an exquisitely crafted building.
It was built according to the ancient architecture of Former Era China. The wooden doors and windows were exquisite, and even the windows were made of white paper.
The Pharmacist's eyes betrayed her hesitation.
She turned and walked over to stand in front of Lan Jue.
"Jewelry Master, you must be of Former Era China blood, correct?" she asked.
Lan Jue nodded.
"What I want you to do for me," the Pharmacist said. "Pretend to be my husband for a while."
"Ah?" Lan Jue had been joking when he'd said he wasn't selling his body.
He hadn't expected it to be something like that.
The Pharmacist stared at him with a cold glare.
"Don't even think about it.
It's fake.
Your identity is not only my husband, but more importantly, I hope you can help me pretend to be a father.
My child's father. "
Lan Jue looked at her in surprise. He'd never known the Pharmacist had a husband, and a child?
This was big news!
"Your child doesn't know her father?" Lan Jue asked.
The Pharmacist shook her head, a bitter smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "When she was still in my belly, I couldn't help it.
"When she was in my belly, her father died.
I survived, but my grief damaged the baby's health.
From the moment she was born, she couldn't see. I tried everything I could think of, but to no avail.
All I could do was keep her by my side.
I don't know why, but she's been crying for a father a lot lately. But where am I supposed to find one for her?
I want you to help me pretend to be her father. "
Lan Jue looked at the Pharmacist, confused.
"Why me?"
"Because of your strength," the Pharmacist explained. "You're pure China blood.
My baby can't see, but her senses are far beyond those of a normal person.
She can't be fooled by any random person.
I want you to help me. "
"What do I need to do?" Lan Jue asked.
"Come and see her every once in a while," the Pharmacist said.
"If you can do that, I'll help you on more than one occasion on Skyfire Avenue.
If there's anything you need my help with in the future, I'll help you.
Also, I'll give you a bottle of medicine.
You should know that I practice the Daoist art of alchemy from Former China.
Immortal cultivation isn't a reality, but there's no body refinement method that can compare to our Daoist methods.
For our lineage, the most important way to improve one's physical abilities is in the area of pills.
Lan Jue thought for a moment. "How long do I have to help you?"
The Pharmacist smiled wryly. "I don't know.
She'll recognize you.
Maybe one day she'll understand. "
Lan Jue sighed helplessly. "I can't help you with something like this.
There's no deadline.
I can't promise you anything. "
The Pharmacist paused. Suddenly.
Two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. "Just help a poor mother, okay?
I won't make any demands or restrictions on you. I just hope you can spend some time with her. At least give her something to remember.
That way she'll grow up healthy.
I don't expect her to regain her sight one day, but at least, I hope her heart is satisfied. "
Lan Jue's heart softened as she listened to her tears. She nodded. "Very well.
I can't promise success, but I'll help you.
As for the reward, I don't care. All you have to do is agree to help Skyfire Avenue.
We're a team, after all. "
"Mm." The Pharmacist nodded again. "Thank you.
No matter what happens, I'll remember this favor. "
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Asking for monthly and recommended votes.
This was the second watch. There was still a third to come.
To be continued.