Chapter 49: Lian Cheng, the Mentor

  Zhan Qingkuang was very annoyed at the moment. The first reason was that there was an old man in his sixties who had been following her all day, "Little friend, little friend, let's talk about life" and wouldn't stop harassing her; the second reason was that Ga Sheng Empire's Prince Huangfu Minghui always excitedly looked for her to challenge him, and after being beaten by her countless times, he still didn't give up; it was tolerable to be tormented by these two devils, but there was also Ximen Rongxue who wouldn't take a hint, and every day she would bombard her with requests to learn martial arts from her, ever since she gave the old devil a slap in the face, he wanted to follow her and learn how to beat up the old devil until he cried out for his father.

  Then Zhan Qing ran away with his tail between his legs, and it's better for everyone that he's gone.

  Along the winding path, avoiding the crowds. Walking leisurely and carefree through the forest, I arrived at Medicine Mountain, where towering trees block out the sky and the scent of green grass wafts through the air. It's no wonder that the Imperial Academy occupies such a prime location, with giant leaves as big as banana leaves and ghost-faced butterflies flitting about like small piglets. The sunlight filters down, casting dappled shadows - this is indeed a peaceful place.

  A faint rustling sound came, and Warlight turned his head, only to meet her lifelong bosom friend.

  The man wore a cyan long gown, with a dark green hairband tying up his flowing black hair. His handsome face had an air of detachment, and his calm eyes seemed to be without a care in the world. Even if he were to encounter someone else here, it would not disturb him in the slightest. The faintly raised corners of his mouth hinted at a smile that was tinged with a hint of self-satisfaction. This was a kind of tranquility that emanated from deep within his bones, like a carefree wanderer, yet also like a wise and experienced individual who had seen it all. "One cannot make one's mark without being detached, nor can one achieve greatness without being calm" - surely this saying must have been referring to him!

  A sunbeam filtering through the trees, mischievously wanting to feel its tenderness, shone on his slender body. The man's eyes narrowed slightly, with a thin layer of sweat on the tip of his nose, as if annoyed by the sun's disturbance. He sniffed lightly, pouting his mouth, seemingly muttering to himself. In this lush green forest, the man seemed to blend in with nature, like a serene and pale blue ink painting.

  The man tilted his head, tucked a strand of hair behind his shoulder, picked up the medicine basket and hoe by his feet, and said calmly: "Hello."

  Sometimes, the friendship between gentlemen is as plain as water, which is often the case among virtuous people. They don't value superficial things and are naturally like-minded. Just like Bo Ya and Ziqi, a single melody of "High Mountain and Flowing Water" can evoke a deep emotional resonance! True friends often don't need to say much to understand each other's intentions.

  Zhan light crazy smile hint, two people look at each other without a word, but there is a kind of inexplicable atmosphere lingering in the air. The man and she stood on either side, watching him squat down to carefully pick off a medicinal herb, smelling the scent of herbs coming from his body, he must be an alchemist!

  He walked up to the man and took out a smaller medicine spade from his medicine basket. The man was taken aback, but didn't say anything.

  It's also a good idea to relax and do some things she's interested in. Seeing a soft purple grass not far away, she carefully trampled it down and picked up some others. In no time, her harvest was quite rich.

  She took the medicine she had picked and hastily walked to the man's side, handing him the herbs.

  "Here you go."

  Lian Cheng and the past didn't have much difference, after eating breakfast, he came here to pick herbs, unexpectedly met a young girl. However, the girl had no malice towards him, and he also politely greeted her, each doing their own thing. But looking at the well-processed medicinal herbs in front of him, he was still delighted, just look at this technique, it must be an expert!

  "Thank you."

  "It doesn't matter."

  "Leader, Lian Cheng."

  "War is madness."

  After finishing speaking in just four short sentences, the two fell into silence at the same time, then smiled and went to pick those herbs.

  Zhan Qingkuang was slightly surprised in his heart, so young and already a mentor? Then his ability to identify medicinal herbs and refine elixirs must be quite impressive. Looking at the aura around him, his level shouldn't be low, right? Seeing him carefully and meticulously putting away each and every medicinal herb, Zhan Qingkuang also began to move his hands.

  Both of them were professionals, and for a while their hands moved swiftly. Zhan Liang was fighting to relieve his frustration, while Lian Cheng was happy to have her professional help, but he didn't show it.

  When the two of them finished their work, the sun was already overhead. Lian Cheng silently took over the medicine spade in her hand and put it into the medicine basket, leading the way down the mountain.

  He followed Lian Cheng all the way to his own courtyard, which was called "Yi Ran Ju". It really suited him. The weather was good today, and various herbs were drying in the courtyard, neatly arranged.

  Sitting in a rattan chair in the courtyard, watching Lian Cheng just put away the medicinal herbs he had picked, and then brewed her a pot of tea.

  "Drink tea."

  "Thank you."

  She waited for the tea to be ready, and the man began processing his precious herbs again. Seeing him move quickly and steadily, he sorted the herbs into categories, then removed impurities, sliced them, washed them clean, moistened them, dried them, and sun-dried them. All the steps were done in an orderly manner.

  Two people in this small courtyard, one wholeheartedly tending to the medicinal herbs, the other carelessly drinking tea and sizing things up, the scene is very harmonious.

  Lian Cheng busied himself, then sat down beside her, his slender fingers picking up the teapot to pour himself a cup of tea. He didn't feel that he had been slow in serving his guest, and as a guest, Zhan Qingkuang wasn't impatient with his slowness either. There are some people who often do things that don't follow common logic, yet somehow make others feel that it's only natural. Lian Cheng was one such person.

  "Will you go again later?"

  "If I have time, I will go."

  "Good."

  They exchanged a subtle glance, as if they had raised their cups in a silent toast, yet hadn't. Each took a sip of the tea in their own hand.

  Seeing that it was getting late, Zhan Qing also didn't bother to disturb her anymore. She put down the teacup and stood up without saying another word, just like that she left. And Lian Cheng, after she left, carefully checked his herbs again, cleaned up the tea set, and went back into the house.

  The two calm people didn't know that there was a strange figure in the corner of the wall, whose whole body was trembling with anger, staring viciously at the direction where Zhan Qingcang had left, and the wall was scratched with scratches, revealing the resentment in his heart!