This day.
As the fame of the "俠客行" spread throughout Chang'an, it dispelled some of the fear that the Demon King had cast upon the city.
And Lu Ling Feng was also encouraged.
Ignoring his injuries, he left the Ghost Market.
He went straight to the Dali Temple, ready to make another bold attempt to investigate the strange case.
Upon arriving at the Dali Temple.
He met Su Wu Ming, who had just become the acting Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple.
Speaking of which,
These two brothers had met a year ago during the Chang'an Red Tea Case. In the past year, they had experienced many strange cases and earned countless merits.
However, Lu Ling Feng was promoted while Su Wu Ming was demoted.
Seeing each other again, it was hard not to feel a sense of sadness.
They engaged in a warm conversation.
While Ying Tao held Pei Xi Jun's hand, the two best friends had their own topics to discuss after being apart for so long.
However, when asked why Fei Ji Shi didn't come, Lu Ling Feng explained: "Oh! Wang Lin gave him a new house, with a shop attached. He must be busy moving now. After all, who would want to stay in that cold and gloomy Ghost Market when they can open a shop in Chang'an?"
Su Wu Ming: "Wang Lin? Is it the "麒麟子" Wang Lin?"
"What? You know him?"
"I don't know him personally, but I know he excels in poetry, writing, and music. He's an extraordinary talent!"
Lu Ling Feng: "I didn't expect you to be interested in him, Su Wu Ming?"
"Of course, I'm interested. We literary people want to leave our names in history, and what we rely on are classic writings that can be passed down through the ages. But Wang Lin creates such writings with ease, and every sentence is a masterpiece! This man is no ordinary person, he's a heavenly being! Su Wu Ming only regrets meeting him too late, being confined to Qianling and unable to make his acquaintance! It's a pity!"
"Oh? I didn't know you held him in such high regard. However, I think you'll be seeing him soon."
"How so?"
"The Princess granted him special privileges to investigate cases in the Dali Temple. As long as he's here, he'll be able to see officials one level higher...!"
"嘶!"
Su Wu Ming gasped: "Incredible!!"
…………
Wang Lin, on the other hand.
After parting ways with Lu Ling Feng and the others in the Ghost Market.
He took Fei Ji Shi and arranged a courtyard for him.
The price of land in Chang'an was indeed expensive.
A courtyard would easily cost around 500 guan, which is about 1 million in modern currency (1 guan = 1000 wen = about 1 tael of silver = 0.1 tael of gold).
This was a large sum of money.
But who was Wang Lin.
Not to mention the financial support from Ma Fu Ren, the rich woman—a high-quality horse officially costs around 30 guan, or 3 taels of silver, while horses like the "汗血宝马" (Blood-Sweating Steed) could fetch thousands of gold.
Years ago, he had earned a fortune through his "文抄公" (literary copying) practices.
It's worth mentioning.
He originally intended to give the house to Fei Ji Shi as a gift.
But Fei Ji Shi refused to accept it, insisting that he would simply rent it, no matter how satisfied he was with the house.
Wang Lin smiled and eventually charged Fei Ji Shi a minimum rent of 500 wen per month.
In the not-too-big nor too-small courtyard.
Birds chirped, fragrant flowers bloomed, and artificial mountains and water created a picturesque landscape.
Fei Ji Shi was now filled with ambition.
To be fair.
He had come to Chang'an because he craved the city's prosperity.
So, even while staying in the Ghost Market, he wanted to settle down here.
And paper was expensive in Chang'an.
A house here, or even a pharmacy of his own, was Fei Ji Shi's lifelong pursuit.
He thought he would never have the chance.
But to his surprise.
His dream was easily realized!
At that moment.
Fei Ji Shi stood there foolishly, still feeling like he was in a dream, as if it wasn't real.
Just as Fei Ji Shi was lost in this joy.
He heard a knock on the door.
"Coming, coming, is that you, Wang Lin? Did you forget something?"
However.
Upon opening the door.
He saw a young woman with a beautiful face, dressed in a 齊胸衫裙 (Qi Xiong Shan Qun, a type of dress).
"Are you Doctor Fei? I heard from "麒麟子" that a highly skilled Doctor Fei lives here. Although you dress poorly, you are a disciple of the great "藥王" Sun Si Miao. Oh, is it you?"
"It's me, it's me!"
"Great, I need to see a doctor!"
"Come, come, come to the front hall."
Soon.
The woman left, her illness cured by the medicine.
Fei Ji Shi happily collected the copper coins and exclaimed: "It's true that rich officials are generous. They really pay for the medicine."
Soon, several more people came, drawn by the reputation.
"I heard from Wang Lin that there is a miraculous doctor at this place!"
"Me too, Doctor, I have a headache!"
After a busy afternoon.
Finally, all the patients had left.
Fei Ji Shi had some rare leisure time.
"Are you Doctor Fei?"
"For a checkup?"
"No! Delivering roasted chicken and Chang'an Drunk!"
Fei Ji Shi was confused, but seeing the fragrant roasted chicken and the delicious wine "Chang'an Drunk," he was also hungry and tempted.
But,
He felt he should ask: "Sir, are you sure you're delivering this to me? I didn't order any roasted chicken."
"Oh! It was ordered by Wang Lin from our "醉仙樓" (Drunken Immortal Pavilion) owner. Roasted chicken is delivered once a day, and the wine is delivered every three days. He paid for a whole year's worth. "麒麟子" also said, 'A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of water.'"
…………
【Ding, Fei Ji Shi's favorability level has increased to 100!】
At this time.
Wang Lin was drinking wine in a private room at the inn.
He suddenly heard the system prompt.
He was stunned.
Then he was overjoyed!
This was an unexpected bonus!!!
The reason he arranged things for Fei Ji Shi this way.
Was because of the "瞒天过海" (deceiving the heavens and crossing the seas) plan he had in mind.
Even though Ma Fu Ren had covered her entire face with a full-face veil and deliberately disguised her voice in the Ghost Market that day.
Logically, even if Ma Fu Ren stood in front of Fei Ji Shi, he wouldn't recognize her.
But, this was a minor flaw after all.
Therefore.
Every flaw must be repaired.
From now on.
Before the case was closed, Fei Ji Shi would never meet Ma Fu Ren.
【Ding, you have a copyable entry, (Red) 药王体 (Yaowangti)!】
He eagerly opened the window.
Looking out at Fei Ji Shi.
【Ding, successfully copied red entry: 药王体!】
As the red entry empowered his flesh.
A tingling sensation, a feeling of floating, spread from the inside out.
At the same time.
Wang Lin felt a tingling sensation in his wound. He quickly unbuttoned his clothes and removed the bandages. It was clear to the naked eye that the gruesome wound was healing.
At that moment, his blood boiled.
The "药王体" actually mobilized his blood, and in the blink of an eye, the wound was healed!
Awesome!
It can actually be combined like this?
But upon closer inspection of the "药王体" description, it absorbs the "药理之道" (principles of medicine) remaining in the body each time it heals a wound. What is "药理之道"? Fei Ji Shi has been with medicinal herbs for years, absorbing the essence of herbs into his body, which is the "药理之道."
And "宝血" (Precious Blood) itself is a top-grade "medicinal herb."
Obtaining nutrients from it results in faster and better effects!
Wang Lin casually pulled out a dagger and stabbed himself.
As expected.
In just a breath, the wound was completely healed!
【宝血】+【药王体】, these two entries are highly compatible, achieving a 1+1>2 effect!
Just as Wang Lin was contemplating this.
Suddenly.
There was a knock on the door.
Soon.
A middle-aged, sharp-witted man entered the room.
"Sir! This is the book sale money for this month, a total of ten gold cakes!"
Wang Lin took the gold cakes.
He suddenly asked: "Is A Mi doing well in Hanzhou?"
"She's doing well! Of course, she's doing well! Sir, here is the report from Song A Mi, the manager of our branch in Hanzhou, detailing all relevant matters in the past six months. Please have a look."
Wang Lin nodded.
He took the letter.
Looking at the neat handwriting.
He fell into deep thought.
He was a descendant of the Langya Wang Clan, and logically, he was from a noble family. However, by the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Langya Wang Clan had declined, its glory gone.
So.
At the age of ten, to supplement his family's income.
He decided to use the knowledge from another world that occasionally appeared in his mind to make money.
At that time.
He noticed that some romance novels in the bookstore were very popular.
So.
He started copying novels, beginning with "Dream of the Red Chamber."
And he used his family's money to open a bookstore—named "平安" (Peace).
It was during that period.
His books began to sweep the streets.
The following year.
When he opened a bookstore in Hanzhou.
He unexpectedly met a hunter's daughter who had come to the city to make a living.
Seeing that the girl was intelligent and lively, with a touch of fairy-like grace, but burdened by her poverty.
So, he took it upon himself to take her in as a disciple and teach her to read and write.
When he left Hanzhou a year later.
He entrusted the store to the girl's care.
However.
He had done something unintentional in his younger years.
But to his surprise.
He had sown a seed of karma.
Because this girl was Song A Mi!