When the two arrived in front of the store, the manger inside promptly came out to welcome them: “Second young master!”
Jin Yuan pointed to the man in black robes beside him, and said: “Brother Tian is my distinguished guest. Manager Li, when you see him in the future, you must show respect.”
Manager Li carefully looked at the black-robed man, and he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
He couldn’t even see this person’s face… How was he supposed to recognize it?
But luckily, he knew that the other party’s surname was Tian. So long as this fellow came to visit in the future, he would do his best to receive this guest.
Very quickly, the two were welcomed inside by Manager Li.
Jin Yuan was also an orderly person. At once, he looked at the black-robed man: “Brother Tian, that sweetheart of yours, besides being called Ah Zuo, is there any other specific information?”
The man in black robes thought about it: “Pharmacist.”
Jin Yuan wasn’t actually surprised: “About Miss Ah Zuo, what’s her pharmacist rank?”
Brother Tian hesitated a little.
Not a girl…
But this thought only flashed by. His attention was quickly drawn to the subsequent question: “Profound rank.”
Jin Yuan was suddenly shocked: “A profound-level pharmacist? How old is she?”
Just as he blurted out these words, he felt that something was wrong. Ah, one couldn’t just ask about a girl’s age. Although it was said that many martial artists these days could maintain youthful appearances, age was still a woman’s reverse scale.
Hence, Jin Yuan hurriedly continued: “As it turns out, she’s a profound-level pharmacist. Sure enough, Brother Tian’s sweetheart is indeed very extraordinary.” Shortly thereafter, he asked, “Where does Miss Ah Zuo stay in Ten Ultimates City? Does Brother Tian know?”
The black-robed man went back to thinking: “Manor.”
Jin Yuan immediately pondered.
It seemed that this Brother Tian and that Miss Ah Zuo had a chance encounter. Otherwise, the information he knew about wouldn’t have been this lacking… This shouldn’t be a case of unrequited love, right?
However, with these few key points, they had a direction for an investigation.
This should’ve been a profound-level pharmacist called Ah Zuo who lived in a manor… Speaking of which, the amount of information wasn’t too meager either. When the time came, it wouldn’t be a problem to rule out the people they found.
After that, Jin Yuan gave a few instructions to Manager Li. The meaning of his words was nothing more than asking him to inquire about the profound-level pharmacist called “Ah Zuo,” and to send the results over as soon as possible.
Manager Li naturally worked very hard to please Jin Yuan. After quickly sending someone to deliver top-notch teas and refreshments, he hurriedly went out to make some discreet inquiries.
Jin Yuan spoke to the man in black robes: “Brother Tian, rest assured. Manager Li was able to let our Jin Family’s store lay its roots in Ten Ultimates City. He’s considered my father’s capable subordinate, and he knows a lot of people. If he can’t find out anything here, he can go to the Dark Tower’s intelligence bureau to buy the information.”
Hearing this, Brother Tian nodded his head: “Thanks.”
Jin Yuan smiled and said: “This one feels like we’ve become friends at first sight. There’s no need to express gratitude.”
The black-robed man nodded again.
After that, Jin Yuan allowed Brother Tian to stay in a villa behind the Jin Family’s store. In the beginning, he simply talked about everything under the sun. Later on, when interests came up, he verbally sparred with him. However, after this exchange of notes, he discovered that several martial skills he thought were rather brilliant had been easily unravelled by the other party.
It was only natural Jin Yuan wouldn’t concede defeat that readily, so he started practicing moves with this person. Of course, these moves weren’t part of a spar that utilized profound qi. Instead, he only displayed the move forms and provided their matching explanations. During this practice, the number of times the black-robed man took action was very few, but every time he responded, he would target key points, making it impossible for Jin Yuan to continue into the afternoon.
At that moment, Jin Yuan was extremely surprised — Brother Tian was actually this strong?
But right away, Jin Yuan felt a little happy. Such a powerful Brother Tian naturally made him feel that this fellow was even more worthy of friendship. As for losing… A loss was a loss. It had to be said that, because the points Brother Tian targeted were weaknesses or flaws, Jin Yuan’s strength gradually rose after he made up for those deficiencies.
In just a short day, Jin Yuan felt that this was comparable to at least several months of continuous, harsh training.
When Jin Yuan was animatedly comparing notes and sparring with Brother Tian, the black-robed man easily pointed out things for Jin Yuan, but he was also silently ruminating.
He recalled where his Ah Zuo lived, but when he wanted to go there, he discovered that he would get a little lost.
How…to get there?
The man in black robes felt that there was certainly something wrong with him.
He clearly remembered everything, but it was as if there were some obstacles somewhere. He couldn’t make sense of things he should’ve been able to distinguish, and he was always more than a half-beat behind.
His recollection and memory were rather chaotic. It was like many pieces of string were stuffed inside his head. The clearest and most distinct one was “Ah Zuo.”
The black-robed man snapped out of it.
It didn’t matter. It would be okay so long as he remembered Ah Zuo. As for everything else, he could sort it out slowly.
On the other side of things, Manager Li used his own methods to find many people and make discreet inquiries.
Unfortunately, no one knew about that profound-level pharmacist called Ah Zuo. Left with no other choice, he did what Jin Yuan suggested, and went to the Dark Tower.
The intelligence bureau was said to be a regular building, but it was actually a business of the Dark Tower. There were dedicated people responsible for managing affairs.
After Manager Li entered the Dark Tower, he immediately looked for someone on the side: “Old Brother He!”
That middle-aged man turned his head, and his face revealed a trace of a smiling expression: “So, it turns out to be Old Brother Li. How do you have the free time to come over today?”
Manager He was one of the Dark Tower’s low-level managers. The family that Manager Li served wasn’t considered much in Ten Ultimates City. As such, Manager Li’s status was lower than that of Manager He. However, there was once an accident where Manager Li saved Manager He’s life. As a result, the two’s relationship was pretty good. Manager Li was able to gain a foothold in Ten Ultimates City because Manager He provided lots of information.
Manager He was very happy to see Manager Li drop by.
Manager Li also showed a smiling expression: “I won’t hide it from Old Brother He. There are some matters that I want to ask about.”
Manager He spoke straightforwardly: “It’s no bother. Ask away, and I’ll give you a low price.”
Manager softly said: “Old Brother He, I’m asking for this information on behalf of my second young master’s friend. He wants to know if there’s a profound-level pharmacist called Ah Zuo in Ten Ultimates City.”
Manager He listened to this. A profound-level pharmacist?
In the bureau, this information was equivalent to that of a Noble Realm powerhouse. It was considered neither too special nor too ordinary. Luckily, this was within the scope of information he was in charge of.
As a result, he simply said: “Wait a moment. I’ll go check.”
Manager Li waited outside with peace of mind. After the time it took a stick of incense to burn, Manager He came out: “There aren’t many profound-level pharmacists in Ten Ultimates City, but none of them are called Ah Zuo.”
Hearing these words, Manager Li’s brows furrowed: “This…”
Manager He made a placating gesture: “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Although there aren’t any who are named Ah Zuo, there is someone whose name contains the Zuo character.”
Manager Li was overjoyed: “With Zuo in the name, it wouldn’t be strange to be called ‘Ah Zuo’ if my second young master’s friend is close to this person. I reckon that it’s probably this one.”
Manager He nodded his head: “This person’s name is Gu Zuo, the personal pharmacist of Ten Ultimates Sect’s all-star prodigy. And that prodigy also calls this person Ah Zuo. Now, this pharmacist’s strength is impressive, having previously showcased a self-created profound-level pill prescription during a Pill King Conference, and receiving Pill King Han’s admiration.”
Speaking up to here, his expression became somewhat solemn: “That all-star prodigy values Pharmacist Gu very much. Why are you investigating this person? If there’s enmity, it’s best that this hatred is resolved without delay. If there are other objectives, be more cautious when contacting this person. Don’t neglect anything.”
Once Manager Li finished listening, he nodded his head seriously: “Rest assured, Old Brother He. I understand.”
With the information in hand, Manager Li hurriedly returned, and told Jin Yuan what he found out.
After Jin Yuan heard everything, his expression was a little strange. When he looked at the black-robed man, there was a look of pity in his eyes.
Ah, an all-star prodigy’s personal pharmacist…
The trust between a martial artist and personal pharmacist was extraordinary. When a woman was willing to become a prodigy’s personal pharmacist, then she usually kept her affections secretly in her heart. As for the prodigy, he would definitely have an enormous amount of trust in that woman.
Under normal circumstances, these two people would tie the knot and become partners. Even if they didn’t become partners, the woman would certainly be the person to share the prodigy’s pillow… In other words, the one his newly acquainted brother had fallen in love with was, at the very least, a prodigy’s sweetheart?
When the household was harmonious, no matter how much he adored her, what was the use? If the one the woman adored wasn’t the prodigy, Brother Tian could still fight for the chance to snatch the prodigy’s wife. But then, wasn’t that just self-torture?!
Jin Yuan sighed.
It looked like this newly-met brother of his was going to be heartbroken.
It was rare to have a sweetheart, but it was also unlucky.
Jin Yuan couldn’t help reaching out to pat the black-robed man on the shoulder, but before he got close, he had a feeling that made his hair stand on end. He immediately retracted his hand, but his words were still filled with a comforting tone: “Brother Tian, why don’t we go and get a drink?”
Ah, Brother Tian. The more one drank, the less painful it would be!
The man in black robes looked at Jin Yuan.
Jin Yuan felt some goosebumps on his skin: “What?”
The black-robed man: “I want to see Ah Zuo.”
Jin Yuan lightly coughed: “Your Ah Zuo…is this Gu Zuo?”
The black-robed man: “Is Ah Zuo.”
Sympathy played across Jin Yuan’s face: “Okay. Who let me and Brother Tian become friends at first sight?” He rubbed his temples, “All pharmacists are fond of medicinal ingredients. I’ll go look for a stalk of spirit medicine with good spirituality. At that time, I’ll think of a way to send it to that Pharmacist Gu, and ask her to meet with us.”
Merely, it wasn’t known whether this could really invite that person over.
Brother Tian turned his head and went back.
Jin Yuan shook his head, but didn’t bicker about it.
This would be the biggest heartbreak, but who made him feel that Brother Tian was worth making friends with?
After that, Jin Yuan didn’t waste any time, and had Manager Li quickly find a stalk of top-notch spirit medicine.
Gu Zuo had been waiting for a little more than a month. From beginning to end, there had been no sightings of Gongyi Tianheng. However, he vaguely noticed that the contract connection between himself and big brother had deepened. In his heart, he felt much more at ease.
It seemed that not only was there nothing wrong with big brother, even the injuries he originally sustained were slowly improving.
Gu Zuo felt so happy that his efficiency in medicine refinement increased again.
When the connection deepened some more and big brother got closer, he could bring the battle slaves to go and bring back big brother!
— Yes. Gu Zuo believed that the reason why his big brother hadn’t been able to reach the sect was because his injuries hadn’t fully healed. As a result, he was forced to recuperate while hastening the journey.
On this day, Gu Zuo was still doing his best to refine medicine, and the amount of medicinal qi in the storage space had reached a new high.
All of a sudden, a battle slave appeared and brought a piece of news.
Gu Zuo blanked: “Someone is offering spirit medicine, and said that they want to see me?”
The battle slave spoke respectfully: “Yes, Pharmacist Gu.”
In fact, such matters happened very frequently. Many people who wanted to get in touch with his big brother would often go to his side and take this approach instead.
Under normal circumstances, Gu Zuo wouldn’t have been willing to go.
But this time around, for some reason, he suddenly wanted to take a break and distract himself.
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