Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Inside the pavilion, Fang Lin was beaming with confidence while Lu Jiuhe seemed to be deep in ponderation. Kang Lu and the rest of the official disciples were sneering in their hearts.
“Here it is,” said Lu Jiuhe, pointing to the enormous courtyard, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, my question is neither difficult nor easy. Please tell me how many types of medicinal herbs are planted in my courtyard.”
As soon as the question was raised, Kang Lu and the rest of the disciples praised Lu Jiuhe’s craftiness in their hearts. He had the capability of asking such a cunning question.
Lu Jiuhe looked at Fang Lin bemusedly after proposing the question. He wanted to enjoy the panic on Fang Lin’s expression. Meanwhile, Kang Lu and the rest were all looking at Fang Lin, yet his expression disappointed all of them.
This was because not an ounce of fear or panic could be seen on Fang Lin’s expression. On the contrary, he was calm and composed as if he was ready for the question. He stood up and said confidently, “That’s a fine question. Please allow me to take a look.”
Lu Jiuhe smiled and said, “Go ahead, Junior Brother Disciple. However, remember to answer the question as soon as possible.”
Fang Lin nodded. Then, his eyes scanned his surroundings. A moment later, his gaze became focused once again. The people had their minds set on Fang Lin being incapable of answering the question since he was just taking a casual look. They sneered in their hearts.
“So, are you ready to answer, Junior Brother Disciple Fang?” Kang Lu could not hold himself back from speaking. He eagerly wanted to see Fang Lin embarrass himself. Even if the embarrassment was not truly a disadvantage to Fang Lin, Kang Lu just wanted to witness it once.
“Please answer, Junior Brother Disciple. Even if you fail to answer, it’s fine too,” Lu Jiuhe said with a smirk.
Fang Lin’s lips curled upward and said, “Senior Brother Disciple Lu, your courtyard has a total of 137 medicinal herbs.”
“Haha! Fang Lin, oh Fang Lin! We could’ve left it at that even if you failed to answer, yet you’re still daring enough to spin nonsense!” Kang Lu guffawed aloud at once with mockery evident on his face. The rest of the few official disciples began ridiculing Fang Lin in succession. They were certain that he was just spouting nonsense because he failed to answer the question.
Fang Lin smiled as he looked at Lu Jiuhe without speaking.
it was then that Kang Lu and the rest realized that Lu Jiuhe had not spoken. They noticed that his expression was shocked when they looked at him. In turn, they were stunned by his current expression. What was happening?
“Senior Brother Disciple Lu, have I answered correctly?” Fang Lin asked with a smile.
Lu Jiuhe’s expression was rather unpleasant while his heart was filled with shock and bewilderment.
Of course, he was well aware of the number of medicinal herbs planted in his courtyard. It was precisely as Fang Lin described. There were a total of 137 types of herbs. Fang Lin did not miscount by a single herb.
Lu Jiuhe felt incredulous. It was obviously Fang Lin’s first time visiting his courtyard, but how did he manage to tell how many types of medicinal herbs were planted in his courtyard? Even the official disciples that frequently visited him had no idea! Completely bewildered, he demanded, “How did you know?”
Upon listening to Lu Jiuhe’s words, Kang Lu and the others were dumbstruck. Every one of them was stunned. Had Fang Lin actually answered correctly?
Kang Lu instantly felt like the room was spinning. He felt infuriated yet frightened in his heart. What sort of monster is Fang Lin? How could he possibly answer correctly? While Kang Lu roared in his heart, he felt an even stronger sense of powerlessness.
“I was counting how many types of medicinal herbs were in the courtyard when I entered the place earlier. I took a look earlier and counted in my heart once again. Even though there are a few types of medicinal herbs that look very similar to one another, I can still differentiate them,” Fang Lin replied good-naturedly.
Lu Jiuhe was rendered speechless. Are you still going to let the rest of us live in this world? With just a casual look around the courtyard, you’ve counted all the medicinal herbs here. Are you even human?
Kang Lu and the rest wanted to bury themselves in the ground. After Fang Lin answered, they had mocked and ridiculed him promptly. Unfortunately, they received a ferocious blow when Fang Lin answered correctly. They had embarrassed themselves beyond repair!
Fang Lin tilted his head at Kang Lu and the rest. “It’s best for you to watch your words, Senior Brother Disciple Kang.”
His words were like a tight slap to Kang Lu’s face which changed to be exceedingly unpleasant. Had it not been for his other plans that had yet to be implemented, he would have stormed out at once.
Lu Jiuhe hastily mediated the situation by saying, “That was just for fun. We shouldn’t take it so seriously.”
Kang Lu did not speak as Fang Lin savored the tea smilingly while the rest of the people gazed at one another. The atmosphere was awkward and oppressed.
Lu Jiuhe did not speak either. He sized up Fang Lin occasionally with his eyes. Even though Fang Lin’s display of his natural talent was shocking, it did not change his mind that was set on demoralizing Fang Lin. Fang Lin, oh, Fang Lin, even though you are gifted in natural talents, you’ve offended Kang Lu and Yu Qiufan. You’re still going to suffer for your mistake! Lu Jiuhe thought wryly to himself in his heart which gradually calmed down when he thought of Yu Qiufan.
In the heavy atmosphere, Fang Lin suddenly said, “Senior Brother Disciple Lu, I heard that you’re offering a Century Lingzhi as a lucky gift for this gathering. I wonder how we can win the Century Lingzhi.”
Right away, Lu Jiuhe felt extremely upset. What do you mean by that? Why are you so interested in my Century Lingzhi?
Nevertheless, he smiled and said, “There’s only one Century Lingzhi, so I can only give it to only one of you. However, we will still need to decide on which one of you is more superior and deserves it anyhow.”
As if they were expecting this earlier, Kang Lu and the rest appeared to have calmed down.
Fang Lin, on the other hand, became enlightened. He asked smoothly, “So, how are we going to determine the superiority amongst us? Are we going to compete in the act of refining elixirs?”
Lu Jiuhe shook his head with a knowing smile. “Even though our alchemy sect disciples’ main focus is refining elixirs, we aren’t going to compete in refining elixirs. We shall compare our martial arts capabilities.”
“Great! Senior Brother Disciple Lu, your idea is superb. Our alchemy sect disciples can’t always be refining elixirs. We should improve our martial arts capabilities at the same pace as well,” Kang Lu agreed immediately.
“That’s right. It’s too boring to refine elixirs all the time. It’d rather interesting as well to compare our martial arts capabilities once in a while.”
“Today’s competition is going to be a deeply praised tale that the alchemy sect disciples will talk about for a while!”
The rest of the official disciples agreed with Lu Jiuhe’s idea, except for Fang Lin who remained silent.
Fang Lin sneered in his heart. All you f*ckers have already come to an agreement since earlier. You are just waiting for me to fall and embarrass myself. What a waste that I’m going to prove you wrong!
Lu Jiuhe noticed that Fang Lin was silent, so he smiled and asked, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, do you find this suggestion inappropriate?”
Fang Lin smiled and answered, “Competing in martial arts capabilities is actually quite interesting. I’m very interested.”
In response, Lu Jiuhe grinned knowingly. Fang Lin, you’ve swallowed the bait at last. Let’s see how you are going to struggle free from the trap this time!
At once, Kang Lu announced loudly, “Since that’s the case, then I shall exchange moves with you first, Junior Brother Disciple Fang Lin. I believe that your natural alchemy talent is outstanding, so your natural martial arts talent should be certainly impressive as well. Do show me mercy later.”
The people thought that Fang Lin would hesitate and reject the idea, yet they did not expect him to stand up calmly and reply, “In that case, I can only present my inadequacy. Please don’t laugh at my performance. Let’s not go any further than necessary so that we do not harm our harmonious relationship.”