Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Lu 9 River
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fang Lin turned his head, only to see a group of people coming out of the courtyard, the one in the front was a young man in a white robe, sporting an inch-long short hair, and a handsome face.
Seeing this sight, Fang Lin knew that the white-robed youth must be Lu Jiuhe. Everyone else was standing a step behind him, demonstrating their respect for him.
Fang Lin spotted Kang Lu right behind Lu Jiuhe, his face expressionless, but a hint of mockery flickered in his eyes.
Fang also recognized the others, they were all the people who had become official disciples along with him on the day of the Pill Apprentice evaluation.
Fang Lin greeted Lu Jiuhe with a small bow, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, “This must be Brother Lu, I, Fang Lin, greet Brother Lu.”
Lu Jiuhe lightly smiled, saying, “Disciple Fang is too modest, we’re all official disciples, there is no need for such formality.”
Even though he said this, Lu Jiuhe accepted Fang Lin’s salute as if it was expected all along.
Kang Lu suddenly opened his mouth, “Disciple Fang, we were all here while you decided to come this late. Are you not taking Brother Lu’s invitation seriously?”
Fang Lin replied with a smile, “Brother Kang, you’re unaware, when Brother Lu sent me an invitation, I was overwhelmed with joy. I wanted to bring a gift for Brother Lu, but I was caught up deciding what to bring, which led to my late arrival. I’d like Brother Lu and the rest of you to forgive my tardiness.”
Unable to reply to Fang Lin’s response, Kang Lu could only scowl at him. Lu Jiuhe showed a sign of surprise, “Disciple Fang, you prepared a gift for me?” Fang Lin nodded, and from the Nine Palace Bag, he pulled out a jade bottle.
“Here are three Nurturing Breath Pills given to me by Elder Zhou. I took a few and decided to gift the remaining three to Brother Lu. I hope you won’t find them disdainful,” Fang Lin said.
Lu Jiuhe’s eyes flashed with delight upon hearing this. He was about to reach out to take the jade bottle when he felt that it was inappropriate to accept it so directly and immediately refused, “Disciple Fang, you are being too generous. These Nurturing Breath Pills were given to you by Elder Zhou. I shouldn’t accept them. If word of this got back to Elder Zhou, both you and I may get into trouble.”
Everyone scolded Lu Jiuhe in their hearts for his hypocrisy. These Nurturing
Breath Pills are bona fide first-class Pills. Lu Jiuhe, you wouldn’t really refuse them, would you?
Fang Lin immediately withdrew the Nurturing Breath Pills and returned them to the Nine Palace Bag. Shaking his head while sighing, he said, “I also felt it was inappropriate. After all, these Pills were given to me by Elder Zhou. It feels like I’m re-gifting them. Since Brother Lu does not want them, I’ll arrange another gift and pay my respects some other day.”
Lu Jiuhe was taken aback, the others looked at Fang Lin with a strange expression.
Lu Jiuhe, momentarily shocked, his facial expression immediately turned sour. Even though he tried to pretend to be indifferent, he failed to hide his anger.
Lu Jiuhe was so furious that he wished he could punch Fang Lin in the face. I was just declining out of politeness, where did I show that I didn’t want it? Is this your way of giving gifts? Are you playing me?
Fang Lin, seeing Lu Jiuhe’s resentful face, gave a cold sneer in his heart and pretended to be puzzled, “Brother Lu, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Although our Pill Sect disciples are not as physically tough as those from the Martial Sect, we should still exercise regularly. It seems like you lack physical training.”
Upon hearing Fang Lin’s words, Lu Jiuhe clenched his fists tightly. He had to restrain himself from smashing his fist on Fang Lin’s nose.
“Disciple Fang, your concern is appreciated. Let’s move on to our discussion,” Lu Jiuhe forced a strained smile.
Fang Lin nodded, Lu Jiuhe swished his sleeve and briskly moved into the courtyard, Kang Lu and the others quickly followed, leaving Fang Lin trailing behind, isolated and excluded.
Fang Lin didn’t mind and walked into Lu Jiuhe’s courtyard last.
As Fang entered the courtyard, his eyes widened in admiration.
“The treatment of high-ranking disciples is indeed different. My courtyard, which is considered large among low-ranking disciples, is nothing but a henhouse compared to this place!” Fang Lin marveled, greatly envious of Lu Jiuhe’s spacious courtyard.
The size of Lu Jiuhe’s courtyard was almost five times that of Fang Lin’s. Numerous medicinal plants were planted in the courtyard. It looked like a miniature medicinal garden.
Besides Fang Lin, envy was also apparent on the faces of Kang Lu and the others, but they understood the difference in their ranks and the corresponding privileges. A low-ranking official disciple couldn’t possess a high-ranking official disciple’s privileges.
In the center of the courtyard, there was a pavilion with stone tables and chairs, which looked very elegant and quiet.
Everyone followed Lu Jiuhe into the pavilion and took their seats. Fang Lin took the last spot, sitting directly across Lu Jiuhe.
Every time Lu Jiuhe looked at Fang’s face, he felt a surge of anger. When he initially heard Kang Lu mentioning Fang Lin, he didn’t think much of it. However, when he came face to face with Fang Lin, he realized that he was indeed as troublesome as Kang Lu had described, making things difficult for him right from the start.
Even though he hadn’t lost anything, Lu Jiuhe still couldn’t maintain his cool in front of Fang Lin.
Once everyone had settled down, they chatted amongst themselves. Only Fang Lin seemed to be ignored; no one initiated a conversation with him, treating him as if he didn’t exist.
Fang Lin couldn’t have cared less, he was only here for the Hundred -year Ganoderma and he didn’t want to associate with these people who were close to Kang Lu.
After a bit of casual chat, everyone covertly observed Fang Lin. They noticed that Fang Lin didn’t seem uncomfortable sitting there; instead, he was appreciating the medicinal plants in the courtyard with great interest.
Seeing this, Lu Jiuhe’s smile faded. He spoke, “I heard Disciple Fang achieved an unprecedented full score in the Pill Apprentice examination, demonstrating an exceptional understanding of Botany. Why don’t I test out Disciple Fang?” AS soon as tnese woras were out, Kang LU qu1cKIY jumpea m, “Brotner LU’S suggestion is excellent. Disciple Fang outshone us all during the examination. Brother Lu, make sure to not pose simple questions. That won’t pose a challenge to Disciple Fang.”
The others chimed in as well. Although their words were full of praise for Fang Lin, they were subtly undermining him.
Fang Lin remained silent, watching their act quietly.
Lu Jiuhe nodded with a smile, “In that case, I must think carefully before posing a question. Otherwise, if Disciple Fang answers them too easily, where will my face be?”
Fang Lin finally spoke, “Brother Lu, feel free to ask. My knowledge in other areas might be lacking, but I know quite a bit about Botany.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiuhe’s dislike for Fang Lin grew. You dare to be so arrogant in front of me, a high -ranking disciple? Wait until you experience my prowess, Lu Jiuhe..