Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Unpredictable Intentions
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Inside the pavilion, Fang Lin wore a confident expression while Lu Jiuhe was lost in deep thought. Kang Lu and the other formal disciples chuckled in their hearts.
“I have one.” announced Lu Jiuhe.
Lu Jiuhe pointed out to the large courtyard and said, “Brother Fang, the question I have in mind isn’t complicated but it isn’t simple either. You just need to tell me how many types of medicinal plants are there in this courtyard. ”
Upon hearing this, Kang Lu and the others secretly praised Lu Jiuhe’s craftiness for coming up with such a tricky question.
After posing his question, Lu Jiuhe watched Fang Lin with a smile, eager to see him panicking.
Kang Lu and the others were also intently watching Fang Lin, but his reaction left them somewhat disappointed.
From Fang Lin’s demeanor, there was no sign of panic. He was instead cool, calm, and composed, as if he had everything under control.
Fang Lin stood up and indifferently said, “Good question, let me have a look.”
Lu Jiuhe laughed and said, “Take your time, Brother Fang, but do hurry with the answer.”
Nodding, Fang Lin surveyed the surroundings, scanning the area for a moment before pulling back his gaze.
Seeing his casual approach, everyone was more certain that Fang Lin wouldn’t be able to answer, and they all chuckled secretly.
“Well? Brother Fang, can you answer now?” Kang Lu couldn’t help but ask. He was eager to watch Fang Lin make a fool of himself. Regardless of whether it really hurt Fang Lin’s pride, he just wanted to see it happen.
Lu Jiuhe also smiled and said, “Go ahead with your answer, Brother Fang. It’s okay even if you can’t.”
Fang Lin smiled and said, “Brother Lu, there are one hundred and thirty-seven types of medicinal plants in this courtyard.”
“Hahaha! Fang Lin, if you can’t answer, just say so! There’s no need to bluff!” Kang Lu burst out laughing, his face filled with mockery and ridicule.
The other formal disciples also began to mock Fang Lin, assuming he was cluelessly making something up because he couldn’t answer the question.
Fang Lin simply smiled and said nothing, turning his attention to Lu Jiuhe.
It was then that Kang Lu and the others noticed that Lu Jiuhe hadn’t spoken either. When they glanced at Lu Jiuhe, they saw a surprised and serious expression on his face.
Noticing Lu Jiuhe’s reaction, Kang Lu and the others were taken aback. What was going on?
“Brother Lu, did I get it right?” Fang Lin asked with a smile.
Lu Jiuhe’s face turned sour, even more surprised and confused than before.
He knew exactly how many different medicinal plants were in his courtyard one hundred and thirty-seven, just as Fang Lin had said. Not one more, not one less.
Lu Jiuhe was finding it hard to believe. How could Fang Lin, who had come to his courtyard for the first time, know the exact number of medicinal plants? Even those disciples who regularly visited him didn’t know how many medicinal plants he was growing.
Perplexed, Lu Jiuhe couldn’t help asking, “How did you know?”
Upon hearing this, Kang Lu and the others were stunned. Fang Lin’s answer was correct?
Kang Lu suddenly felt dizzy with a mix of rage and fear.
“What kind of monster is Fang Lin? How could he possibly answer that?” Kang Lu yelled internally, feeling increasingly helpless.
Fang Lin simply smiled and said, “When I entered the courtyard, I started counting the number of medicinal plants. I just made a second count and could distinguish between the plants, even though some look very similar.”
Lu Jiuhe was speechless. So much for a fair competition. How could any of them compete with someone who can identify all the medicinal herbs in his yard with just one look?
Kang Lu and the others wished they could ultimately disappear. They had mocked Fang Lin right after his answer, then were promptly slapped in the face. They had lost their dignity entirely.
Glancing at Kang Lu and the others, Fang Lin said, “Brother Kang, it’s always best to think before you speak.”
His words seemed to echo in Kang Lu’s ears, it felt like another slap on his face. Feeling extremely humiliated, Kang Lu would have stormed out long ago if not for other considerations.
Trying to diffuse the tension, Lu Jiuhe quickly said, “It was just for fun. Don’t take it to heart.”
While Kang Lu remained silent, Fang Lin calmly sipped his tea. The other disciples were exchanging glances, and the atmosphere became awkvvard and stifling.
Lu Jiuhe fell silent too. Nevertheless, he sneaked glances at Fang Lin from time to time. Regardless of how shocked he was by Fang Lin’s talent, he had not given up the idea of suppressing him.
“Fang Lin, despite your talent, you’ve offended Kang Lu, which means you’ve offended Yu Qiufan. You’re bound to suffer.” Lu Jiuhe thought to himself. The thought of Yu Qiufan put his mind at ease.
Among the stifling silence, Fang Lin suddenly asked “Brother Lu, I heard that you have a hundred-year Ganoderma up for grabs this time. How can we step forward to claim it?”
Upon hearing this question, Lu Jiuhe was quite displeased. What was Fang Lin implying? Was he so interested in his hundred-year Ganoderma?
Concealing his annoyance with a slight smile, Lu Jiuhe said, “We only have one of the hundred-year Ganoderma, and it’s for one of you. But to decide who among you gets it, we would have to determine who among you comes out on top.”
Upon hearing this, Kang Lu and the others calmed down, as if they had foreseen this.
Fang Lin almost figured it out, and calmly asked, “How can we determine who’s superior? Are we going to have a alchemy competition?”
Lu Jiuhe shook his head with a smile and said, “Although we of the Pill Sect are primarily engaged in pill refining, we will not compete in that this time. We will compete in martial arts.”
“Great! Brother Lu, your suggestion is excellent. We, the disciples of the Pill Sect, cannot solely focus on pill refining. We must also improve our martial arts skills.” Kang Lu instantly agreed.
“Exactly, continually refining pills is too monotonous. Occasionally comparing martial arts is also interesting.”
“Today’s competition will likely become a famous event among the earth-level disciples of the Pill Sect.”
The other formal disciples also echoed in agreement. Only Fang Lin was silent.
Fang Lin sneered secretly, “You bastards planned this all along. Just waiting for me to trip up here. Unfortunately, I, Fang Lin, am not that easily fooled.”
Seeing Fang Lin not speaking, Lu Jiuhe smiled and asked, “Brother Fang, do you find it inappropriate?”
Fang Lin merely smiled and said, “A martial arts competition sounds interesting. I’m quite interested.”
Hearing his words, Kang Lu and the others wore knowing smiles. Finally, Fang
Lin had taken the bait. They were eager to see how he would struggle this time.
At once, Kang Lu announced loudly, “In that case, I challenge Brother Fang first. Given your impressive alchemy talent, I’m sure your martial arts talent is not lagging. Be gentle with me later.”
Everyone assumed that Fang Lin would hesitate or refuse. However, to their surprise, Fang Lin stood up with a calm expression and said, “If that’s the case, then I’ll have to disgrace myself.. We should just spar lightly so as not to hurt our camaraderie, alright?”