Yu Lie walked straight ahead, dressed in a three-striped Daoist robe, with a middle-rank Daoist child's bronze token hanging at his waist.
His journey was unimpeded.
Before long, he arrived at a cluster of buildings, distinct from the others in the alchemy room.
These structures were built in the middle of a square pond, resembling a small island in a lake.
Scattered along the path were lower-rank Daoist children, spreading out paper books to dry in the rare sunlight.
Although Daoists transmitted their teachings through various mediums like incense and silver mirrors, for lower-rank Daoists, paper books were undoubtedly the cheapest.
The reason the prescription hall was built in the middle of the pond was to facilitate water access in case of fire.
The Daoist child guarding the entrance noticed Yu Lie, feeling somewhat unfamiliar, but immediately recognized him as a middle-rank Daoist child and dared not neglect him.
He quickly asked, "May I ask, brother, what brings you to the hall?"
Yu Lie took out his identity token and replied, "What prescriptions are readily available here that can enhance cultivation and aid in digesting copper tendons and iron bones? I am here to find a suitable prescription."
The guard scrutinized Yu Lie's token, confirming its authenticity, though the name on it was unfamiliar.
Without showing any expression, the guard promptly invited Yu Lie, "Brother, please follow me."
Entering the prescription hall, the number of Daoist children increased.
Yu Lie's nose was filled with the scents of paper, ink, and the medicinal pastes used to prevent insect damage.
Rows of wide shelves, three to four stories high, appeared before his eyes, densely packed with books and volumes, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Yu Lie felt a sense of disorientation.
Compared to the library, this prescription hall seemed more like a place for storing books.
However, he knew that not everything here could be prescriptions.
The majority were records from various halls in the alchemy room, documenting the processes of herb collection, medicine preparation, alchemy, and drug sales.
Besides preserving prescriptions and summarizing medicine-making experiences, the prescription hall's other major function was to keep records for easy reference.
The guard led Yu Lie to a hidden door, respectfully knocked, and whispered to Yu Lie, "Inside is Brother Fang Wumu. You can ask him about the prescriptions."
The guard gestured for Yu Lie to enter and then retreated.
Standing outside the hidden door, Yu Lie raised an eyebrow upon hearing the guard's instructions.
He hadn't forgotten that he had almost secured a position in the prescription hall before.
The reason he couldn't was due to interference from Elder Fang, who had even taken his alchemy room bronze token, intending to give it to his godson.
Before coming, Yu Lie had wondered if he might encounter Elder Fang in the prescription hall.
However, the hall had many entrances, and Elder Fang, being a high-ranking hall master, made the possibility slim.
Moreover, whether Elder Fang even remembered Yu Lie was questionable.
Yu Lie narrowed his eyes, "I wonder if the Fang inside is that old man's godson?"
At that moment, a voice came from behind the hidden door, "Brother outside, please come in."
Yu Lie pushed the door open, and the thick door closed behind him, dimming the light, causing him to frown.
Directly opposite the door was a wooden table, where a figure moved, and a humble, apologetic voice sounded:
"The light here is dim to preserve ancient prescriptions. Brother, this is your first time here, please forgive us."
As he explained, the figure held a red, oil-less lamp, emitting a red light, and cupped his hands towards Yu Lie, "May I ask your name and what brings you to the hall?"
Yu Lie, using the lamp's light, scanned the room, finding it dimly lit but otherwise identical to the outside, with only a desk, books, and bookcases.
The only thing that caught his attention was that the person holding the lamp had a black bandage over his eyes, as if he had an eye condition or was specifically lighting the way for visitors.
Yu Lie cupped his hands, "I am Yu Lie, greetings, Brother Fang."
"Yu Lie?"
The figure holding the lamp paused, then asked, "Are you from the Poison Hall?"
Thinking the other knew about the recent changes in the Poison Hall's positions, Yu Lie openly admitted, "Yes."
Unexpectedly, the previously humble Daoist suddenly changed his demeanor.
Fang Wumu chuckled lightly, threw the lamp onto the table, and sighed, "I know you. You're the one who gave the bronze token to my godfather. Have you run into trouble recently?"
Hearing this, Yu Lie was momentarily stunned, realizing he had indeed encountered Elder Fang's godson.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, he wasn't sure...
Yu Lie frowned slightly.
Seeing Yu Lie silent, Fang Wumu sat back at the desk, arrogantly saying:
"The Poison Hall is remote, full of hard labor. I don't know why you insisted on going there. Recently, news came to the hall about a junior Daoist child who flattered superiors and bullied subordinates, offending my godfather. He continued, frowning,"It must be you who offended someone, and now they're investigating your background.
Why did you only come now?
"Hearing this, Yu Lie's expression turned strange. The incident where Du Liang plotted against Yu Lie had only happened a few days ago. Fang Wumu thought Yu Lie had come seeking support due to the"rumors.
"Before Yu Lie could explain, Fang Wumu waved his hand, smugly saying,"Considering you gave the token, I'll help you.
Tell me, which hall do you want to transfer to?
He touched the desk, "I know many hall leaders here. No need to bother my godfather, I can arrange it myself. But remember, once you're there, keep a low profile and get along with your colleagues."
The reason Yu Lie was led to Fang Wumu upon entering the prescription hall was that Elder Fang had arranged for his godson to handle welcoming and sending off middle and even upper-rank Daoist children.
This position not only allowed Fang Wumu to access prescriptions but also to build connections, a role Elder Fang created to polish and motivate his underachieving godson.
Fang Wumu's earlier humility was because he thought a new middle-rank Daoist child had arrived, prompting him to act courteously.
Seeing Yu Lie still silent, Fang Wumu unhappily asked, "Why aren't you speaking?"
Yu Lie, seeing this, chuckled softly, looking at his robe and then at Fang Wumu's likely blind eyes, thinking, "This person is Elder Fang's godson but couldn't obtain the alchemy room bronze token. The problem must lie with his eyes."
He decided not to let the misunderstanding continue and cupped his hands, calmly introducing himself, "Middle-rank Daoist child Yu Lie from the Poison Hall, greetings, Brother Wumu!"
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.
Fang Wumu's displeasure froze, and after a moment, he blurted out, "Middle-rank? Who are you trying to fool?"
Facing the doubt, Yu Lie directly tossed his identity bronze token onto the table.
Clang!
Fang Wumu pressed the token, his expression turning uncertain.
The token clearly bore Yu Lie's name and cultivation level, and its material was genuine.
Fang Wumu, experienced, knew it was real upon touch.
Fang Wumu was stunned, feeling both ashamed and angry.
Yu Lie was already a middle-rank Daoist child, while he was still a lower-rank.
Moreover, he had only entered the prescription hall by taking Yu Lie's spot.
The room was quiet.
The lamp beside Fang Wumu emitted a dark red light, casting his face half in shadow, half in light, looking quite strange.
Seeing Fang Wumu speechless, Yu Lie smiled, offering a way out, "Brother Wumu, how has Elder Fang been? My cultivation was too low before, so I dared not disturb him and never visited."
Hearing this, Fang Wumu suppressed his shame and anger, forcing a dry laugh.
Creak! The chair moved.
Fang Wumu stood up abruptly, cupping his hands towards Yu Lie, "Very well, very well. Brother Yu, you jest. My godfather has often thought of you since your last meeting. You are always welcome to visit, both by my godfather and me!"
Seeing Fang Wumu's reaction, and knowing he was blind, Yu Lie's face showed a cold smile, his eyes filled with disdain.
But his words remained polite, "Then, Brother Wumu, could you recommend some prescriptions to me?"
Hearing Yu Lie's continued politeness, Fang Wumu's shame eased somewhat.
He picked up the lamp again, forcing a laugh, "Of course, of course, Brother Yu, please follow me!"
(End of Chapter)