Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Extraordinary Expert is Really Ordinary

Both of their cultivation were not low, both at the Fourth Grade Realm, and they enjoyed a modest reputation as martial arts experts in Jiangnan Dao.

The Cao Family was one of the four great families in Jiangnan Dao, and within it were numerous experts—not to mention guest elders, even the Cao family itself boasted countless masters, and the family head, Cao Hongkou, was one of the Second Grade experts.

So for the Cao Family, dealing with two Fourth Grade Realm experts was indeed not too difficult.

An Jing nodded and said, “I need these two herbs, Polygonum multiflorum and Red Rhodiola. I will mix them with some other herbs, boil them on high heat first, and then simmer for two hours. After that, Miss Cao can take the concoction. Next, the three of you stand in three directions and channel your inner strength, starting with the Three Yang Scripture of the hand as the starting point and the Three Yang Scripture of the foot as the endpoint, circulating back and forth three times.”

Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui both nodded their heads, not daring to be the slightest bit careless, as everyone knew that Miss Cao was a tender spot in the old madam’s heart.

After receiving the prescription from An Jing, the Cao family immediately procured the herbs and then brewed the medicinal soup.

The weakened Cao Ling’er slowly opened her eyes and looked at the broad back in front of her.

For some reason, she felt that the back was extraordinarily tall, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.

“Rest well, you will be better very soon.”

An Jing chuckled lightly, ready to leave with his medicine chest.

“Okay… okay…” Cao Ling’er weakly responded.

When the old madam saw An Jing getting ready to leave, she instructed the maid beside her, “Yulan, quickly give the consultation fee to Doctor An.”

The maid named Yulan hurriedly took out a silver ingot and placed it in An Jing’s palm, smiling and said, “Here is the consultation fee, Doctor An, please accept it.”

An Jing graciously accepted the silver, smiling and said, “Then I thank the old madam. After drinking the medicine, see if the miss’s condition improves. If there are any problems, feel free to come to Jishi Hall to find me.”

The old madam nodded and was about to speak when at that moment the Cao house steward hurried over and whispered, “Old madam, old madam, the master says he has urgent matters to discuss with you.”

“What matters? Ling’er is ill now and needs care!” the old madam exclaimed with a frown.

The Cao house steward glanced at An Jing and Li Fuzhou, then whispered, “The master says that during the Ullambana Festival, the Cao Gang aims to join forces with the four great families to eliminate that swordsman…”

Although the steward’s voice was very low, An Jing and Li Fuzhou, being who they were, heard every word clearly.

“I understand,” the old madam said, her expression changing slightly, then she turned to An Jing, “Yulan, please see our guest out.”

“Yes, old madam,” Yulan responded with a slight bow.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

An Jing held his fist in salute to the old madam and stood up to leave.

……

The dusk grew heavy, but Jishi Hall was still flickering with lights.

“You’re back. Was there no trouble?” Zhao Qingmei, wearing a coat, took the medicine chest from An Jing’s hand and asked.

“No trouble at all,” An Jing took a sip of the prepared tea and said, “Doctor An’s miraculous healing, do you still not believe me?”

“The son-in-law is indeed skilled in medicine,” Li Fuzhou nodded slightly.

Zhao Qingmei knew well that Li Fuzhou was not one to offer empty flattery, and in the entire Demon Sect, there were few who could elicit such behavior from him.

“You and your glib tongue, you must be hungry, I’ll go cook you a bowl of noodles.”

Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing in mock annoyance, then carrying a lamp, she walked towards the kitchen.

Every time An Jing made a night visit, no matter how late, Zhao Qingmei would wait with a lamp for him to return safely, and then when he came back, she would make him a bowl of noodles.

Such days repeated, serene and comforting.

An Jing took a seat at the table, his eyebrows raised slightly. It seemed that after he had killed Liu Haoping and those on Tieyun Mountain, he had indeed provoked this behemoth; they were now discussing how to deal with him. He absolutely couldn’t let his identity be revealed; being alone wasn’t a problem, but if Qingmei and Tan Yun were to be put in danger, there would be trouble.

“Son-in-law, what are you thinking about?” Li Fuzhou, seeing An Jing silent, couldn’t help but ask.

An Jing casually replied, “I was thinking that the Cao Family, as one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, can easily summon two Fourth Grade Cultivation experts. It is truly impressive.”

Fifth Grade Cultivation, in the eyes of ordinary people, was already that of a master, so it was not unreasonable for An Jing to speak this way.

“In this world, there are many who bow down for the sake of profit, and even the martial experts of Jianghu are no exception.”

“You’re right, but I am an exception.”

“Son-in-law, what if you became such a master as well?”

Suddenly, Li Fuzhou asked.

“A master? A Fifth Grade Cultivation?” An Jing asked, puzzled.

“No, even higher.” Li Fuzhou shook his head.

“Third Grade?”

“Even higher.”

“Then it must be Second Grade, or even First Grade.” An Jing couldn’t help but say, “That would be a master capable of entering the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List.”

“Exactly, if you, son-in-law, were such a great master, what would you do then?” Li Fuzhou said with interest.

After thinking for a moment, An Jing said, “If I were such a master, I would pretend to be an ordinary person, a common doctor, as long as I could live well with Qingmei.”

Li Fuzhou’s eyebrows went up, and he spoke in a complex tone, “Son-in-law is truly a remarkable man, who in this world would do such a thing, to have left Jianghu before even entering it?”

He did not agree with An Jing’s notion. A man, born into this world with such great strength, yet still thinking of a comfortable life?

Moreover, Li Fuzhou did not believe such a person existed. The small-town doctor must have never harbored the idea of becoming a master.

An Jing took a gentle sip of his tea, and thought to himself: But that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Before long, Zhao Qingmei came out with two bowls of noodles.

“Thank you.”

Li Fuzhou quickly rose to his feet and accepted the noodles.

“Old Li, you’re lucky.”

An Jing said nonchalantly, “Wife, where’s my garlic?”

“I’ve already peeled it for you.”

Zhao Qingmei took out a few peeled cloves of garlic and put them on the table.

Seeing this, Li Fuzhou couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Qingmei’s delicate hands, never thinking that one day these hands, rather than taking lives, would be peeling garlic for someone—the lad really has a good fate, he really knows how to enjoy life.

“Wife, you go ahead and sleep first; I need to step out for a bit.”

An Jing said while eating his noodles.

“So late, and you’re still going out?” Zhao Qingmei sat down and said with a smiling face, “Where are you headed?”

Seeing this, An Jing quickly said, “Wife, don’t misunderstand, didn’t I tell you about the pharmacy garden? Today’s medicinal herbs just arrived in the west of the city. I’m worried those people might not take good care of the herbs. I want to check, so they don’t get ruined.”

“Let Third Master accompany you.” Zhao Qingmei said.

“I’ll go by myself, it’s so late, let Old Li rest.” An Jing motioned with his hand. “I’ll be back in about half an hour.”

He was not going for the west city’s herbs, but for Cao Family’s Zhu fruits. Bringing Li Fuzhou along would be too much trouble.

Seeing An Jing insist, Zhao Qingmei bit her red lips and softly said, “Alright, then make your trip quick and return soon.”

“I know.”

Watching Zhao Qingmei’s eyes brimming with affection, An Jing’s heart felt as if it was gently scratched by cat claws.

…….