Chapter 1022: Chapter 308: Small Town! Eccentric! (Part 3)
The shopkeeper returned to the inn and glanced at the tardy assistant. He slapped the assistant’s head, spinning him around 360 degrees. After seeing the drool marks on the assistant’s face, he grumbled, "Are you the shopkeeper, or am I the shopkeeper?"
"I was out looking after the shop, and you ran to the back to nap."
"By God, I almost ran into trouble with a young lad just now. Luckily, I cleverly resolved it. Otherwise, if he were to inform people in the Valley, would we be able to handle the repercussions? Have you forgotten we’re redeeming ourselves?"
The assistant said sheepishly, "Oh, it’s fine. They’re big shots. What grudges do big shots have against small fries like us? Can’t they tell it’s usually pretty quiet here? They won’t bother us, otherwise, they wouldn’t be big shots."
The shopkeeper nearly slapped the assistant again. As the assistant pulled back, he spat, "Oh, damn, I really feel like ripping off your skull. The way you talk irritates the hell out of me!"
"Big shots sparing us is a matter of courtesy, but at the same time, we represent Medicine Master Valley, don’t we?"
"Keep a sharp watch from now on; don’t mess up on something like this. I don’t want to guard the valley entrance for the rest of my life!"
The shopkeeper and the assistant continued their playful argument, when suddenly, they noticed a strange person entering the shop.
The stranger wore a tattered black robe with numerous bandages wrapped around his face. On his back, he carried a heavy black coffin, chained in loops to his robe, radiating an unapproachable aura.
"Who are you?" The shopkeeper gestured for the assistant to stay calm, and he nodded. The two curiously approached the stranger.
"Hello, I request entry into Medicine Master Valley to seek help from its physicians to heal my loved one," the stranger said.
His voice resonated like echoes from a water jar—stiff, rigid, and resolute.
The shopkeeper and assistant exchanged bewildered glances, thinking how odd it is. No one came for months, yet now, two people show up in one day! It’s unreal.
Recalling Yuchi’s incident, the shopkeeper replied cautiously with a smile, "I don’t know much about your matter, nor about Medicine Master Valley. But if you have something that can verify its existence, then, we’d be willing to assist."
His message was clear.
Entering Medicine Master Valley is fine, but a warrant is necessary. Without it, entry is prohibited; that’s the rule.
Does this stranger have a warrant?
Without responding, the stranger took out a heavy chest from his Storage Ring, slamming it onto the floor. Upon opening, it was filled with gleaming gold: "I don’t have a warrant, but I have money. If you help, all this gold will be yours."
Shopkeeper: "..."
Assistant: "..."
Holy smokes, is he a millionaire? This entire chest is full of gold! How much is in there? Roughly 5 million silver coins, right? 5 million taels for entering Medicine Master Valley?
Heavens.
What on earth?
The shopkeeper hesitated further; jokingly thinking, if he lets this person into the Valley and it backfires, he’d be done for. Yuchi’s mere silver was a humble gesture, unlike this foreboding pile of gold.
Words trembling, the shopkeeper, clutching the sobbing assistant, said fearfully, "Sorry, without a warrant, I can’t ascertain Medicine Master Valley’s existence. Please take your gold back."
"It’s cold, don’t let the gold catch a chill."
"Boo-hoo-hoo."
They sobbed, tempted by the gold but valuing their lives more, knowing the power of Medicine Master Valley. Should they defy its rules, leading to disaster—
Death might not just be impending but also gruesome; outsiders can’t comprehend the agony of a soul being whipped.
That would be true torment.
Upon hearing this, the stranger packed up the gold.
Watching the gold disappear, both men felt life’s sorrow so deeply. It was within grasp, yet untouchable.
Ah, such is fate.
What is destined will occur; what’s not shouldn’t be forced.
