Chapter 8: Wang Bo's Transaction

  "Haha, one embroidery needle solved the crisis, it's really a good thing. It seems to be more useful than flying swords, with high concealment and minimal mental energy consumption. Otherwise, I would have used that stone slab to collect them for a while!" Shi Sheng stood at the courtyard wall, looked at the two fleeing figures, and couldn't help but praise.

  "It's good that we didn't disturb Wen'er," Shi Sheng said, his face gradually darkening. It seemed that if he didn't teach Bai Ming a lesson this time, he really wouldn't behave in the future and might even come up with some new tricks.

  Back in his room, Shi Sheng continued to cultivate, exhausting his mental energy time and again, meditating to replenish it each time. Every time, Shi Sheng could feel that his mental energy was slowly increasing.

  In the end, I was able to control two half-length wooden rods to rise into the air together. Unfortunately, I couldn't separate them and make them fly freely on their own, unable to achieve the state of "one mind, two uses". Even controlling two weapons at once wasn't very useful.

  ……

  In the morning, Lin Wan'er brought in a steaming hot breakfast. She looked like she had slept well last night, perhaps due to her recent exhaustion. Today, she seemed less haggard and more spirited.

  "Wan Er, after I make some money in the future, I'll find a servant and then you can eat ready-made food every day!" Shi Sheng finished washing up and picked up a bowl of hot congee to start eating.

  "Hmph, earning money? When can we even save up a single coin? Now it's hard to earn even a few coins, do you think luck is that good and Second Miss will give us money every time?" Lin Wan'er smiled with pursed lips.

  "It's not a bad idea to find a few ignorant people like that and make some money!" Shi Sheng said, Lin Wan'er burst out laughing again, thinking of the poem incident that day.

  After the two of them had eaten breakfast, Lin Wan'er decided to go find Wu Shu to do some small handicrafts. Since Shi Sheng's leg injury was better, she wouldn't accompany him to Wang Bo's house; otherwise, neither of them would earn any money. These more than 200 wen of copper coins would eventually be spent.

  Even now, I don't dare to eat dry food casually, and can only drink porridge every day. Moreover, Shi Sheng wants to learn medicine, even if Wang Bo doesn't ask for tuition fees, some equipment still needs to be bought by himself, how can he do it without money?

  "No way, absolutely not!" Shi Sheng firmly opposed.

  "Ah Sheng, in the past we were like this, sometimes when you didn't follow your parents, I was the one taking care of you at home. Why are you reacting so big now?" Lin Wan'er said nonchalantly.

  "Wan'er must be with me, I won't go to work, and you're not allowed to either. I don't want you to suffer for me again, I'll think of a way myself!" Shi Sheng's face turned serious, and in the end, he didn't care whether Lin Wan'er agreed or not. He pulled her hand and ran to Wang Bo's house. Lin Wan'er struggled a few times, but she also knew that Shi Sheng was being considerate of her, so she let him have his way.

  "Ah, you've arrived! Please take a seat!" Old Wang said with a smile.

  "Wang Bo, what are we learning today?" Shi Sheng asked with some expectation.

  Wang Bo stroked his beard with one hand, and with a glint in his eye, he pulled out an old yellowed scroll. Smiling, he said: "This little monster of yours basically doesn't need me to teach it anything."

  "I've recorded some basic knowledge of talisman refinement, as well as some commonly used talismans for treating illnesses, the methods for drawing talisman characters, and things to note. You can take it away and practice on your own; if you encounter anything you don't understand, feel free to come ask me anytime."

  Upon hearing this, Shi Sheng's eyes lit up, for this was something he had been longing for. However, a moment later, his brow furrowed and he asked, "Wang Bo, do you only have talismans for healing and saving people?"

  "Do you want the talisman of killing?" Wang Bo's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, his face turned solemn, while Lin Wan'er looked at Shi Sheng with some confusion.

  "No, Wang Bo misunderstood me. I want some life-saving talisman refining methods. In case someone bullies us or bandits attack again, I can also contribute to the village!" Shi Sheng's face turned serious, and this statement was indeed true. Shi Sheng had never thought of using the talismans to actively kill people.

  Upon hearing this, Wang Bo's expression eased a bit and he said in a soft voice: "This is more like it. However, it seems that there are some things I need to tell you."

  Those things that harm people, I won't teach you, because I'm just a doctor of symbols. Even if I knew how, it's not possible to teach you, lest you go astray. You'd best not recklessly study anything either, lest you invite disaster upon yourself.

  "My abilities as a doctor are quite ordinary, I don't have much special skills. In the village or town, there are many who are better than me. If you feel that you can't learn anything from me, you can also go find someone else."

  Shi Sheng let out a helpless sigh, thinking that no matter how formidable others might be, he himself didn't know anything, and since Wang Bo was willing to treat his illness for free, his character was absolutely flawless. Therefore, Shi Sheng could only follow Wang Bo and learn from him, and the weaker his abilities were, the better, so as not to reveal the differences between himself and others. Looking at Wang Bo's age, he thought that he should be able to deceive him a bit.

  "Wang Bo, as long as you're willing to teach me, how could I possibly go find someone else? But this ancient scroll you gave me, Wang Bo, shouldn't be given away for nothing, should it?" Shi Sheng wasn't stupid; these things were the foundation of a doctor's livelihood and couldn't be casually passed on to others.

  "Haha, not bad, you little guy is quite clever!" Wang Bo said with a smile, Shi Sheng felt that this old man seemed to be plotting something again.

  "This ancient scroll is worth a lot, but since you don't have any silver now, it's fine if you return it to me later. However, at least give me twenty taels back, and if you can't repay within two years, you'll have to come work as my apprentice, and from then on, you won't be allowed to leave freely!" Wang Bo said with a smile.

  "Twenty taels of silver in two years?" Shi Sheng felt a bit off, and Lin Wan'er's eyes widened as she tugged on his sleeve. For someone who had never even touched silver before, Lin Wan'er really couldn't imagine what twenty taels of silver would be like.

  "If you think it's not suitable, then go find someone else. Others won't give you a two-year deadline!" Wang Bo shrugged and casually put away the ancient scroll.

  "Wait, I promise you!" Shi Sheng's eyes shone brightly as he stared at the ancient scroll. Without it, he wouldn't have known any of the symbols and wouldn't have been able to study.

  However, Shi secretly scolded the old fox in his heart, guessing that this old guy had taken a liking to his good drawing skills and would definitely make money in the future. But he felt that within two years, he wouldn't be able to repay the 20 taels of silver, so he'd have to obediently come work as an apprentice, and only after making money would it not be his own, but rather helping Wang Bo make money. Only, who could guarantee that he wouldn't be able to earn 20 taels of silver in two years?

  "Wang Bo, I'd like to ask, isn't Doctor Fu's method one that doesn't use medicine? Why do you still need a medicine boy?" Shi Sheng asked in puzzlement.

  "Haha, some patients naturally need medicine, and the medicine they need is quite special, so I don't have it here. It's only when others need it that I'll go out to procure it." Wang Bo said with a smile.

  "Alright!" Shi Sheng was somewhat speechless.

  "Considering you agreed so readily, I'll let you have a few things in advance. However, these items all come with a price, recorded on the ancient scroll. The more you use, the more silver you'll owe me. You can sell me the talismans you've refined, and I'll give you a fair price." With that, Wang Bo took out a wooden box.

  Shi Sheng opened it and found that it was filled with writing materials, including more than 20 talismans, and only one of each other item, but they were enough for use.

  "Thank you, Uncle Wang. If there's nothing else to discuss, I'll take my leave!" Since the relationship had changed from a master-disciple one to a transactional one, Shi Sheng was no longer as respectful, but still maintained some courtesy.

  "Feel free to go!" Wang Bo said with a smile, seeing off Shi Sheng and Lin Wan'er as they walked away. Wang Bo smiled slightly: "This kid is quite clever, heh heh!"

  ……

  "I've been watching this old man with some suspicion for a while now!" Shi Sheng said with some annoyance on the road.

  "Don't say that, Ah Sheng! In the beginning, Old Wang did treat you for free!" Lin Wan'er said with a straight face.

  Upon hearing this, Shi Sheng shrugged his shoulders, and indeed, there was no way to refute it.

  Just then, three figures appeared in the distance from the opposite side, with Bai Ming in the middle, accompanied by two small beggars, covered in mud, their faces swollen like a small steamed bun, and several small needle holes with bloodstains, exactly as they had been injured by Shi Sheng's sneak attack last night.

  "Shi Sheng? Hmph!" Bai Ming saw Shi Sheng and the other person, and hastily blocked their way.

  "Huai Zi took a glance at Pang Zi, then looked at Bai Ming and said: 'Boss, let's go find Wang Bo first, our faces are killing us!'"

  "Hmm, maybe he was the one causing trouble last night. It's dark and we can't see anything now. Since there's no one around, we might as well teach him a lesson, it'll be revenge for you guys!"

  "Alright, I'll listen to the boss. I have to get him back to feel relieved." Ah-yo! Fatso seemed to have made too big of a facial expression and was now wincing in pain, gritting his teeth.

  "What are you doing? You're still fighting in broad daylight, aren't you? I don't owe you any money now!" Lin Wan'er's face was pale with fear, but she stood firmly in front of Shi Sheng, and it seemed that not owing others money had given her a lot more confidence.

  A warmth was born in his heart, and he pulled Lin Wan'er back into his arms, opening his mouth to say: "Do you want to take action?"

  "Hmph, you think you're a hero? Fine, no need to fight. Just kneel down and apologize, then help me with something. If you do it well, I'll even give you 10 cents as a reward!" White Ming smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with disdain.

  "Oh? What's going on? You're so generous, giving me ten cents?" Shi Sheng was somewhat perplexed, and Lin Wan'er also looked puzzled.

  Haha, tomorrow is Li Yuanwai's birthday, and he has invited many young talents to attend. Ordinary people like us can also go and participate. It's said that if a commoner presents a congratulatory poem and it's recognized by these talents and Li Yuanwai, they will receive a reward of 10 taels of silver.

  I see you're quite capable, so I'll entrust this matter to you. If you help me win ten taels of silver, I'll reward you with ten copper coins," said Bai Ming, his eyes shining brightly.

  "Ten taels of silver? Ha ha, not bad. Thanks for letting me know, White Brother. If I really win ten taels of silver, I'll definitely give you ten cents!" Shi Sheng said, then pulled Lin Wan'er to leave.

  "Halt! You refuse to drink the toast, fine. It seems I can only beat you into submission. What are you two waiting for? Why don't you make a move?" Bai Ming glared at Shi Sheng with malice.

  Just then, Shi Sheng calmly took out an embroidery needle from his sleeve, with a few bloodstains still on the tip. Pangzi and Huizi were about to make their move, but as soon as they saw the embroidery needle, they turned and ran. Bai Ming was left standing in stunned confusion, silently cursing those two for being useless, seemingly unaware of the danger that still lurked. (End of chapter, next chapter will be even more exciting.)

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