Chapter 27: Wu Hong

After a meal, Uncle Erba drank too much.

To be honest, Uncle Erba's alcohol tolerance was quite poor. Although this jar of wine had been buried for fifteen or sixteen years, it was essentially yellow wine, and the alcohol content wasn't particularly high. For Chen Jie, who had experienced all sorts of spirits in his previous life, it wasn't too strong.

However, for an elderly man like Uncle Erba, the wine was a bit potent. Chen Jie estimated that Uncle Erba's limit was about two bottles of beer.

In the end, Uncle Erba had to be carried back on Little Hu's back.

Once Chen Jie had finished his meal, he practiced the Spring Nourishing Formula once, and the feeling of intoxication quickly dissipated.

Getting up, he saw that it was already noon. Chen Jie washed his face, brushed his teeth with salt, and had Su Yunjin change his clothes.

This removed much of the smell of alcohol from his body, making it almost unnoticeable.

Su Yunjin also found some mugwort and patted it over his body; the scent of the mugwort could help mask the few remaining traces of alcohol.

Since it was his first time visiting Physician Bai's house, he couldn't afford to show up drunk and leave a bad impression.

Soon, Chen Jie finished grooming himself. Dressed in a fresh set of clothes, he looked quite spirited.

"Wife, I'm leaving."

Su Yunjin nodded and helped straighten his collar, saying, "Be safe. Ruirui and I will wait for you to come back."

"Mm."

Chen Jie nodded, then turned to the little one. "Ruirui, Brother-in-law is leaving."

The little girl ran out. "Brother-in-law, Ruirui will miss you."

"Eh?"

Chen Jie looked at her. "I'll be back tonight."

Ruirui looked up and said, "Mm, I'll still miss you."

"You certainly have a sweet tongue."

Chen Jie rubbed Ruirui's head and then turned to leave.

...

Physician Bai's house was the largest tiled-roof building in the village. This house had been built by Wu Zhong when he became the manager of the fish market, and it was quite grand.

Physician Bai ran a small clinic here, in a separate small building; one could say it was both a home and a clinic.

When Chen Jie arrived, the gates of the Bai family residence were closed. He knocked, but no one answered.

He knocked again, and only then did a sound come from the courtyard. The gates opened quickly, and the person who emerged was not Lady Bai, but a shirtless, sweating youth.

Looking at him, Chen Jie saw that the youth had very long arms, broad shoulders, and a body covered in sinewy muscle. He had powerful pectoral muscles that tapered down to a narrow waist, ensuring his midsection wasn't thick.

His legs were long—neither too thick nor too thin—and looked full of explosive power.

Chen Jie immediately thought of a legendary physique mentioned in the martial arts world from his previous life: "Ape-like arms, bee-like waist, and mantis legs!"

"Who are you looking for?" the youth asked.

"I am Physician Bai's new apprentice. And you are...?" Chen Jie asked politely.

Hearing this, the youth immediately smiled. "You must be Chen Jiu-si. Quick, come in! I am Wu Hong, Physician Bai's grandson."

Chen Jie said, "So it is Young Master Wu."

The youth laughed. "What 'Young Master'? Don't be so formal. You can just call me by my name from now on."

As Wu Hong spoke, he politely led Chen Jie into the courtyard and said, "Jiu-si, I've heard about what happened. My grandfather owes you much; otherwise, things could have been very dangerous. You have done a great kindness to our family."

Chen Jie hurriedly replied, "Young Mas... Brother Wu, let's not talk about that. There is no need for talk of kindness. The real benefactor is Physician Bai, for taking me on as an apprentice and teaching me his craft. As for what happened... it was just a coincidence, a mere coincidence."

As Chen Jie spoke politely, Wu Hong glanced at him, unable to help but think more highly of him. To bestow a favor without seeking reward—this was a man who knew how to conduct himself.

Doing a favor for someone is a good thing, but after the deed is done, some people repeatedly emphasize, "I did you a favor, you owe me..."

Over time, not only does the gratitude fade, but it can even breed resentment. Truly clever people bestow favors without seeking repayment.

If people are grateful, they will remember even if you don't say anything. If they aren't, it's useless even if you do, and it only becomes annoying. Why bother?

Wu Hong led Chen Jie into the courtyard to sit on a stone stool, poured some tea, and said, "My grandfather has a habit of taking a nap at noon. He won't wake up for a while, so please wait a moment."

Chen Jie said, "No rush, no rush."

While waiting for Physician Bai to wake, Chen Jie and Wu Hong began to chat.

Chen Jie was good at conversation, and since Chen Jie had saved Physician Bai, Wu Hong held him in high regard. They soon learned about each other's backgrounds.

Wu Hong did not live in the village; he lived with his master.

His master was Constable Zhang of this county.

Physician Bai had a fellow apprentice who worked at the yamen and was on very good terms with Constable Zhang Liye.

Once, when Physician Bai took the five-year-old Wu Hong to visit his fellow apprentice, Constable Zhang happened to be there. Constable Zhang took one look at Wu Hong and saw the "ape-like arms, bee-like waist, and mantis legs"—a natural talent for martial arts.

He wanted to take him as a disciple and mentioned it to Physician Bai, who thought it was a wonderful opportunity.

Constable Zhang, Zhang Liye, was no ordinary man; he was one of the "Thirteen Great Protectors" of Mianshui County and a famous expert in the *Huajin* style.

Even the leader of the Fishermen's Gang would show him a measure of respect.

His status was far higher than that of a mere fish market manager. For him to want to take an apprentice was a great honor for the Bai family.

Thus, they agreed.

Constable Zhang was very strict and required Wu Hong to live with him to learn. He stayed for fifteen years, and because Constable Zhang liked him so much, their relationship went even further, and he took him in as an adopted son.

He even arranged for Wu Hong to work at the yamen, where he was now a constable.

The reason he had returned this time was because of Physician Bai. Yesterday, Physician Bai had fallen, and Lady Bai had sent word to her son. Wu Hong was anxious, so he told Zhang Liye, who immediately granted him seven days of leave.

That was why he had rushed back from the county seat.

As the two were talking, Physician Bai woke up. He emerged from the house leaning on a cane and saw the two chatting. Seeing the physician, both men stood up.

"You're here."

Physician Bai skipped the pleasantries and said to Wu Hong, "Go to the warehouse and find those two sacks of medicinal herbs."

"Yes, sir!"

Wu Hong went into the side warehouse and brought out the sacks of herbs.

Then Physician Bai said, "Pour all the herbs onto the ground."

Soon, the ground was covered in herbs, all mixed together in a chaotic mess.

Physician Bai said, "Your task today is to sort these herbs out. Once you are finished, you may leave."

With that, Physician Bai walked back into the house with his hands behind his back. Yesterday he was polite because he was a guest; today he was stern because he was a master.

Physician Bai would not go easy on his apprentice. If he were too polite, what could he possibly teach? He was truly dedicated to passing on his craft.

Looking at the mess of herbs on the ground, some of which were already sliced into medicinal pieces, Wu Hong looked at Chen Jie and said, "Jiu-si, work hard. I won't stay with you."

After saying that, Wu Hong went to the side to lift a heavy millstone to train his strength.

Chen Jie looked at the floor covered in herbs—some clearly mixed together intentionally—and realized that his first lesson was actually this.

(End of Chapter)