Chapter 225: Invitation Letter
Elder He nodded without hesitation. "Of course. The Wordless Celestial Book only gathers dust with the He Family. It would be a great thing if Divine Doctor Cheng could make it shine again."
Cheng Yuan offered with a straight face, "I’ll do my best. If I can uncover the secrets of the Wordless Celestial Book, I will definitely share them with Elder He."
Elder He chuckled. "Then it’s a deal."
With that, Elder He turned to He Hongtao. "Hongtao, go and prepare dinner. We will host a banquet for Divine Doctor Cheng, with the highest honors."
Cheng Yuan quickly declined. "Elder He, I have to attend the medicine exchange conference tonight. I’ll definitely take you up on your offer another time. If there are any changes in Miss He’s condition, you can call for me at any time."
Elder He didn’t press the issue, simply smiling. "Then it’s settled. After the medicine exchange conference, Divine Doctor Cheng must come and drink to his heart’s content with this old man."
Cheng Yuan smiled. "Elder He, if you would, please just call me Xiaocheng or Xiaoyuan. I always feel a bit strange when you call me Divine Doctor Cheng."
"Alright, Xiaoyuan. In that case, you should change how you address me, too. Just call me Grandpa."
"Alright, Grandpa He. I’ll take my leave now."
"I will see you out."
Surrounded by the group, Cheng Yuan and Hu Shishi started to walk out. Partway there, Cheng Yuan suddenly stopped and turned to look at a corner of the Treasury.
In the corner of the Treasury was a pile of old, battered weapons.
From that pile of battered weapons, Cheng Yuan faintly sensed an exceptionally familiar aura.
Cheng Yuan activated his Double Pupil to take a look, and his eyes immediately widened in shock!
My god!
Such a blinding light!
It was in no way inferior to the Wordless Celestial Book!
Cheng Yuan raised his hand and pointed to the pile of battered weapons. "Grandpa He, may I take a look at those?"
"Of course."
Cheng Yuan strode forward and saw a rust-covered Broken Blade.
This Broken Blade was only thirty centimeters long. The hilt resembled a skeletal hand, the blade looked like a rib, and the sheath appeared to be a section of a leg bone. It emanated an incomparably malevolent aura!
Everyone else instinctively frowned, but Cheng Yuan felt completely at ease.
"Grandpa He, I feel a connection to this Broken Blade. Would you be willing to trade it for one of my antiques?"
Elder He laughed. "Why trade? If you like it, Xiaoyuan, just take it."
Cheng Yuan had already gotten the better end of the deal today, so he felt a bit embarrassed.
"Grandpa He, is that really alright?"
"What’s not alright about it? I’m an old man with one foot in the grave. Who knows when I might need you to save my life, Xiaoyuan! Just think of it as my consultation fee, paid in advance. Go on, take another look. See anything else you fancy? You can take it all!"
Hearing this, the members of the He Family stared at each other in bewilderment.
’The patriarch has never been this generous with us!’
’Could Divine Doctor Cheng be the patriarch’s long-lost grandson?’
Cheng Yuan reached out and gripped the hilt of the Broken Blade. An incomparably cold aura entered his body, but instead of feeling discomfort, he felt a sense of ease wash over him.
VMMMM!
The Broken Blade suddenly let out a clear hum and began to vibrate intensely. The rust flaked off, revealing a blade that was faintly yellow and streaked with dark red.
Cheng Yuan could clearly feel the Broken Blade’s joy!
He could clearly feel the Broken Blade’s eagerness!
Cheng Yuan gestured toward a large, rusty hammer. "Grandpa He, may I?"
Elder He nodded slightly.
Without hesitation, Cheng Yuan swung the blade!
SHIIING!
The large Iron Hammer, a full twenty centimeters in diameter, was sliced in half as if it were tofu!
The cut surface was as smooth as a mirror!
Everyone was stunned!
In fact, a few of them looked at the blade with an unconcealable glint of desire in their eyes!
’This broken blade is actually a Treasure Blade that can cut through iron like mud?’
’Why didn’t we notice it before?’
Even Elder He was visibly shaken. "This Broken Blade was seized from a Wokou commander back in the day. Its appearance was so malevolent that this old man never used it. I never imagined it was actually a Treasure Blade that could cut through iron like mud!"
Cheng Yuan was not one to take advantage of people. In a serious tone, he said, "Grandpa He, since you treat me like a junior, I won’t act like a stranger. I’ll accept this Broken Blade. From now on, the direct lineage of the He Family will receive my medical services for free, and the branch members will get a fifty-percent discount."
The faces of the He Family members finally lit up with joy. ’The patriarch really knows best!’
’In the short term, the He Family might have lost out, but in the long run, the main lineage has just gained a Protective Talisman!’
’This was an absolute win!’
"Then, on behalf of my descendants, I thank you, Xiaoyuan."
"Grandpa He, you’re being too formal. Now, I must really be going."
"Please."
Given Elder He’s status, he couldn’t personally escort Cheng Yuan all the way to the He Mansion’s main gate. After they left the Treasury, Elder He turned and instructed, "Eldest, see Xiaoyuan out."
"Yes, Father. Xiaoyuan, this way, please."
He Hongting personally led the way, causing many of the guards and servants to glance over. ’What’s the status of this young man? The Eldest Master is personally escorting him?’
As they walked, He Hongting asked in a friendly tone, "Xiaoyuan, do you have an invitation for the medicine exchange conference?"
’An invitation?’
Cheng Yuan was baffled. He instinctively glanced at Hu Shishi. "Sister Shishi, do we need an invitation to attend the medicine exchange conference?"
Hu Shishi looked just as confused. "I’ve never been to one, so I don’t know the procedure."
He Hongting explained, "The medicine exchange conference is a very high-class event. The attendees are all powerful figures, at a minimum. Some Outsider Influences even dispatch their disciples to attend and trade. For the safety of the distinguished guests, an invitation is required for entry."
Well...
This was a bit of a headache for Cheng Yuan.
Hu Shishi was also rather embarrassed.
"Xiaoyuan, let me ask my friends and see if I can get an invitation."
With that, Hu Shishi made several phone calls, but none brought good news.
Hu Shishi couldn’t help but frown. "Xiaoyuan, most of my friends aren’t connected to the world of medicine. This is all my fault..."
Cheng Yuan said gently, "Sister Shishi, don’t blame yourself. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s head to the venue and ask around."
"Okay, I suppose that’s our only option."
He Hongting, naturally, wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to get on Cheng Yuan’s good side. "Why bother asking around?" he said. "Xiaoyuan, I’ll get an invitation for you."
"Thank you so much, Director He."
"There’s no need to be so formal. Call me Uncle He."
"Uh... Uncle He."
He Hongting took out his phone and dialed his secretary, Zhang Yi. The call connected instantly, and an obsequious voice came through. "Director, what are your instructions?"
"Find an invitation to the medicine exchange conference immediately, change the name to Cheng Yuan, and deliver it to the He Mansion personally."
"Yes, Director."
Zhang Yi was incredibly efficient. Or rather, He Hongting’s status carried that much weight.
Upon learning that He Hongting needed an invitation to the medicine exchange conference, dozens of wealthy merchants offered up their own.
In the end, Zhang Yi chose an invitation from a medicinal herb merchant with whom he had a good relationship.
In less than ten minutes, Zhang Yi arrived at the He Mansion. He respectfully handed the invitation to He Hongting. "Director, I’ve got it. It’s the invitation from Medicine King Jiang of the Jin Province Medicine King Family."
He Hongting took the invitation, handed it to Cheng Yuan, and said gently, "Xiaoyuan, I got you the invitation. So, how are you going to thank me?"
Cheng Yuan’s expression turned serious. "Please, just say the word, Uncle He."
He Hongting feigned annoyance. "Xiaoyuan, you’re so thoughtless! As the younger generation, don’t you know you’re supposed to exchange phone numbers with your uncle? You really made me ask for it myself?"
Cheng Yuan gave a wry smile. "Uncle He, it’s not that I’m thoughtless. I just figured a major figure like yourself must be incredibly busy, and I didn’t want to bother you."
THUMP. He Hongting gave Cheng Yuan a light flick on the forehead. "There’s no need for such formalities between us. My number is 130-XXXX-XXXX. Call me anytime."
"Alright. Uncle He, I’ll call you right now so you have my number."
Zhang Yi, standing to the side, was stunned. ’That’s the director’s private number!’
’Many high-ranking officials can’t even get that number!’
’And the director just gave it to this Mr. Cheng?’
’Who on earth is he?’
’I absolutely have to get on his good side!’