Chapter 94: A Temporary Backing for the Future

“Elder Liu!”
Lin Dong’s voice filled Liu Lixiong with joy. He hadn’t eavesdropped on their previous conversation, but just this address was enough to indicate a turning point.
“Young master, what orders do you have?” Liu Lixiong quickly looked up at Lin Dong.
“I wouldn’t dare give orders,” Lin Dong said with a smile. “I’m just doing small-scale business in Xilan City. It’s nothing compared to your noble status as a senior elder of the Tongquan Sect. So, when I had the chance to escort Old Master Ding out of the city and met you by chance, I thought I might be able to get to know you. If that’s possible, it would be good to have you as a backing when I expand my business to Qiufeng City in the future.”
“How dare I! It would be an honor for me to be acquainted with you, young master. If you give the order, I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation.” Liu Lixiong glanced at Old Master Ding, who was unscrewing a bottle cap, then hesitated. “It’s just…”
“I also have an age-gap friendship with Old Master Ding. What happened just now was just a joke on his part,” Lin Dong said nonchalantly.
Liu Lixiong was overjoyed and exclaimed, “May I ask your name? And where is your residence? Once I return to the Tongquan Sect after handling my family affairs, I’ll immediately bring over the fine wines I’ve collected over the years.”
“Old Master Ding is about to go on a long journey. Let’s talk about the wines after he returns. As for the rest—my business is so small it’s embarrassing to mention. I’ll wait until I expand my operations and set up a shop in Qiufeng Mansion before troubling you again if I encounter any problems.”
Lin Dong casually avoided Liu Lixiong’s questions. Old Master Ding was the sect’s secret weapon, so the fewer people who knew about him, the better. Besides, although he was confident he could heal Old Master Ding’s injuries within a year, he wanted to be prepared for any contingency. If Old Master Ding’s enemies arrived within that time, it would be a huge loss. Since there was still some time before heading to Qiufeng City, even if Old Master Ding’s enemies came to Xilan City, they would need some time to find him. During that time, if the local troublemakers discovered him, it would give him time to prepare.
Over by the side, Old Master Ding let out a soft exclamation upon seeing the pill in his hand. Though he had never seen a Reverse Meridian Pill before, the energy contained within it made it clear that it was by no means an ordinary pill.
Lin Dong smiled calmly and whispered, “This is a Reverse Meridian Pill. Borrow it and give it to Liu Xiu. When Yun Cangqiong arrives, return one to me, and give me both if possible.”
Old Master Ding’s body trembled slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
“Yun Lan gave it to me,” Lin Dong chuckled.

Elder Ding swallowed hard, blinking his old eyes as he chuckled, “This Reverse Meridian Pill is a precious treasure of Yun Cangqiong. Even if I have to risk losing my face, I can only guarantee one pill. What’s your relationship with Yun Lan?”
“A friend,” Lin Dong replied calmly.
Elder Ding glanced at him skeptically, clearly not believing it.
Lin Dong himself didn’t believe it either, but since he didn’t know the reason, how could he explain it to Elder Ding? He simply ignored Elder Ding’s gaze and turned to Liu Lixiong, “Elder Liu, if there’s nothing else, you should go back to your family affairs. I’ll definitely pay you a visit another day.”
Liu Lixiong felt relieved. After standing up, he instinctively glanced at Liu Xiu’s storage spirit ring, hesitating to speak.
“Liu Xiu, why don’t you quickly thank Elder Liu for his gift?” Lin Dong knew what was going on and said to Liu Xiu, “Elder Liu’s elder token and the spiritual techniques of the same sect must not be revealed outside. Although Elder Liu is generous, you can’t let him break the sect rules. Hurry up and return them to him.”
Liu Xiu nodded eagerly, bit his finger, and dropped a drop of blood on the storage spirit ring. After claiming ownership, he took out a brown token and basic spiritual techniques and presented them to Liu Lixiong, saying, “Thank you, Elder Liu, for your gift.”
Receiving the token and spiritual techniques, Liu Lixiong sighed in relief. Although giving away a storage spirit ring and some medicinal spirit artifacts was painful, having back the most important elder token and spiritual techniques was still within acceptable limits.
If those two things were lost and used by someone with ulterior motives, even the supreme elder would face endless troubles.
“Elder Jiuzun, young master, if there are no further instructions, shall Liu not disturb you?” Liu Lixiong asked respectfully.
“Mm, go ahead! Remember to prepare some wine. I’ll pick it up the day I pass by the same sect,” Elder Ding said nonchalantly.
Liu Lixiong nodded repeatedly, stepped back a few times, and turned to leave.
Elder Ding instructed Liu Xiu on how to take the Reverse Meridian Pill, while Lin Dong returned to the overturned carriage. After asking the coachman a few questions and learning that he had fallen with the carriage but was unharmed, Lin Dong gave him a silver ingot to buy a new carriage.
After waiting for half an hour, the coachman returned, and the three got back on the carriage. After leaving the city, Lin Dong and Elder Ding got off one after another. Without saying goodbye, Lin Dong waved his hand, and both turned back to the city. Behind them, Liu Xiu’s eyes were blurred.
By the time they returned to the inn, the sun was already high in the sky. Outside the inn, it was once again crowded with customers.
Elder Ding went straight to his room through the back yard, while Lin Dong did not follow. His gaze remained fixed on the teahouse across from the inn.

Taking a sip of tea and glancing once more at the bustling Lin’s Inn, Liu Chuanxiang felt an indescribable sense of comfort. Suddenly, a light tap on his shoulder startled him, causing him to jump to his feet in surprise. Turning around, he was momentarily stunned. “Shopkeeper Liu, long time no see. What brings you to Shi Bei Street to drink tea today?” Lin Dong said with a smile. “Uh… drinking tea, yes, drinking tea.” Liu Chuanxiang’s heart pounded like a drum. Though he often complained that Qiao Tianhao was a coward, he also feared Lin Dong, this fierce innkeeper. Seeing Lin Dong appear behind him and having just been startled, his legs started to tremble, and his speech became slurred. “The tea here is quite good. Shopkeeper Liu has great taste!” Lin Dong praised. “Yes, yes, it is good,” Liu Chuanxiang quickly agreed, forcing a smile. “Shopkeeper Lin, you go ahead with your work. I’ve finished my tea, and there are some matters at the restaurant. I’ll head back first.” “Okay, take care, Shopkeeper Liu,” Lin Dong nodded. Overjoyed, Liu Chuanxiang took out a few copper coins and placed them on the table. Afraid that Lin Dong might attack suddenly, he didn’t dare turn around and slowly backed away while holding onto the table. “Huh? Why is there so many people gathered outside my inn?” Lin Dong wondered. Hearing this, Liu Chuanxiang’s legs turned weak, and he almost collapsed. “I… I just arrived too, so I don’t know.” “Oh! It’s fine. About ten days ago, a very powerful customer came to the inn. He promised to help if anything went wrong, so we don’t have to worry even if there’s trouble,” Lin Dong said nonchalantly. “I see, I see…” Liu Chuanxiang nodded repeatedly, thrilled inside, but not daring to reveal that he had spent five thousand taels of silver to hire an even more powerful person for the inn. “Why are it officials again? But it doesn’t matter. With that customer’s help, a few officials are nothing,” Lin Dong’s voice suddenly rang out. Afraid that Lin Dong might play a trick, Liu Chuanxiang didn’t dare turn around. Only after reaching the other side of the table did he quickly glance back. As Lin Dong said, there was commotion among the crowd at the inn’s entrance, and several officials stepped out. Unable to hold back, Liu Chuanxiang grinned. This Shopkeeper Lin didn’t even think about why these officials were coming out on their own, instead of being driven out like last time! Just wait—once you see the seal, you’ll understand what’s going on.