Chapter 23: Analysis

    ~~~

    Your cooks are pretty good, Liu Jin says between bites.

    Although he is outwardly calm, the young child cannot help but feel somewhat nervous. It is the first time he has ever commanded someone to follow him. Furthermore, casual conversations are not something Liu Jin has much experience in. The only person Liu Jin can be said to be casual with is Xiao Nan, and even then, Liu Jin always makes sure to show Xiao Nan an appropriate level of respect.

    As nervous as Liu Jin feels right now, however, it is not even close to what Xiao Heng is feeling. The son of the Branch Master sits in front of him. The smile on his face is stiff and probably hurts to maintain. His eyes are a little too wide and his back a little too straight. His skin is pale, sickly even.

    I thank you for your praise, Xiao Heng says, inclining his head to him. The motion is too stilted to be natural. However, I am sure the main sect has much more amazing cooks at its disposal.

    I would not know. Liu Jin shrugs and takes a sip of tea from his cup before continuing. I do not really have much time to relax back home. Times like these are rare for me.

    Well, relax is not quite the right word, Liu Jin muses. Treating patients would definitely be more relaxing than this.

    Ah, is that so? Xiao Heng takes a bite out of his food. The bite is small, minuscule. It is like he doesnt dare eat too much in front of Liu Jin out of fear the child would change his mind and demand all the food for himself. Liu Jin finds it rather tiresome but knows there is no point in telling him to calm down. People rarely calm down when ordered to. Hed be more successful in telling him to stop breathing. In that case, I am glad your stay here is bringing you a measure of peace.

    Liu Jin just nods and keeps drinking his tea. He immediately knows it was the wrong thing to do as Xiao Heng breaks into a sweat, most likely wondering in what way did he mess up. Liu Jin would like to tell him everything is fine and that he is not angry, but somehow, he knows that is not likely to do any good.

    It is troublesome.

    Having power and authority is troublesome.

    An uncomfortable silence falls over the table. Xiao Heng chews and swallows loudly, most likely out of nervousness. He probably doesnt even notice he is doing it, which is a good thing. Liu Jin does not want to imagine how much more nervous hed be otherwise.

    Finally, Liu Jin puts his cup down. Xiao Heng, he begins.

    At the sound of Liu Jins voice, Xiao Hengs body looks like it is torn between standing or bowing. For a moment, it almost looks like he is about to fall. Luckily, that doesnt happen.

    Y-yes, do you require something of me, boss?

    Boss?

    Liu Jin blinks but decides to put that matter aside for now. One problem at a time.

    I believe I already told you what I wanted to ask. Why did your father keep you away from us? For a visit such as this one, being introduced to the sons of the Branch Master should be the most natural thing. Instead, your father only introduced your brother to us.

    Ah, n-no, my father did not keep me away per se

    Liu Jin raises an eyebrow.

    Xiao Heng looks away.

    Liu Jin maintains his stare.

    My father has never been fond of me, Xiao Heng admits. Xiao Dong and I are brothers, but father has always favored him over me. He did not present me alongside my brother because he did not want me to take any attention away from him.

    He did not want you to eclipse your brother? Liu Jin asks, tilting his head to the side. At that, Xiao Heng lets out a bitter laugh. It is the most genuine sound the teen has made in Liu Jins presence.

    Not in a positive way, boss. I assure you. I am someone who was born with a sickly disposition. Due to that, my body is unfit for cultivation. Let me show you. Xiao Heng closes his eyes and focuses. His Qi slowly becomes noticeable. Do you feel it, boss?

    I do, Liu Jin says. I feel it quite clearly.

    Foundational Realm, Fifth Level.

    The weakest of the bandits Liu Jin met the other day had been in the Foundational Realm. Likewise, he has felt many people in New Moon Town who are still in the Foundational Realm, many visibly older than Xiao Heng. However, the bandits are bandits. The people of New Moon Town are the people of New Moon Town.

    Huh?

    I never said your condition was untreatable, Liu Jin tells Xiao Heng, crossing his arms. It is not even a particularly complicated problem.

    At least, not compared to some of the things Old Jiang has taught him about.

    Xiao Hengs face transforms upon hearing Liu Jins words. Hope dominates it for a moment before caution tries to claim it back. The two war against each other on his face. It is the face of a man who has been given hope yet does not want to believe it. He does not want to face disappointment. He does not want to be raised up only to fall even harder than before.

    That is fine by Liu Jin.

    Is that are you really serious, boss? Can you heal this one?

    He has no intention of giving a patient false hope.

    Naturally. Just show me where you store your ingredients.

    ~~~

    Boss, can you really do it? Can you?

    Yes, Liu Jin replies for what feels like the hundredth time. He supposes he cannot blame Xiao Heng for being so eager, but he does wish he would be quiet for a minute. Going through all the medicines and herbs stored in this place is time-consuming as it is.

    The two are currently in the branch sect''s storage. It is where all the special pills and herbs gathered over the years are kept. Naturally, there were guards at the gate, but they parted for Liu Jin the moment they saw him, letting the two inside.

    Boss, I am sure our stores arent good compared to what is available at Eastern Port City so-

    It is fine, Liu Jin cuts in. The only reason he doesnt roll his eyes is that he is busy using them to identify all the herbs stored.

    The New Moon Town Branch has a relatively good selection of herbs and other ingredients. It is poor compared to what Liu Jin has available at the clinic, but these people do not have access to Poison Fang Canyon. When he factors in that detail, the variety of goods stored speaks well of the branch sects wealth.

    Four Star Blossom.

    Blood fungus.

    Venomous Wolf Fang.

    It is all here, Liu Jin says as he takes the ingredients.

    It is? Xiao Heng asks with so much hope it is painful to watch. Then can we will you?

    I will prepare the medicine in my room, Liu Jin says. You can follow me if you want. Just promise to be quiet.

    Of course, boss!

    As the two exit the storage, Liu Jin notices there are suddenly a lot of servants moving around the house.

    Is there supposed to be something happening today? He asks.

    I do not think so unless... Xiao Heng trails off. Realization dawns on his face. She must be coming to visit!

    Who?

    My brothers fiance, boss! Hu Meili! If there is this much movement, she must have come here.

    ~~~