96 Joining Hands

"Why are you still a herb-grower in the Medicine Fields? You already have more knowledge than half of those Inner School disciples studying medicine and herbs at the Heaven Sword Medicine Hall. Why haven't you been scouted by the Elders there?"

The one asking the question was an exuberant Ming Guanhe, naturally. His face was dominated by a broad smile and his eyes were shining with excitement. And all of this was due to the fact that Qin Feng had spent almost half the morning with him in the field, hunting down that elusive Grey Striped Licorice Root.

Something that the Elder was now carrying in his personal Interspacial Bag, which Qin Feng had been envious of, ever since Ming Guanhe showed it for what it is. But the younger man was careful not to let that show. It was dangerous to covet something that belonged to someone far more powerful than yourself.

Besides, simply by accompanying the Elder, Qin Feng had managed to come across quite a number of unusual and infrequently seen plants as well. And almost all of them had gone into his own herb-basket. Apparently, Elder Ming was only interested into those herbs that were used to concoct his precious Four Fragrance Soup, and couldn't care less whether Qin Feng was making a profit from those other medicinal plants at all.

Something that Qin Feng was more than thankful for!

But Ming Guanhe had asked a question then, and Qin Feng could only give out a soft, almost embarrassed laugh as he prepared his reply:

"I am still in the Foundation stage, Elder Ming. And it doesn't look like I am going to reach the Qi Accumulation Realm any time soon. So I don't really qualify to join the Inner School this Winter. Or next Summer, for that matter. I think that was the reason why I am studying so hard. I will be sixteen next year, and I am hoping that I would be granted an extension, you see?"

"Ah! You are worried that you will not be able to reach the expected standards by the time you reach your majority. Well, it is true. Most disciples from the Outer School are released if they are unable to show that they have a chance of forming a Core by then.

"Still, you should know that there are exceptions. Your friend Chen Xing, for example. He is more skilled at handling young disciples in the Outer School, and guiding them through the Medicine Fields. So he has been promoted and allowed to take his time to work towards his Initial Core Formation. You could do something similar."

"Something similar?"

Ming Guanhe smiled. "It is not that unusual, to extend the service of promising disciples. Or those who have something to offer the School. And your expertise in the field of medicinal herbs and such is clearly above that of your peers. Most of the senior service disciples at the Medicine Hall are far too comfortable in their posts, and no longer have the drive to improve themselves.

"Unlike you. From what I have seen so far, you could go much further than most of those useless wastrels who are only content to waste their lives in their current posts."

He sighed then, and stared off into the distance, into the clouds above. "There are some things that you do not know about the Heaven Sword School. And there are other things, about the Elders and the Elders' Council, that are more complex than you can imagine. The rivalry between the Right and the Left Guardians ..."

Ming Guanhe fell silent then, as though lost in his own thoughts. Qin Feng decided that he should keep his mouth shut, and say nothing. After all, whatever Elder Ming was thinking about, it was certainly not something that an Outer School disciple like him, and a herb-grower besides, could even begin to get involved in. It would be far safer to simply leave such matters alone.

Then the old man seemed to recover. "All of that is besides the point. Just consider it an stupid old fool's ranting," he laughed, as he turned back to Qin Feng with a slight smile.

"But your knowledge of the herbs is rather exceptional. You should be able to tell that I have been checking up on what you have told me, during our last Hunt together. And all of your descriptions and your advice concerning the medicines that we found the last trip matches all the knowledge that is in the books. Along with some that are considered rather advanced, for someone of your years. It is clear that you have been studying Herb-lore well before you came to the Heaven Sword School.

"Little wonder then, that you chose to join the herb-growers in the Medicine Fields."

He paused and gave Qin Feng a look. Which was enough of a hint that had the younger man giving out a nervous laugh as he patted the back of his own head. "Well, I have read some books on that, before I arrived here. There were many merchants who dealt in such herbs and such, that visited my home village back when I was a child, so I had picked up a great deal about the more common plants."

"That is good. And I think you show enough promise, as an Outer School disciple, to make it to the higher ranks at the Heaven Sword Medicine Hall's herb-growers. That might be enough to allow you to reach the Inner School. If you are interested, that is."

That was a blatant hint if ever he heard one. And Qin Feng was a little wary as soon as it touched his ears. This Elder Ming Guanhe seemed to be recruiting, from what he had said and done. But Qin Feng was not certain if he was doing it on behalf of the Left Guardian's faction, or for his own benefit.

Or, to be precise, his daughter's.

But whatever the man's motive, it was a little too large a prize for him to ignore. And there was only one correct answer to this particular question:

"If Elder Ming can ... show this worthless Junior a well-lit path, this worthless Junior would be more than grateful to Elder Ming. If there is anything that Elder Ming wishes of this one, this worthless Junior would be more than pleased to ..."

Ming Guanhe's laughter and his shaking a hand before Qin Feng's face made the latter stop his outrageous and over-the-top expression of his thanks. And the older man's grin made it clear that his allegiance had been accepted.

"There is no need for such ... an open expression of affiliation, young Qin Feng. It would be to our benefit, both yours and mine, if we were to keep this ... relationship quiet in the School. There are other Elders who do not look too kindly upon me, as you might have heard. So let us keep this a secret for the moment."

"This Junior understands."

"Good. Then we shall talk about this later, when we have the chance."

The Elder nodded and turned to point at the Heaven Sword School, barely seen through the clouds in the distance. "Well, we have spent a good part of the morning, and we have a rather good harvest already. So it is about time that we head back to clear up our camp, and meet up with the other Hunters. And see what sort of gains they have.

"Then it is back to the Heaven Sword School."

He smiled then, and pointed a finger at Qin Feng meaningfully. "And don't forget to pass me that recipe for the Four Fragrance Soup!"

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