Chapter 148: Regret

"Take over a hundred-medicine garden in Bluestone Ridge. A set quantity of rare medicinal herbs must be submitted annually."

Seeing these gold-lacquered words on the bamboo slip, Han Li was overjoyed. He pointed at the slip, looked up at Deacon Yu, and asked, "I'm quite interested in this task. Brother Yu, could you tell me a little more about it?"

After hearing Han Li's words, Deacon Yu smiled and leaned closer. However, once he clearly saw the task Han Li had chosen, his gentle smile quickly turned into a wry one.

"Junior Brother, you should really pick another task. This garden management assignment is a bit too difficult; it's not suitable for you!" Deacon Yu said sincerely. Seeing Han Li's puzzled expression, he continued to explain:

"This task has been listed here for several years now, and many people have taken it on, but every single disciple has failed. Not only did they not receive any rewards, but they were also fined a significant amount of spirit stones. It's truly one of the most difficult tasks to complete here. And honestly, Junior Brother Han, I even have to make the other disciples draw lots each year just to get someone to take it!"

Han Li found this somewhat amusing, but also felt a bit doubtful. Still, he didn't intend to give up easily, so he humbly asked:

"Brother, could you tell me what exactly makes this task so difficult? Why have so many senior brothers failed to complete it? Isn't it just about managing the herbs in the garden? How can that be so hard?"

"Is Junior Nephew talking about Senior Brother Ma's herb garden task?" An elder named Ye, who had been standing nearby, interjected with a frown before the middle-aged deacon could reply.

"Indeed! Junior Brother Han has set his sights on Senior Uncle Ma's incredibly difficult task." The middle-aged deacon wore an expression that was both amused and exasperated.

Upon hearing this, the elder's expression also turned into a half-smile.

"Haha! Junior Nephew Han certainly knows how to pick 'em! To think you'd set your sights on the most troublesome task here at first glance. This task is truly a headache; several people who were forced to take it have already come to me to complain. But because Senior Brother Ma isn't willing to easily change the reward and punishment conditions, I'm helpless! If Junior Nephew Han wants to know the details of this task, you can come with me to the inner hall to look at the relevant scrolls; that's much better than hearing it from others by word of mouth!" For some reason, Hall Master Ye of the Hall of Hundred Machines seemed very generous towards Han Li, even offering him such a convenience.

Han Li secretly frowned. Senior Uncle Ye was a bit too enthusiastic! Even though he had given the Foundation Establishment Pill to the other party, on the surface, it seemed like an equal trade. It shouldn't warrant such familiarity.

Suppressing his doubts, Han Li feigned a flattered expression and followed the elder, who took the bamboo slip, into a room behind the main hall. This room was filled with various scrolls.

Inside the room, the elder picked up the bamboo slip and gently waved it. A green light flashed on the slip, and a scroll automatically flew into his hand. He then turned and handed the scroll to Han Li.

Since things had come to this, Han Li unceremoniously took the scroll and quickly unrolled it to examine it closely.

The content of the scroll wasn't long; it simply documented the self-reported experiences of the previous disciples who had managed the herb garden, along with their explanations for failure. Therefore, Han Li read quickly and, in a short while, had a general understanding of the task's details and difficulties.

"What do you think? Should you still pick a different task? Although the reward for this task is generous, it's truly not something an ordinary disciple can complete." Senior Uncle Ye said, seemingly with concern.

After hearing this, Han Li pondered for a moment, then decisively shook his head and said: "Thank you, Senior Uncle Ye! However, this task suits me perfectly. There's no need to choose another; I'll take this one!"

The elder detected the resolute intent in Han Li's words and was somewhat surprised, but he said nothing more and simply nodded in agreement. However, he didn't immediately lead Han Li out of the room. Instead, after a moment of hesitation, he spoke with a touch of awkwardness.

"Junior Nephew Han, regarding our last transaction for the Foundation Establishment Pill, could the delivery of some of the items be postponed? Your Senior Uncle is currently about to refine a batch of Harmonizing Qi Pills, and I'm quite short on funds, so it might be a bit inconvenient. But please rest assured, Junior Nephew, in about half a year to a year, your Senior Uncle will fully repay everything I owe."

Han Li froze for a moment upon hearing this, but then immediately smiled.

"What are you saying, Senior Uncle Ye? If it's inconvenient for you, then just give what you can. There's no need to mention repaying it later. Consider this junior's humble offering to you!"

Han Li felt that he had truly reached the peak of hypocrisy. Despite feeling incredibly frustrated and utterly hating the other party for going back on their word, he still had to maintain a smiling face and say things that would please them. Perhaps this was the sorrow of being weak! he thought bitterly.

"Junior Nephew, what do you mean by that? Do you think this old man is the kind of person who would go back on their word or break a promise? What I've promised will not be lacking in the slightest for you, Junior Nephew." Instead of being pleased, Elder Ye's face hardened after hearing Han Li's words, revealing an expression that declared him a man of integrity who would never stoop to such petty acts.

Han Li's already forced smile nearly crumbled from anger after hearing this.

This elder was truly shameless! His clear intention was to renege on most of the items, yet he still insisted on putting on a false facade of integrity and trustworthiness. What a typical hypocrite!

Han Li couldn't hold back his irritation and cursed silently. However, his smile only faltered for a moment before naturally being replaced by a sincere expression. He continued to speak in a tone that even he found cloying:

"Senior Uncle Ye, you've misunderstood this junior! Actually, this junior simply feels that, having just joined the sect, such a large quantity of items is a bit too extravagant for me. So, it would be best to temporarily leave most of the items with you, Senior Uncle. This junior doesn't have any immediate use for them."

Upon hearing Han Li's insincere words, Elder Ye's expression softened, and he nodded slightly, saying: "Junior Nephew Han, what you've said makes some sense! Indeed, if new disciples rely too heavily on external possessions, it can greatly hinder their cultivation! So, let's do as you suggested; just leave a portion of the items with me for now. If you need them in the future, feel free to come and retrieve them!"

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Uncle Ye!" Han Li forced a smile, but internally, he was repeatedly comforting himself. These are just external possessions; I can't afford to offend this elder now! When I have the chance later, I'll get everything back, principal and interest.

"Haha, it's no trouble at all! Let's go out now!" The elder's mood seemed even better.

The rest of the matters were much easier to handle. With Senior Uncle Ye's assistance, Han Li completed all the procedures smoothly and received the jade token signifying that he had taken on the task. Then, led enthusiastically by Deacon Yu, he set off for the Hundred-Medicine Garden on Golden Cicada Ridge.

Elder Ye stood at the entrance of the Hall of Hundred Machines, watching Han Li's figure fly farther and farther away. His expression turned grim, and he remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

"Is Junior Brother Ye getting soft-hearted?" A low voice suddenly came from behind him.

"It's not a matter of being soft-hearted or not. It's just that I feel something is amiss using such methods against a newly admitted disciple. And what if Junior Nephew Han says one thing to our faces and then secretly does another, reporting this matter to the Sect Master?" The elder said without turning his head, but a hint of worry was discernible in his words.

"Heh heh, report it?" The person behind him sneered.

"What, aren't you worried, Senior Brother Wu?" Elder Ye finally turned around and addressed Senior Brother Wu, whose face was grim.

"What's there to worry about! Didn't that kid very consciously follow our pre-arranged plan and say he'd leave the items with you? We didn't explicitly say we wouldn't return them; it's just temporary safekeeping! What does he have to report?" Senior Brother Wu said confidently.

"However, I do quite admire this kid! To understand the way of discretion at such a young age is not simple! If his aptitude weren't so poor, being a pseudo-spiritual root, I might even have considered taking him as a disciple!" Senior Brother Wu continued, a look of regret on his face.

"It's fortunate that he's not stubborn, otherwise we'd have to use a different method, which would be much more troublesome!" Elder Ye said slowly.

"Alright, there's nothing to worry about concerning this kid! For you and me, crushing him is like crushing an ant. On the other hand, Junior Brother Ye, since you didn't have to spend a fortune this time, don't forget what we agreed upon beforehand!" Senior Brother Wu suddenly changed the topic, with a hidden meaning in his words.

"I won't forget. You'll get half of this batch of Harmonizing Qi Pills. *Cough*! To be honest, if my grandnephew didn't also need a large quantity of precious elixirs to assist him during his Foundation Establishment process, I truly wouldn't have the audacity to keep these things from a junior!" Elder Ye gently shook his head, looking as if his integrity was compromised in his later years.

Elder Wu listened, smiling without a word, thinking with immense satisfaction:

"Now that Junior Brother Ye has done something so despicable, it means I have leverage over him. I won't have to worry about him not siding with me in future discussions."