MTLNOVEL Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Accepting the Commission!:
No one dared to provoke the Mistress of the Pavilion anymore. The three appraisers could only sigh, grumbling, “A beauty who brings disaster,” while bitterly using their spiritual power to condense blades and cut the wood.
In just five minutes, the three of them started feeling uneasy. If this was truly a two- to three-hundred-year-old Floating Cloud Wood, it should have been split in half by now.
Another five minutes passed, and cold sweat formed on their foreheads. They had indeed misjudged.
Finally, with a crisp sound, a piece of Floating Cloud Wood was cut off, revealing its cross-section.
Lan Lin stopped whispering to Tang Mo and moved closer to take a look.
The senior appraiser gasped, “This… it really has five rings of annual growth!”
“It truly has been nourished by Earth’s Core Essence! It’s not the usual green color!”
“Alchemist Tang actually has such keen eyes? But earlier, why did he…”
Tang Mo remained composed. After all, he had simply used his spiritual eyes to inspect it.
Lan Lin, on the other hand, was obviously pleased. “Hmph, I’ve spent so much money keeping you all! If Xiao Mo hadn’t come today, Wanbao Pavilion would’ve lost this treasure because of you three!”
She scolded the three appraisers thoroughly, making them lower their heads in shame, before taking a sip of tea and leisurely saying, “Well? Hurry up and apologize to my little brother.”
“No need, no need.” Tang Mo immediately stood up and waved his hand. “I just happen to know about Floating Cloud Wood, and the three of you were only thinking of Wanbao Pavilion’s best interests.”
The three appraisers finally relaxed a little but still cupped their hands and apologized to Tang Mo.
In the cultivation world, no matter the profession, strength always came first. Even if someone was young, as long as they had ability, they would be respected.
With the Mistress’s permission, the three appraisers withdrew, closing the door of the private room behind them.
Lan Lin poured more tea for Tang Mo and spoke softly, “Xiao Mo has grown up. You’ve learned how to handle social matters now. And your appraisal skills… Sister is truly proud of you.”
“It’s all thanks to your teachings, Sister.”
“You’ve even become sweeter with words~”
Lan Lin giggled, rubbing Tang Mo’s head affectionately. But soon, her expression dimmed as she spoke with concern, “Xiao Mo, don’t blame Sister for bringing this up. Even as an outsider, I can see clearly how Pure Void Sect treats you. You must have noticed too…”
“You’ve endured grievances in that wretched place for ten years. Even if they once taught you, you’ve long repaid that debt. Why not… just leave the sect? Now that you’re down the mountain, don’t go back.”
She gently stroked Tang Mo’s hair with great care, her eyes filled with the concern of a close family member. “Stay at Wanbao Pavilion, just to keep your lonely sister company. Pure Void Sect is not what it used to be, and Ye Qingyi won’t lower herself to ask for you.”
“Even if she does, I can protect you. Wanbao Pavilion is no pushover. And worst case, there’s still the Lan family!”
But the truth was, Lan Lin had run away from home and still hadn’t reconciled with her family.
Tang Mo couldn’t deny that he was moved. Ever since his parents passed, only Teacher Hao had shown him such genuine care.
He would treasure this bond and add his own feelings on top of what the original owner had left behind.
So, he told Lan Lin that he had already left Pure Void Sect yesterday and would be staying in Lingzhu City permanently. However, he politely refused her offer to take care of him financially.
Lan Lin’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this. No matter the details, her silly little brother had finally come to his senses!
Now, she didn’t have to hold back anymore. She vented her anger at those three ungrateful bastards for a long time until her throat was dry. Taking the teacup Tang Mo handed her, she doted on him while asking with some heartache:
“But why did you refuse, Xiao Mo? You can refine pills and appraise treasures—you wouldn’t be freeloading. I’ve already been wanting to get rid of that old geezer; I could’ve made him give up a spot for you.”
“If Sister needs anything, of course I’ll do my best. I just don’t want to take your money.” Tang Mo chuckled. “I was thinking we, as siblings, should work together to make money off others instead.”
“You…”
Lan Lin shook her head, feeling both touched and proud. After a soft sigh, she smiled warmly. “Xiao Mo has ambition. I’ll listen to you. But if you ever run into trouble, you must speak up. If you act distant, that means you don’t see me as your sister.”
Tang Mo smiled and agreed. Then, he took out the Qingyun Blessing Hairpin he had just purchased.
“It’s not a magic artifact—I just thought it was well-made, so I bought it. If Sister doesn’t mind, please accept it. Once I earn more, I’ll get you something even better.”
Lan Lin covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes glistening with moisture.
She had received countless precious gifts from people trying to please or covet her. She had long grown tired of them. But never had a single one touched her heart like this.
Back when she ran away from home and started a small pawn shop, her very first deal involved a Qingyun Blessing Hairpin!
That simple hairpin had marked the beginning of her dream. And now, the pattern on this one was about seventy percent similar to that first one.
Who still remembered her past struggles and ambitions? She had only casually mentioned it to Tang Mo once, yet he had remembered it.
Afraid that speaking would reveal the lump in her throat, Lan Lin pressed a hand to her chest for a long while before silently accepting the hairpin. She replaced the expensive golden hair ornament on her head with it.
She smiled charmingly. “Xiao Mo, does it look good?”
“I’m afraid no piece of jewelry could ever match Sister’s beauty.”
“You’ve really become sharp-tongued!” Lan Lin laughed playfully. “Xiao Mo has always been refined and handsome. In the future, you’re bound to make many young girls fall for you.”
“When you find a Dao companion, don’t forget to let your sister inspect her first.”
Tang Mo nodded and then took out a thousand-year-old Dark Profound Wood box that had previously held a Three Flowers Uniting Pill.
“I also wanted to see Sister today to sell this.”
Lan Lin’s eyes sharpened. “Dark Profound Wood? Judging by the grain and color, it must be at least eight hundred years old. But this kind of wood is excellent for storing pills. If you need money, I can lend you some. Keep this.”
“It does preserve medicinal potency for a long time, but I don’t have any heirloom pills to store. It’s better to exchange it for spirit stones. Also, I’d like Sister to help me find a pill furnace.”
Seeing that Tang Mo had made up his mind, Lan Lin reluctantly accepted. “That makes sense. Wanbao Pavilion happens to be hosting an auction soon. I’ll personally oversee it and get you a good price.”
“A pill furnace is easy to handle. I have a fourth-grade one—Xiao Mo, you can use it for now. I’ll keep an eye out for an even better one for you.”
Tang Mo smiled and thanked her, then asked, “Sister, has Wanbao Pavilion received any commissions for alchemy or medical treatments recently?”
“There were some for alchemy, but they’ve already been outsourced to other alchemists.”
Lan Lin thought for a moment before adding, “Usually, medical consultations aren’t requested at Wanbao Pavilion, but funny enough, just two days ago, someone did submit a request to find a famous healer.”
Finally, a chance to make some money.
Tang Mo’s eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, “Please tell me more.”
“It’s Elder Xuanle of Sunfire Palace. His treasured disciple suddenly fell gravely ill. She’s barely breathing and even coughing up black blood!”
Lan Lin had personally seen Elder Xuanle carrying his dear disciple into Wanbao Pavilion two days ago. The little girl had been so sick that she was barely hanging on, and eerie spots had appeared on her skin!
She had been sick for three days. At first, she was still conscious, but soon she became delirious and lost all awareness.
Sunfire Palace had no expertise in medicine, and none of their healers could diagnose her condition. The pills and herbs she had taken only worsened her condition!
Elder Xuanle had been carrying his disciple everywhere, begging for medical help without success. In desperation, he had placed a request at Wanbao Pavilion to find a renowned healer.
After hearing this, Tang Mo asked, “Where is Elder Xuanle now?”
“He’s probably seeking help at other sects.” Lan Lin sighed, recalling the girl’s pale face. “If you’re confident, I’ll use a jade slip to contact him. But it’s been two days already, and the request is still up—this illness isn’t simple. You can refine pills, but diagnosing illnesses…”
Tang Mo smiled confidently. “Alchemy and medicine share common principles. Saving a life is urgent—please help me contact him, Sister.”