Chapter 150 Regret and Reneging
"Take over the Baiyao Garden in Qingshi Ridge and submit the prescribed amount of rare medicinal materials annually."
Seeing these golden words on the bamboo slip, Han Li was greatly delighted. He pointed to the bamboo slip and looked up at Steward Yu, saying, "I'm quite interested in this task. Could Senior Brother introduce it to me?"
Upon hearing Han Li's words, Steward Yu smiled and approached. But when he saw the task Han Li had chosen clearly, the smile on his face immediately turned into a bitter one.
"Junior Brother, it's better to choose another task. Taking over the garden is too difficult, not suitable for you!" Steward Yu said sincerely. Seeing Han Li's puzzled expression, he continued to explain:
"This task has been posted here for several years, and many disciples have taken it on, but they all messed it up.
Not only did they not get rewards, but they also got fined a lot of spirit stones.
It can be said to be one of the most difficult tasks here.
And don't laugh at me, I have to make senior brothers draw lots every year to assign this task! "
After hearing this, Han Li found it somewhat amusing but also began to wonder. However, he had no intention of giving up just yet, so he humbly asked for advice:
"Senior Brother, could you please tell me what makes this task so difficult and why so many senior brothers have failed? Isn't it just managing the herbs in the garden? Is that really so hard?"
"Is Junior Han choosing Master Ma's garden task?" A familiar voice suddenly interrupted from behind, as a surname Ye elderly man listened to their conversation and jumped in before Steward Yu could respond.
"Exactly! Junior Han has set his sights on Master Ma's incredibly difficult task," Steward Yu said with a wry smile.
Upon hearing this, the elderly man also chuckled.
"Haha! Junior Han sure knows how to pick!
He's picked the most troublesome task here at first glance.
But, this task is indeed quite troublesome.
Several disciples have been forced to take on this task and have complained to me about it.
But because Master Ma refuses to change the reward and penalty conditions, I have no choice!
If Junior Han wants to know the details of this task, he can come with me to the inner hall to see the relevant records.
It's better than others just telling you with their mouths!
" The Ye patriarch of the Hundred Machinery Hall seemed very generous towards Han Li for some reason, opening the door for him in many ways.
Han Li inwardly frowned at this, finding the Ye patriarch's enthusiasm a bit excessive. Although he had traded the Foundation Establishment Pill with him, it appeared to be an equal transaction on the surface, so there was no need for the patriarch to be so affectionate towards him.
Suppressing his doubts, Han Li pretended to be pleasantly surprised and followed the elderly man into a room behind the main hall, where various scrolls were piled up.
The elderly man in the room waved the bamboo slip lightly, and a scroll flew into his hand with a flash of green light. He then handed the scroll to Han Li.
Since things had reached this point, Han Li didn't hesitate to take the scroll and quickly read through its contents.
The scroll was not long, only recording the self-narrated experiences of the previous disciples who had taken over the garden, as well as their reasons for failure. So Han Li quickly understood the content and difficulty of this task.
"How about it? Would you like to choose another task? Although the rewards for this task are generous, it's indeed not something ordinary disciples can accomplish," the elderly man said, seemingly concerned.
After hearing this, Han Li pondered for a moment before decisively shaking his head and saying, "Thank you, Patriarch Ye! However, I'm quite interested in this task. There's no need to change it. I'll choose it!"
The elderly man heard Han Li's resolute words and felt somewhat surprised but didn't say anything further, nodding in agreement. However, instead of immediately leaving the room, he hesitated for a moment and then awkwardly said something.
"Junior Han, regarding the items from our last transaction, can we postpone the delivery of some of them? I'm about to refine a batch of Qi Refining Pills, and I'm a bit tight on resources at the moment. But rest assured, I'll repay all the owed items in full within a year or so."
Han Li was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this but quickly smiled.
"Patriarch Ye, what are you talking about? Since you're inconvenienced, just give whatever you can. There's no need to mention repaying later. Consider it my respect to you as a junior!"
Han Li felt extremely hypocritical at the moment. Although he was deeply resentful and furious about the breach of contract, he had to maintain a smiling face and say things that would please the other party. This was probably the sorrow of being weak, he thought bitterly.
"What do you mean? Do you think I'm the kind of person who goes back on my word and breaks my promises? I will never shortchange you, Junior Han, not even by a bit," the elderly man said firmly, his expression showing that he was an upright and trustworthy person.
Han Li, who had been barely maintaining his smile, almost collapsed upon hearing this!
This elder's thick skin was truly astonishing. Clearly, he intended to retract most of the items, but he still had to put on a facade of being upright and trustworthy. He was a typical hypocrite!
Han Li couldn't help but inwardly curse repeatedly. However, he only paused his smile slightly upon hearing these words and continued to speak sincerely, albeit in a manner that he found nauseating:
"Patriarch Ye, you misunderstood me! Actually, I think it's a bit extravagant for me, as a newly admitted disciple, to have so many things. So, most of the items can be temporarily stored with you. I won't need them for the time being."
After hearing Han Li's insincere words, the Ye patriarch's expression softened, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Junior Han's words do make some sense!
If new disciples rely too much on external items, it will indeed hinder their cultivation.
Then, as you said, let's leave some items with me for safekeeping.
If you need them in the future, just come and get them! "
"Thank you, Patriarch Ye!" Han Li forced a smile, while inwardly consoling himself over and over again. These were just external items; he couldn't afford to offend the elder in front of him now! When he had the chance, he would definitely reclaim everything, with interest.
"Haha, it's nothing! Let's go out," the elderly man's mood seemed to improve.
After that, things became much easier. With the help of the Ye patriarch, Han Li smoothly completed all the procedures and received the jade token representing his acceptance of the task. Then, under the enthusiastic guidance of Steward Yu, he set off for the Baiyao Garden in Jinshi Ridge.
The Ye patriarch stood at the entrance of the Hundred Machinery Hall, watching Han Li's gradually disappearing figure. His expression turned gloomy, and he fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.
"Is Brother Ye getting soft-hearted?" A low voice suddenly came from behind him.
"It's not
about being soft-hearted, but feeling that using such means against a newly admitted disciple seems a bit inappropriate. And I'm worried that this Han fellow might report this matter to the sect head!" the Ye patriarch finally turned around and said to the gloomy-faced Brother Wu behind him.
"Why worry? This kid hasn't explicitly said he won't take back the items we've arranged to keep with you. He's just temporarily storing them with you! What's there to report?" Brother Wu said confidently.
"But, I quite admire this kid! To understand the nuances of advance and retreat at such a young age is not simple! If it weren't for his poor aptitude and pseudo spiritual roots, I would have thought about taking him as my disciple!" Brother Wu continued, with a hint of regret on his face.
"Indeed, it's fortunate that this person isn't stubborn. Otherwise, we'd have to resort to other methods, which would be more troublesome!" the Ye patriarch said slowly.
"Anyway, there's nothing to worry about with this kid! He's as insignificant as squashing an ant. But Brother Ye, don't forget about the agreement we made earlier!" Brother Wu suddenly changed the subject, his words carrying another meaning.
"I won't forget. Half of the newly refined Qi Refining Pills will be yours.
I must admit, if it weren't for my nephew needing a large quantity of precious pills for his Foundation Establishment process, I wouldn't have shamelessly withheld these items from the junior!
" the Ye patriarch shook his head lightly, showing a sense of shame.
Upon hearing this, Brother Wu smiled without saying a word, feeling extremely pleased in his heart:
"Since Brother Ye has resorted to such despicable means, he has given me something to hold against him. I don't have to worry about him not siding with me in future discussions!"