250, Apprenticing (3rd Update)
The old man snorted with laughter upon hearing this, “How could there be anything?”
“If there is nothing, then I just want to tell you, elder, that I also know a bit about brewing, but only the superficial aspects, beyond that I really don’t know!” Xie Zhinuan said softly.
She took a few steps forward, “Elder, this wine of yours smells so fragrant, I could smell it from a long way off, and was drawn here by the scent. I wonder if you could offer me a cup to drink. In return, I’ll give you a jar of good water as a reciprocal gift!”
“Good water?” The old man shook his head with a rueful laugh, “The waters of this world are all soaked with blood, where is there any good water left? Besides, where can one find a person who brews anymore? I, I can’t brew wine anymore!” He said, chuckling softly.
He slowly slid down to the ground.
Taking a few more swigs of wine, he lifted one hand, shaking it.
“Broken, broken, hehehehe…” the old man said, as tears flowed down.
In this place, it had been many years since anyone dared to knock on the door.
“…”
Yuanbao came forward, looked at the wrist, and told Li Hengyi and Xie Zhinuan, “The tendons in the hand are severed!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan was surprised.
Li Hengyi remained silent.
Taking a deep breath, Xie Zhinuan stepped forward and knelt down, “Then please take me as your apprentice, elder!”
“…”
The old man lifted his eyes, the bloodshot in them clearing for a moment.
He looked at the pretty young girl before him and suddenly laughed, “You want to take me as your master?”
“Yes!”
“Just for the scent of this wine? Aren’t you afraid I’ll deceive you?” the old man asked.
There was doubt in his eyes, yet also an indescribable eagerness.
“Perhaps it’s fate. I set out to buy wine, had already reserved some, and was planning to go to the next place. But due to some incidents, I arrived at this little town just in time for the temple fair. If I had not stopped to buy something, I wouldn’t have detected the scent of your wine drifting in the air. Drawn by the fragrance, if you’re willing to take me in, I will go learn medicine. As long as I live, I will surely heal your wrist!” Xie Zhinuan spoke earnestly.
And truly, it was heart-stirring.
Yuanbao and Li Hengyi were both taken aback.
Xie Zhinuan wanted to learn so much, and also needed to do business to earn Silver. Could she really succeed?
But the old man was extremely astonished.
“Heal me?”
It had been so many years, this wrist was beyond saving.
Yet looking at Xie Zhinuan, he inexplicably wanted to take this young girl as his apprentice.
Perhaps, as she said, it was destiny.
“Follow me alone!” the old man said, getting up and walking towards the house.
Xie Zhinuan got to her feet, ready to follow.
Li Hengyi grabbed her arm, “Zhinuan…”
Xie Zhinuan lifted her eyes to look at Li Hengyi.
She saw the concern in his eyes.
She chuckled, “Life and death hang by a thread, as do courage, wisdom, and cowardice. I believe in destiny, so,” she patted Li Hengyi’s hand, “wait for me!”
Breaking free from Li Hengyi’s hand, she followed the old man into the courtyard.
The courtyard was desolate, strewn with fallen leaves, and unattended.
Xie Zhinuan pursed her lips and closed the courtyard door behind her.
The old man stood under the eaves, took a gulp of wine, and entered the house.
Taking a deep breath, Xie Zhinuan quickly followed him inside.
The old man fumbled around in a spot, and after the sound of clicking, a hole appeared on the ground, followed by a ladder.
The old man went down first.
Xie Zhinuan followed him, and as soon as she descended the stairs, she felt a burst of chilly air and a rotten smell that was nauseating.
The old man tossed the wine jar down, which clattered and lit up the space.
In her view were coffins.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan felt chilled to the bone.
Her heart raced, and she was tempted to turn and run, but ultimately she restrained herself.
Chapter 251