Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 20 Sister-in-law's medicine is a little bitter

"Ding! Daily check-in successful!"

"Received: 500 taels of silver"

"Obtained: [Item - Body Tempering Pill] ×10 (High-grade Yellow Rank, can strengthen physique, no side effects)"

"Obtained: [Intelligence - Recent Movements of the Azure Dragon Sect] ×1"

Lin Chen opened his eyes, but did not get up immediately. Instead, he absorbed the information first.

Intelligence indicates that Cang Yun, the head of the Qinglong Sect's Beijing branch, is a mid-stage Grandmaster and the third disciple of the sect leader, Elder Canglong.

This person is obsessed with martial arts, dislikes socializing, but values ​​keeping his word.

The branch currently has more than 20 core disciples, all of whom are at least of the second rank.

Most importantly, Cangyun had received a favor from Duke Lin Tianxiong in the Northern Territory three years ago and owed the Lin family a debt of gratitude.

"That makes things easier." Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly.

He got up and changed his clothes.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I saw my second sister-in-law, Chu Yueyao, standing in the courtyard with a tray on it, on which was a bowl of steaming medicinal soup.

"Good morning, Second Sister-in-law," Lin Chen said with a smile. "This is...?"

"This is for you." Chu Yueyao placed the tray on the stone table.

"I saw you were tired from running around yesterday, so I specially brewed some 'Qi-boosting and Vitality-replenishing Soup'. Drink it while it's hot."

Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart and picked up the medicine bowl. The soup was brownish-red, with a rich medicinal aroma, but...

He took a sip, his brow furrowing slightly.

Bitter, extremely bitter.

It wasn't just ordinary bitter medicine; it was a bitterness that penetrated deep into the bone marrow and shot straight to the top of one's head.

Even with his Grandmaster-level cultivation, he almost couldn't keep his expression in check.

"Second Sister-in-law..." Lin Chen forced himself to swallow, "Isn't this prescription... a little special?"

A sly glint flashed in Chu Yueyao's eyes: "Eighth Brother, do you find it bitter?"

"A little," Lin Chen honestly admitted.

"That's right." Chu Yueyao covered her mouth and chuckled. "I specially added three qian of 'bitter ginseng' and two qian of 'coptis chinensis'. Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the disease. I hope Eighth Brother won't find it too bitter?"

Lin Chen could easily see that his second sister-in-law was "getting revenge" on him.

Yesterday's snow jade lingzhi was too precious, making her feel indebted, so she used this method to get closer to them.

"No problem, no problem." He forced himself to drink it all in one gulp.

After finishing the drink and putting down the bowl, his face turned ashen.

Chu Yueyao took out a small paper packet from her sleeve and handed it over: "Here, candied fruit."

Lin Chen quickly took it, put one in his mouth, and only then did he recover.

"Thank you, Second Sister-in-law." He said with a wry smile, "This medicine... will definitely be very effective."

"Of course," Chu Yueyao said solemnly.

"You've been overworking yourself lately, which has depleted your energy and blood. Drink this herbal soup for three days to strengthen your body and replenish your vital energy. Also..."

She lowered her voice: "Last night I looked through medical books and found some records about 'Bone-Eating Spirit Stone'."

This substance originates from the "Frosty Abyss" in the northern border region. Prolonged contact will erode one's meridians, but if used in conjunction with "Sunfire Grass," it can stimulate potential and significantly enhance cultivation in a short period.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed: "Second sister-in-law means..."

"My father is a seasoned general who has seen many battles; he couldn't possibly be ignorant of the Bone-Corroding Spirit Stone," Chu Yueyao said.

"If he knowingly used it despite the problems, there's only one possibility—the battle situation was critical, and he had no choice but to take the risk."

Lin Chen was silent for a moment: "So, that batch of spirit stones might be 'bait,' designed to lure Father and the others into using them in a desperate situation, thereby..."

"Weakening their combat strength, or even causing them to suffer a qi deviation," Chu Yueyao continued.

"This is a secret record from the Valley of Healers, known to few outsiders."

"The Valley of Healers?" Lin Chen thought of his second sister-in-law's background. "Is her family involved in this matter?"

Chu Yueyao shook her head: "Although my Chu family belongs to the Medical Immortal Valley lineage, it is only a branch and we have no access to the core secrets."

However, I can write to my grandfather and ask him to help investigate whether there were any unusual developments in the Valley of the Immortal Healer three years ago.

"Thank you for your trouble, Second Sister-in-law," Lin Chen said solemnly.

"We're family, no need for formalities." Chu Yueyao put away the medicine bowl.

"Oh, by the way, I ran into Nian'er this morning. She said she misses Uncle Ba. You should go see her when you have time."

"must."

Watching Chu Yueyao's departing figure, Lin Chen's eyes were deep.

The truth about the Bone-Eating Spirit Stone is becoming increasingly complicated.

But right now, I need to go to the Qinglongmen Martial Arts School first.

……

The Qinglongmen Martial Arts School is located on Xuanwu Street in the east of the city, covering a very large area.

The two stone lions in front of the gate are majestic and imposing, and the four large characters "Qinglong Martial Arts Hall" on the plaque are written in a vigorous and elegant style, faintly conveying the true meaning of martial arts.

Lin Chen brought only Lin Wu with him, and the two of them arrived on horseback.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance, they were stopped by two gatekeepers.

"This is a martial arts school, no unauthorized personnel allowed," the disciple on the left said coldly, his aura steady, indicating he was a first-rank martial artist.

Lin Chen dismounted and cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Lin Chen, the eighth son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. I have come to pay my respects to Master Cangyun."

"The master of the academy does not receive guests." The disciple on the right softened his tone slightly. "Young Master Lin, please return."

Lin Chen wasn't annoyed, and took out a brocade box from his robes:

"Please inform them that the son of an old friend has come to visit, and that they have prepared a small gift."

As he opened the brocade box, the unique fragrance of ambergris immediately filled the air.

The two disciples' expressions changed—they were both knowledgeable people and naturally recognized this rare spiritual herb.

"Please wait a moment." The disciple on the left hurriedly went in to report.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a blue robe strode out. He was about forty years old, with a resolute face and bright, piercing eyes. He was none other than the owner of the inn, Cangyun.

His gaze fell directly on the brocade box, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Ambergris? It really is ambergris!"

He looked up at Lin Chen: "Are you from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"Junior Lin Chen greets Senior Cang." Lin Chen bowed respectfully.

Cangyun sized him up for a moment, then suddenly said:

"Your father, Lin Tianxiong, saved my life four years ago. Did you know that?"

"I've heard my grandmother mention it," Lin Chen said.

"My father often said that people of the martial world value loyalty and righteousness, and do good deeds without expecting anything in return. I have come here today not to take advantage of your kindness, but because I have a favor to ask of you."

"Come in and speak." Cangyun stepped aside to make way.

Inside the martial arts school, dozens of disciples were practicing their skills in the training ground, their fists whistling through the air, displaying extraordinary power.

The lowest rank is three, and seven or eight outstanding individuals have already reached the first rank.

Lin Chen nodded secretly: The Azure Dragon Sect truly lives up to its reputation as one of the four major sects, possessing profound foundations.

Inside the reception room, Cang Yun dismissed those around him and went straight to the point: "What does Young Master Lin desire?"

"Azure Dragon Key." Lin Chen didn't beat around the bush.

"I know this item is valuable, and I am willing to exchange it for Dragon Saliva Grass, and I will also owe the Azure Dragon Sect a favor."

Cang Yun frowned: "What do you need the Azure Dragon Key for?"

"Open a secret room to obtain some... truth," Lin Chen said solemnly, "which concerns the cause of my father's and seven elder brothers' deaths in battle."

Cangyun remained silent for a long time before speaking:

"The Azure Dragon Key is not in my possession; it is with my master, the Azure Dragon Elder."

Moreover, this item is of paramount importance; Master once established a rule—it must not be lent out except in times of life-or-death crisis for the Azure Dragon Sect.

"What if I offer other terms in exchange?" Lin Chen asked. "For example... helping the Azure Dragon Sect resolve a problem?"

Cang Yun's eyes flickered slightly: "What do you know?"

"I've heard that the White Tiger Sect has been repeatedly provoking us lately, even secretly ambushing and killing disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect who are training outside," Lin Chen said.

"If I can resolve this matter, could you please ask Senior Cang to introduce me to Elder Canglong?"

"You?" Cangyun shook his head. "Young Master Lin, it's not that I look down on you."

The White Tiger Sect and my Azure Dragon Sect have been fighting for a century, and their strengths are evenly matched.

"You...excuse my bluntness, but there's no true energy fluctuation on your body. How do you plan to resolve this?"

Lin Chen smiled: "I have my own way."

How about this—within three days, I will have the White Tiger Sect's branch in the capital close down.

"At that time, Senior Cang will consider the matter of introduction, what do you think?"

Cangyun stared at him for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter:

"Good! You have guts! If you can really do it, I will not only introduce you to my master, but also give you a great gift!"

It's a deal.

It's a deal.

The two made a vow by high-fiving.

As he left the martial arts school, Lin Wu couldn't help but ask:

"Eighth Master, are you really going to take action against the White Tiger Sect? That's one of the four sects, with formidable strength..."

"It wasn't us who did it," Lin Chen said, mounting his horse. "It was the Yama Palace that did it."

"The Hall of Yama?" Lin Wu was taken aback.

"The White Tiger Gate and the Yama Palace have a long-standing feud, but they maintain a facade of peace," Lin Chen said calmly.

"All we need is... to give them a reason to start a war."

He already had a plan in mind.

The White Tiger Gate assassinated him, and the Yama Palace participated in framing the Lin family.

These two companies are enemies.

Let the dogs fight each other; that's the easiest way.