Chapter 1 The Young Master of Yuzhou City

Chapter 1: The Young Gentleman of Yu Prefecture City

Xingping Year 13, Yu Prefecture City.

Unconsciously, ten years had passed since the great flood of Xingping Year 3.

Brilliant sunlight cast its glow upon the green tiles and red walls stretching as far as the eye could see. Standing on Yu Prefecture Bridge, one could observe the abruptly jutting eaves, the high-flying shop signs and banners, the shimmering carriages and horses, and the ceaseless flow of pedestrians.

Along both sides of Yuzhou River Street were teahouses, taverns, pawn shops, and workshops, with many small vendors setting up large umbrellas in the open spaces nearby.

This bustling, lively street extended along the Yuzhou River to the east and west, reaching the quieter outskirts of the city. Yet, the street remained filled with an endless stream of people: those carrying burdens on their shoulders, those driving ox-carts to deliver goods, those leading donkeys pulling carts, and those stopping to admire the scenery of the Yuzhou River.

Centered around the tall city gate tower, the houses on both sides were arranged in a dense, orderly fashion, forming unique alley courtyards.

On the west side of the street, there was a somewhat worn plaque bearing the three large characters 'Ji Shi Clinic'.

“Clack-clack… Clack-clack!”

From within the clinic, a series of abacus clicks could be heard.

The one operating the abacus was a young man. He had a very refined appearance and handsome features. Most notably, his eyes were long and slender, yet deep at the corners. When his eyelashes gently closed, it was like clouds obscuring the moon.

The young man’s name was An Jing.

At this moment, he stood before the clinic counter, clicking the abacus while recording entries in the ledger.

“Three catties of Rubia cordifolia is three hundred cash.”

“One catty of Jacaranda mimosifolia is one hundred and fifty cash.”

“There’s still coriander in stock, so no need to purchase it this time, which saves a sum.”

“Clack-clack! Clack-clack!”

“Dr. An, do you want a wife?”

Just then, an urgent voice came from beyond the wooden curtain.

An Jing looked up to see a dark, gaunt middle-aged man rushing in.

“As long as you say the word, I’ll send her over immediately.”

An Jing raised his head, smiling as he glanced at him, “If you want to send them to me, then send a few more.”

The person before him was Niu Fu, a venerable elder of Yu Prefecture City and a renowned matchmaker. Some time ago, Uncle Niu contracted a severe cold, and two or three doctors in Yu Prefecture City couldn't cure him. It was An Jing who ultimately saved him from the brink of death.

“Didn’t Uncle Niu arrange a few blind dates for you a while ago, and they all failed? This time, Uncle Niu found a good family.”

Niu Fu excitedly said, “That Young Miss’s family moved here not long ago and she isn’t betrothed yet. She’s truly beautiful, I’ve never seen anyone like her…”

An Jing suspiciously asked, “Uncle Niu, is that true or false?”

Some time ago, An Jing also went on four or five blind dates, but they all ended without success.

For a man, there are only two things that matter regarding women.

Whether she can arouse his primal instincts, and whether he can fully control her.

Uncle Niu, spitting as he spoke, said, “This young lady is named Zhao Qingmei. She comes from a scholarly family, is skilled in needlework and tailoring, and proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is truly a proper Young Miss from a distinguished family.”

“Young Dr. An, if you can marry her, you’d be blessed for eight lifetimes.”

An Jing said, somewhat strangely, “You’re not trying to trick me, are you?”

A Young Miss from a distinguished family, serene and gentle, lively and charming—this was simply a man’s ideal woman.

“How could I possibly trick you? You are my savior!” Uncle Niu thumped his chest, vowing, “If I say half a lie, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning.”

“Alright, then let’s meet first.” An Jing nodded.

After all, An Jing was very clear that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.

“Young Dr. An, since you’ve agreed, I’ll arrange for you two to meet tomorrow. It will be at Datong Teahouse, so please don’t forget.”

Uncle Niu, hearing An Jing’s words, beamed with a smile: “I’ll go back and make arrangements now. That Young Miss is still waiting for my reply.”

“Uncle Niu, wait!”

“You should tidy up tomorrow; I’ll bring the person over then.”

Uncle Niu rushed off in a hurry, not giving An Jing any chance to continue speaking.

“This Uncle Niu.”

An Jing looked at the hurried figure and sighed, “So anxious, I hadn’t even asked clearly.”

An Jing, that was his name in this life.

The original owner of this body had long died in the flood, and he had Transmigrated to occupy this body.

When he first arrived in this world, he experienced the biggest plague in Jiangnan Province in decades. His parents both died in this plague, but he fortunately survived and opened a medical clinic in Yu Prefecture City, living a peaceful life.

In An Jing’s mind, there was a unique Earth Scroll.

As his thoughts settled, the black Earth Scroll in his mind opened to the first page.

Cultivation: First Rank

Fate: Auspicious Star Shining High

Bone Structure: Heavenly Genius

Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Technique, Sword Hiding Technique, Sword Control Technique, Nine Character Sword Secret, Soaring Nine Heavens Movement Technique, Great Luo Heart Method, Aura Concealment Technique

Tip One: The Host’s fate has not yet taken root (one year remaining). When performing martial arts, do not let others know the Host’s identity, otherwise, a black Opportunity will be received.

Tip Two: A marriage proposal will arrive soon. If successful, the Host can receive a green Opportunity.

A black Opportunity belongs to misfortune, bringing mortal danger and unprovoked calamities.

An Jing followed the instructions of the Earth Scroll, Cultivating step by step. He had always practiced medicine in Yu Prefecture City, never exposing his Cultivation and strength. In the eyes of ordinary people, he was just a common doctor; no one knew that young Dr. An was actually a First Rank master.

Just last night, the Earth Scroll presented this second tip, so he did not refuse this marriage proposal.

A green Opportunity was the greatest Opportunity he had encountered so far, and it might even allow his Cultivation to advance a step further.

“I wonder what this green Opportunity is, but marrying such a beautiful wife certainly won’t be a loss.”

An Jing put away the ledger and looked at the sky, “It seems like it’s about to rain, I need to tidy up.”

Yuzhou River, misty rain.

The Yuzhou River, also known as Yuzhou Stream, spans about seventy square kilometers in Yu Prefecture. A single Yuzhou River flows through the entire city, with scenic spots distributed along both banks. If one were to take a black-awning boat from south to north, the scenery would be bright and clear, sometimes swift, sometimes slow.

“Drip-drop! Drip-drop!”

The rain, like sorrow, fell quickly and rhythmically on the black bamboo awning, not dull, but rather possessing a comfortable, light musical quality.

A young woman stood at the bow of the boat, her eyes gazing at Yu Prefecture City amidst the misty rain.

She was elegantly refined and otherworldly, possessing an inherent ethereal aura.

Like a new moon glowing, like a flower tree covered in snow, beyond compare.

“Tan Yun, do you know? For all these years, the most unforgettable thing has been the rain of Jiangnan.” The woman extended her jade-like hand, allowing the raindrops to fall onto her palm, murmuring in her heart: “And that most unforgettable person.”

The maid beside her looked at the boundless mist, somewhat bewildered. Sometimes, people cannot empathize with each other.

Just like at this moment, she didn’t understand why her Demonic Cult Leader liked this rain, nor why the Demonic Cult Leader would go to such great lengths to marry an ordinary doctor.

Could it be that the Demonic Cult Leader wanted to experience the life of common folk?

However, he was just an ordinary doctor, an inconspicuous commoner. The identities and statuses of the two seemed to be separated by a chasm.

Many doubts and confusions filled her heart, but she knew it was not her place to ask.

“Demonic Cult Leader, this rain will likely last for a few more days.” Tan Yun said softly.

Tan Yun, a master ranked eighty-fourth on the tiger rankings of the Great Yan Jianghu’s dragon and tiger rankings. Relying on her stupa sword, she was quite famous in the Jianghu. However, at this moment, before the woman, she was trembling, not daring to show any slack.

“Then let it rain for a little longer.” The woman said indifferently, “After this rain, the sky will clear, so take this time to properly enjoy the rain.”

“Cleared up?”

Tan Yun couldn’t help but murmur to herself.

Did the Demonic Cult Leader mean that the rain for our cult has passed? Is it time for our cult to welcome a clear sky?

Decades ago, the Demonic Cult was expelled from the Great Yan Jianghu, and three years ago, the Demonic Cult Leader mysteriously disappeared without a trace. For a time, the once renowned Demonic Cult fell into a slump. It was only with the ascension of the new Demonic Cult Leader before them that the Demonic Cult gradually recovered some of its Origin Qi.

A gentle breeze blew, disheveling a few strands of hair, causing the water to ripple slightly.

“Tan Yun.” The woman suddenly said.

“This servant is here.” Tan Yun quickly responded.

“Did you hear that?” “What?” Tan Yun was startled, quickly looking around.

With her Second Rank Cultivation, there were certainly not many people in the world who could conceal themselves within three zhang of her.

The woman looked up, took a light breath, greedily enjoying everything.

“The sound of this wind piercing through the bones is truly addictive.”

“Yu Prefecture is truly a good place.”