287: Chapter 285 Choice

Ning Yuanzhou did not answer immediately.

He sat in his chair, fingers interlaced and resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on the candle flame on the desk, his brow deeply furrowed.

The study was very quiet, save for the occasional crackle of the candle.

His mind was racing at top speed.

The person before him—wearing gray cloth clothes with patches, looking like a destitute scholar. Previously, the Old Steward had been held by him and struggled violently but could not move him an inch. Add to that the Medicinal Pill he produced, that refreshing fragrance, and the peaceful state in which his mother had fallen into a deep sleep after the bowl of medicinal soup was poured down—none of this was normal. Having been an official for many years, he had seen many famous doctors and many rare medicines, but he had never seen any medicine that could make a dying old woman sleep as soundly as a babe within just a few breaths.

He reached a conclusion: that was no mortal medicine.

The Great Liang Kingdom was a vassal state of the Zifu Immortal Dynasty, and while there were no Cultivators in the entire country, legends about Immortals had never ceased.

Some said Immortals could fly and burrow through the earth; some said Immortals could bring the dead back to life; some said a single Medicinal Pill from an Immortal could allow a person to live a hundred years longer. He hadn't believed it before, thinking it was merely the delusions of rustic villagers. But at this moment, looking into Yun Ming's calm eyes, a thought suddenly popped into his head—could this person be an Immortal?

His throat moved slightly, his voice a bit tight. "Mr. Yun, are you... an Immortal?"

Yun Ming did not answer.

He simply looked at Ning Yuanzhou, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly in a half-smile.

That smile neither admitted nor denied anything; he just watched him quietly and composedly. Ning Yuanzhou's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't fear, but shock, disbelief, a sense of the absurd—a 'how is this possible' feeling. But absurdity aside, the facts were before him—this man had cured his mother using medicine he had never seen and methods he could not understand. If he wasn't an Immortal, what else could he be?

Yun Ming finally spoke, his voice neither hurried nor slow. "Lord Ning, you are a clever man, and I am someone who dislikes trouble. Staying here temporarily, there are many things I don't want to handle personally; I need a 'backer' on the surface. If you become my servant, I will not treat you poorly." He paused. "Being an official in the Great Liang Kingdom, reaching the third rank, you've hit the ceiling, haven't you?"

Ning Yuanzhou's fingers curled slightly. Yun Ming had hit the mark. Third rank was indeed the end of the line. He had no background, no backer, and no support from any great influential families. He had reached his current position entirely through his own ability and luck, but for that very reason, he could go no further. Those above would not let him move up. He knew this in his heart but was powerless to change it.

"What if I said I could let you take another step forward?" Yun Ming's voice was very light, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter.

Ning Yuanzhou's heart suddenly tightened. Another step forward—second rank, or even first rank? He didn't dare imagine it. But he had to admit, he was tempted. No, his heart was pounding wildly. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. This matter was too big, so big he hadn't dared think of it in his entire life. He couldn't make a decision based on a momentary impulse.

But once the seed of a thought takes root, it can no longer be uprooted.

He thought of his official career. Ten years of hard study in the cold, rising step by step from a minor local official to the third rank; every step had been difficult. He knew he had the ability, knew his political achievements were second to none, but every time there was a promotion, he was stuck at the final step. The reason was simple—he had no backer. His mother, an ordinary woman, had supported his studies by washing and mending clothes for others. His father had died young, his Family had declined, and there was no one to help him. He had reached today on his own, but he could only go this far. If the person before him truly was an Immortal, then his career would no longer have a ceiling. The Grand Secretariat of the Great Liang Kingdom, or even higher—he didn't dare think further.

He then thought of Yun Ming's medical skills. Even if this man wasn't an Immortal, his medical skills were definitely peerless in this world. Such a person was worth befriending. Even if he wasn't an Immortal, making a friend wouldn't be a loss. Furthermore, he spent most of his time in the capital and rarely returned to Linan City. Even if he acknowledged this Master, it would only be a nominal matter and wouldn't affect his normal life.

Ning Yuanzhou took a deep breath, stood up, walked over to Yun Ming, and knelt on one knee.

"Ning Yuanzhou is willing to serve Mr. Yun as my Master."

Yun Ming looked at him, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening. "Lord Ning, you are indeed a man of courage and insight. We are strangers, and I've only shown a few tricks, yet you dare acknowledge me as Master. Aren't you afraid I'm a fraud?" There was a hint of appreciation in his tone.

Ning Yuanzhou looked up, his gaze calm. "If Mister were a fraud, you wouldn't have come to save my mother. If Mister were a fraud, you wouldn't have spoken plainly that the medicine would be harmful when Imperial Physician Zhao Ke was writing the prescription. If Mister were a fraud, you wouldn't have stayed in the city waiting after I drove you away." He paused. "If Mister were a fraud, then there would be no truth left in this world."

Yun Ming laughed. He reached out and took a Jade Thumb Ring from his sleeve, placing it on the table. The jade ring was emerald green all over, its color warm and moist, emitting a faint glow under the candlelight. Fine lines were carved on the surface, looking like some kind of runes.

"This is a meeting gift." Yun Ming pushed the jade ring toward Ning Yuanzhou. "It can protect you three times. It contains three Spells that can save your life in a moment of crisis. Do not ask what Spells they are; when the time comes to use them, you will naturally know."

Ning Yuanzhou picked up the jade ring and turned it over to look. It felt warm to the touch, and when his fingertips brushed those lines, he could feel a faint flow of heat. He was both shocked and suspicious, but he didn't ask more, carefully putting the jade ring on his thumb. The ring was just the right size, neither loose nor tight.

"Thank you, Mister."

Yun Ming waved his hand. "No need for thanks. Since you acknowledge me as Master, I give you benefits." He stood up. "I am a person who likes peace and quiet. Just arrange a courtyard for me; don't disturb me when there's nothing important. I need to Cultivate."

Ning Yuanzhou was stunned for a moment. "Cultivate?"

Yun Ming glanced at him without explaining. "Go on. Your mother still needs your care."

Ning Yuanzhou didn't dare ask more. He stood up and bowed to Yun Ming. "Please wait a moment, Mister, I will go and make arrangements immediately." He turned and left the study, his steps much lighter than when he arrived, though his brow was still slightly furrowed. He was wondering, who exactly was this Mr. Yun? An Immortal? He wasn't sure. But he knew he had made the right bet.

In the study, Yun Ming sat down again, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured himself a cup of tea. Ah Yuan stood behind him, looking toward the door, and whispered, "Master, do you really trust him that much? What if he goes back on his word?"

Yun Ming took a sip of tea and set down the cup. "He won't. This man judges the situation well, has great foresight, and is exceptionally courageous. Since he has acknowledged me, he won't go back on it. Even if he did, it wouldn't matter to me. He's just a servant; I'd just find another."

Ah Yuan thought about it and felt her Master was right. She didn't ask further and stood quietly behind Yun Ming.

Ning Yuanzhou walked out of the study, through the corridor, and into the front courtyard. The Old Steward was still standing in the courtyard; seeing him come out, he hurriedly went to meet him. "Eldest Young Master, Mr. Yun..."

"Mr. Yun is an honored guest," Ning Yuanzhou interrupted him. "From today on, he is a distinguished guest of the Ning Mansion. No one is allowed to be disrespectful."

The Old Steward nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, I understand."

Ning Yuanzhou thought for a moment and added, "Clean up the Qingzhu Courtyard to the east for Mr. Yun to stay in. It's quiet there and far from the main courtyard, so no one will disturb him. Prepare the best bedding, tea sets, and writing materials. Also, assign two clever servants to serve there."

The Old Steward acknowledged the order and turned to make the arrangements.

Ning Yuanzhou stood in the courtyard as the night wind blew past, carrying the chill of early autumn. He looked up at the moon in the sky; it was very round and bright. He looked down at the jade ring on his thumb, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. Then he turned and walked toward his mother's bedroom.