Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing-Chapter 77: Toxicology Codex (II)

Lin Zheyu had visited the Han residence several times and was very familiar with the place.

"Hm?"

As soon as he arrived outside the Han residence, Lin Zheyu sensed a gaze laced with malice. With his strength having grown, his perception and warrior’s intuition had sharpened, allowing him to faintly sense when others looked at him with ill intent. The feeling was mysterious, like an enhanced sixth sense. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

His cultivation strength alone was not the main reason for this improvement; most of the credit lay with the extraordinary technique, the Tortoise Breath Grand Method. His growth in strength merely amplified the wondrous effects of the Tortoise Breath Grand Method.

The Tortoise Breath Grand Method was unlike ordinary martial arts; its purpose was not to strengthen the body directly. Rather, it refined the body, increasing control over cells, metabolism, and blood qi, locking in the body’s essence and qi. It improved the body from the smallest details, making it more perfect and ultimately aiming at longevity.

To reach this goal required immense spiritual strength, as only with powerful will could one control the body to such a subtle degree. By advancing the Tortoise Breath Grand Method to the third stage, Lin Zheyu’s spirit had risen greatly, which in turn enhanced his sixth sense.

Is this malice directed at me, or at Senior Brother Han?

Lin Zheyu frowned slightly and looked toward a distant teahouse, where the hostile gaze had originated. After carefully watching for a while, he saw no sign of anyone.

"Young Master Lin, Young Master Lin?" One of the guards outside the Han residence noticed Lin Zheyu standing nearby in a daze and walked over to call out to him.

Lin Zheyu came back to his senses and asked, "What is it?"

After scanning the area again, he no longer sensed the malicious gaze.

"Young Master Lin, Lord Han instructed that if you arrive, you are to be brought directly to him. This way, please!" said the guard respectfully.

"When did Senior Brother Han return?" asked Lin Zheyu.

"Lord Han just returned not long ago. He is now in the back courtyard with his wife and children. Allow me to take you there," replied the guard.

"Alright."

Lin Zheyu nodded, lifted the gifts he had brought, and followed the guard into the Han residence. He had been to the Han residence many times and was quite familiar with Han Mo’s wife, children, and parents.

Han Mo’s parents were honest and upright people; otherwise, they would not have raised someone as straightforward and righteous as Han Mo. Parents were often a child’s best role model.

Many children, when grown, would realize that over time they had become much like their parents. Fortunately, Han Mo had also married a virtuous wife and loving mother. The whole family lived in harmony and happiness.

"Uncle Lin!"

As soon as he reached the back courtyard, Han Mo’s six-year-old son came running toward him in excitement.

Lin Zheyu scooped him up and handed him a prepared gift, saying, "Here, a little present for you. Do you like it?"

"I like it, I like it! Thank you, Uncle Lin," said Han Shun in his childish voice.

"Senior brother, madam, these are gifts for you. I also prepared some for your parents. Please pass them along. Forgive me if they are modest."

Lin Zheyu handed over the prepared gifts. He had put in quite some effort to prepare these gifts, even seeking advice from Jia Yanming, who had a knack for such things.

"Why bother preparing these gifts? Coming empty-handed would have been fine," said Han Mo helplessly as he accepted the gifts. He had specifically told him beforehand not to bring anything, yet this fellow still showed up with gifts.

"Reciprocity and all that stuff, haha. During the New Year, anyone should bring some presents. Little Shun, I'll give you a red envelope[1] later!" said Lin Zheyu to Han Shun.

"Yay! Thank you, Uncle Lin!" exclaimed Han Shun excitedly.

"Shun'er, come along now. Don’t bother your uncle and father; let's go play instead." Han Mo’s wife called the children out of the courtyard, not allowing them to make a racket here.

Lin Zheyu was about to object, but during the New Year, what could go wrong? Children made it lively and gave the place a festive atmosphere.

"Let them go play for a while; they've been noisy all day," said Han Mo.

The children had given him a pounding headache; now that Lin Zheyu had arrived he could finally breathe easier.

Han Mo invited Lin Zheyu to sit and began brewing tea. He said, "This is premium Western Mountain White Dew sent by someone. Try it and tell me how you like it."

"Good tea!" Lin Zheyu said after taking a sip; the color was bright, its aroma like orchid, the taste pure, and the aftertaste lingering.

"If you like it, I'll send you half a kilogram to take home later," said Han Mo with a smile.

"By the way, senior brother, when I just arrived at the Han gate I noticed someone acting suspiciously outside, staring with ill intent. Have you offended anyone?" asked Lin Zheyu, bringing up the matter straightaway. Whether the hostility was aimed at him or at Senior Brother Han, it could not hurt to warn them.

"It might be from all the bandit hunts. Those bandits hold grudges and may have infiltrated the city to take revenge. But it's fine. I've already made arrangements and told my parents and the others not to go out casually these days. If they must go out, they are to take guards with them," said Han Mo with a slight frown as the matter was clearly troublesome.

Those people had no roots in Songyi City; if they hid and waited for an opportunity to strike, it would be a real problem. After all, a bandit could live a thousand days, but not many could guard against bandits for a thousand days.

"It's good that you have prepared," said Lin Zheyu with a nod, feeling reassured.

"I've found out about the thing you asked me to look into last time. There is a Jishi Hall in Ansu Alley in the north of the city. The physician, Zhao, is skilled in medicine and toxicology and is adept at making and neutralizing poisons.

"Dr. Zhao also has a daughter, fifteen years old, who is graceful and obedient. His medical skills are not publicly taught, you see. If one wishes to learn, one must marry into the Zhao Family and take his daughter as a wife."

Han Mo looked at Lin Zheyu and asked, "Do you have that intention? If you are willing, I can speak to them. They might accept not having you marry in; you would only need to be adopted as a son and be registered under the Zhao Family name."

"No, no, I’ll pass on that," replied Lin Zheyu, shaking his head. He truly did not want to marry so early.

If it were a time of peace and prosperity, with no worries about food or livelihood, marrying young would not matter. But in this chaotic world, he felt no sense of security. If he could not even protect himself, how could he protect a family?

"Alright then, but you’re not that young anymore. It’s time you considered marriage. When I was your age, I already had children. My eldest daughter is nearly twenty now," said Han Mo.

People in this era married and bore children young; in poor families, some married and had children as early as thirteen or fourteen.

"Mm, I’ve been thinking about it, but it’s not something to rush," replied Lin Zheyu vaguely.

"I’ll ask again about poison experts, but knowledge of medicine and toxicology is extremely valuable. Few are willing to pass it on," said Han Mo.

"Senior brother, it’s fine if you don’t find anyone. I already asked around before, and today I happened to find someone willing to teach me. I’ll start learning from him first," said Lin Zheyu.

"That’s good then. Come, I’ll take you to see an opera. We’ve invited a troupe, and it’s about to start. The first play is The Maid of Gold and Jade..."

After chatting for a while, Han Mo led Lin Zheyu toward Xinghua Garden. The Han residence had risen alongside Han Mo’s success. It had not been wealthy before, but by now it carried the air of a budding esteemed family.

The most important custom during the New Year was ancestral sacrifice. The Han Family’s sacrifice was conducted with great solemnity. Musicians in blue played, three rounds of wine were offered, bowing was completed, paper burned, and wine poured with a heavy sense of ritual.

Lin Zheyu joined the Han Family for their reunion meal, experiencing the joy and festivity of the New Year. This world too had the custom of staying up on New Year’s Eve. The troupe performed until dawn before concluding.

By the time he left the Han residence, it was already late at night. The streets were still lively: neighbors gathered to drink and play games, while children chased each other tirelessly, setting off firecrackers. Lin Zheyu had drunk a little wine, but not much. The cold wind soon cleared his head. Just a few steps out of the Han residence, he once again sensed a faint, malicious gaze.

"Hm?" Lin Zheyu frowned.

Could it be the Xing Family?

He had previously killed Xing Jinglong and his group. By reason, the Xing Family should have taken action, yet until now, none of them had come for him. Lin Zheyu suspected that this hostility was very likely directed at him. He moved swiftly, turning into a narrow alley, twisting left and right, and vanished into the lanes.

1. A red envelope (红包, hóngbāo) is a traditional Chinese New Year gift, usually containing money, given to children and younger family members as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the year ahead. ☜