A Discount for a Favor
Scene 1 — A Deal at the Door
Just as Lin Xian stepped out of Bai He Pharmacy, the morning sunlight washed over him, warm and clear. The light glinted off the bundles of herbs in his hand, releasing a faint medicinal fragrance as he walked.
He took three steps… then suddenly paused.
A thought flickered across his mind.
He turned slightly, lifting his voice just enough to carry through the doorway.
"Hey, Miss Bai!"
Bai Yu Sheng, who had been watching him leave while leaning against the counter, blinked in mild surprise. The sunlight framed her in gold, her white robes fluttering softly.
"Yes?" she replied, raising a brow.
Lin Xian slid one hand into his sleeve, looking completely serious — and absolutely not serious at the same time.
"I've decided," he said.
"I'll refine the pill now."
Her eyes widened before a spark of excitement lit up within them.
"Already?" she asked, unconsciously taking a step closer.
"You're not even waiting until tonight?"
"Nope," he said, shrugging. "No point delaying."
He lifted the small pouch in his hand and shook it lightly.
"But… I could really use an assistant."
Bai Yu Sheng tilted her head, the soft corner of her lips lifting.
"An assistant?"
"Mm." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"One who knows how to pass herbs… keep quiet… and maybe—"
He held up two fingers.
"—offer a small discount for emotional support."
Her laughter burst out like a silver chime, bright and clean as spring water.
"So that's the hidden condition," she said, amused.
"You came all the way back just to bargain?"
"It's called a mutually beneficial exchange," Lin Xian corrected with a solemn expression.
"Labor for discount. A noble trade blessed by the heavens."
She tapped her chin as if thinking deeply.
"I could refuse, you know."
Lin Xian sighed tragically.
"In that case, I'll take my business to the Yun Clan's pharmacy.
I heard they even throw in a free jar of salt."
Bai Yu Sheng burst out laughing again.
"Alright, alright! I surrender. A discount it is."
She pointed a finger at him.
"But if I help you, I get to see the final pill first. No hiding your genius."
"Deal," Lin Xian agreed instantly.
"Let's go before you change your mind and raise the price."
She called for an attendant to watch the counter, then walked beside him through the busy streets of Azurecloud City.
Perched proudly on Lin Xian's shoulder, Xiao Jin inspected Bai Yu Sheng like a tiny golden judge. His tail flicked once, eyes glimmering suspiciously.
She smiled. "He's glowing a little again. Another breakthrough?"
Lin Xian's expression darkened.
"Breakthrough? That freeloading furball sleeps, glows, eats my spirit stones, then sleeps again."
Xiao Jin meowed indignantly.
Bai Yu Sheng laughed behind her hand.
"You two really are something."
As they walked, the crowd parted unconsciously around them — Lin Xian's quiet presence, Bai Yu Sheng's elegance, and a glowing kitten on a shoulder was a scene hard to ignore.
And somewhere in the distance, unseen eyes watched them with curiosity… and growing interest.
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Scene 2 — Refining the Qi Recovery Pill
Lin Xian's courtyard was small and plain, shaded by a single plum tree whose blossoms fell softly onto the tiled ground. But the moment Bai Yu Sheng stepped inside, she froze in mild awe.
The air was thick with spiritual energy, the fragrance of herbs, and the faint hum of a pill furnace resting in the center.
"This is where the 'genius alchemist' works?" she teased lightly.
"Don't mock humble rooms," Lin Xian said without looking back.
"Even dragons slept in caves."
She smiled. "Then this place should be honored."
Xiao Jin made himself comfortable on a nearby stool, tail curling around his paws as he watched like a tiny overseer.
Lin Xian rolled up his sleeves.
"Alright. Assistant Bai, pass me the Spirit Grass."
She placed it in his hand, fingers brushing his for a second — warm, delicate.
Fwoosh!
A pale-blue flame leapt from Lin Xian's palm, sliding into the cauldron like a living stream. The temperature shifted instantly, settling into perfect balance.
"Silverleaf."
She handed the next herb with growing excitement. The moment it entered the furnace, it melted into shimmering liquid essence.
Lin Xian's hands moved faster then — forming seal after seal, each glowing faintly as he pressed his qi into the flame. The rhythm was fluid, precise, like a master musician performing a flawless piece.
Bai Yu Sheng watched in astonishment.
Then—
Thump.
The cauldron trembled violently, and a wave of spiritual pressure rippled outward.
Bai Yu Sheng stumbled back.
"H-Hey— is it going to explode?!"
Lin Xian's expression didn't shift at all.
"Not if I say so."
His fingers blurred.
Seal of Tranquil Flame!
A golden rune shot from his fingertips and slammed onto the furnace lid. Instantly, the dangerous pressure inside calmed like a violent beast forced into submission.
The courtyard fell silent except for the soft pulse of heat.
Then—
Boom!
Not destructive — but radiant.
A soft explosion of light rose from the furnace, filled with the clean, refreshing scent of spiritual herbs.
Ten round, perfectly formed jade-green pills floated upward, glowing faintly like tiny stars suspended in the air.
Bai Yu Sheng's mouth fell open.
"T-Ten?! You refined ten perfectly formed pills?!"
Lin Xian calmly caught each one, placing them into a jade bottle.
"Mm. Not bad for a morning's warm-up."
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
"These… these can recover fifty percent of one's qi, right?"
"Correct."
"F-Fifty percent?!" She nearly dropped the bottle.
"That's double the market's best pill! This is… this is insane!"
He shrugged. "Good materials deserve good results."
She looked at him like she was staring at a monster — a talented, ridiculous, unbelievable monster.
"No wonder the Zhao Clan hates you," she muttered.
"You're too outrageous."
Lin Xian smirked.
"Outrageous sells."
Bai Yu Sheng held the jade bottle up to the sunlight, the pills glowing like small gemstones.
"If the city sees these…"
Her voice softened, filled with something like admiration.
"Everyone will talk about you again."
"Let them talk," Lin Xian said coolly.
Xiao Jin yawned from the window, glowing faintly again as if basking in the success.
Lin Xian pointed at him.
"And you still don't pay rent."
Bai Yu Sheng laughed, the sound warm and bright.
"You two are impossible," she said — but her eyes were gentle.
In the quiet courtyard, surrounded by falling petals and the scent of freshly refined pills, the first sparks of a greater storm quietly ignited.