Being knocked down by the Heavenly Dao while ascending

Pei Mingyan took a sip of tea and poured a cup for the pharmacy manager. "Here, have some too."

The medicine manager stretched out his hand to take it, but when he saw the young master's hand stop, he quickly retracted his hand.

"Don't drink too much at night, or you might not be able to sleep." Pei Mingyan said, putting the teacup in his hand.

The medicine manager stared at Pei Mingyan as if he were some rare treasure. "Thank you, young master."

Pei Mingyan avoided his gaze and said, "I called you here today to tell you that you 'know' my identity. Since you 'know' it, just act like you know it, but don't be too exaggerated. You still have to be in charge. Also, don't let other people know my identity."

The medicine manager nodded repeatedly, "Yes, young master!"

Pei Mingyan hummed, "Besides that, I have to thank you for your quick thinking last time, otherwise I would have been kicked out by Pang Yuan."

The medicine manager bowed his head and said, "It is my honor to work for the young master."

"……"well.
So he really didn't like the attitude of the Mei family, as if whatever he did was right and it seemed like such an honor to do something for them.

Just like the servants who came to Banshan Juwu to serve him, most of them were replaced every six months, and sometimes even once a month, just to allow more people to have the opportunity to work for Master Mei.
Even if this job is just to water his flowers and bring him water, and some of them don't even have the chance to see him, they still enjoy doing it.
In the Mei family, he is Young Master Mei, a god.

His face turned stern and he pretended to be angry. "I don't like these kinds of promises."

The medicine manager licked his lips nervously, "Yes, yes, yes!" He clenched the teacup tightly and asked with courage, "Master...Master, your identity has been exposed...what's going on? And..." He carefully glanced at Pei Mingyan's left arm, "Where are the zither pattern and the jade pendant? What about this?"
He seemed to regret what he said, and added hastily: "I didn't question the young master's intention, I was just worried--"

"I know what you mean. Don't be nervous. Just sit down."
Pei Mingyan lifted his sleeves to reveal the lifelike zither pattern on his arm. "This is a trick. When I came to the academy, I pretended to be afraid of death. As a result, the zither pattern appeared, and I didn't say a word. I don't look like a coward at all. From then on, Dean Xue listed me as a key observation object."

"But why did the dean give you the Qin pattern in the first place?" the medicine manager asked, holding the teacup in both hands.

"It's all my fault for coming in a hurry and not being well prepared." Pei Mingyan pulled the ring hanging on his waist, "Here, it's the keepsake of the eldest son of the Mei family... Although it can only be recognized by those who practice the three formations of the Mei family at the same time, this thing can almost make most formations ineffective against me. When I fell along the edge of the mountain protection formation, it was enough to attract Xue Qingyu's attention."

The medicine manager carefully sat down one-third of the stool, "After this, it must be Manager Pang's attention that exposed you."

Pei Mingyan nodded, "There was another incident in between, it was the ice cream incident, Pang Yuan..." He paused, and looked at the medicine manager again, "The ice cream incident exposed that I knew both water and fire magic. After that, Pang Yuan named me, probably because he was worried that something might happen to me and wanted to take me away from here."

"After I received the message from the young master, I immediately found an excuse to leave the main peak and negotiate with Pang Yuan to keep you here." The medicine manager said hurriedly, "After that, I listened to the young master and pretended not to know you."

"That's right. It completely exposed me. At that time, I didn't know your dean was ill, so I didn't think much about spreading the news. But you, who were mentally suggestive, actually abandoned the dean and came to protect a young disciple of the Mei family who appeared out of nowhere... If the dean was smart, he would have known who I was by then."

The medicine manager was so frightened that he put down his teacup and knelt down, shouting, "Master, please forgive me!"

"I don't need to forgive you for anything. Even if there is a problem, it's my fault for not thinking carefully and not gathering enough intelligence. It has nothing to do with you, who just follows orders."
Pei Mingyan took a sip of tea. "After confirming who I was, he immediately asked Xiaokong to 'accidentally' bring the plum cake... It was also because I was not alert that I had never thought of this. Xiaokong said at the beginning that he had taken three cakes in total. The dean was so sick that every drop of blood was a life. How could he use the blood to make plum cakes? This was a waste. After testing that I was a 'good person', he immediately asked Tanggu to send the jade pendant. He used my house as a fish pond to raise 'surplus'."

The medicine manager held up the teacup with trembling hands and said defensively, "Young Master just lacks intelligence."

"Goodbye." Pei Mingyan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "It's just a mistake. It's not a big deal. It's not convenient for me to send a message home. You send a message to dad and ask him to pack up all the information about the Fuling Clan."

"Fu... Fu Ling?" The medicine manager asked, "Master, which one pays which spirit?"

Pei Mingyan tore off a piece of paper and wrote to him.

The medicine manager asked again: "What are the plans for the young master next?"
After asking, he immediately added, "I'm not trying to get information, I'm just afraid that I might accidentally ruin the young master's plan and cause you trouble."

Pei Mingyan thought about it and whispered a few words to the medicine manager.
.
Pei Mingyan stayed in the small room and rested for two days, which was actually to nourish the soul of Dean Xue.
He announced to the outside world that he was suffering from excessive fatigue and was ill.

The medicine manager came so diligently that Xiao Kong even thought he was the one who saved the dean at the cost of his own life.
Deputy Dean Shui Changhen also visited several times, but was rejected by Pei Mingyan every time.

On this day, Pei Mingyan, who had a good rest, finally got down to business - changing his career to become a book boy.
Before this, based on the principle of understanding his superiors and making things easier, he asked the medicine manager, Xiaokong, Uncle Yu, and even Xue Qingyu about the news about Mr. Wu.

The medicine manager said, "Mr. Wu? He was a member of the previous hospital director's staff. He has a strange temper and rarely sees outsiders."
"outsider?"
The medicine manager nodded, "Yes, an outsider. I don't know how to distinguish this 'outsider', but few people in the academy have seen him."
“Have you seen Pang Yuan?”
The medicine manager shook his head. "At least when I knew about it, Mr. Wu never met him. He never met any of us managers, including Uncle Yu."

Afterwards, considering that he and Xue Qingyu were temporarily on the same boat, he asked Xue Qingyu again.
Xue Qingyu pondered for a long time in his sea of ​​consciousness. "I can't remember who he is, nor do I know anything about him, and I don't even remember what he looks like, but I remember that the 'master' told me to respect him because he has done me a favor."
In contrast, Pei Mingyan only threw two words at him: "Nonsense!"

What Uncle Yu said was not very useful, but I did get a lot of information from Xiaokong.

"I'm the most idle person in the academy. I always like to run around when I have nothing to do. Aunt Li is very nice. She can make all kinds of flower cakes. I usually go to her place to get some snacks." Xiao Kong said as he searched for a flower and gave Pei Mingyan a flower. "This is a flower Aunt Li gave me. If you like it, I'll give you one too."

Pei Mingyan smelled it and found nothing unusual. He accepted the flower and asked, "Is this Li Gu related to Old Wu?"

Xiao Kong's eyes were originally round, but at this moment, his upper and lower eyelids were almost stuck together as he thought about the problem. "No... the smell of this flower... I have smelled it at Mr. Wu's place, but I asked Li Gu, and Li Gu said that she didn't know Mr. Wu and had never managed Mr. Wu's garden."

Could it be that this Mr. Wu is actually a flower thief?
"I have a very good nose, I can't be wrong." Xiao Kong scratched his hair, "The smell of these flowers at Mr. Wu's place is very strong."

"What's so special about Li Gu's flowers? Who is she?"

"Nothing special, she just grows flowers. The flowers she grows are very fragrant. Many aunts and uncles in the academy like the flowers grown by Li Gu. They use them to repel mosquitoes!" Xiao Kong said, "Yes! Do you remember the toilet where you lived when you came here? There were also flowers grown by Li Gu there!"

“………” Pei Mingyan gave him an awkward but polite smile.

Xiao Kong didn't notice anything and continued to chatter, "And Aunt Murong! Aunt Murong also likes Aunt Li's flowers. There is always a strange smell in her little house. With these flowers, the strange smell disappears."

"Protector Murong?" Pei Mingyan was still quite impressed by their last meeting. After all, that little green snake almost had a face-to-face intimate contact with his eyes.

"Yes, it's Aunt Murong who makes human skin masks." Xiao Kong explained as they walked, "She can also make little puppets. I like her little puppets very much! I wanted her to make one for me, but she refused, saying that puppetry is against human nature and cannot be used for fun."

"Is it against human nature?" Xiao Kong nodded heavily. "That's what Aunt Murong said, but she refused to say the details." Xiao Kong slapped his head and said, "She must know Mr. Wu."

"How to say?"

Xiao Kong thought for a moment, "Before, I only knew that Old Wu was very short, just like Aunt Murong's puppet. When I was bringing you reinforcements a few days ago, I saw Old Wu." He paused, as if considering what to say, "No, it should be said that the Old Wu we saw was always a puppet. Old Wu stayed in the cave all the time and never came out."

"..."
After hearing this, Pei Mingyan didn't know whether to think it was useful or useless.
What Xiao Kong saw might be the puppet coolie that Old Wu had created for him, specifically to command it to dry books.
But if not, what is this Mr. Wu hiding?
"Alas, you don't have much experience, and you probably don't know what a puppet is." Xiao Kong looked at his expression, patted his shoulder, and consoled him, "Let's go there secretly this time. I'll take you to see the puppet!"

Pei Mingyan said in cooperation, "I have stayed at home for most of my life, so of course I don't have much experience. Thank you, Brother Kongkong, for helping me broaden my horizons!"

Xiao Kong chuckled complacently, and then hurriedly warned: "If you are discovered later, remember to tell Mr. Wu that I must see it. Remember?"

"Aren't you afraid that Mr. Wu will beat you?" Pei Mingyan said casually.

Xiao Kong shook his head. "Old Wu also has a strong smell of blood on him. It smells weird and I can't tell what it is. But he has always been very good to me, even better than to the dean!"

Kongzai, the group’s favorite, lives up to his reputation.
As expected, he is worthy of being the one who survived to the end and still has a name.

"I will definitely hold on to Brother Kongkong's thigh tightly!" Pei Mingyan said with a satisfied look on his face.

"You know what's going on!"

Xiaokong dragged him left and right, and walked into a small path, "We can go directly there from here, so we don't have to jump over the mountain."

Pei Mingyan looked "hurt". "Kong! I thought you jumped off the cliff to save me last time?!"

Xiao Kong suddenly stopped and reached out to touch Pei Mingyan's head, "Are you okay?"

Pei Mingyan pressed his chest: "I have a heart disease. Do you understand heart disease?"

Xiaokong shook his head, "I don't understand."

"..." Pei Mingyan almost pissed himself off. "Let's go, stop talking nonsense!"

Xiao Kong looked at him with disdain, "Who on earth is talking nonsense..."

As they walked, it was as if they were walking on a winding mountain road, going down in circles around the mountain.
However, the mountain road is spacious, but this one is so narrow that it can only be described as a goat trail. Two people cannot walk side by side. In the narrow places, you can only put your feet together to fit.
In fact, a person's shoulders are wider than their feet when put together. If they don't rub against the mountain wall when walking, they will fall down in a matter of minutes.

Naturally, most people in this world are practitioners. With their skills, if they really fall to the ground, they can just use a sword or some other magical weapon to fly.

But Xiaokong... doesn't have much cultivation.
So the last time Xiaokong asked for help, he was in much greater danger than jumping off a cliff.

Noticing Pei Mingyan's slowdown, Xiaokong clung to the rocks on the mountain wall and looked back at him, "Pei Mingyan, what's wrong with you? Are your legs weak?"

Pei Ming put on a sad face, "Xiao Kong, can you talk to the dean and ask him to give me another job? This road makes me weak, I'm afraid I'll fall down if I'm not careful."

Xiao Kong showed disdain on his face, "How can you be like this? You are so timid and you don't keep your word. You have already promised Mr. Wu!"
"I'm just saying it." Pei Mingyan muttered softly, "I'm not as bold as you."

"Okay, we're almost there!" Xiaokong stretched out his left hand and grabbed Pei Mingyan's right arm, "Hold on tight and you won't fall."
He carefully released his right hand and pointed to the corner ahead, "It's just past that turn."

Pei Mingyan obediently grabbed Xiaokong's arm, thinking that children were really easy to coax. He inadvertently glanced at the sweat on Xiaokong's forehead, and then looked again. Xiaokong's legs were actually shaking slightly. This kid must have been scared too.

But Xiaokong said nothing and still escorted him over. Several managers and guardians in the academy liked Xiaokong, not only because he was a medicine, but also because this child was sincere to others.

Pei Mingyan held Xiaokong's arm tightly to prevent the child from stepping on it and falling down.
It's okay if he falls down, he can save him anyway. But it's a big deal if the child embarrasses himself.

The two of them turned the corner and soon arrived at a huge stone platform.
There is a cliff on the edge of the stone platform and a cave on the other side.

Xiao Kong helped Pei Mingyan down and looked around. "Strange, usually the puppets are guarding outside, why are they not here today..."
"Could it be in the cave?" Pei Mingyan said.

Xiao Kong muttered, "It's impossible... otherwise we--" He turned his head and saw Pei Mingyan's eyes couldn't stop looking into the cave. He changed his words, "Maybe, then let's go in and take a look. Remember to follow me and don't run around."
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Pei Mingyan said.

The two then entered the cave.
The cave was brightly lit. On the rock walls on both sides, there were huge night-shining pearls placed at intervals for lighting. On the top of the cave, there were many marine creatures, including many shells, conchs, clams, etc.

Xiaokong walked slower and slower, with a strange look on his face.
He suddenly stopped, pulled Pei Mingyan, hesitated for a long time, and said, "My stomach hurts... Let's go back."

When Pei Mingyan saw Xiaokong, his head was full of sweat, and he was about to ask what was wrong.
Suddenly, a voice came from inside the room, "Xiao Kong..."

Xiao Kong was stunned for a moment, then suddenly hid behind Pei Mingyan.
Pei Mingyan blocked the person behind him, turned around and asked him in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Xiaokong shook his head vigorously, his eyes full of panic, and repeated: "It's him! It's him!"

"who is it?!"
Xiao Kong said nothing, and just dragged Pei Mingyan out.

Pei Mingyan didn't understand the reason and looked into the cave intently.
Inside the room, a face slowly turned around and looked at him.

Pei Mingyan was stunned for a moment, and saw that half of the face was completely destroyed, while the other half was covered with a human skin mask.

(End of this chapter)