Qiu Zu: From an apprentice in a medicine shop to an immortal ancestor.

In the backyard of the pharmacy, a secluded side hall.

The lion-head incense burner emitted curling smoke, a fragrant and soothing aroma.

Qiu Zhen, with his discerning eye, recognized the incense in the burner as top-grade sandalwood, calming the mind and spirit, and undoubtedly valuable.

Normally, even wealthy families would be reluctant to use it, only bringing it out to entertain distinguished guests.

Quite a setup!

Qiu Zhen watched Steward Kang brewing tea at the table, secretly feeling a bit surprised.

"Please!"

"Thank you, Steward!"

Qiu Zhen felt somewhat flattered, wondering if Steward Kang even treated Manager Liu with such formality.

"Hehe ~"

Steward Kang waved his hands repeatedly:

"Don't call me Steward. You are now a disciple of the Medicine King Valley, and I am also a disciple of the Medicine King Valley. You and I can be considered fellow disciples."

Qiu Zhen chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.

In fact, Steward Kang wasn't wrong. They were both disciples of the Medicine King Valley, just with different responsibilities. Steward Kang wouldn't be able to oversee him in the future, so they were considered "equal" in status, and nominally "fellow disciples."

However, Steward Kang had joined the sect much earlier than him, was a senior member, and Qiu Zhen had even worked under him before.

Calling him "fellow disciple" was a bit inappropriate.

Mainly because there was no real master-disciple lineage between them, so there was no need to be so familiar.

"Steward Kang, you're too kind."

Seeing that Qiu Zhen didn't call him 'Senior Brother' but instead called him "Steward Kang," Kang Zhuangyuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, secretly regretting his actions in the past few days.

Because of those two incidents, the past relationship had vanished in an instant.

Perhaps, the other party might even secretly resent him for it.

His authority in the pharmacy was greater than Qiu Zhen's, and his martial arts cultivation was more profound, but there was one thing he couldn't compare to: age.

One was like the rising sun, vigorous and advancing, while the other was like the setting sun, nearing his end.

Ordinary martial artists were ultimately mortals. After the peak of their prime, entering middle and old age, they would decline, not only finding it difficult to improve their martial arts but even experiencing a decrease in strength as their qi and blood weakened, no longer as brave as they once were.

The saying 'a young man's chaotic punches can kill an old master' originated from this.

He knew that Qiu Zhen had become a martial artist by collecting spiritual herbs and treasures in the mountains, so he wasn't optimistic about Qiu Zhen becoming a congenital martial artist.

However, even so, he didn't dare to underestimate Qiu Zhen.

Qiu Zhen didn't need to become a congenital martial artist; breaking through the "Four Gates" or "Five Gates" would be enough for him to dominate Qingmu Town. With the connections of an An Yaoshi disciple, taking over Manager Liu's position in the future would be a certainty, ensuring decades of prosperity.

But he was on the decline.

He himself wasn't afraid of Qiu Zhen, but he had a large number of clansmen in Qingmu Town who depended on the business of the Qingmu Pharmacy to make a living.

If Qiu Zhen gained power in the future and made things difficult for the Kang family members, it would be enough to cause them great suffering and heavy losses.

Speaking solely for himself, there was no way he could lower his face and apologize to this young man who used to work under him.

However, a person in the world is often helpless.

He couldn't disregard his personal gains and losses, but he couldn't ignore the interests of the thousands of Kang family members, considering the well-being of his relatives and descendants.

Today, he had to come and apologize, whether he wanted to or not.

At this moment, he vaguely and deeply felt the humiliation and helplessness that Qiu Zhen had to endure that day under his pressure, forced to admit "pointing red as black."

When the situation is stronger than a person, one must bow one's head.

With this thought, Steward Kang took a deep breath, forcing a smile on his slightly aged face:

"The other day, this old brother lost money and became muddleheaded, acting rashly and impatiently, without considering things calmly. I offended you, Brother Qiu. Today, I've come specifically to apologize, hoping you won't take it to heart."

With that, Steward Kang took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve.

Qiu Zhen glanced at them casually, feeling slightly surprised in his heart.

Although there were only ten or so thin silver notes, they weren't thick.

However, he had the Heavenly Eye supernatural power, with amazing eyesight.

Each of the silver notes placed on the table was a Great Zhou Dynasty treasure note worth a full hundred taels of silver. Holding the silver notes, one could exchange them at major silver houses and banks, and they could also be used for large transactions in the market.

Qiu Zhen was surprised, not so much by the large amount of silver notes, but by the fact that Steward Kang was actually bowing his head and apologizing to him.

Steward Kang was such a proud and conceited person, something that all the apprentices in their pharmacy backyard knew very well.

"Uh..."

Seeing Qiu Zhen stunned, Kang Zhuangyuan assumed that Qiu Zhen wasn't satisfied.

"Brother Qiu, feel free to make any requests. Money is not a problem."

After his initial shock, Qiu Zhen's mind raced, and he quickly understood why this stubborn old stick, Steward Kang, would bow his head, apologize, and offer silver notes.

The reason was probably related to the Kang family members, as many Kang family members relied on the business of the Qingmu Pharmacy to make a living.

Steward Kang was afraid that he would retaliate against the Kang family members after he gained power in the future.

A thousand taels of silver was not a small amount for him, but that was all it was. He wouldn't let the immediate benefits affect his future principles.

"Steward Kang, please take the silver notes back. I can't accept such a valuable gift for no reason."

"This..."

Kang Zhuangyuan gritted his teeth, feeling a bit aggrieved in his heart. But since he had already apologized, retracting it would be even more embarrassing.

"There are many people outside, and this old brother can't bring himself to do it there, so I'll just apologize to you here."

With that, Steward Kang was about to get up, adopting a posture as if he was going to bow and apologize.

"Hey, hey, hey ~"

Qiu Zhen quickly got up and supported Steward Kang, sighing inwardly:

"Steward Kang, why bother!"

Regardless, Steward Kang had actually treated him quite well on ordinary days. His salary hadn't been deducted, and the work hadn't been too heavy, which could be considered taking care of him—although it was also due to his own hard work and high level of skill in processing herbs.

If it hadn't been for "pointing red as black" and suppressing him at a critical moment, he would have been very grateful for Steward Kang's care.

It was just a pity that the other party's vision was a bit low, unable to recognize a soaring tree.

In the future, they would just be ordinary colleagues, and the past relationship was gone.

With this thought, Qiu Zhen sighed and said:

"Steward Kang, I can't accept the silver notes, but I do have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh ~"

Kang Zhuangyuan was originally a bit embarrassed, but seeing that Qiu Zhen hadn't accepted the silver notes but had something to ask of him, giving him a way out and willing to repair the relationship, he was immediately overjoyed and quickly said:

"Brother Qiu, feel free to speak. I still have some face in Qingmu Town."

Qiu Zhen nodded slightly. The Kang family was indeed a large local clan.

"The thing is, my hometown of Haitang Township is a bit remote after all. In the future, I plan to settle down in Qingmu Town and bring my parents and elder brother here, but I'm struggling to find a house and good farmland. I hope Steward Kang can help me keep an eye out for anyone who wants to sell their house and land, and help me connect with them when necessary."

"So that's it!"

Kang Zhuangyuan was overjoyed upon hearing this. Although this was a small matter, if he could accomplish it, it would be a favor and greatly ease their relationship, no less than directly giving silver.

"Easy, easy, I'll definitely keep an eye on it for you and let you know as soon as there's news."

Coming out of the pharmacy's backyard, Qiu Zhen was in a very good mood.

In this era, land was the lifeline of the common people, and ordinary families wouldn't sell their fields.

Anyone who dared to sell their fields was a spendthrift, bearing the stigma of being unfilial.

Acquiring property and buying land was not an easy task.

However, with the help of the local tyrant Steward Kang to connect him, it would be much easier than him doing it himself.

Of course, what made Qiu Zhen even more emotional was that Steward Kang had softened and apologized to him.

A person should not be trapped in a windless place for too long.

Finally, the wind had started to blow.

Thank you to "Red Dust Like Water, Flowers Wash Away Tears" for the 500 Qidian coins reward; thank you to "Cloud Stream Flying Rainbow," "Fude Zhenjun," and "Just Playing, Not Very Familiar" for the 100 Qidian coins reward. Thank you to all the book friends for your strong support.