Chapter 122: Han the Fatty

The food was served promptly. Anyone who runs a restaurant naturally knows a thing or two about cooking. Although the ingredients were nothing special—just a grass carp and a bit of pork—the chef possessed decent skills and was generous with the portions.

The dish looked quite appetizing, so he took a bite with eager anticipation. Well, he had overestimated the quality of the food; it tasted like chewing wax. Perhaps he had eaten too many delicacies in his time, leaving him with a refined and demanding palate. He took only two bites before setting his chopsticks down and turning to the tea he had brought with him.

"Is the food not to your liking, sir?"

Lin Yang had been lost in thought when the proprietor, observing from upstairs, noticed him put down his chopsticks after only a few bites. The man walked down to approach him. Lin Yang looked up to see a short, stout man; this must be Han Li’s third uncle.

"Indeed, it is not quite to my taste. I am not from these parts, so the flavors are a bit unfamiliar to me."

"I see. May I ask where you are from? My chef is capable of preparing dishes from other regions as well." The proprietor, finding Lin Yang’s directness a bit awkward, seized the opening, hoping to find out where he was from so the chef could tailor a dish specifically for his palate.

"What is your name, proprietor?"

The proprietor was left speechless by Lin Yang’s abrupt change of subject. The leap in conversation was so sudden it struck him as strange.

"I am surnamed Han, and I am the third-born in my family. You may call me Old Third Han."

No sooner had Old Third Han spoken than an old man at a nearby table chimed in, "Young man, he’s surnamed Han and he’s fat, so everyone in town just calls him Fatty Han."

At the old man’s remark, the other diners burst into laughter.

"Go on, get out of here! You still owe me a dozen coins for your drinks, old man," the proprietor grumbled, clearly annoyed by the teasing.

"Oh, don't be like that, proprietor. Things are just a bit tight for me right now," the old man replied with a chuckle, well aware that the proprietor was only joking.

"Enough, I am talking to this gentleman here; why are you all cutting in?" Most of the people dining here, apart from traveling merchants, were well-off locals, so the proprietor was on familiar terms with them.

"So, you are the third-born in your family, then?"

"I am the eighth-born in mine. Might I ask how old you are, Proprietor Han?"

Lin Yang and Old Third Han began to chat. Being a man who could secure business under the Seven Mysteries Sect, Old Third Han was well-versed in the ways of the world. Through their conversation, he began to piece together a fabricated background for Lin Yang.

"May I ask where you are from, and what brings you to this small town with nothing but these books?"

"Alas, I am from the Lin family in Jiayuan City. I was traveling with a merchant caravan to further my studies. Everything was going well until we encountered bandits blocking the road a few dozen miles back. In the ensuing chaos, I managed to escape here. After paying for this meal, I won't even have enough for travel expenses. I’ll need to find work soon, or I won't be able to survive."

Lin Yang recounted his story so vividly that it drew Old Third Han right into the narrative. He slammed the table in indignation and roared, "It must have been those scoundrels from the Iron Wolf Gang! They were horse bandits once, and now they spend their time robbing and pillaging in our town."

As a member of the Seven Mysteries Sect, Old Third Han harbored a deep hatred for the Iron Wolf Gang, who frequently came to cause trouble. The surrounding diners shared his sentiment, as they too had been oppressed by the gang.

"They’ve ruined the reputation of Green Ox Town. Ever since they arrived, the number of merchant caravans passing through has dwindled. It’s a pity the Seven Mysteries Sect can’t just wipe them out."

After venting his frustration for a while, Old Third Han sat back down, and the two resumed their spirited conversation.

"My friend, we seem to hit it off so well. Why don't we become sworn brothers?"

After half an hour of talking, Old Third Han felt as if he had found a kindred spirit. He dropped his bombshell request, eager to formalize their bond.

"That would be my pleasure. My name is Lin Yang, and I am twenty-six this year. How old are you, Brother Han?"

Lin Yang seized the opportunity to establish the connection, and Old Third Han was delighted by his affirmative response.

"Brother Lin, I am thirty-four. From now on, I shall call you 'Brother,' and you shall call me 'Elder Brother.' Since you are currently without funds for your journey, tell me, what skills do you possess? I might be able to find you some work."

The rapport between them had developed rapidly—a result of Lin Yang quietly using his spiritual energy to influence the man. A Golden Core cultivator would hardly struggle to bewilder a mere mortal; with a subtle illusion array, he had convinced Old Third Han that they were long-lost brothers.

"I am literate and have studied the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood. I also know a bit of medicine and have read works like the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon."

Lin Yang spoke with ease, despite the fact that he was merely literate and had read some Daoist texts, having never touched the classics he mentioned. However, his knowledge of medicine was genuine; he had learned much about human anatomy while refining pills. If he were tasked with preparing medicinal herbs, he could do so to perfection.

"I see. It is said that the Seven Mysteries Sect is in need of an important clerk. Would you be interested in lowering yourself to join them?"

Although Old Third Han was not yet an outer sect disciple, he could use some money to force Lin Yang into a position. Besides, in a place like this, finding a literate physician was difficult. If what Lin Yang said was true, he might even be able to pull him up later.

"I never imagined that after only one meeting, Brother Han would be willing to do so much for me. I am truly humbled. Rest assured, I cannot thank you enough for this great kindness. If you ever need anything in the future, you need only ask."

Lin Yang gave his word, while the surrounding diners watched in bewilderment. They knew Old Third Han to be the stingiest man in town; the fact that he was willing to spend money to help a stranger get a job felt as rare as an iron tree blooming.

"Nonsense, we are brothers now. There is no need for such formalities. It is only right that I help. As long as what you said is true, I guarantee I can get you in." Old Third Han patted his chest, looking completely confident.

"Since you are willing to go to such lengths for me, I won't hold back either. I found this object elsewhere; they call it a 'fated encounter with the immortals.' I hope it may be of some use to you."

Lin Yang produced a jade pendant he had once stripped from another cultivator. It was worthless to him, but to someone in the mortal realm, it was a priceless treasure.

Fatty Han accepted the gift, and the two continued to talk, only parting ways with great reluctance after nightfall.