Chapter 109 - 108: The oath of the herbalist.

Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The oath of the herbalist.

Chen Yuan shifted his weight and slowly turned toward Lin Qingyue, his robes fluttering in the wind as he spoke in a low tone.

"Miss Lin Qingyue, I think it’s about time I leave."

Her movements stopped, and her eyes flickered briefly as though she were reconsidering something.

Then, slowly, her mouth opened as she unconsciously clenched her fists at her sides.

"Ah... I see."

She forced an awkward smile and clasped her hands together before her chest, tilting forward slightly without even realizing it.

"T-then I wish Senior a safe journey."

Her voice came out strained, with a slight stutter at the beginning.

Chen Yueran’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched her. Amusement was evident on her face, and Chen Yuan himself noticed the subtle change in Lin Qingyue’s tone.

However, he seemed to pay little attention to her reaction. Chen Yuan was not one to indulge in such rigid jokes all the time.

"But... before I leave..."

He shifted his sleeve and made an inviting gesture toward her with his right hand.

"I’d like to offer you a proposition."

"An offer, if you will."

Lin Qingyue looked up.

"A proposition?"

Chen Yuan didn’t waste time. He gestured with his other hand, holding both hands out before them.

"My place has a need for a talented spiritual herbalist like you. An urgent one, at that."

She blinked, momentarily forgetting her earlier disappointment.

"Senior... wants me to work for you?"

Her words came slowly as she tried to process the offer.

"That’s right." Chen Yuan nodded. "You’ve spent years studying spiritual herbs, and from what I’ve seen over the past two weeks, you have an impressive foundation of knowledge."

"Being able to tend to my wounds despite being a first-grade spiritual herbalist is no small feat. Throughout my life, I’ve rarely encountered someone so talented that they could treat a cultivator an entire realm above them."

"And more importantly, your inheritance..."

Chen Yuan paused briefly, searching for the right words.

"A second-grade spiritual herbalist inheritance... it is also worth developing further. Rather than spending the rest of your life working alone, why not put your skills to better use?"

"I am someone who greatly cherishes talent, and yours is something I cannot overlook."

Noticing that her expression seemed to ask for further explanation, Chen Yuan smiled and made a generous offer.

"I can provide you with spiritual herb gardens, the resources necessary for your research, and a stable supply of spiritual stones."

"You won’t have to spend your days worrying about whether you can afford the next batch of seeds or medicinal ingredients."

"As long as you do your work well, I’ll make sure your efforts are properly rewarded."

Lin Qingyue’s expression shifted. A proper herb garden. Resources for her research. A stable income.

All of it meant a more stable cultivation path, with a better chance of reaching the next realm.

For a spiritual herbalist who had spent most of her life working alone, the offer was undeniably tempting.

Still, she didn’t accept immediately.

There were a few things she was still uncertain about, concerns she wasn’t willing to set aside without a clearer understanding of what she was agreeing to.

"Senior, I appreciate your offer, but..." She hesitated, glancing at him. "I’m not particularly good at dealing with complicated matters."

"I only know how to grow herbs and prepare medicine. If your work involves fighting other cultivators or participating in some dangerous scheme, I’m afraid I won’t be much help."

"Then don’t involve yourself in those matters. I need a spiritual herbalist, not another fighter."

Chen Yuan looked at her calmly, as though he had expected her initial hesitation.

Lin Qingyue considered his words before cautiously asking, "And the remuneration?"

Chen Yueran, who had been watching silently, nearly laughed. She was actually asking about the money at a time like this?

Well, who wouldn’t?

Lin Qingyue muttered inwardly, knowing what Chen Yueran’s subtle change in expression meant.

"There’s nothing wrong with asking! I need to make a living, too!"

"Of course," Chen Yuan replied, seemingly amused by her honesty. "I’ll provide you with a residence, a dedicated spiritual herb garden, and a monthly allowance of spiritual stones."

"My people will also supply the resources required for your work. If you successfully cultivate valuable herbs or make significant contributions, you’ll receive additional rewards."

He gave her a moment to consider the offer before adding, "And if there’s a particular medicinal ingredient you’ve been searching for, you can tell me. I’ll see what I can do."

Lin Qingyue’s lips parted slightly.

That last condition was particularly tempting.

There were several rare spiritual herbs she had wanted to cultivate for years, but acquiring their seeds alone would have cost her most of her savings.

She looked at Chen Yuan, then toward the snow-covered mountains surrounding her home.

This place had been her sanctuary for many years.

She had built her life around her herbs, her little wooden house, and the quiet routine she had grown accustomed to.

Leaving it behind...

It was a difficult decision.

But opportunities like this were rare.

After a lengthy hesitation, she finally sighed.

"All right, Senior. I’ll accept your offer."

Chen Yuan nodded, apparently satisfied. However, Lin Qingyue quickly raised a finger, her eyes glistening under the moonlight.

"But I have one condition."

"Go ahead," Chen Yuan said, holding his hands behind his back.

Taking a breath, Lin Qingyue spoke in a serious tone.

"I won’t do anything that harms innocent people or goes against my principles. I won’t use my knowledge to prepare medicine for something cruel, and I won’t help you hurt someone who doesn’t deserve it."

Chen Yueran stared at her for a moment before turning away to hide her smile. This woman really knew how to negotiate.

Chen Yuan, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content with the arrangement.

"Agreed."

He raised his hand slightly, but before Lin Qingyue could relax, he added, "However, before you begin working for me, we’ll need to establish an oath."

Lin Qingyue blinked.

"An oath?"

"An oath to the heavens. Neither of us will betray the other, and neither will deliberately bring harm upon the other."

Chen Yueran’s smile abruptly disappeared. An oath to the heavens? For an instant, she nearly blurted out that the heavens were broken.

But she stopped herself before the words escaped.

Looking at Chen Yuan’s composed expression, she suddenly understood what he was doing.

Oh, you sly old fox.

He wanted Lin Qingyue to believe that the agreement carried the weight of heavenly judgment, giving her another reason to honour her word.

Chen Yueran pressed her lips together, suppressing the urge to laugh.

And here I thought you were going to tell her the truth.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyue had become noticeably more serious. She looked at Chen Yuan.

"Senior, are you certain?"

"Of course."

He extended his hand toward her.

"If you’re willing, we’ll make the oath now. I look forward to the days we’ll be working together."

Lin Qingyue took a deep breath before nodding. She then raised her hand, allowing a faint thread of spiritual energy to gather around her fingertips.

"Very well."

Under the pale moonlight, the two stood facing each other at the edge of the cliff. Chen Yuan spoke first, his voice calm and measured.

"I, Chen Yuan..."

He stated his name, and Lin Qingyue’s eyes widened slightly as she finally learned it.

"I swear that I will not betray Lin Qingyue, nor deliberately place her in a situation where her life is endangered for my own benefit."

"I will honour the terms of our oath, provide the rewards promised to her, and protect her from those who seek to harm her while she serves under me."

Lin Qingyue listened with wide eyes, trying to process what was happening.

"Now it’s your turn, Miss Qingyue."

Chen Yuan smiled beneath the moonlight, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I..."

She took a moment before beginning.

"I, Lin Qingyue, swear that I will not betray Chen Yuan."

She paused, then decided to add something else to the oath.

"And I will not reveal the secrets entrusted to me, or deliberately act against him."

"I will honour the terms of our agreement and perform my duties faithfully, provided that I am not required to act against my principles."

She hesitated briefly before adding, "If either of us breaks this agreement, may the heavens bear witness to our wrongdoing."

As the final words left their mouths, the spiritual energy surrounding them stirred.

A faint ripple passed through the air, and for a moment, the moonlight seemed to shimmer across the snow beneath their feet.

Lin Qingyue watched the phenomenon with wide eyes before slowly lowering her hand.

What she didn’t know was that the heavens no longer bore witness to their oaths. Chen Yuan and Chen Yueran were both well aware that the oath was little more than a ruse.

"It’s done..."

Lin Qingyue let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Chen Yuan nodded.

"Indeed. And for that, I’m delighted that you’ve accepted my offer, Miss Lin Qingyue."

Beside them, Chen Yueran quietly turned toward the mountains, pretending to admire the scenery while fighting to keep her expression straight.