Chapter 3
The next morning
Li Ming took some money from his dear vault. He rarely kept huge amounts of money in his hands. Though Li Ming has ignored the world for more than 15 years, Li Ming wasn't an idiot.
He knew that flaunting large amounts of wealth would get you mugged, kidnapped and robbed. So he kept Some of his money in a secret compartment while converting the rest of the money into gold and silver and storing them in different cabinets throughout his house. But since he was planning to move to his hometown before deciding to become an immortal practitioner, Li Ming had covertly hid much of his wealth in his luggage.
Anyways, Li Ming left his house with his dear money. After making sure his money was safely hidden inside his cheap robes, Li Ming walked towards the outskirts of Beijing.
Why didn't Li Ming didn't take a carriage? Of course, he wanted to save money. Money comes before the body.
After 30 minutes of walking, Li Ming finally reached his destination. It was Yan Pharmacy.
Li Ming entered the Pharmacy.
"Good Morning to you, sir. My name is Wei Xan, and how may I help you today?"
The male worker of the pharmacy, named Wei Xan, inquired when he saw Li Ming enter the store.
"I would like some medicine that replenishes blood."
"For Whom?"
"For myself"
"Please allow me to lead the way, Our Esteemed Customer."
Wei Xan bowed politely and then walked towards a door which opened automatically when Wei Xan approached an unassuming Cabinet.
Li Ming followed Wei Xan. According to what Li Ming heard from the mouths of nobles and officials, the Yan Pavilion is an excellent information source. Normally, Li Ming would have ignored this but Li Ming was interested in the Yan Pavilion when he learned that many people had gone to the Yan Pavilion to inquire about the true identity of his Pen name.
The Yan Pavilion had indeed found out about his identity through his pen name. Though Li Ming didn't know how they did this, Li Ming had to pay out of his pocket to keep his pen name intact. Since then, Li Ming had been visiting the Yan Pavilion monthly to check if his money was well worth it.
At this moment, Li Ming didn't know anything about Immortals, so getting information on the immortal world from the Yan Pavilion was his best bet.
Wei Xan gestured toward the low table between them, and the two men sat, facing one another across polished wood.
"Our esteemed guest seems to harbor doubts about our establishment," Wei Xan said, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "So much so that a second inspection this month was necessary?"
"Oh, Owner Wei," Li Ming replied with a light chuckle, "everyone in Beijing knows the Yan Pavilion is the most dependable source of information in the Dynasty."
After Exchanging Pleasantries, Wei Xan and Li Ming.
"How may I help you today, esteemed Customer?"
"I would like to get some information on immortal sects," Li Ming said directly, his voice steady but laced with anticipation.
He didn't know if Immortal Sects truly existed in this world. But after twenty years spent devouring cultivation novels in his past life, he knew one thing: where there are Immortals, there are Sects.
Information about Immortal sects would give Li Ming a sufficient amount of insight into the immortal world.
"That would be about 20 silver coins."
Even though Li Ming was puzzled by the low amount of money for the information, he decisively took out some money from his personal treasury and placed it in front of Wei Xan.
Wei Xan nodded and turned to the cabinet. He sifted through folders and scrolls, each movement precise, until he drew out a plain, leather-bound book with no title on its cover.
"Here is the information you requested, Esteemed Customer."
Li Ming took the book with care and slid it into the folds of his robe as if cradling a fragment of fate itself.
"Thank you, Owner Wei."
Li Ming expressed his gratitude and left the Yan Pavilion.