Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 150: Regretting the Promise
“Taking charge of one of the Garden of a Hundred Medicines plots at Qingshi Ridge requires an annual submission of a specified amount of rare medicinal herbs.”
When Han Li saw these words written in gold lacquer on the bamboo slip, his heart leapt with joy. He pointed at the bamboo slip and looked up at Steward Yu. “I’m quite interested in this task. Senior Brother Yu, could you introduce me to it?”
Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Steward Yu smiled and approached. But once he clearly saw the job Han Li had chosen, the faint smile on his face immediately turned into a bitter one.
“Junior Brother, you’d better choose another task. Taking charge of the garden is too demanding and isn’t suitable for you!” Steward Yu said sincerely. Seeing Han Li’s puzzled expression, he continued, “This task has been listed here for several years now, and many have taken it on, but each disciple has failed. Not only did they not earn the rewards, but they were also fined a significant amount of spirit stones. It’s one of the hardest tasks here. To be honest, each year I let those senior brothers draw lots for it before sending someone out!”
Han Li found this amusing but also muttered inwardly. Still, he wasn’t willing to give up. So he humbly asked, “Senior Brother, could you tell me exactly what makes this task so difficult? Why haven’t so many senior brothers completed it? Isn’t it just managing the medicinal herbs in the garden? How can that be so hard?”
“Could it be that Junior Disciple Han chose Senior Brother Ma’s medicinal garden task?” An Elder Ye nearby, overhearing their conversation, frowned and interrupted before the middle-aged steward could answer.
“Exactly! Junior Brother Han has his eyes set on Senior Uncle Ma’s incredibly difficult task,” the middle-aged steward said with a helpless expression.
The elder’s face twisted into a bitter smile.
“Haha! Junior Disciple Han really made a choice! He immediately picked the most troublesome task here. But this job is truly a headache. Several people forced to take this task have come to me complaining. Since Senior Brother Ma refuses to easily change the reward and penalty conditions, I’m helpless! If you want to know the details, Junior Disciple, you can come with me to the inner hall to look at the case files. That’s better than listening to others' gossip.” For some reason, Elder Ye of the Hall of a Hundred Machines was unusually straightforward with Han Li, opening the door wide for him.
Han Li frowned slightly inwardly—this Uncle Ye was a bit too enthusiastic! Even though he gave up the foundation establishment pill to him, it was supposed to be an even trade. It wasn’t reason enough for him to be so friendly.
Suppressing his doubts, Han Li put on a look of being overwhelmed by favor and followed the elder into a room behind the main hall, where various case files were piled high.
The elder waved a bamboo slip lightly in the room. A faint blue light flashed across it, and a scroll automatically flew into his hand. Then he turned and handed the scroll to Han Li.
Since things had come this far, Han Li accepted the scroll without hesitation and quickly unrolled it to read.
The scroll was short and only recorded the experiences of previous disciples who had taken over the garden, along with their excuses for failure. Han Li read quickly, and within a short while, he understood most of the task’s content and difficulties.
“Well? Still want to choose another task? The rewards for this one are generous, but it’s definitely not something an ordinary disciple can accomplish,” the elder said, seemingly concerned.
Han Li pondered for a moment, then decisively shook his head. “Thank you, Uncle Ye! But this task suits me perfectly. No need to change. I’ll take this one!”
The elder was somewhat surprised at Han Li’s determination but said no more and nodded in agreement. However, instead of immediately leaving the room with Han Li, he hesitated for a moment and awkwardly said something.