"No rush, let's act after he leaves the city."

"After the New Year, it's time for Feihong Gang to change guards at White Stone Mountain. That kid will likely be transferred there." Xing Zhiyuan said.

"Yes, father!"

...

At dawn, the sky just turning light.

Lin Zheyu had gotten up early and left the house.

He had asked Xie Jiang and others about it; indeed, there are experts in poison mastery within Feihong Gang, but they rarely met them.

If you want to apprentice and learn skills, you need Mr. Xu's recommendation, and even then, the expert might not agree to teach.

Potion masters are extremely rare, their knowledge precious, many closely guard their secrets, unwilling to share with others.

Lin Zheyu thought for a moment and decided to inquire among the city's doctors to see if anyone was willing to teach.

If he couldn't find anyone, he would wait for the results from Senior Brother Han Mo's inquiries, and only if that failed would he attempt to seek a recommendation from Mr. Xu.

Medicine and poison are inseparable; doctors proficient in medicine often understand some toxicology.

Early in the morning, Lin Zheyu set out for the several shops where he regularly purchased medicinal herbs.

These shops not only sell herbs but also have consulting doctors.

Lin Zheyu asked around in several shops but didn't get the desired results.

These shops either directly promoted Antitoxic Elixirs, or if learning was desired, it required an apprenticeship beside the doctor, starting as a trainee, which would take too long.

Some even outright stated that they would not teach externally.

Leaving the shop, Lin Zheyu headed to Jihe Hall.

He frequented this shop often; the consulting doctor had good medical skills, a kind demeanor, and was easy to talk to.

"Yu, you're here, this way please."

"Are you here to purchase those medicinal herbs again?"

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up upon seeing Lin Zheyu and personally came to greet him.

"No, I just bought them yesterday, haven't used them up so quickly; I have some matters to discuss with Mr. Wu." Lin Zheyu said.

"Mr. Wu is currently seeing a patient, I'll have someone notify him."

"Please, sit here and wait a moment, I'll pour some tea for you." The shopkeeper said with a smile.

This gentleman is one of his major clientele, having spent quite a bit of silver taels at Jihe Hall.

Business at Jihe Hall was good, Lin Zheyu waited nearly an hour before Mr. Wu came.

An old man with white hair and beard, appearing kindly and good-natured, walked in from the side door.

"Sorry to keep Mr. Lin waiting." Mr. Wu said.

"Not at all, it was presumptuous of me to interrupt."

Lin Zheyu directly said: "I came to see you, Mr. Wu, to ask if you know anyone in Songyi City who excels in toxicology and is willing to teach."

"Is Mr. Lin interested in learning toxicology?" Mr. Wu asked.

"Yes."

"A few days ago, I went out of the city on business and encountered quite a few bandits. Their methods were sinister and ruthless, their weapons all coated with poison, toxic powder scattered everywhere."

"Learning some toxicology and acquiring knowledge would be good for prevention." Lin Zheyu said.

"I'm adept in treating difficult diseases, my research is all about curing and helping others, I'm not proficient in toxicology; otherwise, I could teach you."

"However, I do have a friend who is highly skilled in toxicology. His personality is somewhat eccentric, he acts entirely on his whims, and may not be willing to teach." Mr. Wu pondered for a moment and said.

"I hope Mr. Wu could make an introduction. Whether successful or not, I will be deeply grateful."

Lin Zheyu's eyes brightened as he took out a silver tael and handed it over.

After visiting all these shops, he finally got a bit of useful information.

"Mr. Lin, you're too polite; it's just a small matter."

"I have some connections with this old oddball; I'll write a letter of introduction for you, he might give you some face." Mr. Wu smiled, accepting the silver taels.

He liked such perceptive young people.

Mr. Wu had someone bring paper and pen to write a letter of introduction for Lin Zheyu.

"Thank you, Mr. Wu."

Lin Zheyu put away the letter of introduction, clasped his hand in thanks to Mr. Wu, and turned to leave.

The morning's efforts weren't in vain; he at least got some information.

...

Approaching midday.

After leaving Jihe Hall, he went back to change clothes, then headed straight to Funing Garden.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, today the festive atmosphere intensified somewhat.

Many people had already arrived inside Funing Garden.

The sons and daughters of nobility inside were all dressed in silk and satin, looking extremely splendid.

Clad in a simple blue garment, Lin Zheyu seemed somewhat out of place among the many gentlemen and ladies.

Lin Zheyu looked around but did not recognize anyone.

Most of the gentlemen and ladies inside did not practice martial arts, those who did comprised less than one-third.

Among the martial artists, those truly accomplished, reaching the Bone Forging Realm and above, were less than half.

For the sons and daughters of noble families, even if they don't practice martial arts, there are many paths they can choose.

They could engage in business, live indulgently, sit for official examinations, or through connections, secure a position at the government office.

Great Wei had been peaceful and stable for hundreds of years, unrest had only started appearing in recent years.

To these noble youngsters, the difference between practicing martial arts and not isn't significant.

Martial arts training is tough and tiring, extremely time-consuming, energy-intensive, and costly; these pampered noble sons rarely endure the rigors of martial arts training.

Fortunately, noble families are wealthy and have many offspring.

Although the proportion practicing martial arts is small, due to sheer numbers, some talents in Martial Dao do emerge.

In Funing Garden, at a spot near the front, sat Xu Qin Yi, Chen Xihong, Ren Qingfeng, along with two ladies and another young man.

"Cousin, I really don't want to marry, could you talk to Uncle, have him choose someone else?"

The pretty lady beside Xu Qin Yi said with a troubled expression.

The lady was very pretty, with eyes like apricot pits, lips naturally red, brows naturally green, skin like snow, a graceful figure, and cascading black hair like a cloud.

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