Beast Taming: Bloodline Golden Hand

Zhu Tong and Zhang Jin remained silent watching from the side.

As of now, Bai Ling's identity should remain concealed as much as possible.

Even if she were still a candidate, she could not possibly compete with the forces of the Celestial Capital.

The Celestial Shadow Guard continued to block persistently until a cough was heard again from inside, followed by the door opening.

Everyone was astonished, Liu Gu almost bent over to give a salute, but was stopped by a glare from Zhu Tong and then remembered.

"Young girl, I've been sick for a long time, I'm afraid it's beyond healing." The person who pushed open the door was Zhong Nan.

Compared to a year ago, his condition had worsened.

Now, he was emaciated, his skin covered in age spots, with increasingly sparse gray hair at the temples.

He sat in a wheelchair, smiling, and said to the Celestial Shadow Guard: "You may leave now."

The Celestial Shadow Guard glanced at each other, then looked at Zhang Jin.

Zhang Jin nodded and said, "Leave."

Only then did the Celestial Shadow Guard depart.

With only four present who understood the situation and one oblivious person remaining, the atmosphere eased considerably.

Bai Ling was also taken aback by Zhong Nan's state as she moved forward and said, "Grandpa, don't be afraid; I used to get sick often, and my parents sought medicine everywhere before finding this prescription. I'll write it down for you to try, okay?"

"Is there a charge?" Zhong Nan asked with a smile.

"No charge." Bai Ling shook her head, entered the room, and began writing.

Zhong Nan wheeled himself inside, laughing as he asked, "How did you know there was an old gentleman inside? What if I was a woman or a young person?"

"I don't know, I just felt it should be an old gentleman." Bai Ling scratched her head as she wrote, trying hard to recall.

Her handwriting was very neat, and soon she had finished writing the entire prescription.

She carefully checked it three times before finally saying, "It should be correct now."

Thinking about it, she felt a bit uncertain and said, "Sir, when you take the medicine, give the prescription to the physician for a check."

"You've already checked it yourself, why still have it examined?"

"I'm worried I might have missed something or made an error."

"But if it's a secret prescription, no other physician would understand it."

"He can at least tell if it's poisonous," Bai Ling said, "You don't know, I once took poison and almost lost my life..."

Bai Ling began talking non-stop about her medical history, and at the end, she showed her arm and said, "Look at me now; I'm fine, so you must not give up hope."

"But I'm already old; how can I compare to young people?" Zhong Nan laughed.

"You can, you surely can."

Bai Ling turned to the Calamity-Devouring Beast and said, "Xiu Xiu, right?"

The Calamity-Devouring Beast kept its gaze on Zhong Nan, seemingly in a daze.

It didn't know Zhong Nan was the National Preceptor; it only felt he was very dangerous...

As if in front of Zhong Nan, it had no secrets at all.

"Is this your Spirit Beast?" Zhong Nan spent half the time looking at the Calamity-Devouring Beast.

"Yes, its name is Xiu Xiu," Bai Ling enthusiastically introduced, "Because of it, that's how my illness was cured. Sir, would you like to contract a Calamity-Devouring Beast? It might really work."

Zhong Nan did not answer her but asked the Calamity-Devouring Beast, "May I touch you?"

The Calamity-Devouring Beast was actually reluctant.

Its intuition told it this elderly, weathered man was more dangerous than the other two.

Bai Ling sensed its emotion and soothed, "Xiu Xiu, just a touch."

Only then did the Calamity-Devouring Beast nod, and Zhong Nan gently placed his hand on the Calamity-Devouring Beast, touched it lightly, then released, saying, "It's a good beast."

"See, I told you," Bai Ling said excitedly, "Though Xiu Xiu can't fight, it's still the best Spirit Beast in the world."

"Goo~~"

The Red Feather Chicken beside them was displeased.

"Chicky, you're also the best." Bai Ling quickly reassured.

"Hahaha, cough cough~~~"

Zhong Nan began coughing severely again.

At this point, Zhang Jin promptly said, "Master, you should rest now."

Zhong Nan seemed reluctant to part but looked at Zhang Jin and then Zhu Tong before finally saying, "Young girl, you and your teacher can go up and enjoy the view; I need to rest first."

"Alright, remember to get your medicine." Bai Ling nodded, then followed Liu Gu, who was sweating profusely, upstairs.

Once on the rooftop, Bai Ling switched to a new mood, looking into the distance and saying, "Teacher, the view here is really beautiful, huh."

Liu Gu said nothing, just nodded; his thoughts remained away from the scenery.

He knew Zhong Nan had just been assessing Bai Ling...

Deep down, Liu Gu did not wish for Bai Ling to be selected.

After Bai Ling and the others left, the room door closed again, the three entered the room, Zhang Jin said, "Teacher, you were too reckless; if the Celestial Capital knows your contact with Bai Ling, they'll pay attention to her."

Zhu Tong, however, said, "It's no big deal, Bai Ling already has a Unicorn, and she brought a prescription this time, so it shouldn't arouse suspicion."

Zhong Nan began coughing dryly again, Zhang Jin handed him a cup of water, but Zhong Nan unexpectedly said, "It's her."

"What?!"

Zhu Tong and Zhang Jin thought they misheard, but then heard Zhong Nan say:

"It's her."

"She is destined to be the next National Preceptor of Cangling Ancient Country."

...

Lin Chen didn't know what happened upstairs, but ever since Liu Gu came, Bai Ling could freely enter and exit this tavern.

The next day, Bai Ling brought back odds from the casino.

The people at this casino were indeed talented; it wasn't clear where they obtained this information, though it wasn't as comprehensive as what the Dubhe Pavilion gathered, it was very detailed.