I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 276 Waiting for the Immortal
The shopkeeper scratched his head.

"I... I don't know anything about physiognomy, how could I possibly tell anything? Besides, trying to tell fortunes and read faces in front of Mr. Xing is like showing off my limited skills before an expert."

Xing Hepu said:

"Take a look, I won't blame you."

As he spoke, he casually grabbed a handful of copper coins from his purse and handed them over.

The shopkeeper immediately relaxed, recalling the discussions in Chang'an, "Sir, you're well now, in good health? If we're talking about good news..."

"Could it be that there's a new addition to the family?"

He made one up.

Xing Hepu laughed and said, "My wife has passed away, so where would I get a new addition to the family?"

The shopkeeper was at a loss for words. He sighed and didn't know what to say or whether he should continue guessing.

"This……"

"Please continue."

The shopkeeper dared not guess anymore. After thinking for a while, seeing that Mr. Xing's complexion had indeed improved a lot, he said:
"Sir, you are in good health...that's good news."

"Calculate."

The shopkeeper let out a sigh of relief and gathered the dozens of copper coins in front of him.

The waiter had prepared the wine, and the shopkeeper personally served it to him. Seeing that the man was gazing out the window with great interest, the shopkeeper thoughtfully offered him a plate of pastries.

The shopkeeper mustered up the courage to ask.

"What exactly is this happy event that Mr. Xing is talking about? I really have no idea."

Xing Hepu came to his senses.

He looked at the shopkeeper, a man in a coarse linen robe, with a ruddy complexion and a plump figure. Xing Hepu poured himself a glass of wine and said with a smile.

Does living a long life count?

？ ！！

Despite the shopkeeper's astonishment, Xing Hepu took out his bamboo abacus from his waist, wiped the table in the residence with a handkerchief, and then calculated the result by shaking it on the table.

The shopkeepers dared not make a sound to disturb them.

He listened to Xing Hepu muttering to himself.

"The traces of a master are not to be found by ordinary people..."

"Above the Wei River, there was a five-colored aura floating on the water, swirling and lingering for a long time. The elders all said that this was a sign of a prosperous age... Only a fool would believe that."

The shopkeeper quietly left.

While greeting the other diners and residents in the shop, he rolled up the ledger, quietly retreated to the back kitchen, and grabbed his nephew who was washing dishes.

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice.

"Could you help me find out if any of the pharmacies in the East and West markets still sell Codonopsis pilosula?"

The young man rinsed his hands with the well water and dried them with a towel.

"Third Uncle, why are you asking about Codonopsis pilosula?"

The shopkeeper glared at him.

Shh! Keep your voice down.

"I've heard that Codonopsis pilosula is nourishing and can prolong life. Maybe it can even extend your life. Go and check how much it costs. If it's a good price, say three hundred... or under five hundred coins, then buy me one."

The shopkeeper steeled himself and became more generous with the money.

Recently, there's been a lot of buzz about ginseng in the city. I heard that many pharmacies are sold out, and some have even sent people to Shangdang to dig for ginseng.

Even without going to the pharmacy, the young shop assistant knew that it couldn't be bought for three or five hundred coins.

He muttered to himself:
"This money isn't enough..."

The shopkeeper didn't hear clearly.

"what?"

The young waiter looked up and smiled. "No, Uncle San. I was asking who's going to wash these dishes? There are three more tables behind us."

Shopkeeper: "Let Xiaoyu come."

The young man immediately perked up and said happily, "I'll go into town and take a look right now."

He left excitedly.

As the waiter passed Xing Hepu, he glanced at him a couple more times, wondering what this strangely dressed young man was up to. There were also many long bamboo skewers on the table. The plate of pastries had been squeezed to the edge, half of it hanging in the air.

The waiter was quick-witted and nimble, helping to steady the plate of pastries.

He asked curiously.

"What are you looking at, my lord?"

Xing Hepu was halfway through his calculations when he looked up at the short, seemingly sixteen or seventeen-year-old young man. "Have you ever heard of a water deity in the Wei River?"

The young man scratched his head.

"Who are you referring to, my lord?"

"Young master, are you talking about the Water God? There are many people who call the Water God. Some say there is a big black fish that is the Water God, some say the giant bream that was caught recently is the Water God, and some say the Water God is a giant old turtle."

"These are just the things I've heard; my third uncle has probably heard even more."

Xing Hepu was somewhat surprised.

He smiled.

"I'm referring to dragons and other creatures, born into nobility."

The young man became excited. He had heard the storyteller mention it: "Is it the Dragon King that was beheaded by a minister hundreds of years ago?"

Xing Hepu shook his head.

"That's fabricated."

The young waiter said "Oh," and added, "I don't know."

He scratched his head again; the uncle and nephew had the same habits. The young shop assistant bowed and said, "Young master, please continue reading. I won't disturb you; I'll go back to my work."

With that, the young man, clutching the few coins his third uncle had given him for his journey to the city, ran off happily.

Xing Hepu waited in this residence for several days.

He came every day, and even the students of Chongxuan Academy knew about it and came to him for advice.

The student was dismissed by Xing Hepu using a servant.

"For such a simple and basic thing, just ask my servants."

The students dared not speak out in anger, nor dared they disobey their teacher, so they reluctantly asked the servants of the Xing family for advice.

The servants, though reluctant, gave their answers.

The students became increasingly stunned as they listened.

Finally, he was shocked to discover that after more than a decade of studying, he was not even as good as a servant. Overwhelmed with shame, he never again came to the mansion to bother or inquire about anything.

A few more days passed.

The north wind is rising, and wild geese are flying south.

As the weather gradually turned colder, the innkeepers put on thick autumn clothes and wore felt hats on their heads.

As usual, Xing Hepu bought a pot of wine and a plate of mutton on the table, which he ate slowly.

In the afternoon.

The sunlight was just right, and when the curtain was lifted, a cold breeze from outside swept in.

A figure in blue walked in from outside. The person was still dressed in summer clothes, completely oblivious to the cold; their thin clothing made onlookers feel cold for them.

The young waiter was about to greet them.

Not far away, Xing Hepu, who had been reading and calculating, suddenly got up from his seat and went to greet him.

"Lang, Xian..."

Jiang She smiled.

"It's good to see Mr. Xing again. Please address me as you see fit."

Jiang She looked up at the shopkeeper and asked:

"Can we bring the cat into the shop?"

"Please make yourself at home, sir. Not to mention the cats, sometimes camels and mules even trample in here." The shopkeeper walked over with his hands in his pockets, sniffed the air, and his eyes lit up.

"Young master, you smell wonderfully of wine. Did you just come here after drinking? Which wine smells so good?"

Jiang She smiled and agreed.

"Brewed by a friend."

Xing Hepu invited Jiang She to sit down at the table, then beckoned the waiter over and ordered a large number of dishes, his enthusiasm drawing the attention of the restaurant staff.

The food and drinks were served quickly and laid out on the whole large table.

Xing He's eyes showed a rare hint of nervousness.

He held a wine cup.

"To think I've met you again... I never expected to actually see you." Xing Hepu couldn't think of a proper way to address him, so he just glossed over it.

"You've been staying underwater all this time, haven't you?"

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)