"Assume management of one hundred medicine gardens at Green Stone Ridge, required to hand over a fixed quantity of rare medicinal herbs each year."
As soon as Han Li saw these gold-painted characters on the bamboo slip, he was overjoyed. He pointed at the slip and looked up at Attendant Yu. "This task appeals to me. Could Senior Brother explain a little more about it?"
Upon hearing Han Li's words, Attendant Yu approached with a smile. But when he saw the work Han Li had chosen, the pleasant smile on his face immediately turned into a bitter grin.
"Junior Brother, perhaps you should choose another task. This garden management assignment is too tricky—it's not suitable for you!" Attendant Yu said earnestly. Seeing Han Li look puzzled, he continued to explain: "This task has been posted here for several years, and many have taken it on, but every disciple has messed it up. Not only did they fail to earn any reward, but they were also heavily fined spirit stones. It's arguably one of the most difficult jobs here. And not to embarrass Junior Brother Han, but every year I have to let the other brothers draw lots just to force this assignment on someone!"
Han Li found this amusing but also felt a bit apprehensive. However, he had no intention of giving up, so he asked humbly: "Could Senior Brother tell me what makes this task so difficult? Why have so many senior brothers failed? Isn't it just managing some medicinal herbs in a garden? Is that really so hard?"
"Could the nephew have chosen Senior Brother Ma's medicine garden task?" On the side, the elderly man surnamed Ye, after listening to their conversation, interrupted before the middle-aged attendant could answer, frowning.
"Exactly! Junior Brother Han has set his sights on that notoriously difficult assignment from Senior Brother Ma," the middle-aged attendant said, looking half-amused, half-exasperated.
The old man's expression also shifted to one that was half-smiling, half-not.
"Haha! Nephew Han certainly knows how to pick! You've instantly chosen the most troublesome job here. But this task is genuinely a headache. Several people who were forced to take it on have already come to me to complain. However, since Senior Brother Ma refuses to easily change the reward and penalty conditions, I'm completely helpless! If Nephew Han wants to know the details, you can follow me to the inner hall and look at the relevant documents yourself—that's surely better than relying on someone's word!" For some reason, this Hall Master Ye of the Hundred Mechanisms Hall seemed quite generous toward Han Li, readily opening the door for him.
Han Li secretly frowned. This Master Ye was being a bit too enthusiastic! Even though he had given up the Foundation Establishment Pill to him, on the surface it had been an equal transaction—no need for such warmth, was there?
Suppressing his doubts, Han Li put on a flattered expression and followed the old man, who had taken the bamboo slip, into a room at the back of the main hall. The room was stacked with all manner of documents.
Inside, the old man picked up the bamboo slip and waved it gently. A flash of green light emanated from the slip, and a scroll automatically flew into his hand. He then passed the scroll to Han Li.
Since things had reached this point, Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. He took the scroll and deftly unrolled it to examine its contents.
The scroll wasn't long; it merely recorded the personal accounts of the previous disciples who had managed the medicine garden, along with their excuses for failing. Han Li read quickly, and in no time, he understood about seventy or eighty percent of the task's content and difficulties.
"Well? Perhaps you should choose another assignment after all! The reward for this task is very generous, but it's truly not something an ordinary disciple can handle," said Master Ye, sounding very concerned.
After hearing this, Han Li pondered for a moment, then shook his head decisively. "Thank you, Master Ye! But this task suits my tastes perfectly. There's no need to switch to another—I choose this!"
The old man heard the determination in Han Li's voice, felt somewhat taken aback, but said nothing more and nodded in agreement. However, he didn't immediately lead Han Li out. Instead, after hesitating for a moment, he awkwardly spoke again.
"Nephew Han, regarding our previous Foundation Establishment Pill transaction, would it be possible to delay the delivery of some of the goods? I'm about to refine a batch of Harmony Qi Pills recently, and my hands are a bit tight—it might not be convenient. But rest assured, Nephew, in a year or so at most, I'll settle all the outstanding items."
When Han Li heard these words, he was first stunned, then he immediately laughed.
"What are you saying, Master Ye? If it's inconvenient for you, just give what you can. There's no need to mention repaying later. Consider it a gesture of respect from this junior!"
Han Li felt that his current self had become hypocritical to the extreme. In his heart, he was deeply frustrated and utterly resentful of the other's breach of contract, yet on his face he had to wear a bright smile and say things that pleased the other person. This was probably the sorrow of being weak, he thought bitterly.