Lu Bin mused, ‘Appraiser Lin sure as hell knows what he’s doing.’
Prior to this, despite having faith in the man, Lu Bin was still somewhat doubtful. Now that He Yu was showing visible signs of improvement from just one treatment session with Lin Jin, how could he not be pleased?
He was shocked too. It was hard to imagine that someone as young as Lin Jin could possess such remarkable skills.
Now, Lu Bin believed in this so-called ‘Curator’ Ye Yuzhou had told him about.
Perhaps only someone like the Curator could produce a student this amazing.
When He Yu returned inside, Lin Jin hadn’t caught his breath yet and was resting on a chair. However, he was just exhausted from the over-consumption of his spirit energy so he would be fine after some rest.
He Yu had a conflicted look on her face. Before she could speak, Lu Bin stepped forward and praised, “Appraiser Lin, how remarkable! Looks like it was well worth the effort inviting you over!”
No doubt, due to whatever Lin Jin did, He Yu was now much better.
Even He Qing could tell and she found it somewhat incredulous. She wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. She refused to believe that Lin Jin’s treatment would be effective at all but the truth was presented right before her eyes.
He Yu came over and bowed. “Thank you, Appraiser Lin.”
Having recuperated a bit of energy, Lin Jin got up and said, “Don’t worry about it. I am fairly confident that I can completely remove this curse with a few more days.”
Lin Jin believed in himself.
However, He Yu’s reaction was rather strange. She didn’t seem too happy about it. In fact, she seemed a little worried.
“Appraiser Lin, I’m suddenly feeling a little tired so I’ll be resting now. Uncle Lu, please help me send Appraiser Lin off properly,” He Yu said out of nowhere.
Lu Bin was stunned.
But he didn’t probe into the matter. Lin Jin could sense that she was indirectly requesting for him to leave too so he got up, feeling as puzzled as Lu Bin.
From He Yu’s response, Lin Jin felt as if she wasn’t thrilled with this outcome.
This was weird.
The bestial curse in He Yu’s body wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Lin Jin was perhaps the only person in the Jade Dragon Kingdom capable of helping her remove it.
Based on the rate at which this bestial curse was eating away at her life force, she would most probably lose her life in ten days. The treatment today could be said to have extended her lifespan by one more year so why wasn’t she happy about it?
How odd.
But Lin Jin didn’t bother asking. Moreover, if anyone were to ask, it should be Lu Bin. After all, he was the person who called Lin Jin over. Though, he did make a mental note to ask He Qing about it later on.
Despite her reluctance to admit it, He Qing still seemed thrilled by He Yu’s unexpected recovery. Lu Bin too, except He Yu herself. Did she perhaps have a death wish?
By now, He Yu had already excused herself and returned to her chambers. Lu Bin found the situation rather awkward as this was no way to treat their benefactor but it didn’t seem appropriate to inquire about it.
Meanwhile, He Qing hurried after her sister into the room, probably planning to speak to her.
Lu Bin sighed and led Lin Jin into the yard before saluting him and apologizing. “Appraiser Lin… Uhm, the unexpected reaction of the Sixth Princess may have been a result of the pressure she has been under all these years. Please don’t take it to heart. I assure you that your service was well-appreciated.”
Perhaps even Lu Bin didn’t believe what he was saying.
She was just rude and that was that. Why say otherwise?
Fortunately, Lin Jin was an amiable person. Moreover, he had not come here for the sake of saving He Yu, but for He Qing instead and out of respect for Lu Bin’s loyalty.
Hence, Lin Jin chuckled and seemed to pay it no mind. “Don’t worry about it. Listen, I’ve used the spirit sealing needle to trap the Sixth Princess’s bestial soul curse in her right pinky finger. I also crafted a metal ring, equipped with a seal to trap the curse there. With this, the curse should stop endangering her life, at least for the time being. As long as she doesn’t remove the ring, she should be able to live for another year. I’ll come again some other time to completely remove the curse. Only with this, can I call it a completed task.”
Lu Bin was delighted. It was at this moment that he was genuinely impressed by Lin Jin. Although the latter was younger than him, after this incident, Lu Bin was extra respectful toward Lin Jin.
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He escorted Lin Jin to the palace gates where Lin Jin said that he knew his own way back to the inn. It was there that he also stated his intention to explore the city and Lu Bin acceded. After all, it was Appraiser Lin’s first time in the royal capital so everything here was new to him. If Lu Bin followed him around, it would just make it hard for Lin Jin to enjoy the place.
And so, he didn’t insist on seeing Lin Jin back to the inn. About twenty steps outside the palace gates, he watched as Lin Jin disappeared into the crowd.
Lu Bin sighed.
The sixth princess had indeed been too discourteous. Lu Bin had no idea what prompted her to react that way. Regardless, it was uncalled for and inappropriate.
The fact that Lin Jin was present meant that Lu Bin couldn’t lash out despite his frustration. But now that their guest was gone, he definitely had to go back and clarify the situation with the sixth princess.
Depending on the circumstance, he would have to admonish her if required.
Lu Bin hurried back to He Yu’s quarters.
Back at the door to He Yu’s room, just as he was about to enter, Lu Bin could hear He Qing’s voice.
“Sister Yu, I don’t understand. Since his treatment is working, why stop now?”
Appraiser Lin’s treatment is working, why do you want to stop?” He Qing sounded confused.
Lu Bin stopped immediately and held his breath to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Qing’er, have you forgotten that this bestial soul curse is the fate of our royal family? Since I am shouldering it, I have to see it through to the end and you know this.” There was a trace of helplessness in He Yu’s voice.
“I know, but why should you be the one to shoulder this dreadful fate? Also, since there’s a way to remove it, why shouldn’t we do it? Or were you intending to just wait for death?”
At this, Lu Bin moved forward and entered the room.
“Uncle Lu!” Upon seeing Lu Bin return, He Yu said, “I know that you’re angry at my impertinence, but what happened today was beyond my expectation. I didn’t think Appraiser Lin would actually succeed…”
Suppressing his anger, Lu Bin said, “Young lady, I would like to make clear that I am well aware of the royal curse as well. The reason why the victims of the curse have never survived was that they have never met an expert like Appraiser Lin. Now that we’re fortunate enough to meet him, you should lend his strength and remove this curse once and for all! Why do you reject this idea? Or perhaps things are as the Seventh Princess said? Do you intend to wait for death?”
He Yu seemed hesitant to speak before finally saying, “I know what I’m doing. Appraiser Lin came all this way and I was wrong for being so disrespectful toward him. Please apologize to him on my behalf, Uncle Lu. If Appraiser Lin requires it, please provide him your assistance in the future so as to repay the kindness he has shown us today.”
Lu Bin’s eyes widened with rage. He clearly didn’t understand what was going on but before he could speak, He Yu spoke up with a stern voice, “Uncle Lu, if you still recognize me as your master, you will heed my orders. I do not wish to speak about the matter anymore.”
Lu Bin was stunned. After so long, it was his first time seeing He Yu angry like this. Despite his hesitation, Lu Bin still bowed and retreated.
He had watched He Yu grow up so he understood her temper well. She was being impossibly stubborn at the moment. Saying any more unnecessary things at this point would be counter-intuitive. It was much better for him to wait until she cools down to reason with her.
“Qing’er, you should head back too. I’m feeling sleepy so I’d like some time to rest please.” He Yu chased He Qing out as well.
In the yard, after pondering a little, He Qing advised, “Uncle Lu, that’s just how Sister Yu is so please don’t mind her.”
Lu Bin nodded. After giving it some thought, he pulled He Qing out of the yard and into a deserted alley before asking quietly, “Seventh Princess, there’s something I’d like to ask you. Please answer me honestly without holding back the truth.”
Being a clever girl, He Qing replied, “Uncle Lu, you want to ask about our royal secret, about the bestial soul curse, don’t you?”
Lu Bin nodded.
He Qing glanced around carefully. “This isn’t the place to talk. Uncle Lu, come with me, we’ll talk in a safer place.”
Shortly after, on one of the larger rooftops in the palace, He Qing sat down on a chair before she started explaining the royal family’s secrets with animated hand gestures.
Speaking of which, Lu Bin knew a little about this so-called royal secret. This curse on He Yu’s body had been passed down through five generations of women of the royal family.
The previous four hosts were direct descendants of the royal family, just like He Yu, with dignified identities. However, neither of these cursed young women managed to achieve adulthood and all met their painful demise in their beds.
It was said that when these royal maidens die, their life energy would be completely depleted, leaving only a skeleton-like corpse in their wake.
This way of death was horrible to even think about. Even average folk would find it harrowing, much less royalty, who have never truly witnessed the suffering of everyday life.
However, Lu Bin merely assumed it was because the curse was difficult to remove that it continued to plague the family. Now that he heard He Qing’s explanation, he realized how naive his assumptions were.