Chapter 220: The Expert Is Here
Buy the white ape?
Lin Jin immediately understood what was going on.
This monster in human form must have noticed the white ape earlier. As they were both monsters, they should be able to perceive each other’s status. And because he could tell that the white ape was also a monster, he chose to speak to the ape in secret.
But to his surprise, the white ape hadn’t learned the ability to speak yet.
This guy was probably trying to buy the white ape in an attempt to rescue his kind.
Subsequently, Lin Jin flicked out his coiled wire needle in a discreet motion. Upon making contact with his target, his suspicions were confirmed.
He was indeed a monster who could transfigure. He was even a monkey demon.
It was no wonder his figure was so lanky, and why he had so much hair on his body.
Even with Transfiguration, certain characteristics lingered.
However, after careful observation, Lin Jin noticed how the monster had something wrapped around his waist. If his assumption was correct, that must be the monster’s tail. Looks like this monster’s Transfiguration was flawed. That or he hadn’t completely mastered the skill yet.
Lin Jin obviously wouldn’t sell the white ape so he shook his head. Just as Lin Jin was about to inquire further, the monkey demon seemed to have noticed something and walked away, disappearing into the stream of humans.
Soon, Lu Bin appeared.
“Appraiser Lin, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
Lin Jin apologized immediately. He didn’t tell Lu Bin about the monkey demon and decided that he would leave this incident aside for now. However, it seems like the officials were oblivious about the existence of these monsters, or the monkey demon wouldn’t have left so quickly.
Since he had to stay in the royal capital for a while, there was no hurry. Lin Jin could take his time to investigate the issue.
Lu Bin informed him that he could meet the patient today.
Now that things have come to this, Lu Bin stopped keeping Lin Jin in the dark. He explained that his master was Jade Dragon Kingdom’s sixth princess, He Yu.
Lin Jin nodded.
So her surname was ‘He’ after all, just as Lin Jin suspected.
Lu Bin didn’t have much knowledge of He Yu’s curse. He merely told Lin Jin that it was a curse passed down through generations.
Lin Jin didn’t understand this so Lu Bin elaborated on the matter.
So the curse has already been around for five generations, affecting the Jade Dragon Kingdom’s royalty.
About more than fifty years ago, a female member of the royal family first got this curse and couldn’t live past her coming of age ceremony. Then, the curse appeared on another girl of royal descent and tormented the host until she died.
This time, it appeared on He Yu.
It was clear how troublesome a curse this was just by this description. As the royal family had control over the nation’s resources, it shouldn’t be difficult for them to gather herbs, medicines, or to find prodigious physicians.
And yet, after so many generations, no cursed woman of royalty ever survived. It was clear that even the imperial family couldn’t help the situation, regardless of how many resources they had at their disposal.
Lin Jin came to learn of an important detail from Lu Bin’s description.
“Will it soon be the coming of age ceremony for this Princess He Yu?” Lin Jin asked.
Lu Bin nodded. “In ten days!”
“Oh!”
Lin Jin stopped asking. It was no wonder Lu Bin was in such a hurry. The deadline was almost up.
Without Lin Jin asking, Lu Bin spoke instead, “We’re fortunate to have the prescription you gave us, Appraiser Lin. If it weren’t for the nine water floating cloud pill’s amazing effects, my master would be bedridden and waiting for her death just like her predecessors by now.”
The nine water floating cloud pill was indeed incredible and its efficacy in exorcising curses was unprecedented. However, this also proved how tough He Yu’s curse was.
But since the museum had a solution, there was nothing to fear.
Lin Jin’s expression never changed. During the whole time, as he explained this horrible curse, Lu Bin had been watching Lin Jin’s reaction. Seeing how unfazed he was, Lu Bin presumed that he either had absolute confidence in his skills, or he wasn’t afraid because he hadn’t witnessed it yet.
He had higher hopes for the former since Lu Bin had witnessed what Lin Jin was capable of. Moreover, Ye Yuzhou had described the Curator as being phenomenal as if there was nothing he couldn’t achieve in this world.
So, in the event that Lin Jin couldn’t handle things, he would probably seek help from this Curator.
He didn’t really mind that, as long as it could save He Yu, Lu Bin would unconditionally offer his cooperation.
By now, they had arrived at the palace gates.
The Jade Dragon palace, built over four hundred years ago, exuded an intimidating vibe. Over the towering walls, one could vaguely make out the tall pavilions inside. The guards were fully equipped with metal armor and brandished weapons in their hands. Any coward would be easily frightened away by their menacing appearance.
But when these guards saw Lu Bin, they courteously let him through without second guesses.
Meanwhile, Lin Jin stuck out like a sore thumb.
“General Lu, this is…” The leader of the palace guards had noticed Lu Bin bringing someone in so he braced himself to come over and ask.
Lu Bin scoffed before saying, “This is the doctor I’ve invited to treat the sixth princess.”
“So he’s a doctor. Please leave his name here!” The guard captain handed them a notebook. Visitors clearly had to register themselves before entering the palace.
This was the rule and Lu Bin knew it too. He cast Lin Jin a glance and explained, “Appraiser Lin, we’re currently in the palace grounds now. It’s a bit troublesome but please leave your name so they won’t give you any trouble in the future.”
Lin Jin nodded. “Of course, of course!”
He took the brush and put his name down.
Then, he followed Lu Bin into the palace.
The palace was a city of itself, which is why some called it the ‘inner city’. Compared to the hustle and bustle outside, it was much quieter here. The palace maids or guards they came across were often hurrying off somewhere, treading carefully without making noise.
This atmosphere was truly befitting of a palace.
After all, accompanying a monarch was like accompanying a tiger. There were tons of rules here.
Lin Jin subconsciously recalled He Qing. Did the lass become so talkative because she had to forcibly hold herself back in a place like this?
But that wasn’t right. The cross-dressing He Yu was a quiet person and cold as an iceberg.
Lin Jin smacked his own forehead and mused, ‘Right, I forgot. He Yu knows she’s cursed so her condition’s comparable to a cancer patient back home. Since they already know when they’re going to die, how could they possibly be as lively as He Qing?’
“Sigh, what a pitiful person!” Lin Jin muttered to himself. Up ahead, Lu Bin stated, “Appraiser Lin, we’re here.”
This was it!
Lin Jin looked up to see a compound surrounded by short walls with a yard and building inside. This must be the sixth princess He Yu’s quarters.
Lu Bin usually frequented this place so the guards didn’t stop him as he entered. The palace maids who passed by all curtsied and addressed him as General Lu.
After the yard, they entered the main hall. Once inside, other than smelling a fragrant scent, Lin Jin heard a familiar voice.
“Sister Yu, why won’t you believe me? I’m telling you that someone will be here soon to treat you and break your bestial curse. You just have to relax and eat and drink just like usual. You shouldn’t let your mind wander off.”
Lin Jin immediately recognized this voice to be He Qing’s.
Then, another weak female voice responded, “Qing’er, it’s better for you to read more books and increase your knowledge. Or else, I won’t be able to rest in peace.
“Blah blah blah! Sister Yu, what are you rambling on about. Oh, oh, I know. You don’t believe me, do you? You think I’m spouting nonsense.”
“No, no, no, Qing’er, you’re overthinking things here. Forget it, I’ll just wait for that expert you mentioned.”
“That’s more like it. Sigh, why haven’t I seen Uncle Lu around lately?”
“Uncle Lu went out for some business. He should be back soon.”
They probably heard Lu Bin’s footsteps when their conversation came to a grinding halt.
Lu Bin had Lin Jin wait in the front hall before going in alone.