Chapter 9 Odd Jobs

• The traditional medicine clinic wasn't particularly large, covering just over a hundred square meters. As soon as I stepped inside, I was immediately greeted by a subtle, yet distinct scent of medicinal herbs.
• Rows of medicine cabinets were neatly arranged, and at the counter, an elderly man in a gray outfit was diligently wiping down the surface with a cloth.
• Upon seeing me walk in, the old man in gray glanced up at me. In a quiet voice, he asked, “Are you here for medicine or treatment?”
• I paused for a moment, then quickly said, “Hello, my name is Zayne Meyer. My grandfather sent me here. My grandfather is—”
• “You're Gunther's grandson?” The old man in gray raised an eyebrow. “Why didn't he come himself?”
• I quickly gave a brief rundown of the events that had transpired over the past few days.
• After listening to what I had to say, the old man in gray slightly furrowed his brows, falling into a moment of deep contemplation. It was unclear what he was pondering over.
• A short while later, the old man in gray casually tossed me the cloth he was holding and said, “I happen to be short-staffed here. Stick around and do some odd jobs! I won't cover your meals or accommodation, but I'll pay you two thousand a month. Take it or leave it!”
• His words left me dumbfounded. I stared at him, momentarily unable to regain my composure.
• Stay here to do odd jobs?
• And it doesn't include meals and accommodation?
• But Grandpa sent me here to seek refuge!
• I felt a surge of frustration in my heart, a compelling urge to turn around and leave. Primarily, it was the condescending tone of the old man in gray that irked me. He didn't seem like a friend of my grandfather at all.
• But if I were to leave this place, where else could I possibly go?
• Recalling the scene at the hotel last night, I couldn't help but shiver, feeling a bit hesitant.
• I glanced at the old man in gray, gritting my teeth. Picking up the cloth, I set my backpack aside and began to scrub the counter with a stern expression on my face.
• The old man in gray casually picked up a teapot from the side, leisurely sipping his tea. In a nonchalant manner, he said to me, “After you finish wiping down the counter, make sure to sweep the floor as well. Be diligent, don't slack off, or else your pay will be docked!”
• Having said that, he didn't wait for my response and leisurely strolled toward the backyard.
• One often has to concede when they're in a disadvantaged position.
• Given that my grandfather sent me here, it was clear that this old man in gray was no ordinary person. With nowhere else to go, I had no choice but to stay here.
• After I finished cleaning, the old man in gray didn't show up. He was probably up to something in the backyard.
• I didn't venture to the backyard. I just sat down and rested within the confines of this traditional medicine clinic.
• Time slowly slipped away until noon, but the old man in gray never showed up. Not a single customer visited this traditional medicine clinic either.
• How does this traditional medicine clinic stay afloat with such poor business?
• Just as I was about to step out to grab some lunch, a luxury sedan pulled up not far from the entrance of the traditional medicine clinic. The car door swung open, and a middle-aged, chubby man, clad in a sleek suit and shiny shoes, emerged from the vehicle. With a sense of urgency, he hurried into the clinic.
• Upon seeing me, the chubby man asked frantically, “Is Old Mr. Zeller here?”
• Although I wasn't sure who this chubby man was, he seemed to be someone of wealth or high status. Without saying much more, I pointed toward the backyard.
• Just as the chubby man was about to make his move, Lincoln Zeller leisurely strolled in from the backyard, carrying a teapot, his eyes still groggy from sleep.
• “Old Mr. Zeller, help me!”
• Upon seeing Lincoln approaching, the chubby man wore a pained expression and wailed in desperation, “Old Mr. Zeller, I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. I beg you to help me this time. If you don't, I'll be in big trouble...”
• Lincoln shot a glance at the chubby man, his voice calm and aloof as he said, “You didn't believe me when I warned you before, and now you remember me when trouble is at your doorstep?”
• Seeing that Lincoln seemed somewhat displeased, the chubby man hurriedly pulled out a check from his briefcase and handed it over. “Old Mr. Zeller, I know you're a man of great abilities. Please help me this time. This is an advance payment. Once the matter is settled, I assure you there will be a generous reward!”
• I stole a glance at the side, not knowing the exact amount on the check. All I saw was a string of zeros. It was definitely a vast fortune.
• Hearing the chubby man's words, Lincoln pondered for a moment. He then accepted the check and casually tucked it into his pocket.
• Subsequently, Lincoln said to me, “Young man, stay here and tend to the store diligently. Don't mess with the things in the medicine cabinet!”
• After saying that, he left with the chubby man.
• I'd finally understood. This traditional medicine clinic was probably just a side gig for Lincoln. Whether the business was doing well or not didn't really matter to him. He could earn such a hefty reward just by helping that chubby man once, so it didn't matter if the traditional medicine clinic wasn't getting much business.
• I bought some lunch from a small stall next to the entertainment avenue and ate a little. Afterward, I spent my time idly inside the traditional medicine clinic.
• Unable to resist, I took out the book I had been holding and flipped through it for a while. Then, I fetched a pen and paper from the counter, curiously tracing the odd words and patterns on the pages.
• I meticulously followed the odd words and patterns from the book, but the outcome was consistently unrecognizable—a complete mess. The distinctive beauty of the symbols in the book remained elusive in my renditions.
• The sensation felt akin to an invisible force obstructing the pen as it descended onto the paper, making each stroke incredibly strenuous. If I weren't careful, the lines would veer off course.
• I was rather stubborn. Once my stubbornness took hold, I was resolute in my heart that I had to draw it out no matter what.
• And so, time slipped by unnoticed. Countless sheets of paper had been consumed in the process. Eventually, I completed a pattern. Although it fell short compared to those in the book, it was already quite impressive.
• Looking at the pattern above, I let out a sigh, and a satisfied smile played on my lips. I shook my slightly numb wrist.
• “Not bad. You managed to draw an Evil-Breaking Talisman. You're not as useless as I thought!”
• At that moment, the voice of Lincoln suddenly reached my ears, startling me.
• Looking up, I noticed that Lincoln had already positioned himself by the counter at some point unbeknownst to me.
• “What kind of talisman is this?” I asked, bewildered.
• The expression on the face of Lincoln turned somewhat peculiar. He glanced at the book on the counter, then looked back at me. “Didn't your grandfather tell you what this book is?”
• A jolt ran through me. I quickly grabbed the book on the counter, shoving it into my clothes. I cast a somewhat wary glance at Lincoln.
• “Calm down. If I want to take it, you won't be able to keep that book safe!” Lincoln cast a glance at me. “This thing is a treasure, but it's also a curse. I'm living a comfortable life now. I wouldn't go out of my way to cause trouble by taking your book...”
• At this point, Lincoln paused momentarily, then casually suggested, “The runes on this, if mixed with your own blood and cinnabar, should yield a decent effect. You might want to give it a try!”
• I wasn't sure whether what he said was true or false, but I simply nodded lightly, without uttering a word.
• “All right, the sun is about to set. Work's over. You can leave now!” Lincoln said. “Be here sharp at six in the morning tomorrow. Don't be late!”
• Having said that, Lincoln was about to close the door.
• I was instantly overwhelmed with worry. Hastily, I said, “Old Mr. Zeller, I... I don't have a place to stay!”
• The events at the hotel last night still send shivers down my spine when I think about them. I came here seeking refuge. If I don't stay here, I simply won't feel at ease anywhere else!