If he had to be honest, Han Dong scorned these despicable defamers. Their actions were low and atrocious.
However, Han Dong had no capacity to deal with his right now. He was here as a spy and his task was keeping an eye on Lin Jin. He only had to focus on completing this task.
Sighing to himself, he was about to say something when an anxious voice called out from outside.
“How could your association do this? Just because it’s past consultation hours, you wouldn’t serve customers anymore? Everyone is unavailable and you had the nerve to direct me here. Did you think I have no idea that this appraiser’s skill is questionable?”
It was a sharp voice, filled with anger and frustration.
Several people came into Lin Jin’s consultation hall. These people looked anxious as they carried a stretcher that had an iron crab, the size of a millstone, perked on it.
The iron crab was a type of pet beast that was remarkably strong. Not only was it nimble, but it also has an amazing defense power. Many people were fond of this type of pet beast with whom blood contracts were commonly formed.
At that moment, the iron crab on the stretcher was dispirited and listless. Upon taking a closer look, one would notice that there was a layer of ice on the iron crab’s shell.
Upon seeing this, Lin Jin hurried over.
There was a female apprentice who came with these people. She looked helpless as she said to Lin Jin, “Appraiser Lin, they’re here for an urgent consultation. They had wanted to request for Chief Wang Ji but the chief has gone home. Appraiser Gao isn’t here either. The other apprentices can’t afford to take this urgent case. We had no other options but to bring them here. Do you…”
Lin Jin interrupted her and said, “Place it on the ground. I’ll take a look at it.”
The people who brought the pet beast over were clearly reluctant to comply. One of them said, “We’ve heard how unreliable Appraiser Lin is. I don’t think we’re prepared to let him conduct the consultation. I heard he even had a mishap in the middle of an appraisal. Don’t you guys have anyone else?”
These people were physically and mentally intimidating. With their muscular builds and glaring eyes, the apprentice who led them here was too frightened to even respond. Lin Jin on the other hand was much more composed as he pointed to the door and said, “You have two choices. If you don’t want me handling your pet beast, carry it away. If it dies outside, it’s not our responsibility. If you’re going to let me see it, leave it and don’t disturb me when I work.”
Simple, direct, and overbearing.
Those people were speechless after being reprimanded like that.
It was true that all other options had run out. It wasn’t that the other apprentices turned these folks away. The highly-ranked apprentices had all tried to diagnose the issue with the iron crab but it was futile so they had to send these men away.
Chief Wang Ji and Appraiser Gao would leave on the dot. Since they weren’t in the association, there were no other alternatives but to come here.
If these men took the pet beast away, the iron crab might not make it past tonight.
One of the men gritted his teeth and said, “Put it down. Let him take a look. If he can’t help, we’ll make him pay.”
Lin Jin’s expression darkened.
Was this how a person requesting veterinary services should behave? How unreasonable. Lin Jin wasn’t a saint who allowed just anyone to threaten him.
“Xiao Huo!” Lin Jin called out.
A silhouette dashed out from behind the consultation hall. No one saw how it happened but a ferocious and domineering fire wolf was looming before them.
The men took a step back in fright.
“Since you’re in my territory, you’ll have to follow my rules. I’ll be brutally blunt. There is no hundred percent success rate when it comes to treating pet beasts. If you’re unwilling to have it treated, take it away at once. If you’re leaving it here to have it treated, then shut up. If I hear any more nonsense, I’ll have you all thrown out.”
Lin Jin shot an intimidating glance at them but none of the men dared to meet his gaze.
Lin Jin didn’t move but continued to stare at them. Seeing that time was running out for the iron crab, the leader of the group immediately regained his senses and backed down. “Appraiser Lin, we’re uneducated ruffians. Our behavior has been disappointing and we don’t think before we speak. Please don’t take what we said earlier to heart. Have some benevolence and please save my pet beast.”
The others quickly bowed as well.
The little apprentice from earlier now had stars in her eyes. Evidently, Lin Jin’s impressive behavior had won her over. He seemed so heroic in her eyes that her heart was currently racing.
Now that these men have yielded, Lin Jin lowered his head and extended a hand to touch the iron crab.
Those men found this action confusing but they dared not spout any more nonsense. They could only watch obediently.
“Go. Get some firewood and a huge pot,” Lin Jin instructed.
The crowd was baffled. But after being frightened by him earlier, no one dared to question Lin Jin as they went to search for the required materials, still confused.
Firewood was easily obtained. But the same could not be said for the huge pot Lin Jin required. Finally, they managed to borrow the biggest pot they could find from the association’s kitchen.
When he saw it, Lin Jin nodded with satisfaction.
Then, the group of people helped to start a fire, fill the pot with water, place a steamer over the pot, before they were ordered to put the iron crab inside.
The people helping out immediately realized that something was off. Why did this feel like they were steaming a crab for dinner?
“What… what does this mean?”
“I don’t know. I don’t dare to ask either. This Appraiser Lin is pretty terrifying and so is his pet beast. He might get angry if I ask too much.”
Forget these men, even the apprentices Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Han Dong were befuddled. Unable to contain herself, Lu Xiaoyun spoke her mind, albeit quietly, “Should we get some seasoning? Like ginger or scallions?”
At this, the men started acting increasingly fidgety and nervous.
Lin Jin knew that a misunderstanding would arise. Since the required steps were already done, he started explaining, “This iron crab might have mistakenly consumed extremely cold food. As crabs are of the water and yang attribute, something like this shouldn’t pose any problems, but over-consumption would still be harmful. This isn’t anything serious. Fire can help disperse the yang energy. Alternatively, yang-dissolving medicine could also be used, but it’ll take a lot more time before it starts working. However, remember the iron crab’s attributes? Fire energy or medicine mixed with yang-dissolving components would result in a different kind of harm. So, to disperse the chills in its body without harming its attribute, we can only resort to this method. By steaming it on the pot, we’re mixing both fire and water elements. By cancelling each other’s effects, it’s the perfect way of dispersing the chills in the crab’s body.”
At first, this theory sounded inconceivable. But if one ventured deeper, they would realize that it contained the most profound truth and wisdom.
Zhao Ying and Lu Xiaoyun were the first to come to their senses.
“Amazing!”
“No wonder no one could cure it. Because no matter which method they used, as long as it has something to do with dispersing the cold, it would definitely harm the pet beast due to its attribute. Even if they manage to treat it, the pet beast is as good as gone. While the vapor from the steam contains fire elements, it’s being suppressed by the water particles. This method was best suited for treating the iron crab’s current condition without causing any negative side-effects whatsoever. It is indeed remarkable.”
There were looks of admiration on both girls’ faces.
As an apprentice beast appraiser, Han Dong naturally understood this theory as well. He too was amazed by this idea.
“To think there was such a method!”
Han Dong was extremely diligent in the study of beast evaluations. He knew many books by heart so the one thing he could be sure of was that Lin Jin’s treatment method was definitely not from a book. It was a completely novel idea.
“I have to write this down.” Han Dong’s chubby body was trembling in excitement.
While the iron crab’s owner and his comrades couldn’t understand such a profound theory, they somewhat understood what Lin Jin was talking about. In short, their iron crab still could be saved.
If the treatment works. That was all they needed.