Chapter 43: The Shock Ye Chen Brought Them

"Elder Brother Ji, where is that place you mentioned?"

Ye Chen asked Ji An.

"That place is a bit far; come with me first, then I'll take you there."

"Okay."

Afterwards, Ye Chen left Wanbao Pavilion together with Ji An.

"That place is the biggest medicine market locally, though there are many fake medicines too, but Ye Chen, rest assured, the person I know will never give you fake medicine; if he does, I will never have any contact with him again."

After Ji An finished speaking, Ye Chen also saw that Ji An sincerely wanted to befriend him.

"Actually, Elder Brother Ji, you don't need to go that far; I can tell fake medicine at a glance, there's no need to openly become enemies—after all, people always need some connections."

After Ye Chen spoke, Ji An lightly nodded, absolutely finding Ye Chen's demeanor and speech far too mature, not at all like a young person, or rather, he lacked the vigor of youth and instead had an air of experience.

Soon, Ye Chen and Ji An arrived at Dachang City's largest medicine market—the Hundred Medicine Market.

"Come with me; my friend only does direct sales, since most are old customers or referrals, and his market is large with abundant supplies—he has all the medicines you mentioned."

After Ji An finished speaking, Ye Chen lightly nodded and said, "Then lead the way."

Ji An nodded and led Ye Chen into the Hundred Medicine Market.

Ye Chen followed behind Ji An, his heavenly eye constantly scanning the medicines here; nearly half were fake, and Ye Chen exclaimed it was outrageous.

"No wonder people say Chinese medicine's efficacy is worsening; these fake medicines bear most of the blame, partly due to the negative impact of those who lack skill."

Ye Chen thought to himself while searching for the medicines he needed.

But he soon became disappointed, because there were none of the medicines he needed here; even if there were, they'd be fake and useless for his spell formation.

These medicines are meant to stabilize Bai Lingling's soul; if fake ones were used, once she left Gui Wu, she would quickly dissipate.

Ye Chen followed Ji An to the inner part of the Hundred Medicine Market; Ji An suddenly stopped in front of the "Kind Medicine" shop, and Ye Chen knew they had arrived.

Ji An turned to Ye Chen and said, "Younger Brother Ye, this is the place."

"Go inside."

"Come with me."

After Ji An spoke, he walked into the Kind Medicine Shop; Ye Chen followed behind him, and not long after Ji An entered, a middle-aged man walked toward them.

"Younger Brother Ji, it's really been a long time."

The middle-aged man said to Ji An.

"Elder Brother Zhang, I hope you've been well."

Ji An shook Zhang Hai's hand and said.

"The few medicines you mentioned last time will arrive this afternoon; why not go upstairs with me for a cup of tea first?"

"Hahaha, sure, sure."

At that moment, Zhang Hai noticed Ye Chen behind Ji An and said to Ji An, "Younger Brother Ji, who is this?"

Ji An knew who Zhang Hai meant, so he told Zhang Hai, "This is my friend; he's the one who needs those medicines."

After Zhang Hai finished speaking, he gave Ye Chen a curious look and said, "Those medicines are for nourishing the body; this young brother looks youthful and ruddy—by rights he shouldn't need them."

After Zhang Hai spoke, Ye Chen understood his meaning—he was asking whether Ye Chen actually had the funds to buy the medicines.

So Ye Chen told Zhang Hai, "I'm buying these for my family's elders; I just want to do my filial duty."

After Ye Chen spoke, Zhang Hai stopped questioning, brought Ye Chen and Ji An upstairs to the second floor, and poured each a cup of tea.

"Come, try this tea; hardly anyone gets to drink it."

Ye Chen then lifted the teacup.

He glanced at it—the broth was a tender green, clear and bright, the aroma fresh, lively, and refreshing, with a lasting orchid fragrance; then he took a light sip.

As the tea entered his mouth, a fresh, lively, refreshing sensation arose, with a sweet aftertaste, a fresh, crisp, mellow flavor, and a unique "monkey rhyme" aura that lingered in Ye Chen's mouth.

"Taiping Monkey Supreme is picked in sunny or overcast mornings between Grain Rain and Start of Summer; the harvest lasts only 15–20 days each year, usually ending before Start of Summer, typically picking one bud with three or four leaves, following the 'four selects, eight avoidances' principle, and its production is elaborate—what a fine tea."

After Ye Chen spoke, Zhang Hai looked at him in disbelief, never expecting this young man before him to know tea so well.

"Young friend, your knowledge of tea truly makes me feel ashamed."

After Ye Chen spoke, Zhang Hai laughed and said, "Elder Brother Zhang saying that really humbles me; my little skill is just the surface, while you are truly versed in the art of tea."

After Ye Chen spoke, Zhang Hai burst out laughing; seeing this, Ji An knew Ye Chen had established a good rapport with Zhang Hai, so buying medicines would go much more smoothly from now on.

Over the following time, Ye Chen, Zhang Hai, and Ji An chatted extensively; the more they talked, the greater the shock Ye Chen gave them.

Because they discovered Ye Chen knew so much that knowing astronomy above and geography below would not be an exaggeration.

As they chatted, Zhang Hai went out to take a call; upon returning, he came to Ye Chen and said, "Younger Brother Ye, your medicines have arrived; shall we go check them out?"

Ye Chen replied to Zhang Hai's words, "Then let's go; I'm a bit in a hurry."

"Then come with me."

After Zhang Hai spoke, he went ahead to lead the way for Ye Chen and Ji An.

"Soul Grass, Spirit Vein Flower, and some other medicines—according to what they said, they have all of them, but with my current funds I might fall far short; inside are two stalks that are century-old medicines, each possibly worth over a million, and some of these are rare medicines—it's not impossible that they cost tens of millions."

Ye Chen thought to himself, his brows slightly furrowed, "Looks like I'll need to go hunt for some good stuff."

After Ye Chen finished thinking, he and Ji An followed Zhang Hai down to the first floor.

Upon reaching the first floor, a strong medicinal fragrance hit them; Ye Chen knew without thinking that it came from the medicines he needed.

Zhang Hai stepped forward, greeted the medicine courier a few times, then led Ye Chen and Ji An to the medicines.

After Ye Chen came before those medicines, a single glance told him they were exactly what he needed, with none lacking.

"I have to say, this person named Zhang Hai truly has reliable ability."

After Ye Chen finished thinking, Zhang Hai turned to him and said, "The medicines you need should all be here; have a look yourself."

After Ji An finished speaking, Ye Chen turned his gaze to those medicines.