Chapter 70: Rare Purple Pill

Who burned down Geng Family Pharmacy?

Yu Nan fell into deep thought, but the shop clerks had no such concerns.

They punched the air, they roared, and many had already shed tears.

Wang Xuejiao was the first to cry: “Old Eight, did you hear? Geng Family Pharmacy was burned down, Geng Zhiwei the bastard was burned to death—

Old Eight, I’m powerless to avenge you, but heaven has opened its eyes—divine beings descended from above to avenge us.”

Those around shouted in unison: “Geng Zhiwei, that vile worm, did nothing but evil—Heaven must have claimed him!”

“He just struck us down, and Geng Family Pharmacy caught fire—this is karma, this is retribution!”

The crowd grew more agitated, but Yu Nan still hadn’t found an answer.

Over the years, Geng Family Pharmacy had grown arrogant and offended many; there were certainly no shortage of people who wanted revenge on Geng Zhiwei.

But Geng Family Pharmacy had Jiang Xiang’s backing—who among them would truly dare to strike at it?

The Four Great Families?

Impossible—they looked down on a shop like Geng Family Pharmacy.

The Three Major Gangs?

Also impossible—they rarely tangled with Jiang Xiang’s faction; it would tarnish their status and bring no profit.

Last night, Li Qi insisted on staying at the old residence—and now the residence is burned. Li Qi must have clashed with Geng Zhiwei.

Could Li Qi have single-handedly stormed Geng Family Pharmacy and set it ablaze?

Even more impossible—Geng’s chief guard, Song Baiming, was no pushover, and he commanded plenty of elite warriors; Li Qi alone could never defeat them.

Or did Li Qi have many allies who burned down Geng Family Pharmacy and killed Geng Zhiwei?

If he had that power, he wouldn’t have let Qin Xiaopang suffer so much, nor would he have fled to Yu’s old residence.

If this truly involved Li Qi, it would completely shatter Yu Nan’s understanding of the entire martial world.

The old warehouse keeper, Zhang Shiquan, reminded Yu Nan: “Boss, get moving quickly—Geng Zhiwei is dead, Jiang Xiang’s people will surely act. With this much commotion, they won’t let us go!”

The old warehouse keeper was right—this was the real matter. Yu Nan quickly gathered his men and set off, determined to reach the new destination before nightfall.

…

After bathing and eating dinner, Li Banfeng slept a while in his portable dwelling—he simply couldn’t sleep well anywhere else.

When he woke, the copper lotus bloomed, revealing four lotus seeds inside.

The first three seeds each burst forth with two red pills.

Li Banfeng originally had ten red pills; now he had sixteen. With so many, he barely cherished them anymore.

But according to Yu Nan, this pill is called Xuan Chi Dan—it can buy ten days of cultivation, worth 150,000 apiece.

Sixteen pills could sell for 2.4 million. Add his previous savings, subtract expenses during this period, and deduct the costs of treating Xiaopang and buying yellow paper—Li Banfeng now had a total fortune of 3,281,122.84 yuan.

This sum was enough to buy a house in Yuezhou.

Of course, assuming he could return to Yuezhou.

Could this money buy him a travel permit?

Probably not a problem—as long as he found the right connections.

Was this all the money Li Banfeng had?

Of course not!

When Geng Zhiwei and the two Wu Xiu entered, they carried one box of silver dollars and four boxes of banknotes.

“You came, and you brought all this…?” Li Banfeng felt slightly embarrassed.

He opened the boxes and carefully counted them.

The box of silver dollars contained only 920 pieces—not many.

But at a payout rate of 500 yuan per coin, that amounted to 460,000 yuan.

How much was in the four banknote boxes?

The first box held 860,000, the second 920,000, the third slightly less at 730,000, and the last 970,000.

Combined, the four boxes totaled 3.48 million—each box was worth more than the silver dollars.

Li Banfeng simply couldn’t understand why Geng Zhiwei clung to the silver dollars while handing the four banknote boxes to his men.

3.48 million plus 460,000 equals 3.94 million.

Add his previous savings, ignoring loose change—he now had 7.22 million.

This wasn’t about a down payment anymore.

Of course, there was still the 500,000 owed to Master Yao—the Medicine King’s money could never be left unpaid.

“I’m not particularly attached to money,” Li Banfeng sighed.

Chit!

The phonograph spat out a puff of steam.

“But I feel earning money in Puluozhou is far easier than in Yuezhou,” Li Banfeng sighed again.

This time, the phonograph didn’t mock him.

The money really had been easy to make.

After organizing the wealth, Li Banfeng stared at the last lotus seed, feeling uneasy.

This seed still hadn’t cracked open.

Li Banfeng worried—if it burst too violently, or produced some extraordinary thing, he might get hurt.

He placed the seed in the corner of the main room and hid behind the phonograph.

Click-click-click~

After nearly half an hour, the seed finally split open.

It split—but did not explode.

Li Banfeng crept forward cautiously, slipped on a pair of cotton gloves, peeled away the shell, and revealed the pill inside.

A single deep-purple pill—just one.

The pill was crystal-clear, slightly larger than the Xuan Chi Dan; even from afar, Li Banfeng could smell its soothing, uplifting medicinal fragrance.

“What kind of pill is this?” Li Banfeng murmured.

Chit! Chit! Chit!

“Oh, my husband,” the phonograph suddenly spoke, startling Li Banfeng.

“This pill is a rare treasure—your wife must be careful to keep it safe.”

“A rare treasure?” Li Banfeng glanced at the phonograph, surprised she recognized the pill.

This was good news—if his wife knew pills, why bother seeking others to identify them?

“Wife, what is this pill’s use?”

“Oh, my husband, this pill has great power—but my belly is empty, I can’t recall right now~”

Belly empty…

She wanted food again.

You just devoured three fresh souls last night—and you’re hungry again?

“Wife, if you keep eating like this, I can’t afford to keep you~~”

Huff!

The phonograph snorted, clanged her gongs and drums, and sang: “I’ve devoted my heart to you, yet I can’t even get enough to eat—I’m heartbroken, my fate is cruel~”

“Wife, don’t cry yet—let’s first discuss the pill’s effects…”

Huff!

The phonograph snorted again: “I’m hungry, I can’t remember—find someone who knows and sell this pill.”

Li Banfeng’s eyes lit up: “How much can I get for it?”

“Oh, my husband, I’m just hungry—I just can’t remember~”

Li Banfeng’s face turned green with anger: “All you care about is eating! You eat and gain no flesh, cold and hard all over—where’s the wife supposed to be?”

Huff!

Huff!

Water droplets seeped from the speaker—tears streamed from the phonograph.

“My husband mocks me~ Huff, my husband treats me poorly~ Huff!” the phonograph sang, sobbing.

Li Banfeng sighed helplessly: “At least tell me the pill’s name—I’ll sell it and buy you something delicious.”

“My husband doesn’t lack money~ Huff~ My husband just doesn’t want to feed me~ Huff~”

Li Banfeng could no longer endure the phonograph’s endless whining—he decided to step outside for a walk.

He took up the pistol Geng Zhiwei had given him.

It wasn’t a revolver; Li Banfeng knew nothing about firearms, couldn’t name the model, and after struggling with the barrel for ages, couldn’t chamber a round or pull the trigger.

What use was carrying this thing?

Li Banfeng set the pistol aside and pulled out the iron spike the Wu Xiu had given him.

“This iron spike feels better.”

Li Banfeng swung the iron spike twice—the phonograph couldn’t bear to watch.

Chit! Chit! Chit!

She was mocking Li Banfeng.

“Oh, my lord, what are you taking that weapon for, and where are you going?”

“Go buy vegetables!” Li Banfeng replied offhandedly.

“Buy vegetables? Really?” The phonograph perked up, no longer teasing Li Banfeng. “Husband, this weapon in your hand isn’t called Iron Spike—it’s called Iron Ruler, a tool excellent for both offense and defense.”

A long shaft with two smaller prongs branching from either side—that weapon is called Iron Ruler.

Li Banfeng stared blankly for a long moment, then suddenly remembered something: the name Iron Ruler, he thought he’d seen it before.

On television?

Even if he’d seen it on television, Li Banfeng couldn’t recall its name.

In a novel?

Possibly—he must have seen it written somewhere…

Li Banfeng remembered: not a novel, but a martial arts manual—he’d taken it from the eldest son of the old lady.

Li Banfeng dashed into the outer chamber.

Among the martial arts manuals De Cai had collected, there was one detailing unusual weapons.

The manual cataloged various strange weapons, including a dedicated section on the Iron Ruler.

The Iron Ruler’s offensive techniques were relatively simple, primarily relying on thrusts; its two side prongs were mainly for defense.

Written descriptions were never quite clear enough. Li Banfeng practiced a few moves and found the Iron Ruler awkward to use—he turned his gaze instead to the pair of forks, their crescent blades interlocked.

“Wife, what’s this pair called?”

The phonograph grew impatient: “Husband, you don’t need to carry so many weapons—hurry up and go buy vegetables.”

“How am I supposed to buy vegetables without a weapon?” Li Banfeng snapped, scolding the phonograph. “Do you think it’s easy out there, facing spears and swords? You won’t even teach me how to use a weapon? How am I supposed to find food for you?”

Hrrrrrrr~

A wisp of steam trembled and escaped from the speaker’s mouth.

The phonograph felt ashamed.

“Husband, don’t be angry—your humble servant knows her mistake. That pair of weapons is called the Mandarin Duck Yue, and it cannot be mastered in a day or two.

Husband, let your servant first teach you the use of the Iron Ruler.

Husband, plant your feet firmly—thrust the ruler straight ahead!

Husband, steady your hand, go slower—martial training requires perseverance and patience.

Your servant loves your bravery, your servant loves your determination, your servant loves your bearing.”

In the cadence of opera recitation, blended with the phonograph’s unique voice, each word dripped with tenderness.

Li Banfeng felt warmth—he and the phonograph had forged a trust and connection unlike any before. He followed her guidance, refining his martial skill.

The phonograph did not sense this bond; she kept encouraging Li Banfeng:

“Husband, what natural talent! You learn so quickly! Your thrusts are precise and steady!

Husband, don’t rush—focus on your strength.

Husband, uh… don’t strike so hard—the Iron Ruler shouldn’t be pointed at your servant.

Husband, you—you’ve got another ruler now?

Husband, that… that ruler—don’t point it at your servant either…”

PS: Dear readers, practice martial arts with Salad!

(End of Chapter)