Chapter 94: Strange Wooden Token

Soon, Hua Changxi followed Yu Gui to the No. 9 Qi Huang Hall.

When passing the stone pillar engraved with the character "jiu" at the entrance of the Qi Huang Hall, Hua Changxi noticed that the green wooden token she had just received from the Old Courtyard flashed once, causing her heart to jolt.

"Sister Changxi, what's wrong?"

Seeing Hua Changxi standing still at the entrance, Yu Gui promptly asked with concern.

Hua Changxi gripped the wooden token, collected herself, shook her head, and followed Yu Gui into the courtyard.

Unlike previous meetings where he would wait for Hua Changxi to approach and greet him first, this time Eunuch Yu did not put on airs. When Yu Gui brought Hua Changxi in, he was already waiting in the courtyard with a welcoming smile.

Behind Eunuch Yu stood a middle-aged man in a brocade robe, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha.

"Eunuch Yu, long time no see."

Hua Changxi took the initiative to greet him. Eunuch Yu smiled in response and immediately introduced the middle-aged man to her: "Hua Changxi, this is Grand Merchant Zhuo from Qingzhou. Grand Merchant Zhuo owns dozens of medicine shops, including ten in the capital."

Grand Merchant Zhuo knew well how to flatter others. After hearing Eunuch Yu's words, without any hesitation, he stepped forward and bowed to Hua Changxi as if to an equal: "Miss Hua, Zhuo Lin greets you."

Hua Changxi glanced at him and returned the greeting.

Seeing that the two had made each other's acquaintance, Eunuch Yu smiled and led them into the living room.

Yu Gui, with keen insight, served tea to the three of them.

Hua Changxi looked at Zhuo Lin and cut straight to the point: "Grand Merchant Zhuo, what kinds of pills are you looking to buy in quantity?"

Zhuo Lin glanced at Eunuch Yu and smiled: "For martial artists' pills, I need everything from first-grade to ninth-grade—as many as you have. If possible, I'd also like to purchase cultivators' pills, again as many as you can provide."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Martial artists' pills can be paid for with silver, but the spirit pills used by cultivators cannot be bought with silver."

When Zhuo Lin saw that Hua Changxi did not outright refuse to sell spirit pills, his breath caught.

Spirit pills are currently only refined by the imperial family, top-tier nobles, and those old-established clans. They are nowhere to be found on the open market. Not to mention ordinary people without power or influence, even common nobles and high-grade martial artists have no channels to purchase them if they want to.

If the Zhuo family really starts selling spirit pills, it is easy to imagine that the Zhuo family would certainly rise another step in Qingzhou, and even breaking into the capital's elite circle would not be impossible.

Most importantly, some members of the Zhuo clan have also been tested and found to have spiritual meridians, and they are in great need of various spirit pills.

If he could get his hands on spirit pills, his status in the family would surely become higher and more stable.

Suppressing his excitement, Zhuo Lin carefully probed: "Then, in Miss Hua's opinion, how should Zhuo Lin go about purchasing spirit pills?"

Hua Changxi did not like beating around the bush in trade matters. Instinctively, she wanted to say they had to be bought with spirit stones, but she swallowed the words before they left her mouth.

Her cooperation with Old You and the other four had taught her a lesson after all.

Straightforward, honest transactions can easily put one in a passive position.

"Grand Merchant Zhuo, what can you offer in exchange for spirit pills?"

Seeing Zhuo Lin lost in thought, Hua Changxi was pleased that she had thrown the question back at him and could also take the opportunity to test his sincerity and hand.

This was Zhuo Lin's first time meeting Hua Changxi, and he really couldn't gauge her intentions, so he couldn't help but look to Eunuch Yu for help.

Seeing this, Eunuch Yu felt somewhat helpless. He noticed that Hua Changxi had changed—she was not as straightforward as before, and now even he didn't know what she really wanted.

Realizing that Eunuch Yu couldn't help him, Zhuo Lin had no choice but to stand up and make a deep bow to Hua Changxi: "Please, Miss Hua, teach me—how can I buy spirit pills?"

Hua Changxi caught the exchange of glances between the two and suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Eunuch Yu said you have ten medicine shops in the capital. Where are they located?"

Hearing this, Zhuo Lin's eyelids twitched, but he still answered: "Four in the inner city, six in the outer city."

Hua Changxi smiled: "If I said I wanted those ten shops, would Grand Merchant Zhuo be willing to give them?"

During the two-plus months she had been teaching pharmacology to the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Bureaus, she had realized that this method of teaching reached too few people.

To popularize pharmacological knowledge, perhaps she should find ways to expand outward.

Over at Zhou Qiuyu's side, the first volume of "Herbs for Martial Artists" had already been compiled. If placed in medicine shops for sale, those who wanted to learn medicine would likely buy it.

Seeing that Hua Changxi really wanted his medicine shops, and even wanted all ten of them—a lion's share—Zhuo Lin was naturally unwilling: "Miss Hua, these medicine shops are ancestral property, I really..."

Hua Changxi: "Trade requires mutual willingness. If you're unwilling, I won't force you. Then we'll just trade martial artists' pills."

"Brother Yu knows where my Shennong Hall Pharmacy is. Write a list and have Brother Yu take it to your pharmacy to find the manager. Hand over the money and receive the pills on the spot."

Seeing Hua Changxi completely skip over spirit pills, Zhuo Lin grew anxious again: "Miss Hua, I'm willing to pay more silver..."

Hua Changxi interrupted him: "I told you, silver cannot buy spiritual pills."

"Great Merchant Zhuo, you probably don't know much about cultivators. At this time, spiritual pills are both medicine and opportunity for many cultivators."

"You are a merchant. You don't need me to tell you how important opportunity is, do you?"

"How about this: you go back and ask around first. If you still want to buy spiritual pills, we can talk again. However, by then it will depend on whether I still need the pharmacy."

Zhuo Lin looked at Eunuch Yu for help again. Seeing this, Eunuch Yu helplessly turned his head away; he had no leverage to negotiate with Hua Changxi at the moment.

Seeing Eunuch Yu so unreliable, Zhuo Lin was extremely angry.

Ten pharmacies...

The capital, under the emperor's feet, where nobles gather—these ten pharmacies had taken him immense effort to establish. The thought of handing them over to someone else made his heart ache as if bleeding.

But spiritual pills...

"The pharmacies can belong to Lady Hua, but how many spiritual pills can Lady Hua provide to me?"

Hua Changxi saw that Zhuo Lin had agreed. A flicker of excitement passed through her eyes. After thinking for a moment, she said calmly, "As for first-grade spiritual pills—those that increase cultivation, heal injuries, restore spiritual energy, and detoxify—I can provide them all."

"But you must keep the source of the spiritual pills a secret. I don't like trouble."

Zhuo Lin was delighted that Hua Changxi could provide so many spiritual pills. He also didn't want others to know that Hua Changxi had spiritual pills, which could cut into the Zhuo family's business. He immediately agreed.

Hua Changxi said, "Verbal promises are not safe. I need a drop of your blood."

Zhuo Lin was startled and looked at Eunuch Yu.

Eunuch Yu then looked at Yu Hui.

Finally, Yu Hui spoke and asked, "Sister Changxi, what do you need blood for?"

Hua Changxi: "To make a Heart Demon Oath. Don't worry, as long as you don't break your promise, nothing will happen."

Zhuo Lin, Eunuch Yu, and Yu Hui knew very little about cultivators. After hesitating for a moment, Zhuo Lin, for the sake of spiritual pills, still bit his finger and broke the skin.

Eunuch Yu and Yu Hui exchanged a glance. Although Hua Changxi had not asked for their blood, they too now knew about the spiritual pills. After thinking, they also bit their fingers at the same time.

Hua Changxi saw this and raised an eyebrow.

Just as Yu Hui was about to ask how to give his blood to Hua Changxi, he saw a drop of blood fly from his fingertip and float in front of him.

Hua Changxi looked at the three and said, "Just swear the oath directly."

Zhuo Lin, Eunuch Yu, and Yu Hui all swore not to reveal that Hua Changxi was providing spiritual pills.

As soon as the oath was completed, Zhuo Lin, Eunuch Yu, and Yu Hui widened their eyes as they watched the blood twist and transform into a talisman that sank into their glabella.

The three were greatly shocked. The moment the thought of betraying their oath arose in their minds, they felt a pang of heart palpitations.

Seeing that they had made the Heart Demon Oath, Hua Changxi said to Zhuo Lin, "In a moment, we will go handle the transfer of the pharmacies and draw up a contract for purchasing pills."

As she spoke, she looked at Eunuch Yu. Seeing that he and Yu Hui had been so sensible earlier, she took the initiative to ask.

"Eunuch Yu, what do you want to know about cultivators?"

Eunuch Yu's expression shifted, and he immediately sat up straight: "I want to know how to become a cultivator."

Yu Hui and Zhuo Lin also looked at Hua Changxi seriously.

Hua Changxi: "To become a cultivator, there are two paths. One is to be born with spiritual veins. Those with spiritual veins, as long as they have a suitable cultivation technique, can embark on the path of cultivation in a place with spiritual energy."

"The other path is that those who are born without spiritual veins can gather heavenly treasures and earthly rarities to refine spiritual pills to forge spiritual veins."

Eunuch Yu immediately asked: "How does one know if they have spiritual veins?"

Hua Changxi: "There is a stone called a spirit-testing stone that can detect a person's spiritual veins."

Eunuch Yu asked again: "If one has no spiritual veins, which spiritual pills can forge spiritual veins?"

Hua Changxi: "As far as I know, Creation Pills, as well as Rebirth Pills plus attribute spiritual pills, can all forge spiritual veins."

Eunuch Yu asked again: "How can one obtain these three kinds of pills?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "Does Eunuch know why the Embroidered Uniform Guards recently conducted a large-scale search of the Servants' Hall?"

Eunuch Yu and Yu Hui's expressions shifted: "Could it be that the pills Leng Xiangru stole were... those that can forge spiritual veins?"

Hua Changxi: "Forging Spirit Veins is certainly very difficult. How you set foot on the path of cultivation depends on each of your own abilities and opportunities."

After that, Yu Gonggong asked Hua Changxi a few more questions about common knowledge among cultivators.

Seeing that he asked so many questions, Hua Changxi's eyes flickered: "I have a beginner's book for cultivators called 'The Four Arts Primer.' It records the four most commonly used techniques of cultivators and a lot of common knowledge. I could take it out and trade it with you, Gonggong."

Yu Gonggong's face lit up with joy, but then quickly fell: "But all I can offer is silver."

Hua Changxi looked around the courtyard: "From working with you earlier, Gonggong, I noticed this courtyard is very suitable for alchemy—secluded and with few people, no one will disturb me."

Yu Gonggong understood Hua Changxi's meaning and said very readily: "I usually don't stay in this courtyard anyway. If you like it, go ahead and refine pills here."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Then thank you, Gonggong." With that, she took out a handwritten copy of 'The Four Arts Primer' and handed it to Yu Gonggong.

Yu Gonggong accepted the book with great care. Zhuo Lin watched from the side, full of envy.

After that, Hua Changxi, along with the wealthy merchant Zhuo and Yu Hui, first went to handle the transfer procedures for the pharmacy, and then went to the Shennong Hall Pharmacy to draft the pill-purchasing contract.

For his first purchase, Zhuo Lin bought one hundred thousand taels' worth of pills and also took a batch of first-rank spirit pills.

After seeing him off, Hua Changxi and Yu Hui returned to the Medical Department.

On the way, Hua Changxi asked: "Brother Yu, how many Qi Huang Halls are there in total?"

Yu Hui: "Eighteen. Nine on the Menial Services side, and nine on the Apprentice side."

Hua Changxi: "Which people occupy the nine on the Menial Services side?"

Yu Hui: "Eunuch Zhou of the First Office, Eunuch Zhao of the Second Office, and Eunuch Jia of the Third Office each occupy two. The remaining three all belong to my godfather."

"Little sister, why are you asking about this?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "Haven't I been teaching my subordinates how to recognize medicinal herbs and how to wash them recently? I've found some promising talents. Now that I've acquired ten more pharmacies, I want to find a courtyard to give them more training, and then send them to the pharmacies to help me."

Yu Hui let out an enlightened "Oh": "My godfather occupies Qi Huang Halls Number Seven, Eight, and Nine. If you want to use them, I'll go and have a word with him. He doesn't usually use the courtyards anyway."

Hua Changxi: "Then thank you very much."

After parting with Yu Hui, Hua Changxi immediately went to Qi Huang Hall Number Nine. The wooden token had flickered earlier, so she had to investigate the reason for its flicker.

The old courtyard on the square was dilapidated, and although the Qi Huang Hall was built of stone, it wasn't much better—it also carried a strong sense of antiquity.

It was said that the pharmacies on the first nine streets were also like this, but because they had been renovated, they didn't look too old.

Hua Changxi had never been to the Apprentice side, so she didn't know what the Qi Huang Halls there were like, but on the Menial Services side, it seemed the higher-ups didn't pay attention to it, so they hadn't bothered with the buildings here.

Hua Changxi walked to the stone pillar outside Qi Huang Hall Number Nine and, sure enough, saw the wooden token flicker again.

"The wooden token and the stone pillar seem to be able to sense each other."

Hua Changxi glanced at the neighboring Qi Huang Hall, quickly walked over, and waved the wooden token in front of the stone pillars outside Halls Eight and Seven. She saw the token flicker twice again.

"What exactly is the use of this wooden token?"

Hua Changxi returned to Qi Huang Hall Number Nine. After entering the courtyard, she carefully examined everything inside but found nothing unusual.

She had no clue at all about the wooden token's purpose, so she had to leave the Qi Huang Hall first. On her way back, she recalled that she and Pharmacist Xu had just met without saying anything, so she headed toward the Ninth Street.

Pharmacist Xu was at Pharmacy Number Twelve on the Ninth Street. To go there from the Menial Services side, she had to pass through the Pilgrimage Road that cut across all nine streets and led directly to the square.

The Pilgrimage Road was located in the very center of the nine streets. Hua Changxi stood at the intersection of the square and the Pilgrimage Road, looking ahead, and immediately saw the nine-story tall building on First Street.

The tall building was built with quite some presence, but its location was wrong—it wasn't built in the very center, feeling quite out of tune with the layout of the nine streets.

Hua Changxi thought of something, turned her head to look back at the square, gazed at the stone tripod on the square and the old courtyard behind it, and recalled the magnificent palace and the towering giant trees. She felt that the old courtyard's location was actually the most distinguished place in the entire Medical Department.

The nine streets were crowded with people. After Hua Changxi stood at the intersection for a while, a few people came out of the pharmacies on both sides. Not wanting to linger, she crossed the intersection and walked toward Pharmacy Number Twelve.

"Eh?"

As she passed the intersection, Hua Changxi saw the wooden token flicker again. Startled, she stopped and looked around left and right.

Soon, her gaze landed on the cylindrical pillars standing on both sides of the intersection. Atop each pillar hung a colorless, transparent lantern.

Hua Changxi looked toward the other streets and found that every street intersection had two identical lanterns hanging there.