Chapter 98: Key

After Zhou Qiuyu and the others left, Hua Changxi quickly took down the wooden plaque.

This time, the wooden plaque had undergone a slight change—the sword pattern on it had become increasingly clear.

When she lit her Dan fire, the sword pattern appeared; after giving lectures in the Qihuang Hall, the sword pattern deepened...

Hua Changxi then looked at the four extra images on the stone wall; the illustrations were quite straightforward, clearly depicting the four diagnostic procedures: observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and pulse-taking.

"It seems the Qihuang Hall really is a place for giving lectures."

Hua Changxi stared at the sword pattern on the wooden plaque: "But what use is this sword pattern?"

Although she was still completely baffled about the function of the wooden plaque, after confirming that the Qihuang Hall was a place for teaching and transmitting the Dao, it at least pointed her in the direction for further exploration.

Hall Nine was the place for explaining 'observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and pulse-taking'—what about the other halls?

Hua Changxi quickly left the courtyard, and as she passed the stone pillar at the entrance, she saw a silver-white sword pattern emerging beneath the character 'Nine'.

"This is..."

Looking at the sword pattern on the stone pillar, Hua Changxi's eyes widened wide. First she was stunned for a moment, then a gleam of light shone in her eyes.

She had unlocked the function of Qihuang Hall Number Nine, so was this sword pattern a marker?

Since the mark had been made, did that mean Hall Number Nine was now her lecture hall?

Thinking of this, Hua Changxi's gaze toward the neighboring Qihuang Hall became incomparably fervent.

The Medical Department hid many secrets. Although she was currently muddled and didn't understand many things clearly, that didn't matter—she could take over territory first.

She couldn't get a hand in the Nine Streets Medicine Shops, but she could first occupy the nine Qihuang Halls on the Miscellaneous Servants' Hall side.

Hua Changxi walked somewhat eagerly to Qihuang Hall Number Eight. As she passed the stone pillar, she discovered that the wooden plaque did not flash at all.

"What's going on now?"

Earlier, when she had entered and exited Qihuang Hall Number Eight, the wooden plaque had clearly been flashing.

Hua Changxi then hurried to Qihuang Hall Number Seven, but the wooden plaque still did not flash.

"The sword pattern was marked on Hall Number Nine, so the wooden plaque is useless for the other halls?"

If that was the case, then Hua Changxi knew the function of the wooden plaque.

It was the key to entering and exiting the Qihuang Halls!

Hua Changxi thought of the row of wooden plaques hanging on the old courtyard wall of the plaza, and a surge of impulse rose in her heart to take all the wooden plaques for herself.

The moment this thought arose, in her dantian Qi sea—which Hua Changxi did not notice—the black flame beneath her inner core suddenly increased in size by a few degrees.

Hua Changxi was unaware of the black flame's growth. At that moment, she only had one feeling: the urge to possess all the wooden plaques was growing stronger and stronger.

Hua Changxi always acted according to her heart. Since the desire in her heart was so strong, she would just go do it.

Thus, Hua Changxi actually went to the old courtyard in the plaza.

When Hua Changxi arrived at the plaza, the sky was already beginning to darken. Seeing the open gate of the old courtyard, she still stepped forward and walked inside.

Gu Xing heard the noise and opened his eyes. Seeing it was Hua Changxi, he was somewhat surprised.

Seeing him look over, Hua Changxi quickly greeted him with a smile: "Old sir, have you had dinner yet?"

Gu Xing was taken aback for a moment. To prevent his body from further deteriorating, he had not eaten normal meals for a long time, only consuming fasting pills. Suddenly being greeted like this, he felt a bit unaccustomed and said with a wry smile: "I ate. And you?"

Hua Changxi glanced at the empty courtyard, seeing no cooking utensils: "I ate too." As she spoke, she walked to the stone table in the yard, waved her hand, and a pile of spiritual fruits appeared on the stone table.

"These fruits taste pretty good to me. I specially brought them for you to try."

Gu Xing looked at the spiritual fruits on the stone table, his eyes flickering.

Although they were only first-grade spiritual fruits, the variety was quite abundant. This girl had probably already seized some territory.

Smelling the fragrant spiritual fruits, Gu Xing had to admit he was a bit tempted. He propped himself up with his cane, stood up, walked to the stone table, picked up a fruit, and began to eat: "Very delicious. Thank you for thinking of me."

Hua Changxi smiled and waved her hand: "You're welcome. If you like them, I'll bring you more in the future."

Gu Xing noticed that Hua Changxi's gaze kept drifting toward the wooden plaques. Although somewhat puzzled, he didn't ask and just sat at the stone table eating fruits.

Seeing him enjoying his meal, Hua Changxi probed with a smile: "Senior, what exactly is the use of the wooden plaques?"

Gu Xing smiled at her and shook his head. "This old man is just a gatekeeper."

Hua Changxi, seeing that he wouldn't reveal anything, pressed on: "You've lived so long, you must know far more than I do. Why not tell me a little?"

Gu Xing looked at her. "Girl, opportunities must be sought on one's own. Don't think about taking shortcuts. If this old man really knew something, would it be your turn to ask?"

Hua Changxi still didn't believe him. "You've been guarding this courtyard all along — how could you know nothing?"

Gu Xing repeated, "This old man is just a gatekeeper. I'm only responsible for guarding the gate."

Hua Changxi saw that he wouldn't say anything and had no choice. "Old sir, I really like those wooden plaques hanging on the wall. I'll go take a few more."

Without waiting for Gu Xing's response, Hua Changxi walked toward the wall.

Seeing this, Gu Xing was about to say that a person could only take one plaque, but before the words left his mouth, he saw Hua Changxi take down another one. He was so stunned that his mouth fell open.

Seeing that Hua Changxi intended to keep taking plaques, he called out urgently, "Girl, don't be greedy."

This time, Hua Changxi did not take down the plaque.

When she had taken the first two plaques, it had cost her no effort at all. But when it came to the third, the plaque felt as heavy as a mountain.

"Why can't I take it down?"

Gu Xing hobbled over to her on his walking stick. He looked at the plaque she had just taken, was silent for a moment, then turned to Hua Changxi. "Where is the plaque you took yesterday? Let this old man have a look."

The plaque from yesterday now had a sword pattern on it, and Hua Changxi didn't want to show it. "I'm not carrying it on me."

Gu Xing looked at her. "…Bite off more than you can chew."

Hua Changxi disagreed. "The plaques are hanging here for people to take, aren't they? I'm taking them with my own ability. How is that greedy?"

This made Gu Xing pause for a moment. After a silence, he said, "What you say makes sense, but girl…"

Gu Xing pointed at the plaque in Hua Changxi's hand. "Though a plaque is light, it still has weight."

Seeing that his words were vague and roundabout, Hua Changxi said directly, "Old sir, my mind is slow. Could you please speak more plainly? Is there a price I have to pay for taking this plaque?"

Gu Xing said, "This old man has never possessed a plaque. I neither know its benefits nor its drawbacks."

Hua Changxi looked at him. "Do you think I believe that?"

Gu Xing was a little surprised by her bluntness. He laughed. "Girl, between people, there should be a little more trust."

Hua Changxi gave a dry laugh. "Old sir, it's getting late. You should rest early. I'll be going now."

Watching Hua Changxi's retreating figure, Gu Xing looked at the remaining eight plaques on the wall, bewildered. "Isn't it one plaque per person? How could that girl take two?"

Gu Xing sighed. Dynasties had changed, and the Gu family had lost many things. The ancient texts that survived were incomplete. By the time they reached his hands, even less remained.

His understanding of the Alchemy Saint Hall really wasn't much greater than anyone else's.