Chapter 48: Meeting Gu Jinfan Again

Eunuch Lu was desperate to break through to the fourth rank and become a fifth-rank martial artist; upon learning that Hua Changxi could refine pills, he immediately had her wait in the courtyard while he went out, returning shortly with three portions of ingredients for refining Meridian-Clearing Pills.

These ingredients were not discarded rejects but perfectly processed, intact medicinal herbs.

That Eunuch Yu could access some discarded herbs did not surprise Hua Changxi much; since they were waste anyway, whether merchants hauled them away for disposal or lower stewards embezzled them, it harmed no superior's interests, so the higher-ups paid little attention.

Yet Eunuch Lu had embezzled fully processed ingredients, which were supposed to be turned over to the Medicine Vault.

Hua Changxi was somewhat astonished: was a mere steward of the Labor Hall, and not even the head steward, truly so powerful?

Alarmed as she was, Hua Changxi did not inquire about the source of the herbs; sensibly playing her role, she remained merely a lowly laborer who followed orders to refine pills.

Watching Hua Changxi refine pills for the first time, Eunuch Lu observed her skilled and fluid techniques, and his regard for her deepened further.

This Hua Changxi possessed expertise in pill refinement far deeper than he had imagined.

Proficient in the properties of herbs, capable of neutralizing poisons and refining medicines, she could rival not only the apprentices of the Apprentice Hall but likely even the prospective disciples of the Disciple Hall.

For someone like this to serve as a laborer in the Labor Hall, she must certainly harbor some ulterior motive.

Pondering this, Eunuch Lu resolved that henceforth he must instruct Steward Leng to keep a closer watch on Hua Changxi.

From one portion of ingredients, ten Meridian-Clearing Pills could be refined; with three portions, Hua Changxi produced thirty pills, and without waiting for Eunuch Lu to speak, she took twelve for herself before handing him the remaining eighteen.

Seeing this, Eunuch Lu's expression soured somewhat, yet noting that Hua Changxi had used nearly half the amount of ingredients required by the Medical Bureau, he ultimately said nothing.

"Return to your duties; when pill refinement is needed, this Eunuch will send someone to notify you."

Holding the pills, Hua Changxi departed and, upon returning to the Sixth Bureau, sought out Du Ruo: "Steward Du, Eunuch Lu has withdrawn his order assigning me extra tasks; from now on, I shall continue cleaning five hundred medicinal herbs."

Knowing Hua Changxi had visited Eunuch Lu early that morning, Du Ruo merely gave a faint "Hmm" upon hearing this: "The Labor Hall cannot tolerate those who are too clever; take care of yourself."

Though Hua Changxi did not agree with Du Ruo's view, she recognized the good intent behind the words and offered no argument, turning instead to fetch her herbs from the warehouse.

As she neared the warehouse, spotting several figures emerging from within, Hua Changxi's complexion suddenly changed drastically, and she swiftly darted behind a nearby cart to hide.

Only after those individuals had walked far away did Hua Changxi emerge from behind the cart, her expression grave.

It was her!

The young lady who had contested the red stone with the red-robed demonic Daoist on the sacrificial platform!

"Brother Yu!"

Hua Changxi approached Yu Gui and asked curiously, "Brother Yu, who were those people just now? The warehouse staff seemed somewhat afraid of them."

Yu Gui made no attempt to conceal the truth: "They are from the Number One Pharmacy on Second Street; the young lady leading them is Gu Jinfan, the newly accepted disciple of Apothecary Tong and the Seventh Young Lady of the Marquis of Xin's household."

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered: "So she is indeed a young lady from the Duke's mansion."

The Hua family and the Marquis of Xin's household had no connection whatsoever; why would Gu Jinfan know her?

Yu Gui continued, "Changxi, I hear that Gu Jinfan is also highly skilled in pill refinement; Apothecary Tong is one of the most formidable apothecaries in the Medical Bureau, and none of his disciples are anything less than master refiners."

Hua Changxi cared little for that; her concern lay elsewhere: "Brother Yu, aren't there dedicated personnel who deliver herbs to the various pharmacies on Second Street? Why did they come personally to the warehouse?"

At this question, Yu Gui's expression suddenly turned serious: "Sister Changxi, tell me the truth: what exactly were those withered herbs you took before?"

Hua Changxi countered with a question of her own: "Did they come looking for those withered herbs?"

Yu Gui looked at her and nodded: "Yes; Apothecary Tong is the most enthusiastic researcher of new medicines within the Medical Bureau; whenever new herbs arrive, a portion must be sent to him."

"Didn't people from the San Cha Pharmacy escort a batch of herbs here yesterday? Among them were two baskets of the withered herbs you wanted; I know not how they learned of it, but upon arriving today, they immediately asked me for those withered herbs."

"I had originally planned to give you those two baskets of withered herbs today, but now they have taken them all."

"Moreover, that Gu Jinfan asked me how the withered herbs from before had been disposed of."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi's demeanor tightened: "And how did you reply?"

Yu Gui answered, "Naturally, I said they were disposed of as waste herbs." Then, pausing briefly, he probed again, "Sister, what exactly is that herb?"

Hua Changxi gazed at him: "It is a new medicine with certain extraordinary effects."

Yu Gui immediately pressed, "What extraordinary effects?"

Hua Changxi replied, "If you consume it, your body will explode and you will die."

Even when withered, the Yuan Spirit Grass retained a trace of spiritual energy; since spiritual power is far more formidable than internal force, ordinary people lacking spiritual meridians and unable to absorb it would find the lingering spiritual energy bursting their bodies apart.

Yu Gui's face stiffened: "Is that truly so?"

Hua Changxi said, "If you doubt me, the next time San Cha Pharmacy delivers withered herbs, you may try it yourself."

Yu Gui hastily shook his head: "Then let us forget it."

After a moment of silence, Hua Changxi spoke: "Brother Yu, I must ask a favor of you: do not tell anyone about the withered herbs I took."

Seeing her utterly serious expression, Yu Gui wished to ask the reason but hesitated and finally refrained: "Rest assured; I will tell no one."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Thank you."

Thereafter, Hua Changxi engaged in no further idle chatter with Yu Gui; after collecting her five hundred medicinal herbs, she returned to the Sixth Bureau.

As soon as she left, Yu Gui summoned Wan Xiaozhou and ordered him to catch a live chicken from the kitchen and bring it to his room.

"Brother Yu, what do you need a live chicken for?"

Yu Gui gave no reply; instead, he chopped up a half-withered Yuan Spirit Grass he had hidden and fed it to the chicken.

After consuming it, within mere breaths, the chicken began bleeding from all seven orifices, then its skin split and flesh tore, until finally, with a loud bang, its body exploded.

"Ah~"

Gazing at the chicken fragments splattered throughout the room, both Yu Gui and Wan Xiaozhou turned pale with fright.

"Brother Yu, what exactly is that withered herb?"

Yu Gui swallowed hard: "Sister Changxi's words were indeed true!"

When Hua Changxi had previously requested the withered herbs, he had not paid much attention; only today, when Gu Jinfan personally came to inquire about them, did he realize those withered herbs were extraordinary.

When handing over the withered herbs to Gu Jinfan, he could not resist secretly hiding a few stalks.

He had assumed they were some precious medicine, never expecting them to be life-threatening herbs.

Meanwhile, back in the Sixth Bureau cleaning herbs, Hua Changxi felt somewhat distracted.

She had not expected that the young lady who contested the red stone with the red-robed demonic Daoist was actually a young lady from the Duke's mansion, and now, just like herself, she was also within the Medical Bureau.

She had obtained the opportunity tied to the Red Stone, and now she feared encountering Gu Jinfan again, lest she discover what had happened.

For the sake of that opportunity, the Red-Robed Daoist Demon had leaped straight into the magma, risking his very life; if Gu Jinfan learned she had claimed it, her reaction would be impossible to predict.

A thick sense of crisis welled up within Hua Changxi's heart.

Gu Jinfan had taken the Yuan Spirit Grass, clearly indicating she understood its medicinal effects.

"So, is Gu Jinfan also a cultivator?"

Hua Changxi glanced at her own realm data: [Realm: Qi Sea Stage/].

Gu Jinfan was a young lady of the Duke Prefecture, wielding power and influence; furthermore, as the disciple of the most formidable alchemist in the Medicine Bureau, she possessed far more knowledge of cultivation and far greater resources than Hua Changxi did.

Hua Changxi felt her own cultivation realm likely could not compare to Gu Jinfan's.

Although she knew some arts, they were merely alchemical techniques; she did not know how to wield spiritual energy for actual combat.

She could not fight her way out, nor did she possess comparable power or influence.

Avoidance was her only option!

Hua Changxi's brows knotted together; should she leave the Medicine Bureau?

Gu Jinfan's understanding of cultivation was certainly superior to hers; the fact that she had come to the Medicine Bureau indicated it contained something she desired.

Alchemist Tong researched new medicines; for a young lady of the Duke Prefecture to become an alchemist's disciple clearly meant she was targeting those new formulations.

Thus, her earlier speculation had been correct: the Medicine Bureau was indeed gathering various spiritual plants.

Hua Changxi did not wish to leave the Medicine Bureau; aside from it being the easiest place to access spiritual plants, this position counted as employment, and the work aligned perfectly with her own interests.

Human capability ultimately has its limits; one requires a suitable platform to unleash that potential, and the Medicine Bureau was clearly an excellent such platform.

If she would not leave, then she could only lie low for the time being.

Pure cultivation advancement was simply too slow; Hua Changxi had long sought an opportunity to visit the San Cha Medicine Valley to gather Yuan Spirit Grass.

Now that the second month had arrived, the Labor Hall would soon dispatch laborers to assist with planting medicinal herbs at various medicine farms and valleys; if she were sent to San Cha Medicine Valley, she could not only avoid Gu Jinfan but also seize the chance to search for Yuan Spirit Grass.

"How can I get assigned to San Cha Medicine Valley?"

Just as Hua Changxi pondered how to secure an assignment to San Cha Medicine Farm, Eunuch Lu, after consuming three Meridian-Clearing Pills refined by Hua Changxi, successfully broke through to the Fourth Rank in merely seven days.

Upon becoming a Fifth Rank martial artist, Eunuch Lu felt no gratitude toward Hua Changxi; instead, he urgently desired to keep her under his control, forcing her to refine pills for him so he could earn more silver.

To this end, Eunuch Lu sought out Eunuch Yu, proposing a partnership.

Eunuch Yu had no desire to surrender forty percent of the profits: "Hua Changxi is a martial artist; I cannot do anything to her by force."

Eunuch Lu laughed: "Eunuch Yu, this is the Medicine Bureau! When has working within a government office ever depended on an individual's martial prowess?"

Hearing this, Eunuch Yu's expression shifted.

Eunuch Lu continued: "She is merely a laborer; whether she remains in the Labor Hall or not depends entirely on a single word from me. If Hua Changxi wishes to stay, she must obey us."

"Moreover, we provide the medicinal ingredients; without them, what use is her alchemical skill, no matter how superb? We have already shown great mercy by not charging her silver for using our materials to practice her craft."

In Eunuch Lu's view, Hua Changxi, being just a laborer, lacked any power to bargain with them; were it not for the unavoidable need to requisition materials from the warehouse, he would have cast aside even Eunuch Yu.

Persuaded, Eunuch Yu smiled at Eunuch Lu: "I will have someone summon Hua Changxi immediately; you may speak with her yourself."

Eunuch Lu replied: "Not yet; let us first settle the division of profits between us."

When the topic of profit-sharing arose, Eunuch Yu immediately grew serious; after several rounds of bargaining, both reluctantly accepted an equal fifty-fifty split.

Once the profit division was settled, Eunuch Yu dispatched Yu Gui to fetch Hua Changxi.

Upon seeing Eunuch Lu arrive, Yu Gui had already sensed something amiss; now, his premonition had come true.

If Hua Changxi, who provided the technique, received no share of the profits, then he certainly would receive none either.

At this moment, Yu Gui truly hated Eunuch Lu; without the pills, how could he continue his martial training? Yet he possessed no authority to object and could only steel himself to find Hua Changxi.

"Brother Yu, what is wrong?"

Fuming, Yu Gui told Hua Changxi about Eunuch Lu approaching Eunuch Yu.

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi was somewhat surprised by the eunuchs' greed; previously, Eunuch Yu had sought to coerce her with force, and now Eunuch Lu sought to coerce her with authority.

Expecting a horse to run without feeding it grass—where in this world could such a good deal be found?

Seeing Hua Changxi remain silent, Yu Gui thought for a moment before warning: "Sister, if you wish to remain in the Labor Hall, you had best not clash head-on with Eunuch Lu."

Hua Changxi was naturally angry, yet not entirely consumed by rage.

Female laborers were generally not dispatched to assist at medicine farms or valleys unless they had offended the stewards.

She had been worrying about how to reach San Cha Medicine Valley; was this not like finding a pillow just as one felt sleepy?

"Brother Yu, I certainly have no intention of working for free; later, if I come into conflict with the two eunuchs, do not speak up on my behalf."

Hearing this, Yu Gui grew anxious: "Sister, do not do anything foolish!"

Hua Changxi said: "Brother Yu, listen to me; did I not tell you before that I wished to visit the medicine farms? I was entirely serious."

Yu Gui, both anxious and bewildered, asked: "Everyone avoids those places like the plague; why are you determined to rush straight into them?"

Hua Changxi offered no explanation: "Brother Yu, when we stand before the two eunuchs shortly, just mention frequently the conflict between me and Mao Yong and Mao Wei; if you can persuade them not to punish me by sending me to San Cha Medicine Farm, I will be eternally grateful."

"Let us go; you have been away too long already; do not let Eunuch Yu grow angry with you."

Seeing that Hua Changxi was serious, truly intending to clash head-on with the two eunuchs, Yu Gui spent the entire journey trying to dissuade her.

Soon, the two arrived at Qihuang Hall Number Nine.

Eunuch Lu got straight to the point: "Hua Changxi, Eunuch Yu and I have discussed the matter; your share of the profits is far too large. Henceforth, we will give you one hundred taels of silver monthly; you need only focus on refining pills for us."

Hua Changxi looked at him and asked: "Eunuch Lu, what if I do not agree?"

Eunuch Lu laughed: "If you do not agree, then you can no longer remain in the Labor Hall."

Hua Changxi replied: "I was recruited by Eunuch Jia; if you wish to drive me out, I shall seek justice from Eunuch Jia himself."

Eunuch Lu feared no one except Eunuch Jia; upon hearing Hua Changxi invoke his name, his face immediately darkened: "Hua Changxi, you are merely a laborer; one hundred taels of silver monthly is already a high income many dream of obtaining; do not be so insatiably greedy."

Hua Changxi said: "Since the eunuchs consider me greedy, then you may seek other alchemists to refine your pills." With that, she turned to leave.

Eunuch Lu slammed his hand down, shattering the table: "Presumptuous! Do you truly believe this one dares not expel you from the Labor Hall?"

Hua Changxi's expression turned cold: "Eunuch Lu, if you refuse to follow the rules, you had best not leave the Medical Bureau, or an accident will occur."

Seeing Hua Changxi directly threaten Eunuch Lu, Yu Gui was so frightened that his legs trembled.

Eunuch Lu was so enraged that his face turned iron-blue.

Eunuch Yu had anticipated from the start that matters would not proceed smoothly, yet he had not expected Hua Changxi to be so unyielding.

In a fight, they might not win.

Using authority to crush others proved ineffective since she felt no fear; how else could this be handled?