Chapter 51: Pill Saint Hall

Hua Changxi was punished with labor at the San Cha Herb Manor, a matter that caused quite a stir in the Sixth Bureau; when going to the mess hall for meals, Steward Qin and others all advised her to bow her head and admit her mistakes to Eunuch Lu.

It took Hua Changxi considerable effort to dismiss Steward Qin and the others, and before she could even relax, Granny Sun arrived: "Granny Sun."

Granny Sun did not open her mouth to persuade her, merely stating one sentence: "Grandmaster experts guard the herb manors of the Medical Bureau."

Previously, when Hua Changxi forced back Mao Yong and the others, everyone in the Corvée Hall speculated she was a martial artist; she had heard of this matter and could also guess that Hua Changxi likely possessed some means of self-preservation.

However, against a Grandmaster, such limited means of self-preservation were probably insufficient to be taken seriously.

She quite liked this little girl and truly did not wish to see her fall into the mire, so she could not help but come over to offer a reminder.

Upon learning that a Grandmaster guarded the herb manor, Hua Changxi's expression immediately turned serious.

A Grandmaster...

With her current realm, could she deal with a Grandmaster?

Hua Changxi recalled the scenes of confronting Eunuch Yu, as well as the one-armed man brought by Mao Yong; Yu Gui had said that Eunuch Yu was a seventh-rank martial artist, and the one-armed man was likely similar.

The pressure released by the two men had no effect on her whatsoever; although she did not know exactly how strong a Grandmaster was, if a Grandmaster could only release internal force to suppress her, then she should face no danger.

Her main concern was combat power; having never fought anyone before, her combat ability was nearly zero.

Even if she knew some spells, once a fight broke out, victory was not necessarily guaranteed.

However, even if she could not win, self-preservation should not be an issue.

After entering the Qi Sea realm, even though she cultivated every second she could spare, her realm improved extremely slowly; therefore, even if going to the San Cha Herb Valley might entail some danger, she was determined to go and search for the Yuan Spirit Grass.

Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun: "Granny, thank you for telling me this; I will be careful."

Seeing that even the mention of a Grandmaster could not deter Hua Changxi, Granny Sun looked at her deeply: "As long as you have a clear mind about it." Speaking thus, she turned to return to the rear kitchen.

"Granny!"

Hua Changxi called out to stop her.

Granny Sun turned around to look at her: "Is there something else?"

Hua Changxi pulled Granny Sun down to sit: "Granny, do you know that old, dilapidated courtyard over by the square?"

Granny Sun's expression changed sharply as she looked at Hua Changxi: "Why do you ask about this?"

Seeing her reaction, Hua Changxi immediately understood she knew about that courtyard; instead of answering, she countered with a question: "An hunched old man lives in that courtyard; does Granny know who he is?"

Granny Sun silently watched Hua Changxi, and just as Hua Changxi thought she would not answer, she spoke: "That old fellow is named Gu Xing; he is merely a courtyard keeper."

Hua Changxi was not very satisfied with this answer; if the hunched old man were truly just a courtyard keeper, why would Eunuch Yu give up capturing her upon seeing the old man?

Granny Sun said: "That old fellow rarely comes out; even the veterans of the Corvée Hall may not know of him. How do you know about him?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "Yesterday I passed through the square and suddenly felt unwell; I happened to encounter Senior Gu coming out as he opened the door. He probably saw that I could barely walk, so he let me enter the courtyard to rest."

Hearing this, Granny Sun shot up with a 'whoosh' and asked in surprise: "He invited you to rest in his courtyard?"

Seeing her react so strongly, Hua Changxi immediately pressed: "Yes, is there something wrong with that?"

Granny Sun did not answer, merely looking at Hua Changxi with scrutiny, very puzzled as to why Gu Xing would invite such a little girl into his courtyard.

Hua Changxi continued: "That Senior Gu must be very old, and with his back hunched like that, he looks quite terrifying; Granny, he isn't some bad person, is he?"

Granny Sun straightened her expression and sat back down: "That old fellow just looks scary; he is no bad person. If you encounter him again and he invites you into the courtyard, just go in and sit for a while."

Hua Changxi's expression shifted slightly, and she shook her head: "No, I am afraid."

Hearing this, a look of anxiety flashed across Granny Sun's face, quickly hidden again; she looked at Hua Changxi with words on the tip of her tongue, finally sighing: "That old fellow is actually a pitiable person."

Hua Changxi feigned surprise, looking curiously at Granny Sun, waiting for her to continue.

Granny Sun asked: "What do you think of the location chosen for the Medical Bureau?"

Hua Changxi replied: "It is excellent; mountains surround the north, it borders Tonghua Gate to the east, water channels flow through both ends, and the Imperial Palace lies to the west; the location is too good."

Granny Sun nodded: "Do you know that before the court established the Medical Bureau, this place was actually called the Pill Saint Hall, a property belonging to an established noble family?"

Hua Changxi blinked her eyes: "Don't tell me that noble family's surname was Gu?"

Granny Sun said: "Their surname was indeed Gu; the court took a fancy to the Pill Saint Hall and forcibly requisitioned this place."

"After the court took over the Pill Saint Hall, apart from changing the name, nothing else was altered; they only renovated some of the damaged areas."

"The Gu family was a medical family; initially, the court still allowed members of the Gu family to serve in the Medical Bureau, but as the court's control over the Medical Bureau grew stricter, by now, only that old courtyard on the square still belongs to the Gu family, and the Gu family has only Gu Xing left."

Hua Changxi had not expected such a history: "Granny, has that stone cauldron on the square always been there?"

This was what she cared about most.

The Shennong Cauldron rested quietly within her mind; after cultivation, it had merely transmitted the medical inheritance to her, remaining completely inactive throughout.

Yesterday, it was only after seeing the stone cauldron that her head had split with pain, leading to the subsequent summoning of the Shennong Cauldron.

There must be some connection between these two.

Granny Sun nodded: "That stone cauldron is extremely ancient; it seems to be called the Medicine Ancestor Cauldron."

Medicine Ancestor!

Hua Changxi's eyes flashed with light; the Medicine Ancestor recognized by all was only one person: Shennong.

Medicine Ancestor Cauldron, Shennong Cauldron; the names differ, but behind them points to the same person.

Hua Changxi thought of the magnificent palace she had glimpsed in a trance; that hunched old man was certainly not as simple as Granny Sun claimed, and coupled with the suddenly summoned Shennong Cauldron, there must be a great secret hidden here.

Regarding this secret, Hua Changxi was in no hurry to unravel it; for now, she only wished to raise her realm as quickly as possible, for only with sufficient martial strength would she have the confidence to explore this mysterious and unpredictable world.

Afterwards, Hua Changxi did not chat further with Granny Sun, merely reaffirming in her heart that Granny Sun was not simple.

And then there was Su Ruo; yesterday, when she grabbed her wrist, she had sensed the internal force within her; she was a martial artist.

The waters of the Medical Bureau were growing deeper and deeper; all sorts of demons and monsters were emerging.

Since she was to go to the San Cha Herb Manor the day after tomorrow, Hua Changxi considered whether to return home once, but thinking that if her family learned she was punished to go to the herb manor, they would likely either try to stop her or scold her, she abandoned the idea.

Uncertain how long she would stay at the San Cha Herb Manor, Hua Changxi thought for a moment, found Alchemist Xu, and gave him the one hundred Bone-Tempering Pills, fifty Viscera Pills, and fifty Meridian-Clearing Pills she had received from cooperating with Eunuch Yu to refine medicines during the first lunar month, asking him to pass them on to Hua Liulang.

Looking at the pills, Alchemist Xu was greatly surprised: "Ninth Lady, tell me, where did you get these pills?"

Hua Changxi did not hide the truth, briefly explaining the matter of refining medicines for others.

After hearing this, Physician Xu showed surprisingly little reaction.

This somewhat surprised Hua Changxi: "Uncle Xu, I thought you would scold me."

Physician Xu laughed helplessly: "Once you entered the Medical Bureau, you were no longer a child needing family to take responsibility for you. As long as you know what you are doing and can bear the consequences, I will only be happy for you."

Speaking thus, he patted Hua Changxi's shoulder. "Ninth Lady, you have now embarked on the path of taking responsibility for yourself. The road ahead is long, filled with both thorns and flowers; just do not lose yourself."

Hua Changxi smiled. Compared to the various worries of others, she preferred Physician Xu's trust: "Uncle Xu, thank you. I will walk my path well."

"By the way, Uncle Xu, has A-Ling's illness improved?"

Mentioning his daughter, Physician Xu's smile broadened even more: "Mm, after the start of spring, A-Ling has not been so sleepy."

Seeing that Physician Xu did not mention the snake scales, Hua Changxi knew he had reservations, so she did not press further. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, she returned to the Labor Hall.

On the eighteenth day of the second month, carrying a bundle on her back, Hua Changxi left the Sixth Bureau under the worried gazes of Wang Yun and the others, gathering at the back gate of the Medical Bureau.

In total, over a hundred laborers were going to assist at the San Cha Medicinal Manor; all were male laborers, with Hua Changxi being the only female.

As soon as Hua Changxi appeared, everyone's gaze fell upon her.

Feeling the scrutiny of the crowd, Hua Changxi felt uncomfortable in her heart but forced herself to endure it.

She had obtained an opportunity for cultivation and inherited the legacy of Shennong; she had already been greatly favored by fortune. Under such circumstances, if she were to shrink back from seeking cultivation resources, she might as well give up cultivation entirely.

The leader was a tall, burly middle-aged man with a large beard. He glanced at Hua Changxi, checked the headcount against the list, and seeing that everyone had arrived, turned and boarded a carriage.

"Move out!"

The San Cha Medicinal Manor was several dozen kilometers from Jingcheng, yet the convoy had only five cargo carriages; apart from a few stewards, everyone else had to travel on foot.

Walking at the rear of the group, Hua Changxi chose to directly ignore the various subtle scrutinies and whispered conversations of the others.

After leaving the boundaries of Jingcheng, the carriages began to trot, forcing the others to run alongside them.

By noon, the big-bearded man finally ordered everyone to halt for a rest on the spot and began distributing dried rations.

After running for half a day, everyone was panting heavily from exhaustion. The big-bearded man glanced at Hua Changxi, whose complexion remained normal and who was neither rushing nor panting, and appeared somewhat thoughtful.

After eating the dried rations and resting for a quarter of an hour, they resumed their journey.

During the morning session, no one came to trouble Hua Changxi, but in the afternoon, a young steward jumped down from a carriage and approached her with a smile.

Seeing this, everyone wore expressions of those expecting a show.

The big-bearded man also looked over, but he said nothing.

Sha Wenyuan was a second-tier steward under Eunuch Lu, who had specifically instructed him to ensure Hua Changxi suffered enough hardship.

"How could I let a young lady like you run alongside the carriages? Come, sit in the carriage with your brother." Speaking thus, he reached out to grab Hua Changxi's hand.

Hua Changxi looked at Sha Wenyuan expressionlessly. Just as his hand was about to touch her, she grabbed his arm, holding back no strength. With a crisp "crack," she directly snapped his arm.

Then, lifting her right leg, she fiercely kicked Sha Wenyuan's lower leg.

Another "crack" sounded, and Sha Wenyuan's lower leg broke as well.

Hua Changxi flung Sha Wenyuan aside. He fell to the ground, his expression agonized, his features twisted, emitting rapid "he-he" sounds from his throat.

At that moment, the pain was so intense he could not even scream.

Hua Changxi did not stop there. She knew clearly that if she did not intimidate these people thoroughly in one go, endless harassment would await her.

Under the horrified gaze of everyone, Hua Changxi stepped onto Sha Wenyuan's chest.

"Pfft~"

A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from Sha Wenyuan's mouth.

"Stop!"

Seeing that Sha Wenyuan was inhaling more than exhaling, the big-bearded man finally snapped out of his shock, jumped down from the carriage, and rushed over to intervene.

Hua Changxi scanned everyone expressionlessly, then smiled at the big-bearded man: "Rest assured, Steward. I am a healer; I know how to exercise restraint."

"I would not soil my hands or burden myself with a manslaughter case over such a scoundrel."

Speaking thus, she kicked Sha Wenyuan again. "This piece of trash won't die."

The big-bearded man stared at the exceedingly arrogant Hua Changxi, his gaze sharp: "You have immense audacity."

Hua Changxi smiled faintly: "If I did not have great audacity, how would I be here?"

Now that she had left the Medical Bureau, she feared these people no longer. They could not drive her back; at most, they could only punish her by extending her stay at the medicinal manor.

Yet, this outcome suited her intentions perfectly.

The big-bearded man stared at Hua Changxi for a while. Just when everyone thought he would punish her, he turned and walked away without saying a word, merely ordering a few men to carry Sha Wenyuan onto a carriage.

They continued their journey.

As dusk fell, the big-bearded man had dried rations distributed again. After eating, he did not allow anyone to rest but ordered them to continue traveling through the night.

After passing the night, just as the morning light appeared, the group finally arrived at the San Cha Medicinal Manor.

"Steward Zhu."

"Steward Mao."

Every year at this time, the Medical Bureau would send laborers to the medicinal manor to assist in harvesting and planting medicinal herbs. Since this concerned official duties, Mao Yong had been waiting early.

"You have traveled for a day and a night; you brothers have worked hard. The medicinal manor has already prepared food. Come, follow me to eat first. After eating, rest for a day, and we begin work tomorrow."

Mao Yong led the group into the medicinal manor, but upon seeing Hua Changxi behind the crowd, the smile on his face instantly froze.

When Hua Changxi met his gaze, she offered him a friendly smile.

Seeing this, Mao Yong quickly averted his eyes, grabbed the big-bearded man, and asked: "What is going on? Why is there a female laborer?"

Zhu Yu glanced at Hua Changxi: "She offended Eunuch Lu and was punished to come here for labor."

Hearing this, Mao Yong's heart stirred. Previously, in the Medical Bureau's warehouse, he had been coerced by this little girl into apologizing publicly; a knot had remained in his heart ever since. Now that this girl had come to his territory, he had to find an opportunity to reclaim his lost face.

However, the next moment, upon seeing Sha Wenyuan, covered in injuries and being carried off the carriage, and learning that this man had his arms and legs broken and three ribs crushed by Hua Changxi, Mao Yong felt his scalp tighten.

Nevertheless, recalling that a Grandmaster was stationed at the medicinal manor, Mao Yong's expression improved slightly.

He did not believe this girl would dare to injure people casually under the Grandmaster's very nose.