[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-95":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1896869,2531,"Chapter 95: Igniting the Pill Flame","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-95",95,"\u003Cp>Noticing that the wooden plaque flickered both at the Qihuang Hall and on Ninth Street, Hua Changxi grew even more curious about its purpose. Seeing the bustling crowd on Ninth Street, she suppressed the urge to investigate immediately and headed toward Pharmacy Number Twelve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not Hua Changxi's first time visiting Physician Xu. Seeing her dressed again in a laborer's uniform, the gatekeeper assumed Physician Xu had assigned her some task, so he caused no trouble and went to announce her arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Physician Xu came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Xu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi, Physician Xu said helplessly, \"You there, your courage is too great; how did you dare to confront Eunuch Zhou face-to-face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"I could not stand by and watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu shook his head. \"There are countless injustices in this world; can you manage them all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said, \"...I only manage what I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu sighed. \"Have you considered the consequences? If Eunuch Zhou truly intends to move against you, what do you plan to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi snorted with a laugh. \"He wouldn't dare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choked by her self-righteous attitude, Physician Xu soon thought of something and asked, \"Are you truly a cultivator?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded slightly. \"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu seemed hesitant, wanting to ask how Hua Changxi had become a cultivator, yet knowing this was a secret matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the incident at Mount Wuzhi erupted, coupled with frequent hearsay within the Medical Bureau about the Demon-Suppression Bureau executing demons and monsters, the existence of supernatural powers in this world could no longer be concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even though such matters were widely circulated, it remained extremely difficult for them to uncover concrete information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those above seemingly did not wish ordinary people to know these things; they unanimously sealed off the news, allowing it to spread only within their respective circles of contacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was a pharmacist at the Ninth Street pharmacy, he lacked powerful connections; the intelligence he gathered was ambiguous and indistinguishable from falsehoods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi said, \"Uncle Xu, from last year until now, I have been busy and haven't visited you. Are you and Xu Ling both well? Especially Xu Ling—has her excessive sleepiness been resolved?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning Xu Ling, a smile appeared on Physician Xu's face. \"It has been resolved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked curiously, \"How was it resolved?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu explained, \"Last October, Lingling saved an injured monk. While the monk recuperated at the pharmacy, he discovered Lingling's condition and taught her a breathing technique. After Lingling practiced it, her excessive sleepiness immediately lessened significantly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, whenever Lingling felt excessively sleepy, she would seek out the monk, striking the wooden fish and chanting sutras alongside him, and gradually her problem was solved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned upon hearing this. \"A monk? Uncle Xu, the monk Lingling casually saved just happened to be able to cure her excessive sleepiness—isn't that too coincidental?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu paused, then explained, \"Niang, you have not met Master Konghai. Master Konghai is wholeheartedly benevolent and compassionate; though over seventy years old, he makes the four seas his home, all for the purpose of saving all sentient beings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi still felt something was amiss. \"Uncle Xu, based on the information I currently possess, Lingling's excessive sleepiness stems from her bloodline undergoing atavism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This does not necessarily mean your ancestors were snakes; it may also signify that your clan is protected by the Snake God. Once the bloodline undergoes atavism, it can activate the Snake God's divine abilities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The breathing technique that Master Konghai gave Lingling, if I am not mistaken, should be a cultivation method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Xu, you know how rare and hard-to-obtain cultivation methods for martial artists are; those for cultivators are even scarcer. For Master Konghai to simply give one to Lingling like that—is this normal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu was somewhat at a loss for words. \"But... Lingling saved Master Konghai's life.\" After hesitating, he added, \"Niang, since you are a cultivator, could you accompany me to meet Master Konghai? See if he has ulterior motives, so that I may be reassured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi thought for a moment. \"Very well. After your shift ends, I will go with you to your pharmacy to meet this Master Konghai and also examine what cultivation method Lingling is practicing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her agree, Physician Xu breathed a sigh of relief. Although he still wished to believe that the kind-faced Master Konghai was good, he trusted Hua Changxi, whom he had watched grow up, even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Hua Changxi was now a cultivator, if anything were truly amiss, she would surely detect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu patted his chest. \"After you put it that way, I feel somewhat panicked inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled. \"Uncle Xu, it is also possible that I am overthinking it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu said, \"It is better to overthink. The martial artists' world is so dangerous; although I do not understand the cultivators' world, I can imagine it is certainly not easy.\" He paused. \"Even though you are now a cultivator, you must remain cautious; do not make enemies everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take Eunuch Zhou, for instance. The person behind him is after all a noble within the palace. They wield power and influence; if they cannot deal with you, a cultivator, they can certainly deal with your family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled. \"Uncle Xu, I am not so unreliable in my actions; I too have backing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprise showed on Physician Xu's face. He knew the Hua family's situation well: they were marginal figures within the Hua clan. The most powerful branch was the Dingyuan Count's Manor, yet that manor rarely paid them any attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What backing do you have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unclear about Hua Shinu's specific circumstances, Hua Changxi did not wish to elaborate. \"Uncle Xu, you only need to know that I possess trump cards behind me that give others pause.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking thus, a cold light flashed in her eyes. \"Even without such trump cards, whoever dares to harm my family will face my wrath, no matter who they are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the ferocious light in her eyes and the drastic change in Hua Changxi's aura, Physician Xu was shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi retracted her murderous intent, looked at Physician Xu, and took out a handwritten copy of \"Introduction to the Four Arts,\" handing it to him. \"Uncle Xu, although this book discusses pills, formations, talismans, and artifacts, being an introductory text, it contains much common knowledge about cultivators.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It mentions the spiritual meridians cultivators possess, how realms are divided, various spiritual herbs, spiritual fruits, and spiritual ores used as cultivation resources, as well as dangers one might encounter. You may take it to read.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu excitedly accepted the book, feeling warmed that Hua Changxi, considering his difficulty in speaking up, had cared for his dignity. \"Niang, I shall not speak polite words to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled. \"Uncle Xu, then you continue with your work. I still have matters to attend to at the Laborer Hall. I will come find you when your shift ends, and we will return to the pharmacy together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu smiled as he watched Hua Changxi leave, then carefully tucked \"Introduction to the Four Arts\" into his robe before entering the pharmacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That afternoon, at the fourth mark of the Hour of You (18:00), Hua Changxi met Physician Xu at the main gate of the Medical Bureau, and the two returned together to the Xu Family Pharmacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving at the pharmacy, Physician Xu immediately called out to the shophand Wu Shuang: \"Niang has arrived; quickly go call Lingling out to greet our guest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang stood still. \"Proprietor, Lingling went out with Master Konghai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Physician Xu's face turned anxious. \"When did this happen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang replied, \"Early this morning. The moment you left, they departed right after.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Physician Xu's anxiety, Wu Shuang remained somewhat puzzled. \"Proprietor, hasn't Lingling gone out with Master Konghai before? They should return soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Physician Xu immediately turned to Hua Changxi. \"Right, right, Lingling has gone out with Master Konghai before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Wu Shuang. \"Did they say what they went out to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang replied, \"Most likely Master Konghai discovered someone suffering misfortune again and took Lingling along to save them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Physician Xu. \"Uncle Xu, setting aside what kind of person Master Konghai is, do you not fear she might become a nun by having Lingling follow a monk all day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu was stumped by the question. \"I had not thought of that; I only considered... that Master Konghai could cure Lingling's excessive sleepiness, which would benefit her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang interjected, \"Proprietor, I have wanted to say this for some time. Since Master Konghai arrived, Lingling has indeed become... become somewhat... lacking in human warmth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Physician Xu and Hua Changxi turned to look at Wu Shuang, for since Physician Xu had to work at the Medical Bureau, it was actually Wu Shuang who had the most contact with Xu Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean she lacks human feeling?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang felt somewhat afraid under the burning gazes of the two: \"Proprietor, haven't you noticed? Lingling's eyes when she looks at people now are extremely indifferent, as if she has lost all emotion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, this is just my feeling; perhaps Lingling is only like this toward me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words did not comfort Physician Xu; instead, they deepened his worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Wu Shuang: \"In the past, when Lingling went out with Master Konghai, did they always return the same day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shuang nodded: \"Yes, they always returned the same day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said to Physician Xu: \"Uncle Xu, I will have dinner at your home tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu grabbed Hua Changxi with trembling hands: \"Ninth Lady, if that monk Konghai truly has ulterior motives, you must save Lingling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi soothed him: \"Everything is merely our speculation; let us wait until they return to see before jumping to conclusions. Do not frighten yourself prematurely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sky gradually darkened, Physician Xu stood at the entrance of the medicine shop, constantly peering out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the last sliver of light vanished, two figures appeared at the street corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, my father is waiting for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a great distance, Xu Ling saw Physician Xu pacing at the shop entrance; a glimmer of light surfaced in her indifferent eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Monk Konghai frowned briefly, then quickly relaxed his brow and smiled: \"Then let us hurry back; we should not make him worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happiness tinged Xu Ling's voice: \"Master, why has the person we are meant to enlighten not made any move yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk Konghai replied: \"Karmic obstacles are likely still blocking him. There is no rush; we will proceed slowly and surely enlighten him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ling asked again: \"Master, you said I am the guardian of the Snake God, and the person inside Feng'an Ward is the guardian of the Ox God. Besides the Snake God and the Ox God, are there other demon gods?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk Konghai answered: \"Of course there are. The Demon Realm has twelve great demon gods. Alas, they are all still asleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they were still several dozen meters away from the Xu Family Medicine Shop, Monk Konghai suddenly stopped, his expression grave as he stared at the shop: \"Lingling, we will not return to the shop for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he grabbed Xu Ling and turned to leave immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ling struggled: \"If we do not go back, Father will worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk Konghai turned and gave Xu Ling a cold glance; her eyes instantly went blank, and then she obediently followed him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very instant Konghai crushed a teleportation talisman and vanished from the street with Xu Ling, Hua Changxi walked out of the medicine shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Physician Xu pacing anxiously, Hua Changxi intended to comfort him, but just as she stepped out of the shop, she sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy in the distance. She turned to look, yet saw nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned, hesitated for a moment, then quickly moved to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third month in Jingcheng, a gentle breeze blew. As Hua Changxi walked along the street, she could no longer detect that fluctuation of spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Lady, what is wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi suddenly leap away and then wander about the street, Physician Xu panted as he ran over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said: \"Just now I sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy. Uncle Xu, cultivators will become increasingly numerous in the future; try not to go out at night from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Hua Changxi waited until the hour of Zi, yet neither Xu Ling nor Monk Konghai returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu had passed the peak of his anxiety and had now calmed down: \"Master Konghai has stayed at the medicine shop for several months. Apart from having Lingling recite sutras with him, he only takes her to enlighten others. Even if he has ulterior motives, he is unlikely to harm Lingling in the short term.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Lady, you need not wait any longer. Lingling will definitely return home; as soon as she comes back, I will notify you immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his calm demeanor and recalling that the matter of the wooden tablet still awaited her investigation, Hua Changxi did not refuse. After bidding farewell to Physician Xu, she returned to the Medical Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Hua Changxi did not use the back entrance but leaped into the Medical Bureau through its front gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to see whether the lanterns along the nine streets on the Pilgrimage Road would all cause the wooden tablet to flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how Leng Xiangru had stolen elixirs, was quickly discovered, and traced back to the Labor Hall, Hua Changxi deduced that the Medical Bureau must have cultivators stationed there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before beginning her investigation, Hua Changxi changed into night-traveling attire and covered her face with a scarf. Only then did she ride her Somersault Cloud, flying to the T-intersection where First Street met Pilgrimage Road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On both sides of the intersection stood a cylindrical pillar each, and atop each pillar hung a transparent lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the wooden tablet in hand, Hua Changxi passed between the two lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant she passed through the lanterns, green flames suddenly ignited within both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames emitted a rich fragrance of elixirs. Bathed in this scent, Hua Changxi found that certain stagnations she usually encountered while refining pills instantly became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green flames illuminated the night, and green light spread at a speed visible to the naked eye, completely enveloping First Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi was both astonished and terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astonished because the lanterns had ignited without her doing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified because such a massive commotion would surely be discovered by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panicked, Hua Changxi flew onto the pillars, attempting to extinguish the green flames, yet no matter what she did, she could not put them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Hua Changxi already heard noises coming from the Medical Bureau building; soon, several figures flew out from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi paid no more heed to the green flames. Having learned from Leng Xiangru's bitter experience, she rode her Somersault Cloud and fled directly out of the Medical Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the Old Courtyard of the Square, Gu Qiming, the Director of the Medical Bureau, who had been soothing Gu Xing, suddenly stood up, staring in astonishment at the row of wooden tablets hanging on the wall, all of which had begun to glow with white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Gu, what is happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving no response, Gu Qiming looked at Gu Xing, only to find him with his eyes closed, unwilling to say more as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qiming thought for a moment and said: \"Senior Gu, rest assured; from now on, no one will dare to drive you out of this place again...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing suddenly opened his eyes: \"No, you need not stop it. What is meant to come will come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qiming's face showed surprise; previously, Gu Xing had seemed ready to die rather than leave this courtyard, so how had his attitude changed so suddenly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, something has happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tianchou rode his flying sword to the courtyard entrance, leaped off, and rushed inside: \"Master, someone has broken into the Medical Bureau; several masters have already gone in pursuit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Qiming replied: \"Since someone has already gone in pursuit, why bother your master further?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Tianchou walked up to him and whispered, \"The two lanterns on First Street have lit up; you should go over and take a look immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Gu Qiming sharply turned to gaze at Gu Xing, but seeing that he had closed his eyes again, he could only follow Yuan Tianchou away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the two departed, Gu Xing opened his eyes, tears streaming down from the corners like threads: \"This old man has finally waited long enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the vitality constantly surging from the reclining chair beneath him, and watching that vitality rapidly merge into his ruined body, Gu Xing, with tears brimming in his eyes, felt the vigorous life force spreading through his interior.\u003C\u002Fp>",2855,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","b13ab3b7199315cf42293bed9fef30e66b5ffae294a51bed30c61515abf321b9","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-96","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-94",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]