Chapter 51: Dan Sheng Hall
Hua Changxi was punished by being sent to Sancha Medicine Farm for labor. This caused quite a stir in the Sixth Bureau. When she went to the canteen for meals, Steward Qin and others advised her to bow down to Eunuch Lu and admit her mistake.
Hua Changxi spent a lot of effort to send Steward Qin and the others away. Before she could catch her breath, Granny Sun arrived. “Granny Sun.”
Granny Sun did not try to persuade her, but simply said, “The Medicine Farms of the Medical Affairs Department all have Grandmasters stationed there.”
Previously, when Hua Changxi forced Mao Yong and others to retreat, the people in the Labor Department had all speculated that she was a Martial Artist. She had heard about this and could guess that Hua Changxi might have some self-preservation abilities.
However, this little bit of self-preservation ability would likely be insufficient against a Grandmaster.
She quite liked this young girl and truly did not want to see her fall into a mire. She couldn’t help but come over to remind her.
Upon learning that the Medicine Farm had Grandmasters stationed there, Hua Changxi’s expression immediately became serious.
Grandmaster.
At her current Realm, could she deal with a Grandmaster?
Hua Changxi recalled the scenes of confrontation with Eunuch Yu and the one-armed man brought by Mao Yong. Yu Hui 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 had no effect on her. Although she didn’t know how strong a Grandmaster truly was, if a Grandmaster could only suppress her by releasing Internal Energy, then she should be safe.
Her main concern was the combat power of a Grandmaster. Having never fought anyone before, her combat power was almost zero.
Even if she knew some spells, she might not be able to win a fight.
However, even if she couldn’t win, she should be able to protect herself.
After entering the Qi Sea Realm, even if she cultivated with every moment she could spare, her Realm advancement was very slow. Therefore, even if going to Sancha Medicine Valley might involve some danger, she was determined to find Spirit Grass.
Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun. “Granny, thank you for telling me this. I will be careful.”
Seeing that even Grandmasters couldn’t scare Hua Changxi away, Granny Sun looked at her deeply. “It’s good that you have it in mind.” With that, she was about to return to the kitchen.
“Granny!”
Hua Changxi called out to her.
Granny Sun turned around and looked at her. “Is there something else?”
Hua Changxi pulled Granny Sun to sit down. “Granny, do you know about that old courtyard by the Plaza?”
Granny Sun’s expression changed drastically, and she looked at Hua Changxi. “Why are you asking about this?”
Seeing her reaction, Hua Changxi immediately understood that she knew about the courtyard. She didn’t ask back, “There’s a hunched old man living in that courtyard. Do you know who he is, Granny?”
Granny Sun silently looked at Hua Changxi. Just as Hua Changxi thought she wouldn’t answer, she spoke, “That old fellow is called Gu Xing. He’s just a caretaker.”
Hua Changxi was not satisfied with this answer. If the hunched old man was truly just a caretaker, why would Eunuch Yu give up capturing her after seeing the old man?
Granny Sun: “That old fellow rarely comes out. Even the old timers in the Labor Department might not know him. How do you know him?”
Hua Changxi smiled. “Yesterday, I was passing by the Plaza and suddenly felt unwell. I happened to meet Senior Gu as he was opening the door. He probably saw that I couldn’t even walk, so he let me rest in his courtyard.”
Upon hearing this, Granny Sun shot up and asked in surprise, “He invited you to rest in his courtyard?”
Seeing her strong reaction, Hua Changxi immediately pressed, “Yes, is there something wrong with that?”
Granny Sun did not answer, but looked at Hua Changxi with inquiry, very puzzled as to why Gu Xing would invite such a young girl into his courtyard.
Hua Changxi continued, “That Senior Gu must be very old, and his back is so hunched, he looks quite frightening. Granny, he’s not a bad person, is he?”
Granny Sun’s expression straightened, and she sat back down. “That old fellow just looks frightening; he’s not a bad person. If you meet him again next time, and he invites you into his courtyard, you should go in and sit for a while.”
Hua Changxi’s expression shifted, and she shook her head. “No, I’m scared.”
Upon hearing this, a look of anxiety flashed across Granny Sun’s face, which she quickly concealed. She looked at Hua Changxi as if she had something to say but hesitated, finally sighing, “That old fellow is actually a pitiable person.”
Hua Changxi feigned surprise and looked at Granny Sun curiously, waiting for her to continue.
Granny Sun: “What do you think of the location of the Medical Affairs Department?”
Hua Changxi: “It’s excellent. It’s surrounded by mountains to the north, borders Tonghua Gate to the east, with canals flowing on both ends, and the Imperial Palace to the west. The location is superb.”
Granny Sun nodded. “Do you know that before the Imperial Court established the Medical Affairs Department, this place was actually called Dan Sheng Hall, and it was the property of an old Noble Family.”
Hua Changxi blinked. “This Noble Family wouldn’t happen to be surnamed Gu, would it?”
Granny Sun: “It was indeed surnamed Gu. The Imperial Court coveted Dan Sheng Hall and forcibly took it.”
“After the Imperial Court took over Dan Sheng Hall, apart from changing its name, nothing else was altered. They only renovated some damaged areas.”
“The Gu family was a family of pharmacists. Initially, the Imperial Court even allowed members of the Gu family to serve in the Medical Affairs Department. But as the Imperial Court’s control over the Medical Affairs Department became stricter, now only the old courtyard on the Plaza still belongs to the Gu family, and only Gu Xing remains of the Gu family.”
Hua Changxi did not expect such a thing. “Granny, was that Stone Cauldron in the Plaza always there?”
This was what she cared about most.
The Shen Nong Cauldron stayed well in her mind. After cultivating, it only passed down the Medical Skills Inheritance to her, and had been silent all this time.
Yesterday, it was only after she looked at the Stone Cauldron that she had a splitting headache, and then she summoned the Shen Nong Cauldron.
There must be some connection between these two.
Granny Sun nodded. “That Stone Cauldron is very old. I think it’s called the Medicine Ancestor Cauldron.”
Medicine Ancestor!
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered. The Medicine Ancestor, the one universally recognized as the Medicine Ancestor, was Shen Nong.
Medicine Ancestor Cauldron, Shen Nong Cauldron. The names were different, but they both pointed to the same person.
Hua Changxi thought of the magnificent palace she had glimpsed in a daze. That hunched old man was definitely not as simple as Granny Sun described. Coupled with the suddenly summoned Shen Nong Cauldron, there must be a great secret hidden here.
Hua Changxi was not in a hurry to unravel this secret. As she was now, she only wanted to improve her Realm as quickly as possible. Only with sufficient Martial Force would she have the confidence to explore this mystical and unpredictable World.
Afterward, Hua Changxi didn’t chat much more with Granny Sun, but she inwardly reaffirmed that Granny Sun was not simple.
And that Su Ruoli, when she grabbed her wrist yesterday, she sensed the Internal Energy within her. She was a Martial Artist.
The waters of the Medical Affairs Department were getting deeper and deeper, with all sorts of strange characters appearing.
Since she was going to Sancha Medicine Farm the day after tomorrow, Hua Changxi considered going home for a visit. But the moment she thought that her family would likely try to stop her or scold her if they knew she was being punished and sent to the Medicine Farm, she abandoned the idea.
Not knowing how long she would be at Sancha Medicine Farm, Hua Changxi thought about it and found Pharmacist Xu. She gave him the one hundred Bone Strengthening Pills, fifty Viscera Strengthening Pills, and fifty Meridian Opening Pills that she had received from cooperating with Eunuch Yu in Alchemy during the first lunar month, asking him to help pass them on to Hua Liulang.
Pharmacist Xu looked at the Pills, very surprised. “Jiu Niang, tell me, where did you get these Pills?”
Hua Changxi did not hide it, and simply explained that she had been refining Pills for others.
Pharmacist Xu did not react too strongly after hearing this.
This surprised Hua Changxi a little. “Uncle Xu, I thought you would scold me.”
Pharmacist Xu chuckled. “Once you enter the Medical Affairs Department, you are no longer a child who needs your family to be responsible for you. As long as you know what you are doing and can bear the consequences, I will only be happy for you.”
He said, patting Hua Changxi’s shoulder, “Jiu Niang, you have now embarked on a path of taking responsibility for yourself. The road ahead is long, with thorns and flowers. Just don’t lose yourself.”
Hua Changxi smiled. Compared to others’ various worries, she preferred Pharmacist 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, Pharmacist Xu’s smile widened. “Yes, after spring began, A Ling hasn’t been as sleepy.”
Seeing that Pharmacist Xu didn’t mention the snake scales, Hua Changxi knew he was sensitive about it, so she didn’t ask further. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she returned to the Labor Department.
On the eighteenth of the second lunar month, Hua Changxi, carrying a bundle, left the Sixth Bureau amidst the worried gazes of Wang Yun Chu and others, and gathered at the back door of the Medical Affairs Department.
There were a total of over a hundred Laborers going to help at Sancha Medicine Farm, all of them male Laborers, with Hua Changxi being the only female.
As soon as Hua Changxi appeared, all eyes fell on her.
Feeling the scrutiny of everyone, Hua Changxi felt uncomfortable but suppressed it.
She had obtained a cultivation opportunity and Shen Nong’s inheritance. She had already been greatly blessed with a cheat. Under such circumstances, if she were to retreat from seeking Cultivation Resources, she might as well give up on cultivating.
The leader was a burly middle-aged man with a beard. The bearded man glanced at Hua Changxi, checked the list, and seeing that everyone had arrived, turned and got into the carriage.
“Depart!”
Sancha Medicine Farm was tens of kilometers away from the Capital City. However, there were only five cargo carriages in the group. Apart from a few Stewards, everyone else had to walk.
Hua Changxi walked at the back of the group, choosing to directly ignore the various veiled glances and whispers from others.
After leaving the Capital City’s Territory, the carriages began to move, and the others had to run along.
At noon, the bearded man finally stopped the group, allowing them to rest on the spot and then began distributing Dry Rations.
After running for half a day, everyone was panting with exhaustion. The bearded man glanced at Hua Changxi, whose complexion was normal and who was not out of breath, and seemed lost in thought.
After eating the Dry Rations and resting for fifteen minutes, they resumed their journey.
In the morning, no one bothered Hua Changxi. But in the afternoon, a young Steward jumped down from a carriage and approached Hua Changxi with a smile.
Seeing this, everyone showed expressions of watching a good show.
The bearded man also looked over, but he didn’t say anything.
Sha Wenyuan was the Second Steward under Eunuch Lu, and Eunuch Lu had specifically instructed him to make Hua Changxi suffer.
“How can I let a Young Woman like you run with the carriages? Come, come with big brother and ride in the carriage.” As he spoke, 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 and, without holding back, with a “crack,” directly broke his arm.
Then, she raised her right leg and fiercely kicked Sha Wenyuan’s lower leg.
With another “crack~,” Sha Wenyuan’s lower leg also broke.
Hua Changxi flung Sha Wenyuan away. Sha Wenyuan fell to the ground, his expression contorted in pain, making rapid ‘huk huk’ sounds from his throat.
At this moment, he was in so much pain that he couldn’t even scream.
Hua Changxi did not stop there. She knew very well that if she didn’t establish dominance in one go, she would face endless harassment.
Under everyone’s horrified gaze, Hua Changxi stepped on Sha Wenyuan’s chest.
“Pfft~”
A mouthful of blood spurted from Sha Wenyuan’s mouth.
“Stop!”
Seeing that Sha Wenyuan was barely breathing, the bearded man finally snapped out of his shock, jumped off the carriage, and came to intervene.
Hua Changxi looked around at everyone expressionlessly, then smiled at the bearded man. “Steward, don’t worry, I am a healer. I know where to draw the line.”
“I won’t dirty my hands for a scumbag and incur a murder charge.”
Saying this, she kicked Sha Wenyuan again. “This trash won’t die.”
The bearded man looked at the extremely arrogant Hua Changxi, his eyes sharp. “You have great courage.”
Hua Changxi smiled faintly. “If I didn’t have great courage, how would I be here?”
Now that she was out of the Medical Affairs Department, she was not afraid of these people. They couldn’t send her back; at most, they could only punish her by making her stay at the Medicine Farm longer.
However, this suited her perfectly.
The bearded man stared at Hua Changxi for a while. Just as everyone thought he was going to punish Hua Changxi, he turned and left without saying anything, only instructing a few people to carry Sha Wenyuan onto the carriage.
They continued their journey.
As dusk fell, the bearded man had Dry Rations distributed again. After eating, he did not let them rest but continued to travel in the dark.
After a night passed, as dawn broke, the group finally arrived at Sancha Medicine Farm.
“Steward Zhu.”
“Steward Mao.”
Every year at this time, the Medical Affairs Department would send Laborers to the Medicine Farm to help with planting and harvesting medicinal herbs. As this was related to his duties, Mao Yong had been waiting early.
“You’ve traveled for a day and a night, thank you for your hard work, brothers. The Medicine Farm has prepared food. Come, follow me to eat first, then rest for a day, and start working tomorrow.”
Mao Yong led the group into the Medicine Farm, but when he saw Hua Changxi at the back of the crowd, his smile froze.
When Hua Changxi looked at him, she smiled at him friendly.
Upon seeing this, Mao Yong quickly averted his gaze and grabbed the bearded man. “What’s going on? Why is there a female Laborer?”
Zhu Yu glanced at Hua Changxi. “She offended Eunuch Lu and was punished to come and labor.”
Hearing this, Mao Yong’s heart stirred. He had been holding a grudge against this young girl since she had forced him to apologize publicly in the Medical Affairs Department storeroom. Now that this girl was on his territory, he had to find an opportunity to regain his lost face.
However, the next moment, upon seeing Sha Wenyuan, who was covered in injuries and being carried off the carriage, and learning that this person had his arm and leg broken by Hua Changxi, and three ribs crushed, Mao Yong’s scalp tightened.
However, thinking that the Medicine Farm had Grandmasters stationed there, Mao Yong’s expression slightly improved.
He didn’t believe that this girl would dare to injure people wantonly under the watchful eyes of a Grandmaster.
