Chapter 3: Obtaining an Opportunity
The rear yamen of Jingzhao Prefecture.
“Jiu Niang.”
“Here, drink this.”
Hua Minghe carefully helped Hua Changxi, whose wound had been bandaged, to sit up, holding a bowl of reddish-brown medicinal soup with a strong bloody smell.
The smell of the medicine made Hua Changxi frown. “Father, what kind of medicinal soup is this? Why does it smell so bad?”
Hua Minghe also found the medicine a bit too unpleasant. “This is medicine prescribed by the Medical Affairs Department. They say it’s a potent blood-replenishing tonic.”
Hua Changxi didn’t really want to drink it, but for the sake of her body, she took the medicine from Hua Minghe’s hand. After drinking it, her features contorted.
It was too awful.
It felt like drinking blood.
“Gag~”
Hua Changxi wanted to vomit.
At this moment, a middle-aged man in a light beige official uniform walked in.
“Don’t waste it!”
“That’s a top-quality blood-replenishing medicine.”
“If it weren’t for the magnitude of the demonic daoist rebellion case and the large number of victims, you wouldn’t be able to drink such good stuff.”
Upon seeing the newcomer, Hua Minghe immediately stood up and greeted him, “Pharmacist Xu.”
Hua Changxi suppressed the nausea in her heart and looked at Pharmacist Xu with some surprise. “Uncle Xu, why are you here?”
Pharmacist Xu said, “Those who were captured by the demonic daoists for blood sacrifice have all fallen into a deep coma due to excessive blood loss. Ordinary doctors are powerless to treat them.”
“The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture pleaded with the Medical Affairs Department, so the department sent me and a few other pharmacists to see if we could save more people.”
As he spoke, Pharmacist Xu sized up Hua Changxi and said with a smile, “Jiu Niang, you’re truly lucky to have survived the demonic daoist’s clutches.”
Hearing this, Hua Minghe looked pale with lingering fear and said sternly to Hua Changxi, “You are forbidden to run around recklessly again in the future.”
After this kidnapping incident, Hua Changxi also deeply felt that public security in ancient times was too poor. She nodded obediently, “I understand.” She then looked at Pharmacist Xu.
“How are the others?”
Pharmacist Xu sighed, “Twelve people were rescued.”
Hua Minghe’s expression turned grim. “Eighty-one people, and only about ten survived. Those demonic monks and demonic daoists are becoming more and more rampant.”
Pharmacist Xu was equally indignant. “Who can say otherwise? We used to only hear about demonic monks and demonic daoists appearing in other places, but now they dare to commit crimes in the Capital City’s territory.”
“The Imperial Court should properly manage those monks and daoists.”
Hua Minghe did not respond to this statement.
Many ministers in the court believed in Buddhism and Daoism, and the current Emperor believed in both.
In such circumstances, who would dare to suppress the rise of Buddhism and Daoism?
Pharmacist Xu clearly knew this as well and didn’t say more. He turned to Hua Changxi. “How are you feeling now?”
Hua Changxi carefully felt her body’s condition. After drinking the medicine, a warm current flowed within her. Her dizziness was gone, and she said with surprise, “What exactly was that medicinal soup? Its blood-replenishing effect is so good.”
Pharmacist Xu smiled. “This is a new medicinal herb discovered by the Medical Affairs Department, called True Blood Wood. Pills refined from True Blood Wood have miraculous effects even for Martial Artists, let alone ordinary people.”
True Blood Wood.
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered. This was another medicinal herb she had never even heard of.
Fortunately, she was already accustomed to this situation.
The customs and traditions of the Great Jin Dynasty were very similar to the Tang Dynasty she knew, yet there were differences. The most significant difference was the flourishing of Martial Arts.
Here, there truly existed martial arts masters like those in wuxia novels.
Those who practiced martial arts were called Martial Artists, and many of the medicinal herbs they used were unfamiliar to her.
“Pharmacist Xu, another victim has woken up. The Prefect wants you to go and see them,” an yamen runner said, calling for Pharmacist Xu.
Pharmacist Xu nodded. Before leaving, he said to Hua Changxi, “Jiu Niang, the Medical Affairs Department will be recruiting a batch of apprentices next month. Didn’t you mention before that you wanted to join the Medical Affairs Department? This is an excellent opportunity.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi’s expression lit up. “I will definitely go.”
After Pharmacist Xu left, Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi disapprovingly. “Why are you thinking of going to the Medical Affairs Department? Isn’t it better to stay at our family’s apothecary shop?”
Hua Changxi pouted. “I’d like to continue staying at our family’s apothecary shop, but would Grandmother agree? Last year, Grandmother already wanted me to make way for Sixth Brother and Eighth Brother.”
In Old Madam Hua’s mind, the Hua family’s businesses were all reserved for the sons and grandsons. The apothecary shop’s business naturally had to be managed by the grandsons, while granddaughters should stay at home embroidering and weaving.
The only reason she could help at the apothecary shop was because she had displayed exceptional medical talent, which had stunned the resident doctor. The resident doctor personally requested her from Old Madam Hua, which was how she was allowed to stay and help at the shop.
For the past two years, Sixth Brother and Eighth Brother were in school, so there was no one to compete with her. This year, both of them had dropped out of school and were old enough to help at the apothecary shop. She would have to make way for them.
Hearing this, Hua Minghe fell silent for a moment. He had five children: the first three were sons, and the latter two were daughters.
When his youngest daughter, Shi Niang, was eight years old, she was taken away by Daoist Qingyun of Taisu Palace on Mount Qi Yun. Now, only Jiu Niang remained by his side.
Jiu Niang liked medical skills. As a father, he very much wanted to fulfill his daughter’s wishes, but the Hua family didn’t have much of a fortune, and there were many children. If the children wanted to develop, they indeed had to find other ways.
If his sons had wanted to join the Medical Affairs Department, Hua Minghe would have absolutely agreed, but Jiu Niang was a young woman.
“Although the Medical Affairs Department does not participate in court politics, it is still one of the many government offices.”
“Matters within government offices are intricate, and it’s not something a young woman like you can understand.”
“Although the Medical Affairs Department publicly states that both men and women can join, nine out of ten people inside are men. Do you know how difficult it is for a woman to establish herself among men?”
“You are acquainted with Pharmacist Xu. Go and ask him, since the establishment of the Medical Affairs Department, how many women have made a name for themselves there?”
Hua Changxi lowered her gaze. “Where is it difficult for women to make a name for themselves?”
Seeing that Hua Minghe still wanted to persuade her, Hua Changxi added, “Father, I don’t intend to make a name for myself in the Medical Affairs Department. I just want to find a job.”
“My medical skills have been recognized by Pharmacist Xu. With his guidance, I am confident I can establish myself in the Medical Affairs Department.”
In her previous life, she was the successor of a traditional Chinese medicine family. She joined the best traditional Chinese medicine hospital in the country right after graduating with her doctorate.
Even though she didn’t recognize many of the medicinal herbs in this world, she believed that with her medical knowledge and clinical experience from her previous life, she would definitely be competent for the work at the Medical Affairs Department.
Hua Minghe did not want to argue with his daughter while she was injured, so he said, “Let’s discuss this later. Your disappearance this time has greatly frightened your mother.”
“Rest for a while longer. The Prefect and the Chief Constable may summon you later. At that time, tell them everything you know, and after it’s recorded, you can go home with Father.”
Hua Changxi nodded.
After resting for an hour, a bailiff indeed came to escort Hua Changxi to the main hall.
Hua Minghe accompanied Hua Changxi and met the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture in the main hall.
Since demonic daoists had caused trouble in the Capital City, Hua Minghe, as a constable of the Six Doors, had also sent someone to notify the Six Doors immediately after his daughter was rescued.
Therefore, the Chief Constable of the Six Doors was also seated below the Prefect.
To avoid trouble, Hua Changxi concealed the fact that the young woman recognized her, but she revealed everything else without reservation.
After she finished speaking, before the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture could speak, the Chief Constable of the Six Doors was the first to ask, “Can you elaborate on the red stone you mentioned?”
Hua Changxi replied, “It was a red stone, round, and about this big.” She gestured with her hand.
The Chief Constable then asked, “Did the young woman who fought the demonic daoist, and the middle-aged man who appeared later, have any distinctive features in their appearance?”
Hua Changxi thought back but couldn’t recall any particular features, so she shook her head at the Chief Constable.
Seeing this, the Chief Constable sighed inwardly, knowing that capturing those two would be difficult. He didn’t ask further and turned to the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. “Does the Prefect have any questions?”
The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture nodded and looked at Hua Changxi. “Young Woman Hua, are you certain that the red-robed demonic daoist is dead?”
Hua Changxi nodded affirmatively. “He’s definitely dead. I threw the red stone into the lava, and the demonic daoist chased after it and jumped in. How could he survive falling into lava?”
The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture smiled. “I have no further questions.”
Seeing that the Chief Constable of the Six Doors also shook his head, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture said to Hua Minghe, “You can take your daughter home. However, if there are any further questions for Young Woman Hua in the future, you will still need to come to Jingzhao Prefecture.”
Hua Minghe understood this was part of the investigation process. “If Your Excellency requires it, this subordinate will certainly bring Jiu Niang to assist with the investigation.”
By the time Hua Minghe brought Hua Changxi back to the Hua family, it was almost dark.
“Jiu Niang.”
The Hua family members gathered around, looking at Hua Changxi, who had fallen asleep in Hua Minghe’s arms, with concern.
Hua Minghe said, “Jiu Niang is injured and needs to rest well. I’ll take her back to her room first. Everyone can talk to her in a couple of days.”
After informing his family, Hua Minghe carried Hua Changxi back to her room.
Hua Minghe’s wife, Madam Yao, quickly followed.
The others remained in the main hall.
Although Old Madam Hua was concerned about her granddaughter’s injuries, she didn’t hesitate to use Hua Changxi as an example. “You all saw it, this is the consequence of running around everywhere.”
“Especially you three, Wu Niang, Qi Niang, and Shi Er Niang, you must stay close to your family when you go out. Do you understand?”
Hua Wu Niang, Hua Qi Niang, and Hua Shi Er Niang, knowing that Hua Changxi had been captured by a demonic daoist, were all filled with trepidation and replied, “We understand.”
In Hua Changxi’s room, Madam Yao gently wiped her body with a handkerchief and changed her into clean clothes.
Fearing that her daughter might wake up, Madam Yao stayed up until midnight. Only when she was sure that Hua Changxi was sleeping soundly did she return to her own room.
As for Hua Changxi, despite having just experienced a life-and-death crisis, she slept exceptionally soundly.
In her sleep, she had a dream.
In the dream, she transformed into a small bird emitting a red glow.
The bird’s nostrils flared, and it inhaled with a thunderous sound. With each breath, the surrounding airflow was drawn into the bird’s body.
As the airflow entered, the red glow on the bird’s body became more brilliant.
Unconsciously, Hua Changxi’s breathing began to synchronize with the bird’s.
Hua Changxi slept until noon the next day. When she woke up, she felt exceptionally refreshed. However, as her eyes fully cleared, she froze.
『Realm: Qi Refining Realm 1/1000』
This line of text appearing in her vision made Hua Changxi dumbfounded. After a while, she finally came to her senses.
After regaining her senses, Hua Changxi closed her eyes and shook her head several times. When she found that the text was still there, her heart began to pound violently. She couldn’t help but think of the red stone that the red-robed old man and the young woman had desperately fought over.
Could this be the opportunity that the red-robed demonic daoist and the young woman had spoken of?
