Chapter 117: Ghost Market
Hua Changxi always felt that time was the most precious thing, and she was always punctual for every class at Qihuang Hall, starting and ending on time.
The laborers who often came to listen to her lectures were already very familiar with her time management.
As soon as Hua Changxi announced the end of the class, they would see her off and then go about their business. Those who wanted to continue alchemy would stay in Number Six Qihuang Hall, while those with other matters would leave.
However, Mu Qingying and the others, who were attending Hua Changxi’s lecture for the first time, found it a bit unaccustomed to see Hua Changxi leave directly.
In the Apprentice Hall, Disciple Hall, and the major apothecary shops on Ninth Street, physicians and pharmacists would not leave immediately after their lectures but would give everyone a chance to ask questions.
Seeing Hua Changxi about to leave the courtyard, Mu Qingying hurried after her, “Hua Changxi.”
Hua Changxi stopped and looked back at her, “Is there something?”
Mu Qingying: “Thank you for your correction just now. If you hadn’t pointed it out, I wouldn’t have realized my mistake. Your alchemy technique is very skilled. I have many things I don’t understand; can I ask you for advice?”
Hua Changxi directly refused, “I have other things to attend to. If you have questions, you can ask them in class next time. I only answer questions during class.”
Seeing her so straightforwardly refuse, Mu Qingying was stunned. Since becoming the apprentice of the Medical Affairs Department Head, she hadn’t been refused so directly in a long time.
Mu Qingying felt a bit awkward, “You’re busy? Then I won’t bother you.”
Hua Changxi nodded and turned to leave.
Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue, who had originally wanted to connect with Hua Changxi, saw Mu Qingying get rebuffed and, not wanting to embarrass themselves, wisely didn’t approach.
After Hua Changxi left, Mu Qingying greeted Young Master Chu, Miss Duan, the He Family Sisters, and Hua Shuran, and then quickly departed.
As soon as she left, the others also left one after another, and soon, only the laborers who were still learning alchemy remained in Number Six Qihuang Hall.
Hua Wanyue had wanted to leave with Young Master Chu and Miss Duan, but Hua Shuran stopped her.
Seeing Hua Wanyue looking at her with confusion, Hua Shuran patiently explained, “Don’t you see? Miss Duan doesn’t want us to follow.”
Hua Wanyue heard this and looked at Young Master Chu’s retreating back with regret, “What a pity…”
Hua Shuran snorted, “What’s there to regret? We’re all in the Medical Affairs Department, we’ll meet again sooner or later.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Wanyue quickly looked at Hua Shuran, “Fifth Young Woman, why do you think the Seventh Prince came to listen to Hua Jiuniang’s lecture?”
Hua Shuran shook her head, “Who knows.”
Although the Earl’s Mansion had extensive social connections, they couldn’t reach imperial relatives, let alone princes from the palace.
Speaking of Hua Changxi, Hua Wanyue had a belly full of complaints, “Grandfather was right, this Hua Jiuniang is truly arrogant.”
Hua Shuran also felt that Hua Changxi was a bit too arrogant.
Normally, the young women she interacted with, no matter what they thought internally, always appeared ‘humble and polite’ on the surface. As for Hua Changxi, to put it nicely, she was true to herself, but to put it bluntly, she lacked upbringing.
She didn’t care about Hua Changxi’s character; she was more curious about why Hua Changxi was so arrogant and where she got her confidence from.
Also, where did she learn her alchemy technique, which was even more outstanding than that of the pharmacists on Ninth Street?
On the other side, Duan Yuyan, walking ahead, looked back at Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue. Seeing that they hadn’t followed, she smiled with satisfaction, “It’s good they know their place. They just walked the same path as us and already want to latch on, how annoying.”
Seeing that the Seventh Prince, Chu Junhao, didn’t respond to her, Duan Yuyan was a little unhappy. She tugged his sleeve, “Cousin, are you listening to me?”
Chu Junhao glanced at her, “I’m thinking about something.”
Duan Yuyan, “What are you thinking about?”
Chu Junhao’s mind flashed with the image of Hua Changxi intently lecturing, then the image of her unceremoniously refusing people. He chuckled, “It’s truly completely different.”
Duan Yuyan didn’t understand, “What’s different?”
Chu Junhao smiled, shook his head, and asked, “What do you think of Hua Changxi’s lecture?”
Duan Yuyan paused. Although she felt Hua Changxi’s attitude wasn’t respectful enough, she couldn’t lie and say her lecture was bad. It was better than what the Pill Masters who taught them usually taught, and easier to understand.
“It was alright, I guess.”
Chu Junhao smiled, “Since you think it was alright, then we’ll come to listen to her lectures more often in the future.”
Duan Yuyan didn’t object to attending the lectures, but she still said, “But Hua Changxi teaches how to refine Mortal Pills, and we are supposed to be learning to refine Elixirs.”
Chu Junhao tapped Duan Yuyan’s head with his fan, “You, you just don’t like to use your brain. Whether it’s Mortal Pills or Elixirs, the steps and techniques for refining them are not that different.”
“We haven’t had much exposure to alchemy before, and our foundation is weak. This is a good opportunity to catch up.”
Duan Yuyan felt that what Chu Junhao said made sense, “Alright, then we’ll come listen more often. Although Hua Changxi is a laborer, she does have some real skill.”
Walking at the very back were Zhu Qinghuan and Shen Qianfan.
Since they had both received wooden tokens, they could be considered ‘insiders’ to some extent. When they first came to listen to Hua Changxi’s lecture, their main goal was to form alliances.
After all, they didn’t know the exact function of the wooden tokens, but they were clearly important. Various factions were now involved in the Medical Affairs Department, and neither of them had much backing, so they could only try to strengthen their own abilities.
Unfortunately, Hua Changxi was somewhat distant, keeping her distance from everyone.
Although they couldn’t deepen their relationship, Hua Changxi’s medical skills were truly beyond their expectations.
Shen Qianfan sighed, “As expected, those who can get a wooden token are not ordinary people.”
Zhu Qinghuan heard this, looked at him, and smiled, “Brother Shen, are you praising yourself?”
Shen Qianfan was not embarrassed at all; instead, he was very serious, “I am stating a fact. In terms of medical skills, I believe I am not lacking. What, you lack confidence in yourself?”
He believed that anyone who could get a wooden token was skilled in medicine.
Zhu Qinghuan was momentarily speechless and then changed the subject to Hua Changxi, “I really didn’t expect Hua Changxi’s alchemy technique to be so proficient.”
Shen Qianfan nodded in agreement, “Heroes emerge from youth since ancient times. I have gained a lot from listening to her lectures.”
Zhu Qinghuan glanced at him, somewhat speechless, and continued, “Looking at Hua Changxi’s alchemy movements, she doesn’t seem like a novice; she looks like an old hand who has been refining pills for a long time. She hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet, how did she acquire such skill?”
Shen Qianfan looked at her, “If you really want to know, you can ask Hua Changxi directly. However, I advise you not to, because no one likes their privacy being probed. I’m returning to the Disciple Hall, farewell.”
Watching Shen Qianfan stride away, Zhu Qinghuan sighed and murmured, “Indeed, those who can get a wooden token are not fools.”
The issue of the Teleportation Array could not be resolved for the time being, so Hua Changxi had to put it aside. Unable to absorb Spiritual Energy freely for Cultivation, she shifted her focus to Body Refining.
Every night, she would perform Skin Quenching once. After each Skin Quenching, the elasticity and toughness of her skin would increase.
After six Skin Quenchings, her skin had initially gained the ability to defend against Spiritual Power.
After nine Skin Quenchings, the Skin Refining Chapter of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique reached Perfection. Hua Changxi’s skin was like congealed fat, crystal clear, and it even shimmered in the sunlight. At this point, even a full-power strike from a Late Qi Refining Cultivator could not break through her skin’s defense.
Hua Changxi felt the change in her body’s strength and realized that the strength displayed by cultivating the Skin Refining Chapter of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique corresponded to the Qi Refining Realm of a Law Cultivator.
Within the same Realm, a Body Cultivator might not be able to defeat a Law Cultivator, but a Body Cultivator’s defense could withstand a Law Cultivator’s attack.
On the fourth day of June, Hua Changxi began the second chapter of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique—the Muscle Refining Chapter.
While Skin Quenching involved the pain of repeated tearing and healing of the skin, Muscle Quenching required her to endure not only the pain of skin tearing but also the pain of flesh withering and regenerating.
The index of unbearable pain directly multiplied several times over.
Soaking in the medicinal bath, Hua Changxi gritted her teeth and persevered. The next day, when she emerged from the tub, her lips were bleeding from biting down.
She could perform Skin Quenching consecutively, but she couldn’t do Muscle Quenching continuously.
It was too painful.
However, the effect was also obvious. Hua Changxi could clearly feel her body getting stronger. If her body was made of mud before, now it was transforming towards stone.
After soaking in a medicinal bath to soothe and nourish her body, Hua Changxi went to Qihuang Hall for class.
Seeing Mu Qingying, the He Family Sisters, Hua Shuran, Hua Wanyue, Chu Junhao, Duan Yuyan, Zhu Qinghuan, and Shen Qianfan attending her lecture again, she merely glanced at them indifferently.
These people had been coming to her lectures frequently during this period. Their attendance had also attracted some others, including those from the Apprentice Hall, the Disciple Hall, and even some registered disciples from the Ninth Street apothecary shops.
With more people attending the lectures, not only did Hua Changxi, who was lecturing, feel a greater sense of accomplishment, but the Sword Pattern on the wooden token also became more ‘three-dimensional’.
Naturally, Hua Changxi welcomed such good fortune.
After the lecture that day, Yu Hui came to find her, “Sister Changxi, Eunuch Lin from the Eastern Depot is here. He wants to see you.”
Hua Changxi was a little surprised, “Where is Eunuch Lin now?”
Yu Hui, “He’s at my godfather’s place.”
Hua Changxi, “Then let’s go over.”
Eunuch Lin did not come alone; he brought a young eunuch with him, who was his adopted son whom he had almost lost.
“Steward Hua is here.”
As soon as Hua Changxi arrived, Eunuch Yu, with great foresight, took Yu Hui and withdrew, leaving the room to Hua Changxi and Eunuch Lin and his son.
“Eunuch Lin, you’ve come to see me, is there something?”
Eunuch Lin smiled and took out ten sets of spiritual needles from his Storage Bag, “These are the spiritual needles Physician Hua requested. Take a look, do they meet your requirements?”
Hua Changxi took the spiritual needles with surprise, “They’re already refined so quickly.” As she spoke, she quickly inspected the spiritual needles and found no issues.
“Eunuch Lin, for ten sets of spiritual needles, how much remuneration should I pay?”
Eunuch Lin smiled, “I inquired, and tomorrow is Physician Hua’s fifteenth birthday. These ten sets of spiritual needles are my birthday gift to Physician Hua.”
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered, “Your Excellency, I cannot accept such a valuable gift without earning it.”
Eunuch Lin quickly said, “How can it be without merit? Physician Hua, you have been a lifesaver to me.” As he spoke, he glanced at the young eunuch beside him.
“Lin Sheng, quickly step forward and thank your savior.”
Lin Sheng heard this and knelt before Hua Changxi with a thud, “Thank you, Physician Hua, for saving my life.”
Hua Changxi couldn’t stop him in time and quickly said, “Your Excellency, you are too kind.”
Eunuch Lin shook his head, “Physician Hua, you don’t know, although this child is my adopted son, he is related to me by blood. I treat him as my own son.”
“You saved him, which is equivalent to saving me. Ten sets of spiritual needles are still not enough to express my gratitude.”
Hua Changxi looked at Eunuch Lin and Lin Sheng, who were full of gratitude towards her, and knew they must have other intentions.
Having been at a dead end in finding a Talisman Master, she had long realized that her network was too narrow. Wanting to expand her connections, she went along with their words.
“Since Your Excellency is so kind, I will shamelessly accept these ten sets of spiritual needles. If you need anything in the future, please just say the word, and I will help as much as I can.”
Seeing that she accepted the spiritual needles, Eunuch Lin’s heart relaxed. Then, he appeared hesitant to speak.
Hua Changxi had long guessed that Eunuch Lin had ulterior motives, and seeing him like this, she was not surprised at all, “Your Excellency, if you have something to say, please speak frankly.”
Eunuch Lin put on a determined expression, “Physician Hua, I want my unworthy son to follow you.”
Hearing this request, Hua Changxi was indeed a little surprised, “Follow me? I’m just a laborer.”
Eunuch Lin, “Physician Hua is too modest. I heard from Eunuch Yu that everyone in the entire Labor Department now greatly respects you. For him to follow you is his good fortune.”
Fearing she would refuse, Eunuch Lin continued, “Physician Hua, my son is only a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist. The work in the Eastern Depot is too dangerous now. I fear that if he continues to stay in the Eastern Depot, he will eventually lose his life.”
“If it weren’t for meeting Physician Hua last time, he and many other martial artists from the Eastern Depot would have died.”
“I know Physician Hua might not think highly of my son, but he is still useful. He is obedient and can be your errand boy and messenger.”
Hua Changxi did not want to get too involved with the Eastern Depot and was about to refuse when Eunuch Lin stood up and handed her a wooden box.
“Eunuch Xuan mentioned that Physician Hua is looking for a Talisman Master.”
“A Talisman Master, I don’t know any either, but I know where to find one, and without exposing my identity.”
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered, “Oh, where can I find one?”
Eunuch Lin, “The Ghost Market.”
Hua Changxi frowned, “Ghost Market? What Ghost Market? Where is it? How have I never heard of it?”
Eunuch Lin pushed the wooden box in his hand forward, “The Ghost Market is within the Capital City’s Territory, but it is very mysterious. Entry requires someone to lead the way; otherwise, it’s almost impossible to enter on your own, unless you are incredibly lucky and happen to stumble upon the entrance.”
“This wooden box contains the token for entering and exiting the Ghost Market. Those who hold the token can sense where the entrance to the Ghost Market is.”
“The Ghost Market was built by cultivators, and those who enter and exit are cultivators. In the Ghost Market, you can not only buy all sorts of items that cultivators learn, but you can also find Artifact Refiners, Talisman Masters, Pill Masters, and Array Masters.”
After listening to Eunuch Lin’s introduction to the Ghost Market, Hua Changxi couldn’t take her eyes off the wooden box. Since she started Cultivating, she had never truly interacted with the cultivator circle.
If the Ghost Market was truly as Eunuch Lin described, it would definitely be an excellent place to understand cultivator society.
Hua Changxi hesitated for a moment and looked at Lin Sheng, “If you follow me, you must swear a Heart Demon Oath, never to betray me, or your Divine Soul will be annihilated.”
Lin Sheng looked at Eunuch Lin, “As long as it doesn’t harm Godfather, I am willing to obey Physician Hua in everything else.”
Eunuch Lin, though pleased with his answer, fearing Hua Changxi’s refusal, immediately reprimanded him, “What nonsense are you talking about? If you follow Physician Hua, she is your only Master. Whatever she asks you to do, you must do it.”
Lin Sheng lowered his head, refusing to budge.
Hua Changxi, seeing this, looked at him with a bit more respect, “Alright, I’ll take him.”
After dripping blood and swearing the Heart Demon Oath, Hua Changxi took the wooden box, opened it, and saw a black token with a Skull painted on it.
Hua Changxi examined the token, put it away, and then curiously looked at Eunuch Lin, “With Your Excellency’s status, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a place for Lin Sheng, why did you come to me?”
Eunuch Lin smiled, “Physician Hua is willing to lecture to laborers, which is a truly benevolent act. Lin Sheng is a eunuch, and eunuchs are destined to be servants wherever they go. Following Physician Hua, he might have a better life.”
Hua Changxi didn’t expect such a simple reason. If he wasn’t lying, then he truly had a father’s deep love for his son.
